King of Creation Chapter 1710 - 1695: Prophet’s Benediction

Within the grand city of Luoyi, under the dominion of Great Zhou, a momentous ceremony unfolded within the Ancestor God Temple. This sacred site, positioned directly south of the Imperial City, played host to an event of immense significance, drawing the attention of even the venerable Emperor Ji Long, who dispatched three of his sons to bear witness.

The princes in attendance were the eldest, Ji Ao, the fourth, Ji Yuany, and the seventh, Ji Hee. They were tasked by Emperor Ji Long to observe the ancient divine rites conducted beneath the Barbarian Spirit Hall in the hallowed Ancestor God Temple.

By this juncture, the ceremony's outcome was virtually assured, with the proceedings merely serving as a final formality. For Ye Zhen, the newly appointed Left Chief Priest of the Barbarian Spirit Hall, this meant his participation, though not central, was nonetheless mandatory, as decreed by Princess Changle, the Hall Master.

His role was akin to that of a mere puppet, following the intricate guidance of numerous elder priests from the Ancestor God Temple. He joined Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang, Princess Changle, and others in observing the complex and age-old rituals.

The most arduous part for Ye Zhen was the sheer duration of the ceremony, commencing at sunrise and stretching all the way until the night sky was ablaze with stars.

While the ancient and drawn-out ritual unfolded, Ye Zhen found himself far more intrigued by the presence of the three princes, sent by Emperor Ji Long.

Earlier, during the intense clashes within the Five Immortals Arena on Five Immortals Island, an impertinent eunuch named Luv Rang had approached Ye Zhen. Luv Rang had attempted to persuade Ye Zhen to pledge allegiance to his master.

He had also hinted that his master possessed the capability to join the Holy Emperor and the Eight Council Princes in the Royal Family's ancestral temple of Great Zhou, allowing them to pay homage to the Holy Saints.

It was at this very moment that Ye Zhen became aware of the burgeoning struggle for imperial succession within Great Zhou.

And judging by the timing, it appeared that the opportune moment had finally arrived.

Emperor Ji Long had reigned for over seven centuries, his age surpassing eight hundred years. No other emperor of Great Zhou, save for the founding ancestor, the High Ancestor, and the Grand Ancestor, had ever lived beyond a thousand years.

In stark contrast to the millennia, or even tens of thousands of years, that Dao Realm experts could live, and the existence of Creation Realm beings whose lifespans stretched into the tens of thousands, the lifespan of the historical Holy Sons of Heaven of Great Zhou was remarkably short.

Yet, no one possessed the power to alter this reality.

The fundamental reason for this limitation was intrinsically linked to the legacy of the Great Zhou Royal Family.

The national destiny of Great Zhou was deeply intertwined with the Ji Long royal clan. The founding ancestor, High Ancestor, and Grand Ancestor were all cultivators of extraordinary prowess, having achieved the Creation Realm.

However, in the initial stages of the dynasty's founding, to ensure the enduring prosperity of Great Zhou's national destiny and to exert control over it, the first three ancestors utilized their immense Cultivation, coupled with the nation's strength and the potent Heaven and Earth Treasures of Great Zhou, to forge three National Guardian Treasures.

Of these three foundational treasures, two were widely recognized by the public. The first was the Celestial Spirit Mirror, a visible artifact that all who entered or exited the four great gates of Luoyi could behold.

However, this well-known Celestial Spirit Mirror was merely an outward manifestation, an avatar of Great Zhou’s foremost National Guardian Treasure. This primary treasure was reputed to possess the ability to oversee and influence the topographical changes of the mountains and rivers under Great Zhou's jurisdiction, as well as the flow of Earth Veins.

It was an Innate Spiritual Treasure, destined to be inherited exclusively by a member of the Royal Family of Great Zhou who ascended to the throne.

The second National Guardian Treasure was the Universe Seal. Similarly, this artifact served to anchor and stabilize the national destiny of Great Zhou. It too was an Innate Spiritual Treasure, wielding unparalleled power, further amplified by nearly a million years of Great Zhou's national destiny, making its might truly formidable.

While the first two National Guardian Treasures were renowned across the land, the third was significantly less celebrated.

Whispers suggested it was a weapon, perhaps a sword, or maybe a bow, or even a saber.

