Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Boom!

Golden pillars of light fell from the sky, covering the offerings of everyone atop the altar.

The golden light continuously shrank, and within its range, the offerings lessened until, in the blink of an eye, only the Ice Phoenix and the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon remained enveloped within it.

"Which will it be, the Silver-Winged Sword Dragon or the Ice Phoenix?"

"Ancestors in heaven, you must open your eyes! That Silver-Winged Sword Dragon was personally raised by my son, Xiao Tianjiao..."

"Please don't choose it..."

Murmurs continued to rise around the altar.

Millions of the populace within and beyond the Imperial Dragon Mountain knelt on the ground and looked up at the golden column descending from the heavens, praying devoutly.

Suddenly...

The golden column trembled violently and then shrank by half, coming to rest on the Ice Phoenix.

Boom!

Countless rays of golden light entered the body of the Ice Phoenix, and between the flashes and flows of golden radiance around its body, a spot of golden feathering appeared among the three silver feathers on its brow.

Three silver and one gold, this royal crown seemed even more majestic.

Chirp chirp!

The Ice Phoenix let out a long cry to the heavens, spreading its massive wings wide, casting a waterfall of blue that seemed to cover the sky and block the sun.

In its gaze towards Emperor Qian, there was now a touch of reverence.

This was the result of the literary sacrifice.

Once any offering had participated in the literary sacrifice and gained the recognition of the illustrious ancestors of the Great Qian Dynasty, it would receive a brand, becoming a loyal beast of war to the royal house. Like that Golden Crowned Black Eagle, which was the best offering from the literary sacrifice a few years ago.

"Excellent, very excellent!"

Emperor Qian clapped his hands; a seventh-rank beast king was equivalent to the addition of a Nirvana Realm master to the royal house. He was naturally highly satisfied. Looking at Yang Ling, he said, "My son, this Ice Phoenix is outstanding. You will be richly rewarded by your father!"

"Thank you, Father! However, capturing the Ice Phoenix, Xiao Yi also has undeniable merit..." After expressing his gratitude, Yang Ling hurriedly added.

However...

Before he could finish, his words were coldly interrupted by Yang Kun, "My dear brother speaks amiss. Xiao Yi is the head of Xiaoshanhe Institute appointed by our royal family. He is like a dog raised by our royal household. It's not just capturing the Ice Phoenix—if we ask him to die, he cannot refuse to die!"

"You..."

Yang Ling's face changed slightly.

Yet, Emperor Qian's tone was indifferent, "Enough, what are you brothers quarreling about at the ancestral sacrifice ceremony?" However, he did not correct the words spoken by Yang Kun but looked at Xiao Yi with a cold face, "The victor of the literary sacrifice has emerged, Xiao Yi, you may continue with the sacrificial rites."

Yang Ling's expression changed several times, but he was helpless and looked apologetically at Xiao Yi.

Yang Kun, on the other hand, looked at him triumphantly, full of provocation.

Xiao Yi was expressionless.

But the hand holding the sacrificial scepter grew even tighter.

Hu!

He took a deep breath, exhaling a heavy sigh. The sacrificial ceremony was divided into three parts: the literary sacrifice, the martial sacrifice, and finally, the sacrifice to the heavens.

In the literary sacrifice, the various powers contribute their prepared offerings. After selecting the best offering, the contributor becomes one of the chief officiants who will recite the sacrificial texts during the final heavenly sacrifice ceremony.

One must not underestimate reciting sacrificial texts at the heavenly sacrifice ceremony.

Ten years ago,

Xiao Tianjiao represented the winners of the martial sacrifice and became one of the chief officiants, reciting sacrificial texts during the ceremony.

Eventually, he was blessed by a nine-colored divine radiance and gained supreme benefits.

"Next is the martial sacrifice... If I can win at the martial sacrifice, I'll be able to become one of the chief officiants and bathe in the blessings of the divine light!"

"If I could become the chief officiant, I wonder how many colors of divine light I would gain..."

"You? At most, you could receive the three-colored divine light!"

"Three colors? Surely I could at least expect five colors, right? Xiao Tianjiao got all nine!"

