Chapter 461
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Seizing the Dragon King's Body
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Dongting Lake, the massive island in its midst.
Xu An followed along with Liu the Thousand-Household Commander and the rest of the Dao Court contingent. No sooner had they set foot on the island than a proud-faced youth strode toward them, armored and clutching a sharp weapon, exuding heroic valor.
The man cut an imposing figure, his narrow eyes glinting with icy menace. A pair of dragon horns protruded from his thick mane of hair, and fine white scales covered his neck. His gaze locked instantly onto Liu Qianhu, those golden dragon pupils sending cold sweat beading on the commander's brow.
But Liu Qianhu was no pushover.
On any other day, crossing paths with a true dragon, he'd bend the knee without a second thought. Today, though, he came bearing an imperial decree—backing down would torpedo his career!
"Dare I ask who you might be, fellow Daoist?"
Liu Qianhu offered a solemn cupped-fist salute.
The armored youth flashed a toothy grin.
"I am Du Huan, grandson of the Dragon Lord, descendant of the White Chi."
The words landed like a thunderclap. Liu Qianhu's face grew grave.
Grandson of the Dragon Lord! Direct kin to a Golden Core true dragon—an identity rivaling the Dao Court Crown Prince, arguably even loftier!
"Dragon King Du Huan, receive the decree!"
Gritting his teeth, Liu Qianhu unrolled a golden scroll. In that instant, the once-rampaging Dragon King Du Huan reined in his savage aura.
He tilted his head skyward.
As the decree unfurled, the [Immortal Nation's Dao Regulations] blanketing Jiangdong stirred to life—like a pair of frigid eyes glaring down upon the earth!
In a heartbeat, every trace of demonic energy over Dongting Lake scattered to the winds. The Dragon King Du Huan, whose presence had shaken the heavens moments before, seemed reduced to an ordinary mortal. Meanwhile, Liu Qianhu flushed radiant red, his mana and authority surging in tiers until he loomed over the Dragon King!
"By Heaven's mandate and the Son of Heaven's grace, the decree proclaims:"
Liu Qianhu's voice rang out, measured and clear.
"Hereby is conferred upon the true dragon Du Huan, of profound merit, the title of Dragon King. Guard Dongting Lake, oversee matters of public order, and ensure harmony across its myriad isles—bountiful rains, fine weather, plentiful clothes and food, free from care."
Within Xu An's sea of consciousness, Lu Yang watched it all unfold with perfect clarity.
Each word from Liu Qianhu invoked a thread of the [Immortal Nation's Dao Regulations], layer upon layer bearing down across Dongting Lake's waters.
"Thus decreed!"
The final words fell. Dragon King Du Huan's face had drained of all mirth. After a heavy silence, he bowed low in respect.
"This humble servant receives the decree."
Liu Qianhu's lips curled in smug triumph. Watching the Dragon King meekly accept his new station filled him with a perverse glee.
He'd always despised these independent cultivators.
No reporting to the court. No groveling to superiors. No greasing palms with silver. They just powered up on their own—what was that if not rebellion?
Intolerable!
But now? With the conferment sealed, the Dragon King was Dao Court official flesh and blood. Colleagues from here on out. Fifth-rank for him, and this Dongting Dragon King? Lower rank still. Time to show proper deference—gifts on holidays, tribute year-round—or don't cry foul when your superior gets unpleasant!
"Bully a dragon to excess! Bully a dragon to excess!"
Once Liu Qianhu's party had departed, Dragon King Du Huan stormed into his secluded chamber and trashed the place in a frenzy, his handsome features twisted in brutality and rage.
He was true dragon lineage—heaven's own nobility!
"Were I overseas, I'd never stomach this crap. I'd have gobbled those two-legged sheep on the spot. But no, Ancestor had to ship me off to this godforsaken hole..."
His eyes flicked to the [Dongting Dragon King] rank hovering overhead, and fury boiled over anew. A sixth-rank post! Equivalent to Qi Refining Great Perfection—not even Foundation Establishment! Him, a Dragon King at early Foundation Establishment? What kind of joke was this?
"A blatant insult!"
"Those filthy, shameless..."
Dragon King Du Huan gnashed his teeth, the curses dying in his throat.
Who could he curse?
His own ancestor, the Golden Core Dragon Lord? Courting death. The Dao Court Emperor here in Jiangdong? Suicide by another name.
All that remained was impotent fury.
His expression flickered wildly, dark clouds gathering and parting. He never sensed the qi permeating the air, lost as he was in his trance.
Only much later did he jolt awake.
"Who goes there!?"
Rebellion stirred within him—then colossal pressure slammed down like an avalanche of blizzard, flash-freezing his mana and divine powers alike.
[Solemn Profound Frost]!
Only then did Lu Yang emerge from hiding, the late Foundation Establishment Tingyou Ancestor Master standing silent at his side.
"Why fight it?"
Lu Yang's voice was soft, coaxing.
"You've done all you could. Leave the rest to me... Let me handle it. I'll avenge you against those wretched souls."
[Cuckoo Occupying the Magpie's Nest]!
Pinned under Tingyou Ancestor's might, Dragon King Du Huan stood no chance. Swiftly, Lu Yang stripped away his essence and spirit, his causal ties, his fate and bloodline. His form withered bit by bit in the process, vanishing utterly from the world after an age.
Lu Yang nodded, pleased.
From this day, he was "Dragon King Du Huan."
A talent reaped from the [Heaven-Receiving Orthodox Virtue True Lord]—even the Dragon Lord himself would see only his cherished grandson!
He'd chosen direct usurpation of "Dragon King Du Huan" after discovering the youth cultivated the [Celestial Incantation Blazing Glory Dragon Chapter]. No need to grind out his own Foundation Establishment; this path was far swifter.
"The Dao foundation forged by the [Celestial Incantation Blazing Glory Dragon Chapter] is the [Brilliant Spirit Intersecting Light Dao Foundation]."
"Its natal divine ability: [Chong Li Edict of Mountains and Seas Chart]. Top-grade, with four mysteries."
To sum it up:
"Ancient sage kings erred in law yet folk strayed not to evil; they raised affairs and talents honed themselves; rewarded deeds and armies grew mighty."
Self-evident: the four mysteries—[Folk Without Evil], [Talents Self-Hone], [Rise and Fall Affairs], [Sage King's Governance].
Perfectly attuned to [Heavenly Fire]'s archetype.
'For battle, unfurl the Dao foundation and trap foes in the [Chong Li Edict of Mountains and Seas Chart]. The four mysteries unleash in turn.'
'[Folk Without Evil] commands rules.'
'Those struck cannot defy my edicts—and at intervals, I layer on more until they perish.'
'[Talents Self-Hone]: augmentation mystery. Designated vassals gain a forced uplift to one divine ability's tier. Applies likewise to abilities and Dao arts—boosts potency, amps power. Versatile to the core.'
Then came [Rise and Fall Affairs].
On himself: foresee perils, evade doom. On others: bind them in calamity's grip.
At last, [Sage King's Governance].
What means a sage king's rule? All beneath heaven is sovereign soil; all shores' bounds, his subjects. Thus, this mystery "strips" others' possessions.
Pluck divine powers, pluck Dharma bodies.
Drain mana, usurp rank.
Any that meet the criteria fall to [Sage King's Governance], repurposed for the self—a shameless masterstroke from start to finish.
Lu Yang couldn't help but marvel.
"Supreme fruits... damn straight, a league above!"
His prior [City Wall Earth] natal ability had been outrageously broken. This [Heavenly Fire]? Same super-template mold.
What, the cheat build's mine?
Perfect!
Love it!