Chapter 464
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: Tianwu Hall
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Jiangdong, Tianwu City.
This place was the Dao Capital of the Dao Court, home to the Tianwu royal family. Its sprawling expanse was nearly equivalent to an entire mortal nation in other regions.
The population under its direct rule exceeded a hundred million.
At a glance, towering pavilions and halls, jade terraces and towers clustered together, encircling a grand palace that rose along the mountainside in nine stacked tiers, piercing straight into the clouds.
Stepping through Xuanwu Gate, the jade steps stretched a thousand ren high. Coiling dragons and crouching chi dragons wound upward from below the vermilion platform, cascading like a heavenly river in reverse, leading right up to the majestic hall. Flanking the vermilion platform and the jade steps stood rows of auspicious beasts—some rearing their heads defiantly, others glaring with bulging eyes—all intricately carved from profound black stone. Though weathered by wind and rain, their divine majesty shone undimmed.
Now and then, a few cold crows flitted past.
Whenever the evening drum tolled, its muffled waves emanated from deep within the palace complex, reverberating through the jade towers and terraces, lending the scene an air of vast desolation and profound solitude.
【Tianwu Hall】
This was the Son of Heaven's residence. At every moment, hundreds upon thousands of inner court guards, eunuchs, and palace maids stood vigil or hurried about their tasks.
Suddenly, one eunuch broke swiftly from the crowd.
He clutched a jade slip in his hand, urgency etched on his face as he rushed into 【Tianwu Hall】 without pause. Upon reaching the front, he dropped into a sliding kneel.
“Your Majesty! Urgent dispatch from the Prince Who Pacifies the South Mansion!”
With that, the eunuch waited respectfully. After a long moment, a voice emerged from behind the heavy curtains, tinged with curiosity.
“From Tai'an?”
“Present it.”
Only then did the eunuch exhale in relief. He levitated the jade slip with a wisp of divine sense and carefully delivered it behind the curtains, where a slender hand gently took hold of it.
It belonged to a young man of slender build and striking features. Though the Dao Court's Son of Heaven, he wore not the dragon robe befitting his exalted status, but a simple Daoist garment. Behind the curtains sat not a dragon throne, but a Dao platform ringed by swirling sandalwood incense.
“Hm?”
A surprised grunt soon escaped the young man's nostrils. He held the jade slip, pinched his fingers in calculation, then broke into a composed smile.
“Not bad. Very good.”
“Indeed discovered by the True Dragon Clan. A fine gift. I had thought Dragon Lord's agreement to cooperate masked ulterior motives, perhaps even rebellion.”
It seemed he had overthought it.
At the very least, this 《Incense-Fire Deification Law》 held immense value for the Dao Court.
If he could locate the corresponding realm-heaven—even merely its embryonic fruit position—he would spare no effort to nurture it to completion!
“However... this fruit position must remain in my grasp.”
“Otherwise, should it stay with the True Dragon Clan, my pursuit of the Incense-Fire Deification Law would merely dress them as the bride.”
“Seeking an audience?”
The Dao Court's Son of Heaven smiled meaningfully. He was unsurprised. To him, it was merely the True Dragon Clan bargaining for greater gains.
At that thought, he furrowed his brow.
Wu Tai'an's dispatch had also raised the matter of the 【Dongting Dragon King】's official post. Neither major nor minor, yet hardly trivial.
Especially at this critical juncture, it handed the True Dragon Clan yet more leverage.
“. . . Absurd.”
The Dao Court's Son of Heaven uttered a soft rebuke. He had indeed hinted at curbing the True Dragon Clan but never specified the method.
Clearly, his subordinates had misconstrued his intent.
Yet the issue was simple to resolve. Whoever was responsible would bear the consequences. The Dao Court never lacked for talent—if one failed, another could take their place.
“Decree: Capital Heaven Department Left Pacifier Envoy, stripped of rank.”
The words rang out, and the 【Immortal Kingdom Dao Law】 quaked. Almost simultaneously, in the distant Capital Heaven Department yamen, a majestic middle-aged man snapped his eyes wide.
