Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

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Chapter 502: Initial Control of the Dao Court

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Dao ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Court, within the Tianwu Hall.

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NovelFire reader preview #7b881a366d98 (issued 2026-07-20).

Under Lü Yang’s escort, Crown Prince Longxing entered the hall and immediately laid eyes on the golden dragon throne placed at the head of the hall—something he had long yearned for day and night.

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Crown Prince Longxing stared for quite a while before reluctantly shifting his gaze away.

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Yet in the very next second, Lü Yang’s voice echoed faintly, “May Your Highness take a seat.”

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“This... isn’t appropriate, is it?”

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Crown Prince Longxing swallowed hard and quickly waved his hands, “Father has merely left temporarily due to matters of state. How could I commit such a treasonous act? Better not.”

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Lü Yang lowered his voice in response and chuckled softly, “Your Highness, to be frank, this seat will be yours sooner or later. Now that His Majesty has temporarily stepped away, it’s the perfect chance for Your Highness to display your capabilities. If done well, how could this seat escape you in the future? Think of sitting now as getting familiar with it.”

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Crown Prince Longxing’s heart pounded with excitement.

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That’s right. I am the Crown Prince of the Dao Court. One day, this dragon throne will be mine. Since Father can’t see me now anyway, what harm is there in sitting on it?

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With this thought, he cast a sidelong glance at Lü Yang:

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“You—next time, you’d better not!”

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With that, he carefully ascended the steps, turned around, and sat squarely upon the dragon throne. Instantly, a chill surged up to his head.

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“Ah.”

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Though there was no real empowering force, Crown Prince Longxing felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration sweep over his spirit.

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After all, this was truly a transgressive act. If others learned of it, even a crown prince would surely face impeachment. It was only because Lü Yang had proposed it, and because Longxing himself couldn’t resist the temptation, that he went along with it. Otherwise, he would never have dared.

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Yet just then—

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“My lord, Your Highness.” Xiao Shan entered quickly and bowed. “The Grand Protector is currently outside the Tianwu Hall and requests an audience with Your Highness.”

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“What?”

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That single sentence snapped Crown Prince Longxing back to reality. He instinctively tried to rise, but Lü Yang forcefully pressed him back down.

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“Go out and deliver a message—say that His Highness has just assumed control of the Tianwu Hall and is feeling fatigued. He will not meet today.”

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Crown Prince Longxing felt this wording perfectly matched his thoughts.

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He was just enjoying himself—Li Taian showing up would only spoil things. No meeting. There would be plenty of opportunities later. Seeing him tomorrow would make no difference.

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What pleased him even more was that although Lü Yang had given the command directly, Xiao Shan did not act right away. Instead, he respectfully looked toward him. Clearly, the officials of the Imperial City Department still aligned with him, understanding that he was the one making decisions, and dared not act arbitrarily.

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With that, Crown Prince Longxing gave a slight nod:

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“Mm. Go deliver the order.”

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Only then did Xiao Shan stomp once, then stride quickly out. Yet before long, the voice of the Grand Protector echoed from outside: “You dare to stop me?”

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“Boom!”

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A thunderous crash followed, and Crown Prince Longxing’s expression changed instantly. He leapt from the throne, descended the steps, and straightened his robes.

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In the next second, Li Taian strode into the hall.

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By now, he had realized that the Tianwu Hall was completely under the control of the Imperial City Department. The Crown Prince entering it was akin to a lamb entering a tiger’s den!

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Given this, Xiao Shan’s attempt to bar him from seeing Crown Prince Longxing instantly triggered his nerves. He assumed Lü Yang had falsely delivered an order and sealed the palace. Otherwise, how could the Grand Protector be denied an audience with the Crown Prince? Hence, he forced his way in.

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“Your Highness... thank heavens!”

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Seeing Crown Prince Longxing unharmed, Li Taian finally let out a sigh of relief and bowed. Then he looked toward Lü Yang, eyes full of suspicion.

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This scheming dragon—ambitious and treacherous!

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Yet before he could speak to impeach Lü Yang, Crown Prince Longxing’s voice rang out:

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“Impudence!”

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Crown Prince Longxing was furious. The stark contrast between Li Taian’s forceful intrusion and Lü Yang and the Imperial City Department’s deference made it clear.

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You dare break in today—will you rebel tomorrow?

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Especially considering Li Taian’s position as Grand Protector and disciple of one of the Three Dukes, this only stoked Longxing’s rage:

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“I already said I was feeling fatigued and did not wish to meet! Yet you barged in regardless—do you even place me in your eyes? Get out of my sight!”

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Li Taian was stunned.

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He instinctively looked toward Lü Yang, only to find Lü Yang wearing an equally innocent expression. That’s when realization struck: this wasn’t a false order... the Crown Prince truly didn’t want to see him?

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Impossible!

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He couldn’t comprehend the logic. He even began to suspect that this Crown Prince might be someone Lü Yang had sent to impersonate him.

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But very soon, as the pressure of the Dao Court’s official authority fell upon him, Li Taian groaned and finally realized that the person before him was indeed Crown Prince Longxing. His face turned deathly pale—for if all this was truly the Crown Prince’s will, then he had just committed great disrespect!

