Chapter 16: Crowning Ceremony Gone Wrong Pt.1

The day has finally come. Today was the day where Crown Prince, Chen Biming, finally became the official King of the Heavenly Realm. The whole Heavenly Realm was in a complete ruckus, especially the Royal Court.

Cat Spirit servants were running around trying to make preparations and organise the venue, while Heavenly Officials were assembling all the guards to tighten security. On a day such as this, they had to make sure nothing goes wrong. Everything had to be perfect.

Even the Academy called off all of the day's classes and instead gave everyone a group lecture on how to behave and show respect during the Ceremony. The Angels and Spirits were overly excited and couldn't wait. The Demons on the other hand, groaned and looked like they couldn't wait to get it over and done with.

"As you all know, today is an extremely special day so I need you all on your utmost behaviour. We will be leaving shortly," Headmaster Shen announced.

After a whole lot of bustling and running about, everyone had finally gotten everything in order and were just about ready to leave. "We will be travelling in groups, so the first years will head in first, then the second years and then the third," Headmaster Shen said before clapping his hands together and muttering an incantation.

Next moment, a giant portal formed in front of them. Those who had never seen portals before, stared in awe at the swirling, purple, mirror-like wall. 

"All right, you can start leading in," Headmaster Shen said once the portal was complete.

They all nodded their heads and the first years hesitantly started to walk through the glistening portal. When it was the second year's turn, Wei Jinhai nervously walked forward and closed his eyes as he entered. It was his first time travelling by portal after all.

It didn't take long before Wei Jinhai could feel the cool breeze lightly against his cheek. He opened his eyes and immediately started to gape at his surroundings. They were currently standing in an extremely large courtyard. There were large banners and streamers hanging everywhere and flower petals of many colors were scattered neatly on the floor. Cat Spirits could also be seen scurrying about, adding new decorations and replacing other ones.

Wei Jinhai turned around and noticed there was also an enormous palace with a terrace facing the courtyard. 'Is this the Heavenly Palace?' Wei Jinhai wondered.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Headmaster Shen confirmed his guess. Once all the teachers arrived, he announced with a beam on his face, "Welcome to the Heavenly Palace."

Wei Jinhai was utterly speechless. Was he seriously standing in the courtyard of the Heavenly Palace?! He never thought he'd ever be able to set foot anywhere near the Royal Court. Yet, here he was, standing with both feet outside the Heavenly Palace's gate. It truly was unimaginable! 

Wei Jinhai was still stuck in a trance, when someone walked beside him and commented, "If you don't close your mouth a fly will fly in." 

He quickly closed his mouth and looked next to him. A smile crept to his lips once he recognised the pale blonde next to him. Wei Jinhai laughed, "If it does, then that means it just wants to be eaten." 

Chen Liwei pulled a face of disgust, causing Wei Jinhai to laugh even more. "All right, all right, jokes aside. Are you excited for the ceremony?" 

Chen Liwei gave him a weird look and said, "It's my brother that's getting crowned. Why wouldn't I be?" 

Wei Jinhai mentally slapped himself. How could he forget the one getting crowned was Chen Liwei's very own brother! How else was he supposed to answer?

Wei Jinhai smiled sheepishly, "Sorry. I keep forgetting you're brothers." 

"Don't be. I'd actually prefer it if you forgot about it completely," Chen Liwei answered.

Wei Jinhai thought this was a rather weird response, but before he could press on, Headmaster Shen started making announcements so he wasn't able to ask more about it.

"Maybe it'd be better if I don't ask. This is a more private question and I shouldn't be too nosy," Wei Jinhai thought.

Headmaster Shen's voice boomed, "It's time we all start getting into position. The Ceremony will begin shortly. Arrangements are as follow: Angels in the front, Spirits in the middle and Demons at the back. Us teachers will be standing behind you students, so that we will be able to keep an eye on all of you."

Everyone did as the headmaster said and started to organise themselves into three orderly rows. Wei Jinhai was kind of disappointed that he won't be able to stand with Chen Liwei during the ceremony, but he quickly got over it and went to look for Qi Chaoxing and Mo Dingbang instead.

"Well look who decided to show up. I nearly thought you were going to ditch us completely to stay with that Chen Liwei," Qi Chaoxing said, trying to sound offended.

Wei Jinhai rolled his eyes, "As if I'd ever ditch you guys." 

Qi Chaoxing smirked, "Mhm, so it wasn't the teachers that made you come back here?" 

Wei Jinhai laughed with a tinge of guilt, "What? Of course not...ha ha...ha..." 

Qi Chaoxing didn't say anything else and also just laughed. 

More people started to enter the courtyard, some by portals and others not. Soon, the whole courtyard was almost fully packed. There were many different people there. Most of them were the people of the Heavenly Realm, but there were many noble families from each Spiritual race there as well. It was only the Demon Realm that didn't show up, whether intentional or not. The only demons present, were the demon students of the Spiritual Training Academy.

