Chapter 463: Loyal! Devoted!
Chapter 463: Loyalty! Devotion!
Jiangdong, Tianwu City.
This was the Dao capital of the Dao Court, the residence of the Tianwu imperial family. Its vast expanse was equivalent to an entire mortal nation in other regions.
Its population exceeded one hundred million.
At a glance, towering palaces and jade pavilions clustered around a magnificent hall built along mountain contours, rising in nine stacked layers straight into the clouds.
Entering through the Xuanwu Gate, jade steps stretched thousands of feet high, coiled with dragons and chimeras winding upward from the crimson-painted stairs like an inverted celestial river leading directly to the majestic hall. Flanking the crimson stairs stood rows of auspicious beasts carved from black stone—some with heads held high in disdain, others glaring fiercely—their divine might evident despite enduring wind and rain.
Occasionally, a few cold crows flew past.
Whenever the evening drum sounded, its dull reverberations spread from deep within the palace complex, echoing among these jade towers with a sense of boundless solitude.
[Tianwu Hall]
This was the Son of Heaven's residence, where hundreds of inner court guards, eunuchs, and palace maids stood silently on duty or hurried about at all times.
Suddenly, a eunuch emerged from the crowd.
Clutching a jade slip in hand, he rushed with utmost urgency into [Tianwu Hall], sliding to his knees upon approach:
"Your Majesty! An urgent letter from the South Suppression King's estate has arrived!"
After speaking, the eunuch waited respectfully. Only after a long pause did a voice emerge from behind layered curtains, tinged with curiosity:
"From Tai'an?"
"Present it."
The eunuch exhaled in relief, carefully delivering the jade slip with a wisp of divine sense behind the curtains, where it was lightly grasped by slender fingers.
The owner was a young man—tall and handsome. As the Dao Court's Son of Heaven, he wore not the dragon robes symbolizing his exalted status but plain Daoist robes. Behind the curtains stood not a throne but a meditation platform surrounded by sandalwood incense.
"Hmm?"
Soon, the young man let out a surprised hum, holding the jade slip while performing finger calculations before smiling serenely.
"Good, very good."
"It was indeed discovered by the True Dragon Clan—a truly generous gift. I initially thought the Dragon Lord's agreement to cooperate harbored ulterior motives, plotting rebellion..."
Now it seemed he might have overthought it.
At the very least, this Incense-Fueled Deification Method held immense value for the Dao Court.
If they could locate the corresponding realm—even just the embryonic form of a Fruit Position—he wouldn't hesitate to invest great effort to nurture it to perfection!
"However... this Fruit Position must remain in my hands."
"Otherwise, leaving it with the True Dragon Clan would mean developing the Incense-Fueled Deification Method only to benefit them."
"Requesting an audience?"
The Dao Court Emperor smiled meaningfully, unsurprised. To him, this was merely the True Dragon Clan seeking to negotiate for greater benefits.
Yet his brow soon furrowed.
Wu Tai'an's letter also raised the issue of [Dongting Dragon King]'s official position—neither trivial nor insignificant, especially now, giving the True Dragon Clan additional bargaining leverage.
"...Reckless."
The Emperor lightly chided. While he had hinted at disciplining the True Dragon Clan, he hadn't specified methods.
Clearly, subordinates had misinterpreted his intent.
But the solution was simple: punish those responsible. The Dao Court never lacked replacements—those who failed could easily be swapped out.
"By decree: the Left Garrison Commander of the Capital Heavenly Bureau is dismissed."
His words instantly stirred the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes]. Simultaneously, a majestic middle-aged man in the Capital Heavenly Bureau's offices abruptly widened his eyes.
"No—how could this!?"
Instantly, his entire body surged with magic power as divine abilities manifested. Above his head, the official position of [Left Garrison Commander of the Capital Heavenly Bureau] trembled violently.
A fourth-rank position.
Mid Foundation Establishment!
Yet his resistance lasted less than a breath before his expression collapsed into despair. Trembling, he removed his official cap:
"I thank Your Majesty for stripping my rank. This subject accepts the decree with gratitude!"
"Boom!"
Before his words faded, his cultivation dissipated entirely—position revoked, robes discarded—leaving only a pitiful mortal behind.
Inside [Tianwu Hall].
The Emperor showed no reaction after demoting a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator to mortality, instead revealing intrigued amusement.
"For the old Dragon Monarch to display such sincerity..."
"And even leveraging the official position issue to demand more benefits... hardly the behavior of barbaric beasts. Could overseas monstrous cultivators produce such talent?"
His eyes then gleamed faintly.
Jade-green irises—a Tianwu imperial bloodline trait—activated, instantly projecting his gaze across millions of miles!
"Let me see who exactly..."
Outside the South Suppression King's estate, within an immortal's cave abode.
Lü Yang followed the black-robed monstrous cultivator inside, only to be greeted by towering demonic qi—over a dozen monstrous cultivators!
All at Foundation Establishment!
Yet Lü Yang quickly discerned their truth—none had achieved this through cultivation; each bore an official position.
Disappointment flashed in his eyes. Such cultivators couldn't overturn the heavens even if their numbers multiplied a hundredfold.
But soon, he noticed something peculiar.
Their [official positions] were uniquely assigned—mostly regional military roles. Even fifth-rank positions could command the title of general.
Smiling, Lü Yang inquired:
"...Fellow Daoists, why have you invited me here?"
"Replying to the Dragon King."
The black-robed cultivator, evidently their leader, spoke first: "Simply to make your acquaintance beforehand."
"Acquaintance?"
Lü Yang paused before chuckling softly. "I understand your circumstances. What you need isn't my acquaintance—but a leader powerful enough to crush all enemies. Hence, you sought me out."
"Admittedly, you chose correctly."
Before the words faded, he struck.
[Puppet on Strings]!
None present were strong—all early Foundation Establishment—utterly defenseless against [Puppet on Strings]. Silence engulfed the cave.
Moments later, Lü Yang's eyebrow twitched.
Inside the Myriad Spirits Banner, [Xuan Capital Blessed Land] trembled, alerting him—an invisible gaze was observing him from immense distances!
'A True Lord's attention... the Dao Court Emperor?'
Though startled, Lü Yang remained composed, even emboldened—he could now detect a Golden Core True Lord's scrutiny!
After brief contemplation, he spoke again:
"Rest assured, I'll assist you all. The status of monstrous cultivators within the Dao Court must change—this has always been my True Dragon Clan's responsibility."
One cultivator hastily flattered: "We pledge undying loyalty to the True Dragon Clan!"
The black-robed cultivator glared, correcting sharply: "Fool! Not the True Dragon Clan—loyalty to the Dragon King himself!"
"You're both mistaken."
Lü Yang shook his head, clasping hands toward Tianwu City's direction: "Loyalty belongs solely to His Majesty... remember this well."
"Only one man commands the wind and rain within the Dao Court—the Emperor!"
With that, Lü Yang stood firm, facing Tianwu City before solemnly saluting with a clenched fist: "Loyalty! Devotion!"
Instantly, [Puppet on Strings] activated.
Every monstrous cultivator mirrored his salute. Their thunderous cries soon echoed beyond the cave abode:
"Loyalty! Devotion!"