CHAPTER 686: CORONATION CEREMONY

The day after Mark’s shocking victory in the arena, the atmosphere in the sect had yet to settle. Whispers filled the air as disciples looked at him with a mix of awe and wariness. He was no longer just the grandson of a traitor and the man with the blessing of the Phoenix and Blizzard Pegasus; he was now the sect head, a title that carried weight, legacy, and responsibility.

Mark was in his residence, meditating. He was going through his plans over and over again in his head. But a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he called.

The door creaked open, revealing Lan Xia standing in the doorway. Her eyes held a knowing warmth as she stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Her presence was a welcome balm to the chaos swirling around him.

Mark smiled faintly as she approached and sat down on a cushion across from him. He gestured toward the small table where a pot of freshly brewed tea sat. "Tea?"

Lan Xia nodded, and Mark poured the hot liquid into two cups. They sat in silence for a moment, each savoring the warmth of the tea. It was the kind of quiet companionship that neither of them needed to speak to understand. But after a few moments, Lan Xia broke the silence.

"So," she began, her voice steady, "now that you’ve become the Sect Head, what are your plans?"

Mark placed his cup down, his fingers tracing the rim of the porcelain. He leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable as he glanced at Lan Xia.

"Well," he started slowly, "I have a few plans, and they are... quite bold." He turned his gaze to meet hers, his eyes dark with determination. "But they’re only possible if I have your support."

Lan Xia smiled softly, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Whatever you say, husband. You have my support, always."

The sincerity in her voice hit him harder than he expected, a knot of gratitude forming in his chest. With Lan Xia by his side, he felt like there was nothing he couldn’t achieve.

Taking a deep breath, Mark then spoke of his plan. "You see... tomorrow, after the coronation ceremony, I plan to..."

As Lan Xia kept on listening, her facial expression changed from surprise to shock, and then to a frown, finally struck by panic.

"You really plan on doing this?"

Mark shrugged, "So, do I have your support?"

Lan Xia let out a heavy sigh in the end. "I know that you aren’t the type to take a gamble over an unknown result. I’m going to trust you that you know what you were doing."

Mark let out a smile. "Thank you."

The next morning, as the sun cast golden rays across the sect, a knock echoed at Mark’s door again.

This time, it was the Imperial Envoy who had come to deliver his message. The man was dressed in the regal robes of the Heavenly Ocean Empire, his demeanor stiff and formal as he stepped into Mark’s residence.

He handed over a sealed scroll, the emblem of the Imperial Palace embossed on the front.

"This," the envoy said with a solemn tone, "is an invitation to the Imperial Banquet. His Majesty, the Emperor, requests your presence."

Mark took the scroll but did not open it. Instead, he eyed the envoy with a bemused expression. The envoy waited, unsure whether to speak.

Mark raised an eyebrow and calmly set the scroll back on the table.

"You can keep this invitation for now," Mark said, his voice even. "Wait for the coronation ceremony. After that, hand it to me then."

The envoy blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? This invitation is for your presence now—His Majesty has already given his blessing for you to attend."

Mark leaned forward, his voice sharp with subtle authority. "No. You’ve had that scroll with you since yesterday, yet you didn’t give it to me until now. That tells me one thing."

The envoy frowned, unsure of what Mark was getting at.

"You didn’t hand it over immediately because you were waiting for the outcome of the battle," Mark continued, his gaze piercing. "If I had lost, I’d have been seen as unworthy. Perhaps the invitation would have been a formality, a way to bury the hatchet with the Fourth Prince. Or worse, perhaps it was meant to force me to apologize to him in front of the Emperor."

The envoy’s expression faltered, but he said nothing.

Mark’s smile grew colder. "But now that I’m the Head of Ancient Lan Sect, the leader of the Azure Frost Dominion, the invitation doesn’t come to Lan Zhen; it comes to the Sect Leader. And the Sect Leader doesn’t bow to any royal authority, not even to the Third-Stage Transcendent who thinks he’s untouchable."

The envoy shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Mark’s words sinking in.

