Supreme Emperor nodded, his expression grave.
"Senior is perceptive. This Junior's visit has three purposes. First, to congratulate the Immortal Palace on opening its gates and welcoming Disciples, heralding a new golden age."
"Second, to express my boundless gratitude that Ya'er has been accepted into the Immortal Palace. And third…"
He paused, produced an ancient jade box from his sleeve, and offered it with both hands.
The moment the box opened, vast water-qi mixed with profound Dao-rhythms flooded the room.
Inside lay a pigeon-egg–sized pearl, entirely azure, its depths surging with waves and twinkling stars as it rested on brocade.
"The Great Yan Dynasty's supreme treasure—the pearl lost in the vast sea!"
A knowledgeable Liu Family Elder gasped.
"This pearl was obtained by this Junior years ago. It is an Earth Rank Medium Grade Magic Treasure, a priceless gem for water-attribute Cultivators."
Supreme Emperor's voice was earnest.
"With this treasure, and with the complete loyalty of the Xiao clan of the Great Yan Dynasty, I beg to place ourselves under the banner of the Yaochi Immortal Palace. From this day forward we shall follow no other."
At these words the chamber fell utterly silent.
Every heart pounded as the onlookers stared at Supreme Emperor in disbelief.
A Peak Soul Transformation Founding Ancestor was willing to bring an entire Dynasty to heel before a Sect that had only just revealed its name?
Surprise flickered across Yun Yun's eyes, but she quickly regained her calm.
She did not take the jade box at once; instead she regarded Supreme Emperor and said slowly,
"Do you understand what the word 'subordinate' truly means?"
"Have you truly decided?"
Supreme Emperor saluted with cupped fists, determination written across his face.
"This Junior firmly believes the Immortal Palace's future will surpass all imagination."
"Even if storms lie ahead, the Xiao clan is willing to share them with the Palace!"
His words rang out, clear and resolute, the product of long deliberation.
Yun Yun was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"This matter is not mine to decide. I must report to the Palace Master and let her rule."
With a flick of her finger a beam of spiritual light vanished into the Void Realm—clearly a message to Gu Han.
Meanwhile, in the Yaochi Immortal Palace's Main Hall…
Gu Han withdrew her Divine Sense from Qingyang City, the scenes in the water-mirror…
Supreme Emperor respectfully offering the treasure and requesting vassalage, along with Yun Yun's message…
were etched clearly in her mind.
"Vassalage? The entire Great Yan Dynasty?"
Gu Han's fingers drummed the edge of the Cloud Bed, a playful gleam in her eyes.
"This Supreme Emperor is certainly decisive… and very clever."
[Ding! Vassalage request detected. Analyzing…]
[Great Yan Dynasty: mid-sized southern border Dynasty, territory roughly three million li, four Nascent Soul Cultivator, moderate strength but shallow foundation.]
[Motivation analysis: 40% fear of Palace's might, 35% desire for backing, 25% bet on Palace's future.]
[System recommendation: how can a supreme Dao tradition lack a few errand runners? Subordinate powers extend a Sect's influence and provide Disciples!]
[Friendly reminder: accepting offers symbolic value more than real resources, but will stabilize the southern border and create a favorable environment for the Palace's growth.]
"Oh? You advise accepting too?"
Gu Han arched a brow. "I thought you'd find them too weak."
[Host is mistaken! Even the weakest Dynasty has population, territory, resources. Besides, a mosquito leg is still meat!]
[Accepting the Great Yan Dynasty counts as a successful 'power integration' and sets an example to attract more vassals.]
[Quest triggered: Accept your first subordinate power!]
[Objective: formally accept the Great Yan Dynasty's vassalage.]
[Reward: one Earth Rank High Grade flying Magic Treasure—'cloud sea spirit boat'!]
[Note: one-hundred-zhang long, one-hundred-thousand-li per day, built-in defensive Formation, luxurious and comfortable—the perfect choice for transporting Disciples!]
"cloud sea spirit boat? Earth Rank High Grade? A flying Magic Treasure?"
Gu Han's eyes lit up; the reward had come at just the right moment!
She had been worrying how to bring the hundred-plus new Disciples from Qingyang City back to the Yaochi Immortal Palace.
She could hardly have Yun Yun ferry them wrapped in spiritual power, or have Fu Shan reveal his true form as a "transport team captain," could she?
Far too undignified.
This spirit boat was like timely delivered coal—no, like a pillow when you're sleepy!
"System, is the boat… big enough? Can it hold everyone?"
Gu Han asked for confirmation.
[Rest assured, Host! The cloud sea spirit boat contains spatial Formations; a thousand people would fit with room to spare!]
[It's definitely the perfect Sharp Weapon to showcase the Palace's strength and boost new Disciples' sense of belonging and aspiration!]
"Good!"
Gu Han hesitated no longer; her mind was made up.
With a thought her clear, ethereal voice seemed to cross mountains and rivers, sounding directly in the quiet room in the Liu Estate in Qingyang City.
It reached Yun Yun, Supreme Emperor, Liu Ruyan, Xiao Ya, and the others:
"Yun Yun."
"Palace Master."
Yun Yun immediately inclined her body to listen.
"I have heard the Great Yan Dynasty's sincere wish."
Gu Han's voice was calm yet carried unquestionable authority, instantly bringing Supreme Emperor's heart to his throat.
"Since the Great Yan Dynasty is so willing, I grant their request."
"From this day forward the Great Yan Dynasty shall be a subsidiary of the Palace, and in time we shall grant you shelter."
Supreme Emperor, overwhelmed with joy, hurriedly bowed deeply once more.
