203: You call this a small country?

The Immortal Realm, the desolate border where the Eastern and Northern Regions meet.

The Immortal Qi here is impure and the Laws are chaotic; it is a lawless land that large factions look down upon and small ones cannot survive in.

A rising nation named "Great Chu," however, has taken root here like a nail within just a single year.

Great Chu Imperial Palace, Hall of State Affairs.

The atmosphere was solemn.

But what was being discussed in the hall was not taxes, livelihoods, or military and political affairs.

"Your Majesty, the production of Spirit Stone Mine No. 3 has increased by twenty percent this month. According to the Sect's contribution point exchange standards, it can add three million Low Grade Immortal Stones to the national treasury."

"Your Majesty, the 'Myriad Dao Origin Returning Art,' the basic cultivation method for all citizens, has been popularized to the ninth batch. The Spiritual Root Awakening rate of newborns has increased by half a percent compared to last month."

"Your Majesty, the caravan sent by Chairman Wang has arrived. The Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts from this trade are enough to expand our 'Shenji Camp' by another thirty percent."

The young man sitting high upon the dragon throne was not wearing a Nine-Dragon Imperial Robe.

He wore only the Purple-Gold Daoist Robe exclusive to Core Disciples of the Myriad Dao Divine Sect.

Zhao Wuji.

As he listened to the reports from his officials below, his majestic face, which should have belonged to an emperor, showed a focus similar to that of a project manager reviewing financial statements.

After his Ascension to the Immortal Realm, he did not challenge the strong or explore Secret Realms like his Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters.

He chose the path that suited him best.

He had quietly come to this lawless border, subdued dozens of chaotic city-states, and established a nation.

A nation that existed entirely to serve the Sect.

"Very good."

Zhao Wuji spoke slowly; his voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.

"Pass down the order: the Shenji Camp is to set out for the Black Wind Mountain Range immediately and wipe out the demonic wolves there."

"I intend to use that area to build a medicinal herb cultivation base for the Sect."

"As you command!"

Just then.

A commander of the imperial guards walked quickly into the hall with a solemn expression.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! An envoy from the Great Qian Dynasty requests an audience outside the hall!"

The Great Qian Dynasty?

The expressions of all the officials in the hall changed.

That was an established Imperial Dynasty that had occupied the border for tens of thousands of years. Its national power was formidable, and it was rumored to be backed by a Golden Immortal Old Ancestor.

Zhao Wuji's brow twitched slightly.

"Let him in."

Soon.

A middle-aged man wearing a Crimson-Gold Official Robe and an arrogant expression strutted in.

Behind him followed two guards with powerful auras, both of whom were Early-stage Profound Immortals.

And he himself was surprisingly a Late Stage Profound Immortal.

He entered the hall, his eyes sweeping contemptuously over everyone present before finally landing on Zhao Wuji.

He did not bow.

He merely let out a cold snort from his nostrils.

"You are the emperor of this Great Chu?"

His voice was full of condescending scrutiny.

"A Mid-stage Profound Immortal?"

"Heh, in a desolate place like this, I suppose you could be considered someone of importance."

Zhao Wuji looked at him with a calm gaze.

"Your Excellency, what is your business here?"

"Presumptuous!"

The guard behind the envoy shouted sternly.

"My lord is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel of the Great Qian Dynasty. Since he has graced this tiny place with his presence, how dare you and your ministers not perform the kneeling rites!"

"Noisy."

Zhao Wuji didn't even lift an eyelid.

The guard wanted to say more, but suddenly felt an invisible and vast Dragon Might descend from the sky!

Thump!

His legs gave way, and he uncontrollably knelt directly on the ground!

The other guard's face changed drastically; he was about to circulate his immortal essence.

Only to find that the immortal power within his body felt as if it had fallen into a quagmire, becoming incredibly sluggish!

The pupils of the Late Stage Profound Immortal envoy also constricted sharply.

National Fate Dragon Qi!

And it was National Fate Dragon Qi condensed enough to suppress Cultivators of the same rank!

How is this possible!

Where did a small country established only a year ago get such terrifying national fate!

"You..."

The envoy's expression finally became solemn.

"It seems this official has underestimated you."

He set aside some of his contempt and took out a golden Imperial Decree from his storage ring.

"Emperor of Great Chu, Zhao Wuji, receive the decree."

He slowly unfurled the decree and read aloud in a tone as if bestowing charity.

"By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor of Great Qian decrees."

"Considering your achievements in expanding territory in the desolate lands, We are deeply gratified."

"We hereby enfeoff you as the 'Marquis of the North,' with the income from three cities. Respect this."

Having finished reading, he closed the decree and slightly tilted his chin.

"Why do you not yet kneel and give thanks?"

The entire hall was so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

Angry expressions appeared on the faces of all the Great Chu officials.

How was this a reward!

This was clearly blatant humiliation and annexation!

Accepting the title would mean that Great Chu would become a vassal of Great Qian!

Zhao Wuji smiled.

He looked at the envoy, who had a matter-of-fact look on his face, and slowly stood up.

"Marquis of the North?"

"The Great Qian Dynasty is truly generous."

The envoy thought he was interested, and a trace of smugness appeared on his face.

"Naturally."

