Chapter 591: Sentiment and Ruthlessness |
Ten thousand years had passed, and Xiao Manor had long since changed. It was now known as Xiao City, the most powerful cultivation family in the region. Despite its prestigious status, the descendants of the Xiao family never forgot Xiao Lan. In the ancestral hall, her statue stood tall, worshipped by future generations.
Watching the emotional expressions of the Xiao family’s descendants, Xiao Lan couldn’t help but think of her older siblings. As a newly ascended Wandering Immortal, she felt a tinge of envy.
Her cultivation was high, and she had lived far longer than the Xiao family members, but in truth, she had faced very few hardships. Most of her life had been spent in seclusion, which left her temperament still akin to that of a young girl.
Gu An observed Xiao Lan being surrounded by her descendants, a warm smile on his face.
In her past life, Ye Lan had dreamed of such a moment. Unfortunately, she had no surviving family, let alone descendants.
Xiao Lan stayed in Xiao City for an entire month. The entire population knew that their ancestor had returned, and even cultivators from neighboring cities and sects came to pay their respects.
During this month, although Gu An saw Xiao Lan every day, their time together was no longer as intimate as before. It wasn’t that Xiao Lan was deliberately neglecting him—it was simply that her family was too enthusiastic.
When they finally left Xiao City, Xiao Lan stood upon the clouds, raising her arms high as she laughed heartily. "I have a new goal now! Not only will I become the ruler of the Dao Court, but I will also ensure the Xiao family prospers for eternity as an immortal cultivation clan!"
Her entire being radiated confidence, exuding the proud aura of a genius cultivator.
He was well aware of his own contradictions. He always claimed he wouldn’t interfere, yet time and again, he found himself stepping in.
Long Teng was the best example of this.
No matter how powerful a cultivator became, they would always care for those close to them.
Suddenly, a thought struck Gu An.
Was it better for immortals and gods to have emotions, or to be emotionless?
Did the Heavenly Dao and the Grand Dao possess emotions?
Gu An fell into deep contemplation. Xiao Lan, unaware of his thoughts, continued to voice her grand aspirations, as if speaking them aloud would make the heavens bear witness to her resolve.
In the Tai Cang Dynasty, within the grand hall of the imperial palace, civil and military officials stood on either side, watching as a man clad in magnificent silver armor walked forward.
This man was Long Teng. His heavy silver armor wrapped around him like a coiling dragon, and his helmet bore two phoenix-plumed wings. His white cloak billowed behind him as if it had a will of its own.
At the top of the steps ahead, Li Xuandao, dressed in imperial robes, gazed at Long Teng with a satisfied smile.
Yang Jian was also present in the hall. Unlike the generals, he wore official robes, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Long Teng with a slight nod.
Standing nearby was Li Yu, who had accompanied Long Teng to the Dao Court. His face was filled with excitement, and he even waved toward Long Teng.
Long Teng’s expression remained calm as he walked forward, stopping before the steps. Kneeling on one knee, he raised his hand in salute to Li Xuandao.
Li Xuandao smiled. "Rise. Your achievements have pleased me greatly."
As Long Teng stood up, an elderly minister stepped forward with a decree in hand and began reading aloud: "General of the Northern Expedition, Long Teng, has swept through the Drowning Sea Demon Domain, slaying the Black Demon King, shaking the Seven Seas, and bringing glory to the Tai Cang Dynasty. For his unparalleled contributions, he is hereby granted the title Heavenly Honor Grand General, ranking First Grade, granted eternal favor by the Tai Cang Dynasty, with his image immortalized in the Hall of Divine Generals."
The minister's powerful voice echoed through the grand hall, stirring murmurs among the gathered officials.
Many were astonished. They had expected the emperor to reward Long Teng handsomely, but they never imagined such an honor.
First Grade—a rank second only to the emperor himself!
And the Grand General title—until now, only Yang Jian had ever received it.
Li Xuandao was pleased by the officials’ shock. He wanted to elevate Long Teng to the pinnacle so that all under heaven would know his name.
