149: Chapter 149: Bonds at Full Strength? The Third Prince Officially Announced

The metallic scent of blood in the pharmacy had not yet dissipated, and the last nest of the Remnants of the Three Clans had just been dragged away to the death cells.

The night outside the side hall pressed down heavily, yet Holy Light City was not quiet at all. The hype generated by the Crown Prince was still fermenting; rounds of fireworks went off one after another in the plaza, and the world channel was filled with blessings and gifts. Everyone knew that the heavens of the Human Empire had completely changed.

When Lin Zhe returned to the side hall, the Dragon Letter on the table was still churning with crimson dragon qi.

Chi Lie remained kneeling outside the door, his head buried extremely low. He didn't dare to urge him, nor did he dare to retreat.

Just as Lin Zhe sat down, the sound of light footsteps echoed outside the hall door again.

It wasn't a guard.

It was Su Ninghua.

She had changed out of the black-and-gold imperial robes she wore during the court assembly and was now dressed in a waist-cinching black long dress. Her long hair draped behind her shoulders, making her look a bit less like a high-and-mighty, majestic monarch and a bit more soft, a side of her rarely seen on ordinary days.

But her eyes were very bright.

Startlingly bright.

“Everyone, withdraw.”

She spoke indifferently.

The female officials and guards stationed at the door immediately bowed their heads and retreated far away. Even Chi Lie subconsciously prostrated himself lower, not daring to steal even half a glance inside.

Only two people remained in the side hall.

Su Ninghua walked up to Lin Zhe. She didn't stand as formally as she usually did, nor did she offer any superfluous preamble.

She looked at him, her voice very soft yet very direct.

“Regarding that bowl of medicine today... if not for you, I, and everything about the future, might have been destroyed.”

Lin Zhe looked up at her, his expression calm. “With me here, nothing will happen.”

The corners of Su Ninghua’s lips twitched slightly, as if she wanted to smile, or perhaps as if she were suppressing some emotion.

In the next second, she suddenly took half a step forward and pressed her hand onto Lin Zhe's shoulder.

The distance between them closed instantly.

She stared at Lin Zhe, and within those cool eyes, there was no longer the slightest concealment.

“Lin Zhe, I am not thanking you.”

“I am telling you.”

“From the day you stepped into Holy Light City, what I wanted was not just a Prince Regent, nor just someone who could help me suppress the court and stabilize the empire.”

“What I want is you.”

“The future of the Human Empire—I am willing to hand it over to you.”

“And myself as well.”

The moment those words fell, the air in the side hall seemed to vibrate violently.

Before Lin Zhe could even speak, the system notification in his mind boomed like an explosion.

[Ding! Detected top-tier female NPC Su Ninghua's favorability at 100%. Third Bond trigger progress at 100%. Conception conditions met. The third son, Lin Zhao, has officially begun conception!]

[Ding! Detecting scion's initial grade: epic grade!]

[Ding! Identity binding complete: Crown Prince of the Human Empire!]

[Ding! Upon birth, Lin Zhao will be able to control the military power, financial power, and Power of Rules adjustment rights of the entire Human Empire!]

Boom!

A blazing golden pillar of light rose into the sky from the side hall without warning, instantly piercing through the palace dome and shooting straight into the night sky!

The entire Holy Light City suddenly lit up!

Chi Lie, outside the door, was shaken by that aura. He jerked his head up, his face full of horror.

Inside and outside the palace, countless guards, female officials, and players all stopped what they were doing at the same time.

In the next second, a server-wide bright red pinned announcement popped up, the crimson characters shining for a full thirty seconds!

[Server-wide Announcement: The third son of the Human Empire has officially begun conception!]

[Scion Name: Lin Zhao!]

[Initial Grade: epic grade NPC!]

[Identity Binding: Crown Prince of the Human Empire!]

[After this scion is born, he will control the military power, financial power, and Power of Rules adjustment rights of the entire Human Empire!]

[This announcement is being broadcast simultaneously to all 12 billion players across the server!]

Buzz—

The entire server lagged for three seconds.

The world channel was a blank void at first.

Then, it completely exploded!

“Holy shit!! It's really happening!!”

“The third son! The Third Prince! The official announcement is real!”

“Lin Zhao! Even the name is out!”

“epic grade! And he's the Crown Prince of the Human Empire! This starting point is way too brutal!”

“Military power, financial power, and rule adjustment rights were all given? This kid is born as the Imperial Crown Prince plus half an Emperor!”

“Stop spamming! Everyone gather at Holy Light City Plaza! Set off the fireworks!!”

“I knew something big was going to happen tonight! I bought my fireworks ages ago!”

Messages on the world channel surged up like crazy, moving so fast they were impossible to read clearly.

The Holy Light City Plaza was even more chaotic.

Countless players were howling like ghosts while throwing fireworks into the sky, which exploded into a continuous roar. Next to the small mountain of gifts piled up earlier, a new heap of presents was thrown—herbs, monster cores, scrolls, forging materials—piled up as if they cost nothing.

Some mage players even raised their staves, condensing a row of even larger golden characters in the night sky.

“The Third Prince Lin Zhao, the most prestigious entrance!”

A wild roar instantly erupted from the plaza.

“Congratulations to Big Boss Lin Zhe!”

“Congratulations to the Queen!”

“Congratulations to the Third Prince!”

“From now on, if anyone dares to mess with the Human Empire, they'll have to ask the future Crown Prince if he allows it first!”

In the side hall, Su Ninghua’s breath hitched from the shock of that system announcement.

Although she had long understood that this step would come sooner or later, when the moment actually arrived and she saw the golden light shooting into the night sky, seeing the entire server boiling over because of the bond between her and Lin Zhe, her chest still surged with sudden warmth.

She subconsciously placed her hand on her lower abdomen, her eyes revealing an undisguised softness for the first time.

“Lin Zhao...”

She softly murmured the name.

Lin Zhe looked at her, his lips curving into a very faint arc.

Just then, a new system notification dropped again.

[Ding! Host's Power of Rules +3%. Current permissions further upgraded!]

[Ding! New permission unlocked: Human Empire Territory-wide Rule Adjustment Rights!]

[Ding! The host can now perform higher-level adjustments to dungeons, events, tax rates, drop rates, and entry rules within the scope of the Human Empire!]

In an instant, the web of rules for the entire Human Empire became even clearer in Lin Zhe's perception.

From Holy Light City to the border fortresses, from the Royal Hunting Ground to various major cities, from player tax rates to trade route parameters—it all fell into his vision like the lines on a palm spread out before him.

As long as he wished, he could change them with a single thought.

This was no longer simple control.

This was completely grasping the lifeblood of the Human Empire's rules.

Outside the side hall, the carnival on the world channel continued.

Inside the side hall, Su Ninghua slowly raised her head to look at Lin Zhe. Her voice was lower, yet even more firm.

“From today onward, Lin Zhao is not only the future of the empire, but also the proof between you and me that no one can ever touch.”

Lin Zhe reached out and took her wrist, his tone remaining calm.

“Then let them watch.”

Outside the door, Chi Lie heard the side hall gradually grow quiet, but a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The third son had officially begun conception; the Human Empire's side had clearly stabilized by another huge margin.

However, the Dragon Letter in his hand was churning with dragon qi more and more urgently, becoming almost impossible to suppress.

He gritted his teeth, still not daring to make a sound. He could only continue to kneel, waiting for the one inside to truly become free.

The golden light in the hall had not yet completely faded when, from deep within the night in the direction of the Dragon Domain, a low dragon roar, suppressed to the extreme, faintly echoed.