Chapter 69 All Islands Pay Homage

Barely seven days had passed since the completion of the Penglai Immortal Island naval base, and a wave of tribute-paying had swept across the entire East Sea.

Forces large and small that had once hidden in the deep sea or kept to their remote immortal islands were now all rushing to send representatives to submit their letters of surrender.

From Fangzhang Immortal Island in the far east, to the Ryukyu Islands in the far south, and even the Giant Clam Race and Seahorse Race from the deep sea, envoys were pulling boatloads of rare treasures, lining up to wait for an audience with Emperor Cao Xukun. The queue stretched from the Penglai pier ten miles out into the sea, even more bustling than a grand New Year's market.

Li Tieniu hugged the ledger, grinning so wide he couldn't close his mouth: "My goodness! This haul is absolutely overflowing with wealth! Millennium Lingzhi, ten-thousand-year-old pearls, deep-sea black iron, and even glowing night pearls—they're piled up like little mountains! Fighting wars used to cost money, but now, fighting wars actually makes money. Emperor Xuan, this business of yours is incredibly profitable!"

"You haven't seen the world," Emperor Cao Xukun said, leaning back on his white jade throne. Eldest Princess Ling Xi was peeling lychees for him, while Second Princess Ling Yao fanned him. He looked indifferent. "This is just the pledge of allegiance they are supposed to pay. If they are sensible, we treat them with good food and drink; if they are not, Sea Emperor Hai Wuya is the warning example."

As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the hall. An old Daoist wearing Daoist robes and holding a horsetail whisk, accompanied by two disciples, swaggered in without even bothering to announce himself.

This old Daoist was Xuanjizi, the island master of Fangzhang Immortal Island, who styled himself the "Number One Loose Immortal of the East Sea." Relying on his late-stage Transformation of Deity cultivation, he was usually arrogant and looked down on everyone, not even regarding Sea Emperor Hai Wuya with any respect.

"Emperor Cao Xukun, you are merely an emperor of the mortal realm; do you think you are qualified to manage the affairs of our East Sea immortal islands?" Xuanjizi flicked his horsetail whisk, chin held high, fully radiating arrogance. "The East Sea immortal islands have been the territory of immortals since ancient times and are not under the jurisdiction of any imperial dynasty! I have come today to tell you: pack up your navy and get out of Penglai immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

The two disciples behind him followed suit, acting on borrowed power: "That's right! My master is the reincarnation of an ancient immortal; he can overturn rivers and seas with a flick of his finger! If you are sensible, get out now, or we will bury you in the East Sea!"

The envoys in the hall instantly fell silent, holding their breath to watch the spectacle. Everyone knew Xuanjizi had a stubborn temper, but no one expected him to be so arrogant right in front of Emperor Cao Xukun.

Li Tieniu slammed the table in anger: "Hey! You think you're something, don't you? Even Sea Emperor Hai Wuya was thrown to the fish by our Emperor Xuan; who do you think you are, you old thing? How dare you spout such nonsense here!"

"A mere junior at the Golden Core Stage dares to speak to me?" Xuanjizi sneered, waved his hand casually, and shot a sword qi toward Li Tieniu.

Just as the sword qi was about to hit Li Tieniu, Emperor Cao Xukun raised his hand and blocked it gently. The sword qi instantly dissipated into nothingness, not even stirring up a ripple.

"Oh? The reincarnation of an ancient immortal?" Emperor Cao Xukun raised an eyebrow, his tone playful. "How come I didn't know there was such a formidable figure in the East Sea?"

"That is because you are ignorant!" Xuanjizi laughed, throwing his head back. "I have cultivated for a millennium and have long since attained the Dao and become an immortal! Today, I will let you witness the power of the immortals!"

As he spoke, he bit his fingertip and dripped blood onto the horsetail whisk, chanting: "Nine Heavens Yingyuan, Thunder Sound Universal Transformation! Thunder Duke and Lightning Mother, appear at once!"

