Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 517: Proclaiming Authority and Founding a Dynasty, Sun and Moon Aflame with Radiance

Jiangdong, Tianwu City.

The sky gradually brightened as night and day intertwined, revealing a marvelous spectacle: the heavens were split in two—on one side, the moonlight was waning; on the other, the sun rose in the east.

After more than a month of turmoil, Tianwu City had finally returned to calm.

As for the unrestricted fighting tournament held over a month ago in Jiangdong, it had long since faded from memory, and the Royal Guard Division had stuffed their dungeons full with corrupt officials.

But if the Dao Court lacked anything, it certainly wasn’t people. On the contrary, that tournament had conveniently cleared out many officials—some dying suddenly, others demoted—resolving the serious problem of bureaucratic bloat. A large wave of newly appointed imperial exam graduates took office with great joy and immediately pledged unwavering loyalty to Lu Yang.

At this point, everyone saw the truth clearly.

It was time for a change of dynasty.

The Royal Guard Division launched a full-scale purge, fervently hunting down remnants of the old regime—even the typically neutral Directorate of Astronomy, whose sole duty was calculating national fate, wasnʼt spared.

Reportedly, the current commander of the Royal Guard Division, Xiao Shan, led the charge himself. He brought a portrait of Lu Yang to the Directorate and asked the Chief Astronomer whether this man was fit to be emperor. The Chief, a man of backbone, boldly declared that Lu Yang’s physiognomy was ill-suited for the throne.

He even claimed there was no hope for him to become emperor.

Naturally, the result required no elaboration. Xiao Shan flipped on the spot, commanding his cultivators to arrest the man and toss him into the dungeon for harsh interrogation.

Within three days, the Directorate changed its tune.

With that precedent set—and Lu Yang’s overnight stay in the Dragon Bed known to all—Dao Court officials accepted him wholeheartedly.

After all, if he dared touch the empress, what wouldn’t he dare to do?

Even officials once loyal to Emperor Jiayou had no choice but to act prudently. At home, they set up portraits of Lu Yang and recited oaths of loyalty daily.

『Forgive me, Your Majesty—I have always been devoted to you.』

『Alas, the villain now holds sway. We have no choice but to submit, hoping for your return to restore order and right the world.』

And so, while inwardly apologizing to the Jiayou Emperor, they busied themselves preparing Lu Yang’s Proclamation of Authority ceremony.

Tianwu Hall, Kūnníng Palace.

After another session of cultivation, Lu Yang stood with hands clasped behind his back, letting Empress Xiao help him change into ceremonial robes, finishing with a black ceremonial cloak draped over his shoulders.

At that moment, Empress Xiao’s gaze was complicated:

「After today, I truly will have rebelled with you. If Emperor Jiayou returns one day, we’ll both be traitors—torn limb from limb.」

Her decision to side with Lu Yang stemmed from a trace of qi he had revealed to her—an unmistakable sign of the perfected 『Seven-Star Heavens』, a complete external Dao Fruit! For that, she had resolutely chosen to assist him.

She had courage enough to pursue Golden Core.

Yet now that the moment had truly come, Empress Xiao couldn’t help but feel fear. This wasn’t a normal Golden Core attempt.

This was to prove the 『Heavenly Flame Above』.

Even if the entire Jiangdong were sacrificed, the chance of success was no more than 20%. Due to incomplete intent resonance, even that 20% was reduced by another 30%.

「Do you have confidence?」

She murmured, almost whispering, her fear evident. It was this fear that had pushed her to support Lu Yang’s cultivation with all her might—her legs still trembled from exhaustion.

Lu Yang simply shook his head and smiled lightly, replying, 「It depends on human effort.」

With those words, he straightened his robes and strode out of Kūnníng Hall, heading toward Tianwu Hall, where he ascended to the highest step of the red marble terrace.

He lowered his gaze and looked down.

Before him stretched a vast, packed crowd. Every official in Tianwu City had gathered—and not just them. The whole of Jiangdong felt it.

