Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)

“Take it, Xiao Yangzi, just take it! This is the perfect chance to have them join our Great Dou Dynasty!” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy egged him on from within the mental space, trying her best to sway him. “This counts as expanding our territory. This immortal will make sure you get great credit for it.”

Although Lu Yang was the Great Dou Dynasty’s Pillar Minister, he still had his own ideas. He couldn’t simply do whatever the Everlasting Immortal Fairy demanded.

I have turned up at the imperial palace to stop a fight and uphold justice, not to claim territory or seize land. What if word of this gets out? It would tarnish my upright and honorable image.

Lu Yang tucked the imperial jade seal back into the emperor’s hands and explained calmly, “Our Great Dou Dynasty is no longer recruiting.”

“Great Dou Dynasty?” The emperor was taken aback. What a strange name.

Lu Yang inwardly groaned. The Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s incessant chatter in the mental space has filled my head with thoughts of the Great Dou Dynasty.

“What I mean is that we come in peace. We fully respect your autonomy and guarantee your independence. You will not become anyone’s vassal.”

The emperor genuinely wished to submit to Lu Yang. There’s no other choice but to submit. I have no idea what’s so appealing about our White Horse Dynasty that we attracted nine divine beings in such a short time. If it weren’t for this immortal’s intervention, I wouldn’t dare imagine the consequences.

Lu Yang was about to offer a few more words of explanation to reassure the emperor when the resonant sound of Buddhist chants came from the sky.

“Sādhu, excellent. I didn’t expect to find a star inhabited by living beings so soon after emerging, and all of them mortals at that. Truly a heaven-sent opportunity. This is the perfect place for this humble monk’s dharma ground—”

When the senior monk from the Buddhist Kingdom spotted the nine Fusion cultivators and Lu Yang, who was supporting the emperor, his voice cut off abruptly, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

The emperor stared silently at Lu Yang; Lu Yang looked up silently at the monk in the air.

You’re here to pick a fight, huh? I just said we came in peace, yet you showed up the next moment to turn this place into your dharma ground?

“Amitabha, this humble one will take his leave.”

“Come back.” Just two words from Lu Yang frightened the monk into flying back.

“Benefactor Lu—ah, no, Senior Lu, there may be some misunderstanding here.”

Lu Yang paid no heed to the monk, instructing him to stand as punishment with the nine Fusion cultivators, while he continued to pacify the emperor.

“They’ve only just arrived in the outer world and might have acted impulsively in their excitement. Rest assured, I’ll report your dynasty’s situation once I return, and officials will be dispatched shortly. You have my word that everything will be fine.” Lu Yang was fairly confident in Great Xia’s ability to handle things.

“As for all of you seniors, your exploration ends here. Come back with me.” He narrowed his eyes and released a wisp of oppressive aura, his expression hostile as he fixed his gaze on the ten Fusion cultivators. They caused such a huge mess right after departing. It’ll ruin the outer world’s perception of us. Those who didn’t know better would assume we’re bandits.

The Cold Winter Daoist Priest’s trio were relatively minor offenders and could just copy the regulations a few times. As for the others, they would certainly never be permitted to venture outside again.

Sensing that wisp of oppressive pressure from Lu Yang, the ten Fusion cultivators’ expressions changed drastically. This is definitely not the oppressive pressure of a Basic Transcendent Tribulation cultivator! Could he have already reached the Intermediate Transcendent Tribulation Stage?! How long has it only been? His cultivation speed is simply astonishing!

Naturally, none of them wanted to return, but neither did they dare to flee.

After bidding farewell to the emperor, Lu Yang escorted the ten Fusion cultivators back. He first sent the Cold Winter Daoist Priest and his companions back to Great Xia, then informed the Outer World Investigation Bureau about the White Horse Dynasty, urging them to dispatch personnel promptly.

After that, Lu Yang visited Xitian Temple in the Buddhist Kingdom, the Dragon Palace in the East Sea, and the Snow Emperor in the Extreme North.

“Worthless fools! How dare you disregard my words?!” The Snow Emperor’s fury made the three Extreme North Fusion cultivators tremble.

“Fellow Daoist Lu Yang, I didn’t expect you to have already reached the Transcendent Tribulation Stage.” Xue Shilou smiled. He was currently training under the Snow Emperor. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t envious of Lu Yang’s meteoric progress. But he knew there was nothing he could do about it. Comparing his cultivation speed to Lu Yang would only invite humiliation.

“Fellow Daoist Xue, take your time with cultivation; don’t rush,” Lu Yang said, advising him kindly.

~~~

When Lu Yang left, the emperor and his officials remained on tenterhooks, dreading the appearance of more divine beings.

Just as they feared, more divine beings descended. By now, the officials were nearly numb to it.

“There really is a dynasty here. It’s pretty close.”

Once again, three figures arrived. Noticing the expressions of the emperor and his officials, the leader said, “No need to be nervous. I’m Yu Qian from Great Xia’s Outer World Investigation Bureau. These two behind me are my colleagues. Lu Yang sent us.”

Hearing that they were sent by Lu Yang, the crowd somewhat relaxed.

“Please, take a seat, high immortals.” The emperor then ordered the eunuchs to bring chairs and commanded the imperial kitchen to prepare dishes to entertain the guests.

“No need for all that trouble. We’re just here to look into a few things.”

Lu Yang had only given the Outer World Investigation Bureau an overview of the White Horse Dynasty. Yu Qian and his team were here to conduct a thorough investigation.

After all, the White Horse Dynasty was the first faction encountered since the seal’s removal. There was no such thing as being too cautious. The issues that arose during their interactions with the White Horse Dynasty would help formulate new exploration protocols.

“Please ask away, high immortals. I will answer everything I know.”

One of Yu Qian’s companions took out paper and brush to take notes, while another produced a recording orb to capture this historic moment.

“Your esteemed faction is called the White Horse Dynasty, correct?”

“Correct.”

“How long is its history?”

“One thousand two hundred years exactly.” The emperor swelled with pride as he spoke of the White Horse Dynasty’s history. It was the dynasty that ruled the longest in all their records.

This was Yu Qian’s first encounter with a dynasty that had existed for such a short time. It’s practically just been established. But judging by the other party’s expression, he seems to be very proud of these one thousand two hundred years.

Does this mean that mortals have a different perception of time when it comes to founding nations? Perhaps this is a question worth studying. He made a mental note.

“Have you ever come into contact with anyone from beyond this star?”

“Star? You mean the place we’re standing on is a star?” The emperor was stunned, and a commotion broke out among the officials below.

They had always believed the land beneath them was a flat continent. After all, the Divine World above was the best example.

Yu Qian thought to himself, Fine. It looks like they have never encountered living beings from other stars.

“How many people are there in your dynasty?”

"Five hundred million.”

The person behind Yu Qian recorded the figure. He went on to ask about the White Horse Dynasty’s bureaucratic system, cultivation system, prior history, and legends surrounding the Divine World. Overall, they had gained a general understanding of the White Horse Dynasty.

Yu Qian still needed to return and report the matter to his superiors. Follow-up negotiations would fall outside his purview.

Before departing, Yu Qian thought of something and asked, “Just to be safe, let me confirm. Your dynasty is independent, and you haven’t joined any other faction, right?”

The emperor hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself and replied, “May I ask if there is a faction called the Great Dou Dynasty in the Divine World? In truth, we are its vassal state.”