Plane.
The Nine Provinces Continent.
Twenty-odd years had passed.
Here.
It had regained its former prosperity.
It was even more prosperous than before.
On the Eastern Swamp Wilderness, there was a new ruler, a scholar who had emerged from the Misty Rain Tower.
His name was Ye Xingrui.
It was said that Ye Xingrui was actually a descendant of the royal family.
His ancestor was Ye Xuan, the leader of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness back then. Later, the Ye family declined, and he disappeared.
Now, he had become the new ruler of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness.
One could say that it was predestined.
Ye Xingrui was in the palace on the Eastern Swamp Wilderness.
He looked at all the furnishings.
When he first ascended the throne, he should have renovated the palace to his liking.
But the strange thing was.
This newly crowned emperor of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness.
When faced with the palace where the former empress Ye Ling had lived, he actually had it preserved intact. He himself had a side palace built and lived there.
Over the years.
There had been many beautiful concubines in the palace, and they had given birth to many princes and princesses for Ye Xingrui.
But that main palace.
No one had ever lived in it.
Yet, there were always people going in to clean it.
He remembered that his first wife, the founding empress, had once asked Ye Xingrui why, as the emperor of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness, he couldn't even enter a palace.
Ye Xingrui just looked at the stars in the east and said,
"Some people and some things are meant to be remembered and respected."
Ye Xingrui knew well.
The Eastern Swamp Wilderness was a place full of talents.
Just the powerful figures who came out of the Sect Assembly were countless. Not to mention that there was also the number one sect on the Nine Provinces Continent, Shuiyunsheng, on the Eastern Swamp Wilderness. Its leader, Xie An, his military advisor Ye Xingchen, and his two current generals, Chu Wen and Chu Nuan, were all more capable than him back then.
But when it came to the throne of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness.
They all stepped back without a word.
Ye Xingrui knew.
In their hearts.
There was only one person who had the ability, or rather, the qualification, to sit on that throne.
That was the empress Ye Ling, who was later known as Zhao Shuning, the youngest daughter of the Zhao family.
It was just.
That goddess-like woman.
Would never appear again.
None of them were willing to take over this throne.
The Eastern Swamp Wilderness had once experienced the great chaos when Lin Lang massacred the An family. The court and the jianghu were in great turmoil. Only Ye Xingrui's succession could temporarily stabilize the situation.
This throne.
Rather than saying it was what Ye Xingrui deserved, it was more like a gift from everyone.
Ye Xingrui was not an ungrateful person. In that battle back then, his contribution was only a meager one, but the reward he received was so generous.
"Your Majesty, there are members of the Zhao family seeking an audience."
Ye Xingrui put down the memorial in his hand.
"Announce them. No, I'll go and see them in person."
The Zhao family.
Had now become the number one family on the Eastern Swamp Wilderness.
After that.
Was the Xie family.
Then.
Was the newly emerged Bai family.
And finally, the Yun family.
The Zhao family's development to this point could be said to be due to the protection of many parties.
Firstly.
They had Shuiyunsheng unconditionally backing them up.
Secondly.
Two sons of the Xie family, Xie BuYan and Xie Jing, had their abilities greatly improved after receiving guidance from their aunt of the Zhao family in their early years.
Moreover, the daughter of the Xie family, who was round and chubby like a dumpling when she was young.
Unexpectedly, when she grew up, she became an outstanding high - level alchemist.
Xie Yu of the Xie family was also the grandson - in - law of the Zhao family. As the Xie family became more powerful, the status of the Zhao family became even more stable.
Now.
The Zhao family was probably here to discuss that the day was approaching.
It was said that this year.
They planned to take all the descendants of the Zhao and Xie families to pay homage on the Divine Mountain of the Eastern Continent.
Coming to the palace.
They were probably just asking for a pass for this large entourage.
Sure enough.
After meeting the Elder Zhao.
Ye Xingrui respectfully handed the pass stamped with the seal of the emperor of the Eastern Swamp Wilderness to Elder Zhao and personally escorted him to the city gate.
"Your Majesty, although Elder Zhao is a member of the Zhao family and has a noble status, you shouldn't personally escort him out of the city. This kind of honor can only be enjoyed by the Zhao family."
A personal guard spoke up.
Ye Xingrui glanced at the guard.
He said, "Members of the Zhao family must be treated well wherever they go. I don't need to remind you of this again. If you can't remember or understand, you might as well go back to your hometown."
"I know my mistake, Your Majesty."
Ye Xingrui turned around.
If that person were still alive.
Not only would the Zhao family become the most powerful family on the Eastern Swamp Wilderness, but it might even dominate the entire Nine Provinces Continent.
"Make arrangements. It's time for us to hold a sacrifice."
"Your Majesty, I'm stupid. I don't know who in the palace has passed away?"
"For the former empress Ye Ling."
"Yes. Your Majesty, I'll obey."
Why would the current emperor, Ye Xingrui, offer sacrifices to the former empress Ye Ling? They didn't even have any interactions!
Despite their doubts.
They, as servants, had no right to question.
They could only follow the order.
Senior Sister, I'll see you off one more time. I hope that your spirit in heaven can bless the Eastern Swamp Wilderness with good fortune for generations to come, and that the common people can live in peace and prosperity without any disasters.
Elder Zhao staggered out of the city.
Immediately, someone came to greet him.
Elder Zhao walked to the spacious carriage.
A man leaning on a cane was standing beside the carriage waiting for him.
Beside him.
There was also a dignified and beautiful woman.
Elder Zhao said, "Zheng'er, your legs are not convenient. You don't need to come out to pick me up. Just wait for my news in the mansion with Min'er."
"Father, the weather is fine. I came out to pick you up and take a walk. Did the emperor give the pass?"
Elder Zhao nodded.
"Let's talk in the carriage."
"Okay."
They got into the carriage and drove straight back to the Zhao Mansion.
At this time.
The Zhao Mansion was already filled with a large number of people.
Since Zhao Shuning's death.
Zhao Chao had also found his beloved woman, and they had given birth to many sons and daughters, who were now all grown up.
The Xie family had also thrived under the efforts of the prodigal son Xie Yu and Zhao Xiangxiang, with descendants all over the place.
Now.
Most of them had become prominent figures on the Eastern Swamp Wilderness.
At this time.
They were all gathered together.
Just waiting for a piece of news.
When they saw Elder Zhao come back.
Everyone rushed forward to pay their respects.
Finally.
They cast their hopeful glances at the old man.
After the old man nodded seriously,
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief in unison.
That was good.
Although they had paid homage to this legendary second miss of the Zhao family every year.
They all knew her amazing legends.
But they had never discussed the sacrifice in such a grand and organized way.
Now.
After more than twenty years.
This was the first time that so many of them were going to the Divine Mountain of the Eastern Continent together to pay homage to this legendary figure.
When Zhao Shuning passed away back then.
Not only was there no body.
Even her clothes were not left behind.
They couldn't even build a tomb of her clothes.
Now.
Leading these grandchildren to the Divine Mountain of the Eastern Continent to pay homage.
It could be considered.
Fulfilling their filial piety.