Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 386 - 362: Assuming Office Immediately

This is indeed a grand favor from His Majesty.

Lu Qingfeng glanced at Lan Feihu and the other twelve generals. The towering Lan Feihu with his formidable fangs was the first to step forward, baring his teeth as he declared, "General Lan Feihu, ready to follow Prince Consort's lead."

The backstory between Lan Feihu and Lu Qingfeng was well-known to most present.

His stepping forward first raised no doubts among the crowd.

"Thank you, Flying Tiger General."

Lu Qingfeng was also pleased.

With Lan Feihu's strength lying at the peak of the Third Realm, and given his extensive battle-leading experience and exceptional bravery, there was sure to be stability with him by their side on the journey to Yuan Lake.

After Lan Feihu made his move,

another among the remaining twelve generals stepped forward.

This man, with a back as broad as a tiger's and a waist as wide as a bear's, wore armor, a Golden Winged Crow Treasure Crown atop his head, a sword in his left hand, and a trident in his right, embodying valiance and gallantry.

"General Yuan Bi, willing to follow Prince Consort's lead!"

General Yuan Bi!

His prowess was no less than Lan Feihu's, ranking among the top leaders in the Min River Water Palace. Known for bravery like Lan Feihu, Yuan Bi was an exceptional commander, adept in troop management, battle formations, and strategies!

"Thank you, General Yuan Bi!"

Lu Qingfeng hastily expressed his gratitude.

With the support of Generals Lan Feihu and Yuan Bi, governing Yuan Lake was no longer a concern.

"Excellent!"

"Your lordships are hereby appointed as Yuan Lake Water Generals, stationed at Fifth Rank, each leading one thousand five hundred soldiers of Min River Navy under the command of the Water Lord of Yuan Lake."

The voice of Min River Dragon Lord boomed, his hands flashing as he sent out two beams of golden light skyward. Two general seals then landed separately in the hands of Lan Feihu and Yuan Bi.

Just as Min River Dragon Lord had directly appointed Lu Qingfeng as a Fourth Grade Water God without prior authorizations from the necessary quarters of Shang River Dragon Palace, Lu Qingfeng could not appoint Fifth Grade deities for Yuan Lake without reporting back to Min River Water Palace to seek the decree.

However, Min River Dragon Lord expedited the process with direct appointments.

...

Within the inner hall of the Dragon Palace,

Min River Dragon Lord sat opposite Chi Yin and Xuan Shuang, with Minister Turtle, his body bent, waiting on the side.

"The Prince Consort has just advanced to Soul Condensation, and with the Dragon Lord elevating him like this, there may be dissent within the Dragon Palace," Chi Yin said with a frown, his voice resonant.

Min River Dragon Lord shook his head, "Yuan You Tongshen Palace is filled with talents frequenting the courts of Qi Country, some becoming generals, others ministers. The Life Cultivation path of Jiu Yao Extreme Fire Sect is remarkable, with seventy percent of Qi Country's military leaders more or less closely tied to the sect's lineage. Both sects have entrenched themselves too quickly within the military and bureaucracy of Qi Country. The Dragon King instructed me to curb their influence. Yet, since establishing Min River Dragon Palace not long ago, aside from you brothers who are on good terms with me, no Fourth Realm Cultivator is willing to join."

"Since Guang Yuan is so talented, I will support him. If he can achieve the Fourth Realm, it might increase our chances of overpowering the two sects."

With this statement made,

Chi Yin fell silent momentarily.

He was well aware that Min River Dragon Lord, having reached a dead end, took refuge under the Shang River Dragon King, tasked with a hefty role to govern Min River and carve a niche within Qi Country, infiltrating the military and bureaucracy dominated by Yuan You Tongshen Palace and Jiu Yao Extreme Fire Sect.

However, this was no easy task.

If not handled properly, the gods and vassals of Shang River Dragon Palace could criticise him.

"But Yuan Lake is near Jiulang Mountain. Those nine wolf cubs took advantage of Min River's unguarded state to occupy much water territory. Though the Dragon Lord repelled Jiulang Mountain upon assuming office, places like Yuan Lake are still plagued by demons."

"I fear that Jiulang Mountain might disregard decency and make a move," Chi Yin stated gravely.

