The cannon salvos roared, and pale petals drifted down with the wind, adding a touch of elegance to the coronation ceremony.

Compared to the kings of various realms in the Border Abyss, the coronation ceremony of Oxiulia's Emperor appeared much more modest and low-key, merely granting a three-day holiday to the entire populace and arranging a grand feast for guests. Such measures allowed ordinary citizens to take to the streets, celebrate the ceremony, and maybe set up stalls to do some business.

The atmosphere of the ceremony was filled with joy and enthusiasm, so much so that even the battle-hardened Long Yuqiong and his companions felt a bit socially awkward.

The exuberant atmosphere on the streets was not something that materialized overnight; compared to the military Empire previously mentioned by the tavern's errand boy, the Empire's citizens clearly hadn't just started enjoying such jubilant days. Even peddlers and porters were leisurely enjoying life, with a carefree attitude of "if you want to buy, buy; if not, giving it away isn't impossible either."

"Isn't it a bit too joyous here?" Yutianxiao murmured.

"It feels like we're not in the Starry Abyss, but in a sea of flowers."

For inexplicable reasons, Night Fighting Sword found himself holding some small flags and cotton candy; he didn't even know where they came from—perhaps some passing student, seeing him with empty hands, handed them to him.

"These people are so passionate, so happy, each of them genuinely enjoying their lives..."

Long Yuqiong pushed through the crowd, wearing worn-out armor, yet as far as the eye could see, Oxiulia's people were all well-dressed and radiant. Even the poor wore new clothes.

He scanned the streets, finding not a single homeless person or vagabond.

For a moment, Long Yuqiong didn't know what to say.

Originally, he thought Leoz would take a militaristic approach, covering the conquered lands with barracks and weapons factories, and imposing a heavy tithe on its people—just as he had experienced in Haines.

Yet all he saw was a land vibrant and full of hope and enthusiasm, far surpassing the usual appearance of nations in the Border Abyss.

During their time working under Lai Anding, the three of them, burdened by various busy affairs, had traversed half of the Border Abyss, through four major narratives and dozens of kingdoms, but even in the Narrative Civilization, they had never witnessed such pure happiness.

It almost seemed as though this culture didn't belong to the Primordial Abyss but had been imported from the outside.

Long Yuqiong had no time to ponder further, as the coronation ceremony was about to begin.

"Let's go."

Relying on their advantage as Ascenders, the three easily squeezed into the massive square where the ceremony was being held. This square, resembling a marvel, was entirely white, constructed and sculpted from pure marble, with murals depicting the Empire's conquests, the nation's history, the myths of the Starry Abyss, and vividly carved figures of people and heroes.

Long Yuqiong even saw their own likenesses.

"The Haines Defensive Battle. Led by Leoz, the Spiritual Warriors fought bravely on the last line of defense in the War Beyond the Abyss, ultimately defeated and exiled, allowing the [Society] army to invade the Starry Abyss..."

Night Fighting Sword pointed at the relief above, exclaiming with surprise:

"Look, Oshen, you're in it too. Did you also participate in the Haines Defensive Battle?"

"...You could say that."

Long Yuqiong gazed at the figure of the Spiritual Warrior clad in sea beast armor:

"Back then, I was still an Evil God. I had a falling out with a few [Society] senators, but was eventually killed by a sneak attack from the [Goddess of Truth] and offered to Leoz."

"Huh? But in this, you clearly look like a Righteous God."

"Leoz didn't demonize you, that's honestly..."

"It's not important."

Long Yuqiong shook his head:

"The ceremony's about to start. Do you hear the cheers? That Emperor has already walked onto the red carpet; any later and we'll miss it."

"Are you sure, is it definitely Leoz?"

"I'm sure, Li Aozi, Leoz, truly—they're all one and the same, as he himself said."

With mixed emotions, Long Yuqiong led the two Samurai through the lengthy corridor and into the grandstand of the square.

The brilliant sunshine accompanied by a hubbub of voices, more splendid and joyous than any ordinary festival celebration, though this was a coronation ceremony, there was not the slightest atmosphere of solemnity. The seats were full of vendors selling snacks, seeds, and mineral water, as well as university student volunteers maintaining order.

People munched on seeds as they laughed and chatted, as if this were just a ball game featuring a major star. As long as the star appeared on time, no one would feel dissatisfied. It was truly a peculiar relationship; in Long Yuqiong and his companions' eyes, an Emperor ought to remain mysterious and authoritative, not a subject of entertainment, urbanization, or casual joking.

Yet amid this serene and jubilant atmosphere, the coronation proceeded smoothly. When [Lord Ao Sha] Merston, along with his wife Anjuri Moston, entered the venue with the title of Duchess of the Nation, the ten thousand spectators instantly fell silent.

The name of [Lord Ao Sha] Merston, has long resounded across the Border Abyss Continent alongside the Empire's expansion and conquest, and his wife Anjuri Moston was no ordinary figure either, but a twin-soul of the Nether Clan, closely related to the Aton Underworld Clan. The distinction being that the Aton Underworld Clan is divided into male and female, while twin-soul of the Nether Clan are androgynous.

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