"Supreme Emperor, on behalf of the entire Xiao clan, kowtows in gratitude for the Palace Master's grace! We swear lifelong loyalty, no second thoughts!"
"As for this pearl lost in the vast sea…"
Gu Han's voice paused slightly.
Supreme Emperor's heart tightened, fearing the treasure might be rejected.
Gu Han continued:
Since this is your imperial clan's supreme treasure, take it back.
Yaochi Immortal Palace is not lacking an Earth Rank Magical Artifact; your loyalty is more precious than any treasure.
Her words were magnanimous, revealing the unfathomable depth of the palace.
Xiao Ya was moved and ashamed, and hastily said:
Palace Master's great kindness, Minghai will engrave it in my heart! Yet my sincerity in offering the treasure is genuine; I beg Palace Master…
Say no more.
Gu Han cut him off.
Keep the item; serve with dedication in the future.
[Ding! Quest 'Accept First Subordinate Force' completed!]
[Reward issued: High Grade Earth Rank flight Magic Treasure 'cloud sea spirit boat' has been stored in the System warehouse!]
[Bonus reward: Host's appropriate handling showcased Immortal Palace's bearing—extra 3,000 mastery value gained! Current mastery value: 20,650.]
Gu Han's lips curved slightly; with a thought, the cloud sea spirit boat appeared within her perception.
It was a sleek, giant-boat model glowing with faint silvery light.
Though only a model, one could already sense the vast spatial power inside and the exquisite Formation patterns.
Perfect; with this boat I'll bring the new Disciples back.
Gu Han swept her gaze across the palace; her Divine Sense instantly locked onto Gu Luoli, who was playing with A Yao.
Luoli.
Hearing her Master's voice, Gu Luoli hurriedly bowed toward the Main Hall.
Master! Disciple is here.
Come to the Main Hall.
Yes!
Gu Luoli dared not delay; scooping up the bewildered A Yao, she hurried to the Main Hall.
Entering the Main Hall, she set A Yao down and respectfully bowed.
Master.
Gu Han nodded slightly and turned her palm.
A palm-sized, silvery-white exquisite flying-boat model rose, emitting soft spiritual light and spatial ripples.
This is the cloud sea spirit boat, a High Grade Earth Rank flight Magic Treasure.
Gu Han's voice was calm.
It contains a space within; it can travel one hundred thousand li a day and carry all the new Disciples.
She looked at Gu Luoli.
Luoli, take this boat to the Liu family in Qingyang City and deliver it to Vice Palace Master Yun.
Help her bring the newly recruited Disciples safely back to the Immortal Palace.
Gu Luoli quickly accepted the tiny flying boat with both hands; it felt warm, yet she could sense the boundless spiritual and spatial power inside.
Amazed that her Master could casually bestow a High Grade Earth Rank Magic Treasure, she respectfully said,
Disciple accepts the order! I will personally deliver it to Vice Palace Master.
With that, she turned and headed for the door.
The journey is long; let Master send you on your way.
Gu Han suddenly spoke, stopping her.
Gu Luoli turned back, puzzled—was her Master going to accompany her in person?
Under her questioning gaze, Gu Han stretched out her right hand and casually slashed the Void in front of Gu Luoli.
The motion was effortless, like brushing aside a hanging bead curtain.
Rip—!
A pitch-black rift tore open without warning in front of Gu Luoli!
Silver spatial turbulence swirled around the edges, emitting faint, heart-piercing hisses; the inside was bottomless, as if leading to an unknown shore.
Fierce spatial power seeped out, yet was firmly confined within a foot by an invisible force, not leaking in the slightest.
It displayed the caster's flawless control.
Tearing space… with bare hands?!
Gu Luoli's pupils shrank, her heart nearly stopping!
She knew her Master's cultivation was unfathomable.
But witnessing such a terrifying method of casually ripping space still shocked her beyond words!
This was no ordinary Shrink-the-Land or teleportation Divine Ability; it was the most Origin-level mastery and application of spatial laws!
What exactly was her Master's cultivation?
Peak Mahayana? A tribulation-transcending mighty being? Or the legendary… From here you can step directly into the inner courtyard of the Liu estate in Qingyang City.
Gu Han's voice roused her from her shock, still flat.
Go. After meeting Yun Yun and the others, return together on the spirit boat.
Gu Luoli drew a deep breath, suppressing the surging waves in her heart, and bowed deeply to Gu Han.
Thank you, Master!
Without hesitation, she gripped the cloud sea spirit boat and stepped into the dark spatial rift.
Her figure was instantly swallowed by darkness; the rift slowly closed as if it had never existed.
Silence returned to the hall.
Master Mother is amazing!
A Yao, who had been watching wide-eyed, finally reacted.
Clapping her little hands, she bounced beside Gu Han, her small face full of excitement and adoration.
With a rip, Third Junior Sister was sent away! A Yao wants to learn too! Master Mother, teach A Yao!
Gu Han lowered her head, looking at her reflection in A Yao's clear eyes.
And at the undisguised affection and longing; the cold lake of her heart rippled gently.
She bent down, scooped the soft little bundle into her arms, and kissed her tender, milk-scented cheek.
Her voice was gentler than ever.
Alright. When A Yao grows a bit more and her cultivation is higher, Master will teach you, okay?
For now, A Yao must lay a solid foundation and Cultivate the Primal Chaos Immortal Scripture splendidly.
Mm!
A Yao nodded hard, her small arms hugging Gu Han's neck, rubbing affectionately.
A Yao will Cultivate hard! In the future I'll be as amazing as Master Mother!
Good. Master will wait for that day.
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