Chapter 271: Xue Qinghe Ascends the Throne

"Dean, given the situation, are you still going to shield Yu Xiaogang? Pangzi is your own personal disciple. We have followed you since we were young; he has harmed us like this, have you ever considered us?"

Facing Oscar's questioning, Flender's figure froze completely in place.

After a long while, as if Flender had finally made some decision, he slowly spoke to apologize again: "Hongjun, it is Teacher who has let you down. Xiao Ao, I, as Dean, have indeed been incompetent. The academy has failed you all. The mistakes Xiaogang made, I will bear them alone. My life is already like this; you are still young, and your future is long. Seeing that you are all safe is enough for me. You should go."

"Teacher!" Ma Hongjun's eyes turned red instantly.

Oscar sighed, "Dean, didn't you ask how we came to be here? Zhuang Zhou and Shi Quan opened their mouths and demanded this opportunity from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family. That Pangzi can live now is also because Shi Quan put aside past grievances and spent great effort to save him. Moreover, Shi Quan directly solved the problem with Pangzi's martial soul, so Pangzi won't have to worry about the influence of the Evil Fire on him in the future."

"It was him?" Recalling the various times Zhuang Zhou retorted to Yu Xiaogang back then, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of Flender's mouth.

"Can you tell me what has happened on the continent these past few years..." Flender looked dazed, sitting on the lounge chair in the courtyard like a withered husk.

Two hours later.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun walked out of the courtyard with dejected expressions. In the end, Flender still insisted that the two of them should not go and find Yu Xiaogang to save him.

Their hearts were conflicted now. He could understand Flender's persistence; if Oscar were asked to betray Ma Hongjun, he would likely be just as persistent as Flender. But they simply could not get past this hurdle in their hearts. In the face of many years of teacher-student affection, Flender had never once considered them from beginning to end; in the depths of his heart, there was only his brother.

"Xiao Ao, Teacher has his own difficulties..." On the carriage ride back, Ma Hongjun could not help but speak up.

He had been taken in by Flender since he was young and raised with great care; among the Shrek Seven Devils, he was undoubtedly the one with the deepest feelings for Flender.

With the deepest feelings, the hurt was also the deepest, because in his heart, he had long regarded Flender as his father. Being abandoned by one's own father—would this feeling be easy to bear? It was not.

But he still cherished that sentiment in his heart, comforting Oscar.

"Pangzi, I know, you don't need to say any more." Oscar shook his head, not wanting to continue this topic, and asked: "What are your plans for the next steps?"

After a moment of silence, Ma Hongjun said: "I still want to save Teacher; I can consider it my final repayment for his kindness to me in the past..."

"If we don't use Yu Xiaogang as a trade, it is simply impossible for you and me to make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family release him with our current abilities."

"I understand."

"Are you planning to go find Shi Quan?"

"Shi Quan has already saved my life once; I still want to rely on my own ability to save Teacher."

"Then work hard to improve your strength. Only if we are strong enough will the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family possibly give us some face."

"That's all we can do."

"Pangzi, the Dean made his own choice, and we have done our best..." Oscar patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder.

"I know."

"Zhuang Zhou said that in a while, Shi Quan and the others will go to a place called Sea God Island for training, which will be of great help to improving one's strength. He invited me to go too. I hadn't given an answer before, but after going back this time, I want to agree to go with them. Pangzi, don't you want to improve your strength? Let's go together!"

"Okay." Ma Hongjun did not struggle much and nodded directly in agreement.

Several days later.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar took a carriage back to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

Oscar also told Shi Quan about their desire to go to Sea God Island together, and Shi Quan naturally smiled and agreed.

With Oscar's side settled, when Ning Rongrong went to Sea God Island, Shi Quan also prepared to bring her along. On one hand, it would allow Oscar and Ning Rongrong to cultivate their relationship, and on the other, they could use the Sea God Assessment to confirm their talent.

Three months later.

The sunlight was mellow, bringing a hint of warmth to the world.

Outside the square of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, crowds surged on both sides, and a long golden carpet was laid in the middle, extending from the street all the way to the stone platform in front of the palace gate.

Below the steps, a long sacrificial table was placed.

"Woo..."

Following the sound of a deep and resonant horn, Xue Qinghe, in a luxurious robe, supported Xue Ye, who was wearing a magnificent red robe, as they passed through the crowd and stepped onto the golden carpet.

Step by step, they walked toward the sacrificial table. Wherever they passed, the crowds on both sides bowed in salute.

Shi Quan, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Dugu Bo, and Gu Yuena all stood near the sacrificial table. Waiting for the two to approach, they smiled slightly and bowed in salute. Then they stood straight, watching the two walk to the side of the sacrificial table.

Xue Qinghe and Xue Ye walked slowly to the center of the sacrificial table and took long incense sticks from an old man who had approached with a bowed back.

After lighting them, Xue Ye faced the thousands of commoners standing in the square and on the streets ahead, and as if facing the sky, he bowed deeply three times. Then, with a solemn expression, he stepped forward and inserted them. He stood straight and spoke loudly, looking ahead.

"I, Xue Ye, on this day..."

