318: Long Qingcheng's wrist

On the square, the tsunami-like uproar lasted for several breaths before gradually turning into a suppressed hum amidst the interweaving of various complex gazes and low-voiced, intense discussions.

Countless eyes shifted back and forth between Li Shengyuan and the jade bottle in the Dragon Emperor's palm.

Shock, horror, disbelief, wariness, scrutiny... all sorts of emotions filled the air.

"The Green Rhinoceros Demon King... actually colluded with the Demonic Cult?"

"Hateful! Traitor! To betray the Yao Race, he deserves to die!"

"But this Li Shengyuan... did he truly slay Green Rhinoceros and the Esteemed Emissary of the Demonic Cult by himself? Those were two Second-Grade experts!"

"I heard he was ruthless in Da Qian; it seems the rumors are true..."

"What exactly is his cultivation level? Judging by his aura, he seems to be at the Second-Grade Peak? Or..."

Especially some powerful Great Demons with keen perception could better appreciate the invisible pressure brought by Li Shengyuan's profound and unfathomable demeanor.

Even from a distance, the awe-inspiring sharpness faintly revealed beneath that calm face, which had once slain experts of the same rank, still made them secretly alarmed.

Among the crowd, the few Human Race Cultivators who were practicing in seclusion felt their hearts swell with even more excitement and awe as they looked at Li Shengyuan.

In the heart of the Yao Race, seeing such a brilliant figure of their own race brought an indescribable sense of shared glory.

The eyes of representatives from some weaker races were filled with envy.

Facing the suspicion and focus of the entire field, Li Shengyuan remained calm and composed.

Pei Shuyun also looked calm, merely standing silently half a step behind him.

Long Yun, for some reason, felt herself getting excited as well... Long Qingcheng took in the reactions of the demons below, and only after the initial wave of shock had slightly subsided did she speak again.

This time, her voice was even louder, carrying a heart-piercing power and an unquestionable decisiveness:

"The matter of Green Rhinoceros is by no means accidental!"

Long Qingcheng's voice echoed through the square, every word like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of the demons.

"The Demonic Cult is insidious and cunning, best at deluding people's hearts and sowing discord! By stretching their tentacles into my Demon Domain, they want to disintegrate us from within, making us kill each other so they can reap the benefits!"

She suddenly stood up, her dark gold imperial robes fluttering without any wind.

A vast, abyss-like pressure of the Dragon Emperor was released without reservation, enveloping the entire square and causing all the Yao Race to involuntarily hold their breath, their hearts filled with awe.

"I declare here today!" Long Qingcheng's gaze was like lightning, sweeping over every minister and every expert.

"Any citizen of my Yao Race, regardless of their tribe or position, who dares to collude with foreign enemies, betray the Yao Kingdom, or harbor ill intentions... Green Rhinoceros shall be their example!"

She exerted a slight force with her hand holding the jade bottle, and the remnant Soul of Green Rhinoceros inside emitted a silent, shrill vibration that made the Souls of all the Yao Race who sensed it tremble.

"Their body and spirit shall be extinguished, their remnant Soul forever scorched, and their descendants shall be shamed for eternity!"

"And any Yao Race member who discovers such a traitor and reports them shall be rewarded! Those who capture or kill traitors will have rendered a great service to my Yao Kingdom, and I will not be stingy with rewards!"

These words were powerful and resonant, instantly igniting the instinctive loathing for 'betrayal' in the hearts of the vast majority of the Yao Race present.

"Your Majesty is wise! Traitors must be killed!"

"Colluding with the Demonic Cult is a crime deserving ten thousand deaths!"

"We swear to be loyal to Your Majesty unto death and eradicate all rebels!"

"..."

After a brief silence, the sounds of agreement echoed like a tide.

From the ministers of various departments to the generals in the army, and then to the representatives of various tribes, regardless of whether they had other thoughts in their hearts.

At this moment, in the face of the Dragon Emperor's brilliant heavenly majesty and the solid evidence, and stimulated by the extremely sensitive and hated crime of being a 'traitor' in the Yao Race, they all expressed their stances.

The emotions of resisting traitors and purging the internal ranks were skillfully pushed to a Peak by Long Qingcheng at this moment.

