Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao-Chapter 281: Are They Still Loyal?

As the carriage moved, Arthur’s thoughts drifted slightly.

’So far, the Martial Emperor Secret Realm exploration is of utmost importance to me.’

’The things I left there must be retrieved at once. This will ensure a quick domination of the realm.’

’After that I would need to upgrade my cultivation realm through multiple major realms in one sitting...’

The carriage arrived at an unmarked building in the upper district. It came to a smooth stop in front of the structure.

The structure had black walls made of some dark stone material and distinctive red doors that stood out against the darkness.

There were no signs or decorations indicating what the building was. No name plates or symbols. But those who knew could recognize it immediately.

Arthur stepped out first. His feet touched the ground steadily. Anastasia and Helia followed close behind him.

Guards stood at the entrance on both sides of the red doors. They wore dark robes with no visible insignia or markings. When Arthur approached, they moved to block the doorway. Their hands went to their weapons.

"State your purpose," one guard said firmly. His voice was professional and cold.

"I’m here to purchase information," Arthur replied calmly. He showed no concern about the guards blocking his path.

The guards looked at him more carefully. They studied his face and bearing.

Recognition showed on their faces when they saw his features and the way he carried himself.

"Prince Arthur," one guard said. His tone changed immediately. He bowed deeply. "Please forgive our rudeness. Enter freely."

They stepped aside quickly and opened the red doors with both hands. The doors swung inward smoothly without a sound.

Arthur walked in with Anastasia and Helia following close behind him. The guards bowed again as they passed.

Inside, the building was completely different from its plain exterior. The contrast was striking. The walls were decorated with expensive materials. Rich tapestries hung on the walls. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Rare spirit stones were embedded in decorative patterns. Soft lighting came from spirit stones embedded in the ceiling that glowed with a gentle light. The floor was made of polished marble that reflected the light.

A masked attendant appeared immediately from a side door. They bowed respectfully with practiced grace.

The mask covered their entire face. "Welcome, Your Highness," the attendant said. Their voice was neutral and smooth, making it impossible to tell if they were male or female. "How may we serve you today?"

"I want to purchase an official copy of the Rising Dragon Rankings document," Arthur stated clearly. "The complete version with full details."

"Of course," the attendant replied without hesitation. "The complete Rising Dragon Rankings scroll costs five thousand gold coins."

It was expensive. Five thousand gold coins was more than most people earned in their entire lives.

But it was reasonable for such comprehensive information. Information was always valuable.

Arthur pulled out a storage pouch from his robes and handed it over without haggling. He didn’t even pause to consider the price. "Here."

The attendant accepted the payment. They weighed the pouch briefly in their hand. Then they gestured for the group to follow with a sweep of their arm. "Please, this way."

They were led down a corridor decorated even more lavishly than the entrance. The corridor had paintings on the walls. Sculptures sat in alcoves.

They arrived at a luxurious private hall with comfortable seating. Cushioned chairs sat around low tables. The room smelled faintly of incense.

"Please wait here," the attendant said. They bowed again and left through another door.

Arthur sat down in one of the chairs. Anastasia and Helia took seats nearby. After a few minutes of waiting in silence, the attendant returned.

They carried an elaborate jade scroll in both hands. The scroll glowed faintly with spiritual energy.

"The current Rising Dragon Rankings," the attendant said. They presented it to Arthur with both hands extended.

Arthur took the scroll carefully. It was heavier than it looked. He opened it slowly.

The jade surface was smooth and cool to the touch. Anastasia and Helia moved closer to look over his shoulders.

The jade scroll contained detailed information on the top one hundred rankers. Each entry was written in elegant script that glowed slightly.

Each entry listed the person’s name, age, cultivation level, special abilities, and affiliated force. The information covered all five continents. Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central.

Arthur’s eyes moved down the list slowly. He studied each name and detail with focus. He mentally noted several particularly dangerous individuals. At rank two was a sword cultivator with a heaven-grade weapon.

The entry mentioned he’d never lost a duel. At rank five was someone with a rare ice physique. Her techniques could freeze entire battlefields.

At rank twelve was an expert in illusion techniques who’d killed opponents without them ever seeing him.

Each entry painted a picture of exceptional talent. These were the cream of the crop. The best of the younger generation across the entire realm.

His eyes paused slightly when he reached a certain name further down the list. Shen Yue. A male young man from the Emperor’s Academy. The entry stated he was twenty-three years old.

Specialized in formation techniques and spatial manipulation. Arthur stared at that entry for a moment longer than the others.

The Emperor’s Academy. Those three words carried weight in his mind. He had established that force himself during his previous life as the Mortal Emperor.

It was created with a specific purpose. It was meant to await his reincarnation and return. A place where loyal followers would gather and preserve his teachings.

He silently wondered if they were still loyal to their original purpose.

Had the academy maintained its mission over the centuries? Or had they changed and forgotten their true purpose?

Time changed many things.

Organizations that started with noble goals often became corrupted or lost their way.

’I’ll find out soon enough,’ Arthur thought to himself.

When he met this Shen Yue, he’d be able to judge for himself whether the Emperor’s Academy still followed his original vision.