Times have changed

The Red Dust Empress glanced at the two fawning individuals, but there was no disdain in her eyes.

Although the status of an Emperor was noble, in front of the Master, it was nothing at all.

In fact, the Red Dust Empress felt that even a True Immortal, if they came before her Master, would have to submit and act subserviently.

The fact that they came to her today, wishing to pledge allegiance to the Master, showed that they had good foresight.

Compared to them, she was undoubtedly fortunate.

To have pledged allegiance to the Master so early.

Under the circumstances within her ability, helping them was not out of the question.

Thinking of this, the Red Dust Empress said, "I can introduce you to the Master, but whether the Master accepts you or not, I do not know!"

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"

Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor were overjoyed.

As long as the Red Dust Empress agreed, it was the greatest news for them.

This scene only left the gatekeeping Dragon Great Saint and Overturning Sea Great Saint stunned.

Seeing this, they finally understood that two Emperors were actually pleading with the Red Dust Empress to introduce them, hoping to join the Master's ranks.

This, this matter, for them, was even more astonishing than knowing their Master had slain the Nether Emperor.

It was truly too unbelievable.

...

On the other side!

Zhong Qing was drinking alone in the peach forest, silently experiencing the various profound mysteries of this cultivation Realm Breakthrough.

Behind him, Ye Ji and Fire Enchantress attended to him.

One in white and one in red, both holding swords, they complemented the vast peach forest, forming a beautiful scene of stunning people and scenery.

As footsteps approached.

Zhong Qing, who was seated on a stone stool, looked up and saw the Red Dust Empress strolling along the small path in the forest.

Behind her, Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor followed.

After the three came closer, the Red Dust Empress bowed to Zhong Qing and said, "Master, these are Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor. They both wish to serve you as their lord. Red Dust did not dare to make a decision on her own, so she brought them to you for your consideration, for you to decide."

As the Red Dust Empress finished speaking.

Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor's hearts were strained to the extreme.

This was not their first meeting with Zhong Qing.

But each meeting with Zhong Qing brought them different feelings.

Previously, near the Fallen Immortal Secret Realm, when Zhong Qing was targeted by the Nether Emperor, they thought he would surely perish.

Their next meeting was during the Red Dust Empress's Undergoing Tribulation.

It was only then that they realized how extraordinary Zhong Qing truly was.

Not only did he slay the Nether Emperor, but he also casually threw out three Immortal Artifacts to help the Red Dust Empress avert her tribulation. Not only that, he even directly bestowed the three Immortal Artifacts upon the Red Dust Empress for her self-defense.

Now, meeting again, it was yet another situation.

As Zhong Qing's gaze fell upon them, the two felt an invisible pressure enveloping their hearts.

Would this Master accept them?

They were unsure, but they knew they had to do something.

The two exchanged glances and simultaneously knelt before Zhong Qing, saying, "We both hope to follow you, Master, and wish to serve you as our lord. We hope you will give us a chance, seeing our sincere hearts."

As they spoke, the two remained kneeling on the ground, anxiously awaiting Zhong Qing's response.

At this moment, Zhong Qing's expression was a little strange.

He hadn't expected that these two, who had been lingering outside the Domain Lords Mansion earlier, actually wanted to pledge allegiance to him.

His usually placid heart now rippled slightly.

Although Emperor Realm powerhouses could no longer cause much trouble for him, having a few Emperors under his command still offered many benefits.

Putting aside other things, if his Disciples went out for training in the future, having a few Emperors as protectors would undoubtedly greatly ensure the safety of his Disciples.

Thinking of this, Zhong Qing's eyes glowed, and his Heavenly Eye activated, wanting to see if these two were sincere!

Although the two did not seem to have any ill intentions.

One should not have the intention to harm others, but one must have the intention to guard against others.

It was always more prudent to check with the Heavenly Eye.

The result made Zhong Qing very satisfied.

He held his wine cup and slowly said, "Rise!"

"From now on, you will temporarily serve under my mansion!"

These words, for Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor, were like the sound of heaven.

"Thank you, Master!"

The two were ecstatic.

They quickly bowed three more times to Zhong Qing before rising.

The excitement in their hearts was like surging waves, one higher than the last.

They had originally thought that even if Zhong Qing were to accept them, it would likely involve a long assessment period.

But they never expected the process to be so easy and relaxed.

Ye Ji and Fire Enchantress, behind Zhong Qing, exchanged glances, feeling a little joyful themselves.

Their Young Master's strength was truly growing stronger and stronger.

This meant that in the future, many things would no longer require their Young Master to act personally.

The Young Master was inherently a lazy person who disliked trouble, and now that he could have more leisure time, they were genuinely happy for their Young Master from the bottom of their hearts.

...

The news of Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor pledging allegiance to Zhong Qing caused quite a stir within the entire Domain Lords Mansion.

This day!

Phoenix Aotian had just walked out of the Four Seasons Dojo, and feeling his Quasi-Emperor Realm cultivation, his entire being was greatly delighted!

He was able to slay Quasi-Emperor powerhouses while still in the Great Saint Peak Realm.

Now that he had Broken Through to Quasi-Emperor, he could confidently declare: Below the Emperor Realm, I am invincible!

The increase in strength brought him endless confidence.

He believed that if his Master had any instructions in the future, he could complete them better, faster, and more perfectly.

However, his joy lasted less than three moments before the news of Ancient Emperor and Dou Emperor joining his Master's ranks reached his ears.

This made Phoenix Aotian's joy of Breakthrough vanish.

He had always defined himself as the Master's top expert, besides the Scarecrow, and only the previous appearance of Gu Chenxian had given him a slight sense of crisis.

But later, Gu Chenxian left his Master, which fortunately allowed him to retain his top position.

However, the subsequent appearance of the Red Dust Empress directly pushed him off the throne of the top expert.

Now, two more Emperors had appeared one after another!

He felt that if he didn't work harder, he would soon have no place by his Master's side!

This gave him a strong sense of crisis.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and once again entered seclusion.

Times had changed!

In the future, more and more experts would likely appear by the Master's side.

Only Emperor Realm powerhouses would probably be able to barely keep up with the Master's pace.

Before he appeared, Fang Buqiu, Shen Jinkuo, and other Venerable Realm figures were the strongest group under the Master's command.

After he appeared, those people had already been phased out by the new version!

He still wanted to follow the Master, ascend to greater heights, and accompany the Master further; he didn't want to be phased out by the new version!