Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 538

Chapter 538: Chapter 325: Imperial Seal_2

“Taoist Master!”

The Dean of Mysterious Heaven stepped forward, bowed deeply with respect.

Seeing this, several Deity Transformation cultivators also bowed their heads and bent their waists, ready to show their respects.

“Hmm hmm!”

Fortunately, at that moment, a Star Lord cleared his throat, snapping the others to attention and halting their movements.

They had been so intimidated by this person’s presence they had unconsciously prepared to pay great homage.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been natural for juniors with but Deity Transformation cultivation to pay respects to their senior, whose depths were unfathomable.

But these were not ordinary times, for they were Celestial Envoys, bearing the edicts of the Upper Realm, representing the majesty of the Heavenly Court, and such deference could not be easily given.

More importantly, such a bow would completely surrender their aura, destabilizing an already shaky situation, making it impossible to maintain control!

So…

“Cough cough!”

The Star Lord gave another cough, held up the Heavenly Court’s Jade Decree, and adopted a stern stance, “We are the Celestial Envoys of the Upper Realm, come by the decree of the Heavenly Court. Where is the Palace Master of Ten Thousand Dao, Li Liuxian? Step forward immediately to hear the proclamation!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

With those words, all fell silent, and the Dean of Mysterious Heaven turned his head with an unfriendly look.

However, this person remained fearless, holding the Jade Decree with a stern demeanor, looking towards the throne and calling out to the cloud seat, “The Heavenly Court’s Jade Decree is here, where is the Palace Master of Ten Thousand Dao, Li Liuxian?!”

“Insolence!”

The Dean’s anger at such a posture flared, and he was about to act, only to be stopped by a soft interjection.

“Enough.”

Xu Yang smiled, halting the Mysterious Heaven Dean’s action. Turning to look at the group below and the Jade Decree in the man’s hand, he said to the Mysterious Heaven Dean, “You may step down and wait outside the hall.”

“Yes!”

The Mysterious Heaven Dean nodded, said no more, and exited the hall.

Leaving behind the group, caught in a difficult position but still trying to maintain a show of force.

Xu Yang looked at him and asked directly, “Who are you?”

“I am Xiao Qingyun, a servant under the Western Extreme Great Emperor of the Heavenly Court, the Nine Directions Executor of the Palace of Supreme Purity, the Star Lord Due!”

Xiao Qingyun maintained his assertive stance, addressing Xu Yang directly, “I am here under the Western Extreme Great Emperor’s orders, to convey the Heavenly Court’s Jade Decree to the Lower Realm. Are you the Palace Master of Ten Thousand Dao, Li Liuxian?”

Xu Yang nodded, his tone unrippled, “Indeed.”

“If you are the Palace Master, why have you not stepped forward to receive the decree?”

Seeing the other party was not angered, Xiao Qingyun felt assured and was even more imposing.

Xu Yang regarded him with an indifferent expression, “Proceed.”

“…”

Xiao Qingyun fell silent, somewhat stuck.

His arrogant demeanor was not due to ignorance or a death wish; facing such a powerful individual while still being haughty, it was because the situation left no other choice but to seek life in the face of death, using the prestige of the Heavenly Court to intimidate his opponent.

Thus, he needed to fully assume the role of an “Upper Realm Celestial Envoy,” instilling reverence in the other party. Showing weakness or subservience would mean the end of the bluff, and the consequences would be predictable.

Was the situation under control or not?

Xiao Qingyun wasn’t sure, but as the other party did not acquiesce, he could not continue to press.

After all, this person’s cultivation level was deep and unfathomable. Even as a Great Return to Void Cultivator, he could not discern the slightest clue. Even if the other had not achieved Mahayana, he was a peak figure among Integration cultivators; how could he be forced to submit? Did Qingyun really think Xu Yang wouldn’t become enraged?

Overstepping was as bad as withdrawing, and he needed to grasp the situation precisely. Now that he’d played his hand, even if ineffective, he had to continue accordingly, because going to extremes could provoke a backlash, spoiling everything.

So…

Xiao Qingyun unfolded the Jade Decree and proclaimed aloud facing Qing Yun, “In accordance with heaven’s mandate, the Western Extreme Great Emperor decrees: Lower Realm Cultivator Li Liuxian, for establishing a school of thought and contributing to the governance of the world, is hereby appointed by imperial decree as Duotian Law Master, honored with the title Mingxiao Wandao True Monarch, additionally granted the title of Evil-Dispel Sorcery Marshal of the Dipper Department, to be enlisted forthwith for service. Ascend immediately to fulfill your duties in the Heavenly Court. By the emperor’s order!”

After finishing, he closed the Jade Decree and looked towards Xu Yang above Qing Yun, his tone slightly more conciliatory, “Wandao True Monarch, will you not promptly accept the decree and express gratitude?”

At these words, Xu Yang’s expression remained cold, sitting above on Qing Yun, overlooking the hall below, without a word.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere was tense and vaguely uneasy.

