Chapter 498: 497. Chapter 492: The New Heavenly Emperor

497. Chapter 492: The New Heavenly Emperor

Seeing Ding Huan did not act against Wu Chang Emperor, Bu Yue's eyes flickered with disappointment.

The others were also confused—Ding Huan had let Wu Chang Emperor go.

In their minds, if Ding Huan had wished it, Wu Chang Emperor would surely have perished here today.

Ding Huan looked at everyone and said:

"Since Wu Chang has left, let me state my thoughts. In the Mortal World, a nation cannot go a day without a ruler. Now the Immortal Court lacks a leader—we must elect a Heavenly Emperor…"

"I nominate Brother Ding Huan. His abilities are evident to all; as Heavenly Emperor, he will surely lead us to drive out the alien races and restore the human race's dominance in the Immortal World."

Almost before Ding Huan finished speaking, Bu Yue shouted out loudly.

Ding Huan stared blankly at Bu Yue—no wonder this guy had risen to Immortal Chancellor; not only was his cultivation high, his ability to read the wind and shift allegiances was unmatched.

Too bad his perception was off—he'd waste time becoming Heavenly Emperor?

"I'm the first to endorse Brother Ding Huan as Heavenly Emperor…"

Brother Xingpan spoke without hesitation.

Seeing Brother Xingpan speak, the others were about to chime in, but Ding Huan raised his hand to stop them:

"Fellow cultivators, the Immortal Domain is after all the largest race in the Pangu Great World, yet I am only a Great Yi Immortal. Don't even mention me as Heavenly Emperor—it would only invite ridicule."

"I believe Brother Xingpan Emperor is the most suitable to become Heavenly Emperor of the Immortal Court. Originally, the Heavenly Emperor's seat should have been his. Now that he sits upon it, it is only right and natural."

What nonsense—him as Heavenly Emperor? He had no time for that. Better to do nothing than become a Heavenly Emperor like Wu Chang.

Bu Yue was the first to speak again: "Brother Ding Huan's words strike straight to my heart. Though no one would dare oppose Brother Ding Huan as Heavenly Emperor, his foresight has anticipated what we never even considered.

If so, then I firmly support Brother Xingpan Emperor as Heavenly Emperor, to lead our human cultivators to new glory."

Ding Huan stared blankly at Bu Yue—this guy not only knew how to shift with the wind, he was also shamelessly thick-skinned.

Not just Ding Huan, many in the hall held Bu Yue in deep contempt.

You're an Immortal Emperor—how can you have no principles at all?

Yet Bu Yue wore a solemn expression: "Today is truly the perfect day. Our Immortal Court cannot wait. One more day of delay, and countless innocent human cultivators will fall beneath the alien races' blades.

Only our people have ever stood above other races—when did it become acceptable for others to raise their blades against us?

Though I stand here in apparent peace, my heart cannot bear even a moment of such peace."

Even as he spoke, he inwardly sneered.

Ha—hypocrites all of you. You all want the glory of siding with the victor, yet you want rewards and also your dignity. Is there such a thing as a free lunch?

Learn from the Former Emperor.

Why did I become Immortal Chancellor? Why was I able to plant the Emperor's Life Fruit under Wu Chang Emperor's nose and escape punishment when discovered?

And why, after Wu Chang Emperor was forced to flee, am I still unharmed?

Because I know how to pick sides.

"I also nominate Brother Brother Xingpan as Heavenly Emperor," Brother Pingwei declared loudly as he stepped forward.

With Brother Pingwei's declaration, Emperor Jinhe, several Dao Lords, Star Lords, Commandants, and Immortal Officials all stepped forward to support Brother Xingpan as Heavenly Emperor.

Brother Xingpan opened his mouth—he honestly had never intended to reclaim the Heavenly Emperor's seat. He had already planned to leave with Ding Huan after this affair.

Yet he never expected that, in the end, the title would fall to him.

Once, he had sought to become Heavenly Emperor and restore order to the Pangu Great World—but instead of gaining the throne, he nearly lost his life.

Now he no longer wanted it—and yet the Heavenly Emperor's seat had landed on his head.

"Brother Ding Huan, I cannot accept this Heavenly Emperor title," Brother Xingpan immediately shook his head in refusal.

Ding Huan clapped Brother Xingpan on the shoulder: "Older brother, I once thought your dream of driving out the aliens and restoring order to the Pangu Great World was pure fantasy.

Because you weren't Heavenly Emperor, everything you did was exhausting and unappreciated.

Now it's different. If you become the new Heavenly Emperor, not only can you do this—you will surely succeed."

Hearing "drive out the aliens and restore order to the Pangu Great World," Brother Xingpan's spirit instantly lifted—it was exactly what he had dreamed of.

"Then… I'll become Heavenly Emperor?" Brother Xingpan glanced uncertainly at Ding Huan.

"Go ahead. Make your decisions quickly, drive out the aliens swiftly," Ding Huan reassured him.

Brother Xingpan finally made his decision—he would become the new Heavenly Emperor of the Immortal Court.

What he craved was not the title of Heavenly Emperor, but the restoration of order to the Pangu Great World.

If he did not become Heavenly Emperor, that dream would remain just that—a dream, utterly unattainable.

Brother Xingpan walked to the Heavenly Emperor's seat and sat down. The Immortal Court's Precious Hall fell silent.

Bu Yue was the first to act: "Bu Yue pays homage to Emperor Brother Xingpan. May the Emperor reign eternal, as the sun and moon endure. I vow to serve the Emperor, and all under heaven shall bow…"

Brother Xingpan waved his hand, cutting off Bu Yue—otherwise, every other Immortal Official in the hall would have prostrated themselves.