Despite its lack of widespread fame, this third National Guardian Treasure was undeniably an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and in terms of raw power, it surpassed the previous two.

Even though the world had never laid eyes upon this third National Guardian Treasure, throughout the million-year history of Great Zhou's imperial succession, numerous crises had threatened the throne's stability on several occasions, nearly leading to a change in rulership.

Yet, each time, it was this elusive third National Guardian Treasure that decisively turned the tide.

The question lingered: why had this third National Guardian Treasure remained unseen by all?

The reason is simple: anyone who has laid eyes upon these three National Guardian Treasures meets their demise.

With the might of these three artifacts suppressing Great Zhou's national destiny, its prosperity naturally followed suit.

However, the founding ancestors – the High Ancestor and Grand Ancestor – who forged and commanded these treasures, were all beings of creation, integral to the world's wondrous genesis. Their Cultivation and power to wield these three treasures, anchoring Great Zhou's destiny, were naturally beyond question.

The true predicament arose because, while the founding three ancestors were extraordinary geniuses, their subsequent generations, regardless of innate talent, could never match their progenitors' prowess.

Furthermore, none of their descendants inherited the unique encounters and destinies that blessed the founding trio.

Consequently, no subsequent Emperor of Great Zhou managed to ascend to the realm of a Creation God.

Despite Great Zhou's immense wealth, abundant heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and numerous divine abilities, they could, at best, only force a Holy Son of Heaven's Cultivation to the Dao Realm.

Beyond this point, each Holy Son had to depend solely on their own fortune to advance.

As their Cultivation levels could not reach that of the founding ancestors, how could they possibly control the three National Guardian Treasures they had jointly refined?

Due to bloodline limitations, these paramount treasures of Great Zhou could only be wielded by successive Holy Sons of Heaven.

This insufficient Cultivation necessitated drawing upon the Essence Blood Origin Power of each Holy Son, effectively meaning the treasures continuously drained them.

Living a prolonged lifespan under such circumstances was an impossibility.

Even with their abbreviated lifespans, the position of Holy Son of Heaven remained a highly coveted role within the Great Zhou's Royal Clan.

In the past, some Holy Sons with lesser perception and Cultivation, due to the severe depletion of their Essence Blood Origin Power, did not even survive to five hundred years.

However, a particular generation's Holy Son, hailing from the mysterious Blood Spirit Hall within the Ancestor God Temple, conducted exhaustive research and devised a method to extend the lives of future Holy Sons by utilizing the bloodlines of all male royals from the Ji Clan.

Through this arcane bloodline secret technique, the Essence Blood Origin Power drained by the three National Guardian Treasures was partially distributed amongst the male descendants of the Great Zhou's Royal Family, the Ji Clan.

This ingenious solution marginally increased the lifespan of each generation's Holy Son, allowing them to reach approximately one thousand years. However, it concurrently introduced a significant adverse effect.

The lifespans of the Ji Clan members within the Royal Family were drastically shortened, unless they achieved Cultivation breakthroughs into the Creation Realm.

This ultimately led to the current precarious state of affairs.

In the present era, every Holy Son of Great Zhou does not see their life extend beyond a millennium; their tenures typically range from a mere one to two hundred years, up to seven or eight hundred.

Currently, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long has reached the age of 834, having reigned for over seven centuries, a remarkably long life. Even so, with his limit at one thousand years, it's uncertain if he will reach that milestone fully.

Therefore, although Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long still has over a century to live, the succession has subtly commenced, and discussions regarding the Crown Prince's position have begun.

The role of Crown Prince carries immense weight and importance.

Approximately a century prior, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had already established a preliminary shortlist.

This can be observed through the bestowal of noble titles upon the various Princes.

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long has a total of seventeen Princes, all of whom have received noble ranks.

Among these seventeen, eleven were granted the third-class princely rank, largely ceremonial.

An additional four Princes were elevated to the second-class princely rank, actively participating in governmental affairs, and are considered capable contenders.

Only the three Princes present at today's ceremony – the Eldest Prince Ji Ao, the Fourth Prince Ji Yuany, and the Seventh Prince Ji Hee – were bestowed the highest princely rank.

