Chapter 99: Vast Sea Universe Cover
After this, another massacre began. Xue Xing used Xue Ye's rebellion as an excuse to launch a ruthless purge throughout the city, hunting down the remnants loyal to the prince.
For a time, the people of Tiandou City were gripped by panic, and chaos reigned in the streets.
The army flooded into the city, squads of soldiers sweeping through neighborhoods, searching every door.
Anyone with even the slightest connection to Prince Xue Ye, or anyone who had shown disfavor toward Xue Xing before, was mercilessly slaughtered.
The cries of the elderly, the wails of women, and the terrified screams of children echoed and intertwined through every corner of Tiandou City.
In this life-and-death battle for imperial power, countless innocent lives were lost.
When news of the failed coup reached Xue Ye's wife, she was struck by a bolt of despair and fear.
But gazing at Xue Qinghe, only a few months old in her arms, her maternal instinct quickly steadied her.
She knew Xue Xing would never let her or the child go. She had to escape with her son and leave a bloodline trace for Xue Ye's legacy.
Su Qingyi hurriedly found plain clothing to disguise little Xue Qinghe.
Under cover of night, she fled the Prince's Mansion alone, clutching her child tightly, alert to the rampant patrols.
Though not a powerful soul master, she was skilled enough to evade the ordinary soldiers hunting through the city.
But she understood this was only temporary safety. To truly survive, she needed to escape Tiandou and find a secure refuge.
Suddenly, a giant hand like an eagle's claw grabbed her shoulder.
Startled, a chill surged through Su Qingyi's heart. As she tried to resist, an overwhelming soul power suffocated her movements, rendering her immobile.
Turning her head with difficulty, she saw a tall, mysterious man standing behind her.
He had come here on a secret summons. Qingluan Douluo from the Sunset Forest had recently broken through to level 98, his strength now terrifying.
Wearing a green robe embroidered with a Qingluan feather pattern, he looked noble and enigmatic. His sharp eyes and cold demeanor made him seem untouchable.
"Who… who are you?" Su Qingyi's voice trembled with fear.
Qingluan Douluo didn't answer directly but fixed his gaze on Xue Qinghe. A flicker of pity crossed his eyes as he sensed the cruelty of the royal family.
He raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence. "Don't make a sound. I will save you out of the city."
Instinctively, Su Qingyi hugged Xue Qinghe tighter and struggled, but felt as powerless as an ant before this man.
"You… who are you?" she whispered again.
His eyes calm and certain, Qingluan Douluo said simply, "I'm here to save you. You don't need to know more."
Before she could react, a gentle wave of soul power flowed from his arm into her body. Su Qingyi's eyes rolled back as she fainted.
Qingluan Douluo lifted her onto his shoulders, moving swiftly and lightly.
With his other hand, he carefully cradled Xue Qinghe, who slept soundly, unaware of the turmoil.
Like a green phantom, Qingluan Douluo slipped through the chaos of Tiandou City, concealing his breath perfectly. The searching soldiers and soul masters could not detect him.
Bypassing every patrol, he reached the city's edge, then soared into the night sky, transforming into a green streak before vanishing.
His mission was clear: to take away Xue Ye's son.
Though Xue Ye was dead and Xue Xing's rise inevitable, the Spirit Hall needed to prevent Xue Xing from betraying them by forming alliances with Clear Sky Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect.
This child, the blood of Xue Ye, was their leverage — a check against Xue Xing's future ambitions.
They had aided Xue Xing's coup, but had no qualms about launching another if necessary.
If Xue Xing proved loyal and indulged in luxury, they would let it go. But as long as they held Xue Qinghe, he would never dare betray them.
The old emperor had actually been dead for three days, but was preserved by Glowing Feather's ice, preventing decay.
After a night of bloody rain and wind, Tiandou City was shrouded in haze.
Xue Xing was restless. From last night until now, he hadn't found his eldest brother's son — a thorn in his side that gnawed at his heart.
He knew that as long as the child lived, he was a hidden danger.
At this moment, Gu Han, Ning Fengzhi, Ling Yuan, Gu Douluo, and others came to see him.
