The Emperor's Arrival

A grand emperor carriage pulled by four mythical beasts. The beasts had a body like a lion with four black horns – two on the head and two on the back. Its azure fur was fluffy.

Hovering on flying swords, powerful servants escort the flying carriage. Every time they left a region, a rainbow would form in the sky with a fantastic view as though they showered the ground with divine lights, leaving a unique scent.

At the far end of the horizon, there was a grand building. These flying servants noticed it and exchanged a nod. Then, one servant approached the golden carriage, saying, "Your Majesty, we will arrive at the Misty Flowery Palace's branch."

The servant backed away afterward.

Inside the carriage, Tang Chen sat in a lotus position. The surrounding qi got sucked by him, but he looked serene and unperturbed. Soon, he opened his radiant eyes.

The nearby turned transparent; only a grand building with blocks of people filled his vision. In the middle, however, there was a red-robed middle-aged man with an aloof bearing.

This middle-aged man swung his right hand, and one blue-robed people block moved accordingly. Snapping his finger, a curved wooden roof with four poles supporting it appeared suddenly, covering the whole yard with blocks of people beneath it.

As soon as the wooden roof was safely built, the middle-aged man stared at the clear blue sky with the burning sun. He released a soft breath and walked toward a man in a black robe.

People were momentarily amazed. They looked above, appreciating the shelter that protected them from the hostile weather.

Little did people know that he indifferently gazed Tang Chen in the eyes!

Tang Chen quickly closed his eyes and pulled his head to the side in a split second. He gulped a few times with a rough breath and noticed a cold sweat creep out of his hands.

'Noticing my divine sense in this distance. A great elder! I hope I can learn something from him.' Tang Chen smiled in admiration. Now, his mood was better.

Rocky Mountain was not a place under his region despite being an emperor. No, even if it was, he got no control over it.

Why? Because it was a tacit understanding between cultivators to leave Rocky Mountain alone out of mundane matters.

It was a place sought after by all cultivators in the world. At least once in a lifetime, they ought to pay respect here, which would greatly contribute to their life's achievement. Thus, Rocky Mountain was a miniature world that represented cultivators in every corner of this vast world.

Those from the east discussed Dao with those from the west. The impossible peaceful meeting would be possible in the sacred land called Rocky Mountain, where everyone sought a better meaning in their life and broadened their horizon.

If one is greedy and tries to control this Rocky Mountain, prepare for the consequence of facing the world!

At the same time, in the yard outside the grand building.

Mao Nianzu nodded in satisfaction to Tian Shen, especially the trick where he created the roof with one snap.

'Can you stop looking at me?!' thought Mao Nianzu.

Ever since he requested Kong Dong, the first elder, regarding people outside, he received intense observations. From all present people inside the building and Kong Dong himself.

Many were shocked when the first elder suddenly stopped the warm welcome from geniuses. Even the room turned weighty. Nobody uttered a sound when Mao Nianzu walked outside.

However, as soon as the crowd understood his intention, they gasped in admiration. Some quickly turned their heads down in embarrassment. If even someone of Mao Nianzu's caliber had such a caring attitude to lowly cultivators... the crowd did not know how to react.

Mao Nianzu never expected this reaction in the first place. He wanted to breathe fresh air and shelter people outside, nothing more.

After having enough refreshment, Mao Nianzu stepped one stair, about to return to the grand building.

Yet, he heard a loud commotion in the back. And he couldn't help turning his head back, only to be greeted by a squad of flying brilliance lights heading toward the yard from the air.

Landing, the light vanished, revealing a golden carriage with a very similar symbol Mao Nianzu saw everywhere when he lived in the plaza.

Zhaoze Long Empire!

'Is it the emperor? Wait, His Majesty will never leave his place at the celebration. Hmm, his advisor, that is.'

This flash of thought passed through Mao Nianzu's mind briefly.

The carriage door opened, and a fine-looking man stepped out elegantly. He was enshrouded by a hazy brilliance, wearing a picturesque golden dragon robe.

"Tang Chen, it's been a while!" Kong Dong glided downward in the air.

