Chapter 503 504: The Empress's Cultivation Depth Is Quite High
Chapter 504: The Empress's Cultivation Depth Is Quite Profound
In Lü Yang's view, the Dao Court differed distinctly from the Saint Sect, Sword Pavilion, and even the Pure Land in one aspect, making it stand out uniquely.
That was its "character."
This notion was rather subtle. What Lü Yang referred to as "character" was purely his own perspective—essentially:
North of the river, there was the First Saint.
South of the river, there were the Sword Seeds.
West of the river, there was the World-Honored One.
And east of the river?
Vermin?
It sounded absurd, but there was some truth to it. At the very least, compared to the other three regions, Dao Court cultivators could be described as simple and unrefined.
Ultimately, it's because cultivation progress in the Dao Court comes too easily. They lack tempering through hardship. Rather than engaging in life-and-death battles, Dao Court cultivators focus more on internal strife under the governance of the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes]. No wonder their combat prowess ranks last among the four realms.
However, the Dao Court had its own advantages.
This advantage did not lie with the lower-ranking Dao Court officials but with its highest echelons—those who could freely access the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes].
Such as Empress Xiao.
Memorizing the entire Four Treasuries Dao Repository is something any Qi Refining cultivator could achieve. The true challenge lies in fully comprehending its contents.
Understanding was what constituted cultivation depth.
Otherwise, knowing the "what" without grasping the "why" was like building castles in the air—utterly useless for cultivation, even harmful, and would only invite ridicule if spoken aloud.
Empress Xiao, however, was clearly not such a person. As the empress, she too had unlimited access to the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes], granting her profound insight into the Four Treasuries. After several conversations, Lü Yang found himself utterly captivated by her unfathomable cultivation depth.
"Does my minister cultivate the [Heavenly Fire Above]?"
At this point, Empress Xiao's expression turned peculiar, as the gold-seeking ritual of [Heavenly Fire Above] was widely known—cultivating it was equivalent to severing one's path to the Dao.
But... this might be for the best.
After all, a partner whose Dao path was severed posed no conflict of interest with her own gold-seeking ambitions and was thus more trustworthy.
Even if one took a step back, the gold-seeking ritual of [Heavenly Fire Above]—Steering the World—did not clash with her desired fruit position. In fact, they complemented each other beautifully.
With this realization, Empress Xiao became even more proactive.
To her at this moment, Lü Yang was her vanguard, a divine sword to purge the officials. Naturally, she wanted to sharpen him further.
"The Dao arts you selected earlier are quite suitable."
Empress Xiao glanced at the [Beacon Smoke Sun Scripture] and [Sun Emperor Radiance Talisman] Lü Yang had chosen and nodded approvingly. "Both share imagery connections with [Heavenly Fire Above]."
"However, my minister has taken a somewhat unconventional approach."
"[Heavenly Fire Above] is not merely the rising sun in the heavens—the fruit position of yang vigor. It also encompasses the jade disk of the moon—the transformation of utmost yin softness. Both sun and moon are [Heavenly Fire Above]!"
Empress Xiao's words struck Lü Yang like a bolt of enlightenment.
His eyes widened as realization dawned: Indeed... [Heavenly Fire Above] balances the interplay of yin and yang. Pursuing the solar path is the grand and righteous way.
Yet pursuing the lunar path aligns with the imagery I previously sought—the Son of Heaven personally leading a campaign, treading perilous depths!
In that case...
As a perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lü Yang would have eventually realized this even without Empress Xiao's guidance, though his initial oversight had stalled his progress.
With her prompting, however, enlightenment came instantly:
I must seek Geng Metal!
Lü Yang looked up, his realization coinciding perfectly with Empress Xiao's words:
"The moon represents yin, and Geng Metal also governs the moon—as well as warfare and slaughter. The dangers of battle often bring calamity upon the exalted, perfectly aligning with the imagery of [Treading Peril]. Thus, the best choice now would be a Geng Metal Dao art."
Their voices fell into unison before trailing off.
Empress Xiao blinked in surprise, her eyes shimmering with astonishment. Clearly, she hadn't expected Lü Yang to grasp the connection so swiftly—proof that his cultivation depth was far from shallow.
"Many thanks for Your Majesty's guidance." Lü Yang clasped his hands in gratitude.
"...You flatter me."
Empress Xiao reached out to help Lü Yang rise, chuckling softly. "It seems even without my words, my minister would have understood within a few days."
"Your Majesty's assistance remains invaluable."
