And just to the right of the imperial throne stood another throne, slightly smaller in size.
Though it was somewhat less grand, it was every bit as lavish and solemn.
A full moon and a blazing sun were carved into the throne's back.
It was none other than Prince Ming's throne!
At the sight of it, countless officials in the plaza craned their necks, eager to witness this historic moment.
For ever since the founding of the Sun Moon Empire,
not a single prince had ever been granted a throne of his own at an enthronement ceremony.
Much less one placed alongside the imperial throne at the very top!
This was no longer merely a sign of favor. It was a recognition of status.
A special standing that placed him above every royal prince and noble!
Xu Tianran slowly turned around, then looked at Xu Tianyao beside him in full view of the people.
"Tianyao."
"Take your seat."
Those two simple lines instantly rang throughout the entire imperial city, for they represented the new emperor's first decree after ascending the throne.
In an instant, every gaze fell upon Xu Tianyao.
Xu Tianyao was slightly taken aback. This was his first time experiencing something like this. Though his heart surged with excitement, he still remembered to maintain a prince's dignity.
He took a deep breath, walked calmly toward the throne that belonged to him, then slowly sat down.
The moment the two brothers sat together atop the high platform,
countless officials looked on in shock and awe.
The meaning of this scene was simply too weighty.
All the rumors of infighting within the imperial family and brothers turning against each other—
in that moment, they crumbled without a fight. What the world saw was neither suspicion nor a struggle for power,
but two pillars of the imperial family, standing together to uphold the empire's future.
From the high platform, Xu Tianran looked down upon the assembled officials.
His authoritative voice rang out slowly.
"Today, I shall honor the late emperor's wishes and inherit the unified rule of the Sun Moon Empire."
"From this day forward, I shall govern the realm alongside you, my ministers, and build an age of prosperity together with our countless millions of subjects."
"All the people of the Sun Moon Empire are the foundation of our empire."
"I shall never begrudge rewards for those who have served the empire."
"Whoever dares invade our empire's lands, no matter how far away, shall be slain!"
As the final four words fell, countless generals rose as one and shouted in unison.
"No matter how far away, they shall be slain!"
"No matter how far away, they shall be slain!"
"No matter how far away, they shall be slain!"
Their iron-blooded cries shook the heavens.
At that moment, the sun rose fully, its golden light spilling over the imperial throne and the prince's throne.
It also fell upon the flag of the Sun Moon Empire, fluttering proudly in the wind.
It was as if it heralded the arrival of a new era for the Sun Moon Empire.
Watching the scene, Xu Tianyao felt a strange sensation stir within him for the first time. He was intoxicated by it, so swept up that he could not tear himself away.
This is imperial power, naturally towering above all living beings. I love this feeling!
With the enthronement ceremony brought to a successful close, the Sun Moon Empire officially entered a new era.
Though Ming Capital was still basking in the afterglow of the celebrations, guests from the various kingdoms had begun their journeys home.
The delegations from the Douluo Three Kingdoms had reached the time to depart as well.
Outside the city gates, banners snapped in the wind.
As the newly appointed regent, Xu Tianyao personally led the party seeing them off and conveyed the empire's final decision to the three kingdoms' delegations.
The Sun Moon Empire had agreed to the three kingdoms' request to open trade.
However, all trade had to be reviewed by the Imperial Ministry of Commerce. Rare metals, strategic resources, high-grade Soul Tool materials, and other important goods would be subject to especially strict controls.
The parties could understand this.
After all, no country would ever open its lifeblood resources without reservation.
Another decision, however, took many by surprise.
It was Shrek Academy's application for an exchange student program.
Xu Tianran had originally thought they could put the matter on hold and decide once the situation had fully stabilized.
But Xu Tianyao had taken the initiative to push it forward, completing the approval process as quickly as possible.
Others might not understand his reasons, but Xu Tianyao knew them all too well.
If things followed their original course, one of the exchange students Shrek sent in the future would be an exceptionally unusual person.
That person was Huo Yuhao.
He would study at Mingde Hall and take a wealth of Soul Guidance Technology back to Shrek.
Xu Tianyao had never denied Huo Yuhao's talent. After all, he had too many cheats and was the chosen one.
His rate of growth could only be called legendary.
But the more extraordinary he was, the less Xu Tianyao could accept what he would do in the future.
Mingde Hall had spent resources training him, and the Sun Moon Empire had taught him countless techniques.
In the end, all they got in return was a steady leak of their core secrets.
No matter how many reasons there might be behind it—whether Tang San had manipulated him or Shrek's people had influenced him later on—
no matter what sort of guidance he received, Xu Tianyao believed some things simply had no excuse.
To receive another's kindness, only to turn around and destroy their very foundations—
that act alone was enough to make anyone despise him.
If that was the case,
then he would change everything at its source. Rather than wait for Shrek to send people to study at Mingde Hall in the future, he would take the initiative and begin the exchange early.
Let those Shrek prodigies who had always looked down on Soul Tools come study in the empire. With their brains, they could think until the end of time and still never figure out their mysteries.
At the same time, the Sun Moon Empire's finest young Soul Masters would go study at Shrek.
After all, Soul Guidance Technology was the Sun Moon Empire's strength.
Martial Soul research, meanwhile, was the foundation Shrek Academy had built up over tens of thousands of years.
Even Xu Tianyao had to acknowledge that.
The Sun Moon Empire had many Soul Engineers, but the overall quality of their Martial Souls held them back. Many high-level Soul Masters relied more on resources piled up around them to advance.
Shrek was different. It gathered the continent's finest Martial Soul prodigies.
When it came to developing Martial Souls, matching Soul Rings, and studying combat systems, it was far beyond what the Sun Moon Empire could match.
Learning from one another's strengths was the true path to a powerful nation.
And so, this exchange visit came to a successful close.
Every faction had received the answers it wanted.
Xu Tianyao, too, finally began his own academy life in earnest.
As the Sun Moon Empire's foremost royal noble, regent, and foremost member of the imperial family,
his enrollment naturally caused a sensation throughout the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
Xu Tianyao, however, chose not to accept any special treatment.
Aside from the necessary protection for his identity, he entered the academy and studied just like any ordinary student.
Of course, with his Soul Power now approaching level thirty, he obviously could not start in the freshman class.
After an assessment, the academy assigned him directly to the second year to study Martial Soul Theory.
There, he became classmates with Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen.
As for his Soul Tool classes,
the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy had always focused on training Soul Engineers. Most second-year students had already reached Level 2 Soul Engineer.
Xu Tianyao, however, had never received systematic training in Soul Tool knowledge.
So, at Kong Deming's arrangement, his prized disciple, Xuan Ziwen, was assigned to tutor him privately.
Countless students at the academy were green with envy.
Who was Xuan Ziwen?
He was one of the most promising candidates to take over a key research position at Mingde Hall in the future.
For any student, being taught by him personally was an incredible stroke of luck.
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