Chapter 478: Hong Yun: Where’s My Seven Luminaries Heaven!?
Outer Light Sea.
Though this wasn't Lü Yang's first visit, observing the celestial scenery anew under the protection of a Golden Core True Lord brought entirely different insights.
'In my previous life when I came here, there was still the danger of perishing.'
After all, the Outer Heavens were filled with surging [Profound Light of Yin-Yang Creation and Destruction], where the collision of yin and yang qi annihilated all phenomena. Even Foundation Establishment True Persons couldn't linger for long.
Yet now, following a Golden Core True Lord, everything was vastly different. Emperor Jiayou walked at the forefront, his steps giving rise to countless radiant lights that converged into a golden bridge. On either side were dragon banners and imperial carriages, fluttering flags, and rows of guards in brocade robes, stretching endlessly into the heavens.
'Such grand display!'
Lü Yang was inwardly awestruck. His vision was filled with golden light paving the way, while the [Profound Light of Yin-Yang Creation and Destruction]—capable of obliterating Foundation Establishment True Persons—parted spontaneously to either side.
Emperor Jiayou and Lü Yang stood upon this golden path. One end connected to their current location, while the other locked onto the coordinates Lü Yang had provided. With a single step, an indescribable distance was crossed, and a boundary realm instantly came into view.
'We're here... so fast!'
Back when he had reached the [Seven Luminaries Heaven], it had taken considerable effort. Yet Emperor Jiayou traversed the distance as casually as a stroll in a courtyard, showing no signs of exertion whatsoever.
Lü Yang lowered his head, deep in thought:
'This golden bridge... is formed from the imagery of [Roadside Earth]!'
Qi takes form through inheritance, and objects manifest along paths. What has form can be grasped, and what exists can be displayed—this is called [Roadside Earth]. Its imagery embodies the vast expanse of land connecting endless roads and boundless fields.
This outcome confirmed a suspicion Lü Yang had long held:
'It seems that even after leaving that wretched place and distancing oneself from the [Fruit Position], a True Lord's strength doesn't diminish in the slightest... Why is that?'
Logically, Fruit Positions were tied to the heavens and earth. Golden Core True Lords could wield the power of their Fruit Positions within their domain, but once they left, that power should be beyond reach, weakening them. Yet judging by the imagery Emperor Jiayou displayed now, the Outer Heavens clearly had no effect on him.
Just then, Emperor Jiayou suddenly spoke: "Du Aiqing."
"Your servant is here," Lü Yang promptly replied.
"There's something I'm curious about," the emperor said casually, as if making small talk. "How did you extract that 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》?"
At these words, Zhao Xuhe's figure flashed through Lü Yang's mind.
Speaking of which, Zhao Xuhe was truly unlucky. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have switched to cultivating the Nine Transforming Dragon Art at this point in time.
But Lü Yang had changed everything.
In the first anchor point, Lü Yang had already cultivated the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》, snatching Zhao Xuhe's opportunity and nearly driving him mad with rage.
Yet in this reset, Lü Yang's goal was [Heavenly Fire Above], with no interest whatsoever in the pitfall that was [City Wall Earth]. Thus, he decisively discarded his 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》. And with this act, through the resonance of karma, Zhao Xuhe found his lost opportunity returned to him.
Such were the dramatic ups and downs of life.
Under these circumstances, Zhao Xuhe naturally didn't dare to wait. To avoid further complications, he went straight to Panlong Island and switched to cultivating the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 ahead of time.
Ironically, this very decision became the root of his misfortune in this lifetime.
'The mysteries of karma are truly humbling...'
Lü Yang sighed inwardly, but outwardly, he answered without hesitation: "To be frank, Your Majesty, I used a method passed down from Mending Heaven Peak of the Jiangbei Demon Sect."
Since he dared to present the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 directly, he had naturally prepared an explanation.
"After the Dragon Lord obtained this technique by chance, he deemed it too cruel. With the Demon Sect lurking nearby, he didn't dare to spread it openly."
Lü Yang then elaborated on the Mending Heaven True Classic and the Heavenly Mother's Life-Transforming Profound Light, explaining how these two techniques could be used to extract desired information.
