Chapter 396: Intervening in the Divine Way

White Fury successfully transformed into a dragon, and Zhang Jian took the opportunity to hold a grand Dragon Transformation Ceremony for him.

This is a good opportunity to display national strength and show off military might.

Naturally, the civil and military officials of the Great Xia court would not miss it.

Especially White Fury's tribulation-crossing method that made the Dragon Transformation Tribulation disappear—it is likely to make many immortal sects itch with envy.

Not long after, the Great Xia court issued another decree, simultaneously bestowing the title of High Lake Dragon King upon the White Water Dragon Lord for the High Lake region of the former Northern Chu territory, appointing him as the Great Dragon God of Northern Waters and the chief among the Northern Water Earls.

This rank is on par with that of the Canal Dragon Lord, the chief of the Southern Water Earls.

……

Canal Dragon Palace

The Canal Dragon Lord returned to the water system, his body surrounded by shimmering water light, vast and magnificent.

The power of the Canal water system reigns supreme in the south; in the fertile lands of East Continent, only a few water systems can rival it.

The magnificent Dragon Palace glitters with gold and brilliance; the crystal palace halls are clear and translucent, emitting a fierce white glow in the dark depths, illuminating vast shadowed areas.

At this moment, within the Dragon Palace, the Canal Dragon Lord and his wife sigh with emotion.

The Dragon Empress said without reservation:

"I never expected that this simple-minded White Water Dragon Lord would have such fortune and opportunity—despite his damaged origin, he still succeeded in transforming into a dragon!"

The Canal Dragon Lord nodded slightly, his eyes also holding a hint of envy.

Even as true dragons, there are differences in rank.

The Profound Darkness True Dragon is undoubtedly a higher dragon race.

The Canal Dragon Palace takes him as its origin, thus belonging to the Coiled Dragon clan.

The Coiled Dragon is merely a lower true dragon.

Though bearing the name of true dragon, their status differs greatly; the Canal Dragon Palace will likely have to rely heavily on the other side in the future.

The Canal Dragon Lord waved his hand and said:

"Empress, from now on, do not call others 'simple-minded'—since he has successfully transformed into a dragon, we are of the same clan. As the only two true dragons in the fertile lands of East Continent, we ought to watch and assist each other!"

The Dragon Empress nodded slightly, then a ripple appeared in her eyes as she continued:

"Your Majesty, since White Fury has succeeded in transforming into a dragon, he will surely contend for a favorable position in the state's water veins. Should we seize this opportunity to let our relationship advance further?"

The Canal Dragon Lord was slightly startled and asked:

"Empress, what do you mean by……"

After a brief pause, the Canal Dragon Lord's eyes flickered with awkwardness as he said: "But White Fury is so young—how could I possibly marry my daughter to him…… Besides, our daughters are still quite young……"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Empress gave the Canal Dragon Lord a white-eyed look.

"Your Majesty, where has your mind wandered? My meaning is to find a dragon maiden for the White Water Dragon Lord in the Qingping Sea, the natal home of our eldest daughter—this would also count as a strong alliance, which would greatly help our daughter establish herself in the Qingping Dragon Palace!"

The Canal Dragon Lord stroked his whiskers slightly, his eyes showing a hint of hesitation.

After White Fury's transformation into a dragon, he became a Profound Darkness True Dragon—an upper dragon race. If we could infuse the Profound Darkness True Dragon bloodline into the Canal Dragon Palace, our descendants might escape this awkward, in-between position.

Although the Canal Dragon Lord is reluctant to part with his flower-like daughters.

Yet we cannot easily give an advantage to the Qingping Dragon Palace.

The Canal Dragon Lord hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand and said:

"Let us discuss this further!"

Seeing this, the Dragon Empress immediately knew the Canal Dragon Lord's attitude had shifted!

She also felt some hesitation in her heart.

She is also very clear about the importance of bloodline to the dragon race.

……

At this moment, as Zhang Jian bestowed the title of High Lake Dragon King upon the White Water Dragon Lord, this matter also caused a great uproar in the State God's Path.

Many cultivators in the immortal world did not think much of it, but the gods of the State God's Path all turned their gaze toward the State Divine Court.

