CHAPTER 540: CHAPTER 540. THE END OF THE TRIAL

After making sure that Huang Zhan was dead, Amon used the password to end the trial. The trial space shut down, and everyone was sent outside, even the corpses of those who were dead.

King Huang Ti and Prime Minister Zhu Yao were there in the courtyard. Huang Ti had just received the report that Huang Zhan had fallen. He was still processing his grief when Huang Zhan’s headless corpse appeared before him. He looked around the pile of corpses and saw Huang Zi among them.

He had already been through a grieving period for Huang Zi these past few days, but seeing his deceased son in person was like opening an old wound. Despite his incredible cultivation, he still felt his knees go weak from the sight. He wobbled, and Zhu Yao held his arm to steady him.

Huang Ti whispered weakly, "This trial is supposed to keep them alive... but I lost two sons instead..."

Zhu Yao consoled the grieving king while signaling the nearby soldiers to attend to the corpses. The surviving members of the two teams stood there waiting. While waiting, Amon looked at the two robed officers operating the artifact’s platform. One was different from the officer when they entered the trial space, while the second was still the same person. Amon had his eyes on this second officer.

Amon knew immediately this second officer was Huang Zhan’s operative, who helped the deceased prince manipulate the space inside the trial. Amon knew because of the officer’s expression. The officer was staring at Huang Zhan’s corpse with a pale face.

This second officer was Zhong Yuan. He was at a loss when the screen he was monitoring showed that Amon’s team suddenly popped up inside the trial stage where Huang Zhan and Huang Er’s teams were. He became worried when Huang Zhan’s members lost their life signals one by one, and was shocked when it was Huang Zhan’s turn.

He was hoping it was a technical malfunction, but Huang Zhan’s corpse doused his hope. When he noticed Amon’s stare, he panicked. He somehow knew that his secret tampering with the artifact had been exposed. He looked around and tried to make an excuse to leave the room.

Amon chuckled at Zhong Yuan’s attempt. He whispered something to Huang San, who then called the soldiers who stood by nearby. The soldiers proceeded to chase Zhong Yuan, who had just exited the courtyard using an excuse to go to the restroom.

After the corpses were cleared, Huang Ti and Zhu Yao came before the surviving members. The king seemed more composed now. He looked at the teams before gesturing to the remaining robed officer beside the trial artifact.

The officer came forward with a bow. He then announced the final scores from the two teams, "The victory points of the two remaining teams are as follows. Princess Huang Er’s team, forty-one victory points. Prince Huang San’s team, fifty victory points. The winner of the Ancient Ascension Trial is Prince Huang San!!"

Many court officials came to the courtyard after they received the news that the trial had ended. They were both shocked and confused when they heard the announcement. The underdog of the contest had somehow become the champion.

Instead of cheering, the courtyard was filled with silence after the announcement. Many officials had the same thought that perhaps the robed officer had made a mistake. Perhaps he had carelessly swapped the victory points between Princess Huang Er and Prince Huang San. It should be Princess Huang Er who had the higher points.

But after further observation, they noticed that out of the four teams, Huang San’s team had the most surviving team members. Two teams were completely wiped out, while Princess Huang Er’s team had only three surviving members.

The gloomy atmosphere continued to loom over the courtyard. No celebratory cry was heard. Even King Huang Ti, who should be happy because the descendant he rooted for had won, didn’t show a happy face. The first thing he asked the surviving teams was, "You, who are inside. Tell me how Huang Zi and Huang Zhan died."

Huang San stepped forward and answered, "Father, Brother Huang Zi was killed by Brother Huang Zhan. Huang Zhan somehow manipulated the trial and caused us to be unable to use the Escape Stones. He also had a way to locate and intrude on the trial stage with other teams. That’s how he engaged Brother Huang Zi’s team. He also almost killed Sister Huang Er."

"Is that true?" Huang Ti asked Huang Er.

