Chapter 734

What startled him even more was that the TianCe cultivators he saw along the way—whether sect disciples or lone practitioners—all displayed strict order and deep reverence toward the authorities, nothing like the defiant sorcerers within Da Luo.

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

This prosperity, this order, this depth of heritage—simply could not be compared to Da Luo’s.

“No wonder it’s the universally recognized super empire,” Ma Te silently marveled.

When the majestic, towering TianCe imperial capital—its walls rising like clouds, its formation lights endlessly flowing—finally came into view, Ma Te felt a soul-deep shock.

He could not imagine such a grand and impregnable city existed in the world; he even believed no army on the continent could breach this colossal fortress.

Yet despite the awe, as the capital drew nearer, his fear grew stronger.

He was about to face Li Chen, the brilliant, continent-shaking TianCe Emperor!

Every legend about this emperor carried the scent of iron and dominance—how would he treat this “submissive monarch” before him?

In this overwhelming unease, he involuntarily thought of his master, the “Sorcerer Ancestor.”

“If only my master were here,” Ma Te thought. “With him, he’d see through the TianCe Emperor’s intentions, tell me exactly how to respond, and I wouldn’t be so terrified.”

He even entertained a thought: should he find a way to send word to his master, asking him to leave seclusion and come to TianCe to aid him?

But the moment the thought arose, he crushed it himself.

“No! My master has only just entrusted Da Luo to me, allowing me to govern alone. Now, on my first diplomatic mission, I think of calling for his help at the first difficulty—he’ll surely think me weak, incompetent, unworthy of his training and expectations! I cannot disappoint him!”

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

No matter what, he must face this mysterious, powerful TianCe Emperor alone.

Yet he never dreamed that the master he longed for and the TianCe Emperor he was about to meet were one and the same person.

The protocol was quickly arranged; officials from both nations had already settled the details.

At dawn the next day, in the solemn TianCe Golden Throne Hall, civil and military ministers stood on either side, the atmosphere heavy.

Ma Te took a deep breath, adjusted the ceremonial robes symbolizing his status as Da Luo’s emperor—though he had submitted, his first audience still demanded the rites of a sovereign.

He entered this foreign center of power, head bowed, steps heavy, accompanied by several senior Da Luo ministers.

This was not Ma Te’s first court audience, but the feeling was utterly different.

Previously, on his own soil, seated upon the dragon throne, even with hidden currents below, he was at least nominally supreme.

Now, as a defeated ruler seeking peace, kneeling in submission, he stood upon another’s court, his life, honor, and fate hanging on the emperor’s single thought.

This immense disparity and unknown danger made his palms sweat and his heart pound like a war drum.

TianCe officials studied the young new emperor of Da Luo, noting a faint, forced arrogance in his brow (a lesson Li Chen had taught him: even in submission, one must not appear too servile, lest one lose national dignity and invite contempt).

Most TianCe ministers silently mused: Though young, this lad is no pushover—he’ll need careful probing and hardship before he truly accepts the harsh terms.