"I didn't expect this to happen in your generation, but so be it."

"In the Empire, nothing is more important than selecting a new Emperor Xia." The Seventh Xia Emperor's expression turned solemn as he glanced at the two again.

"Both of you are of the Xia Family bloodline and have possessed the Emperor Body, which indeed qualifies you to be the Emperor Xia."

"Ancestor."

Xia Tianming raised his head, looking at the Seventh Xia Emperor. He bowed slightly and then turned to glare at Xia Tianming intently.

The ten Xia Emperors all lowered their heads to look at Xia Tianming.

"I was worried Xia Tianming wouldn't relinquish the throne even if he lost, but your timing is perfect."

"The whole world is watching you now, as are the empire's ministers. I hope this time, you can personally witness our competition."

Xia Tianming's words immediately angered Xia Tianming, who shouted, "Bastard! In front of the Ancestor, who are you saying won't admit defeat? Don't judge others with your own petty heart!"

"Heh."

The only response was Xia Tianming's cold laugh.

Being able to distort the truth publicly with a slightly unstable spirit, Xia Tianming had entirely run out of patience with him by now.

"Very well, we are here to do just that." The Seventh Xia Emperor nodded, looking up and down at Xia Tianming and then at Xia Feng behind him, showing a thoughtful expression.

After a moment, he spoke, "Tianming, are you sure you want to contend with Tianming for the throne? You are only a First Layer Martial Sovereign, while Tianming is Seventh Layer. I see little chance of you winning."

"Once the bowstring is pulled, there's no turning back. When the two of them stepped onto the Emperor Dragon Platform, the situation became irreversible."

Before Xia Tianming could speak, the Sixteenth Xia Emperor, who was also the father of Xia Tianming and Xia Tianming, stepped forward.

He looked at the two, his voice booming, "Seven Ancestor, I understand you cherish talents, but the competition between them has started. If it stops now, it will bring ridicule from the world and damage the prestige of the Xia Family Royalty, which is detrimental to unifying public sentiment."

Xia Feng looked at the imposing old man, who was his great-grandfather, but he felt an intense coldness and unfamiliarity.

The Seventh Ancestor was worried Xia Tianming couldn't match Xia Tianming, perhaps not wanting the Xia Family to lose two talents and thus spoke up for them.

But Xia Donghai, as Xia Tianming's father, pushed him back as if hoping for his death.

Xia Tianming was silent at first, then he smiled.

"This is the third time, Father." He raised his head, looking at the figure above, speaking word by word, "Three full times."

"What, are you questioning my decision?" Xia Donghai turned his head, expressionless as he looked at Xia Tianming, raising an eyebrow.

"Questioning? I dare not." Xia Tianming shook his head, but his eyes grew colder, "This, I won't give up the throne even if you don't say it."

"But I want to ask, I treat you as a father, but in your heart, do you really see me as a son?"

"The first time, Xia Tianming framed me. After you returned, not only did you not punish him, you banished me."

"The second time, when you secluded yourself for the second time, Xia Tianming destroyed my dynasty, turned me into a cripple, and you still didn't punish him, but helped him ascend to Xia Emperor."

"The third time, the Seventh Ancestor intended to smooth things over for me. Of course, I wouldn't give up the throne. But your attitude was as if afraid I wouldn't, fearing if I don't die in this competition, I would become your greatest threat later on?"

"Reckless fool, look at what you're saying to your father. Unfilial, you truly deserve death!"

Xia Tianming squinted slightly, seeing Xia Donghai's face turning sullen, he immediately shouted.

Xia Donghai glanced at Xia Tianming, then looked back at Xia Tianming, his eyes like knives as he responded word by word, "In my Xia Family, there is no place for the worthless."

"The valueless have no reason to remain in the Imperial Capital!"

"So, no place for the worthless."

Xia Tianming's assumption was confirmed. He clapped his hands, tears gradually welling up.

"So, there's no place for them... Was this always your thought?"

Xia Tianming seemed to understand something. Though he shed tears, he couldn't help but laugh.

Over the years, he kept guessing if there was some unspeakable reason his father treated him like this?

From the most outstanding Emperor's Son of the Great Xia Empire to a mere mortal, barely surviving in a small place like Xingyu City.

He recalled the first time he broke through to Martial Sovereign, how joyful Xia Donghai was.

And how he was rewarded generously when he led troops to war and achieved great victories, without any reluctance from Xia Donghai.

He once said, Xia Tianming was his greatest pride, the most outstanding Emperor's Son of the Great Xia Empire!

After he broke through to Celestial Tier Martial Sovereign, Xia Donghai delightedly appointed him to the highest position in the empire, commander of Lingxiao Pavilion's twenty-four Martial Sovereigns, making him the Grand General of the Great Xia Empire.

But everything changed when Xia Tianming claimed Xia Donghai's cultivation went awry, endangered his life, and needed him to return to help his father...

He didn't understand, he couldn't comprehend why the Xia Donghai who once had high expectations for him allowed Xia Tianming to poison and humiliate their family so.

It turned out, from the day his Emperor Body was taken, and his realm plummeted, the father who saw him as pride ceased to exist.

Only one who despised him, saw him as worthless, merely an abandoned son of Great Xia Emperor remained.

Truly harsh, truly cold.

"Grandpa..."

Seeing Xia Tianming unexpectedly cry, Xia Feng's heart trembled as he rushed forward to grab Xia Tianming, trying to console him.

"It's okay, Xiao Feng, grandpa isn't that fragile."

Xia Tianming smiled, wiping the corners of his eyes, then patted his shoulder, "Grandpa always had a doubt, until today when it was resolved. You should be happy for grandpa instead."

He steadied his emotions once more and then took three steps forward.

On the Emperor Dragon Platform, he sliced open the void with his hand, pulling out the Void Cauldron, and with a "thud," ruthlessly smashed it on the ground.

He looked at Xia Tianming, his expression icy cold, his eyes like sharp blades, making it hard for people to keep theirs open.

"Come, use all your strength. Let me see how much your power has grown after acquiring my Emperor Body!"

"A person who has died once and still so arrogant, truly amusing. If you seek death, I will grant your wish quickly!"

Under the gaze of the ten Xia Emperors, Xia Tianming summoned all his spiritual power, called forth the Twin Halberds, and unleashed the full power of a Top Grade Emperor Weapon and Earth Tier Seventh Layer Martial Sovereign. A blood-red column of light shot skyward, causing fear among the people of the Imperial Capital.

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