The Eve of the Struggle for the Throne

Become emperor?

Xu Tiance's eyes narrowed slightly, and he couldn't help turning the question over in his mind.

He had little interest in becoming Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. His goal, after all, was to attain Godhood. In the world of Peerless Tang Sect, if he failed to become a god, he would be nothing more than an ant Tang San could toy with at will. But he was interested in becoming Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire. With Kong Deming and Du Busi behind him, he would have a stronger voice and could do more of what he wanted.

For instance, he could fulfill the grand promises he had made to Du Busi: name the Body Sect the State Religion of the Sun Moon Empire and appoint Du Busi its Imperial Preceptor. He could also order a campaign to wipe out the Holy Spirit Cult.

If he gave up the position and let Xu Tianran become Crown Prince, Xu Tianran's nature would never allow him to rest easy with a younger brother who had so many supporters behind him. Even if Xu Tiance said outright that he had no wish to become emperor and cared only about becoming a god, Xu Tianran probably wouldn't believe him.

To gain the strength to oppose him, Xu Tianran would inevitably work with the Holy Spirit Cult again.

His name might be Xu Tiance, but he had no desire to follow the Heavenly Strategies Generalissimo's script and stage another Xuanwu Gate Incident. Better to cut off Xu Tianran's hopes from the very start.

If Xu Tianran never became Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, he might also escape the assassination attempt in the original story. He wouldn't lose his sexual function and be left without children of his own.

Then, before he attained Godhood and ascended to the Divine Realm, Xu Tiance could take Xu Tianran by the hand and say, "My elder brother shall be as Yao and Shun." The script was perfect.

Seeing Xu Tiance give a slight nod, Kong Deming knew where he stood and began making plans of his own.

Every move Prince Purple Brilliant—Xu Tiance's father, Xu Chengjing—had made showed that he was ready to seize the throne. Now that Kong Deming had accepted Tiance as his disciple, Xu Chengjing's last lingering concern had been laid to rest.

At this rate, Xu Chengjing would make his move before long and drive Xu Chengye from the throne. Kong Deming himself had no need to declare his support openly. He only needed to stand behind Tiance after the struggle for the throne was over.

Xu Chengjing was a clever man. He would know what to do.

Once he had achieved his aim, Kong Deming did not linger in the Heaven Dou Empire. He soon brought Xu Tiance and Ye Guyi back to the Offering Hall in Mingdu, the Sun Moon Empire.

Xu Tiance and Ye Guyi then began training in earnest at the Offering Hall.

Because the two had achieved Martial Soul Fusion, they ate and lived together almost all the time. Even at night, they sat on the same bed and cultivated by circulating their fused Soul Power.

Ye Guyi was a little embarrassed at first, but after several sessions, she gradually grew used to it. More importantly, cultivating with their Soul Power mingled really was much faster than cultivating alone.

After experiencing such extraordinary cultivation speed, she found it hard to settle back into training by herself.

Put simply... she was hooked.

Meanwhile, Prince Purple Brilliant's Manor welcomed an honored guest.

Xu Tianran followed Xu Chengjing with his head slightly lowered. At Xu Chengjing's side walked a short, somewhat portly old man in a splendid black robe embroidered with gold. His hands were clasped behind his back, and a genial smile rested on his face.

Xu Tianran knew perfectly well who the old man was.

Jing Hongchen: head of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Hall Master of Mingde Hall, a member of the Sun Moon Empire's Offering Hall, and a Level 9 Soul Engineer.

Xu Chengjing had tried several times to win Jing Hongchen over, hoping for his support in seizing the throne. But despite repeated invitations, Jing Hongchen had never committed himself. Sometimes he had even made excuses to avoid meeting in private.

In other words, Jing Hongchen had wanted no part in Xu Chengjing's plan.

Yet today, Jing Hongchen had come to Prince Purple Brilliant's Manor uninvited, and his manner had grown far warmer and friendlier.

Xu Tianran and Xu Chengjing both knew exactly what had brought about such a change.

Jing Hongchen had once been Kong Deming's disciple... or rather, most of the Sun Moon Empire's current Level 9 Soul Engineers had once been his disciples. Now Xu Chengjing's fourth son had become Kong Deming's disciple too—and had publicly been named his final disciple.

That was why Jing Hongchen had come to offer his support.

"Then it's settled. Hall Master Hongchen, I'll be relying on you a great deal from now on!"

"Your Highness, no need to put it like that. Everything we do is for the Sun Moon Empire!"

Xu Chengjing and Jing Hongchen had clearly reached an understanding. Both wore smiles like a pair of old foxes.

Only after Jing Hongchen left did Xu Chengjing's smile gradually fade. With a hint of wonder, he said, "Tiance awakening the Sun-Moon Radiance Martial Soul really was an omen of great fortune!"

"Not only has Tiance become Elder Kong's final disciple and gained his tacit support, but he's finally made that old fox Jing Hongchen come around to our side. Now we can move our plans forward a little."

As he spoke, Xu Chengjing gazed toward the imperial palace, his eyes cold.

Lately, Xu Chengye had devoted all his attention to the son of his who had just awakened Twin Martial Souls. He had noticed none of the undercurrents hidden beneath Mingdu. Now that Xu Chengjing had Jing Hongchen's support, the plan to seize the throne could finally begin.

After plotting for so long, the throne of the Sun Moon Empire would be his in the end!

Excitement began to show in Xu Chengjing's eyes, but Xu Tianran's expression was far from pleased.

At Prince Purple Brilliant's Manor, only a descendant who inherited the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon Martial Soul could inherit the title of Prince Purple Brilliant. So no matter how many children his father had, as long as none of the others possessed that Martial Soul, Xu Tianran's position as heir was secure.

But once his father took the throne of the Sun Moon Empire, everything would change.

His father might not make him Crown Prince. Instead, his fourth brother—the one who had awakened the Sun-Moon Radiance Martial Soul and gained Elder Kong's support—had become the likeliest choice.

He had spent so long planning on his father's behalf, yet might still end up as nothing more than Prince Purple Brilliant... And the thing was, even if he had done nothing, he would have become Prince Purple Brilliant anyway!

That meant all the work he had done for his father might amount to nothing at all!

Resentment filled Xu Tianran's heart.

But deep in Xu Tianran's eyes, bewilderment surfaced. He did not even know how to compete with his fourth brother.