[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens":3,"chapter-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-162":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 Billion Citizens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271037,4434,"Chapter 162: The Gift Brought by Tameraland, the Magician","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-162",162,"\u003Cp>Dawn Church, Sunfire Vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the incident brought by Tristan, Tameraland finally arrived before the vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him stood a bronze gate far beyond ordinary imagination—nearly a hundred meters tall, its entire surface coated in a deep green patina, exuding a suffocating pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before the gate sat only a single knight, dozing on the steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, as the most sacred place of the Sun Church, storing its accumulated treasures over a thousand years, its defenses should be impenetrable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, only one knight guarded it—fewer than the guards at the church entrance—and even that lone sentinel was napping, the whole setup suspiciously lax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tameraland knew this was merely an illusion, for the dozing knight was none other than his godfather—the Sun Church’s Cardinal Inquisitor, Grand Marshal of the Holy Knights, “Black Sun” Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also universally recognized as the Church’s strongest warrior, having once single-handedly collapsed an entire mountain peak to mediate a war between two nations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tameraland believed that if anyone could breach his godfather’s guard and force entry into the Sunfire Vault, then the value of its treasures no longer mattered—what truly mattered was the survival of the Church itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Cliff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tameraland stepped onto the steps before the dozing knight and bowed slightly in reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight slowly removed his helmet, revealing a face as stern as bedrock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His features, forged by time and battle, were sharp yet not coarse; his copper-toned skin bore several scars, and his rare black eyes held the deep calm of the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared to be in his forties, but Tameraland knew that due to his near-human-limit power, time flowed far more slowly for him than for others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Uncle Cliff was his godfather, he was in fact from the same era as Tameraland’s grandfather, the former Pope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, this solemn knight gazed at Tameraland and spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tameraland.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden-haired youth immediately assumed a posture of attentive silence, but the next words from his godfather left him stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you wish to become a king?” Cliff stared into Tameraland’s eyes, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was not jesting—it was as if, should Tameraland say yes, he would immediately be placed upon the throne that countless others dreamed of, even dared not imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Uncle Cliff, you know I have no interest in power, and my remaining life is already dedicated to the Great Sun and the God of Justice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Tameraland replied with a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, also to serve the Princess for life—he silently added in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cliff said nothing, but a trace of regret flickered across his stern face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he rose from the steps, his towering, armored frame over two meters tall, pressing down on Tameraland with overwhelming weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not merely a difference in size, but a gap in the very level of existence—like a lion instinctively sheathing its claws before a true dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cliff turned and pressed his palm against the bronze gate, then his arm muscles suddenly surged like coiled dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak. Creak. Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expensive iron armor worn exclusively by Holy Knights groaned under the strain of his expanding muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, an impossible sight occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hundred-meter-tall, immeasurably heavy bronze gate slowly began to swing inward—moved solely by Cliff’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the gate opened wide enough for one person to pass did Cliff remove his hand and gesture for Tameraland to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to imagine the sheer force displayed here—if unleashed in battle, it would shatter an enemy’s body into bloody mist in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this spectacle did not astonish Tameraland; instead, a flicker of hesitation crossed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Cliff, I came here to claim a treasure from the Sunfire Vault, but won’t entering violate the rules?” Tameraland asked hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the core of the Sun Church, only the gatekeeper and the current Pope were permitted to enter the Sunfire Vault—even the Cardinals of the Cardinalate had no such privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t matter. If you don’t want to be king, then this Church will eventually be yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cliff spoke dismissively, then, perhaps growing impatient, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion toward the golden-haired youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Tameraland felt an invisible, overwhelming force dragging his body toward the crack of the bronze gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment, that force was neutralized by another that suddenly emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piece of information appeared in Tameraland’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gift of Foreseeing: If the attack is visible, you may negate the first one you receive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can this trigger Ten Thousand Hearts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tameraland’s lip twitched—he found Ten Thousand Hearts’ effect almost too excessive, even for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you block it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cliff’s expression froze. Even this ever-stern Inquisitor now showed a trace of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had merely made a casual pull, it was impossible for Tameraland—two ranks below him—to resist so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recently received a gift that allows me to negate the first attack I receive.” Tameraland answered honestly, to his godfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You truly are favored by the world!” Cliff fell silent for a long while before sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Tameraland followed Cliff into the Sunfire Vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they stepped inside, blinding golden light surged forth like a dam breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor was paved with gold bricks; the walls were forged from molten silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On raised platforms, treasures were carelessly strewn: meteorite-grade magic crystals, legendary martial artifacts, exceedingly rare herbs—each labeled with the required merit points and a brief description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the Sun Church’s accumulated treasures of a thousand years—if released into the world, they could trigger economic chaos across the entire continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take whatever you want. Your merit points are ten thousand, right?” Cliff couldn’t recall and guessed a number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Tameraland wandered alone through the vast vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Determined not to disappoint his companions or his sovereign, he carefully read each plaque, analyzing and weighing which treasures would best suit them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From dawn to dusk, after spending the entire day inside the vault, Tameraland finally emerged, contentedly clutching three treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A grimoire, a gravity device, a sword technique suited for a female knight—you didn’t take a single thing for yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cliff glanced once and immediately recognized the items; his gaze turned peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Tameraland flushed awkwardly and