The Soul Power flames burning atop the pillar are a secret Imperial Family technique of the Star Luo Empire.
Under this specially made Soul Tool, once Soul Power is injected, it can burn for several days without going out.
The flames were golden-white, echoing the White Tiger Martial Soul of the Star Luo Imperial Family.
The viewing area in the central square is divided into several sections.
The area closest to the altar was reserved for the Imperial Family.
Star Luo Emperor, Crown Dai Weisi, the Empress, and a host of other important members of the Imperial Family were among them.
Following that was the area for civil and military officials, such as the three marshals and generals mentioned by the Zhu Family and Zhu Zhuqing, who were all seated here.
To the right of the central square were representatives of various forces invited by the Star Luo Empire.
Led by their attendants, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the middle of the third row.
The two were currently elders of the Spirit Hall, so their positions were close to the core.
The view from this spot is excellent, offering a panoramic view of almost the entire altar and the viewing area.
As soon as Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing landed, they felt many gazes directed at them from the surroundings.
After all, the two pills that Xiao Yan released have caused a huge stir in Star Luo City.
Apart from his initial meeting with Qian Baichuan of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion and the people from the Martial Soul Temple.
None of the other factions saw Xiao Yan.
Upon seeing Xiao Yan take his seat, all eyes immediately focused on him.
There was curiosity, scrutiny, apprehension, and hostility.
After Xiao Yan took his seat, his gaze fell on the core area of the audience seating area.
As for the ambiguous gazes around him, Xiao Yan paid them no heed.
After Zhu Zhuqing took her seat, she turned slightly to the side and introduced Xiao Yan in a low voice:
"The old man on the far left of the first row, wearing heavy black armor, is Shi Jian, the head of the Shi Family."
Beside him stood a tall, thin old man in a blue robe, none other than Lin Changqing, who could be considered the true power behind the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.
Listening to Zhu Zhuqing's introduction, Xiao Yan followed her gaze.
Shi Jian was nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a burly build. He exuded a calm and composed aura, and sitting there, he resembled a small mountain.
In stark contrast to Shi Jian.
Sitting beside him was Lin Changqing, who was thin and had a gaunt face. He held a jade-green rattan cane in his hand, closed his eyes to rest, and seemed uninterested in everything around him.
Xiao Yan could sense a faint pressure emanating from these two people.
"As expected of Soul Douluo- level powerhouse..."
"The middle-aged man in the dark purple robe to Shi Jian's right is Chen Ying, the head of the Chen Family."
Zhu Zhuqing's tone also carried a hint of surprise as she spoke to Xiao Yan:
"However, it has always been rumored that this person lives a very secluded life and rarely makes public appearances."
"Your presence today is a tremendous honor for the Imperial Family family."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan turned his gaze to Chen Ying, the mysterious head of the Chen Family.
Chen Ying looked to be only about forty years old, but according to Zhu Zhuqing's explanation, her actual age was at least sixty.
Chen Ying's face was ordinary; the kind of face you wouldn't easily spot in a crowd.
But when those eyes occasionally opened and closed, a chilling glint flashed within them.
As his gaze swept over the group, Xiao Yan noticed that Zhu Zhuqing's father, Zhu Xiaotian, was talking quietly with a nobleman beside him.
Within the Imperial Family quarters, Dai Weisi, whom he had met before, stood below the altar, accompanied by several guards.
Dai Weisi was dressed today in a specially made four-clawed python robe, a golden crown on his head, and a long sword at his waist, looking very dashing.
Not far behind him sat the even more alluring Zhu Zhuyun, her eyes carrying a hint of arrogance.
Just then, the sound of ceremonial music gradually began to rise.
Seventy-two musicians simultaneously played the chime bells and chime stones, and solemn music echoed throughout the central square.
Emperor Dai Tianfeng of the Star Luo Emperor ascended the high platform, surrounded by his attendants, and stood atop the altar.
He wore a black dragon robe and a twelve-tassel crown. Each step he took was in time with a specific rhythm, and under the accompaniment of the ceremonial music, his majesty was fully displayed.
Behind him followed four elderly men.
All four were dressed in simple white robes and wore no ornaments, but the aura emanating from them was in no way inferior to that of Shi Jian and the others.
They are clearly four powerhouses at the Soul Douluo level.
"This must be Imperial Family offering."
Zhu Zhuqing spoke in a very low voice to Xiao Yan:
"Although the Star Luo Imperial Family does not have Titled Douluo- level experts, it has hired many Soul Douluo- level retainers."
However, apart from the Imperial Family, outsiders have virtually no idea about their numbers and strength.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
Based on the information currently available, the Star Luo Empire has three marshals at the Soul Douluo level, excluding Star Luo Emperor Dai Tianfeng.
In addition, there are now four more worshippers who have appeared.
Just considering their apparent strength, there are already eight Soul Douluo powerhouses.
This doesn't even include the hidden strength and the powerful figures behind the Soul Grandmaster families.
It's no wonder that the Star Luo Empire has stood for a thousand years and become one of the two most powerful empires on the Douluo Continent.
Star Luo Emperor ascended to the top of the altar and turned to face the viewing platform.
