Chapter 269: Xu Tianran's Shocking Remarks
"Alright, I'll do it right away."
Juzi nodded, still clinging briefly to Lin Qinghan's embrace before reluctantly letting go and heading to the main hall of the Sun Moon Empire Palace.
Now, the core political power of the Sun Moon Empire was essentially in Lin Qinghan's hands. The only exception was Kong Deming, who still held real authority and had not yet come under Lin Qinghan's control.
But that was only because Kong Deming had no real interest in power. His obsession was soul tool research, and his time was consumed almost entirely by that pursuit.
Previously, Lin Qinghan had instructed Jing Hongchen to give Kong Deming a Level 10 soul tool blueprint. At present, Kong Deming was close to completing it.
Of course, Kong Deming had noticed the changes in court—while the emperor was still Xu Tianran, most of the ministers had changed. However, he hadn't taken any action.
Even if he had, Lin Qinghan's methods were such that Kong Deming would end up like Xu Tianran in just a few minutes.
Juzi moved swiftly. Within ten minutes, Xu Tianran, under Lin Qinghan's delegated authority, summoned all the imperial ministers to the main audience hall.
Inside the hall, those ministers who had signed soul contracts with Lin Qinghan knew exactly what was going on. The rest were left confused—it was right after morning court, so why had the emperor called them again?
From the lineup present, it was clear: the true power-holders had all been summoned.
Kong Deming, however, was absent. As the foremost soul tool master of the Sun Moon Empire, his status was too unique. He even had the authority to independently raise a soul tool corps. Thus, Juzi had not extended this summons to him.
> "Your Majesty, I don't understand. We just concluded morning court. Why are we summoned again so soon?"
The one who asked had already signed a soul contract with Lin Qinghan. And now, with Xu Tianran stripped of his former brutality due to Lin Qinghan's control, the emperor's image had become somewhat more reasonable in court.
This kind of open questioning was now tolerated.
His question represented the confusion of many. However, only a few dared voice agreement aloud.
> "Today's meeting concerns the issue of succession. I am unwell and may not have many years left. But among the royal line, only my younger sister remains besides myself."
Xu Tianran's voice came softly, tinged with weakness—but his words sent shockwaves through the ministers.
He was going to abdicate?
That was unthinkable!
Those ministers not under soul contracts were stunned. Everyone had heard of Xu Tianran's ruthless ambition to ascend the throne. Back then, he had colluded with the Holy Spirit Church, accepting two evil soul masters—both Extreme Douluo—as his adoptive "godparents."
After ascending the throne, he slaughtered most of the royal family. The black-robed nobility, once symbolic of the imperial lineage, had all vanished.
As Xu Tianran had said, aside from himself, only Xu Tianzhen, his younger sister, remained as true royal blood.
Indeed, purging the royal family was something of a tradition for his line.
His own father, the late emperor, had done the same when he came to power. Xu Tianran was, comparatively, lenient, having only killed two royal members after his succession.
This tradition of violent consolidation was deeply rooted. If Xu Tianran had truly intended otherwise, he would have limited the purge to his rivals for the throne.
But Lin Qinghan had subtly influenced that outcome—and now, the Sun Moon Royal Family had reached its current fragile state.
After understanding Xu Tianran's true intent, murmurs broke out among the court. But there were only scattered protests.
> "Silence! I have many reasons for doing this. I am no longer fit to lead the Sun Moon Empire. I have already chosen my successor."
These words caused even more disbelief. Not only was Xu Tianran abdicating, he had already selected the next emperor—and judging by his tone, this successor wasn't even of royal blood!
Previously, the most extreme expectation the ministers had was that Xu Tianran might pass the throne to his sister Xu Tianzhen, then marry her to a talented spirit master as consort-prince.
That, at least, would be rational if the emperor were truly dying.
But what they were hearing now went far beyond that.
> "Your Majesty, you cannot do this! The foundation of the Sun Moon Empire spans thousands of years. You cannot just hand it over to an outsider!"
Some of Xu Tianran's few remaining loyalists still stood and objected.
They were loyal not just to him, but to the empire itself.
> "Even if your majesty is ill, surely the Sun Moon Empire has the power to treat it. Please reconsider!"
> "Don't waste your breath. My mind is made up. Bring out my successor."
Xu Tianran, though now appearing more gentle and rational, had in fact become even more thoroughly controlled by Lin Qinghan than before.
Seeing that some still dared object, he even hinted at violent suppression, silencing all further resistance.
Once the court had quieted, Xu Tianran stood up, slowly walking to the front of the throne.
> "I hereby announce my decision to pass the throne to Lin Qinghan, a peerless genius. I believe most of you are familiar with his name. He has now inherited the legacy of a god. With his talent, he is certain to inherit a divine throne in the future and lead the Sun Moon Empire to even greater glory!"
The moment "divine inheritance" was mentioned, even those ministers who had considered objecting were stunned silent.
> "As for royal bloodline concerns—rest assured. Lin Qinghan has promised that, after his ascension, the throne will be inherited only by a child of Lin Qinghan and Xu Tianzhen."
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(End of this chapter)