Acting is so tiring

Inside her room, Huan Caiyi sat cross-legged, mobilizing the Body Thickening Technique (though she didn't know the name of it). After a while, she opened her eyes and slowly stood up.

She removed her clothes and walked to the mirror. It had been a week since she started using this technique, and she felt that her body had become much stronger than before. At the same time, she noticed that her height had increased by 3 centimeters!

She held her chest with both hands and realized that her bust and waist had also become curvier.

"If this continues, I want to see if he would dare to continue calling me flat as a road! Hmph!" Huan Caiyi looked at her body for a moment, recalling what Yun Wuji had called her when they were in the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley.

She was the same age as Mu Yurou, but she looked like a fourteen-year-old middle schooler.

The reason she looked like a loli was that she had sealed all her Yin energy to reduce the pain from her bloodline, which caused her body's growth to stagnate.

She was quite pleased with herself; in due time, her body would grow to become normal. However, when she thought of the other two women she had met a few days ago, she frowned and cursed, "Damn cows!"

These two women had such obscene figures; their breasts were so large they dwarfed her own head. Whenever she saw them, she couldn't shake a feeling of instinctive inferiority, they were the very reason Yun Wuji's perception of beauty had become so skewed.

"Stupid cows! Fat sows! One day, I'll make his perception of beauty great again!"

...

"Achoo!" While they were both flying above the sea, Gong Yuxian suddenly let out a sneeze.

"Did you catch a cold?" Murong Qianxue chuckled and asked. After spending more time together, the formal barrier between Sect Mistress and Disciple had faded, and they'd grown much closer.

"No, probably someone is talking behind my back," Gong Yuxian shook her head.

"Speaking of which, that woman Yun Wuji brought back with him… she's a bit strange," Murong Qianxue shrugged, not thinking much of it as she began to gossip.

"She's the ruler of this continent, what's so strange about her?" Gong Yuxian replied.

"She's close to Yun Wuji, but knowing his taste in women, I didn't think he'd be into her," Murong Qianxue mused, holding her chin thoughtfully. "Still, there's a strange vibe between them when they're together."

"What's strange about that?" Gong Yuxian laughed. "Did you forget he created that body-thickening technique not long ago? I'd bet the readers' balls he's already taught her that technique and is just waiting for her to 'thicken up.'"

"...as expected of the Palace Mistress," Murong Qianxue looked at her in admiration. "I didn't even think in that direction."

...

A month ago, the entire continent was shaken by the news that the Little Demon Empress had died!

Rumor had it that she had forcefully inherited the Golden Crow's legacy, and suffered a qi deviation so severe that her body exploded.

For a period, the entire Imperial City was greatly shaken and everyone descended into mourning.

Though no one had seen the Little Demon Empress's body, as the last Monarch of the Illusory Demon Realm, the funeral processions had to go on; her funeral processions proceeded for a full month. Yet one question lingered; Who would succeed her as Emperor of the Illusory Demon Realm?

After all, if there was no Emperor, the land would inevitably descend into chaos before long.

But following the Little Demon Empress' 'death,' there was no one left from the Demon Emperor's bloodline in the world. Only the Illusory Demon Royal Family remained, whose bloodline was the closest to that of the Demon Emperor. Among them, the one who held the most prestige, power, and qualifications was undoubtedly Duke Huai of Duke Huai Palace.

Moreover, in the month following the Little Demon Empress' "death," Duke Huai Palace took charge of all major and minor events within Demon Imperial City. They even handled the entire funeral proceedings for the Little Demon Empress.

He was such a nice and selfless man; not only did he arrange her funeral, but he also took over her responsibilities so that she wouldn't have to work overtime in the afterlife.

After the news of the Little Demon Empress' death, factions that had been undecided scrambled to submit to Duke Huai Palace, driven by fear of being too late. Some factions loyal to the Demon Emperor's clan defected to Duke Huai Palace for self-preservation, while those who had previously thrown their lot in with the Duke Huai Palace were now filled with pride and rejoicing.

Today, in the Demon Imperial Hall, Duke Huai sat on the throne, listening to reports from his subordinates. Although he was not yet the emperor, he was already acting as if he were one.

Suddenly, at that moment, the Yan Clan's patriarch, Yan Zijing, spoke up, "Lord Duke Huai, I have something to say!"

Everyone's attention was drawn to him, and they all looked at him. Some had already guessed what he was going to say, others looked at him in confusion, while a few had dark expressions on their faces.