Lü Yang shook his head and spoke in a low voice: "Though I now have a goal, I cannot compare to Your Majesty's mastery of the Dao Repository. I humbly request Your Majesty to select a suitable art for me."
"Hmm..."
Empress Xiao pondered briefly before raising her hand. A Dao manual flew from the vast sea of scriptures into her delicate grasp.
Lü Yang focused his gaze:
[Mistaken Gold Weapon-Wielding Talisman]
"This Geng Metal Dao art should suit my minister best. You may study it freely."
With that, Empress Xiao reached into her robes and retrieved a fragrant talisman, pressing it into Lü Yang's palm. "You may hold onto this for now."
"This..."
Lü Yang nearly refused, but the moment the talisman touched his hand, the previously distant [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] suddenly felt intimately close.
Is this... unrestricted access to the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes]?!
"Since Your Majesty bestows it, this minister shall not decline!"
No sooner had he spoken than Lü Yang clenched his fingers tightly around the talisman, nearly trapping Empress Xiao's slender hand in his grip.
Empress Xiao withdrew her hand as if shocked, her expression unperturbed as she smiled lightly. "With this, my minister should quickly grasp the profundities of [Mistaken Gold Weapon-Wielding Talisman]. Unfortunately, it cannot be taken beyond the inner palace... Since opportunity presents itself, why not remain here to contemplate the Dao art?"
"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
With cultivation matters at stake, Lü Yang cast aside all hesitation. He immediately sat cross-legged, holding the Dao manual steady as he began comprehending the art under the bolstering influence of the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes].
He harbored no fear of treachery from Empress Xiao.
After all, the spirits within the Myriad Spirits Banner were not mere decorations. Even if Ancestor Nether Whisper was temporarily absent, Suo Huan was more than capable of safeguarding him.
[Mistaken Gold Weapon-Wielding Talisman]... No wonder it's said to harmonize with [Heavenly Fire Above].
This talisman art can capture the mysteries of others' divine abilities and fuse them into a single talisman, enhancing its power manifold for deployment when needed.
If this were merely an ordinary talisman art, it would at best capture fragments of divine abilities—scraps requiring gradual accumulation to strengthen. But I am different. With [Heavenly Fire Above], I can seize entire divine abilities outright!
As his contemplation concluded, Lü Yang opened his eyes:
More importantly, this Dao art is perfectly suited for my current situation. Every civil and military official in Tianwu City is potential material for capturing divine abilities!
The next moment, Empress Xiao spoke:
"My minister, these are officials whom I believe stand with the hundred officials and control most of Tianwu City's garrison forces. They must be dealt with swiftly."
"Would you review them?"
Lü Yang looked up at the jade slip Empress Xiao handed him:
Capital Dragon Cavalry Battalion, Commander Chen Changshou—Life Essence: [Sky-Cleaving Sword Draw]
Capital Tiger Guard Battalion, Commander He Yongdao—Life Essence: [Ruthless Severing]
Capital Divine Machine Battalion, Commander Lin Hezhu—Life Essence: [No-Thought No-Mind]
Capital Flying Bear Battalion, Commander Jiang Shucan—Life Essence: [Dust Separation Severance]
Capital Vanguard Battalion, Commander Lu Jiantai—Life Essence: [Single Thought Divine Blade]
The Five Capital Battalions...
Though these five battalion commanders held only third-rank positions—seemingly inconspicuous—they were in truth the pillars stabilizing Tianwu City.
Empress Xiao explained softly: "The official positions of the five battalion commanders are unique, like pieces of a puzzle. With the Heavenly Son's Talisman, their positions can merge into a new rank—[Imperial Presence]—a status surpassing even mine and the Crown Prince's..."
In other words:
"Control over the five battalions, combined with the Heavenly Son's Talisman in my hands, can quell any unrest. No matter what schemes the hundred officials devise, they will struggle to gain traction."
Undoubtedly, if successful, Empress Xiao—wielding the Heavenly Son's Talisman—would emerge as the greatest beneficiary.
Yet Lü Yang found it difficult to refuse, as the Life Essence abilities of these five commanders were ideal resources for cultivating [Mistaken Gold Weapon-Wielding Talisman].
Was this premeditated?
Gazing at Empress Xiao, who stood so near, Lü Yang suddenly smiled: No wonder her ancestral roots lie north of the river—having trained under the Saint Sect, she certainly possesses some capability!
Moreover, she had specifically selected a Dao art that aligned with both his needs and her own interests.
Truly, the empress's cultivation depth... was remarkably profound!
He wanted it!