Just as Yao Lao had left Emperor Xue Ye's bedchamber, Xue Beng followed closely behind.
Today's Xue Beng could be said to be completely transformed!
Qian Renxue's failure!
The position of Crown Prince naturally fell upon his head.
Even though Emperor Xue Ye was extremely reluctant, Xue Beng was his final choice.
If Xue Beng didn't ascend... who would?
They couldn't end up in chaos like the Star Luo Empire, could they?
Emperor Xue Ye understood this principle, and the important ministers of Tian Dou understood it even more clearly in their hearts.
So...
When Qian Renxue fled back to the Spirit Empire, many ministers previously won over by Qian Renxue began to "return to the right path," even actively seeking out Xue Beng to apologize with thorns on their backs.
They hoped the new emperor would give them a way to live after Emperor Xue Ye's passing.
Even...
During the time Emperor Xue Ye was ill, many people in the palace had prepared for the new king's ascension.
Including Xue Beng himself!
"Old... Old Yao Lao!"
After catching up, Xue Beng first bowed ninety degrees.
Not a hint of Crown Prince's airs!
"So it was the Crown Prince."
"Is something the matter?"
Yao Lao chuckled.
It was only because he was in a good mood today that he hadn't flown away the moment Xue Beng came out.
How else would he have given this new Crown Prince a chance to speak?
"Yao Lao!"
"Thank you deeply for saving my father."
"Please accept Xue Beng's bow!"
The current Crown Prince.
With a thud, he knelt before Yao Lao.
"This old man cannot accept such courtesy."
"Crown Prince, please rise quickly."
Yao Lao's face remained smiling, but his opinion of Xue Beng had already changed.
After experiencing various trials and tribulations, Yao Lao had long since developed a keen eye for judging people.
Little fellow!
Your heart is very insincere!
Yao Lao could sense deep hypocrisy from Xue Beng's heartbeat.
Understandable!
After all, he would be emperor in the future.
"Yao Lao's great kindness!"
"Xue Beng has no way to repay it."
"Xue Beng has one more question—how much longer can Xue Beng fulfill my filial duties before my father?"
Yao Lao chuckled.
"The Crown Prince need not worry."
"Emperor Xue Ye is blessed by heaven; those who survive great disasters are sure to have good fortune to follow. Now having taken this old man's medicine, living another thirty to fifty years would be no problem."
Xue Beng was stunned!
Thirty to fifty years?
Then wouldn't he become an old man by then?
Not to mention thirty to fifty years, even ten years he couldn't wait for now.
"Yao..."
Xue Beng stood in place looking around, but Yao Lao's shadow was already gone.
A gentle breeze blew...
He stood there in the wind, utterly disheveled.
"Thirty to fifty years..."
Was this definitely not a joke to him?
It should be a joke to him, right?
It must be a joke to him!
...
Why was Yao Lao so happy today?
It was because he knew today was the day Yang Fan would emerge from seclusion, which was why he had the leisure to chat with Xue Beng for a few moments.
"Brat!"
"We master and disciple haven't spoken for half a year; you've missed me to death."
The voice arrived before the person!
The moment Yao Lao stepped into the Breaking Clan, he detected that the barrier at the rear mountain had broken.
After all!
That was a barrier set by a Demigod-level expert like Yao Lao. Ordinary spirit masters couldn't break it at all—if they weren't counterattacked until their heads bled, they were already doing well.
"Master!"
"I've emerged from seclusion."
Although he hadn't seen Yao Lao during these six months, Yang Fan knew Yao Lao was by his side every day.
Observing his cultivation progress every single day!
"Not bad, not bad."
"This half year of cultivation wasn't wasted. You're now a Nine-Star Dou Huang."
Nine-Star Dou Huang!
Currently only one step away from peak Dou Huang.
This meant Yang Fan was now also a Demigod-level expert.
An existence that could walk sideways on Douluo Continent.
"This is all thanks to Master."
Without the enhanced Foundation Establishment Liquid refined by Yao Lao, he might not have found the method to break through yet.
"It's your own high comprehension, boy."
Yao Lao looked at Yang Fan...
Approval already overflowing from his eyes.
"Master."
"Where's my grandfather?"
This shouldn't be!
His seclusion cultivation was a major event. His emergence was equivalent to a glorious return home for his grandfather.
How could he not be here?
"What?"
"So little faith in your Master?"
"Are you worried this old man didn't protect your grandfather well?"
Yang Fan hurriedly shook his head.
Not at all!
Actually, only after reaching Demigod level did he truly understand Yao Lao's power.
That wasn't something any spirit master on Douluo Continent could casually challenge.
Unless it was a god-level expert!
"Your grandfather went to the Tian Dou Imperial Palace."
At this moment!
Yao Lao roughly explained what had happened during the six months of his seclusion...
"Qian Renxue escaped?"
Yang Fan sighed regretfully!
If they could have kept that woman, it would have been excellent leverage against Spirit Hall.
Unfortunately...
He hadn't been present at the time.
"This can't be blamed on your grandfather."
"The current situation on Douluo Continent is tense. Spirit Hall didn't place only Snake Spear and Porcupine Fish, the two killed Titled Douluo, by Qian Renxue's side."
"After the incident, I went to the palace to investigate."
"In that situation, it should have been that Level 99 peak Douluo Qian Daoliu you mentioned who rescued Qian Renxue."
Yang Fan raised his head and asked: "Then what about Emperor Xue Ye? How much longer can he live?"
"Two and a half years!"
Everyone has a lifespan.
Although Yao Lao had successfully saved the man, he wasn't an immortal. He couldn't help others stay young forever, nor did he have that obligation.
"Tell me about yourself."
"How were the results of your half-year seclusion cultivation?"
Yang Fan chuckled: "This shouldn't be able to hide from Master."
The improvement in strength was only part of it. What truly benefited him was the sudden enlightenment in cultivation.
Perhaps he now understood the state of mind Hai Bodong had when creating his own godhood back then.
"Not bad!"
"After coming out, first breathe some fresh air. Master has prepared a gift for you."
A gift?
Yang Fan's eyes immediately lit up.
Could it be a powerful Dou Technique?
Or perhaps a seventh-grade pill?
Whatever it was, Yang Fan was already starting to look forward to it.
...
Spirit City.
Today's Spirit City was completely transformed.
It was no longer just a city, but the capital of a nation.
With the establishment of the Spirit Empire, all the kingdoms and duchies surrounding Spirit City were subjugated by them.
Spirit Empire's current territory, though still incomparable to the two great empires of Tian Dou and Star Luo, had expanded several times over compared to before.
They already possessed more than ten cities of various sizes!
At this moment...
A woman with golden long hair was sitting in the Spirit Hall's Worship Hall.
This woman was unfamiliar to the entire Spirit Hall; in fact, only those in the Worship Hall who were under ten years old had seen her before.
Qian Renxue!
The next heir of the Angel Clan.
Simultaneously the only candidate revered by the Worship Hall as the next Supreme Pontiff.
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