Jiangdong, Tianwu City.
This place was the Capital of the Dao Court, where the Tianwu Imperial Family resided. Its vast area, placed in other regions, would almost be equivalent to a mortal country.
It governed a population of over a hundred million.
Looking at a glance, multi-storied palaces and jade pavilions clustered together around a magnificent hall that rose nine layers high along the mountain, piercing straight into the clouds.
Entering from the Xuanwu Gate, jade steps rose a thousand ren high, with coiled dragons and crouching chi dragons. Winding up from below the red steps, like the Heavenly River pouring backwards, they reached straight to that majestic hall. On both sides of the red steps, beside the jade stairs, auspicious beasts stood in rows, either holding their heads high with disdain or glaring with wide eyes. All were finely carved from black stone, having weathered wind and rain, their divine might clear and bright.
Occasionally, a few jackdaws flew past.
Whenever the evening drum sounded, deep sound waves spread from the depths of the palace, echoing between these jade towers and pavilions, revealing a sense of boundless, profound silence.
[Tianwu Hall].
This was the residence of the Son of Heaven. Every moment, hundreds or thousands of inner court guards, eunuchs, and palace maids were either standing guard quietly or running around busily.
Suddenly, a eunuch walked out of the crowd quickly.
Holding a jade slip in his hand, he walked into [Tianwu Hall] with the utmost urgency, without stopping. Upon approaching, he even performed a sliding kneel directly:
"Your Majesty! An urgent letter has arrived from King Zhen Nan's Mansion."
Having spoken, the eunuch waited respectfully for a moment. Only after a long time did a voice come from behind the heavy curtains, carrying a hint of curiosity:
"Sent by Taian?"
"Bring it up."
The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief. Supporting the jade slip with a strand of divine sense, he carefully delivered it behind the curtains, where it was gently pinched by a slender hand.
That was a young man, slender in build and handsome in appearance. As the Son of Heaven of the Dao Court, he wore not a dragon robe symbolizing his noble status, but a simple Daoist robe. Behind the curtain was not a dragon chair, but a Daoist platform, surrounded by lingering sandalwood incense.
"Hmm?"
Soon, a surprised grunt came from the young man's nose. Holding the jade slip in his hand, he calculated with his fingers, then revealed a calm smile.
"Not bad, not bad."
"It was indeed discovered by the True Dragon Clan. Sure enough, it is a big gift. I originally thought the Dragon Lord agreeing to cooperate harbored malicious intentions, plotting rebellious matters..."
Looking at it now, could it be that he overthought it?
At least this [Incense Offering Godhood Method] was indeed of extremely great use to the Dao Court.
If the corresponding World Realm could be found, even if only an embryonic Dao Fruit, he would absolutely not spare any effort to nurture it slowly to perfection!
"But... this Dao Fruit must be grasped in my hands."
"Otherwise, if the Dao Fruit remains in the hands of the True Dragon Clan, then my effort developing the [Incense Offering Godhood Method] would instead be doing work for them."
"He want an audience?"
The Dao Court's Son of Heaven smiled meaningfully, not surprised either. In his view, it was nothing more than the True Dragon Clan wanting to bargain and seek more benefits.
Thinking of this, he frowned again.
Because the letter presented by Wu Taian also additionally explained the issue of the [Dongting Dragon King]'s official position. This matter wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either.
Especially at this juncture, it undoubtedly gave the True Dragon Clan more bargaining chips.
"...Nonsense."
The Dao Court's Son of Heaven scolded lightly. Although he had indeed hinted at beating down the True Dragon Clan previously, he hadn't explicitly stated how to do it specifically.
Clearly, the people below misunderstood his meaning.
But the problem was also easy to solve. Whoever did it would be dealt with. The Dao Court had no shortage of people; if one didn't do well, swapping in another would be the same.
"Decree— [Capital Skies Division Left Pacification Commissioner], dismissed from office."
As soon as the words were spoken, the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] vibrated instantly. Almost simultaneously, a majestic middle-aged man far away in the [Capital Skies Division] yamen suddenly widened his eyes.
"No... how could this be!?"
In an instant, spiritual power surged all over the majestic middle-aged man's body. Divine Abilities emerged, and the [Capital Skies Division Left Pacification Commissioner] official position above his head trembled even more.
This was a Rank 4 official position.