The authority to enshrine gods has always belonged to the State God's Path; even if a secular dynasty wishes to enshrine a god, it usually must first coordinate through the Observatory Platform, obtain the enshrinement decree from the State God's Path, and then proceed with the enshrinement.

The Great Xia dynasty's move, to some extent, already counts as an overreach.

In the State God's Office, the State Ancient Immortal gazed at the document before him.

When the Great Xia dynasty enshrined the White Water Dragon Lord, they had indeed submitted a green memorial in advance, but this memorial was not merely to praise the White Water Dragon Lord—its inner meaning also contained a declaration of sovereignty.

At this moment, standing beside the State Emperor, a tall deity in purple robes appeared, his face showing intense indignation. He slightly clasped his hands and spoke in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, the Great Xia Emperor is truly unaware of good and bad! Our State God's Path has stood in this world for tens of thousands of years, upholding the complete transmission of the divine way—how could a mere secular dynasty shake it? It would be better to give the Great Xia dynasty a lesson, so they may know that the State God's Law cannot be violated!"

The State Ancient Immortal remained calm in expression, glancing briefly at the person beside him, the Human Yuan Patrol Envoy, and said calmly:

"Do you wish to violate the Heavenly Palace Divine Law?"

The Human Yuan Patrol Envoy furrowed his brows, still wanting to speak, but the State Ancient Immortal's calm voice sounded again:

"I ask you—even if the White Water Dragon Lord is enshrined as High Lake Dragon King, is he still a deity subordinate to our State God's Path? Does he still have to obey our State God's Path Divine Law?"

Upon hearing this, the Human Yuan Patrol Envoy nodded and said: "Your Majesty, naturally he must obey!"

After a moment, the Human Yuan Patrol Envoy's eyes brightened and he said: "Your Majesty, could your meaning be—wait until that White Water Dragon Lord violates the divine law, then we move to confront him…… At that time, our State God's Path would have just cause and righteousness on our side; if the Great Xia dynasty interferes again, we would punish them—this would naturally be justified!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, the State Ancient Immortal let out a hollow laugh.

In truth, he never intended to make things difficult for the other side.

If it were anyone else daring to seize the authority of the State God's Path, he would naturally argue with them—even if he could not suppress them, he would at least give them a stern warning.

But since this person is of the Zhang clan, it is naturally different.

Moreover, upon reflection, this matter indeed cannot be clearly reasoned through.

The Great Xia dynasty was not established as an ordinary dynasty, but as the dynasty of a sage king.

The Zhang clan has already condensed the position of the Emperor and the position of the Human Sovereign; using the position of the Emperor and the position of the Human Sovereign to confer divine titles upon deities, they possess legitimate authority.

Even if this lawsuit were taken to heaven, he might not necessarily win.

It would be better to simply do a favor that goes with the flow.

The Ancient Immortal of the State and Altar again had him personally write a State and Altar talisman edict, which was directly sent into Haojing City.

……

In Haojing City, within the Hall of Containing the Origin, Zhang Jian sensed a vast divine light descending from the void, landing upon the table before him.

Zhang Jian opened his eyes; there was a hint of something unusual in his gaze. That stream of light moved with extreme speed, as if it had pierced through the defenses of the Nine Tripod Boundary from an unimaginable angle, even bypassing his imperial authority that enveloped heaven and earth, and landed directly on his table.

Is this a warning? Or perhaps a kind reminder?

Zhang Jian's eyes shifted subtly; he picked up the talisman edict before him, merely glanced at it, and immediately understood the message contained within.

This is the formal divine talisman edict conferring the title of Great Lake Dragon King upon the White Water Dragon Lord.

"It seems the Ancient Immortal of the State and Altar should have already achieved minor completion, if not great completion, of the State and Altar Emperor's authority..."

A faint trace of envy flickered in Zhang Jian's eyes.

After Zhang Jian had initially achieved the condensation of imperial authority, he clearly understood the difficulty of advancing further in imperial authority.

However, since the State and Altar Emperor has adopted such an attitude, this also indicates that the other party tacitly acknowledges the position of the Great Xia Dynasty within the divine path.