The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

Momentum is a mysterious and elusive thing, but it is a real thing.

"So you are Zhengxuan's son," Kong Deming said in a deep voice, his expression complex. For the past few decades, he had been in seclusion, striving to reach the tenth level of Soul Master, and had always been detached from worldly affairs. However, he had heard of that outstanding direct descendant of the royal family and had given him guidance on several occasions.

Although they had exchanged guidance several times and were not exactly master and apprentice, Kong Deming held the younger man in high regard.

Decades have passed, and seeing Xu Zhengxuan's son, Xu Zihuang, appear here as if by some kind of karmic cycle, he felt a mix of emotions.

After a moment of contemplation, Kong Deming composed himself and waved his hand in the direction behind him.

Without the slightest hesitation, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Corps also knelt and saluted Xu Zihuang, swearing their loyalty. This demonstrates the high prestige Kong Deming held within the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Corps.

Xu Zihuang had anticipated all of this, which is why he had previously suppressed Kong Deming. His purpose was to establish his authority. Although he knew that Kong Deming would most likely make the right choice in the end, he hoped even more that Kong Deming would come to a clearer understanding of himself through this experience.

Xu Tianran was utterly desperate. The continuous loss of his life force and blood was causing his condition to deteriorate. Unable to resist, he could only watch helplessly as Xu Zihuang took his place.

All of this was Xu Zihuang's deliberate act. He wanted to cruelly take everything away from Xu Tianran.

Then, Xu Zihuang took the still-sleeping Xu Xiyan from Ju Zi's arms, allowing Xu Xiyan to be worshipped by everyone. Although it was just a small detail, it touched the softest spot in Ju Zi's heart.

Xu Zihuang stood still, holding Xu Xiyan in his arms, and finally began to issue orders.

"The former Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Group will be renamed the Demon Whale Soul Instructor Group from this day forward, filling the vacancy of the Evil Monarch Soul Instructor Group. Hall Master Hongchen, you will now cooperate with the five Soul Instructor Groups of the Guardian Hand to pacify Mingdu. Finally, have the troops currently stationed within the former Heavenly Soul Empire withdraw to the country and return the territory to the Heavenly Soul Empire as a sign of sincerity. I will ascend the throne at the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony in the southern suburbs of Mingdu in seven days. Be sure to invite the high-ranking officials of the three empires that originally belonged to the Douluo Continent to attend the ceremony, especially Shrek Academy."

Xu Zihuang raised his head and looked eastward, then chuckled silently.

"I wonder what your expressions will be like then?"

Chapter 522 Xu Tianzhen and the Cruelest Revenge

Tonight, Mingdu is destined to be anything but peaceful.

The upper echelons of the Sun Moon Empire are about to undergo a major purge. All those who colluded with Xu Tianran's family and participated in the palace coup years ago will be held accountable in the future.

Although Xu Zihuang wasn't the kind of person who enjoyed killing, he was already prepared to have blood on his hands. This was unavoidable and wouldn't affect the overall situation.

A powerful empire like the Sun Moon Empire, with its profound foundation and advanced soul-guided technology as its core, will not have its foundation shaken as long as the Mingde Hall and the five major soul-guided corps of the Guardian Hand remain intact.

Following Xu Zihuang's orders, everyone retreated and began carrying out the purge mission throughout Mingdu. The peaceful atmosphere of Mingdu was instantly shattered, and the city was filled with members of the five major Soul Master Corps of the Guardian Hands.

The purge primarily targeted powerful officials and nobles, even members of the imperial family and princes. However, their previously high positions and immense power would have their fates completely rewritten starting tonight.

Faced with the powerful Guardian Hands of the Nation's five Soul Master Corps, these people had no ability to resist, even if they wanted to.

Before long, the entire capital of Ming was thrown into chaos. In contrast, the imperial palace remained remarkably calm.

During his ascension to the throne, Xu Tianran had already executed all his brothers one by one. Furthermore, the previous emperor of the Sun Moon Empire had passed away several years prior, leaving Xu Tianran's lineage with virtually no one to eliminate.

Upon witnessing Xu Tianran's tragic state and the actions of the five Soul Master Corps of the Guardian Hand, the guards within the palace immediately defected.

Xu Zihuang, holding Xu Xiyan in his arms, stood indifferently on the metal empty space left after the study had melted away. Ye Guyi and Ju Zi silently stayed by his side. Also remaining there was Kong Deming, not far away.

Kong Deming's actions were also a way of showing his stance and supporting Xu Zihuang. Since the general trend was irreversible, he only hoped that the impact of this turmoil could be minimized.

Just then, a blinding red light suddenly shot into the sky from within the Sun Moon Empire's palace. The golden-red light bloomed and transformed into a blazing, dazzling sun.

As the golden-red sun appeared, a massive beam of light, over a hundred meters in diameter, descended from the sky and landed below.

A woman dressed in a magnificent crimson palace gown was bathed in this golden-red pillar of light, with seven perfectly matched spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—vibrating around her.

