Chapter 515 516: Establish a Dynasty, Renewing the Sun and Moon
Chapter 516: Proclaiming the New Dynasty, Sun and Moon Shine Anew
Jiangdong, Tianwu City.
Dawn approached, that fleeting moment between night and day revealing a wondrous sight—the sky split in two halves: one where the moon lingered before its descent, the other where the sun rose in splendor.
After over a month of upheaval, Tianwu City had regained its stability.
As for the Jiangdong Unlimited Combat Tournament held more than a month prior, it had long been forgotten. Officials of all ranks had filled the Imperial City Bureau's dungeons to capacity.
Yet, the Dao Court was never short of people. In fact, this very tournament had either killed off or demoted so many officials that it resolved the Court's severe issue of bureaucratic redundancy. Countless imperial examination graduates joyfully assumed their new posts, swiftly pledging loyalty to Lü Yang.
By now, everyone had recognized reality.
The time for dynastic change had arrived.
The Imperial City Bureau mobilized its entire force, hunting down remnants of the old regime. Even the traditionally neutral Directorate of Astronomy, responsible for calculating national fortunes, was not spared.
Rumor had it that Xiao Shan, now the Bureau's commander, led a contingent bearing Lü Yang's portrait to the Directorate and asked its head whether this man could become emperor. The Directorate head, a man of unyielding character, faced with the Bureau's encirclement, bluntly declared that Lü Yang's physiognomy was unfavorable.
He even claimed Lü Yang had no chance of becoming emperor.
The outcome was predictable. Xiao Shan immediately turned hostile, ordering Bureau cultivators to seize the man and subject him to brutal interrogation in the dungeons.
Within three days, the Directorate reversed its stance.
With this precedent and Lü Yang's infamous overnight stay in the imperial bedchamber now common knowledge, the Court's officials had no choice but to submit.
After all, if a man dared to bed the empress, what wouldn't he dare?
Even officials loyal to Emperor Jiayou could only prioritize self-preservation, hanging Lü Yang's portrait in their homes and chanting pledges of loyalty daily.
'Forgive me, Your Majesty. My heart has always been with you.'
'But the villain's power is overwhelming now. We have no choice but to yield temporarily, praying for Your Majesty's eventual return to restore order and reclaim the throne.'
Thus, while silently apologizing to Emperor Jiayou in their hearts, they busied themselves preparing Lü Yang's enthronement ceremony.
Tianwu Hall, Kunming Palace.
Having just concluded his cultivation session, Lü Yang stood with hands clasped behind his back as Empress Xiao helped him don ceremonial robes, finally draping a black cloak over his shoulders.
At this moment, Empress Xiao's gaze was complex:
"After today, I will truly have rebelled alongside you. When Emperor Jiayou returns, both of us will be guilty of treason, likely facing death without intact corpses."
Her decision to side with Lü Yang ultimately stemmed from that fleeting aura he had once revealed to her—she had no doubt it was the aura of a perfected [Seven Luminaries Heaven], a complete External Dao Fruition! It was for this fruition that she had resolved to assist Lü Yang without hesitation.
For the sake of seeking gold, she had courage.
Yet now, having truly reached this point, Empress Xiao couldn't help but feel a trace of fear. This was no ordinary pursuit of gold.
This was achieving [Heavenly Fire Above]!
Even if the entire Jiangdong were sacrificed, it wouldn't be enough. The odds of success were at most twenty percent, and due to incomplete imagery, even that estimate had to be reduced by another third.
"Do you have confidence?" Empress Xiao murmured softly. It was precisely this fear that had driven her to exhaust herself aiding Lü Yang's cultivation lately—her legs still felt weak.
Lü Yang chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Success depends on human effort."
With those words, he straightened his robes and strode out of Kunming Palace, proceeding directly to the front of Tianwu Hall, where he stood atop the vermilion steps.
His gaze lowered, surveying the scene below.
Before him stretched a vast sea of officials—every bureaucrat in Tianwu City had gathered. Moreover, the entirety of Jiangdong sensed this moment.
Prefectures, commanderies, and cities across the region—officials great and small—all glimpsed Lü Yang standing before Tianwu Hall through their official positions. They bowed deeply in unison, their movements resonating with the common people. Hundreds of millions of Jiangdong's populace acted as one, producing a thunderous roar:
"Boom!"
