Chapter 462: Chapter 462: His Majesty’s Intentions Were Good

"The *Incense Fire Divinity Method*?"

Looking at the cultivation technique presented by Lü Yang, Wu Taian’s first reaction was one of complete disdain.

’Greatly beneficial to the Dao Court?’

’What a joke. My Dao Court’s wealth is boundless; we have mountains of gold and silver we could never spend! Do we need some destitute member of the True Dragon Race to present us with a cultivation technique?’

However, out of respect for the Dragon Monarch, he still scanned it with his Divine Sense.

"Hm...?"

He wasn’t quite sure, so he scanned it again.

"...Hss!"

The next second, just as Lü Yang had expected, the previously nonchalant Wu Taian suddenly sat bolt upright, took the cultivation technique, and examined it in detail.

A long while passed before he finally looked up, staring at Lü Yang in disbelief. ’He wasn’t wrong. This *Incense Fire Divinity Method* is truly of immense use to the Dao Court! Cultivating by gathering the masses, achieving divinity through incense... If this were combined with the Dao Court’s system of official positions, it could trigger an explosive growth in our power!’

’This is a great service! A monumental service!’

But Wu Taian quickly realized a problem: ’This cultivation technique... it’s purely theoretical. The foundation to implement it doesn’t exist in this world.’

’It lacks the Fruit!’

"Which Outer Realm?" Wu Taian asked directly.

’A completely new system that has never been seen before must come from Beyond the Heavens. At the very least, it must have condensed a Fruit Position Prototype. The Dao Court must obtain this Outer Realm!’

However, in response to his question, Lü Yang simply smiled and said:

"I wish to see the Emperor."

Those few simple words immediately calmed Wu Taian. He gave Lü Yang a deep look. "...It seems the True Dragon Race is sincere after all."

’Yes, in his eyes, this is the sincerity of the True Dragon Race—the sincerity of that Dragon Monarch at the Middle Stage of Golden Core. After all, how could a Dragon King at the mere Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment possibly produce an Outer Realm that has condensed at least a Fruit Position Prototype? That’s preposterous. It only makes sense as a gift from the Dragon Monarch himself!’

’A pity...’

Thinking of this, Wu Taian couldn’t help but sigh. He knew there was no hope of taking credit for this monumental achievement; he couldn’t even get his name attached to it.

If it had been anyone else, he would have simply taken the credit.

After all, he was the Dao Court’s Southern King, the Emperor’s own brother. His status in the Dao Court was second only to the Perfected Lords. For him to steal your credit would be a sign of his favor!

But not the True Dragon Race.

The True Dragon Race was a faction the Dao Court was currently making every effort to win over. For the Old Dragon Monarch to offer such a magnificent gift under these circumstances truly demonstrated the depth of his sincerity.

Who would dare to steal credit for something like this?

Anyone who did would be courting death!

At this thought, Wu Taian studied Lü Yang intently once more before a smile quickly spread across his face. "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Dragon King."

’This True Dragon is about to make it big!’

’After all, for such a monumental service, the Dao Court can’t possibly reward the Old Dragon Monarch directly. That means they’ll have to lavishly reward this group of True Dragons who’ve just entered the East!’

Thinking of this, the smile on Wu Taian’s face became even more sincere.

"Arranging an audience with the Emperor is simple. I will vouch for you, Dragon King, and personally send a letter to Celestial Wu City to request a decree from His Majesty. I believe it won’t be long before we have news."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Lü Yang offered a respectful bow, but his tone shifted. "That said... Your Highness, there is one matter for which I do require an explanation."

He then pointed above his head.

There, the title for the Sixth-Grade official position of Dongting Dragon King glowed brightly.

"I came bearing the sincerity of the True Dragon Race, yet the Dao Court gave me *this* official position. Your Highness, do you believe this is acceptable?"

"..." Wu Taian’s pupils contracted sharply.

He didn’t need Lü Yang to explain; he understood with a single glance. Someone in the Dao Court was clearly trying to put the True Dragon Race in their place, a show of force to keep these fallen nobles of Heaven and Earth from causing trouble in the East. That was why they had deliberately bestowed a Sixth-Grade official position, a rank beneath even Foundation Establishment.