The sky was instantly covered in dark clouds, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling. A bolt of lightning as thick as a bucket struck down fiercely toward Emperor Cao Xukun.

The envoys in the hall turned pale with fright and retreated one after another. Xuanjizi was triumphant, believing that Emperor Cao Xukun would surely die.

To everyone's surprise, Emperor Cao Xukun didn't even move; he just lifted his eyelids. The lightning bolt suddenly took a turn three feet above his head and struck back at Xuanjizi.

"Ah—!" Xuanjizi let out a shrill scream, his entire body charred black, his hair standing on end. He had turned into a blackened lump of coal, and the horsetail whisk in his hand had burned to ashes.

With a "thump," he fell to his knees, his whole body convulsing. There was no trace left of his immortal, graceful bearing.

"With just this little bit of skill, you dare to call yourself an immortal?" Emperor Cao Xukun sneered. "I think you're just a charlatan performing a shamanic dance."

"You... you can actually control heavenly lightning!" Xuanjizi's face was full of disbelief. "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"

"There is nothing impossible about it," Emperor Cao Xukun said calmly. "In the East Sea, I am the heavens. Never mind a fake immortal like you; even if the real Thunder Duke and Lightning Mother came, they would have to prostrate themselves before me."

He waved his hand casually, and an invisible force lifted Xuanjizi up and threw him out of the hall: "Roll back to your Fangzhang Immortal Island and tell all the immortal islands that those who do not come to pay tribute within three days will have their islands razed to the ground, with not even a chicken or dog left!"

Xuanjizi scrambled away, not even daring to look back.

The envoys in the hall were scared out of their wits, and with a "swish," they all knelt down in unison: "Emperor Xuan, Your Majesty is wise! We are willing to submit to Great Xuan forever, without any disloyalty!"

"Wouldn't it have been better if you had done this earlier?" Emperor Cao Xukun waved his hand, his tone calm but carrying unquestionable majesty. "Today, I officially announce the establishment of the Great Xuan East Sea Province, which will govern all sea areas, immortal islands, and sea race tribes of the East Sea!"

"I appoint the Mermaid Race Queen, Eldest Princess Ling Xi, as the first Governor of the East Sea Province, with full authority over the East Sea's military, political, livelihood, and commercial affairs, governing the entire East Sea region! Second Princess Ling Yao shall assist and take charge of naval defense!"

Eldest Princess Ling Xi stepped forward and bowed to accept the order: "This subject accepts the decree. I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust, and I will manage the East Sea well so that the people can live and work in peace!"

Immediately after, Emperor Cao Xukun promulgated the provincial decrees: retain the original customs of each race and island, unify taxes, open up free trade, and have the navy take charge of security for the entire sea area, strictly prohibiting private fighting and looting. Every single point spoke to the hearts of the envoys, and everyone kowtowed again to thank him.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host! All immortal islands and sea race tribes of the East Sea have completely submitted!]

[Obtained reward: Blessing of Luck for the entire East Sea! Blessing of Faith from the four seas of the mortal realm!]

[Obtained reward: Cultivation stabilized at the Great Perfection of the mid-stage Void Refinement! Only half a step away from the late-stage Void Refinement!]

As the system prompt faded, the luck around Emperor Cao Xukun surged, and the entire Penglai Immortal Island was enveloped in golden light.

He stood up, walked to the entrance of the hall, and looked out at the boundless East Sea. Thousands of sails raced across the sea, merchant ships came and went incessantly, and the people of all races lived and worked in peace—a scene of a prosperous age.

Li Tieniu leaned over and chuckled: "Emperor Xuan, now that the Northern Region, Southern Frontier, and East Sea provinces have all been established, the five regions of the mortal realm are completely unified! Your title as the Emperor of the Ages is truly solidified!"

"That is only natural," Emperor Cao Xukun said, a confident smile curling the corners of his mouth. "Unifying the mortal realm is just the beginning. Next, I will have the dragon flag of Great Xuan planted on every inch of land in the mortal realm, so that all the people can live good lives, with enough to eat and wear."