Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 504: The Empress’s Cultivation is Very High

In Lü Yang’s opinion, the Dao Court had one quality that set it completely apart from the Saint Sect, the Sword Pavilion, and even the Pure Land, making it seem rather unconventional.

And that was its "personality."

This point was subtle, and this so-called "personality" was merely Lü Yang’s personal opinion. To put it bluntly: the North had its First Saint, the South had its Sword Species, and the West had its Bhagavat.

What did the East have?

Rats?

It sounded absurd, but there was some truth to it... At least compared to the other three regions, it was no exaggeration to describe the Dao Court’s Cultivators as naive and simple.

’In the end, it’s because Cultivation in the Dao Court comes too easily. They lack the necessary tempering. Instead of fighting and killing, Dao Court Cultivators focus most of their energy on infighting under the governance of the Immortal Dao Law. It’s no wonder their combat power ranks last among the four regions.’

However, the Dao Court had its own advantages.

This advantage did not lie with the low-level Dao Court officials, but with its highest echelons—those who could draw upon the Immortal Dao Law at will.

For example, Empress Xiao.

’Reading through the entire Four Treasures Daoist Canon... if it were just a matter of recitation, any Qi Refiner could manage. The key is to truly understand its contents.’

Only with understanding does it become true Cultivation.

Otherwise, knowing the "what" without the "why" is just building a castle in the air. It’s useless for one’s Cultivation—it might even be harmful—and speaking of it would only make one a laughingstock.

However, Empress Xiao was clearly not that sort of person. As the Empress, she too was qualified to draw upon the blessings of the Immortal Dao Law without limit. Thus, her understanding of the Four Treasures Daoist Canon was truly profound. After just a few conversations, Lü Yang found her bottomless Cultivation simply intoxicating.

"You cultivate the Fruit of Celestial Fire?"

As she said this, a peculiar look crossed Empress Xiao’s face. After all, the Gold-Seeking Device for the Fruit of Celestial Fire was common knowledge, and cultivating it was tantamount to severing one’s own path of cultivation.

’Still... that’s for the best.’

’After all, a collaborator whose path of cultivation was cut short could never have a conflict of interest with someone like me, who is determined to achieve Seeking Gold. In fact, it makes him all the more trustworthy.’

’Moreover, the Gold-Seeking Device for the Fruit of Celestial Fire is Ruling the World, which doesn’t conflict with the Fruit I’m aiming for. In fact, they complement each other wonderfully.’

With this thought, Empress Xiao became even more proactive.

After all, in her eyes, Lü Yang was her point man, a Divine Sword she could use to prune away the officials. It was only natural that she should want to sharpen its edge.

"The Daoist Skills you chose earlier were actually quite good."

Empress Xiao glanced at the Fenghou Suiyang Book and the Jianyang Emperor’s Light Talisman that Lü Yang had selected and nodded. "They both have symbolic connections to the Fruit of Celestial Fire."

"But you’re still taking a rather unorthodox path."

"The Fruit of Celestial Fire isn’t just the sun rising in the sky, a Fruit of pure yang and power. It also has the bright, jade-like moon, a transformation of ultimate softness. Both the sun and moon are the Fruit of Celestial Fire!"

Empress Xiao’s words were a sudden revelation.

Lü Yang’s eyes widened, his mind suddenly clear: ’That’s right... The Fruit of Celestial Fire encompasses the transformations of both Yin and Yang. Following the Sun’s path is naturally the grand and righteous way.’

’However, walking the path of the Taiyin embodies the very imagery I craved—the Emperor personally leading a campaign, facing grave danger!’

’So that means...’

Lü Yang was at Foundation Establishment Perfection, after all. His previous lack of progress was only because he’d been tunnel-visioned. Even without Empress Xiao’s hint, he would have realized it on his own eventually.

But with her guidance, the realization struck him in an instant:

’I must seek Geng Metal!’

Lü Yang looked up, a look of understanding on his face. He and Empress Xiao spoke at almost the exact same time: "Taiyin is the moon, and Geng Metal is also the moon. It governs matters of soldiers, war, and slaughter. The dangers of war are so great that they often bring disaster even to the Venerable, which perfectly matches the imagery of ’Facing danger.’ Therefore, the best choice now is to select a Geng Metal Daoist Skill."

Their voices stopped in unison.

Empress Xiao, in particular, was taken aback. A strange light flashed in her beautiful eyes; she clearly hadn’t expected Lü Yang to be so quick on the uptake. It was a testament to his own profound Cultivation.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty," Lü Yang said, cupping his hands in a salute.

"...You’re too kind."

Empress Xiao reached out to help him up again, chuckling softly. "It seems that even if I had said nothing, you would have understood on your own in a few days."

"I must still trouble Your Majesty."

Lü Yang shook his head and said in a low voice, "Although I have a target now, my knowledge of the Daoist Canon is ultimately no match for yours, Your Majesty. I must ask you to select a skill for me."

