30: The approval of Emperor Xueye

The newcomers weren't wearing any extravagant clothes, and they were of varying ages, including an old man with white hair and a beard, yet they all exuded an air of nobility.

It was a temperament that could only be cultivated by those who had held high positions for a long time.

Yu Luomian recognized these people; setting aside Xue Qinghe, the "old man" surrounded by the crowd was none other than the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye!

Damn it!

Why would Emperor Xue Ye visit in person?

Furthermore, he wasn't traveling in formal attire, which indicated that he cared deeply about the Divine Dragon Hall.

This meant that Yu Mengzhang was likely even more deeply tied to the Divine Dragon Hall.

However, it was also possible that Emperor Xue Ye only cared about the temple itself, rather than the two Little Priestesses inside.

Yu Luomian's eyes flickered; he was actually looking forward to seeing Yu Mengzhang being put in a difficult position. Then, he could step in on behalf of the Family to resolve the crisis, naturally "annexing" the Divine Dragon Hall in the process.

Ning Fengzhi stepped forward and offered a greeting, his attitude gentle, neither humble nor arrogant.

"You have arrived."

"I didn't expect Mr. Ning to be one step ahead," Emperor Xue Ye said with a chuckle.

"The Azure Dragon has bestowed a miracle upon my Heaven Dou Empire, saving the people. Naturally, I had to come and express my gratitude."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded slightly and glanced inside the temple.

A look of surprise immediately appeared on his Face.

When the others looked at the statue inside, they could all faintly perceive a sense of the extraordinary.

The statue was no mere clay or stone sculpture, hollow and emotionless.

"As expected of the Azure Dragon with a heart of mercy for the world. I must offer my thanks..."

Emperor Xue Ye's expression turned solemn.

The others followed behind, letting Emperor Xue Ye pay his respects first.

Of course, he would not kneel; as a "King of Men," he only needed to bow to perform the rite.

The rest of the crowd knelt and bowed.

Everyone wore expressions of gratitude, as if the disaster the Azure Dragon had resolved was a personal problem they had faced.

Yu Luomian looked at Yu Mengzhang beside him with anticipation.

He had come in person, yet he hadn't managed to directly subdue this child?

Now he could only watch this vainglorious emperor, Emperor Xue Ye, do something "reckless" to make Yu Mengzhang recognize reality.

To see who could truly protect him!

Yu Mengzhang looked at Emperor Xue Ye's back.

In principle, an emperor, as a Sovereign of Men, should possess some special Dragon Qi.

But on Emperor Xue Ye, it was incredibly thin.

This also meant that the man was likely the ruler of a falling nation... or had completely lost the people's hearts, his throne unstable.

In short, he did not look like a true Sovereign.

After finishing his worship, Emperor Xue Ye scanned the surroundings.

He continued, "The Azure Dragon Divine Lord has done a great favor for my Heaven Dou Empire. How can he reside in such a temple? Why not move to Heaven Dou City? We can build a temple in the city center, or even within the imperial palace."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded slightly; he was making a statement.

He hadn't considered that anyone would question him.

This had always been his style.

The corners of Yu Luomian's mouth curled up slightly; he had been waiting for this very moment!

Did he really think everyone would just go along with Yu Mengzhang?

Now, he would make Yu Mengzhang recognize reality!

Ning Fengzhi suddenly shook his head and said, "I beg to differ. A mountain's fame comes not from its height but from the presence of a deity. Your Majesty may not know, but the Azure Dragon Divine Lord has handed down a divine edict..."

Ning Fengzhi took the initiative to express Yu Mengzhang's request.

Emperor Xue Ye was slightly taken aback and looked at Yu Mengzhang.

His brow furrowed slightly; from the moment he arrived at the temple, he hadn't actually paid much attention to the boy.

So what if he had gained a deity's favor?

At the end of the day, he was just a six-year-old child. Was he, the majestic emperor of a nation, supposed to cater to him?

