Chapter 504
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: The Empress Arrives
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The Empress has arrived?
Hearing the voice echoing from outside the hall, Lu Yang immediately raised his brows. The next moment, the doors were pushed open, and a graceful figure draped in phoenix robes and coronet glided in.
The woman had willow brows and almond eyes, her jade-like face radiant with light. She wore a flowing silk gown overlaid with a wide-sleeved robe embroidered with golden clouds and phoenix motifs. A pearl-and-jade hairpin swayed gently in her coiffure with each step. Lu Yang's gaze traced her curves like mountains and ridges before finally settling on her exquisitely charming, snow-white visage.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Lu Yang swiftly averted his eyes and bowed in salute. But the next instant, a heavy thud resounded—the doors slamming shut once more.
What did this mean?
In that moment, the entire Fourfold Dao Repository fell utterly silent. Only Lu Yang and this suddenly appearing Empress remained, their breaths audible in the stillness.
Moments later, Lu Yang saw a glow blooming at the Empress's brow. The dim grand hall instantly brightened, the space expanding endlessly to reveal vast fields, lush greenery, rippling crops—all encircling a central point.
Amid these visions, a ray of true earth-element light manifested, flawless and complete:
【Benevolent Sage Spirit-Contemplating Empress】
Veils of radiance descended, intangible yet substantial. As they fell upon Lu Yang, he felt as if towering peaks were crushing down upon his dharma body.
‘【Roadside Soil】.’
‘As expected, everything in the imperial palace relies on Emperor Jiaoyou. This Empress is no different—her status no less than Crown Prince Longxing's.’
As Lu Yang pondered, the Empress—who held an exceedingly low profile in the Dao Court's official hierarchy, utterly overshadowed by Emperor Jiaoyou—studied him in turn. Her beautiful eyes reflected his form: first a world-shaking, pure yang ferocious dragon, then in a blink, a handsome youth.
‘Half-human, half-dragon?’
‘Not mere mixed bloodline, but you in me, me in you... How is this achieved?’
The Empress's secular surname was Xiao, hence Empress Xiao. Though born a commoner, she was shrewd and insightful, able to recite the entire Fourfold Dao Repository from memory.
Across the world, few Foundation Establishment cultivators escaped her knowledge.
Yet Lu Yang's "half-human, half-dragon visage" was profoundly enigmatic. Empress Xiao couldn't fathom it, her curiosity igniting unbearably.
But she soon regained her composure:
‘No rush. This can wait. I have pressing matters first.’
With that thought, Empress Xiao pondered a moment longer before parting her vermilion lips softly. "My thanks to Duke Lu for aiding Longxing in claiming the Hall of Heavenly Wu."
"This humble official merely fulfilled his duty." Lu Yang cupped his hands.
"Duke Lu, do not be so modest."
Empress Xiao shook her head. "I know Longxing's temperament well. He accomplishes great deeds but cherishes his life, chases petty gains at the cost of all else—scarcely a true sovereign."
"Were it not for Duke Lu, he would surely be ensnared by the officials by now. I had even planned to intervene personally, to awe the ministers and stabilize the court on his behalf. But Duke Lu appeared from nowhere, sparing me the effort—and saving this mere woman from showing her face publicly."
"However..."
Here, Empress Xiao glanced at Lu Yang again, her voice turning wistful. "I see Duke Lu bears the aspect of a tiger and wolf—scarcely one to rest content."
Empress Xiao's words furrowed Lu Yang's brow.
In that instant, he contemplated: If he seized her by force here, how much chaos would it sow in the rear palace? Would it be discovered?
‘Pity 【String Puppet】 is useless against perfected Foundation Establishment.’
Otherwise, no need for such hassle—he could simply control Crown Prince Longxing, and the ministers and officials would fall effortlessly under Dao Court sway.
‘Refining into a banner spirit... No good either.’
In the Dao Court, upon a cultivator's death, their official rank detached. Even as a banner spirit, they'd be reduced to a mortal—utterly worthless.
Meanwhile, Empress Xiao shifted tone abruptly:
"Duke Lu, how about a deal between us?"
"We join forces to suppress the Three Dukes' faction, securing my son's throne. In return, he rules without meddling, ceding all authority to you."
"Your Majesty flatters this official." Lu Yang feigned trepidation. "I serve the imperial house, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince with utter loyalty—no other thoughts. Stabilizing the court for the Crown Prince is my bounden duty."
As he spoke, Lu Yang caught Empress Xiao's knowing half-smile:
"Duke Lu, do you know where my Xiao clan hails from originally?"
Before Lu Yang could reply, Empress Xiao continued, "My Xiao clan originates from the northern reaches of the Jiang River, where a branch still sends disciples to the northern Demon Sects."
Lu Yang's heart stirred at this. Tracing karmic ties, a name flashed in his mind:
‘Xiao Shiye!?’
Seeing Lu Yang's odd expression, Empress Xiao mistook it and laughed. "What, does Duke Lu suspect me of secretly colluding with the Demon Sects?"
"Shall you investigate me as well?"
"This official dares not." Lu Yang bowed hastily.
"Enough. Rise."
Empress Xiao stepped forward, a wave of delicate fragrance assailing him. She lifted him up, their eyes meeting squarely:
"I am ever direct, Duke Lu. Born of the true dragon lineage, you surely crave a foothold in court. I too seek power for my kin. Yet officials bar the way, Three Dukes' disciples obstructing relentlessly... Duke Lu, we are natural allies. Why the pretense?"
In those beautiful eyes, Lu Yang saw unbridled ambition.
‘This woman is no Heavenly Wu imperial blood—not even cultivated, no heaven-earth position to validate her in the Dao Court—yet she harbors imperial aspirations?’
‘With Crown Prince Longxing too, both eagerly awaiting Emperor Jiaoyou's "dragon ascension."’
In the Dao Court, even as Three Dukes or Emperor with Golden Core stature, lifespan maxed at a millennium. Exhaustion meant abdication.
Three Dukes abdicated to reincarnation.
The Emperor cultivated innate nature; abdication was "dragon ascension"—carrying his cavern heaven skyward to serve the Dao Lord eternally.
Either way, the seat vacated.
Vacancies bred claimants.
Across the realm's Foundation Establishment cultivators, who didn't covet Golden Core? Even a sliver of hope drove countless true persons to abandon all for the chance.
With this realization, Lu Yang shifted his stance.
Empress Xiao was right, after all. The Dao Court officials and Three Dukes' disciples were their shared foes—alliance made perfect sense.
Any betrayal could wait until those were crushed.
Moreover, her public endorsement would cement his legitimacy in the Dao Court, beyond reproach.
A win-win.
Yet outwardly, Lu Yang offered no promises—nothing to be held against him—merely bowing. "This official awaits Your Majesty's commands."
Empress Xiao smiled, pleased. "Excellent!"
Agreement struck in unison.
The air between them warmed swiftly. Empress Xiao eyed the two dao books Lu Yang had selected, chuckling lightly:
"Duke Lu seeks a cultivation method? Any finds yet?"
Lu Yang shook his head. "None to my liking."
Empress Xiao laughed brightly. "Tell me your needs. I know the entire Fourfold Dao Repository by heart—perhaps I can recommend a few."
"Oh?"
Lu Yang's eyes lit up at this, gazing at Empress Xiao as at a vast treasure trove—an unexpected boon.
‘Memorized the whole Fourfold Dao Repository—what immense erudition... No wonder Empress Xiao dreams of the core. If I use the Heaven Mending True Scripture to absorb her knowledge, the gains would be monumental, fully resolving my erudition shortfall for core formation!’
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