Chapter 1070: Titan's Covenant

Three months later.

At the end of December, year 2545 of the New Era Calendar.

The first Divine Birthday after Lei En ascended the throne saw the entire Empire immersed in festive joy; every city and village hung purple gauze embroidered with mysterious symbols representing the God of Magic.

In the imperial capital Nuosiruier, Lei En led his ministers and tens of thousands of citizens in a grand ceremony on the Fubei Deng Imperial Palace Square.

First, Viola was crowned, formally becoming the Empire's Empress.

Octavis was also confirmed as the Empire's Crown Prince.

Then Lei En ennobled his teacher as the Duke of Weizelan, granting him the surname Kenruito; the Sunshine State Peninsula on the New Continent became the Duke of Weizelan's domain.

Anxiwodasi was born a commoner with no family name; Kenruito was his father's name, who had died over a thousand years ago, and he chose it as his clan name in his father's memory.

From today onward, his full name is Anxiwodasi Kenruito.

After the coronation and ennoblement, Lei En officially announced the "Ascension Temple" to the public!

From the Fubei Deng Square one could see a brand‑new towering palace erected behind the Temple of Truth, covering hundreds of thousands of square meters, its structure built of stone with massive amounts of steel and magical alloy, resembling a solid steel fortress.

Three Ascension Formations had already been completed inside the Ascension Temple, ready for use today.

Seven more are to be built later.

Earlier, when Lei En ennobled his teacher, he had already announced the Ascension Formation to the public, stirring excitement; now that the formations are known to be finished, the frenzy intensified.

Under the gaze of all, Lei En presented Nuosiruier with another grand gift.

Boom!

A deafening blast erupted as the Ruike Palace behind Lei En emitted a massive magical surge; the entire palace trembled slightly, colossal energy surged from the Ruike Palace, thick etched lines lit the ground, countless runes flickered, and the energy instantly spread outward.

The Ruike Palace sits at the very heart of the imperial palace, its four corners being He Palace, Aodahen Palace, the Ascension Temple, and the Temple of Truth.

In a single breath, the five main structures linked together, forming a massive rune formation.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Then they saw the Golden Throne within the Ruike Palace blaze with dazzling light, instantly piercing the dome, coalescing into a massive pillar of light that pierced the heavens, soaring thousands of meters upward!

At that moment, millions of Nuosiruier's residents stopped and stared toward the palace.

Everyone knew what it was.

Ten-ring Spell — VijesCui's magical torchlight!

Many who have been to the New Continent have seen it, and even those who haven't have heard of it over the years; His Majesty has erected such rune formations across the New Continent, capable of sealing space, eradicating evil and Demon worshippers, providing the utmost security.

The overwhelming majority were elated, gazing at the pillar and silently praying to the goddess.

But some people's faces turned pale, and they fled toward the city outskirts.

But it was already too late.

The pillar soaring into the clouds suddenly flickered, erupting with sun‑like blazing magical radiance; the massive column instantly transformed into a sky‑piercing torch, casting light over every inch within three hundred li, penetrating walls and any obstruction, illuminating each person's body and soul.

"Ah…"

Screams rang out from many places inside and outside Nuosiruier.

Vampires, Demons, and demon‑god worshippers lurking in the imperial capital were annihilated within seconds; their bodies ignited, turned to ash, and their souls vanished completely.

A few beyond‑legend evil beings struggled against the magical torchlight, fleeing wildly, but were discovered after a short distance.

Sky‑piercing colossi, Thundercast Celestial Soldiers, Thundercast Divine Soldiers, the Empire's Fist, Extreme Warriors, the Imperial Defense Army, the Public Security Department had long deployed the Heavenly and Earthly Nets. In the sky, the Augustus and two Imperial‑class Star Destroyers, together with the Naise Fu Kong Cheng, suppressed the entire city.

The battle ended within half a minute.

Not a single enemy escaped Nuosiruier, including two Saint Rank elites who, once forced to reveal themselves, were besieged by Thundercast Divine Soldiers and likewise perished.

The Nuosiruier residents who witnessed it were deeply shocked, then felt an overwhelming sense of safety.

From then on, Nuosiruier became a forbidden zone for evil!

Amid waves of cheers and praises for His Majesty, a void conduit opened in the sky, a grand and familiar aura descending; no matter where one stood in Nuosiruier, a graceful figure could be seen emerging from the passage.

The God of Magic has descended!

