Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Eternal Queen, I Think You May Be Mistaken

The two candidates for the Child of Prophecy stood on entirely different paths, representing two opposite destinies. The hall was silent as everyone reflected, trying to determine who among Qin Xian and Ye Xuan was the true Child of Prophecy.

From a broad perspective, Qin Xian appeared to be the perfect model of an emperor. Under his rule, the empire repelled the Void in a mere hundred years and went on to dominate half the universe.

Yet this empire’s prosperity and strength were built on countless bones and the lives of sacrificed citizens.

On a personal level, however, Ye Xuan embodied an emperor with compassion. Kind, sincere, and selfless, he embodied all the virtues people most cherished and aspired to. Chu Junzhang watched Ye Xuan’s vision with a slight shake of her head, a hint of scorn in her eyes.

Yes, Ye Xuan was indeed a good person. But good people do not make good emperors. This world was fraught with danger, filled with schemes, treachery, and bloodshed.

A ruler with such fairy-tale-like virtues was ill-suited for the harsh realities of this world. A true ruler cares only for one thing: maximizing benefit. However, if Chu Junzhang had to choose a ruler, she would still pick Ye Xuan—a man so easily controlled.

Marika’s expression grew solemn. “There can only be one Child of Prophecy,” she declared, her gaze shifting to Qin Xian. “Although you passed the trial of dreams, I regret to say I do not believe you are the Child of Prophecy.”

Qin Xian’s face showed no trace of anger; instead, he looked intrigued. Smiling, he asked, “And what makes you think that?”

Marika’s gaze turned cold as she addressed him. “Though your empire repelled the Void, your citizens lived in suffering. You resorted to extreme measures to drive out the Void, using forbidden magic and sacrificing millions as offerings to gain power.”

Qin Xian raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and replied, “Why not? Without their sacrifices, I would not have gained the power needed to repel the Void. Without that strength, it wouldn’t just be millions dead but billions—the entire empire would have fallen.”

He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent. “Sacrificing millions to save billions seems a fair trade. Their sacrifice brought me power and the empire peace. Those sacrifices were worthwhile.”

Listening to Qin Xian’s words, a chill passed over the crowd. He was like a creature of pure logic, devoid of emotion, viewing all actions through the lens of gains and losses. And yet, they couldn’t deny that Qin Xian’s reasoning was sound. Under those circumstances, his choice had been the most effective solution.

But Marika shook her head, her voice tinged with anger. “But did those who were sacrificed agree? They were your people! And yet you betrayed them, sacrificing them as though they were nothing!”

Qin Xian’s brows furrowed, his tone cold. “They were ordinary people, no different from ants on the roadside. They held no inherent value, so why should I consider their opinions? Weakness is a sin. Their deaths were their only value, as they provided me with the power I needed.”

Marika’s and the other gods’ expressions darkened at his words. Marika looked at Qin Xian with a stern gaze and spoke coldly, “The trial was not merely about repelling the Void. It was also about saving the empire, and that means saving every citizen, leaving no one behind.”

“But under your rule, your people were mere pawns, expendable at will. You even went so far as to invade other worlds, enslaving them. How is that any different from the Void?”

“Therefore, although you passed the trial, you lack the empathy required. You are not the Child of Prophecy! The true Child of Prophecy… is Ye Xuan!”

Marika turned to Ye Xuan, her expression softening with approval. She spoke warmly, “You are the Child of Prophecy. Your kindness, sincerity, and selflessness have the power to unite all people, to bring everyone’s strength together. You are the leader the ancient empire truly needs—the savior this world truly needs!”

In her hand, a radiant light appeared—the essence of this world. She raised her voice, announcing, “Ye Xuan shall receive the perfect blessing! From this day forth, he is the new emperor of the Saint Nurmen Empire, favored by the gods!”

Ye Xuan’s face lit up with excitement at her words. He had never expected to become the final victor, the Child of Prophecy! Proudly, he glanced at Qin Xian, his convictions vindicated.

Though the path was winding, he had always believed that genuine compassion would ultimately yield the greatest rewards. To be benevolent is to be invincible!

With the perfect blessing, he would rise from an SS-level Dragon Apostle to an SSS-level Dragon God and become the new emperor of the Saint Nurmen Empire.

Behind him stood the full support of the Hall of the Gods! Ye Xuan felt as though his once dark and hopeless path had suddenly become a radiant beacon of hope.

“And as for you…” Marika turned to Qin Xian, her brow furrowing slightly. “Though you obtained 40 Void Crystals and achieved the highest ranking, qualifying you for the perfect blessing by right, I sense darkness within your heart.”

“Your ruthlessness would only bring suffering to the world. As arbiters of this dungeon, we have a covenant with the Divine Revelation system to ensure humanity’s future.”

“Thus, we cannot grant you the perfect blessing. However, you may still choose one of the intermediate blessings. This is our final mercy.”

The crowd turned to Qin Xian in shock. No one had expected things to turn out like this. Despite Qin Xian’s first-place ranking, he would be denied the perfect blessing, while Ye Xuan, who had not even faced the last two bosses, emerged as the ultimate winner!

Hearing this, Qin Li’s face twisted with anger, her gaze filled with hostility toward the gods. Yet Qin Xian’s expression showed no trace of fury—instead, he began to laugh, his laughter echoing through the Hall as if he had just heard the most amusing joke.

After a long moment, he finally stopped laughing and looked at Marika, his eyes mocking.

“Eternal Queen, I think you may be mistaken about something…” Qin Xian’s smile grew cold and sharp. “I didn’t come to the Hall of the Gods to request your blessing. I came to take it.”

He looked at Marika and the assembled gods with neither reverence nor fear, only indifference. It was the gaze of a predator sizing up his prey.