332: Chapter 332 Tianyuan Immortal Dynasty

Tianyuan Capital City stood majestically upon the vast earth.

Its walls were over a hundred zhang high, constructed entirely from profound black boulders embedded with spirit patterns, stretching over five hundred li, presenting a magnificent spectacle.

At the city gates, there was a constant stream of traffic and crowds. Nascent Soul Cultivators, who could have been considered Sect ancestors in the Qing State just a few years ago, were now ubiquitous. Soul Transformation Cultivators also moved among them, and occasionally, formidable Body Integration Stage experts with unfathomable Auras could be seen; even Void Tempering true emperors had once revealed their presence here.

The entire colossal city was shrouded under a powerful no-fly Formation; only those with permission could fly.

The most eye-catching features in the city were the five towering glazed towers: the resonance dao tower.

The central one was a thousand zhang high, its body shimmering with flowing light, piercing the clouds; each of the four corners of the city had a slightly smaller tower, their spires echoing each other from afar.

Standing atop the four city walls were four ancient and vast stone monuments—the world-suppressing monument. Because of their existence, there was not a trace of erosion qi in the city.

At the very center of the capital was the Tianyuan Palace, symbolizing the Supreme authority of the Immortal Dynasty.

And at the very core of the Tianyuan Palace lay the Moon Shadow Palace.

The overall layout of the Moon Shadow Palace drew inspiration from the solemnity and order of mortal imperial cities, yet it possessed an even more transcendent, celestial Aura.

The palace walls were towering, with glazed golden roofs gleaming in the sunlight. From south to north, three layers of palace gates unfolded in sequence: the Chentian Gate, the Suzheng Gate, and the Fengyi Gate, each guarded by Formations.

Passing through layers of palaces, one would find the majestic Qinzheng Hall, the grand and solemn Zi Chen Hall, and the deep, secluded bedchamber area behind.

The entire Moon Shadow Palace was heavily guarded, independent of the capital's no-fly Formation, and enveloped by an invisible ninth-grade absolute Formation, with faint flashes of light.

Those walking and serving within the palace were all graceful palace maids with impressive cultivation.

To enter the Moon Shadow Palace, the minimum requirement was to pass the Ten Thousand Flower Heavenly Steps.

Ling Hao brought Gu Qingyao and landed directly on the white jade plaza in front of the Moon Shadow Palace. In front of the hall, a group of people had long been waiting respectfully.

The five people at the head had distinct charms.

At the very front was Huang Yutong.

A goose-yellow short shirt with gold-threaded cloud patterns tightly wrapped her increasingly plump and soft chest, while a honey-colored high-waisted pleated skirt cinched her slender waist, the hem accentuating the full, rounded curves of her hips.

A translucent golden smoke-gauze long outer garment hazily reflected her graceful silhouette inside. Her jade legs, wrapped in light-transmitting silk stockings, were closely hugged by the thin silk, clearly outlining the plump curves of her thighs and the straight lines of her calves.

A circle of extremely fine gold-thread embroidery of the character "Hao" above the stocking cuff appeared and disappeared at the top of her legs as she kept her legs together.

Beside her, Hua Youyou wore a light cyan translucent gauze cross-collar ru, the slanted neckline slightly open, revealing a small patch of snowy skin beneath her collarbone. She wore a cloud-cyan half-sleeve gauze over it, with a layered emerald-dyed hundred-pleated skirt below.

As she walked, her skirt hem fluttered, offering glimpses of her slender calves and bare jade feet. A string of green jade bells on her delicate ankles swayed lightly, emitting a clear, soft sound, setting off her beautiful arches and toes as round as pearls.

The woman in peach-red attire was the most eye-catching.

She wore a peach-red silk gauze cross-collar ru as a base, the neckline slightly open to reveal her snowy neck and collarbones, with the thin gauze revealing the contours of her pink, tender chest. A rouge-red duijin short ru cinched her slender waist, lifting the perky hip peaks below.

Below was a scarlet gradient liuxian skirt, the hem like blooming peach petals, with transparent peach-shadow gauze draped over her shoulders, and a peach-branch gold hairpin inserted obliquely into her hair bun. Tassels swayed lightly, her skin snow-white and lips red, her waist slender and hips perky, charming and moving, as lively and enchanting as burning peach blossoms.