This reverberation, transmitted through the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes], instantly pressed upon Lü Yang like an immense mountain descending upon his shoulders.
This was the weight of 'Jiangdong.'
The vast expanse of Jiangdong—its two capitals and thirteen provinces—now rested upon his shoulders. An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would have crumbled beneath such a burden.
But Lü Yang was different.
Faced with this invisible pressure, his [Brilliance Intertwined Radiance Dao Foundation] not only remained unshaken but grew even more resplendent, thriving as though in its natural element!
[Heavenly Fire Above] adored authority!
The heavier the burden, the more favor [Heavenly Fire Above] bestowed. Thus, far from feeling discomfort, Lü Yang felt his entire body brimming with power.
The next moment, he shifted his gaze to Crown Prince Longxing, who stood by the steps looking as mournful as if bereaved, and to Xiao Shan and the other loyalists of the [One Heart Society]. The former held a grand imperial seal symbolizing the Heavenly Martial Path Court's authority, while the latter unfurled a dragon robe in unison:
"The weather has turned cold, My Lord. Please add another layer."
Lü Yang shook his head, feigning refusal. "My dear ministers, you've truly brought me hardship. How could I presume to shoulder such a responsibility?"
Silence met his words.
All eyes turned to Crown Prince Longxing, who nearly ground his teeth to dust but ultimately bowed his head meekly:
"This humble one acknowledges that the Heavenly Martial lineage has endured over four hundred years, its fortune exhausted, its mandate expired. The will of heaven has shifted; the hopes of the people have waned. Now, destiny finds its conclusion; the imperial regalia must return to sagely virtue. The Mandate of Heaven cannot long be denied; the people's wishes cannot long be opposed. This humble one entreats the Daoist to undertake the rites of abdication, fulfilling the desires of gods and men alike, and soothing the hopes of all within and beyond."
This speech had been beaten into him by the Imperial City Bureau's court rods.
Lü Yang regarded Crown Prince Longxing impassively, while the latter dared not meet his gaze, bowing deeply and raising the imperial seal overhead.
"...Very well."
With those words, Lü Yang decisively accepted the seal. The next instant, his voice resounded across all of Jiangdong through the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes]:
"Now that We inherit the imperial legacy, We decree the rectification of the calendar, the alteration of ceremonial colors, the distinction of insignia, the unification of measurements, the continuation of the fire element, and the compliance with popular will. We proclaim the establishment of a new dynasty to inaugurate the grand succession..."
His celestial voice rang clear. At first, listeners took it in stride, but soon, something felt amiss.
Because Lü Yang's voice wasn't confined to Jiangdong—it spread beyond, crossing the Great Dragon River into Jiangbei, even reaching overseas!
"What's happening?"
"The [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes]... are expanding!"
"Jiangbei and overseas? Impossible! Jiangbei is demonic sect territory, its karma interwoven, its fortune solidified. How could the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] spread there?"
"And overseas—overseas monstrous cultivators have never submitted to imperial rule. How could they possibly yield?"
Not only were Dao Court cultivators baffled, but those in Jiangbei and overseas were equally stunned. Yet the inexorable expansion of the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes] brooked no denial.
As this unfolded, Lü Yang's vision seemed to transcend mountains and rivers, revealing the maps of Jiangdong, Jiangbei, and even overseas before his eyes. These merged with his innate divine ability, [Chongli's Imperial Decree of Mountains and Seas], elevating his aura to ever more transcendent heights.
Simultaneously, the source of this anomaly became clear.
Two figures materialized beside the vermilion steps: one was Tian Qiu, having rushed from overseas; the other was Chongguang, his expression resolute.
One represented overseas, the other Jiangbei.
"We pay homage to Your Majesty."
Though merely verbal acknowledgment, the submissive imagery was unmistakable. Coupled with the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes]'s expansion, the truth was undeniable.
Only then did Lü Yang part his lips to utter his final proclamation:
"...The sun and moon sharing the sky—this We call 'Shining Anew.'"
"Boom!"
In the next moment, everyone in Tianwu City instinctively looked upward, beholding the spectacle of sun and moon coexisting, witnessing the radiant celestial bodies illuminating the heavens.
Jiangdong, Jiangbei, overseas.
Of the five great territories, he now held three. Were he to seek gold now, his chances of success would reach sixty percent!