Whether they envied him or disdained him, Long Teng would ascend beyond their reach.
Li Xuandao raised his right hand, and a golden decree, shaped like a sword, descended from the heavens, landing before Long Teng.
"From this day forward, with this decree, you may mobilize any army at your command. Seeing this decree is akin to seeing me—you may act first and report later."
Li Xuandao’s voice resounded like a clap of thunder, shaking the grand hall. The court was in an uproar, and even Yang Jian showed a hint of surprise.
Li Yu was stunned. He had never expected the emperor to go to such lengths.
But upon recalling Long Teng’s connection with Gu An, it all made sense.
The Tai Cang Dynasty was strong, but it was still far from ruling the world. Only with the support of Sword Master of the Dao could it truly have a chance at supremacy.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Long Teng accepted the decree without hesitation, his voice firm and unwavering.
As he took hold of it, the gathered officials sensed that the Tai Cang Dynasty was on the verge of change. Over the years, the emperor had not only elevated Long Teng but had also promoted many members of the Long Family.
With Long Teng being granted the title of Heavenly Honor Grand General, the Long Family had officially ascended into the ranks of the imperial dynasty’s most elite families. Even those with greater heritage had to acknowledge their growing influence.
Whoosh—
A sudden gust of wind swept through the grand hall, causing the expressions of all present to shift dramatically.
Long Teng turned, narrowing his eyes.
In an instant, a figure appeared before him, thrusting a palm forward—it was Yang Jian.
As Yang Jian struck, a torrent of divine power erupted, but it collided with an unseen force, dispersing into a mist.
"You think you can revel in your triumph after slaughtering my demon clans? What a joke!"
A cold, mocking voice rang out.
Yang Jian’s expression changed in an instant. A surge of overwhelming demonic power shattered his energy and forced him backward.
As he staggered back, he instinctively looked for Long Teng—but he was already gone.
Even Li Xuandao, seated upon the dragon throne, was forced to gather his power. Though he had protective divine energy, he still had to rise from his seat in shock.
The officials on both sides of the hall were thrown to the ground, their agonized cries echoing through the chamber.
"Tai Cang Emperor, this is your warning. Your so-called Heavenly Honor Grand General must die. And I shall have my subordinates feast upon his flesh and blood!"
That mocking voice sounded once more before the violent demon wind vanished.
Yang Jian was gone as well—pursuing the intruder.
Li Xuandao stood before the dragon throne, his brows furrowed. He was not panicked, yet there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
Long Teng found himself bound by an inescapable force of demonic energy, completely stripped of his ability to resist. He couldn't even open his eyes as he was spun through space, his soul trembling.
This sensation lasted for a long time before he was finally thrown onto the ground.
As the demonic energy dissipated, he opened his eyes, finding himself lying on the floor of a vast underground chamber. The dimly lit space stretched far into the distance, where a sacrificial altar more than a thousand zhang in diameter stood tall.
Behind the altar loomed an imposing stone statue—a fearsome, ancient demon of unparalleled might. Even as a mere statue, it exuded a crushing sense of oppression.
Long Teng turned his head and saw that a red rope bound his battle armor, sealing his power and preventing him from even standing.
A shadow appeared before him out of nowhere—a towering demon with the head of an eagle and the body of a man, dressed in loose robes. His immense frame was like a small mountain.
The demon stood with his back to Long Teng, gazing at the stone statue before speaking.
"Master, I cannot endure this any longer. I could tolerate the Tai Cang Dynasty’s encroachment, but this man has slaughtered my demon warriors. I must tear him apart with my own hands!"
His voice was filled with seething resentment.
An aged, hoarse voice responded, "What is this man's name? Does he have any connection to that existence?"
The eagle-headed demon snorted coldly.
"His name is Long Teng. How could he possibly be connected to Sword Master of the Dao? Master, you are far too cautious. Sword Master of the Dao left the Heavenly Spirit Great World long ago. If he were still here, then the world would not have been unified under the Dao Court but under Tai Xuan Sect or the Tai Cang Dynasty!"