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“Your subject acknowledges his guilt!”

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With that, Li Taian dared not offer a word of defense. He fell to his knees.

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But Crown Prince Longxing showed clear impatience: “I told you—get out!”

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Li Taian dared not linger. He bowed and exited the hall.

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“Your Highness, please do not be angry.”

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Only then did Lü Yang lower his voice and say, “The Grand Protector acted for the sake of the Dao Court. Though he offended Your Highness, I believe his intentions were good.”

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“For the Dao Court?”

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Crown Prince Longxing narrowed his eyes and replied coldly, “I don’t think he is as loyal and reliable as you, Dou Huan. Nor have I ever heard Father praise his loyalty to the nation.”

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“Your Highness, that may be inaccurate.” Lü Yang shook his head. “The Grand Protector and I are different.”

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“Oh? How so?”

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“He is loyal to the Dao Court, and that is commendable. But I have received great favor from His Majesty. If I must speak of loyalty, I am not loyal to the Dao Court—I am only loyal to Tian Wu.”

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That line delighted Crown Prince Longxing. He fully agreed. Yes—loyalty to the Dao Court? That could still mean harming the Tian Wu Royal House for its sake. What he needed was not a loyalist to the Dao Court, but one loyal to the royal family. That was true loyalty!

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Seeing this, Lü Yang struck while the iron was hot:

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“There’s one more matter Your Highness must not overlook. The assassin colluded with the Jiangbei Demonic Sect and even dared attempt His Majesty’s life. Your Highness may be in grave danger as well!”

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At those words, Crown Prince Longxing instantly grew nervous.

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He was no True Lord. If a strike of equal caliber hit him, he would surely perish. Not even the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】 could save him.

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So without Lü Yang needing to say more, he took the initiative:

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“Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!”

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“Dou Aiqing, I order you to investigate all officials! The All-Heaven Department’s assassin was one of their own, yes? Disband the All-Heaven Department—merge everything into the Imperial City Department!”

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Then he took a deep breath: “Also, I’ll remain in the Tianwu Hall for now. At least there’s a formation here for protection—it’s safer. I must trouble you again: the Imperial City Department is to guard day and night. Without my permission, no one is to enter!”

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“Understood.”

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Lü Yang immediately stomped and bowed. “Your Highness may rest assured. So long as I command the Imperial City Department, I will never allow danger to reach Your Highness. Loyal! Faithful!”

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Upon exiting the Tianwu Hall, Lü Yang finally revealed a smile.

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‘Sure enough, King of Southern Suppression Wu Taian’s memories didn’t lie—this Crown Prince Longxing truly lacks ambition. Much easier to manipulate than Emperor Jiayou…’

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With the golden nameplate of Crown Prince Longxing, he now had legitimacy for his actions in the Dao Court. Name and authority both secured—everything would go much more smoothly.

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Looking up at the sky, Lü Yang thought silently: ‘Whether the Fruitional Rank chooses to remain hidden or not makes no difference to me. After all, 【Heavenly Fire Above】 had no sponsor to begin with. But in seclusion, it’s even harder to attain Fruition. At present, 【Heavenly Fire Above】 still hasn’t shown favor to me.’

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The root cause lay in his failure to meet 【Heavenly Fire Above】’s expectations.

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True, he now controlled the Dao Court’s situation—

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But it was only within Tianwu City. He had yet to grasp the entirety of Jiangdong. Moreover, the Three Young Dukes—Lesser Mentor, Lesser Protector, and Lesser Tutor—led a class of officials staunchly opposed to him.

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‘Still a ways to go before I truly control the Dao Court and govern Jiangdong…’

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Lü Yang shook his head and extended a hand. In his palm, a golden radiance rose and fell—it was the Golden Nature of Great Fortune!

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‘As expected of 【Ang Xiao】.’

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He had anticipated 【Ang Xiao】 might resort to trickery and prepared accordingly. Yet 【Ang Xiao】 had also anticipated his counterplay and fled swiftly.

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‘After the assassination attempt, he escaped amidst the chaos using 【Obstruction of Knowledge and View】.’

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Fortunately, he had been cautious. During their negotiations, when outwardly handing over the Golden Nature of Fortune, he had left a puppet controlled by 【String-Pulled Puppet】 in its place.

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After 【Ang Xiao】 struck, the puppet immediately retrieved the golden nature.

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Not only that, he had set a trap where the Golden Nature was originally placed—had 【Ang Xiao】 tried to take it, he would’ve been ambushed.

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Too bad 【Ang Xiao】 never showed himself from beginning to end.

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‘In the end, neither of us intended to close that deal… These old True Lords of the Holy Sect are just too difficult to handle.’

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That said, now 【Ang Xiao】 was reduced to a mere divine sense fragment within a shattered cave heaven—his ability to affect the real world was severely limited.

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So compared to him, Lü Yang cared more about his own gains:

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“Someone, come.”

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He waved his hand and summoned a young eunuch. “Lead the way—I’m headed to the rear palace.”