Slightly behind on both sides were Liu Sisi and Yun Menglu.

Liu Sisi wore a blue-red gradient wide-sleeved liuxian garment paired with a thousand-layered flowing cloud skirt, accentuating her tall figure. Her slender willow waist was graceful and could be held in one hand, with high slits on both sides of the layered skirt. As she moved, her long jade legs were visible intermittently.

And Yun Menglu, a deep purple silk wide-sleeved robe tightly wrapped her mature, plump body, her full, rounded breasts pushing the mandarin collar open, revealing a touch of greasy white below her neck, with a moon-shaped jade collar-press sinking above her deep cleavage.

Her plump waist and hips were outlined in a heavy, fleshy silhouette under a black gold-sprinkled floor-length pleated skirt. She was elegant, luxurious, mature, and plump.

"Sect Master!"

The moment Hua Xiangrong saw Ling Hao, her beautiful eyes brightened amazingly. She pounced over, her whole body leaping up lightly, her long legs skillfully wrapping around Ling Hao's waist, her arms tightly hugging his neck, her full breasts pressed tightly against him, her small face affectionately rubbing against his neck, the peach-shadow gauze cape fluttering along with her.

Huang Yutong and Hua Youyou saw this and smiled at each other, full of doting.

A trace of envy and expectation flashed in Liu Sisi's eyes; Ling Hao hadn't sought her out for a long time. Yun Menglu was also full of envy.

Huang Yutong and the others also noticed the cool and outstanding Gu Qingyao behind Ling Hao, their eyes showing inquiry.

Ling Hao patted Hua Xiangrong's perky buttocks: "Alright, come down."

Hua Xiangrong also knew propriety, immediately releasing her legs and landing lightly, though she still stayed close to Ling Hao, a bright smile on her face.

Ling Hao pointed to Gu Qingyao and said straight to the point: "This is Gu Qingyao, the personal attendant official of the Wutong Divine Dynasty's Empress Su Fengyi."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "From now on, she will be the Empress of this Tianyuan Immortal Dynasty."

Huang Yutong and Hua Youyou were stunned at first, then surprise and joy erupted in their eyes, their faces full of smiles.

"That's great! We were just racking our brains over this!"

"We didn't even know where to start with the recently accumulated affairs!"

Gu Qingyao was a bit confused by this sudden announcement and reaction.

Ling Hao looked up at the Zi Chen Hall in front of him and said: "Let's go inside and talk in detail."

Liu Sisi and Yun Menglu hesitated, not knowing if they should follow. Ling Hao looked back at them and smiled gently: "You are not outsiders either, come in and listen together."

Inside the hall, Ling Hao sat in the main seat, and the women sat below.

"This is the Immortal Dynasty framework we drafted by referring to the mortal Dynasty structure. Sect Master, what do you think?" Huang Yutong presented a Jade Slip.

The structure was roughly as follows:

Central: Imitating the Three Departments (Tianchu Pavilion, Tianxuan Institute, Tianji Terrace) and Six Ministries (Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, Works) system, with chief officials called "Secretariat Chancellor", "Vice Minister", etc.

Local: Two levels of Prefecture and County, with Prefecture Governors and County Magistrates.

Military System: Establish the "Tianyuan Immortal Guard Army", responsible for the defense of the capital and the core areas of the Immortal Dynasty, and for clearing out Erosion Beasts.

Special Agencies: Boundary Suppression Division: Responsible for the daily maintenance and energy scheduling of the resonance dao tower and the world-suppressing monument. Moon-Patrol Guards: Responsible for patrolling and guarding the Moon Shadow Palace and the core areas of the capital. Erosion Abyss Guards: Specially responsible for dealing with erosion qi invasion incidents and suppressing powerful Erosion Beasts. Di Ting Division: Intelligence collection (temporarily managed by the Hall Master of the Siwen Hall, Hall Master Di Yunling).

Initial Personnel (many vacancies): Chancellor: Qu Qingzhu (Elder of Sichen Hall). Tianchu Pavilion Master: Liu Sisi. Minister of Works: Xiao Chan (Elder of Panlong Peak Golden Lotus Workshop). Minister of Revenue: Jiang Wantang (Elder of Xuanyin Peak Yingyu Terrace). Minister of Justice: Shen Qinyou (Elder of Panlong Peak Mianyu Tower). Minister of Rites: Liu Yaner (Elder of Xiayu Peak)... Vice Minister of Revenue: Yun Menglu (Personnel Ministry and other chief positions are still vacant, and many Vice Ministers and local Prefecture Governors are also vacant).