“No—it can't be!”
In an instant, his body surged with mana, divine abilities manifesting. The 【Capital Heaven Department Left Pacifier Envoy】 seal above his head trembled violently.
A fourth-rank post.
Mid-Foundation Establishment!
But his resistance lasted less than a breath before his face slackened in defeat. Trembling, he removed the official cap from his head.
“Thanks be to Your Majesty for revoking my rank. This minister receives the decree and offers gratitude!”
“Boom!”
Before the words fully faded, his aura exploded outward and collapsed. The official seal departed, the robe fell to the floor, leaving behind only a humble mortal!
Within 【Tianwu Hall】.
Having reduced a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator to mortality with a single decree, the Dao Court's Son of Heaven betrayed no emotion. Instead, a spark of intrigue flickered in his eyes.
“To draw such sincerity from old Dragon Lord.”
“And clever enough to leverage the official post for greater gains... No mere barbaric beast. Even overseas demon cultivators produce their heroes?”
In the next instant, a faint glow lit his eyes.
Jade-green irises—the Tianwu royal bloodline's divine gift—now activated. The Dao Court's Son of Heaven's gaze spanned millions of li in a flash!
“I must see for myself who this is...”
Outside the Prince Who Pacifies the South Mansion, within an immortal cave abode.
Lu Yang followed the black-robed demon cultivator inside, only to be met by a soaring miasma of demon qi. Over a dozen demon cultivators filled the space!
All at Foundation Establishment!
Yet Lu Yang quickly discerned their true nature. None had cultivated it themselves—each bore a corresponding official seal overhead.
Disappointment flashed in Lu Yang's eyes. Such demons—even ten, a hundred—posed no threat!
But something felt off.
Their 【official seals】 were peculiar... mostly peripheral military ranks. Even fifth-rank posts warranted the title of general.
As he pondered, a smile crept across Lu Yang's face.
“. . . Fellow Daoists, what brings you to summon me here?”
“In reply, Dragon King.”
The black-robed demon cultivator, clearly their leader, spoke first.
“Nothing else. We merely wished to make your acquaintance first, Dragon King.”
“Acquaintance?”
Lu Yang paused, then chuckled and shook his head.
“I'm well aware of your circumstances. What you need isn't mere acquaintance with me. You need a leader strong enough to shred all enemies. That's why you sought me out.”
“You chose wisely.”
Before the words settled, Lu Yang struck.
【Marionette Puppet】!
Not a true powerhouse among them—all early Foundation Establishment. None could resist. The chamber fell utterly silent.
A moment later, Lu Yang's brows shot up.
Within the Myriad Spirits Banner, the 【Xuan Capital Blessed Land】 quivered, alerting his spiritual sense: An intangible gaze was fixed upon him from the distant horizon!
‘A True Lord's scrutiny... the Dao Court's Son of Heaven?’
A flicker of surprise stirred in Lu Yang's heart, but no panic. If anything, it bolstered his confidence—now, even he could detect a Golden Core True Lord's probing!
After a brief pause, he spoke again.
“Rest assured, everyone. I'll see to your needs. Demon cultivators' standing in the Dao Court must change—and that falls to my True Dragon Clan.”
One demon cultivator hastened to fawn.
“We pledge undying loyalty to the True Dragon Clan!”
The black-robed demon shot him a glare and corrected sharply.
“Fool! What loyalty to the True Dragon Clan? Loyalty to Dragon King Lord!”
“You're all mistaken.”
Lu Yang shook his head and bowed toward Tianwu City.
“Loyalty belongs to His Majesty alone... Etch that firmly in your minds.”
“In the Dao Court, only one commands the winds and rains: His Majesty!”
With that, Lu Yang stood firm, facing Tianwu City. He clenched his right fist and saluted solemnly.
“Loyal! Ty!”
The next instant, 【Marionette Puppet】 activated.
Every demon mimicked him, saluting Tianwu City. Their thunderous chorus echoed beyond the cave.
“Loyal! Ty!”