He no longer dared to make any sudden moves, as the scene was completely under Zhu Qi's control.
He truly regarded himself as a Saint, looking down upon all people from on high.
Suddenly, he turned toward Prince Zhao Mansion and said with great authority,
"Almost forgot, on such a monumental day, how can we not have witnesses,"
"Come, let all the esteemed guests be brought out."
As his last sentence was uttered, one after another, individuals of noble status were directly escorted out from Prince Zhao Mansion, supervised by the soldiers of the Heavenly Demon Army.
There were seventy-three people in total, all wearing the same expressions of shock and helplessness.
The person arranged in the center was an old eunuch with a gentle demeanor and a youthful face despite his white hair; he, too, was illuminated by the Ancestor God Radiance, his face showing surprise and anger.
Even though he was under control, he still said defiantly, "The Ninth Prince has good karma, quite the maneuver, no wonder you dared to refuse the Imperial Edict from the Emperor making you the Crown Prince. Are you planning to establish a new dynasty?"
This old eunuch started the conversation, and the others quickly followed.
Although they weren't as direct as the old eunuch, their speech was full of sarcasm and irony.
Many Cultivators watching the scene recognized the identities of these seventy-three people and were increasingly horrified.
"How audacious. They are representatives from the provinces. If Zhu Qi is to be crowned Emperor and have these people witness, it's still acceptable, but he's using them to witness the Blood Sacrifice of four million people for Refining Treasure, and he still claims he isn't mad?"
"Zhu Qi is insane, but not stupid; there must be another plot behind this."
"It surely must be related to the 'Mountain and River Map'— the Ancestor God Fragment. Could it be that there's a significant advantage for him after establishing his own regime?"
"Letting provincial representatives and an old eunuch sent by the Emperor witness as he gains complete control over Demon City, refining the first Ancestor God Forbidden Technique Fragment... What benefit could Zhu Qi possibly gain from it?"
The last few sentences were spoken by several people in the Xianheng Hotel.
As they spoke, they turned their heads, looking hopefully to Tao Qian.
Unfortunately, this time even Tao Qian did not know.
His knowledge of Zhu Qi's conspiracy was the result of various coincidences coming together.
To understand the "Ancestor God Forbidden Technique," there was only one way.
That was to seize the Mountain and River Map, granting him a chance to touch it too.
As everyone exchanged looks, Demon City shook again, billions of rays of light flashed, causing more than twenty million people to look up at the sky.
There, within the billions of light emitting from the Mountain and River Map, steps leading to a majestic Divine Temple appeared out of nowhere.
"The Ancestor God Palace!"
Not just Cultivators, but even the Mortal Human Race.
Many learned individuals recognized the outline of that palace; it was unmistakably the residence of the Ancestor Emperor who established the Ancestor God Forbidden Technique.
This scene appeared, and no further words were needed.
Zhu Qi's ambition and aspirations were instantly clear.
And the next moment, a commanding voice echoed throughout Demon City, further confirming this.
Using the "Saint Statue," Zhu Qi, truly considering himself a Saint, ascended the heavenly stairs and made his way toward the Divine Temple in the Mountain and River Map.
At the same time, he lifted his hands high as if to receive the Emperor's crown, and exclaimed,
"Today I, Zhu Qi, no, I, Ling Qi will ascend to the position of the Saint."
"This object, called 'Mountain and River Map,' is a treasure derived from a Fragment of the Ancestor God Forbidden Technique that has protected the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty for over two thousand years."
"This treasure choosing me is enough to prove that I, Ling Qi, am blessed by divine destiny."
"I will follow the last will of the 'Supreme Ancestor God Emperor,' start with the Mountain and River Map, reassemble the Ancestor God Forbidden Technique, and reactivate the Longevity Barrier."
"On the day my task is complete, I will ensure that within this vast realm of the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty, across seventy-two provinces, no Demon or Devil will roam free, and no calamities nor misfortunes will occur."
ps: First installment of four thousand characters, more to come; please vote with your monthly ticket, seeking encouragement.