Change of Sun Moon Throne

It was a dark and windy night. Jing Hongchen stood atop the Illustrious Virtue Hall, his gaze fixed far into the distance, toward the imperial palace. He had not participated in the unfolding farce, as his teacher had explicitly instructed him to abstain. For him, loyalty was pragmatic—he would serve whoever ascended as Emperor in the end.

Nevertheless, his duty to safeguard Mingdu remained paramount. No outsiders would be allowed to interfere during this crucial time.

"Teacher, is this truly what you want?" he murmured, sighing deeply as his soul tools scanned the surroundings.

The camps of the empire's major legions, originally stationed around Mingdu to defend it, were eerily silent. Their inaction spoke volumes.

At this moment, the smart among the populace began to understand the truth. The Emperor—a man loved by his people and a staunch advocate for peaceful coexistence with the original Douluo Three Empires—had been abandoned.

Loved by the masses, yes, but in the world of strength where power dictated authority, such admiration was worthless. Only those who wielded true power had the right to dictate the course of history. The Emperor's ideals were in direct conflict with those who held real influence, and so, his fate was sealed long before this fateful night.

In the shadowed night, the faint sounds of battle echoed from the imperial palace, though they were muffled by a strange, transparent barrier. Not a single noise leaked beyond the palace walls, even into the adjacent Eastern District.

Within the palace grounds, chaos reigned. Figures clashed in the darkness, their movements swift and fierce. Amidst them, a ghostly figure astride a bone dragon descended, bowing before Ye Xishui, who had suddenly appeared.

"I am sorry, Mother," the rider said in a low, trembling voice.

"Useless!" Ye Xishui's cold voice cut through the night like a blade. "First, you fail to retrieve the Saintness, and now you are losing to someone beneath your strength."

The air around her turned blood-red, spreading ominously. The person who opposing the bone dragon attempted to retreat, but he was quickly enveloped in the crimson aura. A desperate, shrill cry tore through the silence before fading into nothingness.

When the first rays of dawn illuminated Mingdu, the imperial city awoke to a shocking development. The Emperor's younger brother, the Prince of War, led his troops into the city and seized full control of its military forces.

Shortly thereafter, a piece of news that would shake the Sun-Moon Empire to its core spread rapidly: the Emperor of the Sun-Moon Empire had died suddenly during the night.

The Queen and Princess were said to have perished from food poisoning, and the Crown Prince, Xu He, had not been spared either. Even the Mood Douluo, who had attended the same fatal dinner, succumbed despite the healers' best efforts. The entire empire was plunged into mourning.

With no other heirs to the throne, Prince Zhen ascended as Emperor. Though opposition arose, it was swiftly crushed.

The Sun-Moon Empire's five Protectors publicly declared their support for Prince Zhen's ascension, solidifying his claim to the throne. Moreover, the Worship Hall, Death God Douluo, and Dukes Jing Hongchen and Ye Yulin also offered their allegiance, ensuring stability under the new rule.

The people who initially doubted Prince Zhen, suspecting he had murdered the Emperor, quickly dismissed their suspicions. The support of the Hand of the Protector of the Nation, the Worship Hall, and the great nobles of the Sun-Moon Empire legitimized Prince Zhen's rise. With such powerful endorsements, how could he possibly be a traitor?

The naive masses readily accepted the official statement, though not all believed it fully. However, those who harbored doubts kept their thoughts to themselves. After all, Prince Zhen had secured the allegiance of the empire's top leaders within just three days. It seemed as if fate itself had paved his way.

The common people could only sigh, lamenting the misfortune that had befallen the former Emperor and his family. Of course, the more astute among them saw through the façade, but their intelligence urged silence—survival often depended on knowing when not to speak.

The transition of power unfolded with startling smoothness. There was no rebellion, no dissent. Prince Zhen commanded a large army and now had the unwavering support of the empire's five Protectors. None were foolish enough to oppose him.

Prince Zhen acted swiftly and decisively, giving no one a chance to challenge him. He seized control of Mingdu directly and forcefully, consolidating his authority.

In just half a month, under the watchful eyes of the people, Prince Zhen held a grand coronation ceremony, officially ascending the throne as Emperor. With his rise, Xu Tianran was declared the new Crown Prince.

The dramatic shift in power within the Sun-Moon Empire soon spread across the continent, reaching the ears of neighboring empires.

