Chapter 462
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Emperor Si Ming
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Dongting Lake, within the Dragon Palace's quiet chamber.
Lu Yang sat cross-legged, his entire body flowing with a radiant glow like the sun. Behind him, it slowly intertwined, condensing into a hazy illusory light and shadow.
[Xuan Capital Blessed Land]!
This blessed land, forged for Lu Yang by the Dragon Palace at great expense, had now grown to an inconceivable scale. It was even teetering on the brink of a breakthrough.
‘Once I complete Foundation Establishment this lifetime, I can fuse the [Brilliant Spirit Intersecting Light Dao Foundation] into it. Then, I’ll immediately use this blessed land to seek the [Heavenly Fire]. The only things holding me back now are flaws in my cultivation and the [Ruling the World] ritual that draws the [Heavenly Fire]’s attention.’
With that thought, a writing brush suddenly appeared in Lu Yang’s hand.
This was one of the inkstone, paper, brush, and ink he had taken from the Dragon Palace during his raid long ago. The four items corresponded to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches needed for cultivating the [Heavenly Fire].
The brush corresponded to [Wu Earth].
“I’ll refine this one first.”
Lu Yang held it in his hand. Without hesitation, he channeled the [Wu Earth] into his Dao foundation and refined it. He had mastered this Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch deeply.
After all, when he previously cultivated [City Wall Earth], he had started with [Wu Earth].
But this time was different. Before, the innate divine ability [Mountain-Embracing] he refined with [Wu Earth] essentially corresponded to the [City Wall Earth] fruit position.
Now, he intended to shift to a different imagery.
‘[Wu Earth] is the rosy clouds, manifesting by borrowing the sun—it is the sun’s remnant glow, corresponding to [Heavenly Fire].’
‘In spring and summer, qi stirs and disperses, giving birth; in autumn and winter, qi calms and contracts, storing away. Thus, [Wu Earth] governs the lifespan of all things. This innate divine ability...’
‘Shall be [Emperor Si Ming]!’
With that intent, a point of golden light rose from the [Brilliant Spirit Intersecting Light Dao Foundation] within his foundation establishment sea. In an instant, it overflowed, filling his divine sense and soul!
A long while later, Lu Yang pinched a hand seal and slowly opened his eyes. His ordinarily calm gaze now shimmered with dazzling golden霞. This divine ability, named [Emperor Si Ming], was no empty boast—it could truly command fate, making lives resonate in harmony with it!
‘If combined with the profound subtlety of my life-bound divine ability [People Without Evil]...’
‘With [People Without Evil], I set the rules, then use [Emperor Si Ming] to decree fate. I could push the binding force of those rules to an extreme!’
If the gap in power between us was vast enough, he could even make someone end their own life with a single sentence.
When the sovereign decrees the vassal’s death, the vassal must die!
“Remarkable.”
Lu Yang exhaled deeply, withdrawing his divine abilities. He turned to Ancestor Tingyou, who had been guarding him at his side, and smiled.
“How fares your enlightenment, Ancestor?”
Before restarting, he had asked Ancestor Tingyou to help comprehend a method to fuse [Seven Luminaries Heaven] with the [Sword Dao] fruit position. He had even temporarily lent her the [Yanmo Hall]’s proxy golden position. With Ancestor Tingyou’s aptitude, she should have results by now.
Sure enough.
“I have a preliminary grasp.”
Ancestor Tingyou’s expression was solemn as she spoke softly.
“But it’s only an initial draft. To truly cultivate a second-grade true technique will take more time.”
“However, I’ve devised something as a byproduct that will be more useful to you right now.”
With those words, Ancestor Tingyou extracted a strand of divine sense. Lu Yang received it and scanned it with his own. His expression froze slightly.
“This is...”
The method of [Yanmo Hall].
But heavily revised. Though it still required nine perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators, it dropped the metal nature requirement and lowered the proxy standards.
The revised [Yanmo Hall] could no longer proxy local fruit positions.
In exchange, it could proxy external Dao fruit positions!
