Chapter 464: Chapter 464: Dao Court Emperor: Really That Loyal?

In Celestial Wu Hall, behind layers of heavy curtains.

The Daoist Court Emperor withdrew his gaze, the thunderous, tsunami-like cries of "loyalty" still faintly echoing in his ears. He stroked his chin, a peculiar expression on his face.

’Did he sense my gaze?’

’Impossible. A cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection who has Refined a Blessed Land might have a chance, but a mere Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t possibly detect me, not even with a True Treasure.’

’In that case... was he deliberately putting on a show?’

At this thought, a playful smile appeared on the Daoist Court Emperor’s face. "This little dragon sent by the Old Dragon Monarch is quite capable. A good seedling."

In his early years as Emperor, he had been quite disdainful of such ostentatious flattery, even privately declaring his intent to ban the practice of bootlicking. As time went on, however, these words of adulation became increasingly pleasing to his ears, to the point where he even found them lacking in novelty.

But what Lü Yang did was clearly very novel.

Of course, he could also see that Lü Yang’s performance had a clear element of showmanship, but so what? Looking across the East, almost every official put on a similar show.

After all, the piercing gaze of the Celestial Wu Royal Family was well-known.

No one ever knew if the Emperor might suddenly be peeking in on them, so even when alone in private, they would deliberately make speeches about their loyalty to the throne and love for the country.

Thanks to this, he had seen similar performances countless times.

He couldn’t even remember who had done them.

But he remembered very clearly who hadn’t.

Therefore, he didn’t mind Lü Yang’s showmanship at all; in fact, he was rather appreciative. ’If you won’t even put on a superficial performance, how can I believe in your loyalty?’

"Relay my decree."

With that thought, the Daoist Court Emperor’s lips parted. A magnificent, immortal sound instantly emanated from the Celestial Wu Hall, and the [Immortal Dao Law] immediately responded in concert.

"By my order, Dongting Dragon King Du Huan is to enter the Capital City at once."

......

「Meanwhile, inside a remote Cave Mansion.」

Lü Yang led the group of Demon Cultivators to sit down in an orderly fashion. Although he had already used [Puppet] to hypnotize all of them, Lü Yang did not exert rigid control.

As long as [Puppet] remained inactive, these Demon Cultivators would show no abnormalities. Only when Lü Yang needed it would he forcibly control their actions. This was something he had learned from the Bhagavat; after all, the Bhagavat’s use of Unity to manipulate the Pure Land Buddhist Cultivators followed the same logic.

However, at that very moment, the [Dongting Dragon King] Official Position above Lü Yang’s head suddenly began to vibrate violently. A mystical sound then drifted out from it, causing the expressions of the surrounding Demon Cultivators to change dramatically.

"By my order, Dongting Dragon King Du Huan, enter the Capital City."

THUD!

Instantly, the group of Demon Cultivators fell uncontrollably to their knees, performing a grand kowtow, simply because their own Official Positions had sensed it at that moment.

An oral decree from the Emperor!

In that instant, even without the manipulation of [Puppet], a look of fervent excitement gradually appeared in the eyes of the black-robed Demon Cultivator as he gazed at Lü Yang.

’The Emperor himself is summoning him, and he’s using the [Immortal Dao Law] to deliver the oral decree directly, instead of sending a Holy Decree. This is an immense honor!’

Meanwhile, Lü Yang wore a solemn expression and performed a bow.

"Your subject obeys."

As his voice fell, the Mystical Immortal Sound, having received its reply, gradually faded away. At the same time, Lü Yang saw the [Immortal Dao Law] bestow a Splendid Light upon him.

[Please proceed to Celestial Wu City for an audience with the Emperor within one day.]

[Failure to arrive at the Capital City for the imperial audience within the time limit will result in the immediate stripping of your Official Position in accordance with the Immortal Dao Law, with no possibility of future employment. Please depart immediately.]

"Everyone, it seems I cannot stay for long."

Lü Yang smiled faintly and looked at the black-robed Demon Cultivator. "May I ask for this Daoist’s name?"

"This Little Demon is Xiao Shan."

The black-robed Demon Cultivator hurriedly replied, "It is the name this Little Demon took for himself after gaining sentience. Dragon King, you are heading to the Capital City. If you have any requests in the future, we will all obey!"

Lü Yang chuckled at his words. "In that case, why wait for a better day? We might as well exchange contact methods now, so we can watch over and help each other in the future. We can also bring in the other Demon Cultivators. Let’s all get acquainted. We are all Demon Cultivators, so we’re naturally in the same camp."

