Douluo Continent: Copying Ya Li, the Carefree King of the Sun and Moon

When the news reached the Ming capital, the court was in an uproar. Many veteran officials knelt on the ground, earnestly pleading with the emperor to simply offer amnesty and settle the matter.

Some military officers volunteered to lead troops to quell the rebellion, causing a great commotion in the hall, with no one able to convince anyone else.

Xu Cheng'an listened to everyone's opinions, but in the end, he didn't mobilize a single soldier.

He set off for Xingluo City alone.

No one knows exactly what he said to Earl Wang. All that is known is that the Earl's mansion was brightly lit all night, and the next morning, Earl Wang personally bound himself and a group of rebels, knelt at the city gate of Xingluo City, and came to the court to plead guilty.

Afterwards, someone couldn't help but press Earl Wang for details of what the Crown Prince had discussed with him. The man turned pale, his lips trembled for a long time, and finally managed to stammer out, "You don't understand...you have no idea how terrifying he is."

No one said Xu Chengan laid a hand on him.

In fact, from beginning to end, he did not activate his martial spirit, did not use any soul power, and did not even utter a harsh word.

He simply sat quietly and drank a pot of tea with Earl Wang.

As a Limit Douluo, he didn't need to deliberately release his aura.

In the end, strength reigns supreme in the Douluo Continent.

The mere fact that he was standing there was a terrifying deterrent.

The land reform was implemented for three whole years, with constant obstacles and upheavals along the way, but it was finally brought to fruition.

For the first time, those tenant farmers, whose ancestors had been bound to the fields, owned their own land.

Some people squatted on the edge of the field and wept bitterly, some held the soil at their feet and wailed incessantly, and others kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of the capital, thinking of that young emperor.

With the land reform concluded, the reform of the official system followed immediately.

Xu Cheng'an abolished the aristocratic system and promoted the imperial examination system nationwide.

Officials were selected based solely on their actual abilities and knowledge, with no regard for their family background or social standing.

The major families were filled with resentment, but no matter how unwilling they were, they could only keep it to themselves.

The land was gone, the privileges passed down through generations were gone, and even the power to select officials, which had been held by the court for many years, was completely lost.

Privately, many people cursed and said that Xu Cheng'an was a foolish and incompetent ruler who brought disaster to the country and an unfilial son who squandered the legacy of his ancestors.

Despite their criticism, they were powerless to do anything about this young emperor.

Simply because he is too strong.

He doesn't need to deliberately win people's hearts, doesn't need to weigh and maneuver among various forces, and doesn't need to bow down and compromise with anyone.

He is the Limit Douluo, a born god, and the pinnacle of combat power on the entire continent. Sitting on the dragon throne, he needs no one to back him up, for he himself is the most solid support.

Meanwhile, the demon kings protecting him have only retreated, but they are still around.

When Xu Cheng'an was twenty-six years old, his cultivation level broke through the hundredth level, and he officially became a god.

On the day he became a god, golden light rained down once again over Mingdu, a scene exactly the same as when his father became a god thirty years ago. Chaotic rosy light poured down from the sky, covering the entire city, landing on the eaves and branches, and on the shoulders of the people passing by, bringing warmth and comfort.

The people knelt in the rain, looking up at the sky. Some wept with joy, while others exclaimed, "Another god... another god has appeared on our continent."

On the parade platform outside the south gate of Mingdu, Xu Cheng'an stood in the wind, his golden hair fluttering gently in the light rain, his golden eyes reflecting the rosy clouds, shining brightly.

Unlike his father, he did not wear silver-white divine armor. Instead, he wore a simple, elegant moon-white robe with a jade fan passed down through three generations hanging at his waist. The fan was still painted with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers.

He stood quietly on the high platform, gazing at the city where he had grown up, at the land he had governed for eleven years, his gaze calm and distant.

Behind him, civil and military officials knelt in unison, and thousands of people bowed their heads in worship.

But he felt no pride whatsoever.

He recalled his father saying, "Being an emperor is not about making everyone kneel before you, but about ensuring that everyone in the world can live a peaceful and stable life."

He recalled the imperial power tactics and the art of checks and balances that his uncle had taught him, and the gentle yet wistful look in his eyes when the uncle said, "Never scheme against your closest relatives."

Xu Cheng'an snapped out of his thoughts, turned around, and slowly walked down from the platform.

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

At this time, Xu Cheng'an was thirty-six years old, in the prime of his life, and his cultivation was unfathomable. However, he had never established an empress, nor had he taken any concubines, and he had no children.

The court officials were all extremely anxious, submitting memorials every few days urging him to choose concubines. Many senior officials even knelt directly in the Golden Palace, pleading with the emperor through tears, saying that even if His Majesty was unwilling to marry, he should at least appoint an heir as soon as possible, as matters concerning the foundation of the state could not be taken lightly.

Chapter 223 Extra Chapter 5: Ascending to the Divine Realm

Xu Cheng'an sat upright on the dragon throne, quietly listening to everyone's complaints. He then neatly collected all the memorials and simply said, "I understand."

After those words were spoken, there was no further comment.

He still did not choose concubines or establish an empress, and the huge harem was empty, with very few palace maids to serve him.