“I recall you once mentioned proxying external Daos, so I derived it for you. External Dao fruit positions are far simpler than local ones.”
Her words stirred Lu Yang’s emotions.
He had mentioned it, but hadn’t expected Ancestor Tingyou to take it to heart, deriving it proactively before he even asked.
As expected of my peerless wisdom!
“The new [Yanmo Hall] method lets you proxy [Seven Luminaries Heaven]. Now that [Seven Luminaries Heaven] is complete, it can support a True Lord position.”
Ancestor Tingyou explained methodically.
“Since [Seven Luminaries Heaven] is an external Dao fruit position and metal nature is required for local ones, external positions aren’t so demanding. The new [Yanmo Hall] won’t consume metal nature anymore, but it will burden you greatly.”
At this, Ancestor Tingyou’s expression turned grave.
She extended a finger.
“Once—with your current Dao foundation strength, only once. You can recover afterward with some effort.”
“Twice, and at minimum your Dao foundation shatters, your path severed; at worst, you perish on the spot.”
“Thrice, death is certain!”
Ancestor Tingyou spoke gravely, and Lu Yang nodded solemnly.
“I understand. Once is excellent—surely a game-changer in a critical moment!”
In that instant, Lu Yang felt much more at ease.
After restarting, his cultivation had reset to the origin. Losing the omnipotence of proxying golden positions had left him somewhat uneasy.
But now, his confidence was restored.
Stowing away Ancestor Tingyou’s divine sense, Lu Yang straightened his attire and exited the quiet chamber. After a moment’s thought, he quickly formulated his next plan.
‘The Dao Court’s advantage is simple.’
‘Without backing, you can’t rise no matter what. With backing, promotions come thrice a day—rocketing to the top is commonplace. It all depends on those above.’
That made things easy.
Lu Yang planned to gift the Dao Court a grand present—one that would earn him immense merit, propelling him to a high position in a single leap!
But first, he needed an introducer.
Dao Court, Prince Who Pacifies the South’s Residence.
Wu Tai’an was meditating in his quiet chamber when a servant reported an unexpected visitor.
“The Dongting Dragon King requests an audience?”
As the Dao Court’s Prince Who Pacifies the South, the Dao Court Celestial Emperor’s younger brother, and a first-grade prince, he knew of the True Dragon clan’s cooperation with the Dao Court. But he couldn’t fathom why this distant figure would visit him now. Was it to pull strings?
At the thought, dissatisfaction crossed Wu Tai’an’s face.
Not at the Dragons seeking favors through him, but doing it so openly! Gifts should come discreetly! A formal visit—how was he supposed to accept?
What of my reputation?
‘Barbarians from overseas, ignorant of propriety.’
Wu Tai’an grumbled inwardly but maintained perfect decorum on the surface, instructing the servant to usher the guest to the reception hall. He wanted to see what medicine the Dragons were peddling.
Soon, footsteps echoed from outside.
“Hm?”
In an instant, the previously nonchalant Wu Tai’an’s brows shot up. A premonition of danger stirred his perfected Foundation Establishment spiritual sense.
His expression turned serious.
Then, a heroic young man strode in. His features bore a hint of draconic ferocity, yet his face wore a gentle smile.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”
Before Wu Tai’an could speak, Lu Yang bowed deeply. His etiquette was impeccable, devoid of any haughtiness from a noble of heaven and earth or the True Dragon clan.
With such humility, Wu Tai’an couldn’t maintain a stern face. He rose hastily to return the courtesy.
After all, while they showed deference, a mid-Golden Core Dragon Lord stood behind them. Accepting the face given meant keeping his own.
“I wonder what brings the Dragon King to seek this prince?”
“In response to Your Highness.”
Lu Yang’s tone was grave as he produced the incense-fire divine path cultivation method of [Seven Luminaries Heaven]. He presented it solemnly.
“I have found a method, one of great benefit to the Dao Court.”
“I wish to offer it to the Dao Court Celestial Emperor!”