Across the court and the realm, these three Princes are regarded as having the strongest claims to the title of Crown Prince.

Primarily, the Eldest Prince Ji Ao, possessing considerable talent and a good reputation, has a strong traditional claim to the position, as it would uphold the honor of seniority.

Similarly, the Fourth Prince Ji Yuany, being the eldest legitimate son, also aligns with the tradition of honoring lineage and seniority; thus, his claim is equally robust.

Renowned throughout the Great Zhou court and beyond was Seventh Prince Ji Hee, the direct younger son of Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long. Spearheading numerous welfare policy improvements and recognized for his talent recruitment, he earned the esteemed title of a wise King, garnering substantial support both within and outside the court.

The unfolding struggle for imperial succession among the Princes of Great Zhou was expected to involve these three prominent figures.

Yet, Ye Zhen remained uncertain to which of these Princes the arrogant Grand Eunuch Luv Rang pledged his allegiance.

Nevertheless, Ye Zhen understood that while the curtain had risen on the succession struggle, it was, in essence, a treacherous vortex.

Recognizing the absence of any suitable avenue for his involvement, he resolved to steer clear of the conflict entirely.

Coincidentally, even as the grand ceremony at the Ancestor God Temple reached its peak, far away in the Holy City of the Demon Clan, nestled behind the Ten Thousand Saints Mountain within the Demon God Palace, an event of immense magnitude was also underway.

A survey of the surroundings revealed that not only the Demon God Palace but also the entirety of Ten Thousand Saints City, save for the immediate vicinity of the Demon Palace, teemed with beings of peculiar appearances from various clans, all adorned in formal attire.

Eager gazes were fixed in the direction of the Demon God Palace; whispers suggested that even a mere glance from the Prophet Demon Master could bestow supreme blessings.

Had the Holy City's inherent restrictions not been fully activated on this day, an assault upon the Demon God Palace might have been attempted.

However, the central focus of the day's proceedings unfolded on the expansive square before the Demon God Palace.

The leaders and venerable elders of the major royal families and formidable war demon clans of the Demon Clan were present, resplendent in their ceremonial garments, awaiting the appearance of the legendary Prophet Demon Master.

Longnu, the Bull Demon, and the esteemed Great Demon Master Yue Dao were also in attendance; on this particular day, these two figures stood as heroes in the hearts of countless Demons.

It was rumored that prior to this day, countless beautiful maidens from Demon Clan families had been presented to them in marriage proposals, with some families even content to offer their daughters as mere concubines.

The reason behind this fervor was remarkably straightforward.

Slightly over a fortnight ago, five valiant heroes of the Demon Clan had achieved the remarkable feat of eradicating a branch temple belonging to their sworn enemies, the Heavenly Temple.

This accomplishment had been thoroughly verified, and intelligence indicated that the Heavenly Temple was poised to retaliate.

Within the Demon Clan's territories, this news had spread like wildfire.

Given the naturally warlike disposition of the Demon Clan, which often tended to embellish achievements, the narrative surrounding the five young demons who destroyed the branch temple had transformed them into the pride and celebrated heroes of the entire Demon Clan.

These five young demons credited with the annihilation of the branch temple were identified as Yue Dao and Yue Si from the Moon Demon Clan, and Longnu and Niu Zhen from the Bull Demon Clan, all under the command of the formidable Soul Demon Sovereign, a Demon Marshal!

The question arises: why were these five specifically lauded for the temple's destruction?

This distinction was intrinsically linked to Longnu and the greatly respected Great Demon Master Yue Dao.

Neither individual held a position of significant influence within their respective clans.

Without external orchestration and lacking substantial concrete evidence, achieving such a sensational deed made it challenging to secure tangible benefits.

Following negotiations with their clans, securing benefits for them became possible, but this came with the stipulation that a core member from each clan be added to the roster of those who purportedly participated in the annihilation of the Luo Prefecture branch temple.

After all, the Heavenly Temple had no definitive knowledge of the specific demons who carried out the attack on the Luo Prefecture branch temple.

Frankly speaking, without the imposing deterrence of the external Soul Demon Sovereign, and considering that the obliteration of a branch temple was no minor undertaking, the situation was complex.

Within the Bull Demon Clan, where Longnu belonged, certain elders harbored intentions of eliminating Longnu and replacing him on the list with a direct descendant from their own lineage.