Mark continued. "So, go back to your superiors, consult them. Decide whether you want to give me this invitation or not. But know this: if you give it to me now, it will be at my terms, not theirs."

The envoy stood in stunned silence for a moment. He clearly didn’t expect such boldness from the newly ascended sect head. His lips parted to speak, but no words came out. He looked at Mark, the tension hanging between them like a thick fog.

Mark stood up slowly, his gaze steady. "You may leave now. And remember... the invitation depends on the outcome of the coronation."

The envoy bowed stiffly, though his expression was tight with a mix of disbelief and respect. He turned and walked out, leaving Mark alone with his thoughts.

Once the envoy left, Mark stood by the window, staring out at the vast expanse of the Azure Frost Dominion stretching out before him. The Sect was his, but that wasn’t enough. He needed more. He needed to expand his influence, to protect his family and create a future for them in this turbulent world.

The morning of the coronation ceremony was bathed in the golden light of dawn, a rare, auspicious sight that seemed to promise a new beginning for the Lan Clan. The air hummed with anticipation as the clan prepared for the momentous occasion—the installation of a new Clan Head, Mark, who had, in a short span of time, claimed both the title and the respect of all within the sect.

The grand courtyard of the Lan Clan was filled with guests from far and wide, each arriving to witness the elevation of the new Clan Head, who recently became the Clan heir.

The marble ground gleamed under the clear skies, and banners of azure and silver fluttered from every pillar and archway. Ornate lanterns adorned the sides, casting a faint golden glow that seemed to shimmer with the power of the moment.

This wasn’t just a coronation; for the sect disciples, it was the beginning of a new era.

Mark stood at the central stage, wearing the ceremonial robes of the Clan. The Blizzard Pegasus emblem on his chest shone brilliantly in the sun, catching the light and reflecting it back onto the gathered crowd.

The ceremony followed the old traditions.

At the far end of the courtyard, the Sect Head, Lan Yujin, stood with the rest of the Elder Council, his face calm but stern. His hands were clasped behind his back, eyes forward, and his posture was one of deep respect for the customs of his clan. Beside him stood Lan Yuxuan, the Grand Elder, her eyes sharp and observant, betraying no emotion as she watched Mark prepare for his swearing-in.

Around them, the other Clan Heads of the Azure Frost Dominion had gathered, dressed in elaborate robes that bore their clan’s colors and sigils. They sat in a semicircle, some chatting in low voices, others meditating in preparation for the ceremony.

Mark stood before an ancient altar made of white jade. In the center of the altar, a glowing ice crystal stood, glowing brightly under the sunlight.

The Ceremony began with Lan Yujin stepping forward while holding a jade scroll in his hands, the scroll that would mark the official transfer of power. The Clan Head’s Mantle, once worn by him, was draped over his arm.

"Lan Zhen, son of Lan Jingyi, grandson of Lan Gengxin, and the direct descendant of Lan Yujin," Lan Yujin intoned, his voice carrying through the courtyard, "you stand before us today not just as a warrior, not just as the bearer of ancient blood, but as a man who has earned the right to lead this clan."

Mark bowed his head respectfully, his expression calm, betraying none of the intensity that swirled within him.

With a slow and deliberate motion, Lan Yujin unrolled the jade scroll and read aloud the ancient oath of leadership. His voice resonated with power, echoing the weight of the Clan’s history.

"I, Lan Yujin, Head of the Ancient Lan Sect and the leader of Azure Frost Dominion, do hereby swear before the heavens, the earth, and the ancestors, that this man, Lan Zhen, will hold dominion over our people. With his strength, wisdom, and the blessings of the Blizzard Pegasus, he shall lead us into the future. May his rule be guided by honor, and may the strength of our ancestors protect him in his journey."

As the words were spoken, Mark’s heart thundered in his chest, but his face remained serene.

Lan Yujin then turned to the gathered clan heads and elders. "Do any of you dispute this?"

The elders exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement, while others remained silent, their approval—or disapproval—hidden behind their stoic expressions.