He instinctively looked toward the Soul Power detector. The moment he saw the number on its display, he froze on the spot.
Innate Soul Power: Level 15!
"How is this possible?!"
Jing Hongchen cried out in shock.
He could understand Twin Martial Souls, but what did Innate Soul Power at Level 15 even mean?
Throughout the history of the continent, only that so-called God-Bestowed Martial Soul on the other continent had ever produced such a result!
He even suspected the Soul Tool detector was broken, but before he could check it—
After a brief silence, the entire Imperial Zenith Hall erupted.
Countless ministers flushed with excitement. They dropped to their knees and congratulated the emperor, nearly hysterical with joy.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Sun Moon Twin Martial Souls, Sun Moon Radiance!"
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire!"
Their cries crashed through the palace like a stormy sea, reaching the heavens.
On the imperial throne, the old emperor trembled with excitement, his face alight with joy!
"Good!"
"Wonderful!"
"Our ancestors have blessed us!"
"Heaven favors our Sun Moon Empire!"
He sprang to his feet, his laughter echoing through the palace for a long time.
"Reward them!"
"Everyone gets a reward!"
"A generous reward!"
Then the old emperor's gaze fell on Xu Tianyao, standing on the Awakening Platform.
There was more than affection in his eyes. There was also a satisfaction and expectation he had never felt before.
"Convey my decree!"
"Confer the title of... Prince Ming upon Xu Tianyao!"
"Let him rank as the First Prince!"
The moment the words fell, the entire court was stunned.
Though Xu Tianyao had not been made crown prince, the words "First Prince" said more than enough. In the future, his standing would be second only to the emperor.
Below, Xu Tianran, Xu Tianyuan, and the other princes finally breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
For a moment, they had thought their father would be so overjoyed that he would make Xu Tianyao crown prince on the spot.
If that had happened, all their plotting and rivalry over the years would have been meaningless.
But now, it seemed the struggle for the throne—
was far from over. It was only that, starting today,
the boy standing at the center of the Awakening Platform, bearing the Sun Moon Twin Martial Souls, would be completely removed from the whirlpool of courtly strife and become the Sun Moon Empire's priceless treasure, one it could not afford to lose.
On the Awakening Platform,
Xu Tianyao slowly calmed the Soul Power surging within him.
Though he had remained immersed in the peculiar state of Martial Soul Awakening, he had not been entirely oblivious to what was happening around him.
Twin Martial Souls.
Innate Soul Power at Level 15.
Even he still felt as if he were in a dream. He really possessed such astonishing talent!
However, just as he was about to rein in his Soul Power and bring the awakening ceremony to a complete end,
a glint suddenly flashed in the eyes of Xu Tianran, standing to the emperor's right, as if he had thought of something.
He stepped forward decisively and bowed to the old emperor.
"Father, I have a matter to report!"
At that moment, in that setting, the gesture immediately drew everyone's attention.
The old emperor turned to look at his son, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"Tianran, what do you have to say?"
Xu Tianran bowed respectfully once more, then lifted his head and let his gaze drift toward Jing Hongchen.
That meaningful glance made Jing Hongchen's heart sink.
His sense of foreboding grew stronger by the moment.
And sure enough—
Xu Tianran spoke in a clear voice.
"Father, I humbly ask you to arrange a marriage for Tianyao!"
At his words, the ministers in the hall were momentarily stunned.
Xu Tianran continued, "I have long heard that Tianyao and Hall Master Jing's granddaughter, Meng Hongchen, are very close."
"They are of similar age and devoted to each other."
"Now that Tianyao has awakened Twin Martial Souls and carries the Empire's fortune, while Meng Hongchen is also a Peerless talent among the younger generation,"
"if they were to marry, it would not only make a beautiful match, but also strengthen the bond between the Imperial House and Mingde Hall."
"I beg you to grant my request, Father!"
When he finished, many ministers quickly caught on.
Xu Tianyao had revealed such terrifying talent.
He was all but certain to become a pillar of the Empire in the future.
If he could be firmly bound to Mingde Hall's faction, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous boon to the Empire.
It would secure the Empire at home and leave it without worries abroad!
Thinking this, the ministers stepped forward one after another to voice their support.
"I support the proposal!"
"Your Majesty, please grant the marriage!"
"It is a match made in heaven!"
"Your Majesty, please make it so!"
For a time, the hall grew lively once more.
Yet amid the crowd, Xu Tianyao and Jing Hongchen remained conspicuously silent.
Jing Hongchen, in particular, looked distinctly troubled.
Others might not know, but he knew perfectly well:
his precious granddaughter did have a great deal of affection for Xu Tianyao. Otherwise, she would not have sneaked out of the family home last night to meet the boy in secret.
Under ordinary circumstances, he would have refused this marriage outright.
But now Xu Tianyao had just awakened such heaven-defying talent and had been made the First Prince on the spot. His status was on a completely different level, and he had also been removed from the contest over the succession.
Everything had changed. This was no longer simply a matter of the children's marriage.
It was a major event that could affect the future balance of power between the Imperial House and Mingde Hall.
On the imperial throne, the old emperor pondered for a moment, then raised a hand to quiet the clamor filling the hall.
"That will do."
"Marriage concerns the lives of two children, after all."
"It must not be decided hastily."
As he spoke, his gaze first settled on Xu Tianyao.
Seeing no sign of resistance in the boy's expression—in fact, he seemed faintly expectant—the emperor felt more certain of his judgment.
Then the old emperor looked at Jing Hongchen. Seeing him remain silent, he furrowed his brow slightly.
"Minister Hongchen."
"What do you think of this matter?"
"Is what Tianran said true?"
Faced with the emperor's question, Jing Hongchen's heart sank.
He knew full well that the emperor's decision to ask him directly meant he was not opposed to the marriage.
If Jing Hongchen refused outright, he would risk slighting the emperor.
With that in mind, Jing Hongchen could only step forward, bracing himself.
"Your Majesty."
"Meng Hongchen is still young."
"Besides, she has never mentioned this to me."
"Your servant knows nothing of the matter."
"Please allow your servant to return and ask her about it before giving Your Majesty an answer."
With that, Jing Hongchen bowed deeply.
But scarcely had his words fallen when a clear voice suddenly rang out.
"Why go to all that trouble?"
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Xu Tianyao stepping down from the Awakening Platform.
The boy looked composed, but his eyes shone with a hint of pride and confidence.
"Father."
"Since this concerns Sister Meng, we should hear what she thinks."
"We need only send an imperial envoy to Mingde Hall and invite Sister Meng here."
"It will take only a little while and won't delay anything."
As he spoke, Xu Tianyao looked toward Jing Hongchen.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Grandpa Jing, what do you think?"
Jing Hongchen stared at the little brat before him, his teeth practically aching with how badly he wanted to grind them.
"P-Prince Ming makes a good point. I'll make the arrangements at once."
Things had reached this point, and he had no choice but to accept it. Otherwise, neither side would know how to bring the matter to a close.
I hope Mengmeng listens to me later. As he considered what to do, Jing Hongchen called over a guard and ordered him to return home at once and escort the young lady here.
At last, the commotion had temporarily subsided.
Before you continue