Chapter 443: Letting Go

After breaking through the late Golden Core stage of the Martial Dao, Yan Buji's power increase was anything but small.

Now, with the three Jing, Qi and Shen of his Blood Heaven Ascension Degree as the base, the upgrades of Bright King level, Sudden Rise level, and the explosive power of the Dragon‑Tiger Swirl technique, combined with gains that also bolster his flesh, Yan Buji, at full‑fire, finds no equal within the Golden Core realm!

This is not Yan Buji exaggerating; even in the mid Golden Core stage he could contend with cultivators at the late Golden Core stage and even those at the peak of the Golden Core, and even the old fiend Guixie, despite his decline, could not outmatch ordinary late‑stage Golden Core cultivators, showing that Yan Buji's current accumulation already surpasses many.

Not to mention the myriad rich anti‑enemy tactics, the combined use of Martial Dao techniques, and the Heaven Gate Law; even if Yan Buji truly met an unbeatable foe, fleeing would never be an issue.

"In the blink of an eye, it's been sixty years," Yan Buji laughed.

This gradual strengthening feels quite good; sometimes cultivation is just like that—foundation outweighs opportunity, yet opportunity remains elusive.

Now Yan Buji has taken his Martial Dao philosophy to a new height; with a Martial Avatar, many tasks are no longer approached with such hesitation.

For example, upon discovering another Martial Dao Profound Skill, he can first hand it to his Martial Avatar to test cultivation and observe the reaction, then make adjustments, saving a great deal of time.

Including the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, with a Martial Avatar Yan Buji now has a foothold in many matters.

Thinking that, he left his seclusion spot and prepared to return to the Dragon People.

Time does not halt for any individual; the world's changes are far faster than imagined.

When Yan Buji returned to the Dragon People, he gazed at the several new islets near Snow Island and the vast numbers of Dragon People now living on islands or beneath the sea, feeling neither joy nor sorrow.

He only wanted to quickly retrieve his original Great Core.

Just as he was thinking, Yan Buji suddenly looked up, "Priest?"

"Your Majesty, you have returned from your travels?" the Dragon People priest smiled, his aura growing ever more unfathomable.

Yan Buji looked at him, nodded, "How are things now?"

"Very well. The Dragon People have benefited from Your Majesty's years of hard work; as planned, after the second batch of Dragon People took the Reversal Blood Pill, no Dragon People have been affected by the bloodline taboo curse since. And now we..."

"Let's find a place to talk slowly."

"Very well."

The Dragon People priest led Yan Buji to his throne; the moment he sat down, Yan Buji looked around.

"Priest, thank you for your efforts while I was away."

The Dragon People priest laughed, "No trouble. Your Majesty, would you like to make an inspection?"

"We'll discuss later. Are there any external threats to the Dragon People now?"

The Dragon People priest shook his head, "We have Snow Tribe protection, and the Python‑Sparrow harvest has been good these years; aside from occasional attacks by demonic beasts, it is basically peaceful."

Yan Buji nodded, "Given that, what about internal affairs?"

The Dragon People priest fell silent for a moment, then hesitated, "Since Your Majesty went traveling, many within the tribe have reached the Golden Core stage; some wish to enter the official system, while others have left."

"No problem," Yan Buji said, looking around, "No one is born needing to rely on the tribe to survive; venturing out is also good."

The Dragon People priest said, "Speaking of that, a few years ago members of other races seemed to have gone to the Boundless Sea, and none returned, including several of Your Majesty's... friends as well."

She Junshu and the others?

Hmph.

Yan Buji waved his hand, "It was merely an exchange of interests, not true friendship."

"Then there was the alliance summit on the Snow Tribe side; after the Dragon People attended, we secured some good contracts, and now we also have trades with the Stone People and the Fox Tribe," the Dragon People priest said.

"Just watch over these as you see fit; the development of the Dragon People cannot be wholly directed by me alone. Seeing how well everyone has fared these years, I think the Dragon People would still thrive without me," Yan Buji laughed.

The Dragon People priest was stunned, "Your Majesty, you..."

"It's time to let go. Notify all Golden Core Cultivators of the Dragon People, or priest, any candidates you recommend, and bring them before me; it's time to decide who the next Dragon People king will be," Yan Buji said calmly.

"By the way, have Wang Man come over."

The Dragon People priest remained silent for a long while, then clasped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

For the Dragon People, Yan Buji has merely pulled them out of the abyss of despair during a terribly chaotic era, and single‑handedly

From now on, the development of the Dragon People should not be decided by Yan Buji.

Although Yan Buji still wishes to leech off the massive body of the Dragon People, upon reflection he feels it's time to let go.

Before departing, he naturally needs to arrange his own people properly.

So that they can still be useful in the future.

"In the end, the Dragon People can no longer serve as my support, and I have no time to manage every affair of theirs. Since they can develop autonomously, it shows my existence is not essential," Yan Buji squinted.

A king who wishes to endure forever is a detested presence to any collective; Yan Buji needs to let go because he still wants to use the Dragon People, yet he cannot obtain everything he desires from them and must go out to seek opportunities.

Thus, no matter how great the Dragon People's potential, he cannot be sure of keeping them perpetually under his control.

Therefore, someone must inherit his position, preferably someone from his own side.

However, Yan Buji also knows that the Demon King of Heaven has been watching the Dragon People's development, so regardless, his ties to them cannot be severed.

But Yan Buji's goals are similar to the Demon King's, so the relationship is mutually beneficial.

A while later.

"Your Majesty, you have returned!" Wang Man, looking much more mature and dressed in splendid robes, clasped his hands and smiled.

"Hmm, you have all worked hard these years," Yan Buji said.

"No trouble; Your Majesty has also devoted yourself entirely to the Dragon People's development. Now that you have returned from your travels, I happen to have some..."

Yan Buji raised his hand, cutting off Wang Man: "Wang Man, I am preparing to pass the throne to the next Dragon People king."

Wang Man was stunned, exclaiming, "This... is unnecessary, Your Majesty! The Dragon People are currently in an upward development phase; our cooperation with several Otherworldly Races is about to commence. Your return could strengthen ties with each race, allowing us to develop rapidly. More connections, more information, more profit—that's exactly what you desire, isn't it?"

Yan Buji nodded, "But the Dragon People need someone to carry the banner; a single priest is insufficient."

Wang Man was bewildered for a long time before realizing that Yan Buji's aura was far more powerful and unfathomable than decades ago!

"Your Majesty, are you going to..."

"My mind is made up; if you have the ambition to become king, I can also recommend you as the new Dragon People king."