"His Majesty, considering that your cultivation has not been easy, is specifically giving you an opportunity to enter the inner circles."

"As long as you are sensible, you might even become a Prince of our Great Qian in the future."

"Is that so?"

Zhao Wuji stepped down from the dragon throne and approached him step by step.

"Unfortunately."

"I've grown quite accustomed to being an emperor."

"I have no desire to trade it for a marquisate."

The envoy's face instantly turned cold.

"In that case, are you choosing to do this the hard way?"

The Late Stage Profound Immortal pressure from his body erupted violently!

"Young man, don't be too arrogant."

"This small country of yours won't last three days before the iron cavalry of my Great Qian."

"I advise you to think carefully before you answer."

Zhao Wuji did not answer him.

He simply reached out and took the golden Imperial Decree from the envoy's hand.

And then...

Under the envoy's disbelieving gaze...

He gave it a light rub.

Sizzle.

The Imperial Decree, crafted from Celestial Silk and refined Gold Essence and strong enough to withstand a strike from a True Immortal, turned into a cloud of ash like scrap paper.

"You!"

The envoy was furious, his eyes overflowing with killing intent!

"You dare destroy an Imperial Decree of Great Qian! You are seeking death!"

He suddenly struck out with his palm, a palm print containing blazing Laws heading straight for Zhao Wuji's face!

However...

The moment that palm print came within three feet of Zhao Wuji, it dissolved and disintegrated silently, like snow meeting a scorching sun.

"What?!"

The cruel grin on the envoy's face froze completely.

He looked in horror at the young man who had remained calm from beginning to end, feeling as if he were facing a deity who ruled over this world.

"It seems..."

Zhao Wuji shook his head.

"...that your Great Qian Dynasty truly does not understand the rules."

He slowly raised his hand.

In his palm, a simple, square Jade Seal slowly emerged.

Nine dragons were coiled upon the Jade Seal.

"In that case..."

"...then today, the rules of this desolate border..."

He held up the Jade Seal.

"...will be set by me."

Hum—

The Jade Seal shone with a brilliant light!

A dragon's roar that echoed through the nine heavens exploded above the imperial palace!

A ten-thousand-zhang-long Golden Guardian Dragon, formed entirely from the Black-Yellow National Fate Qi, poked its ferocious head out from the clouds!

Those dragon eyes, larger than mountains, coldly locked onto the three people in the hall, including the envoy!

"Na... national fate transforming into a Dragon!"

The envoy's voice cracked from extreme terror.

"This... this is a foundation that only an Immortal Dynasty established for ten thousand years could possess! Who... who exactly are you!"

"I have said it before."

Zhao Wuji's voice echoed through the hall, the imperial city, and the entire territory of Great Chu.

"I am the Emperor of Great Chu."

He raised the Jade Seal and pressed it down lightly toward the envoy.

"In this place..."

"Our will is the Will of Heaven!"

"Suppress!"

Roar—

The ten-thousand-zhang golden dragon let out a roar!

A supreme pressure from the level of the Laws of Heaven and Earth crashed down!

The envoy and his two guards felt as if they were being crushed by billions of divine mountains!

The immortal essence in their bodies was forcibly suppressed back into their Dantians!

Their cultivation was forcibly stripped away by this world!

Thump!

All three knelt on the ground together, bleeding from their facial orifices, unable to move even a single finger.

The fear in their eyes had reached its absolute peak.

What kind of sorcery is this!

Law-Following Speech!

Suppressing three Profound Immortals with a single thought!

Is this truly a power that a Mid-stage Profound Immortal can possess!

Zhao Wuji took back the Jade Seal and walked back to sit on the dragon throne.

He looked at the three envoys on the ground, who were like dead dogs, and spoke calmly.

"Go back and tell your emperor."

"Our patience is limited."

"Within three days, offer up thirty percent of your national treasury's resources and cede ten immortal mines on the border as an apology."

"Otherwise..."

He paused, a trace of imperial coldness flashing in his eyes.

"We do not mind finding a neighbor who understands the rules better."

Having said that, he waved his hand.

The power suppressing heaven and earth vanished.

The three envoys slumped on the ground, gasping for breath as if they had just been fished out of water.

They scrambled out of the hall and the palace, fleeing in a pathetic state.

Silence returned to the hall.

The officials of Great Chu looked at the figure on the dragon throne; he wasn't particularly tall, yet he stood as firm as a mountain and deep as a pool. Their eyes were filled with fanatical worship.

This was their Majesty!

This was a Disciple of the Myriad Dao Divine Sect!

Zhao Wuji ignored the gazes of his officials.

He took out his disciple token and sent a wisp of Divine Thought into it.

Soon, the iconic, mercenary voice of Third Senior Brother Wang Duojin came from the other end of the token.

"Yo, Junior Brother Zhao? What a rare guest! What's up? Got tired of being an emperor and want to come to your Senior Brother's place to experience the joys of capital?"

A smile appeared on Zhao Wuji's face.

"Senior Brother Wang."

"I've just opened a new branch for the Sect on my end."

"It's just that there's a neighbor called the Great Qian Dynasty who seems to have a problem with our business model."

"I think it's time to have a talk with them about 'unfair competition' and 'market monopolies.'"