Chapter 236: The Passing of the Founding Emperor
“After advancing to the Second Level Wizard, the limitations of the Starlight Continent environment must feel even more pronounced, right?”
Calming himself, Lize shifted the topic.
Su Nan sighed softly, “Indeed.”
After reaching the Second Level Wizard, Su Nan realized that the scarcity of energy had a greater impact on condensing Spirit than he had imagined.
He had initially thought he could at least break through to Second Level Crystallization before the Dimensional Barrier was completely repaired.
But now it seemed that unless the number of the Star Alliance increased significantly in the future and more tools were available to gather Elemental Crystal Dust, it would likely be challenging.
Additionally, there was the matter of environmental adaptability.
Even now, while inside the Wizard Tower, he could still feel a slight discomfort.
As the essence of his life evolved, the requirements of his soul and body for the concentration of energy particles were also becoming more demanding.
Perhaps this is why True Spirit Wizards are so eager to build Floating Cities and Demi-Planes—they need environments with a higher concentration of energy particles!
After chatting for a while, Su Nan got down to business.
“Do you have any knowledge of Alchemy Body craftsmanship?”
“You want to inscribe an Alchemic Seal?”
Lize looked at Su Nan in surprise, then nodded in understanding.
“You are now a Second Level Wizard, so your Spiritual Power certainly meets the standards for an Alchemy Body. Strengthening your Physique shouldn't be difficult, so you can try converting to an Alchemy Body.”
“However, the challenge is that most of the materials needed for this conversion are quite precious, and it may be impossible to find them all on the Starlight Continent right now.”
Su Nan waved his hand dismissively. “That's fine, just provide me with the crafting knowledge, and I’ll handle the materials myself.”
If Cube Synthesis could also be used for converting to an Alchemy Body, then materials wouldn't be an issue.
At worst, he could replicate his previous success with the Inscribed Gem and Talent Crystal Model by first creating low-level, inferior imitations, then synthesizing them into advanced versions with the same effects as the originals.
If synthesis wasn't an option, then he would have to research alternatives.
Seeing Su Nan's determination, Lize chose not to press him further.
Past experience told her not to question anything he decided.
Problems that once seemed insurmountable to him were often easily resolved by Su Nan.
To question him now would likely lead to embarrassment later.
“Alchemy Body and Alchemy Imprint contain extensive knowledge of crafting techniques. I’ll transcribe them for you and then give them to you,” Lize said.
Speaking of which, Lize suddenly recalled something important.
“I almost forgot to tell you—news has come from the Royal Family. They want you to meet with Your Majesty, Ke Yi, at the Royal Palace once you’ve completed your seclusion.”
Su Nan paused, his brow furrowing.
If Ke Yi wanted to see him, he could come directly or send a message. Why go through the Royal Family?
He looked at Lize, who seemed to understand his unspoken question and said solemnly, “Two months ago, Your Majesty fell seriously ill and has been bedridden ever since.”
Time is the most ruthless and terrifying weapon.
Even someone as powerful as a True Spirit Wizard cannot resist the passage of time and will eventually face the end of life.
Let alone a mere Bloodline Knight.
As a Bloodline Knight who had merged with a Sub-Dragon and Bloodline, Ke Yi had inherited some of the Dragon Clan's long lifespan characteristics. Furthermore, as the ruler of the Empire, he had consumed countless treasures that extended life, including the incredibly rare resource known as Dawn Potion.
Because of this, his lifespan exceeded that of many Level Three Wizard Apprentices.
However, even so, upon reaching the age of 200, the health of the Emperor had inevitably begun to decline.
In the following years, Ke Yi’s health deteriorated further, plagued by various ailments.
Two months ago, he suddenly fell gravely ill and has been bedridden ever since.
Consequently, the Prosperous Star Empire was engulfed in fear and unease.
Fortunately, with the Star Alliance keeping everything in check, and the first prince, Ya Pei, who had been appointed by the Emperor as his successor, taking on the responsibility of governing the country, there were no immediate concerns that anything regrettable would occur.
When they learned that Su Nan had arrived at the Royal Palace, all influential members of the Royal Family, including Prince Ya Pei and Haylin, gathered at the Emperor’s palace to await his presence.
Apart from a few core members of the Royal Family, like Prince Ya Pei, who remained within the palace, the others waited anxiously in the courtyard.