Once all the guests have settled in, the Heavenly Officials created a powerful ward around the premises. This was probably to try and keep all the unwanted troubles and guests out.

Once they were positive the ward was strong enough, they gave the signal for the ceremony to start. Everybody immediately turned their heads to face the terrace. Wei Jinhai wasn't sure where to look, so he just followed everyone else and stood facing the terrace.

Not long after, three rather old men in long, draping robes walked onto the terrace. All three of them wore grim expressions on their faces, which made people question if they were attending a funeral instead of a crowning ceremony.

Wei Jinhai felt like he recognised them from somewhere, but just couldn't figure out where or when. As he was still busy thinking, another man entered. This time, Wei Jinhai immediately recognised him. It was none other than the Crown Prince's uncle, who was also the king of the Heavenly Realm!

It was Wei Jinhai's first time ever seeing the King in person, other than in the history books at school. He must admit, the King looked completely different from what he pictured.

He imagined this big, strong, ruthless and despicable tyrant of a King. Instead, the real King was wearing a gentle smile. He also had very soft facial features which made him look much more approachable. Or maybe it was all an act. Who knows?

The King looked to his side and gave another smile. A beautiful maiden with fair skin, emerald green eyes and flowing long, pale blonde hair walked out onto the terrace as well. Following right behind her was a guy that looked like the older version of Chen Liwei. 

They both had the exact same shade of hair and eyes. Wei Jinhai didn't even need to think twice before knowing that he was the Crown Prince Chen Biming. The young lady that stood next to Chen Biming held a very similar resemblance to Chen Liwei as well. She must be his older sister.

The Royal Family consisted of three children. The oldest being Chen Biming and youngest was Chen Liwei, so that maiden must be the middle daughter, Chen Jiali.

Their uncle beamed when he saw Chen Biming arrive. He then cleared his throat and announced, "You cannot believe how happy I am to be standing here right now. I still can't get over the fact that my little nephew has finally grown up and is about to be King." 

He then turned towards Chen Biming and said, "I believe you will make a fine leader, just like your father." 

Chen Biming gave a small smile in response, "Thank you, Uncle. I promise to be a righteous ruler and live up to Father's name." 

Their Uncle, Chen Jingye, smiled back then turned to the three elders. "Elder Hong, the Crowning Ceremony may now commence."

The elder in blood red robes nodded his head then stepped forward. He gave a light cough and said, "Let the Crowning Ceremony of His Royal Highness, Chen Biming, begin. Step forward young man. Today, you will no longer be a Prince, but a King. A ruler, a leader. You must take this oath and seal it with a drop of your Royal blood. Are you ready?" 

With all the confidence he had, Chen Biming said, "I am."

Elder Hong continued, "Very well. Do you promise to be a fair and righteous ruler?"

Chen Biming said firmly, "I do." 

"A man of strength and virtue?" 

"I do." 

"Do you swear to never be vain or hold malicious intentions towards another?" 

"I do." 

"Do you swear to always put your people first and do what's best for them?" 

"I do." 

"Now, to seal this oath, you need to drop a bit of your blood onto this stone. This stone has all the vows engraved into it. Each King has to drop some of their blood onto it to show that they will forever live by these vows and are willing to die for their people." 

Without any hesitance, Chen Biming unsheathed his sword and pricked his finger. He then let the red liquid drip onto the stone. The blood then burst into flames and vanished like it had never been there in the first place.

Elder Hong looked satisfied by this and said, "The Gods have accepted you. If they didn't think you were fit to be King, the blood would've stayed there." 

Uncle Chen Jingye looked greatly satisfied as well and Chen Jiali beamed and congratulated her brother. Elder Hong then added, "Now that you have been accepted, I will officially crown you." 

The other elder in green robes stepped up and presented a magnificent golden crown. It was quite plain with just a few gems, yet it still looked extremely impressive.

Elder Hong picked the crown up and Chen Biming went down on one knee. Elder Hong gave a very small smile and announced, "Today, there will officially be a new ruler of the Heavenly Realm. Prince Chen Biming, I now present you this crown and announce you King." 

Just as Elder Hong was about to place the crown on Chen Biming's head, an arrow was shot out of nowhere and knocked the crown out of his hand.

Horrified screams could be heard from the crowd. "What's going on!" Uncle Chen Jingye boomed.

The Heavenly Officials held the exact same confused expressions on their faces. "I-I don't know! The wards weren't breached or damaged, so nobody broke in!" One of the guards on duty exclaimed.

While everyone was busy panicking, Wei Jinhai felt something off. The Demonic energy was way too strong. Chen Biming must have also noticed this and yelled, "GET DOWN!" 

Suddenly, hundreds of arrows came shooting towards them.