Chapter 404

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Chapter 404: The Dust Settles

The monarch had passed away, plunging the entire nation into mourning.

A full month passed before the turmoil surrounding Duan Guangchen’s death finally subsided. Since he had publicly declared his intention to pass the throne to Duan Chenfeng in front of civil and military officials, the support for Duan Chenfeng’s ascension grew overwhelmingly strong.

However, Duan Chenfeng wasn’t of direct royal lineage. With Duan Guangchen having multiple children, they schemed endlessly to eliminate him and claim the throne themselves.

Yet the Jin Kingdom’s royal family now lacked Foundation Establishment stage experts. Having regained his Foundation Establishment cultivation in merely three days—coupled with his latent Golden Core power—Duan Chenfeng rendered all assassination attempts futile. Most crucially, Ye Yun stood guard nearby, his presence deterring any challengers across the entire Jin Kingdom.

In the royal garden, Duan Chenfeng and Ye Yun dismissed their attendants and sat at a stone table.

"Have you truly decided?" Ye Yun’s calm voice broke the silence.

"I have," Duan Chenfeng nodded, his former brashness replaced by regal composure.

"The cultivation path defies heaven itself. With your talent, why cling to a mortal throne? The Great Qin Empire holds greater opportunities." Ye Yun pressed.

Duan Chenfeng chuckled. "My talent surpasses ordinary Heavenly Sword Sect disciples but pales beside yours, Murong Wuqing’s, Little Yu’s, or Shen Mo’s. Even Jun Ruolan and Chen Tianyun outshine me. In the Great Qin Empire, I’d be ordinary—unworthy of major sects’ notice."

Ye Yun frowned. "Why seek sect approval? Free cultivation brings its own joy."

"These days studying royal archives revealed the Great Qin Empire’s harsh reality," Duan Chenfeng countered. "There, I’d struggle for resources. Here, an entire kingdom fuels my cultivation. Surpassing the Golden Core stage remains possible here—but impossible there."

Ye Yun fell silent, recognizing the truth. The empire’s strict hierarchies favored only true geniuses.

"The teleportation array activates in seven days," Ye Yun finally said. "Before leaving, I’ll eliminate your opposition."

Duan Chenfeng waved dismissively. "My Foundation Establishment second layer strength rivals fifth layer experts. With royal treasures, I need no help against these clowns."

"Du family backing other princes concerns me," Ye Yun warned.

Duan Chenfeng grinned. "The Sect Leader brings Heavenly Sword Sect disciples. His Golden Core stage presence deters all rebellion."

"You involved the Sect Leader?" Ye Yun stared. "During reconstruction?"

"I promised half the royal Secret Vault’s resources."

Understanding dawned. The Heavenly Sword Sect’s destruction during Sage Huo Yun’s battle against Su Hao had left them resource-starved. Without the Two Elders in Black and White and Yan Changchun salvaging Zang Wu Pavilion’s remnants, rebuilding would’ve been impossible.

"Will royal resources suffice for your own cultivation?" Ye Yun asked.

Duan Chenfeng laughed. "Had you seen the vault, you’d know ten clones couldn’t exhaust them."

Ye Yun’s eyes flashed. For an instant, delaying his departure to cultivate here tempted him—until Su Ling’s need for a soul-healing spirit pill hardened his resolve.

"Then I depart when the array’s ready."

Duan Chenfeng stood abruptly, punching Ye Yun’s chest with farewell sorrow. Both knew this parting might be permanent.

A jade pendant materialized in Duan Chenfeng’s palm. "This Storage Treasure contains spirit stones. Take it."

Ye Yun shook his head. "Keep them for your Golden Core breakthrough. I have tomb-acquired stones."

Duan Chenfeng shoved the pendant into his hand. "Your Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique devours stones per advancement. Royal resources dwarf your imagination."

Reluctantly storing it in his Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring, Ye Yun conceded: "I’ll cultivate intensely these final days. May this preparation aid survival in the empire."

Duan Chenfeng gazed westward as if piercing the horizon. "Go ahead. I’ll join you eventually—then we’ll shake the Great Qin Empire together."

Ye Yun laughed, arm draping his friend’s shoulder, eyes blazing with shared anticipation.