"Heart demons are not like humans; once their shells die, they are reborn into reincarnation."
"They will find another host, lurking within their bodies, waiting for the opportune moment."
Dongfang Wuji's hand tightened as he wiped his sword, turning to deliver two more blows to the heart demon.
The clan elder stared at him, slowly shaking his head, "Do you know of Exotic Flames?"
Exotic Flames? Dongfang Wuji's brow furrowed, "You mean, the top ten divine flames in the world?"
"Precisely," the clan elder stroked his beard, "Only Exotic Flames can completely eradicate heart demons, ensuring they never find peace."
In the next instant, a dazzling crimson light illuminated the entire room. Startled, everyone turned to see Bai Ran holding a blazing inferno in her slender hand.
"Vermillion Bird Divine Flame..." the clan elder gazed at the flames in her palm and nodded with satisfaction.
The surging flames swept forward, igniting the heart demon's body. The red firelight reflected on each person's face, heralding the end of this battle...
"So, those demonized people we killed didn't truly die?" Tang Yi couldn't help but voice.
Bai Ran nodded, "Yes, but without their demonized king, they won't amount to much."
Heart demons are endless. They are the evil side of sentient beings' nature. As long as there is evil, heart demons will be born continuously; this is a natural phenomenon no one can interfere with.
However, there was only one king of the demonized people. With her dead, there would be no successor.
Next... Bai Ran turned and looked at the Divine Emperor, who was also unconscious.
Her dark eyes narrowed, a complex emotion churning within them—perhaps hatred, perhaps confusion.
"Madam... are you alright..." Tang Yi, seeing Bai Ran's state, couldn't help but worry.
Hearing this, Dongfang Wuji smirked and teased Tang Yi, "Oh—who was it before, who absolutely refused to let her be the mistress of the Demon Realm?"
"Now you call her 'Madam' so fluently."
"Dongfang Wuji!"
Tang Yi's face flushed crimson, her shoulders trembling. How could this person be so detestable!
The surrounding clamor continued, but Bai Ran stood before the Divine Emperor, quietly gazing at him.
Mo Huai'an... had not betrayed his mother...
When Mo Chengze personally killed Huan Yan, Mo Huai'an, within this body, had witnessed the entire process...
What pain, what despair had he endured?
"Little girl," the clan elder slowly approached Bai Ran from behind, "Become stronger..."
At least, she had to be stronger than Mo Chengze to find a way to separate his soul...
"I will."
Bai Ran raised her eyes, a small hurdle in her heart seeming to vanish. Her gaze now held a newfound determination.
"This old man will take him away first—"
"When you have the strength and find a method, enter the mausoleum again—"
Bai Ran watched the clan elder's figure recede, taking the unconscious Divine Emperor with him.
Jing Feng nestled by the bedside, motionless, watching Jing Yun on the bed with her eyes tightly shut.
"Get well soon..." He reached out, gently taking Jing Yun's pale hand.
The Sovereign's cold illness had flared, and Jing Yun was severely injured. Jing Feng's world felt like it was collapsing...
"Don't worry, don't you know Madam's medical skills?" Tang Yi looked over, catching sight of the scene.
Jing Feng nodded, his eyes turning red, "Yes, I'll just stay here and wait for them to wake up."
...
The next day, the entire Nine Heavens buzzed with news of the new Emperor's enthronement in the Divine Realm.
"Did you hear? The former Divine Emperor died, and his child, only fourteen, has taken over the entire Divine Realm."
"I heard he deliberately orchestrated the former Divine Emperor's demise."
"You must have misheard. That child has such a good temperament, sensible and kind."
"You should address him as Divine Emperor now. Keep calling him that, and you might be arrested by the guards!"
Rumors spread like wildfire throughout the Divine Realm, and all its citizens received the news, flocking to witness the new Emperor's enthronement.
Layers of heavenly soldiers surrounded the grand platform, preventing any deliberate disruption. On the platform, a golden figure slowly emerged.
Warm sunlight cascaded down, enshrouding him in a soft halo. The golden brocade robe was embroidered with lifelike dragons that seemed to come alive with his every step.
Below, amidst the crowd, several figures were concealed, all wearing conical hats, their appearances obscured.
"The Divine Realm's hundred thousand troops were annihilated, yet he remains so composed?"
The speaker was Vermillion Bird. Her gaze fixed on Mo Ze on the platform, her tone tinged with anger.
Yesterday, Little Purple had sent word that the Demon Realm was on the verge of collapse, but thankfully, their Master had intervened in time, turning the tide of the battle.
"Did one of the Five Holy Lords die?" White Tiger asked Jiang Ye, observing Mo Ze.
Jiang Ye turned to answer, "Yes, he did. What are you planning?"
White Tiger lowered his conical hat, his deep voice resonating, "You can't catch the tiger cub without entering its den."
"You're not going to..." Vermillion Bird gasped, instantly drawing the attention of the surrounding citizens.
In the next moment, she realized her voice was too loud and might expose them.
"You're not going to compete for that Holy Lord position, are you...?" Vermillion Bird leaned closer to White Tiger, lowering her voice to ask.
Jiang Ye abruptly turned. If not for his hat, his expression of disbelief would have been evident, "Ha? Do you think he's as foolish as the former Divine Emperor?"
"If you go to compete for Holy Lord, what's the difference between that and seeking death?"
White Tiger did not reply. Instead, the ever-silent Azure Dragon spoke, "Give it a try."
"Mhm," Black Tortoise also nodded, uncharacteristically, in agreement.
"You guys?" Vermillion Bird found it absurd. This was clearly an impossible endeavor, yet what were they all thinking?
On the platform, the Fourth Elder, holding the sword symbolizing supreme authority, stepped before Mo Ze.
"By swearing an oath to this sword, you will become the new Emperor, leading the Divine Realm to prosperity and ushering in an unprecedented era of glory."
Mo Ze lowered his gaze, looking at the sharp and beautiful longsword, a smile curling his lips, "This Emperor will achieve it."
The Fourth Elder offered the sword with both hands. Mo Ze accepted it with one, then drew a cut on his palm, spilling crimson blood onto the blade.
A dazzling golden light shot up into the sky, momentarily blinding everyone present.
As the light faded, Mo Ze had completed the oath. He held the sword, caressing it inch by inch.
"Long live the Divine Emperor! May the Divine Emperor reign supreme!"
"Long live the Divine Emperor—May the Divine Emperor reign supreme—" The crowd erupted, their cheers echoing through the heavens.
Vermillion Bird and the others, blending into the crowd, found these words impossible to utter.
"Tsk, so noisy. These hypocrites only care about these trivial rituals."