As always, VijesCui infused the divine power into the palace's rune formation, reshaping it; with the aid of the Iola Core's energy, He blessed all Nuosiruier residents. Like the magical torchlight on the New Continent, from now on, anyone who prays to Him within the spell's range for three consecutive days receives a wisdom blessing.

Millions plunged into a sea of revelry, their prayers echoing to the heavens.

Of course, people did not forget His Majesty's contributions.

The avatar of the God of Magic departed moments after descending, yet the celebration continued, for the next day was the emperor's birthday.

Countless people surged toward the Fubei Deng Imperial Palace, offering congratulations to His Majesty!

It was Lei En's thirty‑seven‑year birthday, the most unforgettable of his two lives; for three full days he received the public, with wave after wave of subjects arriving from across the Empire, maintaining a smile until the muscles in his face were locked in laughter.

Only when the New Year arrived, entering year 2546 of the New Era Calendar, did the fervor gradually subside.

When the New Year holiday ended, people resumed their daily lives and work rhythms.

Lei En also began to get busy.

Military reforms, expansion of the Imperial Defense Army, construction of Star Destroyers and Ascension Formations, New Continent colonization, assessments and meetings of imperial officials at all levels, fiscal budgeting, establishment of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau and the Public Security Department, adjustments of authority across major departments, and so on…

Each case, each matter—every major affair affecting the Empire's development—had to be personally overseen and reviewed by Lei En, consuming countless thoughts and energy.

The daily tasks piled up like mountains, and the people he had to meet each day could line up from the He Palace entrance all the way to outside the imperial palace.

Not a single day afforded proper rest.

Lei En buried himself in work for half a month; even with his multi‑core crystal, he felt exhausted.

"Being an emperor isn't easy!"

Late at night, in the top‑floor office of the He Palace's governing hall, Lei En, having finished reviewing the final document, leaned his body against the chair back and let out a sigh.

The Oriense Empire is enormous, with a population exceeding one billion; its vast territories will soon incorporate the New Continent, ushering a rapid population surge, and the matters to attend to will only increase. Yet having just ascended the throne, many tasks must be handled personally; he cannot entrust them to others.

"First, endure hardship."

Lei En rubbed his brow and thought, "In a few years, once the Empire's political situation stabilizes completely, I can gradually place more proxies into the upper echelons, spreading throughout the Empire, and it should become easier."

"The Imperial Intelligence Bureau, led by Thundercast Celestial Soldiers, will blanket the Empire, grasping national trends and public opinion, monitoring officials and the military at all levels."

Even within the cabinet, we must plant doubles to read people's hearts.

The Public Security Department has just been established; we need someone completely reliable and capable to serve as Minister of Public Security. Moselio is a relatively suitable candidate. Send a few more doubles to assist him, using the system from the previous life; that should get the department running well…

Lei En's thoughts drifted farther away without his noticing, slipping habitually into work mode.

Damn!

He suddenly snapped back to his senses, wondering when he had become a workaholic!

In his previous life he never tried the 996 grind; this life he voluntarily kicked off a 007 schedule. Power makes one addicted, impossible to pull away; no wonder those diligent emperors are mostly short‑lived.

Lei En stopped thinking, stood up, and cast those chaotic thoughts aside.

His mind leapt away from He Palace.

The next second, he appeared at the nearby Odahe Palace. After three months of simple repairs, the palace—now only half its historic size—was habitable. Besides the main hall, there were a dozen or so palaces of various sizes, fully equipped, and the royal family moved in on New Year's Day, officially taking residence.

The entire Augustus family numbered only a dozen or so; even with Odahe Palace halved, it felt too spacious.

Even adding the guards and palace maids, it remained rather desolate.

However, the emptiness didn't imply lax defense; the entire Odahe Palace was shielded by a rune formation, with a thousand guards, all Legendary High-rank Thunder-forged Divine Weapons! Among several hidden palaces stood ten towering colossi, and the Empire's Fist patrol routes were also extremely tight, constantly monitoring the overall situation.

If anyone dared to infiltrate the imperial palace, a terrifying attack would await them.

Even a Loki avatar wouldn't gain any benefit!

"Your Majesty!"

Lei En returned to his own sleeping quarters; the palace maid standing at the door hurriedly saluted, startling Viola, who hadn't rested yet.

The stunning Half-elf stepped forward, whispering, "It's that late again today."

