Under the attentive service of Jiu Youyue and the yin servants, Yan Zhen finished his bath. He then donned the “divine robes” of the Evil Flame Holy Son.
The Demoness had also made herself up solemnly, shedding some of her usual demonic allure and taking on the refined air of a saintess from a major sect.
The two emerged from the sacred pool together, looking for all the world like a pair of golden boy and jade girl.
Granny Meng gave Yan Zhen a thorough once-over. Seeing his handsome, talented features and the blazing aura that evoked the sun in the sky, she nodded in satisfaction.
“The Evil Consort has impeccable taste,” she said. “It’s nearly time. Young Master Yan Zhen, Miss Jiu Youyue, please follow this old servant.”
Space tore open with a rift, and Granny Meng gestured invitingly. Once Yan Zhen and Jiu Youyue had stepped through, she followed, sealing the fissure behind them.
The Dead Capital was divided into East, West, South, North, and Central Capitals. The ceremony venue had been set on the largest Floating Island between the Central Capital and the divine temple.
The entire venue resembled an inverted pyramid, surrounded by viewing stands that could seat ten thousand people. At the center rose a thirty-three-tiered altar, slightly smaller in circumference.
By now, the venue was packed with spectators. The Divine Mountain Forbidden Guards formed a ring around the perimeter for security, while the ceremony officials had all taken their positions.
Atop the high platform, the Evil Consort sat enthroned on the Skeleton Throne in the place of honor. A pitch-black halo gleamed behind her head, and Death Mystic Force shrouded her entire body, obscuring her features from view. Flanking her on either side were the two Half-Saint Priests, clad in long robes and leaning on staffs, their expressions grave and solemn.
On the left wing, the five Ruling Divine Marquises—four men and one woman—occupied their respective seats. On the right, leading a group that included the Peacock Heavenly Monarch as the androgynous figurehead, along with the Sun and Moon Palaces Heavenly Demons and several unruly Venerable Lords, had all come to observe the rite. Only the Venerables and Dharma Kings remained in the Central Capital.
It was a rare public appearance for the Evil Consort, so these “guests” naturally came to pay their respects as a matter of courtesy.
In addition, representatives from the 108 Town-Gate God Generals and the 3000 Protectorate God Guards had arrived to witness the Holy Son’s conferment. It was the highest spectacle the Evil God Clan could muster.
As for the other Evil God Clan members, they might have qualified to enter the venue, but this ceremony was rather special. Instead, they gathered in the plazas of their respective capitals, watching via spatial projections to behold the Holy Son’s visage.
“The auspicious hour has arrived!” the Chief Ceremonial Official in charge of hosting proclaimed loudly. “Holy Son Candidate, please ascend the altar!”
With a ripping sound, space tore open beneath the altar. Yan Zhen and Jiu Youyue emerged under Granny Meng’s guidance, halting between two rows of ceremony officials.
His gaze swept across the assembly: the Ruling Divine Marquises on the left wing, his targets like the Peacock Heavenly Monarch and the others on the right, and finally locking with the Evil Consort’s. She gave him a slight nod.
“Go on, Young Master Yan Zhen.”
“Thank you, Granny Meng.”
Yan Zhen squeezed Jiu Youyue’s little hand reassuringly, then strode boldly through the avenue formed by the two rows of bowing ceremony officials. He ascended the steps to the top of the altar, overlooking the crowd.
“The Holy Son Candidate, Yan Zhen, is the Evil Consort’s personal disciple and representative of the Central Capital’s heavenly genius,” the Chief Ceremonial Official announced clearly. “Today, he is to be conferred as Holy Son, with a sacrifice offered to the gods to proclaim it to the world! Should any of the other four capitals’ heavenly geniuses have objections, they may challenge him on the altar before the ceremony begins. The victor shall take Yan Zhen’s place as candidate, while the loser must accept defeat wholeheartedly and serve as the Holy Son’s deputy under His Highness the Divine Child.”
From the four directions around the altar, the Evil God Clan’s heavenly genius representatives from the East, West, South, and North Capitals had been waiting impatiently. Upon hearing the Chief Ceremonial Official’s words, they all stepped forward and cupped their fists in salute.
“We wish to challenge!”