Emperor Jiayou was astonished:
"Savages... Truly worthy of the Demon Sect!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, they arrived at the location of the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]. Emperor Jiayou merely glanced at it indifferently before reaching out and grasping at the air.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the entire [Seven Luminaries Heaven] was seized by Emperor Jiayou. Even the [Seven Luminaries Stabilizing the World Grand Formation] that Hong Yun had left outside the realm was effortlessly shattered by the emperor's overwhelming power, further deepening Lü Yang's understanding of the Dao Court sovereign's strength.
'Mid-stage Golden Core...'
Within the Dao Court, there was contention between civil officials and the imperial family. When civil officials held sway, the emperor ruled with inaction; when the emperor was dominant, the officials served as his cattle and sheep.
In this generation of the Dao Court, the emperor reigned supreme.
Moreover, the Tianwu imperial family cultivated their own nature. Emperor Jiayou's cultivation was undoubtedly genuine, making him the True Lord of the Dao Court with the highest potential to break through to the late stage!
With such a mighty figure taking action, a mere embryonic [Seven Luminaries Heaven] naturally stood no chance.
"Let's return," Emperor Jiayou said, storing away the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]. Suddenly, he smiled faintly and looked at Lü Yang: "Du Aiqing, would you like to become the first person to be deified through incense offerings?"
Lü Yang raised an eyebrow. "...May Your Majesty enlighten me."
"I intend to establish a new bureau, spreading the Incense Qi Divine Path widely within Tianwu City. These incense deities will guard the capital. Let's call it the [Imperial City Bureau]."
"This is a weighty responsibility."
"Du Aiqing, since you were the one who presented the Incense Qi Divine Path, I plan to entrust you with the first divine position, allowing you to oversee the capital on my behalf as the Director of the [Imperial City Bureau]. However, this is a private appointment, bypassing the cabinet, so no official rank will be conferred."
"Of course, to you, it makes no difference."
"After all, the Incense Qi Divine Path can also enhance cultivation. As the head of the [Imperial City Bureau], you'll have free rein over the incense offerings, which should enable you to reach Foundation Establishment Perfection."
"What do you say?"
Emperor Jiayou spoke earnestly, appearing deeply concerned for his subordinate. Lü Yang, in turn, feigned profound gratitude, his voice choked with emotion: "Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this immense grace!"
Then he lowered his head and inwardly cursed:
'Go to hell, you tyrant!'
Emperor Jiayou's words might fool others, but Lü Yang had once controlled the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]! How could he not understand the difference between the Incense Qi Divine Path and official positions in the Dao Court?
The two were incomparable!
'Foundation Establishment Perfection empowered by a Dao Court official position allows one to refine Metal Essence! But Foundation Establishment Perfection through the Incense Qi Divine Path is merely an empty title.'
In that instant, Lü Yang grasped Emperor Jiayou's intentions.
'He's trying to trick me!'
'He wants me to work for him but isn't willing to promote me too quickly, so he's offering this inferior substitute to coax me into serving him...'
The thought filled Lü Yang with fury.
How could the Dao Court thrive with such vermin in charge?
Yet soon, another thought occurred to him: 'That said, if this [Imperial City Bureau] is truly established, its nominal authority won't be insignificant.'
Of course, the reason Emperor Jiayou dared to offer such a position was that the [Imperial City Bureau] relied on the Incense Qi Divine Path. With the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]—the source of the divine path—firmly in his grasp, he held the lifeline of all incense deities, ensuring no chaos could arise.
But Emperor Jiayou could never have anticipated:
'The [Seven Luminaries Heaven]? I have one too! And mine is more complete, nourished by [Flowing Water], a genuine External Dao Fruition!'
In other words, if he so desired,
The [Imperial City Bureau] could become his stronghold, serving as his foundation to rectify the Dao Court's corruption and [Steer the World] when the time came!
Outer Light Sea. Not long after Emperor Jiayou and Lü Yang departed.
At the former site of the [Seven Luminaries Heaven], a golden light tore through the void, materializing into the figure of a disheartened and utterly dejected Hong Yun.
Then he froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief. He rubbed them, looked around, rubbed them again... until finally, a look of pure bewilderment settled on his face.
"...Where's the [Seven Luminaries Heaven]?"
My deepest, most carefully hidden trump card from my days as a True Lord—my enormous [Seven Luminaries Heaven]—where did it go!?