The woman appeared to be less than 1.7 meters tall, with a petite figure, and walked towards Xu Zihuang with a blank expression.

The Sun Martial Soul inherited by the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire undoubtedly reveals the woman's identity; she is none other than Xu Tianzhen, whom Xu Zihuang had a brief encounter with during the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Elite Competition.

Unlike her previous charming and lively demeanor, Xu Tianzhen's beautiful eyes were now calm, as if she had shed all pretense, revealing her true self.

"Get out of my way!" Xu Tianzhen shouted, her voice devoid of any emotion. The golden-red pillar of light that had been shining down exploded, turning the entire space into a golden expanse. The temperature also continued to rise due to this golden-red light. The earth seemed to have turned into magma, constantly radiating a scorching heat.

The Imperial Dragon Soul Master Corps, led by Xu Tianyuan, was responsible for purging the Sun Moon Empire's Imperial Palace.

Xu Tianzhen's sudden outburst caused the Royal Dragon Soul Master Corps soldiers surrounding her to retreat hastily, and each of them released their defensive soul tools.

The Imperial Dragon Soul Master Corps has many experts at the Soul Saint level or above, but Xu Tianzhen's identity is rather special, and they are all members of the royal family, so it is naturally not appropriate to use such forceful methods.

Xu Tianyuan noticed the situation and frowned, preparing to take action himself, while inwardly cursing him as an idiot.

They've already chosen to pledge allegiance to Xu Zihuang, yet they're still so hesitant. Who are they trying to impress?!

Just then, Xu Zihuang spoke up to stop Xu Tianyuan.

"Let her come over."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xu Tianyuan stopped and respectfully turned to bow to Xu Zihuang. He then directed the members of the Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Corps to make way for him.

Xu Tianzhen withdrew his martial spirit. As he walked, his gaze swept over Kong Deming, Ye Guyi, Ju Zi, and the others, finally settling on Xu Zihuang, who was holding Xu Xiyan.

She stopped in front of Xu Zihuang.

Xu Tianzhen was already petite, and standing next to Xu Zihuang made it even more obvious. This stark contrast made the scene look unusually strange.

Xu Tianzhen raised her head, glanced at Xu Tianran whose body was dented in the metal pillar, and then stared straight at Xu Zihuang.

However, due to her height, she could only look up at Xu Zihuang.

"Are you Zihuang?"

Xu Zihuang's eyes were deep as he recalled his childhood memories. He was exiled when he was five years old, and before that, Xu Tianzhen was one of his childhood playmates. Among the direct descendants of the royal family of their generation, only He Caitou and Xu Tianzhen were not much older than him.

Judging from their ages, Xu Tianzhen could be considered his cousin.

"You want to plead for Xu Tianran?" Xu Zihuang's eyes opened and closed, his gaze towards Xu Tianzhen filled with a profound meaning.

A hint of weariness flashed in Xu Tianzhen's eyes, and she smiled self-deprecatingly yet with a sense of relief.

“From the moment my father did those things to you, I lost the right to say such things. This is now karma. Let’s end it all here.”

Xu Tianzhen was actually already tired of all the struggles within the royal family.

Xu Zihuang did not respond directly to Xu Tianzhen, but slowly raised his right hand. Xu Tianran, who had been watching this side but could only make 'hoarse' sounds, suddenly had a deep purple flame of destruction rising from his body.

Xu Tianran tried to struggle, but he couldn't move at all. He died amidst the burning flames of destruction, his last remaining sight a twisted despair and venomous resentment.

A blood-red torso soul bone and a deep blue head soul bone hovered there. Judging from the dense soul power fluctuations and waves of pressure emanating from them, the other two soul bones left behind by Xu Tianran after his death were in no way inferior to the previous 30,000-year-old Silver Moon Wolf King's left arm bone.

Xu Zihuang certainly wouldn't let Xu Tianran die so easily. A strange black light flickered in his raised right palm, and then a semi-transparent humanoid figure was drawn towards him.

The face of this humanoid figure was exactly like Xu Tianran's, only much more ethereal. Without a doubt, this was Xu Tianran's soul.

Xu Zihuang's ability to imprison souls comes from the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Zhang Peng, the Scorpion Tiger Douluo, excels at controlling various beast souls to aid in battle, and his Scorpion Tiger Martial Soul is merely a weakened subspecies of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.

The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is born with the ability to devour souls, a power far surpassing that of ordinary scorpion tigers. This is why the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is hated and ostracized by other soul beasts. When the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger devours a soul beast, it consumes the soul along with it.

Xu Tianran's soul seemed to understand something; the confusion in its eyes disappeared, and it stared intently at Xu Zihuang.

Xu Zihuang, however, controlled Xu Tianran's soul to ascend into the air, using the ninth soul skill of his Golden Eye Martial Soul, the Space-Time Barrier, to seal him in a void space above Mingdu. In this void space, the soul would take a very long time to gradually be eroded.

