Chapter 1123

The Emperor Scorpion was dead, but its corpse remained.

The corpse of a Starlight-rank beast-god is full of treasures.

Even if Xu Jingming himself cannot use it, he can give it to Su Qingli, Ling Shuang, and the other women.

So, after storing the corpse in his space ring, he left the South Sea with Zhou Yuanwu.

By the time they arrived at Xia Meng, the ninth-rank councilors who had received advance word were already waiting in the square.

Seeing Zhou Yuanwu return safely, they all wore expressions of excitement.

Two supreme experts!

And both possess Starlight Second-Rank combat power!

Across the entire Blue Planet, which nation could possibly stand against Great Xia?

"Chief Councilor my lord," the ninth-rank councilors all bowed.

"Don't call me Chief Councilor anymore—from now on, Great Xia will have only one Chief Councilor: Xu Jingming!"

Zhou Yuanwu laughed heartily as he faced the bows of the many ninth-rank councilors.

"This..."

Cao Jun and Xue Jian exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Zhou Yuanwu had presided over Great Xia for over a hundred years; his iron-fisted rule was deeply ingrained—yet now he was voluntarily stepping down?

Xu Jingming was likewise stunned.

He stepped forward, brow slightly furrowed:

"Brother Zhou, what are you...?"

"I was only acting as temporary Chief Councilor for Great Xia—how could I continue your plans? This matter must be done properly and legitimately."

Zhou Yuanwu looked at Xu Jingming and grinned broadly:

"Besides, I've been Chief Councilor for over a hundred years—I'm already tired.

This is the perfect chance to rest while recovering from my injuries; I don't want to be disturbed by trivial matters along the way."

Though he looks perfectly normal now, it's all due to the effects of pills sustaining him.

In another half hour, when the drug's effect fades, he will lose consciousness on the spot.

How could he possibly continue leading Great Xia under such conditions?

Xu Jingming had also noticed the faint trace of fatigue hidden beneath Zhou Yuanwu's seemingly cheerful smile.

After a moment of silence, he nodded solemnly: "Alright."

Power was transferred at this moment.

Zhou Yuanwu was taken away under the care of a professional psychic medical team.

Meanwhile, Cao Jun approached Xu Jingming to discuss the Chief Councilor inauguration ceremony.

He originally didn't want to make it so complicated, but Cao Jun argued passionately:

"You are Great Xia's new Chief Councilor!

Not only must our ninth-rank councilors know, but the entire nation—and the whole world—must know!

From now on, when you walk abroad, you represent all of Great Xia! How can we not publicize it?"

After careful thought, Xu Jingming realized Cao Jun had a point.

So he set the inauguration ceremony for nine o'clock that night.

It was currently just past two in the morning—nearly twenty hours remained for preparation.

"Are all the military corps ready?"

After confirming the inauguration ceremony, Xu Jingming asked.

"Ready. We've pulled out roughly one-fifth of our elite corps.

All aircraft are prepared and can launch at once to strike the EU."

Cao Jun replied.

"Good."

Xu Jingming nodded. "Once the inauguration is over, we head straight for the EU!"

Charlotte most likely acted alone; even the other EU ninth-rank councilors probably don't know Charlotte is already dead.

But even if they did, it wouldn't matter—could the EU produce a second supreme expert?

As for the corps we've pulled out, it's only to suppress potential uprisings after we take control of the EU.

But with the Slave Heart Seal, I can easily control all EU ninth-rank councilors, reducing the chance of rebellion.

"Yes, Councilor my lord!"

As soon as Xu Jingming finished speaking, he was met with a loud, unified, and excited response from every ninth-rank councilor present.

They felt that Great Xia's most glorious era was about to arrive!

The Chief Councilor's inauguration ceremony was naturally not simple.

It included advance publicity, summoning all seventh-rank Masters and eighth-rank Grand Masters from across the nation, and more.

After discussing with Xu Jingming, Cao Jun and the others hurried off to prepare.

