In fact, in Lu Yang's view, there was one thing about the Dao Court that made it starkly different from the Saint Sect, the Sword Pavilion, and even the Pure Land, making it appear rather unique.
That was "personality."
This was subtle, and "personality" was also Lu Yang's personal opinion. Put it simply— Jiangbei had the First Saint, Jiangnan had the Sword Seed, and Jiangxi had the World Honored One.
What did Jiangdong have?
Rats?
It sounded absurd, but it actually made sense—at least compared to the other three places, describing Dao Court cultivators as naive and simple wouldn't be an exaggeration.
In the final analysis, cultivation in the Dao Court comes too easily, lacking much tempering. Rather than fighting and killing, the energy of Dao Court cultivators is mostly spent on internal strife under the rule of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. No wonder the combat power of Dao Court cultivators ranks last among the four borders.
However, the Dao Court also had its own advantages.
This advantage didn't lie with the low-level Dao Court officials, but with the highest level of the Dao Court—those who could freely access the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws].
For example, Empress Xiao.
Reading through the Four Treasuries Daoist Canon... if it's just reciting, any Qi Refining cultivator can do it. The key lies in thoroughly understanding its content.
Understanding it—that is Dao comprehension.
Otherwise, knowing the what but not the why is just building castles in the air, useless or even harmful to cultivation. Saying it out loud would only make one a laughingstock.
But Empress Xiao was obviously not that kind of person. As the Empress, she was equally qualified to invoke the blessings of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] without limit. Therefore, she truly understood the Four Treasuries Daoist Canon extremely deeply. After several conversations, Empress Xiao's bottomless Dao comprehension simply made Lu Yang unable to stop.
"Minister, you cultivate [Heavenly Fire]?"
Speaking of this, Empress Xiao's expression was a bit strange. After all, the Golden Core ritual for [Heavenly Fire] was well known; cultivating it was equivalent to cutting off one's Dao path.
But... this is good too.
After all, a partner with a severed Dao path was destined to have no conflict of interest with her, who aimed to seek the Golden Core, making him more trustworthy.
Even taking a step back, the ritual of [Heavenly Fire] was to rule the world, which didn't conflict with the Dao Fruit she aimed for. Instead, they complemented each other wonderfully.
With this thought, Empress Xiao became more proactive.
After all, for her right now, Lu Yang was her pawn, a divine sword used to eliminate the officials. Naturally, she wanted to sharpen him further.
"The dao arts you picked earlier were actually quite good, Minister."
Empress Xiao glanced at the [Beacon Flame Yang Scripture] and [Manifesting Yang Emperor's Radiance Register] Lu Yang had selected, nodding, "Both are related to the concept of [Heavenly Fire]."
"However, Minister, you have gone a bit astray."
"[Heavenly Fire] is not merely the blazing sun hanging in the sky, a Dao Fruit of pure yang and rigidity. It also encompasses the bright moon, like a jade plate, embodying the transformations of utmost yin. Both the Sun and the Moon belong to [Heavenly Fire]."
With a single sentence, Empress Xiao awakened the dreamer.
Lu Yang's eyes widened as realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. That's right… [Heavenly Fire] embraces the interplay of yin and yang. Following the Sun represents the grand, majestic path—upright and overwhelming.
But following the Moon aligns perfectly with the concept he had been yearning for earlier: the Son of Heaven personally leading the army, stepping onto perilous ground.
Which meant—
Lu Yang was, after all, at Foundation Establishment Perfection. Earlier, he had gained nothing only because he had been blinded by a single leaf. Even without Empress Xiao's hint, he would have come to this realization sooner or later.
With her guidance, however, the answer became instantly clear.
I should seek Geng Metal.
Lu Yang raised his head, enlightenment dawning upon him. Almost in unison with Empress Xiao, he spoke:
"Taiyin corresponds to the Moon, and Geng Metal also corresponds to the Moon. It governs weapons and slaughter as well. The dangers of arms and warfare often place the exalted one in mortal peril—perfectly matching the concept of 'treading on dangerous ground.' Therefore, the most suitable choice right now is a Geng Metal dao art."
Their voices stopped at the same time.
Empress Xiao was stunned, a strange brilliance flashing in her beautiful eyes. Clearly, she hadn't expected Lu Yang's reaction speed to be so fast, showing his Dao comprehension was definitely not low.
"Thank you for the guidance, Your Majesty." Lu Yang cupped his hands.
"...You are too polite."
Empress Xiao reached out to help Lu Yang up again, chuckling lightly: "It seems even if I didn't say it, you would have understood in a few days, Minister."
"I still have to trouble Your Majesty."
Lu Yang shook his head and whispered, "Although this subject has a goal, I ultimately don't know the Daoist Canon as well as Your Majesty. I ask Your Majesty to select a technique for me."