Brother Xingpan then spoke clearly:

"Fellow cultivators, I never imagined I would sit upon this Heavenly Emperor's seat, and thus I am unprepared.

But I cannot waste time arranging a grand coronation ceremony—I have no time for such things. I believe you all know why…"

The Precious Hall remained silent. Everyone understood the meaning behind Brother Xingpan Emperor's words.

The alien races now occupied the Great Immortal Domain and could invade the Immortal Court at any moment. Spending eighty-one days on a coronation ritual now wasn't just wasteful—it was insanity. If he did that, what difference would there be between him and Wu Chang Emperor?

A coronation ritual required eighty-one days.

"I'll be blunt: all non-essential matters must wait until we reclaim the Great Immortal Domain and restore order to the Pangu Great World.

The most urgent task now is to launch an immediate offensive—to repel the aliens and reclaim the Great Immortal Domain…"

As soon as Brother Xingpan Emperor finished speaking, Bu Yue was the first to roar:

"We firmly support the Emperor's decision! Kill every alien, reclaim our ancestral lands—we will die rather than yield!"

This time, Bu Yue's words won the support of many.

The excited support from the sect lords of the great Immortal Realms nearly tore apart the Immortal Court's Treasure Hall.

A man stepped forward:

"Great Emperor, this time the alien races have come with overwhelming force—what has emerged is no longer merely the Demon, Beast, and God Clans. The Dragon Clan, the Phoenix of the Chaotic Realm, the Blood Clan, and others have all poured into the Great Immortal Realm.

If we rashly launch an attack, we risk being surrounded like dumplings, annihilated entirely, and perhaps even losing the Immortal Court itself."

Ding Huan looked at the man—he recognized him: Star Lord Ji Zhanbo.

This Star Lord spoke with relative objectivity and fairness; what he had just said made sense.

Bu Yue, as if injected with stimulants, could not remain silent for a moment:

"Star Lord Ji, what do you mean? The new Emperor is about to strike with full force to exterminate the alien races, yet you come here to pour cold water."

Ji Zhanbo replied coldly: "At least I can speak truthfully, while you have nothing but flattery."

Brother Xingpan waved his hand and said: "My lords, since I unexpectedly ascended the Throne of the Heavenly Emperor, I do not yet fully understand many matters.

I repeat: the urgent priority is not anything else—it is to expel the alien races. Thus, all your positions in the Immortal Court remain unchanged.

Even those who committed offenses before my arrival, I shall overlook them entirely.

All new appointments, rewards, and punishments in the Immortal Court will be determined only after the alien races have been fully driven out, based on merit."

Brother Xingpan suspected Bu Yue feared being held accountable later, so he rushed forward to establish his loyalty.

Hearing this, even Bu Yue dared not speak further.

Clearly, Emperor Brother Xingpan differed somewhat from Emperor Wu Chang.

Emperor Wu Chang only cared that everyone got along; Emperor Brother Xingpan was a man of practicality.

The Treasure Hall fell silent. Brother Xingpan spoke again: "To drive out the alien races, I must appoint an Immortal Court Grand Immortal Inspector to command the Ten Immortal Commanders. Ding Huan—you are the only one fit for this post."

Hearing this, everyone in the Immortal Court secretly sighed—Ding Huan and Brother Xingpan were indeed close brothers.

He handed over military command to Ding Huan without hesitation or reservation.

In truth, Ding Huan already had some support within the Immortal Court.

If Ding Huan now seized control of the Immortal Court's armies, he could overthrow Brother Xingpan at any moment.

Ding Huan waved his hand and said: "Great Emperor, my cultivation is still low—I cannot command respect on the frontlines nor intimidate the alien races. Let someone else hold this military authority."

Others did not know Ding Huan, but Brother Xingpan knew him too well.

He knew Ding Huan truly did not wish to become Grand Immortal Inspector.

It was not that Ding Huan lacked ability—it was that he had no interest whatsoever in restoring the Pangu Great World.

Thinking of this, he could only sigh helplessly: "If so, then I shall appoint a Deputy Immortal Inspector. You need not go to the front, but you must accept the title.

Ji Mi, you were formerly Commander of the Immortal Court's Jia Chen Division and the Inspector-General of this Immortal-Beast Front.

The defeat on this battlefield is not your fault. I give you another chance—will you rise to the occasion and reclaim what was lost?"

Ji Mi, who had been standing silently in the back, dusty and disheveled, rushed forward at once: "Great Emperor, I, Ji Mi, will not fail your expectations this time!"

"Good."

After saying "good," Brother Xingpan continued: "Luo Tang, you are Commander of the Immortal Court's Bing Shen Division. While Ji Mi confronts the Beast Clan, you will hold back the Demon Clan—can you do it?"

"Great Emperor, rest assured—I, Luo Tang, guarantee I can do it." Luo Tang stepped forward.

……

After the appointments were made, Brother Xingpan was just about to breathe easier when Ding Huan's voice whispered into his ear.

He cleared his throat and said: "Commander Bu Yue…"

Hearing the Emperor call him, Bu Yue immediately stepped forward: "Bu Yue bows before the Great Emperor."

He had opposed Ding Huan the longest and was the most reckless among them all.

His earlier outbursts in support of Brother Xingpan were meant to clear himself of blame—and now that the Great Emperor called him, he grew anxious.

"Bu Yue, you were formerly Imperial Chancellor. Now I give you a task: take my imperial edict and travel to the Chaotic Zone to meet the Witch Clan. Tell them we wish to form an alliance…"