Several Deity Transformation cultivators quickly bowed their heads, not daring to meet the gaze directed at them.

Xiao Qingyun’s heart also tightened, but he managed to maintain his demeanor and said, “Does the Wandao True Monarch perhaps feel the reward is insufficient? You must know that it is the position of a True Immortal and Official of the Duotian Law, subordinate only to the Four Great Celestial Masters, with an august title bestowed by decree. The position of the True Monarch and the Dipper Department ranks as Superior Grade among the four departments of the Heavenly Court. Such an appointment is an extreme honor. If it were not for the True Monarch’s meritorious governance, and the Emperor’s high regard…”

His feigned composure revealed a string of words that became increasingly defensive and hollow until he lost his voice completely, his eyes also filling with panic.

It was because a tremendous pressure was bearing down from all sides, a chilling murderous intent piercing directly into the soul. Even as a Great Return to Void Cultivator, he felt an imminent disaster.

Xu Yang looked at him, his eyes cold: “What has happened to my friends and disciples?”

“…”

The chilling murderous intent was enough to strike fear into the bravest of hearts. Xiao Qingyun’s heart skipped a beat. He wanted to maintain his composure, but involuntarily bowed his head, not daring to meet that fierce gaze, and could only make such a defense: “The ascended cultivators of Wandao School have all been assigned to various departments of the Heavenly Court, where they serve. Once the True Monarch ascends to the Upper Realm, you can reunite with them.”

“Enough.”

Having heard this, Xu Yang lost interest and raised his hand: “I will see for myself!”

No sooner had he spoken than he reached out his hand straight for the man.

“!!!!!”

Xiao Qingyun’s eyes twitched and his expression changed. His instincts were to resist, but he felt an overwhelming suppression from the void, heavier than the three mountains and five ranges, completely restraining his mana, rendering his body immobile.

He could only stand in terror, watching helplessly as the other’s hand shimmered with light, a five-colored sword piercing downwards.

The Five Elements Soul Searching Method!

Despite being from the Righteous Path, in the Cultivation World, which faction doesn’t have its own ruthless methods?

The five colors, like swords, pierced and controlled from above, stabbing into the Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit, leaving Xiao Qingyun standing rigidly on the spot.

This soul-searching technique was too sophisticated, sparing the Divine Soul from harm and causing little pain, allowing for multiple soul searches to ensure the Primordial Spirit remained intact.

Despite the lack of pain, the terror was even greater. Xiao Qingyun stood there stiffly, his eyes full of panic, unable to scream or move, passively enduring the process.

The surrounding Deity Transformation cultivators were also shocked at this sight, but before they could react, they were suppressed and could only kneel on the ground, watching the proceedings unfold.

After a moment, Xu Yang withdrew his hand, his expression even colder.

Xiao Qingyun collapsed to the ground, pale-faced but regaining some mobility, still trying to argue: “True Monarch of Wandao, I am a Celestial Angel of the Upper Realm, and personally taught by the Western Extreme Emperor himself. Do not make a mistake…”

“Bang!!!”

The words were forcefully silenced, his knees bending and hitting the ground, shattering his bones.

Xu Yang paid him no heed and looked beyond: “Enter.”

“Yes!”

As soon as he spoke, a group of people entered the hall, lining up in two rows, with the former dean of the Mysterious Heaven Academy among them, positioned towards the back.

“What…?!!!!”

Seeing this, Xiao Qingyun and the others were further alarmed as several Deity Transformation cultivators collapsed to the ground, staring at the guards on either side, their faces filled with panic as they lost their composure: “Integration Great Powers?!”

In the two rows, the ones at the front all possessed Integration-level cultivation, and the followers were also in the Return to Void Realm. Looking around the hall, apart from the few of them, there were no Deity Transformation cultivators present.

Seeing this, even Xiao Qingyun couldn’t help but collapse to the ground, his face pale.

Xu Yang didn’t acknowledge this, simply addressing the crowd: “Everyone, have a look.”

“Yes!”

The group, sensing the unusual tone, also grew stern as several Integration-level cultivators stepped out and directly approached Xiao Qingyun.

After a short while…

“This is outrageous, outrageous!!”

A red-haired and bearded Integration cultivator, fiery in appearance, threw the pale-faced Xiao Qingyun to the ground. The others also wore expressions of fury and grave indignation.

“This is intolerable!”

“How dare they!”

“This so-called Heavenly Court regards our Wandao School as nothing!”

“A bunch of cowards and nay-doers, only capable of reaping without sowing!”

“What does being a True Immortal matter? If there’s no satisfactory resolution, it’ll lead to chaos!”

“If we do not avenge this, our cultivation is in vain!”

The crowd was in an uproar, the sentiment becoming increasingly tumultuous. They then turned their gaze to Xu Yang: “Taoist Master, how shall we proceed?”

Xu Yang sat above the clouds, his gaze piercing through the hall, looking up at the sky, remaining silent for a long time.