She wore only a sheer robe, her tall, curvy figure faintly visible beneath it. Lei En wrapped his arm around her waist, "There are too many matters, endless to handle. Didn't I tell you not to wait for me? As Minister of the Interior you're not any lighter; rest early since I'm not back."

"I can't sleep when you're not by my side," Viola said, while helping Lei En remove his coat and handing it to the maid beside her.

Lei En's face softened into a gentle smile, and he asked, "What about that kid Octavis?"

"He's already asleep."

"Good then." Lei En hoisted the Half-elf across his arms and headed toward the bedroom. She lightly patted his arm, blushing, "Someone's still here…"

The palace maids hurriedly fled the room.

"Hahaha, now there's no one left!"

Lei En smiled triumphantly.

He placed his empress on the bed; all her clothing vanished, leaving only the Three-God Crown atop her head. Leaning down, the luxurious bedroom soon filled with sultry sighs.

After a long while, the wind ceased and the rain stopped.

Viola lay on Lei En's chest like soft clay and suddenly said, "Lei En, I want to relinquish the Minister of the Interior post."

"Hm?" Lei En was a bit surprised, "Why?"

"I'm now the empress; holding the Interior Minister role as well is inappropriate. Moreover, I must oversee Longhaired Lady's church…"

Viola paused, then said, "For the next decade or so, I want to focus on the inner court, give you a comfortable home, and educate Octavis; if time remains, I'll attend the church, after all I'm the Pope and can't abandon it."

Lei En examined the Half-elf earnestly, feeling a touch moved.

She had changed.

Viola was a woman quite enamored with power, highly career‑driven and ambitious, but after becoming empress she seemed to have come to terms, shifting her focus onto herself, relinquishing power to become a virtuous consort.

"Alright, shedding the Interior Minister role will also ease you."

Lei En nodded, gently cradling the beautiful Half-elf, and said softly, "You can't only worry about these things; you must quickly reach Legendary Peak and begin challenging Holy Soul Wizards."

Only by attaining Holy Soul Ascension can the Holy Soul Wizard stay by my side forever, remaining my empress.

"Hm, the lady already has plans," Viola understood Lei En's intention.

Lei En pondered briefly, deciding still not to interfere with Viola's cultivation; she is the Divine Chosen of Longhaired Lady, and Freya is likely watching from the shadows, monitoring his every move through her eyes—any reveal of a Soul Diamond would expose everything.

Fortunately, Viola had already become Legendary High-rank, with a deity fully assisting, soon able to reach Legendary Peak.

It won't take these few years.

The two continued to cherish each other for a while, embracing as they fell asleep.

"Lei En."

Before dawn, Lei En heard someone call his name, opened his eyes, and saw Viola still asleep; the voice came from within his own soul, as leaves formed by Element of the Soul Contract on the World Tree flickered faintly.

"Axi Na, what's wrong?" Lei En asked.

The giantess is now an Imperial Elder; a few days ago she returned to the capital for a ceremony, spent a night at Odahe Palace, then went back to Albert Bay.

"I just received a message from the Elder," Axi Na replied, "The Elder asked me to tell you, shouldn't we fulfill the promise from back then?"

Lei En felt a bit surprised.

He certainly remembered the deal with Elder Sorim. Back then, the Titan Elder had Axi Na forge a Soul Contract with him, promising three interventions, and in exchange he received two things: first, an annual delivery of a thousand pounds of source crystals to the Storm Temple, and second, a promise.

When he controlled the Oriense Empire, or could command more than three Fu Kong Cheng, he would help clear the Storm Plane's enemies.

That condition had long been met.

Axi Na would certainly not hide anything from Elder Sorim; Lei En thought the other side had already demanded fulfillment, but it only arrived now, so he was surprised.

Lei En didn't think long and said, "Axi Na, tell Elder Sorim right away that I'm ready to honor the promise at any time."

"Alright."

Axi Na was very pleased.

Soon after, her voice rang again, "The Elder asks you to proceed to the Storm Temple promptly."

At noon the next day, Lei En quietly left the imperial palace.

He left behind a double—the sole ultimate Thunder-forged Divine Weapon—identical in power and appearance to his Legendary Peak self, and wearing the genuine Three-God Crown; even his closest allies could hardly tell the difference.

Lei En did not deploy the Augustus; instead he boarded Ship No. 8 "Albert Bay", linked with Axi Na at Ouklan, and with a roar, the Star Destroyer leapt into the void.

Soon, the Storm Temple arrived!

(End of chapter)