[Tianwu Hall], behind the heavy curtains.
The Dao Court's Son of Heaven withdrew his gaze, the sound of "Loyalty" roaring like mountains and tsunamis still faintly echoing in his ears. He rubbed his chin with an unreadable expression.
Sensed my gaze?
Impossible. Foundation Establishment Great Perfection already refined a Blessed Land might be possible, but for a middle-stage Foundation Establishment, even giving him a True Treasure wouldn't be able to detect me.
So, putting on a show?
Thinking of this, the Dao Court's Son of Heaven instantly revealed a playful smile— "This little dragon sent by the old Dragon Lord is capable. He is a promising talent."
In his early years when he just became the Son of Heaven, he was quite dismissive of such flashy flattery and had repeatedly stated in private that the trend of sycophancy should be banned. However, as time passed, these flattering words sounded more and more pleasing to his ears, to the point he even felt they weren't novel enough.
But this one from Lu Yang was clearly very novel.
Of course, he could also tell Lu Yang had obvious elements of putting on a show, but so what? Looking across Jiangdong, almost all officials put on shows like this.
After all, the Tianwu Imperial Family's emerald eyes were well known.
No one knew if the Son of Heaven would suddenly peek at them, so even in private with no one around, they would deliberately express some words of loyalty to the sovereign.
Thanks to this, he had seen similar shows countless times long ago.
He couldn't even remember clearly who had done it.
But he remembered very clearly who hadn't done it.
Therefore, he didn't mind Lu Yang's show at all and even appreciated it quite a bit. If you don't even do the superficial work, how can I believe your loyalty?
"Pass my decree."
With this thought, the Dao Court Son of Heaven's lips parted. Magnificent celestial sound instantly transmitted from [Tianwu Hall], and the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] immediately resonated with it.
"Decree— [Dongting Dragon King] Du Huan, enter the capital immediately."
Meanwhile, inside the remote cave abode.
Lu Yang led a group of Demon cultivators to sit down one by one. Although he had used [Marionette] to hypnotize all of them, Lu Yang didn't control them forcefully.
As long as [Marionette] wasn't activated, these Demon Cultivators wouldn't show any abnormality. Only when Lu Yang needed it would he forcibly control their actions. This was also learned from the World Honored One; after all, the logic of one mind used by the World Honored One to manipulate the Pure Land Buddhist Cultivators was also like this.
However, just then.
The [Dongting Dragon King] official position above Lu Yang's head vibrated with a boom. Subsequently, a celestial sound drifted out from it, causing the expressions of the surrounding Demon cultivators to change drastically.
"Decree— [Dongting Dragon King] Du Huan, enter the capital."
Thump!
Instantly, the group of Demon Cultivators knelt on the ground almost uncontrollably, performing grand prostrations, simply because their official positions generated a response at this moment.
The Son of Heaven's oral edict.
In an instant, even without the manipulation of [Marionette], excitement and fervor gradually appeared in the eyes of the black-robed Demon cultivator looking at Lu Yang.
The Son of Heaven personally summoned him, and even directly transmitted the oral edict using the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] instead of sending an imperial decree. This is an immense favor!
On the other side, Lu Yang bowed with a solemn face:
"Your subject obeys the decree."
As his voice fell, the ethereal celestial sound that received the reply gradually faded. At the same time, Lu Yang also saw the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] lower brilliance upon him.
[Please rush to Tianwu City for an audience within one day.]
[If you do not enter the capital for an audience within the time limit, according to the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], your official position will be directly stripped, and never to be employed again. Please depart immediately.]
"Everyone, it seems I cannot stay for long."
Lu Yang smiled faintly and looked at the black-robed Demon cultivator: "May I know this Fellow Daoist's name?"
"This humble demon is Xiao Shan."
The black-robed Demon cultivator hurried to say: "This is the name i took for myself after gaining sentience. Dragon King, going to the capital this time, if you have any request in the future, we will all be at your service!"
Lu Yang chuckled lightly upon hearing this: "Since that's the case, lets leave a method of contact so we can help each other in the future. We can also bring in other demon cultivators so we can all get to know each other. We're all demon cultivators, naturally on the same side."
"This subordinate understands!"
