Chapter 398
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Chapter 398: Passing the Throne
“The throne shall pass to Duan Chenfeng!”
Duan Guangchen’s voice boomed like a dragon’s roar, echoing through the hall.
Everyone froze—including Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng. What madness was this? Handing the throne to Duan Chenfeng as if it would resolve today’s conflict? Did he think the throne was a mere toy?
“Impossible! Your Majesty must revoke this decree!”
“Your Majesty is in his prime, with cultivation nearing the Golden Core stage! Soon you’ll lead Jin Kingdom to expand its borders and achieve glory!”
“The Heavenly Sword Sect lies crippled, its talents scattered. The Du family is insignificant. Once Your Majesty condenses his Golden Core, you’ll reign as Jin’s supreme expert. How can the throne be discarded so carelessly?”
“The crown prince must endure rigorous trials! A ruler needs wisdom and virtue, not just cultivation!”
“If Your Majesty persists, this old minister will dash his skull against the dragon pillar to appease our ancestors!”
“Utterly unacceptable! Reconsider, Your Majesty!”
The hall erupted in chaos—gasps, pleas, and protests overlapping endlessly.
Duan Guangchen’s brow twitched. His gaze hardened like steel. “Ministers, do you defy your king?”
“We dare not!”
In unison, the officials dropped to their knees, faces pressed to the floor.
Duan Guangchen spoke calmly. “My decision stands. Cease your objections. Serve your new king faithfully—that will be your final loyalty to me.”
Not one official replied. To them, Duan Guangchen—in his prime, cultivation unmatched—should seize this moment of the Heavenly Sword Sect’s weakness to cement royal authority over Jin.
“Ye Yun. Duan Chenfeng.” Duan Guangchen turned to the pair, smiling. “What say you?”
Still reeling, the two youths blinked in confusion.
“Who wants that damned throne?” Duan Chenfeng snorted. “I’d rather cultivate than listen to these fools bicker over petty matters!”
Ye Yun narrowed his eyes. “What game are you playing? A mortal throne binding a future Golden Core expert? Ridiculous.”
Duan Guangchen chuckled, unperturbed. “True enough. For a Golden Core cultivator, ruling this speck of land called Jin holds little appeal—especially compared to powers like the Great Qin Empire.”
“Then why this farce?” Ye Yun pressed.
Rising from his dragon throne, Duan Guangchen waved dismissively. “Ministers, reflect on today’s events. You’re dismissed.”
The officials kowtowed, chanting “Long live the king!” before shuffling out.
When the hall emptied, Duan Guangchen faced the youths. “Though Jin is small, with weak sects and no Foundation Establishment Ancestor, we’re not without treasures. Know this—an elite spirit stone mine lies near the royal city. For eighteen years, we’ve extracted top-grade spirit stones. Some even bear traces of Immortal Spirit Stone essence after millennia of refinement. Imagine our stockpiles.”
Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng stiffened. If true, the royal vaults could fund hundreds of Foundation Establishment experts—even aid Golden Core breakthroughs.
“The throne offers more.” Duan Guangchen leaned forward. “As king, gathering heavenly materials and secret techniques becomes trivial. Our archives hold cultivation methods suited to you. Combined with the throne’s resources… How’s that for sincerity?”
The youths exchanged glances. Clever as they were, neither had seen twenty winters. The offer tantalized.
Yet Ye Yun—once a servant disciple who clawed his way up—felt unease. This reeked of schemes.
“Keep your throne.” Ye Yun crossed his arms. “Just let us pick spirit stones, treasures, and secret techniques. Consider it compensation for Duan Chenfeng’s suffering.”
“Why pick when we can take everything?” Duan Chenfeng tugged Ye Yun’s sleeve.
“Nothing’s free,” Ye Yun hissed. “There’s a trap here.”
Duan Chenfeng’s cheek twitched. Using true qi, he sent a thousand-mile sound transmission: “Who said trust him? We’ll loot the vaults, then break our promise!”
Ye Yun stared, appalled. He thought himself ruthless, but Duan Chenfeng’s shamelessness shocked him. Such betrayal might make Duan Guangchen vomit essence blood, crippling his cultivation.
But Duan Guangchen was no fool. This man had slaughtered seven princes to claim the throne. His words couldn’t be taken at face value.
“Duan Guangchen.” Ye Yun smirked. “Think you’ll cheat death today?”
The king laughed. “You mistake fear for strategy. I could leave anytime. Truth is—I’m weary of rule. Cultivation’s the true path. And Chenfeng?” He shrugged. “His talent caps at peak Golden Core. With royal resources, he might break through.”
His tone rang sincere, eyes guileless.
Duan Chenfeng frowned. “You swear this?”
“On my life.”
Duan Guangchen smiled serenely.
Ye Yun studied him, a strange intuition stirring.