Huang Er nodded. "It is as Brother Huang San said. Though I don’t see Brother Huang Zhan killing Brother Huang Zi with my own eyes, he admitted to the deed. Father, he was also the one who assassinated the first and third brothers. He was a monster who cared not for his family and was willing to do anything for his ambition. You do not need to pity his passing."

Huang Ti nodded absent-mindedly. Even though Huang Zhan was a heartless monster, he was still his son. It was easier said than done to tell him not to grieve.

Huang Er added, "He was also hell-bent on taking my life before Brother Huang San came to my rescue."

"You did?" Huang Ti turned to Huang San.

"I only did what had to be done. I can’t let Brother Huang Zhan murder Sister Huang Er and not lift a finger to prevent that," Huang San said. He glanced momentarily at Yang Li before continuing, "Sadly, I ended up killing Brother Huang Zhan during the confrontation. I’m sorry, father. It is my fault that the eighth brother died."

"He has no choice, father. That monster is trying to kill both of us," Huang Er defended Huang San.

"Since it is that way, I can’t blame you, San Er," Huang Ti uttered. "I am just glad that the two of you are alive."

"It was thanks to Brother Huang San that I am still alive," Huang Er said. "If it is he who is crowned the next king, I will support him with all my heart."

Huang Ti nodded. He told Huang San, "Congratulations, San Er. You have gone through the trial left behind by our ancestors. So, you can be said to have been blessed by our ancestors to take up the mantle of rulership of this country. The only thing that is lacking from you is your cultivation. Thus, I will... hm...? How are you...?"

Upon Huang Ti’s remark, some from the audience started to notice the oddity. Huang San’s six-person team entered with only one Spirit Stage cultivator among the six. The five surviving members were now all Spirit Stage cultivators.

Zhu Yao made an expression that he realized something. He asked, "Could your cultivation improvement be due to the grand prize from the master vault?"

Huang San nodded. "That is indeed the case," he answered. "We somehow stumbled upon the master vault space and were granted a boon that improved our cultivation."

"If that is the case, then it is inarguable that you have been blessed by our ancestor," Huang Ti said with a satisfied tone. The grief weighing upon him had slightly reduced from learning this news. "Even so, I still have a treasure that can help your cultivation further. It is a treasure I saved for the trial winner. Come with me, it will take you a full week to utilize this treasure."

"Thank you, father," Huang San said as he walked to Huang Ti’s side.

Huang Ti addressed the rest of the people in the courtyard. "The Gods and Huang Clan’s ancestors had spoken! Huang San will be the next king of Echos. You will respect and obey him as your sovereign as you did me. His crowning ceremony will commence next week!"

After the announcement, Huang Ti left the courtyard with Huang San.

Zhu Yao talked with Princess Huang Er for a bit before approaching Amon and the others. He said, "You have all done well. You have helped your liege and won this ascension trial. I am sure he will reward you handsomely after his coronation. For now, take some rest and celebrate. You will be expected to attend the coronation. You have a hand in Prince Huang San’s success, after all."

Zhu Yao left after delivering the message. Once he left, Wu Di no longer contained himself. He jumped with a fist high in the air and exclaimed, "Hell, yeah! We did it! We truly did it!! Holy shit, I was honestly worried when he told us the consequences if we failed this trial. I have been thinking about which country I should flee to after leaving the trial."

Xin Wuming and Yang Li rolled their eyes at him. "You are preparing to lose? How about you go die instead," Xin Wuming scolded.

"Yo, man. I simply find our target impossible. What’s wrong with preparing for the worst?" Wu Di argued.

"There is nothing impossible for Big Brother Amon!!" Xin Wuming exclaimed.

"I’m sorry to have brought this up. Please consider it my fault," Wu Di said. He preferred to accept defeat rather than go through the hassle of quarrelling about the matter.

While they were celebrating their victory, one man among the court officials displayed a pale face. This man was Senior Minister Pu Zhang.