134: Chapter 134 Queen's Birthday? Server-wide Buff

Holy Light City was bustling right from the early morning.

Golden palace lanterns were hung all the way from the main gate of the palace to the end of the main street. The ground was covered in red carpets, and even the guards on the city walls had changed into brand-new ceremonial armor.

Today was Su Ninghua's birthday.

Nobles, officials, and city lords from all over had arrived at the Imperial Capital in advance. Even many players were crowding the square outside the palace, craning their necks to look inside, and the world channel was already flooded with messages.

"Has the Queen's birthday state banquet started yet?"

"I heard that the big shot Lin Zhe is going to sit next to the main seat. Is that true or false?"

"Nonsense, he's the Prince Regent! Who in the Empire doesn't know that Lin Zhe calls the shots now?"

"I just want to know if there are any perks being given out today!"

Inside the palace's great hall.

Gilded palace lanterns hung high, long tables were lined up, and they were filled to the brim with delicacies.

The civil and military officials stood on both sides, their faces full of respect. Even the old nobles who usually loved to put on airs were honestly keeping their heads down, and no one dared to utter a single word of nonsense.

Su Ninghua, dressed in a black and gold imperial robe, sat at the head.

She wasn't as cold as usual today; there was a rare hint of softness in her eyes, though her imperial majesty still kept the entire hall from daring to breathe too loudly.

And the most prominent seat to her right was empty.

That was reserved for Lin Zhe.

"The Prince Regent has arrived—"

A loud shout rang out from outside the hall.

Everyone turned their heads in unison.

Lin Zhe, wearing simple cloth clothes and looking calm, walked slowly into the great hall.

No luxurious robes. No exaggerated honor guard.

But the moment he entered, the atmosphere in the entire great hall seemed to quiet down.

Su Ninghua's gaze fell on him immediately, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, and she stood up halfway.

"Sir, come here."

When these words fell, the hearts of countless officials below pounded wildly.

The Queen personally stood up to welcome him! This treatment was unique across the entire Human Empire!

Lin Zhe walked to her side and sat down. The two sat side by side, their positions almost level.

Many officials' eyelids twitched at the sight, but no one dared to make a sound.

Soon, the state banquet officially began. The Ministry of Rites Official stepped forward first to announce the gifts.

"The East Territory City Lord presents one purple-gold coral!"

"The South Territory Chamber of Commerce presents three hundred high-grade magic cores!"

"The West Territory Marquis Mansion presents ten thousand-year-old snow lotuses!"

One gift after another was presented, all of high value. Su Ninghua only nodded faintly, her expression calm.

Until the Ministry of Rites Official's voice changed, carrying a hint of obvious solemnity.

"The Prince Regent, his gift—"

Every gaze in the hall instantly fell on Lin Zhe. Even the players watching the commotion via the live stream outside the hall got excited.

"It's here, it's here!" "I bet the big shot won't send anything ordinary!" "Nonsense, can anything from the big shot Lin Zhe be ordinary?"

Under countless gazes, Lin Zhe raised his hand. Hum— Pale golden rule patterns instantly spread out from his fingertips.

The next second, a golden light screen suddenly lit up over the entire Holy Light City! The light screen spread out in an instant, directly covering the entire territory of the Human Empire!

The officials in the great hall were all stunned. The players outside were even more chaotic.

Immediately after, a bright red notification popped up in front of all players within the entire Human Empire.

[Notification: Due to Queen Su Ninghua's birthday, the Prince Regent Lin Zhe grants a blessing to the entire Empire!]

[All players in the Human Empire receive a 3-day 10% EXP boost buff!]

[Duration: 72 hours!]

For an instant. The entire server went quiet for half a second. Then, it exploded!

The world channel was completely flooded; you couldn't see any other text.

"Holy crap!! An EXP buff!! And for three days!!" "10% EXP boost? Isn't this even crazier than an official event?" "The Queen has a birthday, and we all get to feast?" "Big shot Lin Zhe is awesome! This gift is too insane!!" "Huge profit! This wave is a huge profit!"

Outside Holy Light City, countless players were ecstatic on the spot. Players who were halfway through leveling up saw the golden buff light up above their heads and were so excited they almost jumped up on the spot.

A party leader grouping up at the entrance of a dungeon shouted, "Start grinding! We're grinding all night! The EXP is free!"