However, just as the onlookers craned their necks, hoping to seize the chance to meet the influential figure who wielded the highest power behind the scenes of the Starlight Continent, a being even more noble than the Emperor, the person in question had already appeared silently in the palace.
As the Second Level Wizard Apprentice, Haylin was the first to notice the anomaly. When he turned his head, he discovered an unexpected figure beside him.
Initially startled, he was about to take action, but upon recognizing the other party's face, he immediately halted and bowed respectfully.
"Granduncle Lord!"
The others heard his call and turned around. Upon seeing Su Nan, they were all pleasantly surprised and quickly stepped forward to greet him.
Su Nan waved dismissively, silencing the commotion. Taking a step forward, he flickered and appeared at the bedside.
On the large, luxurious bed, Ke Yi lay motionless, his eyes tightly closed and his face bearing visible signs of illness.
Compared to their last meeting, Ke Yi appeared even more aged and haggard.
In fact, Su Nan and Ke Yi had met less frequently in recent years, both rulers burdened by their responsibilities. Especially in the last twenty years, Su Nan had been preoccupied with his quest to become a Second Level Wizard, and the two often only saw each other once every few years.
Looking at Ke Yi on the bed, with white hair and a wrinkled face that revealed the toll of time, Su Nan couldn't help but become somewhat distracted.
The memory of the two brothers uniting to lead Black Stone City against Baron Owen felt like it had occurred just yesterday.
Time truly flies.
The others around him stood silently, respecting the moment, afraid to disturb Su Nan. Yet, when they glanced at Su Nan, whose appearance had remained unchanged for decades, maintaining the vitality of a young man in his twenties, and then at the old and frail Emperor on the bed, they felt a strange sense of absurdity.
It was hard to believe the two were only three years apart!
Was this the power of a Wizard?
“Cough cough cough.”
A sudden fit of coughing shattered the silence in the palace.
Ke Yi awoke, opening his eyes. The first thing he saw was Su Nan standing by the bed, and his eyes immediately lit up.
“Su Nan, you... cough cough, when did you arrive?” “Not long ago.” Su Nan stepped forward, helping Ke Yi sit up while simultaneously infusing him with healing Plant energy particles. As the energy flowed in, Ke Yi's complexion brightened, and his coughing ceased. However, Su Nan knew this was merely a temporary reprieve. Ke Yi was not physically injured; he simply faced the inevitable end of his lifespan. Even as a Second Level Wizard, he could not defy the grasp of death for someone whose time had nearly run out. Unless the person was a Wizard Apprentice, there might be a slim chance for salvation. “You may all leave,” Ke Yi commanded, scanning the crowd in the palace and waving his hand. Despite his waning life, no one dared to defy the Emperor's wishes. Everyone bowed and quietly departed. Soon, the palace fell silent, leaving only Su Nan and Ke Yi. “I can feel it; my life is drawing to a close,” Ke Yi sighed. Su Nan met his gaze intently, knowing that no words of comfort were necessary. Sure enough, Ke Yi managed a smile and said, “When our father was on his deathbed, he tasked us brothers with revitalizing the Anest Family. We succeeded brilliantly. Now, the entire Starlight Continent belongs to our family!” “Anest Family stands as the unrivaled number one, its glory spanning the world.” A sense of pride flickered across Ke Yi's face, and he turned to Su Nan with eager eyes. “But I know that this achievement is largely due to you. Without your help, I would have never revitalized the family; I likely would have met my end in Black Stone City long ago.” Su Nan replied calmly, “I am also part of the Anest Family.” Ke Yi smiled lightly, shaking his head. “The long lifespans of Wizards dilute the concept of family. Unless it is a Wizard Family like the Russell Family, after I’m gone, the bonds between the Royal Family's descendants and you will inevitably weaken.” “Of course, I am not blaming you. This is an unavoidable reality, even for ordinary brothers; let alone Wizards.” “I just have one request. In the future, please look after the people of the Royal Family and help them cultivate more Wizard Apprentices.”
Having unified the continent, Ke Yi's only remaining wish was to cultivate more Wizard Apprentices within the Royal Family, ensuring that the Anest Family would remain strong and prosperous.
Su Nan understood this deeply. Looking into his older brother's pleading eyes, he nodded solemnly.
"I vow that the Anest Family will always be the Imperial Royal Family and will become a powerful Wizard Family."
As Ke Yi received Su Nan's vow, a relieved smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
"With this, I have no more regrets."
