Chapter 735: Saint Lan Has an Owner

Blood rain fell, and silence descended upon the land.

The army under King Tianlan, every cultivator, was utterly shaken. They stood there stunned, as if time itself had frozen, solidifying everything around them.

A grave matter had occurred! They could not believe what they had witnessed; it was inconceivable that the Heavenly King had fallen so easily. In their previous understanding, no power in the Saint Lan Grand Territory could threaten King Tianlan, making his death an almost impossible event. Yet, the undeniable truth now lay before their eyes!

It was clear that news of King Tianlan's demise would rapidly reverberate throughout the Saint Lan Grand Territory and undoubtedly cause turmoil in the Imperial Capital Grand Territory. A far more terrifying storm was likely to erupt from the Imperial Capital. The Human Emperor's fury and King Tianlan's family's wrath would shake all corners of the world. This event had far exceeded all expectations and imagination.

All cultivators present felt their minds reel. Everyone's breathing became short and rapid, as shock and commotion erupted throughout the army.

Concurrently, the various powers across the Saint Lan Grand Territory who had been observing the battle were equally stunned.

“How is this possible!”

“King… King Tianlan was actually slain!”

“Just three swords, three mere sword techniques…”

“An Embodied Spirit! Feng Hai County actually has an Embodied Spirit, and one who ranks among the strongest of such mighty cultivators!”

“Feng Hai County's background is terrifyingly profound!”

Every clan capable of observing the battle in Feng Hai County was engulfed by monumental shock after witnessing King Tianlan's death. Their minds were overwhelmed, everything else faded, leaving only endless trembling and profound awe for Feng Hai County.

King Tianlan had used his life to make all forces profoundly aware that Feng Hai County relied not only on the Sun of Dawn, but also… an Embodied Spirit!

Simultaneously, a mouthful of fresh blood gushed from the hidden Seventh Prince's mouth. His body trembled, his eyes dim. The unease he felt at this moment surpassed even what he had experienced when the Sun of Dawn erupted.

Feng Hai County had used overwhelming force to convey a single truth to him. That is… all calculations, all arrangements, and all composure were utterly trivial in the face of absolute power.

Indeed, he had experienced a similar feeling when the Sun of Dawn first erupted, yet he still believed he held the ultimate power. He was convinced that upon his uncle's return, everything would be swiftly swept away and resolved. But he had never imagined the final outcome would be like this.

He found the Heavenly King's demise unacceptable and struggled to confront such a devastating outcome. The fear and dread within him had long transformed into a storm, engulfing him in an abyss. Yet, as the Seventh Prince, even in this internal despair, he still managed to find an opportunity to retaliate.

“Feng Hai County, Xu Qing… even if you have an Embodied Spirit master overseeing you and are capable of slaying a Heavenly King, this is no longer just my personal affair. This concerns the entire human race. My Imperial Father will never permit such a matter to be simply resolved.”

“Whether for the dignity of the human race or the Human Emperor's prestige, this incident… will undoubtedly trigger earth-shattering changes!”

The Seventh Prince looked up, staring intently in the direction of Feng Hai County. Finally, suppressing his reluctance, unwillingness, and profound heartache, he crushed an ancient jade slip in his hand. This jade slip was no modern artifact; it was a treasure from the era of the Xuan You Ancient Emperor, serving as the Seventh Prince's ultimate life-saving item. Its purpose was to instantly teleport its user back to the Imperial Capital Grand Territory, regardless of their location. Its value was immense, and its scarcity meant that each use diminished the total supply. It was extraordinary even in ancient times, and now it was a supreme treasure. The Seventh Prince originally had no right to possess it; his maternal clan had acquired it from the human race's treasury through military merits.

“Feng Hai County, what began between us is not over. I will await you in the Imperial Capital… and watch you be reduced to ash!” The Seventh Prince's expression was ferocious. As the ancient jade slip in his hand shattered, a light, seemingly from ancient times, enveloped him, and he vanished from the world. Although he departed, the jade slip could only transport him alone; all his subordinates were left behind in the Saint Lan Grand Territory.

As all factions trembled from Old Nine's intervention, on the Feng Hai County battlefield, King Tianlan's subordinates grew increasingly agitated, filled with fear and unease that spread throughout the land.

On the ground, King Tianlan's black dragon was wailing. It trembled as it rose, kowtowing repeatedly towards the sky in reverence. Then, with a cold snort, the void shattered. Old Nine's figure stepped out from the rift in the sky, standing tall between heaven and earth.

The black dragon's head bowed even lower, not daring to move. The entire human army also trembled in unison.

Old Nine's face remained impassive as his gaze swept across the army, finally settling on Feng Hai County, where Xu Qing stood. His gaze passed over everyone. Every cultivator who met his eyes bowed their heads, their expressions filled with respect, and even fanaticism. Marquis Yao was no exception.

Only two individuals made Old Nine's gaze linger. One was Seventh Master. When looking at Seventh Master, Old Nine's eyes held a subtle depth of meaning. He even lowered his head slightly, though this gesture was so minute that few besides himself and Seventh Master could have noticed it.

The second was Xu Qing.

“You should carefully contemplate these three sword techniques in the future.”

Xu Qing's breathing hitched. He clasped his fists and bowed deeply. His heart was surging with intense emotion. Although he had witnessed Grandfather Nine act before, the Inspector General's forces were too weak to truly gauge Grandfather Nine's combat prowess. Conversely, Red Mother was too strong, making it difficult to discern Grandfather Nine's relative might in comparison. Until the three swords that slew King Tianlan!

