Chapter 166: with translation of chapter title

Dawn light first shone, within the resplendent imperial palace, a grand investiture ceremony slowly began.

The Tian Dou Emperor wore dragon robes, his expression solemn; he held a scepter and slowly walked toward the high platform, followed by civil and military officials in orderly steps, the atmosphere solemn and reverent.

On the high platform, Titan wore a crimson Title Douluo robe, with a badge symbolizing honor—a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—on his chest; his gaze was deep, a faint smile on his face, as if the impending honor came as no surprise.

The surrounding officials' eyes were filled with awe; they gazed at this newly appointed Guardian Elder of the State, secretly wondering what glory he would bring to the nation.

A sonorous horn sounded, and the entire imperial palace seemed to tremble at that moment.

Civil and military officials shouted in unison, their voices thunderous, echoing throughout the court.

The Tian Dou Emperor raised his scepter and loudly proclaimed Titan's investiture; his voice was firm and powerful, brimming with imperial dignity and authority.

Because Titan's stature was too great, to perfectly fulfill the Li family's strongest infiltration plan, he willingly sacrificed a shred of his dignity, slowly dropping to one knee to receive the Tian Dou Emperor's investiture on a snowy night.

His movements were steady yet graceful, as if every detail had been meticulously designed.

As the Tian Dou Emperor's scepter lightly touched his shoulder, a flash of red light passed, and ripples of soul power surged around Titan's body—the manifestation of the hundred-thousand-year soul ring's power.

The entire hall fell silent; everyone was stunned by this sacred and solemn moment.

Titan slowly rose to his feet, his eyes flashing with determination and wisdom.

To others, from this moment onward, Titan, this Guardian Elder of the State, would bear the heavy duty of protecting the nation, using his strength and wisdom to bring peace and prosperity to the land.

The Tian Dou Emperor smiled, clasping Titan's hand firmly; at this moment their gazes met, as if they had already foreseen the nation's bright future.

The civil and military officials again shouted in unison, their voices brimming with pride and exhilaration, for they knew their nation had grown stronger thanks to this newly appointed Guardian Elder of the State.

At the same time, over in the Star Luo Empire, the same thing was happening.

On the high platform outside the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Yang Wudi stood beneath the scorching red sun, facing the Star Luo Emperor's investiture.

The Emperor wore dragon robes, golden light flashing, authority awe-inspiring; he held his scepter and spoke slowly, his solemn, dignified voice echoing throughout the palace inside and out, ringing in everyone's ears like thunder: "Spear Douluo, Your Excellency, I shall, in the name of the Star Luo Empire's highest authority, specially appoint you as Guardian Elder of the Star Luo Empire! Your rank equals mine! Let us together contribute to the Star Luo Empire's strength, prosperity, and peace! This shall be known throughout the world!"

This was the first Guardian Elder of the State in Star Luo Empire history! One could see how highly the Star Luo Empire valued Yang Wudi! "Clap! Clap!! Clap!!"

"Clap clap clap!!"

Following the Emperor's proclamation, the golden scepter symbolizing the Emperor traced a beam of light in the air, and the hall instantly erupted with thunderous applause.

Civil and military officials stood in neat rows, their attire splendid, trimmed with gold-thread embroidery, each shoulder bearing a badge denoting their respective posts.

Their expressions were solemn, their eyes bright, fixed on this solemn moment.

Likewise, the dignitaries from various powers, all dressed in formal attire with solemn demeanor, either stood below the platform or on distant viewing stands, jointly witnessing this historic moment.

Yang Wudi wore battle robes, a sword symbolizing honor hung at his waist; his gaze was deep and resolute, as if he had long anticipated this moment.

As the Emperor conferred the investiture, in order to fulfill the Li family's mission, he too slowly dropped to one knee to accept it all.

The Emperor personally helped him rise; their eyes met, and their unspoken understanding and power flowed through the air.

The whole scene was grand and magnificent; sunlight bathed the platform, reflecting dazzling light.

A breeze swept by, lifting petals that fluttered in the air. Court musicians struck up a solemn melody, the music soaring, intertwining with cheers that rang to the heavens.

As the ceremony proceeded, Yang Wudi received the jade seal and token symbolizing his office; a hint of complexity flickered in his eyes.

"If I were not a member of the Li family, perhaps this would be fine, but alas, I am of the Li family; my life belongs to the Li family, and the Li family seeks to overthrow and split the Star Luo Empire, so I can only do this."

Yang Wudi thought complexly within.

He felt somewhat guilty in his heart.

For he knew that holding this jade seal and sword would betray the solemn duty of guarding the nation and its people.

"Well then, I will save as many common folk as I can when the time comes; at least that will lessen my inner guilt."

"My martial soul has a fatal flaw; without the Li family's aid, I could not break through to Title Douluo—rank eighty-nine peak Soul Douluo is my limit, and I could not obtain the method to upgrade my soul ring to raise the ninth from ten-thousand-year to hundred-thousand-year! The Li family has shown me great kindness; I must repay them!"

The expression in Yang Wudi's eyes suddenly turned resolute.

The ceremony lasted a long while; when the final sliver of sunlight vanished at the horizon, the rites finally drew to a close.

Civil and military officials and the dignitaries of various powers stepped forward one after another to congratulate Yang Wudi, their smiles carrying hopes and blessings for the future.

Yang Wudi, meanwhile, responded calmly and composedly, answering each in turn—playing the part to the fullest.

Thus, both sides' investiture ceremonies were successfully completed!

This matter quickly spread across the continent, letting everyone know! Inside the Star Luo Imperial Palace, the Star Luo Emperor laughed and chatted with Yang Wudi about the empire's future development, then saw him off.

After Yang Wudi left, he only then gradually gathered his smile away.

Just two days prior, the Spirit Hall's Pontiff Bibi Dong personally sought him out, speaking to him about Yang Wudi and Titan, and the danger these two posed.

Regarding this, he harbored a slight doubt in his heart concerning Yang Wudi.

Yet it was impossible for him to abandon the investiture of Yang Wudi merely because of Bibi Dong's words.

Moreover, this was a genuine hundred-thousand-year soul ring Title Douluo.

The present Star Luo Empire needs such a figure to guard it.

After careful thought over these two days, he felt Bibi Dong's words were mere nonsense, wholly a scheme to sow discord.

The other side simply could not bear their having such a powerful Title Douluo, hence they came out deliberately to say this to him.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to refrain from speaking earlier or later, yet choose precisely this moment to speak!

Regarding this, his resolve to maintain good relations with Yang Wudi grew stronger.

In the future, perhaps he could still exploit the relationship between Yang Wudi and Titan, maybe even try to win over the other side as well.

By then, the Star Luo Empire would possess two Guardians of the State Elders! He could even wake up laughing in his sleep!

The Star Luo Empire itself already boasted the continent's finest military-quality troops; if two more hundred-thousand-year soul ring Title Douluo were added, even the Spirit Hall would not be in his eyes! Then he would overthrow the Tian Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall, unify the entire continent! The Star Luo Emperor's eyes brimmed with immense ambition!

(End of chapter)