Xu Zihuang wanted Xu Tianran to witness his ascension to the throne, the unification of the continent, and even the future prosperity and glory of the Sun Moon Empire. This was the cruelest revenge against Xu Tianran.

Xu Tianzhen had no intention of pleading for Xu Tianran. She stared blankly at Xu Zihuang's back as he killed Xu Tianran and sealed his soul.

With his back to Xu Tianzhen, Xu Zihuang said calmly, "Leave the palace before I change my mind."

Chapter 523 Reactions from All Parties

The saying "misfortune should not extend to family members" has a premise: that is, the benefits should not extend to family members.

Whether by choice or by force, since Xu Tianzhen accepted the benefits brought by her father's rebellion and seizure of power, she should pay the corresponding price for it.

Xu Zihuang changed his mind because he saw Xu Tianzhen's truest thoughts reflected in his eyes. Like him before, Xu Tianzhen lacked the ability to decide his own destiny.

The difference between him and Xu Tianzhen is that he was born with extraordinary talent, and after escaping his predicament, he was able to break free from the shackles of fate and become the master of others' destinies. Xu Tianzhen, on the other hand, would be bound by his identity throughout his life.

Although Xu Tianzhen is a princess of the Sun Moon Empire, she is at best a higher-class canary.

Undeniably, Xu Tianran did indeed dote on Xu Tianzhen. However, the main reason was that Xu Tianzhen posed no threat to his position and could even be used as a tool for political marriage to further consolidate his rule.

"You're going to let me leave?" Xu Tianzhen stared blankly at Xu Zihuang's back. She had already made up her mind to die, but now she was somewhat confused.

Xu Zihuang turned around and met Xu Tianzhen's eyes.

"Isn't that what you've always longed for?"

Xu Tianzhen's pupils contracted slightly, and her gaze towards Xu Zihuang changed instantly. She muttered to herself, "You knew everything? When?"

"That meeting four years ago at the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Elite Competition."

Xu Tianzhen fell silent. Everyone present listened to the conversation between Xu Zihuang and Xu Tianzhen, each with their own thoughts.

Although it seemed like a mere charade, Ju Zi had always had a good impression of Xu Tianzhen. Compared to the ever-scheming and dark-hearted Xu Tianran, the impulsive Xu Tianzhen was the complete opposite. She could tell that it wasn't entirely a facade.

Ju Zi can at least feel at peace knowing that Xu Tianzhen ultimately met such an end.

Just then, Kong Deming couldn't help but give Xu Zihuang a stern reminder.

"Your Majesty, Tianzhen is the only inheritor of the Sun Martial Soul among the direct descendants of the royal family."

Although Kong Deming was not adept at social niceties, he understood the principle of saying only what is necessary. He could express his thoughts indirectly, but he could not dictate the future rulers of the Sun Moon Empire.

Everyone present naturally understood the implied meaning behind Kong Deming's words. The Sun Martial Soul was the legitimate royal bloodline, and its inheritance could not be interrupted within the Sun Moon Empire's royal family.

It seems that in the end, Xu Tianzhen was still unable to escape the constraints of her birth and fate.

Xu Zihuang looked calmly at Kong Deming, his eyes as still as a deep well, his profound gaze giving one the feeling of falling into an abyss.

Kong Deming paused, but his eyes showed only composure. He spoke these words without any selfish motives, entirely for the sake of the Sun Moon Empire's continuation.

If the time is right, the Silver Moon Martial Soul, which has been extinct in the royal family for many years, may even return to the royal family.

Suddenly, Xu Tianzhen reverted to her usual carefree self, breaking the slightly somber atmosphere with her voice.

"Hmph! You think I'll just leave because you want me to? I won't. I'm going to stay in the palace. If you want to kill me, you can do it anytime."

After saying this, Xu Tianzhen turned and walked away without a second thought. Her magnificent crimson palace dress billowed and danced with her movements, like a fiery sprite leaping in the night.

What no one noticed was the hint of lightness that flashed deep in Xu Tianzhen's eyes, as if she had completely released the pent-up frustration in her chest.

It's clear from Xu Tianzhen's behavior that she doesn't have much affection for Xu Tianran.

Ever since Xu Tianran executed his own brothers one by one, his image in Xu Tianzhen's eyes had changed, and an invisible barrier had quietly formed between them. Xu Tianran himself, however, was completely unaware of this.

The members of the Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Group, including Xu Tianyuan, exchanged glances, then looked at Xu Zihuang. Seeing that Xu Zihuang remained silent, they did not stop him and allowed him to leave.

Xu Zihuang silently closed his eyes to rest, as if he didn't care about Xu Tianzhen's matter at all. Ye Guyi and Ju Zi exchanged a tacit glance.

The turmoil in Mingdu lasted for several days, but with the intervention of the five major Soul Master Corps of the Guardian Hand, the overall situation remained relatively stable.