Rumors began to spread, with some speculating that he had a hidden illness, and others making disparaging remarks and fabricating stories about his preferences.

These words eventually reached Xu Cheng'an's ears. He was furious, but he did not come forward to defend himself. Only during a morning court session, in front of all the civil and military officials, did he frankly speak his mind.

"I have no intention of marrying or having children in my life." His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "I have been on the throne for twenty-one years, and my actions have been worthy of the people. I do not owe anyone a crown prince."

The hall fell silent instantly.

"As for the succession to the throne, I have already made arrangements." He leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his tone as calm as if he were chatting casually. "When I ascend to the realm of gods one day, I will hold a nationwide search for talented individuals to take charge of the world."

These words caused another uproar among the officials and civil servants in the hall.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

"The succession to the throne is a matter of utmost importance; how can it be handled so hastily!"

"This is a rule set by our ancestors; Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

After everyone had calmed down, Xu Cheng'an spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone still calm but with an unyielding firmness: "The rules set by our ancestors are ultimately made by people. I can change them."

He slowly rose, the jade beads on his crown swaying gently, casting dappled light and shadow in the candlelight of the hall.

"What I want to change is not just the succession to the throne. From now on, I will abolish the imperial system and promote a republic."

These five short words, like a boulder falling into a deep pool, instantly stirred up a monstrous wave.

The entire court was dumbfounded; no one understood what the word "republic" meant. Xu Cheng'an patiently explained, "The so-called republic means that the world belongs to all. The throne will no longer be inherited by hereditary succession, but will be governed by virtuous people elected by the people of the world. This land has never been the private property of any one family or clan, but belongs to hundreds of millions of people."

Some people collapsed to the ground on the spot, their faces ashen.

Some people prostrated themselves on the ground and wept bitterly, saying that this would sever the foundation of their ancestors.

Some people kept kowtowing, begging him to rescind the decree.

Xu Cheng'an looked at the crowd before him and suddenly smiled faintly. The smile was gentle, and there was no mockery or pity in his eyes, only a composure that showed he had seen through the ways of the world and remained steadfast in his determination.

"I am not here to discuss matters with you all," he said calmly. "I am merely informing you."

Having said that, he stepped down from the dragon throne and walked step by step towards the outside of the palace. The hem of his imperial robe swept across the gold bricks on the ground, making a soft, rustling sound.

Upon reaching the palace gate, he paused briefly but never turned back.

"Regarding the reform, I will proceed step by step." The voice drifted into the hall on the wind, steady and powerful. "I can afford to wait, and so can the people of the world."

Outside the hall, the sun shone brightly, and the air was warm and inviting.

Golden light fell on his tall figure, coating him with a soft halo.

He stood on the high platform, gazing into the distance.

Looking beyond the wide square, one sees the majestic city walls of Mingdu. Beyond the walls lies an endless expanse of land, and above that land are countless ordinary people.

Those ordinary people who have been oppressed and exploited for generations, living like cattle and horses, those people he has never met, yet who are always in his heart.

They shouldn't spend their whole lives bending over backwards.

They should stand up with dignity.

Xu Cheng'an withdrew his gaze, stepped down the stairs, and headed towards the Imperial Study.

There were mountains of memorials on his desk waiting to be reviewed, and new decrees waiting to be implemented one by one.

Reform is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The imperial system has existed on this land for thousands of years, and its foundations are deeply entrenched. To completely reform it requires a long time, enough patience, and even the continuous efforts of generation after generation.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

He is still young and has plenty of time.

Moreover, he was never alone.

Behind him were several close relatives, the entire angelic legion providing strong support, and all the people on the continent who yearned for fairness and thirsted for freedom.

He has never been alone along the way.

The door to the imperial study was pushed open, and bright sunlight poured in, illuminating the memorials on the table and a portrait hanging on the wall.

The woman in the painting has snow-white golden hair and fair skin. She has six wings of light spread out, and her eyes and brows exude both heroism and gentleness.

It was Xu Yanli's mother, his grandmother.

Below the portrait is a line of neatly written small characters, penned by Xu Yanli himself: "The red radiance will eventually illuminate the earth."

Xu Cheng'an stood before the painting, gazing at it quietly for a long time, a faint smile gradually spreading across his face.

He walked to his desk, spread out Xuan paper, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote the first edict to implement the new policies.

The pen tip glides across the paper, making a scratching sound.

The sky outside the window is clear and cloudless.

Decades later, the sky suddenly changed, and dozens of figures rose to the realm of gods in unison.

A booming sound echoed in the realm of the gods, seemingly welcoming the arrival of the creator god.

Xu Yanli glanced at the others, said something to them, and then turned and charged toward the Sea God Temple.

The heavy doors of the Temple of Poseidon were kicked open with a loud bang.

Tang San was sitting peacefully on the Sea God's throne, holding the Sea God's Trident, and quietly regulating his breathing with his eyes closed.

Tang San suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze hardening.

At the entrance of the main hall, a figure in white stood quietly.

The moon-white robe accentuated her tall and straight figure, her long golden hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and a warm jade fan hung at her waist.

He looked gentle and refined, without any of the imposing aura of a top expert. Instead, he seemed like a young master from a noble family who had nothing better to do than go out for leisure and sightseeing.

But Tang San's mind was instantly brought to its peak.