"Unlikely,"

Min River Dragon Lord's eyes deepened, "Jiulang Mountain must consider their descendants too. In case they outrage me excessively, even if I can't kill those nine wolf cubs, I'll make sure to annihilate the descendants of Jiulang Mountain, enough to instill fear in them. At most, they might employ some underhanded tactics covertly, but with Lan Feihu, Yuan Bi, and three thousand soldiers defending, there's little to worry about."

For a budding genius, no power would engage in a mutually destructive act, nor cause trouble that leads to disaster for both sides.

What difference does it make if one achieves Opening the Acupoint in one day?

Or Soul Condensation in seven years?

Advancing to the Fourth Realm involves countless challenges; it's no simple task!

"As long as the Dragon Lord is aware of this,"

Chi Yin nodded, dropping the subject.

Xuan Shuang, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "The Prince Consort's Human Soul has coalesced, and now he must gather the Earth Soul. The Dragon Lord sending him to govern Yuan Lake likely includes the intent of testing by experience."

Before Min River Dragon Lord could respond,

Chi Yin, realizing something, slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "That's it! The path of Sexual Cultivation involves gathering the Earth Soul in the Daoist Field, which records past experiences. Although the Prince Consort is extraordinarily talented, he has scant experience; continuing his stay within the Dragon Palace is indeed improper. Governing the vast expanse of Yuan Lake, handling a myriad of divine duties over countless miles; such experiences are unparalleled, even by the standards of a provincial lord within Qi Country."

Chi Yin, a practitioner of Life Dao, suddenly remembered this detail.

"With the Prince Consort's exceptional talent, and undergoing trials in the position of Yuan Lake Water Lord, his achievements in Earth Soul are bound to mark him as a standout in the next five thousand years, and his subsequent journey in the Third Realm of cultivation should be smooth sailing," added Xuan Shuang.

...

"Father sought the position of Yuan Lake Water Lord early from Shang River Dragon Palace for his son-in-law, and handed down the decree at the time of his son-in-law's Human Soul coalescence, clearly he had foreseen and planned to aid his son-in-law in achieving the perfect Earth Soul,"

Lu Qingfeng, riding a Golden Tiger, and Ao Le, riding a White Dragon, traveled side by side above the vast dark clouds. Behind them, Lan Feihu and Yuan Bi led one thousand five hundred Min River sailors each.

The entourage moved majestically towards Yuan Lake to the east.

"My father-in-law has been extremely generous to me.

"In a way, I owe it to Le'er," Lu Qingfeng laughed to Ao Le above the White Dragon.

Over the past decade,

Min River Dragon Lord spared no cultivation resources for Lu Qingfeng—be it the thousand-year Ice Jade Meditation Cushion, Nurturing Fragrance, Golden Tiger Seal, White Dragon Seal, along with the exceptional Golden Tiger White Dragon Talisman Technique, suitable for cultivating up to the Third Realm of Sexual Cultivation. Within the entire Qi Country, only the Mountain Guardian Scripture of Immortal Sect 'Yuan You Tongshen Palace' exceeds it slightly.

In all of Qi Country, he's considered among the elite.

While Sixth Rank Magic Artifacts might seem trivial to Lu Qingfeng, ordinary Third Realm Cultivators struggle to obtain such artifacts. Lu Qingfeng, starting his cultivation, received such treasures immediately, a treatment unmatched even among disciples of famous sects.

This time...

The Dragon Lord had indeed prepared a Fourth Grade Divine Position early on, showing deep affection.

"Husband, don't tease Le'er."

Ao Le today wore a green robe, with a treasured sword tied around her waist, a rare heroic spirit showing through her usual frailty. After ten years together with Lu Qingfeng, she was no longer as shy as before, but rather, grew closer and more attached.

Hearing Lu Qingfeng's words, Ao Le gave a tight-lipped smile, "Father holds my husband in high esteem because of his extraordinary talent and boundless future, not because of me, Le'er."

"The young prince speaks truly."

"When I first saw the Prince Consort, I was astounded, thinking him a celestial being, and that's why I hastily invited him back to the Dragon Palace."

The couple were chatting when Lan Feihu's loud, gong-like voice boomed from behind.

With a sneer curling at the edge of his lips, Yuan Bi glanced sideways with a hint of sarcasm—

"What a sycophantic Flying Tiger General!"

He snickered inwardly, though his face showed nothing.

Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le, hearing this, exchanged a glance. Lu Qingfeng then turned back to look at the grinning Lan Feihu and nodded repeatedly, "General Feihu overpraises. But indeed, to have attained my achievements today and to have such a virtuous wife as Le'er, I do owe much to General Feihu."

Ao Le, being in public, felt a bit shy.

Listening to Lu Qingfeng praising her in public, her cheeks turned even redder, and she fell silent.

"Hehe."

"Prince Consort, your words are too modest. The young prince and yourself are a match made in heaven; even without me, you two would have come together sooner or later."

Lan Feihu chuckled, stepping forward a bit.

Listening, Lu Qingfeng felt a wave of amusement.

Originally, he only noticed this Flying Tiger General's boastfulness and self-satisfaction; he hadn't expected his skills in flattery to be quite extraordinary too.

With Lan Feihu around, their journey was filled with laughter, never dull.

Along the Min River, riding the clouds.

About two months later.

Lu Qingfeng, Ao Le, Lan Feihu, Yuan Bi, and three thousand Min River Navy soldiers finally reached Yuan Lake.

...

Yuan Lake is located downstream of Min River.

With Songmen Mountain as the boundary to the north connecting to Min River, and extending to the southeast, lies the expansive 7,000-li Yuan Lake.

"Young prince, Prince Consort,"

"We are approaching Yuan Lake ahead."

Yuan Bi gripped his treasured sword in one hand and held a trident in the other, pointing towards the foggy waters ahead to Lu Qingfeng and Ao Le, "Yuan Lake spans 7,000 li with countless members of the Water Clan and myriad islands populated with large and small demons. I request to scout ahead, pick an island to set up camp. General Feihu with one thousand five hundred Navy soldiers will follow behind the young prince and the Prince Consort at a slower pace."

Ao Le looked at Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng saluted Yuan Bi with a clasped fist, "General Yuan, thank you for your hard work."

"Prince Consort, you overstate it."

"I shall take my leave."

Saying this,

Yuan Bi slammed his trident to the ground, the clouds beneath his feet swiftly parted.

One thousand five hundred Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, enveloped in clouds, followed Yuan Bi magnificently towards Yuan Lake.

Lan Feihu stepped up, standing guard beside Lu Qingfeng.

Upon reaching Yuan Lake,

they were far from the Min River Dragon Palace.

Using the currents of the Min River, they could travel three thousand li a day. After two months, they had covered tens of thousands of li, an unimaginably long distance.

From the western regions of Qi Country Feng in the Feng Lin Road area to the Southern Pass Road jurisdiction.

They were now at the southeasternmost edge of the territory of the Min River Dragon Palace.

Everything must be approached with caution.

Seeing this, Ao Le gracefully alighted from the Golden Dragon, landing to stand beside Lu Qingfeng on his right, holding her treasured sword with a serious expression, ready to guard. As the daughter of the Dragon King and a member of the Dragon Clan, she had reached the Jiedan Level upon reaching adulthood.

Comparable to a master of the Third Realm in Sexual Cultivation and Life Cultivation.

Her skills were formidable.

Compared to Ao Le, Lu Qingfeng had yet to arrive at Yuan Lake and refine his control over the Divine Dao Seal, his power deficient by more than a thousandfold.

"My body carries protection artifacts bestowed by Father and the Water Lords of Luo Lake and Tao River; you needn't be so worried," Lu Qingfeng said to Ao Le with a smile.

"It's always good to be cautious," Ao Le replied earnestly.

"The young prince is correct,"

"The region of Yuan Lake is rife with demons and evil spirits; it is indeed better to be cautious," Lan Feihu added.

Lu Qingfeng, hearing this, said no more.

He patted the White Dragon Seal at his waist, retracting the White Dragon that Ao Le had been riding. Then, reaching out his hand, Ao Le fell into his arms, both riding atop the Golden Tiger.

"Ah—"

In front of all the officers and soldiers, being so close to Lu Qingfeng, Ao Le exclaimed softly, her face instantly flushed red.

"Hehe."

Lan Feihu, standing behind, scratched his head and glared at the one thousand five hundred Min River Navy soldiers behind him. Immediately, the soldiers' faces became stern, their eyes looking straight ahead.

Lu Qingfeng, holding Ao Le, whispered in her ear, "Being closer is safer."

Upon hearing this, Ao Le's face turned even redder, a wave of shyness sweeping through her.

...