Chapter 463: His Majesty's Intentions Were Good |
“『Incense-Fueled Deification Method』.”
Looking at the cultivation method offered by Lu Yang, Wu Taian's first reaction was: disdain.
Great benefit to the Dao Court?
What a joke. Our Dao Court is rich across the Four Seas, overflowing with gold and silver, with enough wealth to last forever! Do we need a destitute member of the True Dragon Clan to offer us a cultivation method?
However, for the sake of the Dragon Monarch’s face, he still swept over it with his divine sense.
“Hmm?”
Feeling uncertain, he swept over it again.
“.Tss.”
The next second, just as Lu Yang had expected, the previously indifferent Wu Taian abruptly sat up straight and took the method to scrutinize it carefully.
This was a great merit! Monumental merit!
But very quickly, Wu Taian realized a problem: this method had sound theory, but there was no soil in this world where it could take root.
It lacked the Fruition Position!
“Which Realm Heaven?” Wu Taian asked directly.
A completely new system never before seen must have originated from beyond the heavens. At the very least, it had formed the prototype of a Fruition Position. This Realm Heaven was a prize the Dao Court had to seize!
However, in response to his inquiry, Lu Yang merely smiled and said:
“I want to meet the Emperor.”
These simple four words immediately calmed Wu Taian down. He gave Lu Yang a deep look. “...It seems the True Dragon Clan truly has sincerity.”
Yes, to him this was the sincerity of the True Dragon Clan—the sincerity of that mid-Golden Core Dragon Monarch. After all, a Realm Heaven that had at least formed the Fruition Position prototype could never be something a mere mid-Foundation Establishment Dragon King could offer. Pure fantasy. Only as a gift from the Dragon Monarch would it make sense!
‘What a pity...’
Thinking of this, Wu Taian couldn’t help but sigh again. He knew there was no hope of privately claiming this monumental merit for himself—not even putting his name on it.
If it had been someone else, he would’ve swallowed the merit without hesitation.
After all, he was the Dao Court’s King of Southern Suppression, the emperor’s own brother. His position in the Dao Court was second only to the True Lords. If he took your merit, it meant you were worthy of it!
But not the True Dragon Clan.
Today, the True Dragon Clan was a key target of the Dao Court’s recruitment. Given that the old Dragon Monarch had offered such a great gift, it showed just how sincere he was.
Who would dare to steal such merit?
Whoever did so would be courting death!
With that in mind, Wu Taian once again scrutinized Lu Yang, then a bright smile quickly surfaced on his face. “This king congratulates Dragon King in advance.”
‘This True Dragon... is about to rise to greatness!’
After all, such monumental merit could not be rewarded to the old Dragon Monarch. In that case, the only ones who could receive great reward would be this group of True Dragons who had now entered Jiangdong!
With that thought, Wu Taian’s smile became even more sincere.
“Meeting the Emperor will be simple. I’ll vouch for the Dragon King personally and deliver the message to Tianwu City myself. His Majesty’s decree should arrive before long.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang cupped his hands respectfully, then changed the subject: “But speaking of which, Your Highness, there is one thing this little king would like explained.”
With that, he pointed upward.
There, the sixth-rank title of 【Dongting Dragon King】 shimmered radiantly.
“I came bearing the sincerity of the True Dragon Clan, yet the Dao Court gave me this kind of title. Does Your Highness think this is appropriate?”
“...” Wu Taian’s pupils contracted.
Lu Yang didn’t even need to explain. One glance and he understood—clearly someone in the Dao Court wanted to put pressure on the True Dragon Clan, give them a show of force, so these destitute heavenly nobles wouldn’t cause trouble in Jiangdong. That’s why they were granted a mere sixth-rank position, not even for Foundation Establishment.
There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with that.
But no one expected that there wouldn’t be a need for pressure. The True Dragon Clan had voluntarily shown great sensibility and brought forth a heavy show of sincerity like the 『Incense-Fueled Deification Method』.
This exchange, however, had now backfired.
Since the True Dragon Clan had been so sincere, this originally mild form of pressure now appeared as a vicious insult—worthy of a beheading!
In an instant, Wu Taian made a decision.
Sever ties! Must sever ties!
With a solemn expression, he said in a grave tone: “Please rest assured, Dragon King. I will definitely give you a proper explanation for this title. This was absolutely not His Majesty’s intention.”
“So someone within the court is stirring trouble?” Lu Yang pressed on.
“Exactly!”
Wu Taian nodded firmly. “Dragon King, rest assured. I will report this matter to the court and investigate it thoroughly. I will not allow meritorious officials to suffer injustice!”
“I see!”
At these words, Lu Yang’s expression also became righteously indignant. With a face full of pain, he said, “I knew it! His Majesty’s intentions must be good. It’s just the subordinates who failed in execution! Damn it, how did the Dao Court end up like this? Do they even deserve His Majesty’s grace?”
Wu Taian: “...”
Good heavens... You, a member of the True Dragon Clan, are getting into character this fast? For a second there, I thought it was some loyal minister giving a patriotic speech.
Still, it seemed the True Dragon Clan hadn’t exploded in rage.
There was still room for discussion. That meant the situation wasn’t too bad. At worst, just compensate a little more afterward.
With that thought, Wu Taian quickly said, “I will make arrangements right away. Soon, I’ll escort you and your fellow clansmen to Tianwu City.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.”
Lu Yang nodded and said warmly, “You and I hit it off right away, Your Highness. No need to be so formal. Just call me Duhuan in the future.”
Wu Taian paused at those words, then took the opportunity to go along, cupping his hands: “Then I greet Daoist Duhuan. May we have many dealings in the days to come.”
“Definitely! Definitely!”
Moments later, as Lu Yang walked out of the Southern Suppression King’s estate, he instantly put away his smile.
‘As expected... From the start I thought the Incense Deification Path of the 【Seven Luminaries Heaven】 matched well with the Dao Court. Now, it seems they are indeed very greedy for it.’
That was enough.
After all, he never intended to hand over his complete 【Seven Luminaries Heaven】. What he planned to offer was the version that still remained beyond the heavens!
‘In any case, Hongyun doesn’t need it anymore.’
‘I’ll make use of it on his behalf.’
‘Come to think of it... If I replicate Chong Guang’s path to verifying the 【Boundless Heaven】 in this life, with all the True Lords in hiding, maybe I’ll be able to once again defy fate and slay Hongyun?’
As Lu Yang pondered, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Straight ahead, a gentle breeze passed by, revealing a middle-aged man in black robes. His face was fierce and rugged, but his mouth bore sharp, protruding fangs.
‘A demon cultivator...’
Lu Yang raised his brows slightly. Across the world, if any place had the most demon cultivators, it would be either overseas where the True Dragon Clan reigned—or Jiangdong Dao Court.
After all, under the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】, all were equal. Demon cultivators could compete too, and with their superior physiques, could outperform humans. Excellent labor force... Yet even so, as far as Lu Yang knew, demon cultivators still ranked at the very bottom of the social chain in the Dao Court.
No wonder he wore black.
“Little demon greets the Dragon King.”
The next moment, the man in black bowed respectfully to Lu Yang and said, “We have long admired the True Dragons’ name. Might you honor us with your presence?”
Lu Yang’s thoughts shifted slightly, then he nodded calmly:
“Lead the way.”