Soul Land V: Rebirth of Tang San

Today, for her, and indeed for the entire Peacock Demon Clan, is an extremely important day, one that will determine the future of the entire race.

Jiali City today is unusually quiet—yes, quiet.

The succession of the Clan Chief is absolutely the most important event for Jiali City. However, news had started to spread many days ago that the Peacock Demon King intended to pass the mantle to a human, a human! How could a human rule over the Peacock Demon Clan? How could they become the future master of Jiali City? This was something the Ancestral Court could not tolerate, and it was also a disgrace to Jiali City.

All sorts of scattered rumors were flying around, and the official stance of the Peacock Demon Clan hadn't been to refute them. Time had dragged on to five days later. Even the severe energy fluctuation that had occurred over the ocean was being described as divine punishment, a punishment from the heavens for the Peacock Demon Clan's erroneous decision.

So, although the actual day had arrived, there was no lively scene to be seen. Even discerning individuals could tell that this would be a very serious case of internal strife. Therefore, even many of the great nobles had strictly ordered their clansmen and family members to stay indoors today and not to go out.

The great nobles of Jiali City now split into three factions, one naturally supported the Peacock Demon King, the direct line of the current City Lord. The Spirit Rhinoceros Deer Beast and the Golden Deer Demon branches, for example, were just like this. They had long been tied to the Peacock Demon King in a relationship where they would all prosper or suffer together.

Then there was the neutral faction. The neutrals had the largest number; some did not understand the specifics and only knew that the successor chosen by the Peacock Demon King was his daughter with a human bloodline, not one born from the main branch.

Finally, there was the opposition. The voices of opposition came from within the Peacock Demon Clan, with opposition having arisen long ago but constantly suppressed by the Peacock Demon King. Today, the coronation ceremony was about to begin, and if all conflicts were to erupt, there was no other time to choose but to explode today.

Therefore, Jiali City was currently in a state of turbulent undercurrents. And these undercurrents could turn into a towering tide at any moment.

Pretty Girl changed into a silver gown, the most authentic noble gown of the Peacock Demon Clan, with its long hem trailing behind her, and silver patterns covering every corner of the gorgeous gown.

The Peacock Demon King told her that the Great Peacock Demon wore such a gown when ascending the throne.

When the tall Pretty Girl donned the gown, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Are you ready?" the Peacock Demon King, also in full dress today, wore a silver garment and a crown atop his head. This was the crown of the Peacock Demon Clan Chief and also a divine tool, the Heavenly Star Crown, which symbolized the supreme leadership of the Peacock Demon Clan.

Pretty Girl looked at her father and smiled, "There's nothing to prepare."

"Good! After today, you will be the Clan Chief of the Peacock Demon Clan. Remember what you promised me before, no matter what happens in the future, you must protect our Peacock Demon Clan well."

"Mm." Pretty Girl nodded her head. At this moment, how could her emotions not be tumultuous? But amidst the excitement, she felt a slight sense of loss. She couldn't forget the vision she had seen when she had first been recognized by the Heavenly Mechanism Feather—at the moment when she was the center of attention, and all races were bowing to her, he should have been by her side. Unfortunately, he was now suffering from serious injuries, confined to his sickbed.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed her emotions. Let's finish this early then. To end it sooner would also allow her to return to his side sooner.

In front of the Peacock Demon Clan's Ancestral Castle stood a vast plaza, the entire space shaped like a terrace, facing the direction of Jiali City. On this enormous platform, preparations had already been made. A high stage stood at the plaza near the direction of the castle, facing Jiali City. A red carpet stretched from the castle to the stage, and at both sides in front of the stage, seats were neatly arranged; the ones on the left were for the Peacock Demon Clansmen, and on the right for representatives from Jiali City's great families who had come to watch the ceremony.

The weather today is beautiful, with sunshine bathing the mountainside plaza, the large castle standing solemnly behind, conveying a reserved and flourishing aura.

Sitting in the most prominent positions on both sides of the plaza were the individuals with the highest prestige from Jiali City and the highest-ranked members of the Peacock Demon Clan. Yet, the atmosphere at this time was somewhat oppressive and grave.

The noble guests observing the ceremony whispered to each other, but their voices were all kept very low, each face showing a complex expression, some anxious, some excited, and some furrowed their brows.

On the Peacock Demon Clan's side, however, the atmosphere was particularly solemn, with the older Elders sitting in the front row, each with a somber face, rarely engaging in conversation.

In the front row on the side of the Peacock Demon Clan, the foremost seated figure was a woman with a beautiful face. She appeared to be around forty years old, dressed in a grand silver gown, with her eyes closed, as if in deep meditation. Yet, simply sitting there, she emitted an intangible aura.

This was the princess of the current Peacock Demon King, and also a being whose status was second only to the Peacock Demon King within the Peacock Demon Clan.

The looks from many of the nobles opposite were frequently directed towards her. Whether today's ceremonial ritual would proceed smoothly had a great deal to do with her. The princess held a pivotal position within the Peacock Demon Clan, inheriting the bloodline of the once Great Peacock Demon.

Indeed, although the Peacock Demon King was also a direct descendant of the clan, he was not from the original bloodline of the Great Peacock Demon. It was because his ancestors were more outstanding that he was later chosen to inherit the throne. And his succession to the throne was inseparable from this princess. As a direct descendant of the Emperor, it was with her support that the Peacock Demon King's throne was ultimately secured.

This princess was also the chief elder of the current Peacock Demon Clan, as well as a strong figure at the Great Demon King level, in the Great Demon King Peak Realm.

"Hum—"

The prolonged sound of the horn rose as thirty-six robust Bear Clan Warriors started the prelude to the beginning of the ritual.

At once, the entire plaza fell silent, and the princess seated at the foremost left finally opened her eyes. Her gaze was very calm, showing no discernible emotional fluctuation on the surface.

"Hum—" The second resounding hum of the horn carried far and wide, audible even in the corners of Jiali City.

"Hum—" With the third sound, all the nobles present, including those from the Peacock Demon Clan, all stood up.

The three blasts of the horn signified that the ceremonial ritual was about to officially begin.

The grand doors of the Ancestral Castle slowly opened at this moment, leading everyone's gaze.

Pretty Girl, in her ceremonial attire, linked arms with the Peacock Demon King and slowly emerged from the castle, step by step heading to the back of the stage.

"Hum—, Hum—, Hum—" The sound of the horns rose again and again. The Peacock Demon King, smiling, slowly ascended the stage with the support of his daughter. On both sides, the clansmen of the Peacock Demon Clan spread their feathers wide, displaying the peacock's tail fan.

When they reached the stage, all the observers present slightly lowered their heads in a gesture of respect towards the Peacock Demon King on the stage. Only the princess kept her body straight, her gaze peacefully fixed on the father and daughter on the stage.

The sound of the horns ceased. The Peacock Demon King's gaze swept over all the observers, first looking to the left at the clansmen of the Peacock Demon Clan, then turning to the right at the nobles living among the Peacock Demon Clan.

"Today is our clan's most important event, and I thank all the guests who have come to observe," the Peacock Demon King's voice carried far. The nobles on the right bowed once more, paying their respects to him.