Long Qingcheng slightly raised her hand to suppress the surging waves of sound, turning her gaze toward Li Shengyuan, who had been standing quietly on the side. The icy, murderous intent on her face softened slightly, and her tone turned into a solemn announcement:

"Young Master Li, Li Shengyuan, although a member of the Human Race, has assisted me in eradicating rebels and saved the life of my adopted daughter on this trip. Whether in public or private, he has done me a great favor and rendered service to the Yao Kingdom!"

She looked around the entire venue, her voice clear and firm: "Therefore, I announce that Young Master Li, Li Shengyuan, and his companion Miss Pei, Pei Shuyun, are honored guests of our Yao Kingdom and friends of our Yao Race!"

"All those belonging to my Yao Race, regardless of status or region, should treat Young Master Li and Miss Pei with courtesy. Do not be negligent, and certainly do not provoke them without cause!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur of discussion rose once again in the square.

To take a member of the Human Race, especially one so powerful who had just slain a king of the Yao Race on Yao Race territory,

formally declared as a 'friend of the Yao Race' and an 'honored guest' was unheard of in the history of the Demon Domain!

Some more conservative Yao Race members or those who already harbored prejudices against the Human Race showed complex expressions, their lips twitching as if they wanted to say something.

But when their eyes met the Dragon Emperor's unquestionable and majestic gaze, and they felt the unfathomable aura on Li Shengyuan, and then thought of the miserable end of the Green Rhinoceros Demon King and the crime of colluding with the Demonic Cult... all potential objections were pushed back into their stomachs.

Strength and merit, combined with the will of the Dragon Emperor, formed an irrefutable reason.

"We obey Your Majesty's decree!"

Finally, led by several high-ranking ministers, a ragged but sufficiently loud response echoed across the square.

Li Shengyuan maintained a smile from beginning to end, remaining unruffled by either favor or humiliation.

Only then did he take another step forward, cupping his hands in greeting toward Long Qingcheng and the demons in the square, his voice clear:

"Your Majesty’s great kindness and the high regard of the Yao Race are more than I, Li, deserve."

"It is only right to help when seeing injustice. To be able to contribute a modest effort to assist Your Majesty in purging rebels is also my, Li's, honor."

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I, Li, am also willing to contribute a bit of effort for the harmony of the two races and the peace of the world."

Long Qingcheng nodded with satisfaction, a trace of a smile reappearing on her face:

"Young Master Li, there is no need to be overly modest. Today's banquet is held both to announce this matter and deter the wicked, and also to reward those who have rendered service. Everyone, let us drink this cup together. May our Yao Kingdom be peaceful and prosperous, and let us welcome our honored guests!"

She was the first to raise the golden goblet in her hand.

"May the Yao Kingdom be peaceful and prosperous, welcome the honored guests!"

Under the lead of the Dragon Emperor, the atmosphere in the square finally shifted from shock and murderous intent to the warmth expected of a banquet, albeit still with a hint of subtlety.

After draining the wine in her cup, Long Qingcheng looked at the old man with a heavy shell sitting in a side seat and said in a softened tone:

"Turtle Prime Minister, please preside over the rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Turtle Prime Minister's voice was hoarse as he stood up to host the evening banquet.

Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun took their seats under the guidance of Long Yun.

During the meal, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at Long Qingcheng, who sat high in the main seat and was accepting toasts from the ministers, secretly admiring her in his heart.

His Majesty the Dragon Emperor truly has extraordinary tactics.

Using the rebellion of the Green Rhinoceros Demon King, she first publicly dealt with it with iron-blooded means, greatly strengthening internal discipline and the deterrence against traitors.

Then, she took advantage of the situation to define his actions as an 'outsider' killing as 'assisting the Yao Kingdom in eliminating rebels.'

This not only resolved the potential diplomatic embarrassment of 'arbitrarily killing a Yao Race king' but also pushed him into the position of a 'friend of the Yao Race' and a 'meritorious official.'

It paved the way for her possible future plans, treating him as a distinguished guest, and could even enhance the harmony between the humans and demons.

At the same time, she demonstrated her control and clear rewards and punishments to all the Yao Race present, especially those who might harbor different thoughts... this series of 'leveraging momentum,' 'creating momentum,' and 'setting the momentum' was seamless and highly effective.

Li Shengyuan picked up the dragon saliva brew in front of him and took a small sip. Amidst the mellow fragrance of the wine, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepened.

This Dragon Emperor is not just strong in cultivation!

Her methods are no less than those of Senior Sister; she truly is a well-matched opponent...