••••

Star Luo Empire

Within the Star Luo Palace, Emperor Xu Jiawei stood by a window, gazing toward the distant Sun-Moon Empire with a grave expression.

"The situation in the Sun-Moon Empire has changed. What should we do, Brother?"

The voice was clear and pleasant, belonging to someone whose beauty was as radiant as her tone. A girl in a yellow dress, her golden hair flowing like a waterfall, approached Xu Jiawei with visible concern. She was none other than Xu Jiujiu, the Star Luo Empire's beloved princess.

"Don't worry, Jiujiu," Xu Jiawei said, his tone calm yet firm. "We still have time. Send a message to Duke White Tiger and have him set up a defensive line. He must be on full alert."

Hearing this, Xu Jiujiu's anxious expression softened. With a resolute nod, she spoke in a more composed voice. "Brother, the Sun-Moon Empire is powerful. Their former Emperor honored the treaty of defeat and consistently advocated for peace. But now… with a new Emperor, no one can predict their intentions."

Xu Jiawei's expression darkened as he continued to stare toward the horizon. "True. The Sun-Moon Empire's ambitions have always loomed over the continent. If this new Emperor seeks war, we must be ready."

"I propose that we further promote the development of soul tools to prevent future problems,"

Hearing this, Xu Jiawei shook his head and let out a bitter smile. "I would like nothing more, but soul tools are not so simple. Without time and proper foundations, it is nearly impossible to catch up with the Sun-Moon Empire. Furthermore, there are still many within our empire who staunchly oppose soul tools. The resistance is overwhelming. It is difficult, difficult, difficult for the Star Crown lineage to achieve this alone."

The three repeated words—difficult—encapsulated Xu Jiawei's frustration.

Thousands of years had passed, yet the ancient prejudices of the original Douluo Three Empires against soul tools persisted. To the soul master sects, soul tools were seen as heretical and unorthodox.

Xu Jiawei had tried to spread the development of soul tools on multiple occasions, but his efforts were met with relentless resistance. The Star Luo Empire's nobles opposed them. The venerable soul master sects opposed them. Even within the royal family's own Star Crown lineage, there were elders entrenched in their disdain for soul tools.

How could Xu Jiawei not feel disheartened?

As an enlightened ruler, Xu Jiawei had defied convention in his youth, secretly joining Shrek Academy despite the royal family's unspoken rules. Such an act of rebellion reflected his forward-thinking vision. He had long recognized the potential of soul tools and was determined to develop them in preparation for the inevitable wars of the future. His ideals had even influenced his younger sister, Xu Jiujiu, who shared his aspirations.

But being Emperor of Star Luo was not enough to overturn the entrenched traditions of powerful soul master sects and conservative nobles. The dream of modernizing the empire's arsenal with soul tools was repeatedly delayed.

Standing beside her brother, Xu Jiujiu could only sigh helplessly. At just twelve years old, she was the cherished princess of the empire, but even her position could not sway the stubborn minds opposing their cause.

"Alas, we can only take things one step at a time," Xu Jiujiu murmured. "Let us hope the Sun-Moon Empire grants us more time."

Xu Jiawei's expression grew solemn, his gaze distant. "With their current strength, the Sun-Moon Empire is not yet capable of conquering the original Douluo Three Empires. At least for the next decade, they will not dare make any significant moves."

But his tone turned grim as he continued, "As for why we cannot unite with the Heaven Spirit Empire and Dou Ling Empire to strike the Sun-Moon Empire during this reprieve… it's not so simple. Such a war would leave us crippled, even in victory. If defeating the Sun-Moon Empire were feasible, we wouldn't have stopped at demanding reparations and ceded territories after their defeat a thousand years ago."

The alliance between the three original Douluo Empires was tenuous at best, held together solely by the looming threat of the Sun-Moon Empire. The animosity and lack of trust between them ran too deep to form a united front.

The Heaven Spirit Empire and the Dou Ling Empire were once a single entity—the Heaven Dou Empire. However, due to internal conflicts and unforeseen events, they split into two separate nations. This history created a subtle yet complex relationship between the two empires, one marked by both shared heritage and lingering mistrust.

The Star Luo Empire, historically hostile to the former Heaven Dou Empire, now found itself allied with its fragments out of necessity. While cooperation to defend against the Sun-Moon Empire seemed plausible, proposing an offensive alliance was far-fetched.

It was the looming external threat of the Sun-Moon Empire that had maintained a fragile peace among the three empires for a thousand years.