Middle-stage Foundation Establishment!
However, this resistance lasted less than a breath before the majestic middle-aged man's face fell into despair. Finally, he tremblingly took off the official hat on his head:
"Subject thanks Your Majesty for stripping the rank. Subject accepts the decree and thanks for grace!"
Boom!
Before his voice fell, his whole body's aura scattered with a boom. The official position was withdrawn, the official robe fell to the ground, leaving behind only a humble mortal standing in place!
Inside [Tianwu Hall].
After demoting a middle-stage Foundation Establishment to a mortal with a single word, the Dao Court's Son of Heaven showed no fluctuation in expression. Instead, he revealed a look of interest.
"To make the old Dragon Lord show such sincerity."
"And know how to use the official position matter to make a fuss and seek more benefits... Doesn't look like a barbarian beast. Are there also outstanding talents among overseas Demon cultivators?"
The next second, a glimmer appeared in the depths of his eyes.
That was a pair of emerald eyes, a bloodline wonder of the Tianwu Imperial Family. Activating it at this moment, the Dao Court Son of Heaven's line of sight instantly crossed thousands of miles!
"I'd like to see, what kind of person..."
Outside King Zhen Nan's Mansion, inside an immortal cave abode.
Lu Yang followed the black-robed Demon Cultivator all the way into the cave abode. The sight that greeted him was m soaring demonic Qi—there were more than ten Demon cultivators!
And all were Foundation Establishment!
But soon, Lu Yang saw through the background of these ten-plus Demon cultivators—none attained it through self-cultivation; all had corresponding official positions above their heads.
Seeing this, disappointment instantly appeared in Lu Yang's eyes. After all, let alone ten such Demon cultivators, even a hundred more couldn't overturn the heavens!
But soon he discovered something wrong.
Because he found that the [Official Positions] of these Demon Cultivators were very special... basically all surrounding military posts. Rank 5 officials could also be called Generals.
While pondering, a smile had already appeared on Lu Yang's face:
"...Fellow Daoists, why did you invite me here?"
"Replying to the Dragon King."
The black-robed Demon Cultivator was clearly the leader of these Demon Cultivators and spoke first at this moment: "Nothing else, we just wanted to get to know the Dragon King first."
"Get to know?"
Lu Yang paused, then shook his head with a light laugh, saying: "I have looked into your situation. In my opinion, what you need isn't to get to know me. What you need is a leader who can forcefully tear apart all enemies, which is why you found me."
"I have to admit; you found the right person."
Before his voice fell, Lu Yang acted.
[Marionette]!
None of the Demon Cultivators present were strong; all were early-stage Foundation Establishment. Naturally, they couldn't resist [Marionette]. The whole venue instantly fell into dead silence.
A moment later, Lu Yang suddenly raised an eyebrow.
Inside the [Myriad Spirits Banner], [Xuandu Blessed Land] vibrated, triggering his spiritual perception, telling him— an invisible gaze was looking at him from extremely far away!
Perfected Lord gazing... The Dao Court's Son of Heaven?
Lu Yang was slightly startled in his heart but not panicked. He even felt full of confidence. After all, the current him could already detect the prying of a Golden Core Perfected Lord!
After pondering for a moment, he spoke again:
"Everyone rest assured, I will help you. The status of Demon cultivators in the Dao Court indeed needs to change. This is inherently the responsibility of my True Dragon Clan."
A Demon cultivator hurriedly flattered: "We swear loyalty to the death for the True Dragon Clan!"
The black-robed Demon Cultivator glared at the other party instantly upon hearing this and corrected hurriedly: "Idiot, what loyalty to the True Dragon Clan? It's loyalty to Lord Dragon King!"
"You are all wrong."
Lu Yang shook his head and cupped his hands towards the direction of Tianwu City: "It should be loyalty to His Majesty... You must all remember this firmly for me."
"In the Dao Court, only one person can call the wind and summon the rain, and that is His Majesty!"
As his voice fell, Lu Yang simply stood still on the spot, facing Tianwu City. Then he clenched his right fist and bowed solemnly: "Loyalty!"
The next second, [Marionette] activated.
All Demon cultivators followed suit, also bowing towards Tianwu City. For a time, the sound like a mountain roaring and a tsunami crashing even transmitted directly outside the cave abode:
"Loyalty!"