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Empress Xiao thought for a moment. Then she beckoned with her hand, and a Daoist book flew out from the vast ocean of the Daoist Canon, lightly caught by her fingers.
Lu Yang looked closely:
[Gilded Gold Commanding-Arms Talisman]
"This Geng Metal dao art should suit you best, Minister. Please take a look."
After speaking, Empress Xiao reached into her bosom again, took out a command talisman carrying a sweet scent, and stuffed it into Lu Yang's hand: "Minister, you can keep this item temporarily."
"This..."
Lu Yang wanted to refuse, but found that with the command talisman in hand, the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] that originally felt far away on the horizon instantly became intimate.
This is... the blessing authority of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]?
The unrestricted version!?
"...Since it is bestowed by Your Majesty, this subject will respectfully obey!"
As his voice fell, Lu Yang instantly closed his five fingers, tightly gripping the command talisman Empress Xiao handed over, almost grabbing Empress Xiao's slender hand along with it.
Empress Xiao retracted her jade hand instantly as if electrocuted. Her expression remained unchanged as she chuckled lightly: "With this item, you should be able to quickly master the divine wonders of the [Gilded Gold Commanding-Arms Talisman], Minister. Unfortunately this item cannot be taken out of the Imperial Harem... There is no day better than today. Minister, why not stay here to comprehend the dao art?"
"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
Concerning cultivation, Lu Yang threw aside all concerns instantly. He sat cross-legged on the spot, holding the Daoist book, and began comprehending the dao art under the blessing of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws].
He wasn't worried Empress Xiao would play dirty.
After all, the banner spirits inside the [Myriad Spirits Banner] were not to be trifled with. Even though Patriarch Nether Whisper had left temporarily, Suo Huan was sufficient to take up the duty of protecting him.
[Gilded Gold Commanding-Arms Talisman]... No wonder she said it fits [Heavenly Fire].
This talisman art can detain the wonder of others' divine abilities, then gather them into a single talisman to master them thoroughly, greatly increasing their power, to be unleashed when needed.
If it were just this single talisman art, it would at most detain some divine ability power—mere scraps. And it would require accumulation over days and months to slowly improve... But I am different. With [Heavenly Fire], I can completely detain others' entire divine abilities!
After finishing his comprehension, Lu Yang opened his eyes:
More importantly, this daoart suits the current me very well. The entire Tianwu City, the civil and military officials—they are all moldable talents for me to detain divine abilities from!
The next second, Empress Xiao spoke:
"Minister, these are some officials I think are in the camp of the officials. They control more than half the garrison in Tianwu City, and need to be removed as soon as possible."
"Let me see.."
Lu Yang raised his head and looked at the jade slip Empress Xiao handed over:
Imperial Soaring Dragon Camp, Commander Chen Changshou, Life-Bound Divine Ability: [Heaven-Severing Sword Technique]
Imperial Brave Tiger Camp, Commander He Yongdao, Life-Bound Divine Ability: [Heartless Annihilation Slash]
Imperial Divine Machine Camp, Commander Lin Hezhu, Life-Bound Divine Ability: [Lawless and Thoughtless]
Imperial Flying Bear Camp, Commander Jiang Shucan, Life-Bound Divine Ability: [Dust-Cleaving Form-Severing Cut]
Imperial Breaking Formation Camp, Commander Lu Jiantai, Life-Bound Divine Ability: [One Thought Divine Blade]
Five Imperial Military Camps...
Five Imperial Camp Commanders. Although only Rank 3 officials, seemingly unremarkable at first glance, they were actually the true stabilizing force of Tianwu City.
Empress Xiao explained softly, "The official positions of the Five Military Commanders are very special, like a puzzle. If combined with the Son of Heaven's Seal, the five official positions can be merged into one, transforming into a brand new official position called [Imperial Descent]. Its stature is so high it even surpasses mine and the Crown Prince's..."
In other words—
"As long as we control the Five Military Commanders, plus the Son of Heaven's Seal in my hand, it will be enough to quell all chaos. No matter what the officials do, it will be hard for them to make waves."
Undoubtedly, if this succeeded, Empress Xiao holding the Son of Heaven's Seal would be the biggest beneficiary.
However, Lu Yang found it hard to refuse. After all, the Life-Bound Divine Abilities of these five Imperial Camp Commanders were all extremely suitable as cultivation resources for the [Gilded Gold Commanding-Arms Talisman].
'Has this been planned?'
Looking at Empress Xiao close at hand, Lu Yang suddenly smiled—No wonder her ancestral home was in Jiangbei. Having mixed under the Saint Sect's rule, she indeed had some capability!
And she could specifically pick out such a dao art that both met Lu Yang's needs and fit her own interests.
It seemed the Empress's Dao comprehension... was very high!
I want it!