"The High Priest was chosen by the Azure Dragon Divine Lord and can be treated as the Divine Lord's Incarnation," Ning Fengzhi added.

"..."

Yu Luomian's expression changed slightly; Ning Fengzhi was truly going all the way to help!

With those words, even if Emperor Xue Ye looked down on Yu Mengzhang, he would still give him Face and maintain a veneer of harmony.

"Oh? Is that so?" Emperor Xue Ye smiled.

Sure enough, the way he looked at Yu Mengzhang was no longer as dismissive as before.

Emperor Xue Ye continued, "High Priest? Hehe, since you can receive the divine edicts of the Azure Dragon Divine Lord, what do you think of the Heaven Dou Empire under the rule of Emperor Xue Ye?"

!!!

Everyone was startled.

They say children speak without restraint; if Yu Mengzhang said something treasonous, he would surely offend Emperor Xue Ye!

Even Yu Luomian couldn't help but feel worried, opening his mouth to stop him.

Yu Mengzhang pointed outside. "With the disaster spanning a thousand miles, it is better to ask them about such matters."

Even though he guessed the man was the emperor, Yu Mengzhang showed not a shred of awe.

Emperor Xue Ye froze, looking at Yu Mengzhang in silence.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

For a moment, no one dared to be the first to speak.

How would the disaster victims evaluate Emperor Xue Ye?

Did it even need to be said?

It would surely be all sorts of slander and curses.

Yu Luomian's Face twitched; he shouldn't have let Yu Mengzhang speak so recklessly!

A flash of anxiety appeared in Xue Qinghe's eyes as she looked at Yu Mengzhang and then at Emperor Xue Ye.

She didn't even know who to worry about anymore.

If her guess was correct, then Yu Mengzhang had a massive connection to the Azure Dragon Divine Lord!

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly and said, "What the High Priest said..."

"...is absolutely correct! The praise of the people is the highest evaluation for Emperor Xue Ye. I'm sure Emperor Xue Ye will be very happy to know of your compliments!"

Emperor Xue Ye couldn't help but laugh heartily.

There wasn't a hint of embarrassment on his Face, only satisfaction.

???

Everyone was shocked, and then their expressions became strange.

This vainglorious and fatuous emperor actually thought he would receive the gratitude of the disaster victims?

He actually thought he was being praised?

Now, everyone understood even more clearly just how self-important Emperor Xue Ye was.

Yu Mengzhang also looked at Emperor Xue Ye with surprise.

How thick-skinned must one be to feel so at ease thinking it was a compliment?

If it weren't for him sending down the Sweet Rain twice...

...countless disaster victims would have lost their homes and families, reduced to beasts of burden.

Emperor Xue Ye and the others chatted for a while longer.

With Ning Fengzhi mediating, Emperor Xue Ye recognized the Divine Dragon Hall and was willing to abide by Yu Mengzhang's rules.

Both hosts and guests were satisfied, and they went their separate ways... Yu Luomian, however, was fuming, having bitten his lip until it bled twice. Pathetic!

None of the youths he brought had received the Azure Dragon Divine Lord's recognition. Incompetent!

As he led the way, he was filled with rage.

With a gloomy Face, he seemed to radiate a cold, dark aura.

Yu Tianxin and the others followed behind, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Tianxin, come forward."

Yu Luomian suddenly said.

Yu Tianxin nervously stepped to his side, glanced at Yu Luomian's expression, and quickly lowered his head.

"You... after we return, you will say that you received instructions from the Azure Dragon Divine Lord."

"Ah? Grandfather, but I didn't..."

Yu Tianxin looked at Yu Luomian in surprise.

Yu Luomian gave him a cold look. "That's not important. Compared to being the champion of the internal Spirit Fight, gaining the recognition of the Azure Dragon Divine Lord is more important for you and will make Grandfather happier. Do you understand?"

"...Understood."

Yu Tianxin didn't dare to refuse.

"Don't worry, no one will doubt you. That child Yu Mengzhang will also provide proof for you..."