Seeing this, a ceremony official turned to Yan Zhen.
“Holy Son Candidate Yan Zhen, you may select one genius representative as your opponent to demonstrate your strength. A draw shall count as your victory.”
A confident grin tugged at Yan Zhen’s lips, his demeanor brimming with flair.
“Why not have all four come at me at once? That way, they’ll all be thoroughly convinced.”
The four capitals’ heavenly genius representatives’ faces soured at his words. They were all at the Five-Star Mystic Ancestor realm, while Yan Zhen was merely a Five-Star Mystic Lord. How dare he be so arrogant? Just because he was the Evil Consort’s personal disciple? He didn’t even possess the Evil Consort’s bloodline!
The ceremony official hesitated, troubled.
“This goes against protocol, Holy Son Candidate. There’s no need—”
“Do as Yan’er says.”
The Evil Consort spoke from the Skeleton Throne. Her voice was soft, yet it rang crystal-clear throughout the venue. The two Half-Saint Priests exchanged a glance but said nothing. The five Ruling Divine Marquises and the Peacock Heavenly Monarch’s group all betrayed surprise. Who would have thought the Evil Consort had such faith in this Jialan Flame Holy Son she had snatched for herself?
The ceremony official didn’t dare defy her.
“As the Evil Consort commands… The four genius representatives, please take the stage.”
The four capitals’ heavenly genius representatives leaped onto the top of the altar, surrounding Yan Zhen and eyeing him with displeasure.
The East Capital Representative—a strikingly handsome man with a monocle lending him an air of nobility—spoke coolly.
“Holy Son Candidate Yan Zhen, do you want us to attack all at once, or one by one?”
Yan Zhen remained utterly composed.
“I’m invincible. Suit yourselves.”
With that, Extreme Flame Mystic Power erupted from him like volcanic magma, surging straight into the heavens.
A pressure unique to a Mystic Ancestor expert spread out, causing the four representatives’ faces to change drastically.
Wasn’t he supposed to be just a Five-Star Mystic Lord? How had he suddenly become a Three-Star Mystic Ancestor?!
Bad intelligence?
It wasn’t just them. Everyone else in the venue was equally stunned—especially the two Half-Saint Priests. Just half a month ago, they had personally verified Yan Zhen’s cultivation at Five-Star Mystic Lord. For him to leap to Three-Star Mystic Ancestor in half a month was absurd.
Yan Zhen slowly clenched his fist, his momentum soaring.
“Come on, then. Let’s make this quick!”
Whoosh! x4
Sensing the danger, the four capitals’ heavenly genius representatives shot into the air first, putting distance between themselves and Yan Zhen.
However, Yan Zhen—bathed in blazing flames—vanished in the next instant. He reappeared right behind the East Capital Representative.
By the time the man reacted, Yan Zhen’s fist was already smashing toward him.
“Eight Extremes Explosion!”
Nine layers of force stacked in an instant. Though merely a King Xuan Skill, in the hands of Yan Zhen at the Mystic Ancestor realm, it unleashed power no less than a Sect Mystic Technique.
With one blow, Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire exploded forth. It shattered the East Capital Representative’s defenses in a flash, slamming the full force into his back.
Boom!
A visible shockwave rippled out as the East Capital Representative hurtled off the altar, crashing to the ground. He lay there, unable to rise for the moment.
The Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire had electrocuted him numb—which meant he had lost.
In a real battle, even an instant of immobility equaled death.
The remaining three representatives paled in shock. The North Capital Representative reacted fastest, immediately activating his Evil God Bloodline to prepare for all-out combat.
But the West Capital Representative and South Capital Representative dropped to their knees midair, cupping their fists in unison.
“We concede! We are willing to serve as deputies and assist the Holy Son!”
The North Capital Representative: ???
“You—”
Before he could finish, a massive flaming fist hurtled through the air, blasting him off the altar with one strike.
Boom!
Dust billowed below the altar. Moments later, the North Capital Representative poked his head out again. He dropped to one knee, cupped his fist, and declared:
“I too am willing to serve as deputy and assist the Holy Son.”
Yan Zhen dusted off his hands, withdrew his mystic power, and flashed them a smile.
“I accept your concession.”