Looking back, their victory against the Sun-Moon Empire all those millennia ago was due to one critical factor—Shrek Academy. It had served as the unifying force and the decisive edge that led to their triumph.

However, the current political landscape complicated matters. If anyone sought to destroy the Sun-Moon Empire now, Shrek Academy would vehemently oppose it. Such an act would shatter the delicate balance of power on the continent.

Likewise, Shrek Academy would not permit the Sun-Moon Empire to annihilate the other three empires. The academy thrived on this balance of opposition, which allowed it to maintain its position of neutrality and continue its development.

This reality was no secret to the rulers of the original Douluo Three Empires. It explained their wariness toward Shrek Academy and their reluctance to send royal heirs there for further education, despite it being the continent's most prestigious institution.

Their hesitation stemmed from fear.

••••

Meanwhile, the Sun-Moon Empire's sudden change of leadership had drawn the attention of the entire continent. All eyes turned to the borders shared by the Sun-Moon Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Heaven Spirit Empire. Any military movement in these regions would be reported immediately.

The Heaven Spirit Empire, and the Dou Ling Empire all acted with caution now because everyone heard news of Throne change. Even Shrek Academy itself was embroiled in its own concerns. The Poseidon Pavilion had convened once more, yet the academy's top leaders were preoccupied. For three months, they had been searching for the cause behind the surging fluctuations in Heaven and Earth energy but to no avail.

To the continent's relief, the Sun-Moon Empire took no aggressive actions. No troops were dispatched to the border, and the major soul master legions remained stationed as before.

The tense atmosphere that had gripped the continent didn't dissipate because nowadays people started more and more reflections in the mirrors and water. But this will be for later.

••••

Near the border of the Sun-Moon Empire and the Heaven Spirit Empire lay a small mountain range known as the Molten Dragon Mountain Range. This region was famed for its abundance of fire-type soul beasts, including many high-level ones. Its name came from the sightings of Molten Dragons, a sub-dragon species revered by fire-type soul masters for their immense value in cultivation.

The mountain range was formed through Sun Moon Continent and Douluo Continent collisions, leaving a rugged landscape dotted with active volcanoes. A small city had been established at its base, serving as a hub for fire-type soul masters. It offered resources for cultivation and essential information about the mountain's dangers and treasures.

In a modest hotel room within the city, chaos reigned. A young man, fuming with anger, was throwing objects around the room in a fit of rage.

"Nephew He, please calm yourself! Acting impulsively now will only lead to a dead end!" an elderly man implored, trying to pacify the youth.

"How can I calm down, Uncle Chen? They killed my father, my mother, my sisters—they're all dead! My father dedicated his life to the empire, and the people accepted the new regime as if nothing had happened!"

The young man, Xu He, was once the Crown Prince of the Sun-Moon Empire. Now, he was nothing more than a fugitive, branded a criminal by the empire he had served.

Xu He and his maternal uncle, Chen Xiao, a ninth-level Soul Engineer, had come to the Molten Dragon Mountain Range for Xu He's second spirit ring. However, shortly after Xu He completed his absorption, Uncle Chen received an urgent message warning them never to return to Mingdu City. The following day, they heard the devastating news—Xu He's father, the Emperor, was dead, and a new Emperor had already taken the throne.

Xu He clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fury. Although they were not his real parents but these were the people who had treated him with love and care, something he had never experienced in his previous life. He had poured his efforts into helping his father, even gifting the empire a spiritual cultivation technique he had developed. And yet, all he had received in return was betrayal.

Uncle Chen sighed deeply, his voice calm but firm. "Nephew, even if you seek revenge, it is impossible now. The entire empire has rallied behind your uncle. The best course of action is to retreat and bide your time. Train yourself, leave the empire, and join Shrek Academy. Their resources and protection will give you the strength and opportunity to seek justice. I will return to the Illustrious Virtue Hall. I'll be placed under surveillance, but my status as a ninth-level Soul Engineer will ensure they won't accuse me of treason. From the inside, I'll do everything I can to support you."

Xu He's breath came in short, furious bursts. He swept his arm across the table, sending the remaining objects crashing to the ground. But as much as he hated to admit it, his uncle's plan was the only viable option. Revenge was impossible for now.

After a long silence, he nodded reluctantly.

"Good." Chen Xiao's tone softened. "We'll change your appearance—your current look is far too conspicuous. You must also begin using your second martial spirit from now on. I'll prepare everything and ensure you safely cross the border."