"This one... This subordinate understands!"

Xiao Shan was instantly ecstatic. He knew that the Dragon King before him had accepted their pledge of allegiance. Perhaps he truly had a hope of changing the current status of Demon Cultivators?

At this thought, Xiao Shan became even more excited.

Seeing this, Lü Yang nodded to himself. ’Although these Demon Cultivators are of little use to me now, that might not be the case in the future.’

This was one of the benefits of the Dao Court.

As long as you had connections and a backer up top, and were granted an Official Position, your Cultivation would soar faster than a rocket! Whether your combat power was strong was another matter, but at least your Position would definitely meet the standard!

"As for this faction, it would be best to give it a name."

"Please, my lord, bestow us with one," Xiao Shan said perceptively.

Hearing this, Lü Yang nodded. "We are all loyal subjects who only know how to serve the Dao Court wholeheartedly and repay His Majesty’s grace for promoting us."

"In that case, why don’t we call it the One Heart Association!"

......

「Celestial Wu City.」

Riding his Flying Light, Lü Yang sped along, even using one of his Innate Ability’s Profound Mysterious arts, [Self-Training], to boost his speed. He reached his destination in less than half a day.

BOOM!

The moment he drew near Celestial Wu City, Lü Yang felt a vast and Mighty Power crash down, shattering his Flying Light and forcing him to descend.

’This is... the center of the [Immortal Dao Law]!’

Lü Yang’s eyes flashed. He looked toward Celestial Wu City through the perspective projected by his [Profound City Blessed Land], and what met his gaze was a vast, golden-yellow Cloud Sea!

The Cloud Sea churned and undulated directly above the Imperial Palace at the center of Celestial Wu City. Countless threads extended from it, stretching out in all directions across the East, outlining the entirety of the [Immortal Dao Law]. Within that Cloud Sea, Lü Yang could even faintly discern four brilliant glows operating in its depths.

’Heaven and Earth Fruit Position...’

Lü Yang knew clearly that what was locked deep within the Cloud Sea, bound by layer upon layer of the [Immortal Dao Law], were the four Heaven and Earth Fruit Positions controlled by the Dao Court!

As he was contemplating this, someone had already taken the initiative to walk over.

"Lord Dragon King."

Lü Yang looked up at the voice and saw a person with a solemn expression and a powerful Qi trace. The Script on the Official Position above his head brightly displayed: [Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Secretariat].

’No rank...’

Lü Yang’s eyebrows raised slightly. According to Wu Taian’s memories, the [Rituals Department] was an Inner Court Office, and its status was even lower than that of the [All Heaven Department].

At least the [All Heaven Department] had official ranks. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

But the Eunuchs of the [Rituals Department], and indeed the entire Inner Court system, had no ranks. They essentially borrowed the Emperor’s authority and weren’t even considered Cultivators.

Despite this, Lü Yang showed no trace of aversion on his face. Instead, he returned the greeting solemnly, "True Dragon Du Huan, I greet you, Fellow Daoist."

Seeing this, the man’s expression immediately relaxed slightly.

"The Dragon King is too polite. This one’s surname is An, and I am unworthy of being called ’Fellow Daoist’ by the Dragon King... Please, Dragon King, follow me into the palace. His Majesty has said for you to have an audience with him at once."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist An." Lü Yang cupped his hands in a salute.

Soon, under the guidance of this Inner Court Eunuch, Lü Yang passed through the magnificent [Xuanwu Gate] and saw the majestic, mountain-like [Celestial Wu Hall].

He stepped over the threshold and walked into the hall.

What met his eyes was a magnificent Dao Platform. Heavy curtains hung on the platform, faintly silhouetting a figure whose face and gender were indiscernible.

Yet, in that instant, Lü Yang had an illusion. It was as if the figure hidden behind the heavy curtains wasn’t sitting on a mere Dao Platform, but on the mountains and rivers of the East, the Nine Provinces and Ten Thousand Directions. As the palace gates closed behind him, Heaven and Earth themselves seemed to fall into a tranquil silence.

"Your subject, Du Huan, greets Your Majesty!"

Without a second word, Lü Yang dropped to one knee and immediately took out a Jade Scroll. "These are the coordinates to the Outer Realm corresponding to the *Incense Fire Divinity Method*."

"I invite Your Majesty to inspect it."

"..."

Lü Yang’s sudden action stunned the Daoist Court Emperor, who had still been contemplating how to begin the conversation. He hadn’t expected Lü Yang to be so direct.

’I haven’t even paid you yet, and you’re already handing over the goods?’

’Is he really that loyal?’