"You do realize that is Xiao Tianjiao! In the thousands of years since the founding of our Great Qian Dynasty, the highest anyone besides Xiao Tianjiao ever received was the blessing of a seven-colored divine light..."

The debate among the crowd grew increasingly intense.

Within the crowd,

many powerful figures itched to test their mettle, wishing they could rush to the altar immediately, sweep away all challengers, and claim ultimate victory.

Of course...

there were also those like Nangong Shengji, who squinted their eyes, watching Xiao Yi with a vicious gaze.

"Everyone should understand the rules of the Martial Ceremony. In the first hour, each sect and power dispatches disciples below the Tao Tribulation Realm to fight, and the last person standing is the victor,"

Xiao Yi's gaze swept across the crowd, lifting the ceremonial scepter in his hand, only continuing to speak once complete silence had enveloped the surroundings of the altar: "In the second hour, steward elders and high-level experts from the major sects and families will clash. Again, the last one standing on the altar will be declared the victor. The final rankings will be combined from both rounds to determine the winner of the Martial Ceremony. If anyone disagrees, they may issue a challenge at the end!"

The rules of the Martial Ceremony had always been so, and naturally, there were no objections from the crowd.

But just as the words fell,

Qi sidled up beside him. Xiao Yi, who was always quite amiable towards him, looked at him with inquiring eyes.

Qi, in a lowered voice, said, "His Majesty has decreed that your Xiaoshanhe Institute must secure victory in the Martial Ceremony at all costs!"

At all costs?

Xiao Yi was startled.

This meant that even if it required sacrificing all the manpower of the Xiaoshanhe Institute, they must still claim victory!

His gaze shifted past Qi, looking to Emperor Qian on the dragon throne, his eyes squinting to narrow slits as he spoke coldly, "Please tell him I have my own sense of measure!"

"This..."

Qi's expression changed slightly. He knew Emperor Qian's temperament very well. Such a direct response would only intensify Emperor Qian's lethal intentions towards Xiao Yi. He sighed and returned to Emperor Qian's side, speaking softly, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi promises to give his all!"

"Hmm!"

Emperor Qian's eyes remained closed, his fingers gently tapping on the armrest.

Just then,

a Shiyanhe Institute disciple had brought up the timekeeping instruments, placing them before the altar. Xiao Yi leaped down beside the altar and said indifferently, "The Martial Ceremony begins. Those wishing to participate, ascend the altar!"

However...

nobody took the initiative to step forward.

To climb the altar now would be to make oneself a target of all.

Seeing that no one ascended the altar, Yang Kun's eyes shifted slightly, and with a sinister smile, he taunted, "Tsk tsk, I've always heard that the Xiaoshanhe Institute has greatly improved under Director Xiao's leadership. But it seems that is not quite true, is it? The grand Martial Ceremony and not a single person from Xiaoshanhe Institute dares to participate?"

"Director Xiao seems to have a reputation he doesn't deserve!"

"Without the courage to even participate in the Martial Ceremony, such an institute might as well be dismissed!"

The crowd mocked in unison.

Xiao Yi glanced at Yang Kun and said coolly, "Since the Crown Prince is so spirited, would he dare to ascend the altar and fight a duel to the death with me?"

"..."

Yang Kun's face stiffened.

He had witnessed Xiao Yi's strength firsthand. To engage in combat with him? And a duel to the death at that? Wasn't that seeking abuse?

With a light cough,

Yang Kun, putting on a brave face, said, "Am I afraid of you? But we can't break the rules of the Martial Ceremony. Right now, it's time for disciples to fight... You and me..."

Xiao Yi waved his hand, interrupting Yang Kun mid-sentence, "Less nonsense, I'm just asking if you dare or not?"

"I..."

"Do you dare or not?"

"Xiao Yi, you're going too far..."

"Trash, a duel to the death, do you dare or not? If not, then shut your mouth!"

Xiao Yi sharply rebuked, watching as Yang Kun's face turned beet-red with frustration, and scoffed, "A grand prince without even the courage to fight to the death? What use are you?"

"You, you..."

Enraged to the point of redness, Yang Kun's chest heaved violently, and suddenly he spat out a mouthful of old blood and passed out completely rigid...