94 A Little Golden Lotus and a Calling of Unrest 4 (1/2)
”Many thanks to the emperor of Great Yong for his benevolence,” the messenger stepped forward to nod his head.
”This messenger must relay his gratitude.”
Many officials bristled at the youth's undeterred and arrogant attitude, but none dared to comment for fear of suffering undue wrath. The entire Imperial Court lay in silence in anticipation of the youth's words.
”Speak,” Lu Jing Yi commanded with a solemn gaze.
”What does the Taiyi Sect intend with this proclamation?”
”Answering Great Yong's emperor,” the youth placed his hand before his chest in response. As he spoke, his voice rang true within the Imperial Court, gathering everyone's attention regardless of whether they wished to listen or not.
”The Taiyi Sect has recently adopted a leadership ceremony, of which a blessing from the heavens descended onto the sect grounds. Upon inspection, the elders have confirmed it to be a cultivation technique surpassing the Nascent Soul Realm, and a practitioner may take a step beyond and tread the path of legends!”
”Heavens! Beyond the Nascent Soul Realm of cultivation!?”
The messenger's words shook the officials of the Imperial Court, and they stared at each other in dismay and astonishment.
The sea of ministers and officials rapidly slowed to a tranquil silence, not a single soul daring to breathe loudly as they expectantly awaited the youth's next words.
Breaking past the Nascent Soul Realm of cultivation? Who didn't wish to obtain such an opportunity?
But… what did that have to do with females diagnosed with cold deficiency or those with a major Yin Physique?
”Messenger of the Taiyi Sect, is this information true?” the emperor inquired with a heavy voice. A scarlet light unwittingly emanated from his body and flickered alongside of the light reflected from the lamps, indicating his own anxiety and excitement.
”A technique that can break past the Nascent Soul Realm of cultivation is indeed worthy of worship as a legendary treasure. However, how can anyone verify the claims of your elders?”
The youth gave a light bow, his handsome countenance revealing a light smirk at the inquiry. Turning towards the officials who struck his body with pleading gazes, the messenger reached deep into the folds of his robe covering his chest, extracting a golden emblem from within.
The emblem was a circle plaque of pure, consecrated gold spanning no wider than a radius of seven centimeters. Though gripped within the messenger's hand, the emblem's surface radiated a splendor of light that covered the entire Imperial Court.
The plaque was devoid of any ornamental inscriptions, or any engravings of divine beasts or objects. Instead, only two words decorated its surface, glaring at the heavens with undisguised ambition and dominance.
Tai. Yi.
”Currently in my grasp is the Taiyi Sect's writ of authority belonging to that of an elder,” the youth swept his gaze around, carefully inspecting the expressions of the officials as he spoke.
”As the officials of Great Yong are fully aware, this writ of authority represents the Taiyi Sect in the following statements I make, a responsibility that a mere messenger cannot ignore or disparage.”
”Three elders toiled for several months verifying the treasure imparted by the heavens. Youths who had never cultivated before were selected without distinction to partake in the cultivation of this technique, and after bestowing a series of medicines to forcefully elevate their abilities to the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, an interesting miracle occurred.”
”A series of medicines to forcefully elevate a person's cultivation to the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm…” an official whispered to his companion, a dark expression plastered over his countenance.
”The Taiyi Sect's resources are truly as vast as the sea! If they form an army via such a method, then they might as well trample the three empires to dust without breaking a sweat!”
His companion quickly shushed the official, motioning him to remain silent.
”A deafening sound erupted, and the heavens parted to reveal a massive shining star,” the messenger hardened his countenance, his voice gradually beginning to turn solemn.
”The light descended onto those candidates who had risen to the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, and they began to emit a spiritual fluctuation of greater intensity than any cultivator at the Nascent Soul Realm's peak could produce.”
”…and the states of those cultivators nurtured by the Taiyi Sect?”
The emperor furrowed his brow, leaning forward on his throne as he stared down towards the messenger. The youth hesitated for several moments, a rare, awkward flush suddenly splattering across his countenance.