Chapter 516: Last Words

“Li Zhengyang, when you were born, I knew you were exceptionally talented with limitless potential. That is why I named you Zhengyang, hoping you would adhere to the Righteous Dao, shining upon all living things like the sun in the sky. Unfortunately, your exceptional talent made you arrogant and conceited. You desired to rule the world and dominate a region for yourself. To that end, you sought to break into the Forbidden Land to absorb its Dragon Vein Qi, cultivate the True Dragon Body, and seize the imperial throne step by step.” Emperor Tang shook his head, his face full of regret.

This son of his was very talented.

But alas, he was born arrogant and refused to submit to others, eventually developing a rebellious heart.

Emperor Tang knew his temperament had gone astray, that he had fallen into obsession and could no longer become a wise ruler who could protect the world’s people. So, he crippled his Cultivation and exiled him from the Empire.

He never expected him to return with a vengeance twenty years later, for them to meet again here.

“Hmph! That’s because you’re stubborn and unyielding! Why couldn’t I absorb the Dragon Vein Qi and cultivate the True Dragon Body? Are you the only one who’s allowed to?” Li Zhengyang scoffed. “Today, I, Li Zhengyang, have also cultivated the True Dragon Body and am about to reach the Divine Mansion Realm. I am stronger than any Prince under your command.”

“Tell me, in the entire Great Tang Empire, who is more suitable to inherit the position of Celestial Emperor than I?” he demanded aggressively.

“The Celestial Emperor! What is a Celestial Emperor? One who takes it upon himself to shelter all the world’s people—that is a Celestial Emperor! Even if your Cultivation is high, your virtue is lacking. To think of inheriting the position of Celestial Emperor is a foolish delusion!” A sharp light glinted in Emperor Tang’s eyes. In that moment, he truly was the Celestial Emperor, his majesty on full display.

“You say I’m not worthy? Then I’ll just have to prove you wrong!” A flash of light crossed Li Zhengyang’s eyes. He strode forward, his Blood Qi surging to the heavens as his body transformed into a Flood Dragon preparing to pounce. The terrifying aura made the Void before him tremble. “Hand over the Emperor’s Dragon Platform and the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Artifact!”

“Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

His gaze was cold, and he looked ready to strike and seize the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Artifact at any moment.

“It seems not executing you back then was my mistake!” Emperor Tang shook his head slightly. He had always held this son in high regard.

That was why, even knowing full well of Li Zhengyang’s rampant ambition, he had spared him.

But now, it was clear that had been a complete mistake.

“Enough nonsense! Hand over the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Artifact.” Li Zhengyang flew into a rage out of shame. He thrust out his large hand, which transformed into a Dragon Claw and shot toward the Flying Chariot.

“Rebellious son!” Emperor Tang’s gaze turned icy. With a move of his hand, an astonishing aura erupted. His hand transformed into a Dragon Claw and struck through the air.

BANG!

The Dragon Claw shot out, pierced through the Void, and directly shattered Li Zhengyang’s Flood Dragon claw.

AHHH!

A pained scream escaped him, his face a mask of terror.

“Haven’t you already exhausted your strength? You shouldn’t have any power left!” he stared ahead, his face contorted with fear. ℴ

“Even if I only have a single breath left, killing a rebellious son like you is still as easy as turning my hand!” Emperor Tang’s gaze went cold as the Dragon Claw opened and closed.

WHOOSH!

A golden light flashed, and the Dragon Claw seized Li Zhengyang directly.

Instantly, Li Zhengyang was bound.

“Not executing you back then was my mistake. Today, I will no longer be soft-hearted.” A glint appeared in Emperor Tang’s eyes, and the Dragon Claw snapped shut.

The Dragon Claw, sharp as blades, crushed Li Zhengyang to pieces.

AHHH!

Another pained scream rang out as Li Zhengyang’s Nascent Soul was crushed.

“A pity, a shame, a tragedy!” As the scream faded, Emperor Tang sighed again and again.

This was the son he had the highest hopes for, but unfortunately, he had chosen to stand against him.

To come and force his hand when he was at his weakest… it broke his heart!

Meanwhile, someone like Ling Fei, who stood by his side, had once risked life and limb to fight alongside him.

This made Emperor Tang sigh. How he wished he could have fought alongside his own son, to suppress the eight wildernesses and eliminate all Evil Demons together!

Alas, the Second Prince was too proud and arrogant, and ultimately went down the wrong path.