instinctively reached for the back of his head—only to realize both hands were full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. As a future leader, making more friends is always good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cliff shrugged, dropped the subject, and once again gripped the gate’s latch with both hands, slowly closing the bronze door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the vault door sealed, the blinding golden light gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tameraland, your life has been smoother than anyone else’s, so your aspirations are higher than anyone else’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But reality is not a fairy tale—even the brightest places harbor shadows. I hope that one day, when you see those shadows, you will think deeply about why they exist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they parted, Cliff spoke with meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for your wisdom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Tameraland did not understand the words, he bowed deeply in reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, in this world’s cultural norms, one respected one’s godfather even more than one’s own father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You shouldn’t have told him that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Tameraland left, a cold voice suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unseen moments before, a small figure now stood beside Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been there—or never been there at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closer inspection revealed the figure to be a child, no more than eight or nine years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child had short, brilliant golden hair, pale and delicate skin, and slender wrists like bamboo joints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore an exquisite robe, primarily deep purple, edged with intricate golden patterns—exquisitely luxurious, yet on his small frame, it looked like a child wearing his father’s clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most striking were his gray-white eyes: though a child, his gaze carried the weariness of a lifetime—unmoved by any event, as if he were an ancient man long past emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint Jordan Rhine, the Eternal Pope of the Sun Church—everyone believed Jordan had received divine revelation from the Sun God and sworn an oath: as long as injustice persisted in the world, he would never ascend to the divine realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, the Sun God granted a miracle: Jordan would never age, his body forever remaining that of a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a blessing—and a curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My grandson is clever. If you say that, he may suspect something,” the Pope said coldly, word by word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With his talent, he will discover it eventually,” Cliff replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A person’s views in youth often differ drastically from those in middle or old age—even completely opposite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he learns now, he may cause trouble. But when he one day becomes the pillar for countless others, when every move he makes shapes the fate of an entire people, he will understand our intentions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said the Pope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just this once. Next time, I’ll turn you into an old man, so you’ll know what *** feels like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. Scary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starfire Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath a crystal dome reflecting endless warfires like a sky, twelve prismatic pillars burned with blazing torches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu, Dolove, and Haegex had arrived early, sleeping here, their faces filled with eager anticipation for someone—or rather, a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure wrapped in torchlight appeared before them; the golden-haired youth slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good evening, Tameraland,” they all said in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good evening,” Tameraland smiled. He hadn’t expected to experience the same treatment the Princess received upon arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his companions’ expectant expressions, he didn’t delay—he channeled magic into the blue ring on his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brilliant blue light portal appeared within the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the link object, real-world items could be brought into the Starfire Hall—suggesting the hall itself existed between reality and illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tameralan first took a thick grimoire from the light portal and handed it to Xia Mingyu with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, this grimoire records the Ice Magic’s Frozen Hell. I hope you like it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu took the grimoire and opened it; the intricate magical diagrams drawn with crystal dust made his head spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood what it meant to be oppressed by knowledge—like facing a higher math problem for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, I really like this gift,” Xia Mingyu said, taking a deep breath and smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Hagek Kesi  and Dolove both received gifts from Tameralan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hagek Kesi  received a magical bracelet called the Thousand-Tael Ring, which could increase the gravity acting upon its wearer—ideal for warriors honing their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dolove received a sword technique manuscript created by a famous female knight in history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Xia Mingyu knew nothing of the knight’s life, Dolove’s adoration of the gift made it clear she was delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, let’s throw a banquet for Tameralan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stowing the grimoire in his Link Space, Xia Mingyu forcibly pulled the terrified Tameralan into the head seat at the bronze long table, while he took Tameralan’s original place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a snap of his fingers, ripples spread across the table, as if an invisible divine hand had brushed over it—suddenly, countless delicacies appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whole roasted suckling pig, crisp and golden-brown, glistened with honeyed oil; its belly stuffed with truffles and herbs. Silver platters piled high with lobsters, their shells as vivid as rubies, dripping sweet juice from their claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To your health!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overjoyed, Xia Mingyu did not drink lemon water this time—he lifted his glass of lightly sparkling wine and drained it in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid laughter and merriment, everyone in the hall spent a dreamlike night, sleeping deeply until dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, at No. 13 Morning Wind Street, Yude, his eyes blackened from fourteen hours of sleepless work, stared at the rows of deep-blue potions before him and let out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending so long, his mind exhausted and foggy, he had finally turned a small portion of the hundreds of ice crystal flowers into magical potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though exhausted, he felt every moment had been worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap-tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the surprise he would give His Highness, he quickly packed the potions into a box and hurried out toward Foxfire Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps due to his dazed mind, he soon collided hard with someone on the street—but luckily, the other person caught the box in time, preventing the potions from breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m truly sorry, and thank you for your kindness,” Yude said, looking up with sincere gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man wore a vintage black tailcoat, a black top hat, and white gloves—like a circus magician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the hat’s brim, his mismatched eyes regarded the monkey-faced alchemist not with disgust or fear, but with deep interest and anticipation—as if he had discovered a rare treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2097,"2026-06-19T22:18:43.340Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6f0d4da6ff2b9ad0e996b009058b30505434f08c01a6a9613751a0c3446cb2b0","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-163","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-161",186,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-cover.jpg"]