1854 Azure Dragon's Funeral

Long Huan thought for a long while, wondering if Alex was correct.

"I wasn't taught to be an Emperor," he said.

"Neither is your brother, and he's spent all of his life in the palace," Alex said. "In the end, you will have to step up. As for not knowing how to be an Emperor, that's okay. You can learn on the job. I surely did."

Long Huan felt a little better hearing that.

"I am also worried that I might not be able to remain an Emperor for too long, so it would be pointless for me to become one right now," Long Huan said. "I wonder if I should still be it."

"Why would you not be an Emperor for too long?" Alex asked curiously.

"Because I'll be leaving for the Immortal world soon," Long Huan said. "Aren't I?"

The words left the crowd in a stir. To speak so casually of becoming an Immortal was not something someone did after all.

Most people had in fact completely given up on becoming an Immortal.

Alex was slightly taken aback as well. He looked toward his sister and realized that he was indeed correct. "Hmm, that's true," he said. "But you have some time. Use it to give your brother some time to learn what it means to be an Emperor. So when you leave, you can leave the throne for him."

Long Huan nodded. "You are not wrong. Maybe I should do that."

The rest of the people were surprised at how easily Long Huan expected to go on to become an Immortal. But once their eyes turned toward Hannah, they realized that he wasn't speaking nonsense.

Reaching the peak of the Saint realm at an age that wasn't even a full century was something completely unheard of to everyone in the room.

Even Alex was behind on his cultivation compared to his sister. She was truly a talent out of this world.

"Then it is settled," Yan Yating said. "Henceforth, you will be the next Emperor, Your High— no, Your Majesty."

Yan Yating got onto one knee, bowing. As soon as he did, the others followed suit, quickly getting down on a knee.

Long Huan remained seated and speechless for a while before he stood up and spoke. "You have called me your Emperor, so there is no backing down for me now. I am your Emperor, and I will do my best to rule as wisely as I can. I will no doubt make some mistakes along the way, so I hope many of you will be there to help me along the way. Let's make the best of this situation."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" everyone shouted at once.

"Prepare the Coronation."

The preparation for the coronation went underway, delayed somewhat to complete the funeral for the Azure Dragon that Alex mentioned not long after.

To Long Huan, the funeral of the Azure Dragon was clearly a bigger deal than his own coronation, so he was going to work with the beasts to give off the greatest farewell for the Azure Dragon.

Quickly, the date for the Azure Dragon's funeral was set. It was to happen 4 days later. As for Long Huan's coronation, that was to happen a week later.

Alex took his family around the Eastern Continent for the next 4 days and went around the many kingdoms, meeting the kings and queens whose situation had changed a whole lot after the war.

The counselors had returned to them once the empire had overcome its initial turmoil, but because they had no one giving them any orders, they were truly just counselors at this point without anything else to make the King do.

They were no longer the puppets of the Emperor, who themselves were puppeteers to the many Kings and Queens.

Ronron was more than surprised at every location she visited. She had been to many places, but none were as good as the places in the Eastern Continent.

The energy was much stronger, the aura more vibrant, and she enjoyed every single minute they traveled around the country.

"Father, do you think I can bring Papa and Mama here someday? I'm sure they will love it," she said.

"I'm sure they will too," Ning said. "Once everything has calmed down, we can do that. There are so many more that would love to come here on a visit, I'm certain.

At that time, Alex also understood the overall situation of the Empire, seeing what his war had done.

Because the war had been isolated to just one city, the other cities hadn't been as affected by it. Even so, the aftermath of the war was visible.

The lack of soldiers, the closed stores, the sorrowful faces of the people. The war did have an effect, for better or for worse.

Alex returned to the Azure Dragon's secret realm on the fourth day of his travels, coming back in time for the funeral.

Pearl had remained back, aiding the beasts and the humans in preparation for it.

A massive pyre had been erected in the flower fields, the woods stacked to look sort of like a coiling dragon.

All sorts of figures were called from all around the world to come to witness the funeral of an Immortal beast.

Kings, queens, high-ranking soldiers, merchants, ministers, sect masters, elders, clan heads, ancestors, and all other sorts of people had arrived on that morning.

The funeral was broadcast through the Newsboards, so the entire continent could see it.

The Lion stepped forward to speak some words.

"Today, we are gathered here to not only mourn the loss of our ruler but the loss of a father and a husband."

The Lion gave a long speech, speaking heartful words for a beast that was in a way related to him.

"We thank you for everything you have done for us. And we wish that you forever rest in peace."

The Lion bowed.

Everyone bowed.

They bowed for a long instance before it was time to burn the pyre. A torch was brought to Pearl from the side, and handed over to him for it was his right to burn this pyre.

Pearl touched the pyre with the torch and it immediately caught on flames, engulfing the entire thing within seconds.

Pearl stepped back a little and watched as the silhouette of a Dragon burned. He watched silently, hearing the crackling of fire as wood burned in front of him. He did not cry. He had already said goodbye to his father, so he did not have any reason to cry.

Alex reached out with his hands and used the True Fire Dao to control the flames. Immediately a fire dragon rose from the burning pyre and uncoiled itself as it circled them.

Gasps rang around from everyone who saw it. Alex made the dragon encircle the sky a few times before making it fly away far into the stars before it vanished.

Pearl watched the silhouette of his father leave. He could not hold back his tears any longer. He wailed, tears streaming down his white fur reflecting the fire within them.

The people finally realized what the Dragon Emperor had done by killing the Azure Dragon.

The world watched a son mourn for his dead father.