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Chapter 926: Dragon King Seeks an Audience
Qian Wenjin ultimately could not escape death. After his death, Fang Chen found a peaceful and beautiful place in the mountains and temporarily settled Victorious Buddha and the others, instructing them to cultivate there. He then left his physical body behind and traveled to the Underworld again. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
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The Floating Pagoda Realm. Jiangguang City
Empress Ci had originally been the city lord of Jiangguang City, with control over several profitable business avenues. Now, with the addition of Stone Dragon and Xing Xian, she quickly overpowered many major Yin demons in a short period. They seized numerous businesses from them, and their daily income in Yin Lifespan Coins grew steadily.
Monarch Pan Shan glanced at the large vermilion gate in front of them and whispered to the person beside him, "Dragon King, if you leave now, it's still not too late."
Tai Yin Dragon King took a deep breath and said indifferently, "I will knock on the door. Since this King is here today, I have no plans to leave. No matter what, if there's even a slim chance of getting out of this ghostly place, I'll fight for it."
Monarch Pan Shan sighed inwardly. What was so bad about the Greater Underworld? In the Mortal Realm, you still had to cultivate normally. Wasn't it the same here?
Seeing that he couldn't dissuade Tai Yin Dragon King, Monarch Pan Shan gritted his teeth and stepped forward to knock on the door.
Before long, the door opened, and a yin demon glanced at the two of them before speaking coldly, "Please come in."
Tai Yin Dragon King's eyes flickered. "Does your Empress know I'm coming?"
"Of course she knows," answered the yin demon.
Tai Yin Dragon King nodded lightly. "Lead the way."
Even though he had come to ask for something, he did not want to lose his dignity.
Soon, the two were led by the yin demon into a grand hall. At a glance, they saw Empress Ci seated in the hall and Stone Dragon standing with his back to them, hands clasped behind his back.
Tai Yin Dragon King's gaze wavered. He forced a smile as he cupped his hands toward the two. "I've come today to disturb you. I hope the two of you will bear with me."
Empress Ci said coldly, "Since you know you are disturbing us, why come? Last time, you left in a hurry. What made you decide to come on your own?"
Pan Shan Monarch's eyes flickered. Empress Ci's reaction was different from what he had expected. Her attitude was somewhat intriguing.
Tai Yin Dragon King said awkwardly, "Empress Ci, I was confused before and made a mistake. Please do not blame me. If there's any way to make up for it, I will do my best to make amends."
Empress Ci smiled lightly. "Make amends? Bring me ten thousand Yin Lifespan Coins first and let me see your sincerity." Tai Yin Dragon King was shocked. "Ten thousand Yin Lifespan Coins!?"
That was not a small amount, even to him. Major yin demons like them required many more Yin Lifespan Coins to continue living. Excluding his daily expenses, his savings barely amounted to ten thousand.
Empress Ci's expression turned mocking. "What's the matter? You can't even take out ten thousand Yin Lifespan Coins. How can I believe that you've realized your mistake?"
Tai Yin Dragon King cupped his hands and asked, "May I ask if you know why I am here today?"
He seemed to be speaking to Empress Ci, but his gaze kept flicking toward Stone Dragon.
Stone Dragon turned to look at Tai Yin Dragon King with a faint smile on his face. "I believe I can guess why you're here."
After a brief pause, he continued, "You must be here because of the recent news circulating about Monarch Yan having a successor. You must have heard about Empress Ci and I have been granted official positions. You should be here for this matter, am I right?"
Tai Yin Dragon King's breathing became heavier. "Lord Stone Dragon, is this rumor... true?"
Shi Long smiled. "What if it's true, and what if it's false?"
Tai Yin Dragon King seriously said, "If it's true, I am willing to admit my mistakes and accept punishment. I only hope to serve Monarch Yan and seek an official position. If it's false, I am willing to offer five thousand Yin Lifespan Coins to Empress Ci to resolve the misunderstanding."
Empress Ci sneered coldly. "Monarch Yan would never consider you. Don't forget, you and your dragon servants nearly hurt him in the past."
Tai Yin Dragon King grew excited. So it's true!
He scanned the surroundings hastily. "Is he here? Let me speak directly to him!"
Empress Ci wore a faint smile. "You think too highly of yourself."
Stone Dragon indifferently said, "Recently, many major yin demons have come to us. From their words, it seems they want to serve Monarch Yan.
"Unfortunately, their talents are ordinary, and they have little potential to advance to the second transformation in the future, so I turned them all away. Why should Monarch Yan choose you? Empress Ci is right. You nearly harmed him in the past. Without a good reason, it would be hard for you to leave here today."
Tai Yin Dragon King's eyes flickered. "You only gained your current strength after arriving at the Underworld. In the Mortal Realm, your cultivation wasn't anything special. I, on the other hand, was a True Dragon, and I know many secrets of the Mortal Realm. There are rumors that Monarch Yan walks between the Mortal Realm and the Underworld.
"He sometimes cultivates in the Mortal Realm, and some others he cultivates in the Underworld. Naturally, he requires all kinds of spirit stones and materials from the Mortal Realm. Not to mention that the True Dragon Clan possesses an innate talent far beyond ordinary beings. Our potential is limitless. If I were to serve him, it would be a perfect match!"
"Perfect match for marriage, maybe." Empress Ci rolled her eyes, her sarcasm pronounced. "Do you even know how to talk?"
Tai Yin Dragon King's heart raged. When had he ever been treated like this? However, for the sake of the bigger picture, he suppressed his anger and looked expectantly at Shi Long.
"Please wait for a moment," said Stone Dragon, entering the hall behind him.
Seeing that, Tai Yin Dragon King felt a slight joy.
Is Monarch Yan here today? Is he in the hall behind?
He couldn't help but look around a few more times, but Empress Ci slowly stood up and walked in front of Tai Yin Dragon King.
She said, "Dragon King, the matter between us must be resolved."
Tai Yin Dragon King patted his chest. "Empress Ci, if I were to also receive an official position, we would be colleagues. I would be willing to host a banquet to make amends and invite all the major yin demons as witnesses."
The empress smiled. "Still, if it weren't for what you did, I probably would not have what I have today. No need for a banquet. You owe me a favor. Don't pretend to be ignorant when I ask you to repay it."
Tai Yin Dragon King nodded. "Agreed, agreed."
At the Inner Hall.
Xing Xian stood respectfully beside Fang Chen. After Stone Dragon entered, he cupped his hands and greeted Fang Chen. "Monarch Yan."
Fang Chen smiled. "What do you think, Stone Dragon?"
Shi Long thought for a moment and then said, "Now that the matter of you receiving the inheritance has spread, not everyone in the Greater Underworld wishes to go to the Mortal Realm. The vast majority of the major yin demons would prefer not to be influenced by the mortal realm, nor be governed by Yan Monarch. They will inevitably take action in secret.
"Your forces are too few, and Tai Yin Dragon King has quite good potential. Though he hasn't been in the Greater Underworld for long, his cultivation increases day by day. He may even surpass my progress in advancing to a second transformation major yin demon. If we could have him under our command, it would only bring benefits and no downsides."