In principle, there was nothing wrong with that.

However, no one could have predicted that the True Dragon Race would be so perceptive, offering a gesture of sincerity as weighty as the *Incense Fire Divinity Method* without any need for intimidation.

But with this turn of events, the whole situation had backfired.

With the True Dragon Race being so sincere, what was meant to be a mild power play from the Dao Court had instead become a vicious insult—the kind heads would roll for!

In an instant, Wu Taian had made his decision.

’Distance myself! I have to distance myself from this!’

His expression turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Dragon King. I will give you a proper explanation regarding the official position. This was absolutely not His Majesty’s intention."

"So, you’re saying someone in the Court is causing mischief behind the scenes?" Lü Yang pressed.

"Precisely!"

Wu Taian nodded decisively. "Rest assured, Dragon King. I will certainly report this matter to the Court and see it investigated thoroughly. I will absolutely not allow a meritorious subject to be wronged!"

"I see!"

At these words, Lü Yang’s expression filled with righteous indignation. "I knew it!" he said, his face a mask of sorrow. "His Majesty’s intentions were surely good; it was his subordinates who botched the execution! Dammit, how has the Dao Court fallen to this state? Do they think they’re worthy of His Majesty’s favor?"

Wu Taian: "..."

’My word, you’re from the True Dragon Race, and you’re getting into character this quickly? For a moment there, I thought I was listening to some old, loyalist court official.’

’But it seems the True Dragon Race isn’t going to fly into a rage over this.’

’There’s still room for discussion, so the problem isn’t that big. If worst comes to worst, we can just compensate them a bit more later.’

Thinking of this, Wu Taian quickly said, "I’ll make the arrangements right away. I will soon send you, Dragon King, along with the kinsmen you’ve brought, to Celestial Wu City."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Lü Yang nodded and said warmly, "I felt an instant rapport with Your Highness. There’s no need to be so formal. From now on, you can just call me Du Huan."

Wu Taian paused, then seized the opening to ease the tension, offering a bow. "Then it is a pleasure, Fellow Daoist Du Huan. We must certainly stay in close contact from now on."

"Absolutely! We will!"

A moment later, as Lü Yang walked out of Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, his smile instantly vanished.

’Just as I expected. I always thought the Incense and Candle Divine Dao of the Seven Luminaries Heaven would be a perfect match for the Dao Court. It seems they are indeed extremely covetous of it.’

That was enough.

’In any case, I have no intention of handing over the complete Seven Luminaries Heaven in my possession. What I’m planning to give them is the one still remaining Beyond the Heavens!’

’Fortune has no use for that thing anymore anyway.’ 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

’So I’ll just make use of it on his behalf.’

’Speaking of which, if I replicate Minor Metal’s experience in attaining No Heaven in this lifetime, and with the world’s Perfected Lords in seclusion... perhaps I could slay Fortune once more?’

As Lü Yang was pondering this, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

A gentle breeze rustled ahead, and a middle-aged man in a black robe abruptly appeared. He had a rugged, powerful face, but sharp fangs protruded from between his lips.

’A Demon Cultivator...’

Lü Yang’s eyebrow twitched. ’Throughout the world, if you were to ask where demon cultivators were most numerous, the answer would be the overseas territories of the True Dragon Race, and the Dao Court in the East.’

’After all, under the Immortal Dao Law, all beings are equal. Demon cultivators can join the rat race just like anyone else. In fact, with their superior physical constitutions, they can be even more competitive than humans, making them an excellent workforce. Yet, despite this, as far as I know, demon cultivators remain at the very bottom of the pecking order within the Dao Court.’

’No wonder he’s dressed all in black.’

"This lowly demon greets the Dragon King."

The next second, the black-robed man bowed respectfully to Lü Yang and said, "We have long heard of the fame of the True Dragons. I wonder if you would grace us with your presence?"

Lü Yang’s mind raced for a moment, then he gave a serene nod.

"Lead the way."