Chapter 734: That sense of piety and

What shocked him even more was that the May Tian Ce cultivators he saw along the way, whether sect disciples or rogue cultivators, all appeared orderly and showed considerable awe toward the authorities, far beyond the unruly sorcerers within the Daluo borders.

Shops lined both sides of the road, selling many rare treasures he had never seen or heard of; elixirs brimming with spiritual energy and magic treasures with flowing radiance were visible almost everywhere.

This level of prosperity, this order, this foundation—it was simply incomparable to the Daluo Dynasty.

"As expected of the continent's recognized super-empire," Ma Te sighed silently in his heart.

When the towering, majestic May Tian Ce Imperial Capital—with its city walls reaching into the clouds and the light of its formations flowing unceasingly—finally appeared before his eyes, Ma Te felt a shock that originated from his very soul.

He found it hard to imagine that such a magnificent and sturdy city could exist in this world; he even felt that no army on the continent could ever breach this giant city.

However, shock was shock, and as the distance to the Imperial Capital grew shorter, the fear in his heart grew ever more intense.

What he was about to face was that ambitious and continent-shaking May Tian Ce Emperor, Li Chen!

The legends surrounding this emperor were all filled with iron-bloodedness and dominance; how would he treat him, a sovereign who had "bowed his head and submitted"?

Amidst this extreme unease, he couldn't help but think of his master, the "Wuzu."

"If only Master were here," Ma Te thought. "With Master here, he would surely see through the May Tian Ce Emperor's intentions and tell me how to respond. With him by my side, I wouldn't be so afraid."

He even birthed a thought: should he find a way to send a message to his master and ask him to come out of seclusion to help him in May Tian Ce?

But the moment this thought arose, he extinguished it himself.

"No! Master finally felt at ease handing Daluo over to me, letting me handle state affairs alone. Now that I am representing Daluo on my first diplomatic mission, if I think of seeking Master's help the moment I encounter difficulty, he will surely think me cowardly, incompetent, and unworthy of his cultivation and expectations! I cannot let Master down!"

He clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

Regardless, he had to face this mysterious and powerful May Tian Ce Emperor alone.

Yet, he could never have dreamed that the master he yearned for and the May Tian Ce Emperor he was about to meet were, in fact, the same person.

The procedures were quickly arranged; these officials from both countries would discuss everything.

The next morning, in the solemn and dignified May Tian Ce Golden Throne Hall, the civil and military officials stood in rows on both sides, the atmosphere heavy.

Ma Te took a deep breath and straightened the ceremonial robes that represented his status as the Daluo Emperor; although he had submitted, he still used the rites of a sovereign for his first audience.

Leading several high-ranking Daluo officials, he lowered his head and stepped into this foreign center of power with a slightly heavy gait.

This was not Ma Te's first time attending court, but the feeling was completely different.

Previously, he had been on his own turf, perched high on the dragon throne; even if undercurrents surged beneath, he was at least nominally the supreme existence.

But at this moment, he stood in someone else's court as a defeated sovereign seeking peace and bowing his head in submission, his life and honor tied to the single thought of the emperor on the throne.

This immense disparity and unknown danger caused cold sweat to bead on his palms and his heart to beat like a war drum.

The May Tian Ce officials sized up this young new Daluo Emperor, noticing a trace of forced pride between his brows (this was what Li Chen had taught him earlier: even if submitting, one must not appear too servile and lose national dignity, lest it invite contempt).

Most of the May Tian Ce ministers thought to themselves: although this child is young, he does not appear to be an easy opponent; it will likely take many tests and difficulties to make him truly accept the harsh terms. ===== CHAPTER 735 =====