Chapter 1133: Unprecedented Aura of Life |
If Jin Miaolin continued to build, and if the effects of the Tower of Life grew even stronger, then who could say they could not live longer than the Crystal Demon Emperor?
More importantly, Jin Miaolin had not even become an Emperor yet. Even without attaining the throne, he already possessed such abilities. Once he did become an Emperor, how would he transform the flow of life energy within the Ancestral Court?
They were so satisfied with the Tower of Life, in fact, that the Ancestral Court's Council held another discussion. Most of the Emperors believed that the Blue Gold Palace and the Tower of Life would, in the future, be no less beneficial to the Ancestral Court than the Celestial Fox Sacred Mountain was under the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.
Everything that had happened until this point had already established Jin Miaolin's importance within the Ancestral Court. Coupled with the overt support of the Sunborne Nymph Emperor and the other Emperors' agreement, it truly seemed that he was going to be groomed as the successor to the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor had control over fortune, and that was a massive boon for everyone. But Tang San had not just life energy, which promised far more direct and tangible benefits, but also the inheritance of the Crystal Demon Emperor. Naturally, nymphs would give him their wholehearted support. Never in history had a nymph become the master of the Ancestral Court. Indeed, because of the presence of dragons, phoenixes, and behemoths, the Solstice Empire had always been at a relative disadvantage.
If not for the Crystal Demon Emperor's aversion to conquest, during her years as Dragon Lord, it would have been possible to unify both countries under her rule. Now, although the Blue Gold Tree clan had officially applied for neutrality, Skytree City still lay within the Solstice Empire's territory. And no matter what, the Blue Gold Tree clan was of nymph origin. Should Jin Miaolin one day become master of the Ancestral Court, it would truly mark a historic moment for the Solstice Empire.
As long as Jin Miaolin remained neutral, the two countries could maintain their current peace without conflict for many years to come. And should he lean even slightly toward the Solstice Empire, it would surely prosper.
It was not only the nymph races that supported him; even among demons, he had many backers. The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor had not expressed an opinion, nor had the Undying Demon Emperor, but Xu An'yu had unequivocally stated that he stood behind Jin Miaolin. Though only a Crown Prince, he represented the dragon race, the strongest race on the continent. Even though he was not an Emperor, his word weighed just as much.
As for the Peacock Demon clan, there was no need to say anything—they would be bound by marriage soon enough. The White Tiger Demon Emperor also openly expressed support, to nobody's surprise. Jin Miaolin was his granddaughter's husband, and he had never been one to beat around the bush. What did surprise the other Emperors was that… the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor also voiced his support. He did not provide a reason, but he stood firm, and that said something about the attitude of the Undying Demon Emperor as well.
These resources would be sent to the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain as soon as the Tower of Life was completed.
The negative impact of the Tenebrous Demon Emperor's death was also fading. When the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor took over Black Dragon City, the dragon race did not say anything in protest, and Crystal City remained unusually calm. Yet all knew that once Xu An'yu ascended, everything would change. The only reason the dragons kept a low profile was that they lacked an Emperor.
The phoenix race, on the other hand, was doing better than ever, with two cities under their control. It was an unprecedented feat, and the Emperors were not even aware that Mei Gongzi also had phoenix blood. This was the reason the phoenix race supported Tang San; supporting him was supporting Mei Gongzi. With this direct marriage bond, they would draw even closer to the Blue Gold Tree clan than even dragons.
Every Emperor had their own plans, but all these plans would take time to implement. For the time being, the Ancestral Court would return to a calm state.
At the same time, Tang San was also not in a rush. Even though the most important and most difficult parts had been completed, the construction did not speed up; rather, it grew slower and slower.
The first two levels had been built in less than a week, but after that, each new level came much more slowly. However, each completed level increased the tower's effects by about thirty percent over the previous one; with each one, the life energy mist grew thicker. A layer or two of enhancement might not have been that much, but by the seventh level, the Ancestral Court was covered in what looked like thick clouds.
Yet strangely, it was not dark. Sunlight shone through the occasional gap, and from the clouds a faint green glow spilled down. Gentle yet dense life energy drifted throughout the Ancestral Court, giving it a unique aura. In this environment, plants within the court grew rapidly, and some even awakened sentience at a pace no nymph had ever seen. Demons saw gains as well, with many strong demons experiencing bloodline evolution while bathed in this life energy. The construction of the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain and the Tower of Life was clearly transforming the entire Ancestral Court.
The glow of the Celestial Fox Sacred Mountain also intensified, working in perfect harmony with the life aura of the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain. The dual gathering of life and fortune filled the entire Daemon Continent with a sense of flourishing prosperity, rivaling even the peak days when the Crystal Demon Emperor still lived.
It was at this time that Tang San once again sought out the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.
Looking at Tang San, who was standing before him with a smile, the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. It had been less than two months, yet the young Blue Gold Tree seemed different again. His aura was more restrained, but at the same time, there was a luminous sheen to him. Though his life force did not leak outward, simply looking at him evoked a natural sense of vitality and warmth.
With his plentiful experience, the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor immediately understood what this meant. Tang San was drawing very near to his tribulation.
"Crown Prince Jin, the construction of the Tower of Life has benefited all living things around here. Even we old ones have gained plenty. On behalf of all, I thank you," the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor said with a smile.
As he observed Tang San, Tang San also studied him. The Emperor's aged appearance had improved somewhat; though he did not seem to be back to his prime, his aging had halted, and he even looked slightly younger than last time.
The fatigue and decrepitude in his eyes, however, were mostly the same.
"This is my duty, and the role our Blue Gold Tree clan can play for the Ancestral Court now that we stand neutral."
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor nodded and changed the topic. "Judging by your look, you're close to your tribulation. Are you ready?"
"For the most part, yes. I just need a final push."
"Do not rush. Advance steadily, build deep foundations. Becoming an Emperor is no easy matter. Though all Emperors will assist you during your tribulation, you must rely on yourself most. The more you endure it under your own power, the greater your gains and the stronger you will be once you ascend. Actually, during the time you've been building the Tower of Life, the Ancestral Court met to discuss your case. We unanimously agreed that you should receive the greatest possible resource support. Everything is prepared; when you need the resources, they'll be sent to the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain immediately. You must understand—even the Crystal Demon Emperor never had such treatment."
Tang San smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I am not in a hurry. Actually, that's not why I came here. I intend to marry Mei Gongzi before I attempt the breakthrough. That way, we can strive together and watch each other's backs."
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor looked at him curiously. "You've used the Lifebond Necklace?"
Tang San gave a wry smile. "Yes. It was the only way to gain Mei Gongzi's complete trust."
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor frowned slightly. "To be honest… There really was no need for that. This is partly my fault. I should have insisted on the Battle for the Throne and not a matchmaking tournament. There would have been far less trouble."
Tang San understood he was referring to the matter of the four eight-tailed Celestial Foxes. Inwardly he thought, If not for that tournament, I wouldn't have entered, and I could have just been cultivating in seclusion waiting to ascend. So yeah, this really is your fault for stirring up trouble.
"When will you marry?" the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor asked. "We've already made most of the preparations."
"I plan to leave the Tower of Life at seven floors for now," Tang San replied. "After we marry, I will go into seclusion with Mei Gongzi and make our final preparations before ascension, and then I'll finalize the tower. So let's proceed on the auspicious date you suggested earlier."
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, I will notify all the Emperors. Focus entirely on building the Tower of Life; the Ancestral Court will handle all wedding preparations."
"My thanks, Your Majesty."