After speaking at length about his own achievements and shortcomings, he gave himself a summary. Then he praised Xue Qinghe with a bunch of words, and finally announced loudly, "Today, with all the people as witnesses, I pass the throne to the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe!"

After years of planning, and with the support of various reputations, Xue Qinghe ascended to the imperial throne as wished!

Naturally, this could not have happened without Shi Quan's multifaceted support; otherwise, how could Xue Qinghe have inherited the throne so quickly?

On the sacrificial platform, Xue Ye was still rambling on about his expectations for Xue Qinghe's future, unaware that the Xue Qinghe on the platform had been replaced by Qian Renxue for nearly twenty years.

After Xue Ye finished speaking, the coronation ceremony finally began. A group of nobles walked up from the side, surrounding an elderly man in his seventies as he stepped forward.

The old man held an exquisite wooden tray, inside which sat a pure gold crown encrusted with jewels.

Xue Ye solemnly picked up the crown, turned to place it on the head of the slightly bowing Xue Qinghe, and then stepped aside. Qian Renxue stood up straight, took the opportunity to walk to the center, referred to herself as 'Zhen' (the imperial 'I'), and began to deliver a speech.

After finishing, she issued the first decree after ascending the throne: appointing Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as the National Teacher.

After all, they were teacher and student, so everyone had expected this long ago; they watched Ning Fengzhi step forward to receive the honor, smiling and nodding.

"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Shi Quan."

After Ning Fengzhi retreated to the side, Qian Renxue continued to speak and read out Shi Quan's name.

It was another meaningless list of contributions, such as leading the team to win the Spirit Master Tournament championship and bringing glory to the country. Furthermore, he had researched multiple Spirit Master theories, making huge contributions to the Empire and the people, which the Empire would never forget.

Finally, she announced the conferment of the title: Prince.

Whoosh, the uninformed onlookers outside the venue were instantly in an uproar; in the history of the Heaven Dou Empire, there had never been a prince with a different surname. Of course, there were also cheers, as they believed that Shi Quan, who had publicized the Soul Spirits and the Cultivation Method, was fully worthy of this reward.

The royal family members and ministers standing in the front were relatively calm, as they had known about this long ago.

This title of Prince had no real power, and they also knew that Shi Quan did not care about power at all; it was just a title.

In the current Spirit Master world, who did not know the great name of Shi Quan? Even Spirit Beasts actively protected him; which faction would not show him respect?

Using a nominal princely title to win over a theoretical genius like Shi Quan was absolutely worth more than the cost.

The point was, it did not harm their own interests.

It could be said that the profits could not have been any higher.

"I invite the Cloud Prince to step forward to receive the enfeoffment."

Qian Renxue turned her head with a solemn expression.

"Thank you, Emperor." Shi Quan bowed and stepped forward to receive the enfeoffment.

The awarding of honors concluded, and Qian Renxue continued her speech; a quarter of an hour later, Qian Renxue finally finished, and then the banquet began.

Qian Renxue supported Xue Ye as they walked at the very front, followed by the members of the royal family and the hundred officials.

"Brother Shi." As a guest walking behind, Ning Rongrong approached with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, greeting him politely.

"Rongrong." Shi Quan smiled and nodded in response.

It had to be said that the current Ning Rongrong no longer showed any of her original petulance.

"Xiao Quan, I wonder when you plan to head to Sea God Island? Is there anything you need my help with?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile.

Regarding the matter of Sea God Island, Shi Quan had already let Xue Qinghe pass the word to Ning Fengzhi.

Such a good opportunity was naturally not something Ning Fengzhi would let slip by; he had agreed immediately, as the chance to cultivate and gain experience alongside Shi Quan was an opportunity many people could only dream of.

"Soon." Shi Quan replied with a smile: "As for help, there is no need; I have actually already prepared everything on my end."

"Good." Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, "Xiao Quan, you also know my daughter is mischievous; I will have to trouble you to look after her along the way."

Shi Quan smiled, "Uncle Ning, rest assured, Rongrong is actually very outstanding; it is no trouble."

Before long, the group followed the procession into the main hall.

This banquet could be considered a family gathering; the abdicated Xue Ye still sat in the seat of honor, and after a simple greeting, the feast began.

Sweeping his gaze across, the people at the banquet had varied expressions.

For example, Xue Beng and Xue Xing both looked very dejected, drinking sullenly with gloomy faces.

Fine wine paired with delicious food, and naturally, there was no lack of entertainment, with light songs and graceful dances in the center.

Shi Quan was not interested in this at all, smiling as he picked food for the two women beside him while chatting.

Ning Rongrong, sitting opposite, saw this scene and her eyes flickered slightly, feeling inexplicably envious in her heart.

"Xiao Quan, you are becoming more and more popular with girls, aren't you?" Ye Lingling took in everyone's expressions.

Besides Ning Rongrong, even the Heaven Dou Empire princess, Xue Ke, would look toward Shi Quan's direction from time to time.

Shi Quan did not change his expression, saying calmly and composedly: "Isn't it a good thing that your man has great charm?"

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes, "Since when did you become so vain?"

"Isn't this what I learned from you?" Shi Quan chuckled softly.

"Asking for a beating." Dugu Yan raised her fist and lightly punched toward Shi Quan; their playful behavior made others even more envious...