Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

“Pass down my order — the entire city is under martial law!”

With a single command from Lü Yang, the 【Imperial City Department】 immediately responded. Soon, one by one, the incense-powered cultivators of the Xianghuo Shendao soared through the air, sealing off all of Tianwu City.

This was not a reckless move.

It was an order directly issued by Emperor Jiayou via the【Immortal Nation Dao Law】. On the surface, it still appeared that the emperor valued him, but Lü Yang smelled danger.

‘The Imperial City Department hasn’t even been established for half a year. It was originally only responsible for the internal security of Tianwu City — at most raiding the mansions of corrupt officials now and then. But now it’s suddenly ordered to seal the entire city. It might seem impressive, but in truth, it’s just scattering limited forces.’

This was an effort to divide the incense cultivators of the Imperial City Department — a setup for suppression.

‘If I enter the palace now, I fear Emperor Jiayou will immediately strip me of my post, and the Imperial City Department and the Xianghuo Shendao will be reorganized altogether.’

This was also easy to understand.

After all, with Emperor Jiayou still around, his mid-Golden Core cultivation was enough to suppress any chaos. No matter how powerful the Imperial City Department was, it would still be like the moon reflected on water — an illusion.

However, should Emperor Jiayou — or even all Three Dukes — vanish, then the Imperial City Department, capable of mass-producing perfected Foundation Establishment cultivators using incense divine power and under the control of the True Dragon Clan, would become a source of unrest. It might not be enough to overthrow the Dao Court, but it would certainly exacerbate the chaos in Jiangdong. That was unacceptable.

Still, Lü Yang remained calm.

On his way to the Tianwu Hall, he quietly sent out a fragment of Hongyun’s Cave Heaven using a wisp of divine thought, secretly handing it to a fellow official en route.

This official had long been secretly controlled by him via【String-Pulled Puppet】.

His name was Chen Yuanli, a member of the All-Heaven Department, and like Ning Hao, the Commander of the Right, he was one of the Three Dukes — a disciple of the Grand Guardian, with mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation.

‘It’s in your hands now.’

The next second, Lü Yang activated【String-Pulled Puppet】, and through the puppet Chen Yuanli, opened the cave fragment and contacted the divine thought of【Ang Xiao】.

Soon,【Ang Xiao】responded:

“Daoist friend… well played.”

The emergence of【Boundless Heaven】had clearly shaken【Ang Xiao】of the Netherworld, also filling him with an indescribable and bone-deep chill.

At this moment, he had only one thought: ‘Good thing I reacted fast!’

【Boundless Heaven】was taking away all True Lords under heaven, paired with Lü Yang’s false use of【Overturning Lamp Fire】. If not for retrieving【Sand Within the Earth】and【White Wax Gold】early to ensure his Chen-Earth reversal and maintain late-stage cultivation, he might already be meat on the enemy’s chopping board!

Such a terrifying scheme!

At that thought,【Ang Xiao】’s wariness toward Lü Yang soared to its peak, and he began to suspect more and more — could this person actually be the World-Honored One?

The more he looked, the more he felt so!

On the other side, Lü Yang didn’t care what【Ang Xiao】was thinking and said directly, “Senior, do you remember our agreement? It’s your turn to act.”

Lü Yang’s tone was urgent, and he quickly stated his demand: “At this moment, Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes of the Dao Court are gathered together, about to go into seclusion. I need you to unleash that hidden sword of yours on them, leaving not a single word behind — best if you can heavily injure them.”

“...”

In that flash of an instant,【Ang Xiao】understood Lü Yang’s intent: ‘Such great ambition! He intends to deliberately incite chaos and seize the Dao Court?’

‘If I strike… this black pot will fall on me.’

Even so,【Ang Xiao】didn’t waste time and bluntly asked: “What benefit is in it for me?”

“What would you like, Senior?”

“Hongyun’s Golden Nature!”

【Ang Xiao】named his price. Truth be told, he didn’t need Lü Yang’s help to summon【Overturning Lamp Fire】. The key was Hongyun.

‘As long as I get Hongyun’s Golden Nature, he can no longer fake wielding【Overturning Lamp Fire】, and won’t be a threat to me. And with the Golden Nature, I can attempt to draw【Overturning Lamp Fire】into the Netherworld myself. It’s all about that — if I get it, it’s worth it.’

The next moment, Lü Yang replied:

“Agreed!”

Firm and without hesitation. Yet【Ang Xiao】sneered, “Who do you take me for? You think I’ll believe you just because you say yes?”

“What would make you believe me, Senior?”

“Deliver it first.”

“Impossible!”

Lü Yang sneered back: “Senior, do you take me for a fool? You think I’d trust your word? More likely, you’d run off the moment you get the goods!”

The two fell into a stalemate.

Soon, however,【Ang Xiao】offered a new suggestion: “Leave the Golden Nature of Hongyun somewhere. Once I strike with my sword, I’ll retrieve it.”

This was not a transaction.

This was a duel: with Hongyun’s Golden Nature placed elsewhere, both would rely on their own skills. Whoever got it first would win.

“Agreed!”

Lü Yang didn’t hesitate to accept, but inwardly sneered: ‘Still thinking of taking the Golden Nature? The moment you strike, I’ll destroy your divine thought in the cave fragment. After that, you’ll never interfere in the mortal world again. Even if the Golden Nature is right in front of you, you won’t have the ability to take it.’

“一言为定！”

Meanwhile,【Ang Xiao】was also sneering inwardly: ‘Use that sword to strike Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes? A late-Golden Core sword strike wasted like that?’

This “deal” was a ruse —【Ang Xiao】’s true target was Lü Yang himself!

‘If he dares to plot against the Dao Court, then he must be highly ranked. Since that’s the case, when Emperor Jiayou announces seclusion to all officials, Lü Yang’s true body will definitely be present!’

When that happens, one sword — and he’ll be dead.

And once the man is dead, who cares about Hongyun’s Golden Nature?

With both sides scheming, they entered Tianwu Hall, where four increasingly faint figures appeared at the head of the hall.

As soon as he entered, Lü Yang sensed Emperor Jiayou’s gaze.

Without hesitation, he strode forward and bowed deeply, declaring: “Your subject Du Huan pays respects to His Majesty. I ask that Your Majesty rescind my post!”

Another move to strike first!

Emperor Jiayou was clearly startled — he hadn’t even spoken yet, and Lü Yang already took the initiative. Could this man truly be a loyal minister?

But he quickly regained his composure.

Loyal or not, once he and the Three Dukes went into seclusion, the Dao Court could not leave a True Dragon in a high position. He would not leave such a threat behind.

Still, one must soothe the people’s hearts.

After all, this was seclusion — not death.

And Lü Yang’s attitude was indeed commendable. So although Emperor Jiayou had already decided to strip his rank, he still spoke magnanimously:

“Now you understand what it means to be loyal to the country, don’t you?”

“This is what it means to be loyal to the country!”

After the praise, Emperor Jiayou prepared to revoke Lü Yang’s position — but before he could speak, Lü Yang contacted【Ang Xiao】through【String-Pulled Puppet】.

“Now!”

The next second, Chen Yuanli — the puppet officer from the All-Heaven Department — stood up. In the astonished stares of countless officials, he cried out:

“For the Crown Prince!”

“Clang clang!”

With a sword cry, from within the cave fragment in Chen Yuanli’s hand,【Ang Xiao】’s divine thought activated — instantly releasing the sword light he had hidden.

In an instant, the sword light engulfed all!