Across all states, counties, and cities, every official witnessed Lu Yang standing atop Tianwu Hall through their official seals. All bowed in unison—and their actions stirred the common folk under their jurisdiction. At that instant, billions of Jiangdong citizens moved together, creating a thunderous roar:

「BOOM!」

This explosive sound transmitted to Lu Yang through the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】, making him feel as if a colossal mountain were pressing down upon him.

It was the weight of ‘Jiangdong’.

Vast Jiangdong, two capitals and thirteen provinces—now sat squarely on his shoulders. Any ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator would be crushed by the burden.

But Lu Yang was different.

Faced with this invisible pressure, his 『Brilliant Spirits Intertwined Radiance Dao Foundation』 not only remained unshaken, but grew stronger—like a fish in water!

『Heavenly Flame Above』 craved authority most of all!

The heavier the burden, the more favor it bestowed. Thus, rather than discomfort, Lu Yang felt his entire body brimming with power.

In the next instant, he shifted his gaze toward the grief-stricken Crown Prince Longxing, and the dragon-following ministers of the 【One Heart Society】 like Xiao Shan. The former held the Imperial Seal—symbol of Tianwu Dao Court’s authority—while the latter unfurled a dragon robe in unison:

「The weather’s cold, my lord—please put on another layer.」

Lu Yang shook his head, pretending to decline: 「My beloved subjects, you’ve done me a disservice! How could I shoulder such a responsibility?」

No one replied.

Instead, all turned their eyes toward Crown Prince Longxing. The prince clenched his teeth, nearly crushing them, but in the end, he lowered his head in submission:

「I, the solitary successor of Tianwu for over four centuries, see our fate waned, our mandate spent, and the peopleʼs will turned. Heaven’s decree has reached its end. The sacred vessel must return to one of virtue. Heaven’s will cannot be delayed, nor the people’s longing denied. I beseech you, my Daoist friend, to accept the ritual of abdication and fulfill the will of both man and god, satisfying the hearts of all within and without.」

These lines had been beaten into him by the Royal Guard Division.

Lu Yang’s expression remained calm as he watched the prince, who dared not meet his eyes. Bowing low, he raised the seal high above his head.

「.Very well.」

With that, Lu Yang took the seal decisively. At the same moment, his voice, empowered by the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】, echoed throughout Jiangdong:

「Now We inherit the imperial thread, and propose to change the calendar, alter robes and regalia, redefine titles and standards, embrace the element of fire, align with the peopleʼs will, proclaim authority and found a dynasty—to establish a new order.」

The celestial proclamation rang out. At first, no one thought it unusual—until they noticed something was wrong.

Because Lu Yang’s voice wasn’t just heard in Jiangdong. It spread beyond, across the Great Dragon River, reaching Jiangbei, and even far across the seas!

「What’s going on!?」

「The 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】… is expanding!」

「Impossible! Jiangbei belongs to the Demonic Sect—causal threads are tied, fate is sealed. How can the Dao Law reach there?」

「And the overseas territories—those demonic cultivators have never submitted to royal rule!」

Dao Court cultivators weren’t the only ones stunned. Even cultivators from overseas and Jiangbei were dumbfounded. Yet the unceasing expansion of the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】 could not be denied.

In that moment, Lu Yang’s gaze seemed to span mountains and rivers, seeing the maps of Jiangdong, Jiangbei, and the overseas territories unfold before him. They merged with his innate divine power, the 【Chongli Imperial Edict Mountains and Seas Map】, making his aura all the more extraordinary.

Meanwhile, all eyes turned toward the source of this anomaly.

On the red marble terrace, two figures had appeared—one was Tianqiu, arriving from overseas; the other was the resolute True Person Chongguang.

One represented the seas, the other, Jiangbei.

「We greet Your Majesty.」

Though merely words, the submission in their tone was unmistakable. Combined with the expanding 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】, the truth was clear.

Only then did Lu Yang part his lips and utter his final proclamation:

「.When the sun and moon share the sky, it is called ‘Radiance Aflame’.」

「BOOM!」

At that instant, everyone in Tianwu City raised their heads in unison, witnessing the rare scene of sun and moon shining together—above, brilliant stars gleamed in glory.

Jiangdong, Jiangbei, overseas.

Of the five great regions, three now bowed to him. If he attempted Golden Core now, his chance of success would be sixty percent!