"Having lived for two hundred years—longer than many Wizard Apprentices—and having produced numerous children and grandchildren, expanding the branches of the Anest Family, I have nothing to be dissatisfied with."
Having finally relaxed, weariness washed over him once more, and Ke Yi's eyelids began to droop.
"I'm a little sleepy. I think I'll take another nap."
"Alright."
Su Nan gently helped Ke Yi lie back down, watching as he slowly closed his eyes.
Through his Spiritual Power senses, Su Nan perceived the life aura within Ke Yi's body like a flame burning down to its last embers, gradually weakening until it completely extinguished.
After standing quietly by the bed for a while, Su Nan turned and left the palace.
In the courtyard, everyone waited in silence, their expressions a mix of concern and anxiety.
It wasn’t until they saw Su Nan push the door open and step outside that a slight commotion broke out, only to quickly settle down.
"Granduncle Lord."
Haylin stepped forward, hesitating to speak.
Su Nan glanced at him and shook his head slightly.
At this, everyone’s faces paled, as they instinctively understood what had occurred.
By the time they regained their senses, Su Nan had already vanished from sight.
Unable to contain their emotions any longer, the others rushed into the palace.
Soon, the sound of crying and wailing echoed from within.
In the Year of the Starlight Calendar, 1422nd Era, Autumn Curtain Month (October), the founding emperor of the Prosperous Star Empire, Key Arnest, passed away, plunging the entire nation into mourning.
In the same year, during Frostfall Moon (November), the first snow fell, heralding the beginning of the grandest imperial funeral in the history of the Starlight Continent.
The solemn and grand funeral ceremony, encompassing the placing of the coffin, funeral rites, procession, and burial, lasted a full two months. It wasn't until the arrival of the new year that the funeral finally came to an end.
In the year 1423 of the Starlight Calendar (January), during the Month of Winter Harp, the eldest prince, Abbot Anest, ascended the throne, becoming the second emperor of the Prosperous Star Empire. In the same month, the grandest enthronement celebration in history took place in the capital city, Flash City.
Attendees included tens of thousands of nobles and numerous wizard apprentices. These were the carefully selected individuals qualified to attend; otherwise, the scale of the event would have been even larger. The celebration was held in Royal Palace Square.
Among the seats reserved for the wizard apprentices, Sheman gazed at the new emperor, adorned with a crown and draped in luxurious robes, sitting on a throne crafted from gold and inlaid with gemstones. A flicker of emotion crossed his face.
Sitting next to him, Artier noticed Sheman's expression and asked softly, "What's wrong? You seem rather moved."
"It's nothing," Sheman replied, shaking his head. "I just feel that life is too short. If we fail to break through the final barrier, we will soon face the end of our lives."
"Then we’ll just have to break through," Coley interjected without hesitation.
As key figures representing Su Nan at the celebration, the three of them were seated together in the front row. Hearing Coley’s words, Sheman smiled but remained silent. He was currently constructing his Talent Crystal Model and had reached the step of filling it with spiritual power. Yet even so, he could not guarantee that he would definitely cross this final threshold and advance to formal wizard status.
A Level Three wizard apprentice often felt a sense of foreboding about the end of life. Sheman sensed that he had no more than a little over ten years remaining, and certainly wouldn’t surpass twenty. If he couldn’t complete this final step before then, what awaited him would be the dust of oblivion. Even with a persistence that could be considered tenacious, he sometimes felt a pang of panic about this reality.
In this situation, he envied Coley's steadfastness. Gathering his thoughts, Sheman forced a smile and said, "Once this celebration concludes, I'll retreat into seclusion. I won’t emerge until I’ve broken through that last step."
“Me too.” Coley's eyes sparkled with determination. “Whether we can break through depends on this final period.”
“Do you have enough Contribution Points to exchange for the right to use the cultivation room for ten or twenty years?”
“More than enough.”
As Artier watched Sheman and Coley converse, a flicker of confusion crossed her face.
At least Sheman and Coley still held hope of breaking through, but she felt completely lost.
Since becoming a disciple, her cultivation progress had always lagged behind that of Sheman and Coley.
And it was no different now; while Sheman and Coley were already focused on replenishing their Spiritual Power, she had only just begun to construct her Talent Crystal Model.
In this situation, advancing to the Wizard realm felt utterly hopeless.
Even Starfall Lord had said it was virtually impossible for her to advance to Wizard through normal means.
Artier was unwilling to give up, but she didn’t know what path she should take in the future.
Comments