The next day.
The sky was clear, the air fresh, and the weather pleasant. The people of the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital were especially bright-eyed and full of vitality. Discussion filled the bustling streets and the teahouses and taverns lining them, while many people kept glancing toward the imperial palace.
"Dong, dong, dong..."
Bells rang out, enveloping the entire city and echoing between heaven and earth, clear and melodious.
"The Enfeoffment Ceremony has begun!"
"I wonder how many kings the Huan Emperor will invest at the Great Huan Dynasty's Enfeoffment Ceremony this time? How many will advance to the king realm?"
"Judging by the Huan Emperor's usual conduct, he invested the Southern Pacifying King even when he was still the Huan King. This is an imperial dynasty's Enfeoffment Ceremony, so he should elevate several kings. But..."
"This is an age of great turmoil. Hidden legacies keep appearing, the flames of war fill the skies, and talented people emerge in droves. It's also the easiest time to win merit. The Huan Emperor probably won't invest any kings this time. Otherwise, how will he reward the Great Huan Dynasty's ministers when they render meritorious service? He could easily end up in the awkward position of having merit he cannot reward. Don't forget, a nephew in my seventh uncle's family is one of the Imperial Guards. He says our nation is planning to conquer the Otherworld. When that happens, war will set the heavens ablaze, and heroes will contend for supremacy. If any kings emerge, it will probably be during the conquest of the Otherworld..."
"That makes sense. But the higher the fruition rank, the greater the boost in strength. With the conquest of the Otherworld approaching, the Huan Emperor will certainly strengthen his military as much as possible. My guess is that