"Your Highness, the Brother of the Emperor, pays his respects to the Immortal Emperor!"
In the dimly lit sleeping quarters of the Imperial Palace in the Holy Emperor City of the Azure Profound Immortal Dynasty, the air was heavy.
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor sat on his dragon couch, his eyes tightly shut. His complexion, though slightly flushed, indicated the disappearance of his ailment of depleted vitality.
He slowly opened his eyes. While his face no longer showed signs of failing health or dwindling lifespan, his pupils were clouded and lacked both power and spirit.
"Rise," he said, his voice slow, weak, and drawn out.
"Thank you, Immortal Emperor!"
Saint Xiao King, Qing Han, rose with a respectful bow.
"Qing Han, our last all-night drinking session must have been ten million years ago now!"
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor smiled faintly, a flicker of spirit gradually returning to his eyes.
"Heh heh, Big Brother, you weren't the Immortal Emperor then, and an all-night bout of drinking wouldn't have affected the nation's dignity. Time flies like falling flowers and flowing water; ten million years have passed in the blink of an eye. This era is ultimately coming to an end!"
Qing Han chuckled with a hint of melancholy.
"You speak the truth. Far from state affairs, with a free and unrestrained nature, unlike me. I am already in a state of depleted vitality. Twelve years ago, I attempted to break through to the Great Heavenly Venerate realm and extend my lifespan by a million years. Alas, fate did not favor me, and my foundation was injured. For the past few years, I've managed to hold on with spiritual materials and elixirs."
"In reality, we both know, I don't have much time left!"
"I don't know what's happened today, but after waking up, I feel a surge of divine power within me. A torrent of heat is circulating around my back. My exhausted and weak body has managed to leave the dragon couch today. It's truly strange!"
"Qing Han, do you remember ten million years ago? We were both still princes then. The Horizontal Sky Immortal Dynasty invaded, and I led an army as the commander. You, Qing Han, were toddling along behind me, muttering about wanting to charge out and kill the enemy!"
"How old were you then? Only a Saint realm cultivator, yet you dared to lead troops into battle! Hahahaha!"
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor's expression softened.
"Hahahaha!"
"Your current vigor, Immortal Emperor, is no less than it was back then!"
"Look, over these past ten million years, the Azure Profound Immortal Dynasty has flourished under your reign!"
Qing Han laughed along, his smile as bright as the prodigy who had followed the Azure Profound Immortal Emperor back then.
"Hmph hmph hmph, I am old, and no longer useful. Over these past ten million years, I have, to some extent, fulfilled our father's trust, upheld the Azure Profound Immortal Dynasty, and weathered those difficult times."
"Thirteenth Brother, since I ascended the throne, I have purged internal ailments and tumors, and expanded our territory by thirty Dao provinces. My martial prowess is undeniable, but my governance is lacking. Years of warfare have weakened the nation; I have seen all of this."
"Alas!"
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor sighed mournfully, pulling Qing Han back to the present reality. He looked at his elder brother, who had once commanded the armies of a dynasty and struck fear into the western frontier, now white-haired, deeply wrinkled, his vitality depleted, his lifespan nearly at its end.
"These past few days, the divine power within me has been dissipating, little by little, beyond my control. I reach out my hand, wanting to grasp it tightly, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot hold onto the dissipating divine power."
"Cannot hold on..."
"I have summoned you to the palace today to entrust you with a major matter!"
Qing Han's expression turned grave, tinged with sorrow, and he quickly knelt on both knees.
"My descendants are few, and I have only three sons who are capable: Qing Wei, Qing Ji, and Qing Yu. Qing Wei has an excellent reputation and handles state affairs with competence, but he lacks strategic depth and cannot identify or employ talent. His methods are also lacking."
"During the expedition to the Zhu Lu Immortal Dynasty, Ji'er decisively acted, weaving a web of schemes that plunged them into the abyss. Therefore, I cannot appoint him. The position of Immortal Emperor cannot be held by Qing Wei. I have stripped him of his title and demoted him to commoner, which should at least preserve his life."