They understood Xue Xing's worry but did not dwell on it. Instead, they urged him to focus on ascending the throne.
"Your Highness Xue Xing, the most urgent matter is your coronation," Gu Han said. "As for the child, he is but a baby in the vast sea of people. He won't cause trouble for now. Secure the throne first, then look for him."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. This is the critical moment. Don't lose the big picture for a small concern. Once you sit on the throne, the world is yours. Are you really afraid of not finding a child?"
Xue Xing sighed, still uneasy but understanding the importance. He suppressed his worries and nodded.
"Alright."
With their help, a forged imperial edict was quickly issued and sealed.
Soon, the edict was posted in the imperial edict office. Outside the palace, a eunuch read it aloud to kneeling ministers:
"The Emperor decrees, in compliance with the Will of Heaven.
Since I ascended the throne, I have worked tirelessly for the prosperity of the Tiandou Empire and the peace of its people.
But the heavens are cruel. I have fallen ill for some time, feeling my end near. At such a critical moment, I hoped the princes would unite to assist the country.
Unexpectedly, Crown Prince Xue Ye, with wolfish ambitions, exploited my illness to rebel and usurp the throne. He gathered followers, secretly mobilized the guards, sneaked into the palace, intending to kill the king and seize power. Such treachery is intolerable to both heaven and man!
Fortunately, Fourth Prince Xue Xing is loyal and righteous. Upon discovering the conspiracy, he promptly allied with the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and Spirit Hall to serve the king.
Ning Fengzhi, leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, and Gu Han, disciple of the Spirit Hall's Pope, are wise and strategic. Bone Douluo, Spirit Kite Douluo, Light Wing Douluo, and many heroes from the three teaching committees fought bravely.
With their help, we thwarted the rebel prince's conspiracy and saved the nation.
Prince Xue Xing remained composed, embodying the royal spirit. He is my right hand and pillar of the state. He possesses noble character and great responsibility.
Today, I decree Prince Xue Ye be deposed as a commoner, stripped of all titles and powers.
I order Fourth Prince Xue Xing to govern on my behalf and, upon my passing, ascend the throne to bring peace to the people.
May Prince Xue Xing learn from history, surround himself with wise ministers, avoid villains, govern diligently, and continue the empire's glory.
I command all people to obey these orders. Any who disrupt the government shall be executed without mercy!
I hereby decree this!"
The edict spread swiftly through the city. After last night's chaos, the people were shaken and doubtful, but under Xue Xing's heavy pressure and the denunciations from the three respected Education Committee members, no one dared oppose.
Two days later, news of the old emperor's death was announced throughout the realm.
Tiandou mourned as preparations for Xue Xing's coronation were in full swing.
Yet Xue Xing's heart remained heavy. Though excited to ascend, the missing prince's son haunted him.
But there was no time to dwell. He threw himself into the coronation preparations, eager to secure his control over the empire.
Meanwhile, Gu Han and Bibi Dong, senior siblings, were guided to the Tiandou Empire's treasure house.
At the top of the treasury rested the Heart of the Sea God — a national treasure with a unique aura.
Gu Han stepped forward and took the triangular artifact in his hand, examining it curiously alongside Bibi Dong.
The Heart of the Sea God, also known as the Vast Sea Universe Cover, was transparent with a soft blue glow, containing immense ocean power.
Mysterious patterns shimmered on its surface.
"Junior brother, what is this?" Bibi Dong asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
Gu Han knew its origins but struggled to explain something not recorded in Spirit Hall texts.
After a moment, he lied gently, "Senior sister, I don't know what it is exactly, but it's clearly no ordinary item. Let's take it back and study it carefully."
"Alright," Bibi Dong nodded, her eyes still fixed on the glowing Vast Sea Universe Cover.
They selected a few thousand-year-old soul bones, but most other treasures were trivial jewelry.
The two kept their promise and only took the Vast Sea Universe Cover and the four-thousand-year-old limb soul bones.
It remained a mystery where Xue Xing had obtained a fifty-thousand-year-old gem-like head soul bone.
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(End of Chapter)