This scene suddenly made Xu Qing realize why, when the Divine Son had suppressed Old Nine, the seal placed upon him was the most severe among all his siblings. Old Nine was simply too powerful! Furthermore, it was clear that after the battle with Red Mother concluded and Li Zihua recovered and departed, Old Nine had significantly benefited, leading to a considerable personal improvement.

However, Xu Qing understood that this was not the moment to dwell on such thoughts. The most critical issue at hand was the fate of these ten million troops. Fortunately, he, his master, Marquis Yao, and others had already discussed such matters. So, Xu Qing turned and stepped aside, revealing a figure standing behind him. It was Ning Yan.

At this moment, Ning Yan was dressed in a prince's robe and adorned with an imperial crown. His entire being emanated the distinctive fluctuations of royal blood, and his expression was exceptionally solemn. As Xu Qing stepped aside, Ning Yan, with a grave expression, proudly strode forward. He ascended into mid-air, step by step, to gaze down upon the army.

“I am Gu Yue Ning Yan, the twelfth son of the current Human Emperor!”

The ten million strong human army was instantly stirred upon sensing Ning Yan's bloodline fluctuations and hearing his declaration. What was particularly striking was that behind Ning Yan stood the ancient emperor statue, towering over the ground. In the eyes of the masses, Ning Yan's figure seemed to perfectly overlap with that of the Xuan You Ancient Emperor. His aura was formidable.

“My Seventh Imperial Brother, hoarding troops and self-serving, disregarding the human race, and causing chaos in the Saint Lan Grand Territory, led me to detonate the Sun of Dawn I carried directly before him.”

“King Tianlan, despite being a Heavenly King, was consumed by boundless selfishness, suffered a great defeat on the battlefield, slandered Feng Hai, and used his power to oppress others, bringing shame upon heaven and earth. Thus, with my agreement, he was slain!”

“All consequences of these actions fall solely upon me, Gu Yue Ning Yan!”

These words were not what Xu Qing had instructed Ning Yan to say; originally, Xu Qing's directive was different. However, Ning Yan felt that some responsibilities he had to bear himself. Therefore, he spoke as he did.

Xu Qing was somewhat surprised and glanced at Ning Yan. Marquis Yao, Seventh Master, and the others also wore thoughtful expressions, their eyes showing a newfound appreciation for the first time.

Meanwhile, the ten million strong human army experienced an even more profound shock. Ning Yan took a deep breath, then stepped forward a few more paces, positioning himself at the very front of the army. Alone, facing millions, he spoke in a low, resonant voice.

“You do not belong to the Seventh Prince, nor to the Heavenly King. You belong to the human race, and you belong to yourselves!”

“Your swords and blades should point not at fellow humans, but at external enemies!”

“Now, the war against the Black Heaven Clan is far from over. Therefore, are you willing to follow me… to complete our human race's struggle and fight the Black Heaven Clan once more!”

Ning Yan roared his final words with all his might. As his voice reverberated, the millions of soldiers on the ground fell silent for over ten breaths. Then, some immediately bowed their heads, and soon, more and more cultivators chose to pay their respects. Eventually… a low roar erupted from the ten million strong army.

“As you command!”

Just as with the ten thousand soldiers of the Inspector General previously, for the human race, regardless of the era, so long as a kingdom system existed, formal status was paramount. For instance, if Ning Yan wished to command Feng Hai County, he could not, for he was not its governor. And while Xu Qing held absolute sway within Feng Hai County, he could not sway these armies into submission or make them salute him. Only the identity of an Imperial Prince could achieve this.

As King Tianlan's former subordinates paid their respects, the sky churned with clouds, and a figure rapidly approached from the distance. Its speed was so immense that it drew up the horizon in its wake, creating a roaring storm. In the blink of an eye, this figure appeared above Feng Hai County, where the swirling clouds coalesced to form a distinct form. It was none other than the Grand Duke of Saint Lan!

His face was pale. The moment he appeared, he bowed deeply towards Old Nine.

“This junior, An Mulan, greets Sacrificial Moon Ninth Young Master!”

The Grand Duke of Saint Lan's demeanor was utterly respectful, with undisguised awe flickering deep within his eyes. His words clearly revealed that he… knew Old Nine's true identity. Knowing Old Nine's identity at this moment strongly implied that he was aware of the events that transpired during the Sacrificial Moon. And calculating the time, the events of the Sacrificial Moon should now be gradually perceived by powerful figures across the Wanggu Continent. After all, the Red Moon had vanished from the Wanggu Continent.

This was evident from the Grand Duke of Saint Lan's gaze, which involuntarily flickered towards Xu Qing. He had indeed just become aware of it.

His heart was thus profoundly stirred. After paying his respects to Old Nine, he took a deep breath and spoke in a solemn voice.

“The Saint Lan faction shall obey the Twelfth Imperial Prince and is willing to send troops to fight the Black Heaven Clan, pledging allegiance to the Twelfth Imperial Prince!”

His words were directed at Ning Yan, yet his gaze was fixed on Xu Qing. Given his experience and astute mind, he naturally discerned Feng Hai County's strategic move in presenting the Twelfth Imperial Prince.

“The struggle for succession… has officially begun!”