Xiao Shan was overjoyed upon hearing this, knowing the Dragon King before him had accepted their surrender. Perhaps he really had hope of changing the current status of Demon cultivators?
Thinking of this, Xiao Shan became increasingly excited.
Seeing this scene, Lu Yang also nodded secretly. Although these Demon cultivators were useless to him now, it might not be the case in the future.
This was also the benefit of the Dao Court.
As long as there was someone above, with background, bestowing official positions, cultivation improvement would be faster than riding a rocket! Whether combat power was strong or not was another matter, at least the stature definitely met the standard!
"As for this factuon, it's best to give it a name."
"Please instruct us, my Lord," Xiao Shan said very tactfully.
Hearing these words, Lu Yang nodded: "We are all loyal subjects, knowing only to work wholeheartedly for the Dao Court, repaying His Majesty's kindness in promoting us."
"Since that's the case, why not call it the [One Heart Society]!"
Tianwu City.
Lu Yang rode a streak of light, speeding all the way. During the journey, he even used one of his Life-Bound Divine Ability wonders, [Talents Develops Naturally], to bless himself, arriving at the destination in less than half a day.
Boom!
The moment he approached Tianwu City, Lu Yang instantly felt an abundant mighty power crash down, scattering his streak of light and forcing him to descend.
This is the center of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]!
Lu Yang's eyes flashed. Looking towards Tianwu City through the perspective projected by [Xuandu Blessed Land], what met his eyes was a sea of golden-yellow clouds!
The sea of clouds bobbed up and down, located right above the Imperial Palace in the center of Tianwu City. Countless threads extended from there, spreading towards all directions of Jiangdong, outlining the entire [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. And within that sea of clouds, Lu Yang even faintly saw four radiances operating in the depths.
Heaven and Earth Dao Fruits...
Lu Yang knew clearly that what was locked deep in the sea of clouds, bound layer by layer by the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], were the four heaven and earth Dao Fruits controlled by the Dao Court!
While he was pondering, someone had already actively walked over.
"Lord Dragon King."
Lu Yang looked up in response and saw the comer had a solemn expression and robust aura. The official position above his head lit up with the register script of [Supervisor of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs].
No rank...
Lu Yang raised his eyebrows slightly. According to Wu Taian's memories, the [Directorate of Ceremonial] belonged to the Inner Court government office. Its stature was even inferior compared to the [Capital Skies Division].
At least the [Capital Skies Division] had official ranks.
But the eunuchs of the [Directorate of Ceremonial] and even the entire Inner Court system had no ranks. Essentially, they were borrowing the Son of Heaven's might, not even counting as cultivators.
Even so, Lu Yang didn't show the slightest look of disgust on his face. Instead, he returned the greeting solemnly: "True Dragon Du Huan, greetings to this Fellow Daoist."
Seeing this, the eunuch's expression relaxed slightly:
"Dragon King is too polite. My surename is named An, unworthy of being called Fellow Daoist by the Dragon King... Please follow me into the palace. His Majesty said for you to have an audience immediately."
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist An." Lu Yang cupped his hands.
Soon, under the lead of this Inner Court eunuch, Lu Yang walked through the magnificent [Xuanwu Gate] and saw the mountain-like [Tianwu Hall].
Stepping over the threshold, walking into the hall...
What met his eyes was a magnificent Daoist platform. Heavy curtains hung on the platform, faintly projecting a human figure whose face couldn't be seen clearly and gender couldn't be distinguished.
However, in this instant, Lu Yang had an illusion, as if the Daoist hiding under the heavy curtains wasn't sitting on a mere Daoist platform at this moment, but on the mountains and rivers of Jiangdong, the nine provinces and ten thousand directions. As the palace doors closed behind him, heaven and earth seemed to fall into silence at this moment.
"Subject Du Huan, greets His Majesty!"
Without saying a second word, Lu Yang knelt on one knee directly, then took out a jade slip: "This is the coordinate of the World Realm corresponding to the [Incense Offering Godhood Method]."
"May Your Majesty review it."
"..."
Lu Yang's sudden move stunned the Dao Court's Son of Heaven, who was originally still deliberating on how to start speaking. He didn't expect Lu Yang to be so decisive.
I haven't paid yet, and you gave me the goods?
Are you really that loyal?