He pressed his hands together lightly, the music gradually stopped, and the entire square fell silent.
"Today, I hereby offer sacrifices to Heaven and our ancestors, and hereby appoint my eldest son, Dai Weisi, as the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, the heir apparent to the throne."
The Star Luo Emperor's voice, as resounding as a great bell, was clearly transmitted to every corner of Star Luo City with the support of his Soul Power and Soul Tool.
The official in charge of ceremonies, who had been waiting for a long time, presented the golden book and seal. Dai Weisi slowly walked up the altar and knelt down in front of the Star Luo Emperor.
"Your subject, Dai Weisi, kowtows to express his gratitude to Your Majesty for your great favor."
Star Luo Emperor accepted the golden book and began to read its contents.
The content was nothing more than the same old Chilean platitudes about Dai Weisi being "virtuous and talented," "benevolent and filial," and "deeply pleasing to the Emperor."
However, in such situations, it was an indispensable step, with each sentence representing the emperor's approval.
The reading of the ceremonial register alone took a quarter of an hour. After it was finished, Star Luo Emperor handed the golden register and seal to Dai Weisi.
"From this day forward, you shall diligently attend to state affairs, show compassion for the people, and uphold the nation's interests, so as not to fail my trust or the hopes of the people."
Star Luo Emperor's eyes held a deep meaning as he fixed his gaze on Dai Weisi.
"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly do his utmost to serve the country and share the Emperor's burdens."
Dai Weisi raised the golden seal aloft with both hands and turned to face the area below the altar.
"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"
Civil and military officials, representatives from all sides, and tens of thousands of people simultaneously bowed or knelt in the direction of Dai Weisi, creating a deafening roar that nearly overturned the square.
The ceremony is essentially complete at this point.
Next came a banquet organized by the Imperial Family to celebrate.
Dai Weisi, holding the golden seal, walked down towards the altar.
However, just as everyone was bowing...
A dark figure suddenly rose up from the fourth row of the audience seats without warning.
He was an elderly man who looked to be in his sixties, dressed in an ordinary gray robe. He had kept his head down and remained silent throughout the previous ceremony, completely unremarkable.
But the terrifying surge of Soul Power that suddenly erupted from his body startled everyone.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black!
Seven-Ring Soul Sage!
Moreover, judging from the power he unleashed, he has already reached the peak of Soul Saint, only one step away from Soul Douluo.
"Level 79, Peak Soul Saint!"
" Dai Weisi, your life is forfeit!"
The old man roared angrily, his figure instantly transforming into a streak of gray lightning as he hurtled towards the altar.
He was so fast that the guards around him didn't have time to react.
But the Imperial Family offerings were not just for show.
The guards standing behind Star Luo Emperor snorted coldly, and one of them immediately made a move.
" Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!"
He attacked a Soul Douluo- level venerable.
Without the slightest hesitation, the old man's body began to swell, strange scales appeared on his skin, his hands transformed into sharp claws, and a thick tail appeared behind him.
" Martial Soul Earth Dragon."
Upon seeing the old man's appearance after revealing his Martial Soul Avatar form, Xiao Yan instantly identified the man's Martial Soul.
With the support of his Martial Soul Avatar, the old man's aura surged, forcefully breaking through the Soul Douluo's blockade.
Head straight for Dai Mubai!
"Court death!"
At that moment, anger flashed in the eyes of another worshipper.
Eight Soul Ring suddenly appeared. (A question follows.)
A gigantic White Tiger phantom opened its mouth and let out a silent roar.
The sound waves struck the old man as if they were real, and the air rippled wherever they passed.
Faced with the Soul Douluo's Eighth Soul Skill, the gray-robed old man almost completely abandoned defense.
He unleashed his furious attack directly in Dai Weisi's direction.
The surging Soul Power transformed into a phantom and bit down at Dai Weisi.
However, the one who made the first move had already flashed in front of Dai Weisi.
Black Soul Ring flickered on his body, and a fist imprint appeared on his body.
It pierced right through the gray-robed elder's attack.
Two Soul Douluo- ranking Elders took turns attacking, completely thwarting the man's assassination plan.
The remaining two retainers stood behind Star Luo Emperor, warily looking around.
" Xiao Yan, I have acted as agreed. Do not forget your promise to save my family."
Faced with the combined attack of two Soul Douluo, even though the assassin's strength had reached the peak of Soul Saint, it was impossible for him to succeed again.
A single punch pierced through the old man's attack, and before the fist could stop, it exploded forth, landing on the old man's Martial Soul Avatar.
But just when everyone thought the matter was over.
He suddenly turned his head, looked at Xiao Yan's position, and roared.
The entire hall fell silent.
Immediately afterwards, everyone's eyes turned to where Xiao Yan was.
Those words reached everyone's ears clearly.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed drastically, and she instinctively grabbed Xiao Yan's hand.
Xiao Yan gently patted Zhu Zhuqing's hand to comfort her.
He then slowly stood up, facing the gaze of the entire room. His face showed no panic, but rather a faint hint of sarcasm.
"Interesting."
Xiao Yan's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the plaza where tributes were being paid.
"I don't even know who this old gentleman is, so how could there be any agreement between us?"