Chapter 509 510: Coercion!
Chapter 510: Coercion!
Shaofu Residence, Tianwu City.
Li Taian's eyes were bloodshot, sparks nearly flying from his clenched fists as he feverishly traced karmic threads while his divine sense scoured the entire city.
His goal was singular: find Lü Yang.
Yet the search yielded nothing. Then again, Li Taian considered this perfectly normal—after all, how could someone of the World-Honored One's stature be tracked through mere divination?
Yes, Li Taian had already concluded Lü Yang was the World-Honored One.
"Could there be issues with Her Majesty?" Li Taian whispered to the Shaofu. "If my suspicions hold, the Five Army Commanders may already be corrupted by the World-Honored One. Should they extend this to the Empress..."
"No need for concern."
The Shaofu shook his head. "Tianwu Hall concentrates the Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes most densely. Under its protection, not even the World-Honored One could corrupt Her Majesty."
Otherwise, would he have idly watched Empress Xiao personally recruit the Five Army Commanders?
"If it truly is the World-Honored One...Her Majesty will discern the truth. At worst, she'll eliminate the Five Army Commanders—her personal safety isn't at risk."
"That's reassuring."
Li Taian exhaled in relief before scanning the city again, now deeply puzzled: 'Where could that dragon monster have gone?'
"Your Majesty, I request the Heavenly Son's Talisman to authorize arrests."
Lü Yang stood motionless, flanked by the Five Army Commanders. Their synchronized presence made the six seem as one, causing Empress Xiao's pupils to constrict:
"World-Honored One?"
The moment this thought surfaced, her first reaction was disbelief.
Hadn't that damned World-Honored One already plagued the Dao Court once? A second visit? Why not harass Jiangnan or Jiangbei instead—test the Saint Sect or Sword Pavilion?
Meanwhile, Lü Yang's expression darkened:
"Your Majesty shouldn't make baseless claims. How could I resemble the World-Honored One?" He turned to the Commanders. "Do I look like him?"
In unison: "Not at all!"
Empress Xiao's conviction solidified: 'Definitely him!'
Recognizing that World-Honored avatars never admitted their identity, she calmly addressed him as an equal:
"Fellow Daoist Du Huan seems quite busy tonight."
"Your Majesty, this humble official trembles." Lü Yang's tone remained flat. "Though some disturbances occurred, everything was for the Dao Court's benefit."
"Hence our joint audience."
"I implore Your Majesty not to hesitate further. Delay risks escalating into civil war—consider Jiangdong's millions."
Such righteous rhetoric gave Empress Xiao pause. This demeanor resembled the Sword Pavilion's...
What exactly was this dragon monster's origin?
Masking her confusion, she stiffened her flawless features, adopting a guarded stance: "And if We refuse? What then, Fellow Daoist?"
As the words left her lips, the Five Army Commanders behind Lü Yang stepped back in eerie synchrony, exiting the hall.
Thud!
The great doors sealed shut, leaving only Lü Yang and Empress Xiao in the cavernous chamber—the atmosphere instantly freezing over.
"If Your Majesty denies approval, I won't leave today."
Empress Xiao's expression darkened. "You'd purge the Dao Court's officials without authorization?"
"A dragon cultivator committing such treason..."
"Aren't you afraid of the Dao Lord's wrath?"
Lü Yang shook his head. "Your Majesty overestimates me. How could inferiors like us fathom the Dao Lord's will? Don't pin hopes there."
Silence.
Then—
"Summon the Three Guardians to rescue Us!"
Empress Xiao's voice erupted like divine thunder, sharp enough to pierce metal and shatter stone, meant to reverberate across Tianwu City. Even if it couldn't escape the inner palace, Crown Prince Longxing would hear and rush to assist.
Yet before the cry could spread, radiant light unfurled behind Lü Yang like an unrolled masterpiece—mountains and rivers surging from the ground, sun and stars ascending to the firmament, weaving into a vast landscape that swallowed her plea whole.
[Chongli Imperial Edict Mountain-Sea Diagram]!
This life essence divine ability reshaped reality itself, isolating Empress Xiao from the outside world. What truly drained her color was—
"A Blessed Land!?"
She gaped momentarily. 'Blessed Lands only manifest when orthodox Foundation Establishment Perfection is achieved...yet he cultivates the Incense Qi Divine Path...'
Swiftly forming hand seals, she commanded:
"Disperse!"
[Seven Luminaries Heaven] materialized in her grasp, its radiance striking Lü Yang—yet his perfected Foundation Establishment remained undisturbed.
The realization struck like lightning:
'This dragon monster...didn't rely on the Incense Qi Divine Path to reach Foundation Establishment Perfection. He cultivated independently—already mastering complete divine abilities!'
But how?
Dread coiled in her heart: 'Records show he entered Jiangdong barely at early-stage Foundation Establishment!'
How long had passed?
One year? Two?
Even with official rank advantages and his dragon heritage accelerating progress via the Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes, breaking through to mid-stage would've been astonishing.
But perfected Foundation Establishment? Not merely perfected—manifesting a Blessed Land! Such speed suggested either a True Lord's reincarnation or the World-Honored One slumming it. And the only True Lord reincarnation in five millennia was Daoist Hong Yun...
'Leaving only one possibility!'
Drawing a steadying breath, luminous energy enveloped Empress Xiao, enhancing her peerless beauty with transcendent grace. The radiance coalesced behind her head, forming a flawless full-moon halo that made Lü Yang's eyebrows rise.
Having once achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection through [Seven Luminaries Heaven], he instantly recognized Empress Xiao's state matched his past self's—that moon halo was a solidified divine ability!
'[Exquisite Heart], [True Qi Containment], [Harmonizing Origin Art], [Heaven's Mandate], [With the World]...all five heterodox abilities identical to mine.'
Moreover—
Empress Xiao simultaneously wielded the [Roadside Earth] official rank. Heavenly light blazed above her as [Empress Cisheng Lingsi] manifested its own divine ability.
"...Fascinating."
Amusement flickered in Lü Yang's eyes. Though Empress Xiao's cultivation strength surprised him, she'd make an excellent whetstone for his current needs.
Rumble—
The entire Kunming Palace trembled.
Outside Kunming Palace, rear court.
The Five Army Commanders stood solemn guard while Crown Prince Longxing—previously dismissed by Empress Xiao—paced anxiously:
"Generals, is Her Majesty safe? We require her guidance—"
"Your Highness needn't worry."
Their voices harmonized:
"Her Majesty merely seeks secluded cultivation, ordering us to guard against intruders. Please await her completion."
The Crown Prince's agitation grew.
Yet years of deference to Empress Xiao prevented protest. When tremors and muffled impacts echoed from the palace, he stiffened:
"What's happening?"
The Commanders exchanged glances before calmly stating: "Her Majesty appears to be breaking through. Patience—she'll emerge shortly."