Chapter 1513: An Era Has Ended

After dawn, the demon tribe held a grand ceremony at the altar outside the imperial mausoleum. This ceremony served two purposes: to announce the passing of the old demon emperor and to inaugurate the new one.

The young empress became the empress dowager. As the young prince was too young, she would need to oversee many affairs.

Representatives from various tribes observed the ceremony from below, secretly marveling. Everyone had said the young empress was peerlessly beautiful, and seeing her today, it was clear that her reputation was well-deserved. Moreover, compared to her usual appearance, her complexion was even more radiant; she appeared even more captivating than at her prime.

Many even maliciously speculated that despite having just lost her husband, she appeared even more stunning. Had she just been *satisfied* by some powerful man? Of course, this thought was merely a joke; even the most hostile tribes did not believe such a thing would actually happen. Her son had become the new demon emperor, and she herself had become the true power behind the demon tribe. As the saying goes, good news brings good spirits, so her radiant appearance was perfectly normal. As for the grief of losing a husband, the imperial family was known for its emotional detachment.

The young empress was ascending the carpeted steps. The most important moment was approaching: as the empress dowager, she needed to receive the new emperor's homage and simultaneously crown him on behalf of the old demon emperor. She was in full ceremonial attire, her long train, like a phoenix tail, trailed down the long staircase.

Originally, she was walking with graceful dignity, when suddenly her body trembled slightly, and her delicate brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Aunt Xiao, who was attending nearby, felt a pang in her heart and quietly asked.

"Nothing," the young empress replied, shaking her head slightly. A hint of shame flashed across her face; it had just... *leaked out*. In fact, she had been trying very hard to control herself this entire time, but walking such a long staircase was truly testing her willpower. That man had truly... *saturated* her.

She hadn't slept all night; before she knew it, dawn had broken. Then Aunt Xiao arrived with palace maids to help her get dressed and ready. Time was too tight; she didn't have time to bathe at all. Fortunately, her ceremonial gown was very grand and thus very concealing, so she wouldn't be embarrassed in public. She took a deep breath and continued ascending the steps.

In everyone's eyes, the young empress moved with dignified grace. Apart from being overly alluring and charming, there was nothing to fault her.

However, at this moment, the young empress's thoughts drifted back to the amorous events of last night. Zu'an had deliberately left the array around her chambers open, and she had guessed his intentions. She didn't want to offend him in such matters, but deep down, she wasn't entirely willing. So, at first, she intended to silently express her protest. Unfortunately, as soon as that fellow began, he was like an unstoppable battering ram; almost immediately, she was nearly overwhelmed. She also had her pride, biting her red lips tightly, trying to hold together her disintegrating defenses. But the more she resisted, the more aggressive he became...

She was a little startled at the time; she hadn't expected the usually elegant and handsome man to have such a side. She didn't think much about it, merely taking it as her charm completely igniting the hidden desires in his heart. There was even a faint trace of pride. That fellow was truly too rough, yet it was so... so *good*. Her resistance was meaningless in the face of such overwhelming power. She soon couldn't hold back anymore, and the result even startled Aunt Xiao outside. She had never let herself go like that, and had never felt every cell in her body cheering so wildly. For a moment, she felt like she had wasted all her previous years and that she might never be so happy again in this lifetime.

However, several other moments quickly made her overturn her previous lament... She hadn't expected that fellow to be so powerful not only in cultivation, but also... so incredibly potent in *that* regard. No, the latter was even more impressive; if nothing went wrong, he should be unrivaled in the world. In that instant, she finally understood why so many stunning confidantes surrounded him. Whether it was Queen Medusa, the Elven Princess, those two impossibly beautiful Grandmasters, or even the Mermaid Princess of the Sea Tribe... Each one of them was someone most people could only dream of. Yet all these women gathered around Zu'an. Before, she had found it very strange. Were these women crazy? They were all top figures; why would they compromise themselves like this, sharing a man with other women? But after last night, she suddenly understood. She had been too naive.

