Chapter 414: Chapter 414. King Huang Ti
"We will continue this discussion so other ti. For now, Amon can stay," Pri Minister Zhu Yao stated. He then declared in a loud voice, "Long live the king!!!"
"Long live the king!!!" Everyone in the hall echoed the words. At the sa ti, they all got down to their knees with bowed heads, except for the princes and princesses on the second platform. These royal mbers remained standing, but they still bowed their heads.
Amon, who followed the others on their knees, sensed the incoming presence. Despite not projecting his power, the king’s aura still caused suffocating pressure on everyone in the throne room.
King Huang Ti was publicly known as the strongest cultivator in Echos. His cultivation was at the Beginning Lord Stage of the Martial Realm, and he was the only known Lord Stage cultivator in the kingdom.
No one lifted their heads as they sensed the king floating above them. Only after he sat on the throne and told everyone to rise that they did.
Amon saw the king then. He looked much older than he expected. The king’s head was covered with a white beard and white hair. His eyes were ancient. They looked tired. Despite his seemingly frail look, he exuded an imposing aura. His movents also didn’t show signs of soone nearing the end of his life.
Despite his seeming vitality, the fact that the king had the appearance of an incredibly old person showed that he was nearing the end of his life extension granted by his cultivation. This fact was in line with the news circulating in the public. This was also the reason everyone was gathered in this throne room.
The king’s aged eyes surveyed the room. They lingered the most on his family on the second platform.
"Soone is missing...," the king uttered. "Where is Zhan er?"
The pri minister bowed to the king before answering. "The eighth prince is on his way. He should arrive soon. He asked
to convey his apology for his lateness. He had to return from an ongoing battle campaign. He is rushing over as we speak."
"Hm..." The king didn’t show any expression from the news.
When everyone thought the king might delay the eting to wait for Prince Huang Zhan, the king spoke, "I think everyone already knows the reason for this gathering. Despite my efforts, I failed to break through into the Interdiate Lord Stage, and I don’t think I can do it anyti soon. I can feel my life force declining with each day. I estimate I only have a decade left before I pass on."
"Father, that cannot be...," Princess Huang Er uttered.
"The heaven is kind to us. I strongly believe father will be able to achieve a breakthrough before then," Prince Huang Zi said.
"We will do everything in our power to achieve that."
"Whatever Your Majesty needs, we will do our best to provide it."
More and more people chid in. The cacophony of voices turned louder. Silence returned when King Huang Ti lifted his hand.
"I thank you for your words, but there is a difference between doing my best and denying the reality," the king said. "As soone responsible for the fate of this kingdom, I can’t leave without doing everything to ensure this kingdom can continue to survive after my passing. For that, I need to na a successor."
There was no surprise on everyone’s face. Everyone already knew the purpose of this eting. This announcent was simply a formality.
"The thing I worry the most, as I am sure every parent does, is for our children to fight for our legacy," the king continued. "I am not blind. I know there have been disagreents about who should replace . I don’t wish for my family or this kingdom to be torn apart by these disagreents."
The king again eyed his children. He said, "My sons and daughters... I love you all. The most painful thing I can think of is for you to fight among each other. You are brothers and sisters. You should support each other, not fight. There are plenty of enemies out there. If you fight among yourselves, you will just benefit them. If you respect
as your father, I want you to rember these words after I am gone."
His eyes turned to the general audience again. He announced, "To avoid bloodshed in deciding the successor, I will enact the ancient ascension trial! This trial is created by our ancestors for this very reason. The candidates and their supporters will enter this trial. The winner of the trial will beco the next king of Echos! This is my mandate! Everyone within this kingdom must abide by it!"
"We obey, Your Majesty!" The audience uttered in unison.
"Now, for the candidates. The Crown Prince, Huang Zi, will be the first. As for his contenders, I have asked Pri Minister Zhu Yao to collect the popular votes. I have two nas. The first contender will be Princess Huang Er and the other is..."
Huang Ti’s speech was interrupted by an announcent, "Prince Huang Zhan has arrived!!!"
Everyone turned to the entrance. "Speaking of the devil," Huang Zi uttered with a smirk.
A loud voice echoed through the throne room before the speaker entered, "Hahaha! It has been so ti since I stepped into the throne room. I have forgotten how lively this place can be!"
Two n in armor entered the room. One had a regal appearance. He wore a majestic robe over his armor. This man was the eighth Prince, Huang Zhan.
As for the man accompanying him, people might mistake him for a spirit beast rather than a human. This was because of his stature. He stood almost twelve feet tall. A full rough beard covered his face. His skin was reddish, and his eyes were so large they looked like they could pop out of their sockets.
Every step from the giant accompanying Huang Zhan made loud stomping sounds. Everyone moved aside to let these two pass.
Amon was flabbergasted seeing the giant. The man dwarfed the other people around him. His size was too unnatural. Amon’s first thought when he saw the giant was that he was using a transformation art to alter his body size. However, it was inappropriate for him to do that under the circumstances. This ant the man’s current size was his natural state.
"Who is that giant?" Amon’s curiosity made him ask Xa Jien.
"He is Prince Huang Zhan’s right-hand man, General Da Niu," Xa Jien answered. "I know you are interested in his unusual size. His condition is due to his possessing a special constitution since birth. His special constitution gave him a body much superior to a normal human. He is much stronger and can take more punishnt. This ans he is always physically stronger than soone with the sa cultivation level."
"I see..."
Da Niu stopped before the elevated platforms. He stood at the side with the military court personnel. Huang Zhan continued climbing the steps until he arrived at the second elevated platform.
He bowed to his father and uttered, "Long live, father! May you live a hundred years more!"
Everyone looked at one another. They didn’t know if Huang Zhan was being sincere or intentionally sarcastic. He should also know the purpose of this gathering.
"Zhan er, you know that is impossible," Huang Ti replied. His tone didn’t show he was offended.
"Nothing is impossible! As long as there is a will, there is a way!" Huang Zhan exclaid.
Huang Ti chuckled. He said, "It is good to be young. You remind
of my younger days. Everything does seem possible then..."
"Father, I am serious," Huang Zhan said. "I heard rumors that in Farghous, there is a mythic tree with fruits that can prolong life. I say we send troops in there and search for this tree."
"Are you insane?" Huang Zi scolded. "Farghous is one of the six major countries of Aetheria. Sending troops there ans inciting a war."
"Not to ntion, it is no secret that Farghous is a puppet country of Oredolia," Huang Er added. "Attacking them is the sa as asking for a conflict with Oredolia and Kazhan."
"Hah! We have always been in conflict with that barbaric country, Kazhan. It shouldn’t matter if we add one or two more enemies," Huang Zhan returned.
"Shouldn’t matter? You are truly crazy! Do you want our country to be embroiled in a major war before you are satisfied?" Huang Zi was close to slapping his brother.
"Father, you shouldn’t let this war maniac be a candidate to the throne. It will be a catastrophe if he becos the king," Huang Er said.
"Haha! Look at you two agreeing with one another," Huang Zhan laughed. "I thought you two can’t wait to tear each other apart. I guess my presence is such a nace that it unites you two."
"Don’t flatter yourself. You are not worthy enough to be my opponent!" Huang Zi said with disgust.
"Enough..." Huang Ti’s voice sounded like a whisper but coursed through everyone like a wave. The throne room beca quiet again.
As if nothing had happened, he said, "I will now na the candidates for the ancient ascension trial."
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