"Oh, Patriarch Yan, go ahead," Duke Huai said, glancing down from his throne. His tone was light. The already arrogant look in his eyes became even greater after the 'death' of Huan Caiyi as if merely looking at someone was bestowing upon them a precious gift.

"As everyone knows, the little demon empress has already died, and for the past month, Lord Duke Huai has taken over the responsibilities and shown great capability," Yan Zijing looked at everyone and spoke loudly. "Lord Duke Huai not only demonstrates great leadership, but he is also the closest in bloodline to the late demon emperor. I formally suggest that he should be crowned as the new Demon Emperor!"

"Under his reign, our Illusory Demon Realm shall usher in a new prosperous era!"

"I object! Yan Zijing, what the hell are you saying?! You can eat shit, but you can't speak shit!" Yun Qinghong, who was sitting in a wheelchair, scolded him fiercely. His eyes were bloodshot, and veins were popping from his neck; he was so enraged that he began hurling vulgarities at him.

Yun Zijing didn't reply; he simply looked at him in silence, his eyes filled with disdain. In the past, the Yan Clan used to have a good relationship with the Yun Clan, and they were also the weakest among the twelve guardian families. However, after the decline of the Yun Clan, that was no longer the case.

"I concur!" Su Xiangnan, the patriarch of the Su Clan, raised his hand and said, before casting a disdainful glance at Yun Qinghong. "Lord Duke Huai is the most qualified person to ascend the throne. If not him, who would be more qualified? You?"

The Su Clan had also once had a great relationship with the Yun Clan, as both families were human, and Patriarch Su was a longtime friend of Yun Qinghong. But now, he was trying to draw a clear line between them.

"Su Xiangnan! Don't make a mistake! It is still too early to decide who is the most suitable to become the emperor!" Mu Feiyan, the patriarch of the Mu Clan, spoke up. He was Yun Qinghong's father-in-law and Yun Che's grandfather.

"I also agree with Patriarch Su and Patriarch Yan. Since we've already brought up this matter, let's vote right now," Helian Kuang, the patriarch of the Helian Clan, said, casting a sinister look at Yun Qinghong.

In the past, the Helian Clan had always ranked second behind the Yun Family, which fueled their jealousy. Helian Kuang had always felt inferior to Yun Qinghong, harboring intense jealousy and resentment toward him.

The other clans watched from the sidelines, some of them wearing thoughtful expressions on their faces.

"Everyone, please, calm down," Duke Huai spoke, and the hall fell silent. He looked at everyone and continued, "The Illusory Demon Realm cannot remain without a ruler for long. Since you suggest a vote, this Duke thinks that is a good idea as well."

"Everyone shall vote on whether they are with or against."

The Yan Clan patriarch was the first to raise his hand. "I am in support of Lord Duke Huai to become the new emperor!"

"I am against!" Yun Qinghong shouted, clenching his fist angrily. He glared at everyone present with resentful eyes. He was doing his best to make himself look like a desperate maniac.

At the same time, he thought, 'I didn't know that acting could be this tiring!'

"Haha! I am with Duke Huai becoming the new emperor!" Lin Guiyan, the patriarch of the Lin Clan, added with a laugh.

"I am in support as well!" Su Xiangnan from the Su Clan raised his hand.

"I am against!" Mu Feiyan declared.

"I am in support!"

"I am also in support!"

"I concur!"

Soon, all the families and duke palaces began to cast their votes. In the end, aside from the Mu Clan, Yun Clan, and Xiao Clan, the rest all voted for Duke Huai to become the new emperor.

"With the majority vote, it shows that Lord Duke Huai is a benevolent leader with great disposition and personal charm. No one is more suitable than you to become the new emperor!" Yan Zijing spoke, showering Duke Huai with flattering words as he looked at him with reverence.

"Haha, well said! This Duke is indeed the most qualified to become the new emperor," Duke Huai stood up, laughing proudly as he announced, "The coronation ceremony shall be held next month! Inform all mayors, regional lords, and sect masters!"

"As you command, your majesty!" Everyone except for the three clans knelt down and accepted his order.

Duke Huai glanced at the people kneeling in front of him, and a grin curled on his lips. This was what he had worked and schemed for over a hundred years! The feeling of ruling over everyone, dictating their lives and deaths.

This feeling...

Is so satisfying!

Boom!

Suddenly, a loud explosion reverberated through the hall, causing the walls of the Demon Imperial Hall to tremble.

Next, a hidden formation was activated, and a purple hemispherical barrier enveloped the entire palace!

"What is going on?!"