Furthermore, after a night of intense battle, she found that she wasn't tired at all but was full of vigor. Even the injuries she sustained during the first half of the night's fight had healed. As the empress of the demon tribe, her insight was naturally extraordinary. After such intimate contact, she immediately realized that his vital essence was of heavenly-grade quality. For women, it was an unparalleled tonic. Although she usually carried herself with a charming and seductive air, that was merely a means to win over her courtiers. No one had ever heard of her having any ambiguous relationships with anyone. So she was fundamentally not a promiscuous woman. Yet last night, she acted completely out of character, repeatedly demanding more from him. At first, she only intended to use his super-grade vital essence to nourish herself, but later, unknowingly, she truly succumbed. There was even a moment when she actually considered bearing him a child, completely letting go and accepting him physically and mentally.

However, as the ceremony began today, her reason gradually returned. Her identity was too sensitive; as an empress dowager, if she were to bear another child, it would absolutely be a disaster. So, for now, she could only refine his essence into qi. At least... at least after the court stabilized, there would be opportunities in the future.

Aunt Xiao, standing nearby, had been quietly observing her expression. Seeing the sweet smile on her lips, others might not know, but she certainly knew what was going on. "Is it really that exaggerated, to be this beautiful..." Aunt Xiao muttered to herself. But she immediately recalled what she had heard last night and couldn't help but bite her own lips.

The young empress finally ascended the high platform. Next, following the protocol, she crowned the young prince. Thus, the new demon emperor of the demon tribe was born!

Representatives from various tribes bowed and paid homage to the new demon emperor. Gazing at his tender face, everyone had different thoughts, but there was one common understanding: an era had ended. Next, the new demon emperor and the empress dowager together led the officials in offering sacrifices to past demon emperors, especially the recently deceased old demon emperor.

After completing these ceremonial procedures, the true main event began: the new emperor began to bestow titles and rewards upon various meritorious officials. The first to be rewarded was Zu'an, who was named Regent King. Many among the middle and lower ranks learned this for the first time and were greatly surprised. They eagerly inquired about this figure's identity and why he could be granted such a prominent position. The truly top-tier figures in the royal court were not surprised at all. The young prince becoming the new demon emperor could be said to be entirely due to Zu'an's efforts. Although his status was prominent, he had no foundation in the royal court. Furthermore, as a human, he could not undermine the power of the old factions, so no one opposed him.

Following him, the Elven Tribe, Snake Tribe, Sea Tribe, Demonic Tribe, Tiger Tribe, and others all received generous rewards, having contributed significantly to last night's conflict. The Peacock Tribe and Roc Tribe also received rewards and appeasements. The generals of the Golden Crow Guard were completely reshuffled. Additionally, the empress dowager heavily promoted the Xiao family and her confidantes from recent years. As for Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen, they also contributed greatly. The empress dowager had originally wanted to reward them, but both had special statuses among humans and did not wish to become too deeply involved with the demon tribe, so they politely declined.

Various factions in the royal court offered their congratulations to Zu'an. Zu'an responded distractedly, his gaze searching everywhere for that ice-like figure. Unfortunately, no matter how he searched, he couldn't find a trace of her. His heart sank. "Oh no," he thought, "did Sister Yan leave in a huff?" Her demeanor was like that of the Little Dragon Girl, but why were her bad habits similar too?

It wasn't just him; even Yun Jianyue was looking for Yan Xuehen. The two had clearly been sworn enemies before. Yet now, without seeing each other, they felt unaccustomed, as if something was missing.

Unable to find Yan Xuehen, Yun Jianyue made some inquiries and learned that Qiao Xueying had visited her yesterday. So she headed straight towards the Elven Tribe's area. Seeing Yun Jianyue approaching, Qiao Xueying panicked greatly. After all, her reason for contacting Yan Xuehen yesterday was to unite against other women, and Yun Jianyue and her disciple were clearly among the targets. Her first reaction upon seeing her arrive was to wonder if last night's events had been exposed. It must be said that the pressure exerted by the Demonic Sect Master was considerable.