The potential benefits were simply too substantial to ignore!

Unfortunately, the legends surrounding the Soul Demon Sovereign's presence within the Demon Clan's territories had grown increasingly exaggerated and astonishing over recent years, yet no one had ever actually witnessed the Sovereign's true form.

When attempts were made to coerce Longnu and Great Demon Master Yue Dao into revealing the Soul Demon Sovereign's whereabouts, they offered a simple and consistent response.

The Soul Demon Sovereign had compelled them, through an oath sworn before the statues of the Demon God, to never divulge his identity.

Even when questioned by the Demon God Palace itself, their answer remained unaltered.

Furthermore, this was no fabrication!

Indeed, prior to their arrival, both Yue Dao and Longnu had taken a solemn blood oath in the presence of hundreds of Demon God statues, vowing never to reveal the identity of the Soul Demon Sovereign.

It should be noted that this vow was made entirely of their own volition, without any external pressure, serving precisely to obscure the truth of the matter.

Coincidentally, given the prolonged decline of the Soul Demon clan, the emergence of a Soul Demon Sovereign would undoubtedly disrupt the existing balance of power.

Thus, it would be entirely plausible for the Soul Demon Sovereign to opt for anonymity.

Consequently, today's gathering of the Prophet Demon Marshal was an exclusive affair for these four individuals.

As noon approached, the grand portal of the Demon God Palace swung open, and a radiant sun seemed to ascend from within its depths.

To all those present, this figure radiated like a sun, bestowing boundless warmth and casting gentle light across every nook of Ten Thousand Saints Mountain and the Holy City, imbuing every Demon with a profound sense of tranquility.

"Prophet Demon Master!"

"Prophet Demon Master!"

...The acclamations surged like waves, moving even Longnu and Yue Dao, who joined the chorus with evident emotion.

After a brief interval, the fervent cheers abruptly ceased as the sun-like figure gracefully raised his hands.

"To learn that five heroic youths from our clan single-handedly eradicated a branch temple of the Heavenly Temple fills this elder with immeasurable joy. It is this very news that has drawn me from my Silent Cultivation to witness the magnificence of our young heroes!" The gentle voice resonated deeply within everyone's soul.

In that moment, Longnu felt an overwhelming urge to step forward and confess the deception to the Prophet Demon Master.

Fortunately, having long anticipated the Prophet Demon Master's formidable influence, they managed to suppress the impulse, biting their tongues to regain their composure.

"Has that Soul Demon Sovereign, the Demon Marshal, still not made an appearance?" Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi's lowered gaze swept the surroundings, a hint of disappointment clouding his expression.

Truth be told, his emergence was not solely motivated by the temple's destruction but also by the intelligence that this feat was accomplished under the leadership of a Soul Demon Sovereign.

This revelation was the true catalyst for his appearance.

During his own era, the Soul Demon Sovereign had stood as one of the closest beings to divinity.

"Reporting to the Prophet Demon Master, we have indeed proclaimed to the world that the Prophet Demon Master would personally grant him an audience, however..." a chief from the Demon God Palace stammered, his face etched with embarrassment.

"Hmph, this is a direct consequence of your past transgressions and misdeeds."

With a dismissive snort, Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi disregarded the mortified chief and instantly materialized before the Great Demon Master Yue Dao!

"How did you ensure that not a single soul from the Luo Prefecture Branch Temple managed to escape?" Jiu Xi's gaze was alight with intense curiosity as he fixed upon Yue Dao.

"Reporting to the Prophet Demon Master, the Soul Demon Sovereign, the Demon Marshal, employed several potent secret techniques that drastically weakened the fighting strength and dulled the senses of the branch temple's members, thus allowing us to descend upon them like a tiger upon a flock of sheep..."

"Hmm... I trust that in the future, without the Demon Marshal's assistance, you will also be capable of descending like a tiger upon a flock of sheep..." Yue Dao's heart constricted at these words; for a fleeting instant, Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi's scrutinizing gaze made him feel entirely exposed.

However, in the very next moment, Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi's hand gently caressed Peng Tao's head. "My child, the Demon God shall bestow his blessings upon you...."

Amidst the hushed murmurs, as