Meanwhile, Xu Jingming went to the medical room where Emers was staying.

Inside the medical room, Emers lay seated on the hospital bed.

Her breathing was steady, her complexion flushed, and she was laughing and chatting with Su Qingli and Ling Shuang.

"It seems Teacher has fully recovered," Xu Jingming said, walking over with a smile.

"It was just mental exhaustion—nothing serious; I could have recovered even without treatment,"

Emers smiled lightly, but Su Qingli ruthlessly exposed her lie:

"Nothing serious yet—just before leaving, Councilor Zhang said so."

"His mental energy was severely depleted; if treatment hadn't been timely, his mental sea might have been damaged."

"Indeed, two supreme experts working together aren't easy to deal with."

Xu Jingming nodded and said, "Teacher, you just stay in Great Xia to recover for now."

Emers's SSS-rank ability, 'Eye of Fate,' was never meant to be a combat-oriented ability."

Holding off Evelyn and Charlotte for half an hour is already impressive."

Emers had wanted to refuse, but after thinking it over, she nodded:"

"All right, then I'll stay with you for a while longer."

Her prestige within the Ember Temple, and indeed across the entire Ember World, was unquestionably high."

Many even regarded her as a goddess for having rediscovered the Blue Star's coordinates."

But she was not a goddess—she was a human with her own emotions."

In the Ember Temple, everyone treated her with utmost respect, bowing at the slightest provocation."

Even her closest students did the same."

She had never felt anything was wrong with this before."

But since her last visit to Great Xia and her deep interactions with Xu Jingming and the others,"

she realized how boring her life had been."

Compared to the lonely Ember Temple, she preferred staying in Great Xia..."

"Perfect—we didn't get to finish last time. Let's go out again with Sister Emers."

Ling Shuang immediately raised her hand in approval."

Having once left Lei Ting Martial Hall and spent three years alone in Mo University,"

she naturally understood Emers's loneliness and knew how painful it felt."

That was why she was so enthusiastic."

"By the way, Brother Zhou just offered to let me take over as Chief Ritual Officer."

"I accepted. The inauguration ceremony is set for tonight at nine."

Xu Jingming said.

"Chief Ritual Officer?"

Su Qingli and Ling Shuang widened their eyes.

Though they had already heard Xu Jingming had brought Zhou Yuanwu back,"

they hadn't expected Zhou Yuanwu would voluntarily step down."

"Zhou Yuanwu is severely injured and won't recover anytime soon. Letting you take over as Chief Ritual Officer and lead Great Xia is only natural."

Emers wasn't particularly surprised by this."

"Chief Ritual Officer? Then this calls for a proper celebration."

Su Qingli muttered under her breath.

"Of course. Qiu Yun and Jiang Chuxuan's match should be over by now—call them back to Xia Meng."

"Of course. Qiuyun and Chu Xuan's match should be over by now. Call them both back to Xia Meng's side."

The news of Zhou Yuanwu's severe injury came too suddenly."

So he hadn't yet informed Song Qiuyun or Jiang Chuxuan that he had returned from Heizhou."

"Alright, I'll send them a message right away." Su Qingli nodded slightly.

'They'll all be gathered again...'

Hearing this, Emers unconsciously recalled the scene she had seen a month ago.

Her long legs, hidden beneath the blankets, tightly pressed together; a faint blush crept across her fair face.

Neither Su Qingli nor Ling Shuang noticed anything unusual, but Xu Jingming seemed to sense something.

He silently sighed inwardly.

His teacher seems a bit repressed..."

Fortunately, the oddness didn't last long—Emers quickly returned to normal.

She looked at Xu Jingming and softly opened her red lips:"

"Jingming, didn't you say I could ask you for anything? Well, I actually do have something I need your help with."

PS: Tomorrow is the Gaokao. Wishing all examinees top scores, swift success, and everything they wish for—especially 'persimmons' coming true!

PS: Tomorrow is the college entrance exam; may all examinees achieve top honors, succeed at once, and have their wishes come true—especially for persimmons!