Chapter 119 King Marruis proclaims himself emperor? Everyone is shocked

The staff-bearing figure stared at King Marruis, their voice an eerie blend—at once old and young, human and beast.

Even as a newly ascended mid-Level 4 cultivator, King Marruis felt a ripple of unease in his heart.

The presence before him was not ordinary.

This was a late-Level 4 grand cultivator.

And yet another powerhouse from the Velmorian Sect.

King Marruis had underestimated just how terrifying the sect’s foundations truly were.

The Velmorian Sect ruled over Velmorian State, a nation that bordered both Aragon State and several righteous nations, including Corvalis State and Furrylens State.

These righteous nations constantly threatened the Velmorian State’s security.

And yet—despite being under continuous pressure, the sect had still been able to dispatch multiple late-Level 4 cultivators, alongside countless Level 3 and Level 2 experts, into Aragon State.

Had the sect possessed even a single Level 5 cultivator, their domain would have expanded severalfold.

As it stood, the only real difference between the Velmorian Sect and the righteous Level 5 factions was that they lacked a Level 5 master to lead them.

In all other aspects—resources, cultivation bases, sheer military strength—they surpassed many of the so-called righteous sects.

Even Corvalis State, despite boasting two Level 5 grandmasters, likely had fewer Level 4 cultivators than the Velmorian Sect.

By contrast—

Aragon State’s entire Level 4 force, across all three stages, barely numbered fifty in total.

As for Level 4 Perfection cultivators?

Only one was known to exist.

And that was King Zachary, the mightiest of the Eight Kings.

• One-fourth of Aragon State’s Level 4 cultivators
• One-third of its Level 3 cultivators
• And half of its Level 2 cultivators

All stood under King Zachary’s banner.

He was the most likely contender to unite Aragon State and end the chaos.

And yet, ever since the massacre of Aragon State’s royal lineage, as the Eight Kings vied for power, King Zachary had remained uncharacteristically silent.

He had not launched any major campaigns.

He had not expanded his territory aggressively.

There were rumors.

Some claimed that King Zachary had failed to break into the Level 5 realm, leading to a severe loss in cultivation.

Others believed he was amassing power, waiting for the perfect moment to wipe out the remaining seven kings in one swift strike.

No one knew the truth.

But one thing was certain—

No one dared to test King Zachary’s strength.

His palace was not like King Marruis’s.

Even if his cultivation had truly suffered, his foundation remained the strongest in Aragon State.

Under his command—

• Three late-Level 4 cultivators
• Dozens of mid-Level 4 cultivators

Any attack against him would require at least five of Aragon State’s feudal lords to combine their forces.

But Aragon State’s feudal lords were anything but united.

King Pyrelis’s current campaign against Ming Palace was only possible because he had secured an alliance with five other lords.

Their agreement was simple—

Crush the weakest first.

They would divide Ming Palace among themselves, then turn their combined forces against King Zachary.

Once King Zachary fell, only six feudal lords would remain—and then, it would be every man for himself in the final battle for Aragon State’s throne.

King Marruis had been doomed from the start.

Of all eight feudal lords, his power was the weakest.

His foundation was fragile, barely stronger than some of the major sects and noble houses.

His entire palace only had two early-Level 4 cultivators.

Weak foundation. Large territory.

That made Murrican Palace the perfect target for the Six Kings’ first move.

As King Marruis sat in deep contemplation, the staff-bearing figure spoke once more.

“Honored King Marruis.”

“King Pyrelis has committed his entire foundation to this campaign.”

“No fewer than ten Level 4 cultivators have been dispatched.”

“In three months, they intend to annihilate your palace entirely.”

“As for Hyolled County and the other two regions you once ruled… they are likely already in King Pyrelis’s hands.”

“But you need not worry.”

“Our sect leader has decreed that the Velmorian Sect shall aid you in eliminating King Pyrelis.”

“When the time comes, you shall take his head—an offering to strike terror into the hearts of the remaining six kings.”

“Congratulations, King Marruis.”

“You are now closer than ever to the throne of Aragon State, hehehe…”

The moment the staff-bearing figure finished speaking, King Marruis—seated upon his jade throne—felt a surge of fiery ambition rise within him.

The imperial throne of Aragon State.

Those four words held an allure too great to resist.

So great, in fact, that he was willing to embrace the demonic path without hesitation.

As the weakest of the Eight Kings, King Marruis’s desire for the throne burned far hotter than any of his rivals.

“Honored King Marruis—no, that title no longer suits you.”

“From this moment forward, you are the Emperor of Aragon.”

“Your Majesty, the only task that remains is to lead your forces into battle!”

“Rest assured, with our sect’s Level 4 elders by your side, crushing King Pyrelis will be as effortless as flicking a finger.”

“This war shall mark the beginning of your conquest—the moment Aragon State kneels before you.”

The staff-bearing figure’s voice dripped with certainty, as if King Marruis’s victory was already written in fate.

King Marruis did not hesitate.

He rose from his throne, sweeping his arm outward in a grand motion.

His voice thundered through the hall.

“I…”

No—

“We! The newly crowned Emperor of Aragon—do hereby proclaim to the three provinces and seventy-two counties of this land!”

“The seven traitor kings have thrown Aragon State into chaos!”

“With an army of three million, We shall personally lead the campaign!”

“King Pyrelis shall fall first—

“Then the remaining six shall follow!”

“Aragon State will be whole once more!”

As he spoke, King Marruis ripped away his python-embroidered robe, revealing a black imperial dragon robe—one he had long hidden away in his storage ring.

He had been preparing for this moment all along.

His subordinates stood frozen, eyes wide with shock.

But none dared to object.

Declaring himself Emperor at this stage might invite the wrath of the Seven Kings—

But with the Velmorian Sect backing him, even if all seven of his enemies banded together, they would still struggle to prevail.

Besides—

King Marruis’s ascension to Emperor was advantageous for them as well.

With an empire, came titles, land, and power.

And his loyal followers would be the first to reap the rewards.

“Ten thousand years to our Emperor!”

“Long live our Emperor!”

The first voices rose—

Then a wave of kneeling figures followed, offering three kneelings and nine prostrations to their new ruler.

At that moment—

The Ming Palace ceased to exist.

It was now the Murrican Imperial Palace.

And King Marruis…

Was now Emperor Ming.

Regardless of what the future held—

Regardless of whether he succeeded or fell—

His name would be etched into the annals of history.

If he conquered Aragon State, the records would hail him as a legendary ruler, a sovereign unmatched in power.

If he failed, he would become a laughingstock, remembered only as a false emperor.

But he no longer cared about the outcome.

Not claiming the throne would shackle his heart.

Only by seizing his destiny could he break free.

This was not just a claim to power—

It was the first step toward true ascension.

And so, he did not hesitate.

He declared himself Emperor.