Ling Hao nodded slightly as he looked at these familiar names.

Huang Yutong and Hua Youyou added from the side: "This is just a preliminary framework. For major positions, we prioritized Elders and Core Disciples of the Moonshadow Sect, while some minor positions are opened to outsiders."

"But there are too many vacancies. We pulled some Elders over to help temporarily, but we are still stretched thin. However, Disciples have been coming over from the Sect recently."

"Oh? Who has come?" Ling Hao asked.

Huang Yutong glanced at Hua Xiangrong and said: "For example, Xiangrong, as well as Junior Sisters Baili Rou, Zhujin, Bai Zhi, and Shu Lan from Hundred Flowers Peak, as well as Zhao Hongyi and Ye Qinglan."

Hua Youyou interjected, helplessly: "But we ultimately lack the experience to govern a vast Immortal Dynasty. Previously, in the Sect's internal affairs, we had Senior Sister Ling Shuang's guidance. Now..."

She looked at Gu Qingyao with a sincere smile, "However, Sect Master, you kidnapped... invited the most trusted female official of the Wutong Divine Dynasty's Empress. This is just great!"

Ling Hao handed the Jade Slip to Gu Qingyao: "Qingyao, take a look. You will have to work hard in the future."

Gu Qingyao took the Jade Slip and scanned it quickly. She frowned slightly and immediately spotted the problem.

"This structure indeed has its Foundation, but it needs adjustment. First, Cultivators have long Lifespans. If we copy the mortal Three Departments and Six Ministries completely, it will easily lead to rigid power positions. We should add terms of office and rotation mechanisms, and strengthen supervision. Second, Cultivator armies are different from mortal armies; they need a more flexible structure and a merit-based promotion system, and the division of rights and responsibilities with Sect Disciples must be clarified. Third, the function of the Di Ting Division is critical; it should be independent of the Three Departments and Six Ministries and belong directly to... the Empress."

Ling Hao nodded approvingly: "Go ahead and do it, reform boldly. I will leave it to you to guide them."

Gu Qingyao met Ling Hao's gaze, the vow on the top of the cloud sea on the flying boat flashing in her mind. Her expression became serious, and she nodded solemnly: "I will definitely do my best!"

"The general direction of the structure should be changed according to what Qingyao said. You three continue to discuss and perfect the specific details." Ling Hao stood up.

As soon as he finished speaking, he was pulled by the impatient Hua Xiangrong with a grin.

Ling Hao looked at Liu Sisi and Yun Menglu, who kept peeking at him, and beckoned them to follow. The four of them left the Zi Chen Hall together.

Huang Yutong walked up to Gu Qingyao and teased: "Fellow Daoist Gu, this is the first time I've seen the Sect Master bring someone back and immediately entrust them with such an important position. It seems you are deeply favored by the Sect Master."

This made Gu Qingyao's heart jump.

"It is the Supreme's favor," Gu Qingyao said modestly.

Sensing that Ling Hao's Aura had left, Gu Qingyao asked a question that had been hovering in her mind.

"You... were handed such important power, do you have any grievances in your hearts?"

Hua Youyou chuckled, her tone frank: "I am the Second Elder of the Moonshadow Sect, how could I care about this?"

She paused, a different kind of light flashing in her eyes, and said meaningfully: "Besides, the Sect Master's love is our greatest authority, isn't it?"

Gu Qingyao was stunned when she heard this. It was indeed so.

As long as he was there...

Huang Yutong affectionately pulled Gu Qingyao to sit down: "Alright, stop spacing out, let's continue. There is still a lot to do with this mess."

Hua Youyou also laughed and echoed, adding a teasing remark.

"Yes, let's finish discussing quickly, we also need to put the preparations for our Empress's enthronement ceremony on the agenda!"

Being teased by two people in a row, Gu Qingyao: ...

So angry, but they are not in this Immortal Dynasty system at all; even if she wanted to make things difficult for them, she couldn't.