The Forbidden Land he broke into had a Demon Emperor sealed within it. The Dragon Vein Qi there could not be taken recklessly, or it would become impossible to keep the Demon Emperor suppressed.

Emperor Tang had warned him many times not to enter the Forbidden Land without permission, but the Second Prince wouldn’t listen. He just assumed Emperor Tang was afraid of being surpassed and was trying to limit him.

After another slight sigh, Emperor Tang struck with a turn of his hand, killing the two experts Li Zhengyang had brought with him.

With that, the Array that had enveloped this region of the Void dissipated.

After doing all this, Emperor Tang’s body went limp, and he slumped back onto the Throne.

He seemed completely powerless now.

“Your Majesty!” Seeing Emperor Tang’s listless state, the Empress’s face was filled with anxiety.

“Father!” Tears welled up in the eyes of the Third Prince and Eighth Prince.

They could see that Emperor Tang was truly weak now. It seemed that executing the Second Prince had left him utterly drained.

This was not just a drain on his Power, but on his Heart Spirit as well.

“Your Majesty!” Ling Fei was also full of worry, afraid that Emperor Tang wouldn’t be able to hold on.

“Coming from the Southern Wilderness, I still had one last breath left in me. Now, that breath is spent, and I am about to pass on.” Emperor Tang took a deep breath, his gaze turning to the people beside him. “The chaos in the Southern Wilderness has been quelled for now, but there are still undercurrents stirring.”

“Now, I have some final words to impart!” Emperor Tang said, his face etched with worry.

The people beside him listened in silence.

“Since ascending the throne, I have been diligent and conscientious, and can be considered to have fulfilled the duties of a Celestial Emperor. The only thing I cannot set my mind at ease about now is the safety of Great Tang.”

He sighed.

“I have many Princes, and the second-born was the most talented. Unfortunately, he did not possess the virtue of a Celestial Emperor. Third son, although you are a late bloomer, you are still not capable of shouldering this responsibility…” Emperor Tang sighed deeply. He was about to pass on and had to arrange for the future to ensure the world’s safety.

“As for you, eighth son, your talent is simply insufficient to wield the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Artifact!”

“We are incompetent and unable to share Father’s burdens!” The Third Prince and Eighth Prince were both filled with self-reproach.

In the past, they too had dreamed of ruling the world.

But after experiencing the chaos in the Southern Wilderness, they finally understood that being the Celestial Emperor was not so simple.

The Second Prince’s attack, in particular, had left a deep impression on them.

Emperor Tang’s gaze swept over his two sons before finally landing on Ling Fei.

Only when he looked at Ling Fei did a trace of gratification appear in his eyes.

“Ling Fei, you possess the True Dragon Bloodline and the virtue of a Celestial Emperor. You are the most suitable candidate to succeed me as Celestial Emperor. In the beginning, I wanted to pass the throne to you because of your bloodline, because you could ensure the stability of Great Tang. Now, I still wish to pass it to you, because you are the most suitable person for the role,” Emperor Tang said, his face full of emotion.

The young man before him was clearly the best choice to inherit the position of Celestial Emperor.

Hearing this, the Eighth Prince and Third Prince felt a pang of jealousy. In their view, the position of Celestial Emperor should be inherited by one of the Princes.

No matter how inadequate the Princes were, it should still be none of an outsider’s business.

But they could not refute Emperor Tang’s words.

Take the Second Prince, for example. He was lacking in virtue. If he became the Celestial Emperor, would he protect the world?

‘Perhaps he would become a demon himself. How could he then be expected to expel Evil Demons?’

A person like that was clearly not suited to inherit the position of Celestial Emperor.

Ling Fei, however, was different.

He had risked his life several times to turn the tide of the crisis in the Southern Wilderness.

Furthermore, he possessed the True Dragon Bloodline and could wield the Celestial Emperor’s Divine Artifact, making him the best candidate to inherit the throne.

So, despite their jealousy, the Eighth Prince and Third Prince said nothing more.

Just as they thought Emperor Tang was about to announce he was passing the throne to Ling Fei, the Emperor spoke.

“However, although the chaos in the Southern Wilderness has been settled, there are still two great hidden dangers!” said Emperor Tang. “The first is the Kunpeng Ancestor.”

“Since the Kunpeng Race was able to get Kun Hai out of the Divine Demon Sea, they will surely send others to rescue the Kunpeng Ancestor in the future. When that time comes, who will be there to turn the tide?”