"Elder Kong, it's been a while." Tang Chen clasped his hands. "I'm sorry for the sudden visit. It seems like I come at the wrong time."

"You're too polite. Come." Kong Dong smiled. But instead of leading Tang Chen, he slid to Mao Nianzu and cupped his fists with the utmost respect. "I apologize for the inconvenience. This is Tang Chen, once cultivated under our guidance. Now, he is the emperor of Zhaoze Long Empire."

Mao Nianzu paused for a moment. He sized up the young man in a golden robe, who appeared to be around eighteen years old.

Cold eyes. A rectangular hat. Colorful jade beads hang in front of and behind the rectangular board of the hat. Two ends of a string encircled the chin and were tied with vermilion ribbons.

'Wearing an emperor hat to this occasion?' Originally, Mao Nianzu would lose his composure once Kong Dong revealed the identity of this young man. But seeing the emperor's hat on his head made Mao Nianzu speechless.

It was clear enough that Rocky Mountain was not Tang Chen's territory. Who would bow and kneel to him with that dress in this place?

'He's younger than I thought. Did his advisors and servants not remind him about this simple matter? Or there's something I don't know about..'

Various thoughts filled Mao Nianzu's mind. Despite his lowly status in the empire, he knew a superficial knowledge of the emperor and the duty of his people.

Looking around, Mao Nianzu concluded one thing: only Tang Chen's attire is extravagant and splendid.

And it's just... the emperor appeared to be too arrogant. Perhaps if it were another place, Mao Nianzu would think something truly happened based on how the emperor dressed.

He thought this way from the combination of Tian Shen's explanation and the Supreme Elder's parchment. Tian Shen said this was a sacred place while Supreme Elder said cultivators sought enlightenment places.

But this was Rocky Mountain! A place where even many bigshots put off their priceless jewelry and decorations.

'Hm, there must be a reason.'

With this in mind, Mao Nianzu turned his body and continued his step upward on the stairs, saying, "The sun reflects objects, including your grand arrival. It blinds me, and I'm afraid I can't stare at your majestic appearance for too long."

Kong Dong shuddered in fear after hearing the statement. He hurriedly said, "Rest assured, Young Master. Although we had taken care of him before, we will take care of him once more."

As the first elder of a prominent sect, he had broad experience in dealing with mundane matters and the way people acted. With just one response, he immediately knew that Young Master was questioning something in Tang Chen.

He questioned it as well.

Tang Chen was silent. When he stepped out of the carriage, his eyes delved into the yard, trying to find the powerful elder that stared at him a few moments ago.

During this motionless observation, Kong Dong said, "come."

Though it was not high in expectation, Tang Chen thought the first elder would lead him personally. Yet, the first elder approached a man in a black robe.

This fact annoyed him, for he had arrived in grandeur only to be left out by the first elder!

However, he quickly remained calm and collected, especially after seeing the prominent elder who was next to the tall man.

Then, the tall man in a black robe eloquently spoke. It was graceful and serene, without any hint of ill-intention behind it... was what Tang Chen's servants thought.

Tang Chen, however, was enraged by the statement, and his pride had been tainted to the fullest!

A golden robe accentuated his status: an emperor that reigned millions of lives!

'I can act whatever I want! Moreover, I am in Misty Flowery Palace, where I will soon become the groom of their number one genius! Keep acting haughty. I will pay this humiliation a hundred-fold later!'

He quelled his anger with a scheme in his mind. No rush, he thought.

"Who are you?" asked Tang Chen.

"This is Young Master. I will tell you in detail." Kong Dong hurriedly answered. He stole a glance to make sure Mao Nianzu didn't show any displease.

"No," Mao Nianzu said. Climbing the stairs, he waved his right hand in the air as though he tried to chase flies away. "I am a mere participant of this event. If you are interested in all participants here, I can help you introduce them one by one."

Blue veins popped out of Tang Chen's forehead as the answer rang in his ears. He knew what Mao Nianzu try to say.

It was like saying, "Don't only ask for my identity. Ask others as well."