"Hmm..."

Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao pondered for a moment. Then, with a beckoning gesture, a Daoist Scripture flew out from the vast, sea-like Daoist Canon, and she deftly plucked it from the air.

Lü Yang fixed his gaze on it:

Gold-Plated Military Token

"This Geng Metal Daoist Skill should be the most suitable for you. You may examine it to your heart’s content."

After she spoke, Empress Xiao reached into her robes, pulled out a Communication Talisman exuding a cloying, sweet fragrance, and pressed it into Lü Yang’s hand. "Hold onto this for the time being."

"This..."

Lü Yang was about to refuse, but as he held the Communication Talisman, he discovered that the Immortal Dao Law, which had once felt as distant as the heavens, had suddenly become intimately close.

’Is this... authorization for the blessings of the Immortal Dao Law?’

’The unrestricted version!?’

"...Since it is a gift from Your Majesty, it would be disrespectful of me to refuse!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Lü Yang clenched his fist, gripping the Communication Talisman from Empress Xiao so tightly he almost caught her delicate hand along with it.

Empress Xiao snatched her hand back as if from an electric shock. Her expression remained unchanged as she said with a light laugh, "With this item, you should be able to quickly master the Divine Effect of the Gold-Plated Military Token. Unfortunately, this object cannot be taken out of the inner palace... Since there’s no time like the present, why don’t you stay here and comprehend the Daoist Skill?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

With his cultivation on the line, Lü Yang instantly cast aside all hesitation. He immediately sat cross-legged, took hold of the Daoist Scripture, and began to comprehend the Daoist Skill with the blessing of the Immortal Dao Law.

He wasn’t worried Empress Xiao would try anything treacherous.

After all, the many Banner Spirits within the Myriad-Soul Banner were not to be trifled with. Even with Progenitor Tingyou temporarily absent, Summon was more than capable of acting as his Protector.

’Gold-Plated Military Token... No wonder she said it was a good match for the Fruit of Celestial Fire.’

’This Talismanic Magic can seize the profound mysteries of another’s Abilities, gather them within a single talisman, and merge them completely. This greatly increases their power, ready to be unleashed when needed.’

’On its own, this Talismanic Magic could at most seize mere scraps of Divine Power—just leftovers—and would require slow accumulation over time... But I’m different. With the Fruit of Celestial Fire, I can seize another person’s entire Ability!’

When he finished his comprehension, Lü Yang opened his eyes:

’More importantly... this Daoist Skill is perfect for me right now. The entirety of Celestial Wu City—all its civil and military officials—are prime targets for me to seize their Abilities!’

The next second, Empress Xiao spoke:

"These are officials I believe stand with the court faction. They also command the majority of the garrison forces in Celestial Wu City and must be eliminated as soon as possible."

"Take a look?"

Lü Yang looked up at the Jade Scroll Empress Xiao handed him:

Capital City Longxiang Camp, Admiral Chen Changshou, Innate Ability: Heaven-Slaying Sword-Drawing Technique

Capital City Tiger Camp, Admiral He Yong Dao, Innate Ability: Heartless Slash

Capital City Divine Strategy Camp, Admiral Lin Hezhu, Innate Ability: Formless and Thoughtless

Capital City Flying Bear Camp, Admiral Jiang Shucan, Innate Ability: Dust Separation and Disruption

Capital Garrison, Admiral Lu Jiuntao, Innate Ability: One Thought Divine Saber

’The Capital City Five Armies Camp...’

The five Commanders of the Capital Camp... though they were only Third-Grade Officials and seemed unremarkable at first glance, they were in fact the true cornerstones of Celestial Wu City.

Empress Xiao explained softly, "The official positions of the Commander of Five Armies are very special, like pieces of a puzzle. If one also possesses the Emperor’s Token, the five commanders’ positions can be unified, transforming into a completely new official position called ’As If I Were Present.’ Its status is so high it surpasses even my own and that of the Crown Prince..."

In other words:

"As long as you control the Commanders of the Five Armies, then with the Emperor’s Token in my hand, we can suppress any and all chaos. Whatever the officials try to do will amount to nothing."

Without a doubt, if this was accomplished, Empress Xiao, who held the Emperor’s Token, would be the biggest beneficiary.

And yet, Lü Yang found it difficult to refuse. After all, the Innate Abilities of these five Commanders of the Capital Camp were perfect cultivation fodder for his Gold-Plated Military Token.

’Was this all part of her plan?’

Looking at the Empress right in front of him, Lü Yang suddenly smiled. ’No wonder her ancestral home is in the North. Anyone who’s managed to get by under the Saint Sect’s rule has to have some skill, after all! And to be able to pick out a Daoist Skill that not only met his needs but also perfectly aligned with her own interests...’

’The Empress’s Cultivation... is truly profound!’

’I want it.’