There were also a bunch of players frantically taking screenshots and posting them on the forum, with titles like: [Queen's birthday, big shot Lin Zhe directly gives a server-wide EXP buff!]

Inside the great hall, the civil and military officials were also dumbfounded. You can give gifts like this?

Others' gifts were rare treasures. Lin Zhe's gift was a direct benefit to all players in the Human Empire!

This time, the spectacle was maxed out. Su Ninghua looked at Lin Zhe, her eyes noticeably brighter.

But Lin Zhe's actions hadn't stopped. He flipped his palm. A pale golden pendant slowly emerged.

The pendant wasn't large, like a drop of solidified golden light, with rule patterns slowly flowing inside; just one look at it was enough to make one's heart tremble.

Lin Zhe handed the pendant to Su Ninghua, his voice calm. "This is for you." "It contains three layers of rule protection." "It can grant immunity to three fatal injuries."

Boom! The brains of many officials in the hall buzzed. Immunity to three fatal injuries?! Such a thing was no longer an ordinary treasure. This was a true life-saving divine item!

Su Ninghua reached out and took the pendant, her fingertips tightening slightly.

She had always been decisive in killing and accustomed to great storms, but at this moment, looking at the warm rule pendant in her hand, her heart still trembled violently.

This was the birthday gift Lin Zhe gave her. Not for anyone else. It was for her alone.

She looked up at Lin Zhe, the emotions originally suppressed in her eyes almost overflowing.

That kind of admiration, reliance, and indescribable joy could even be seen by the Ministry of Rites Official standing nearby.

The cold system notification sound also rang in Lin Zhe's mind on time.

[Ding! Detected that the favorability of the top-tier female NPC, Human Empire Queen Su Ninghua, has increased to 98!]

[Third Bond progress increased!] [Current progress: 90%!]

Lin Zhe's eyes moved slightly, but he didn't speak.

Su Ninghua had already slowly stood up. In front of all the civil and military officials, she personally put the rule pendant around her own neck.

The golden pendant rested between her collarbones, light flowing across it. The entire hall was dead silent.

Everyone could see that this was no longer as simple as just receiving a gift.

The next second, Su Ninghua's gaze swept across the hall, her voice cold yet incredibly firm.

"Today, taking advantage of my birthday, I have one more thing to announce."

The civil and military officials all bowed their heads in unison.

"From this day forward, within the Human Empire, all new rules, new benefits, new events, and new adjustments—"

"Whether they involve military affairs, government affairs, trade routes, secret realms, or any announcements aimed at players."

"Must all be approved by the Prince Regent first before they can take effect."

"Without the Prince Regent's permission, no one is allowed to make changes without authorization."

When these words fell, the entire great hall exploded in everyone's hearts.

This was no longer just favoritism. This was openly handing over half of the Empire—no, the most core power—completely into Lin Zhe's hands!

From now on, all new rules in the Empire must pass through Lin Zhe first! Who would dare to disagree? And who could disagree?

After a brief silence, the Minister of Rites was the first to kneel, his voice trembling.

"Your subject complies with the decree!"

Immediately after. Clatter— The civil and military officials knelt all over the floor.

"We comply with the decree!" "Long live the Prince Regent!" "The Queen is wise!"

And the players outside who saw this scene via the live stream were completely crazy. The world channel was flooded until the server lagged.

"Holy crap! Isn't this an official announcement!" "The Queen is being too direct this time!" "From now on, all new Empire rules need big shot Lin Zhe's nod? That's freaking awesome!" "If this isn't a couple, I'll eat my terminal!" "Today is a double celebration! We saw an official announcement and got a three-day EXP buff, huge profit!" "Who gets it? I'm leveling up while shipping the CP, it's so satisfying!"

Inside the great hall, Su Ninghua listened to the cheers faintly coming from outside, her ear tips slightly red, but she had no intention of taking back what she had just said.

She looked at Lin Zhe, her eyes extremely bright, and spoke softly. "Sir, I really like this birthday gift."

Lin Zhe glanced at her indifferently, the corners of his mouth moving slightly. "As long as you like it."

Just at this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. A guard rushed to the door and reported while bowing.

"Your Majesty, Prince Regent!" "The people from the Official Operations Department have arrived with urgent documents, saying they have important matters to discuss!"