"Yu'er has served in the army since childhood and has made indelible contributions to the Azure Profound. Yu'er's achievements likely do not fall short of my own back then!"
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor smiled with satisfaction.
"Replying to the Immortal Emperor, Qing Yu has changed greatly these past ten years. He has curbed his temper and handles matters effectively in the military, earning the deep respect of all the soldiers!"
Saint Xiao King Qing Han said calmly, without any hint of emotional bias.
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor lowered his gaze, glancing at the kneeling Qing Han. He then declared, "I wish to establish the Venerable Night King, Qing Ji, as Emperor!"
"You must understand that Yu'er currently holds great prestige in the army. With a rallying cry, he could likely command four-fifths of the army's response, which would not be conducive to Ji'er's succession."
"I know you and Yu'er have been close these past ten years, but you must realize that he is too much like me: exceptionally brave, fond of conquest and battle. In the current situation in the Western Frontier, he could effectively steer the great ship."
"However, the Azure Profound's national strength is weakening rapidly, and it cannot afford further delays. A few years ago, I also considered appointing Qing Yu as Crown Prince, especially given the rapid development of his faction's power over the past three years."
"Qing Wei's entire faction has been absorbed by him. Cui Yangwen has likely already pledged allegiance to Yu'er!"
"Ji'er possesses outstanding strategy and is extremely deep in his schemes. He will not engage in excessive warfare and will undoubtedly stabilize the nation's foundation in this impending chaotic era."
"You still hold influence in the army. After I pass away, you must devise a method to eliminate Yu'er's influence within the military, but also ensure Yu'er's life is spared. Seek a secure solution."
"Rest assured, Immortal Emperor!"
"Qing Ji handles matters with prudence. At present, the Immortal Dynasty's foundation is weak, and the Horizontal Sky is powerful. Temporarily lowering our heads and seeking a path for development is indeed the best course of action!"
"Your brother will peacefully eliminate Qing Yu's faction's influence within the army and will also spare Qing Yu's life, ensuring he lives a worry-free and peaceful life!"
Qing Han quickly kowtowed.
"This is my personal jade pendant. It can preserve Yu'er's life when necessary!"
"You may withdraw!"
The Azure Profound Immortal Emperor closed his eyes.
"Your brother takes his leave!"
Saint Xiao King Qing Han accepted the jade pendant, bowed respectfully, and withdrew from the sleeping quarters.
Outside the Imperial Palace, dark clouds gathered, pressing down on all living beings. All the dukes and ministers waited in silence for the moment of celestial change in the Azure Profound Immortal Dynasty.
Qing Han walked through the Imperial Palace, glancing at the jade pendant in his hand. Although he was close to Qing Yu, the stability of the nation was paramount. He largely agreed with the Azure Profound Immortal Emperor's choice.
Qing Yu was warlike. If he were to become Immortal Emperor, there might be a decisive battle with the Horizontal Sky Immortal Dynasty.
Qing Ji was prudent and skilled in scheming. If he were to become Immortal Emperor, he would undoubtedly bow his head temporarily and submit to the Horizontal Sky, waiting for an opportune moment to become strong.
"Big Brother, you have given me a difficult task!"
Qing Han clutched the jade pendant. They were both nephews; his heart ached for both. Alas!
...
"Strategist, Saint Xiao King Qing Han has gone to see the Immortal Emperor alone!"
At the residence of Venerable Shuo King Qing Yu in Holy Emperor City.
Qing Yu rushed into Kuai Tong's dwelling.
"Alone?"
Kuai Tong's expression changed slightly. "How long has he been inside?"
"Half an hour!"
Qing Yu said in a deep voice.
"The Immortal Emperor has been frail in recent years, even skipping court sessions. Today, he summoned only Qing Han?"