464: Conferring official titles and ranks

The cold air radiating from his body grew heavier, even condensing into a thin layer of white frost mist around him. Within that mist, countless tiny Sword Qi were vaguely swirling and dancing, emitting a piercing whistle.

On the prayer mat to the right, Shen Lang sat upright with solemnity.

He was different from Ximen Chuixue; the Xuanhuang Sword in his hand was heavy and edgeless, and his expression appeared calm and unhurried, as if he were not enduring the pain of a rebirth, but savoring a cup of mellow old wine.

"Trace the spirit, return to the source; rectify the root, clear the origin."

He swallowed the Medicinal Pill, formed hand seals, and held the Xuanhuang Sword in his palms.

As the Medicinal Pill entered his body, the violent medicinal power did not panic him. That "root," which originated from the Small World and had been suppressed by the Law of the Heavenly Court, began to revive wildly under the nourishment of the cyan Medicinal Pill.

At the same time, that massive amount of purple-gold Origin Qi poured into his Dantian like the Yellow River bursting its banks.

Shen Lang did not choose to resist head-on, but instead circulated a variant of the "Canglang Sword Technique" Mind-Cultivation Technique he had practiced in the mortal realm, using softness to overcome hardness, guiding and diverting that massive medicinal power like flowing water.

The Xuanhuang Sword trembled slightly in his hand, emitting a low Dragon roar.

The Earth Xuanhuang Mother Qi flowed along the sword body into his limbs and bones, perfectly achieving Fusion with the water-element magic power within his body.

If Ximen Chuixue was "slashing" away his old self, then Shen Lang was "fusing" into a new life.

A faint earthy-yellow halo appeared on the surface of his skin; the halo was not dazzling, but it gave people a feeling of being indestructible and as steady as Mount Tai.

As the medicinal power continued to permeate, his originally slightly delicate face gained a few more traces of fortitude and depth.

His Aura was no longer as ethereal and agile as before, but had become as heavy and solid as a mountain, as if he were an insurmountable peak just by standing there.

Deep within his Dantian Qi Sea, that mass of magic power, which could originally only be considered an ordinary river, had now transformed into a rolling purple-gold ocean, where every drop was as heavy as a mountain, containing terrifying power.

The outer hall of Doushuai Palace.

Lu Jiuyuan held a cup of clear tea handed to him by the Grand Supreme Elder Lord, the tea fragrance curling up, and sipped it carefully.

The Grand Supreme Elder Lord was resting with his eyes closed nearby, occasionally opening them to check the heat of the Pill Furnace.

"Your Majesty, these three young friends have quite good Heart-Nature."

The Grand Supreme Elder Lord spoke suddenly, his tone carrying a hint of approval, "Especially the one who uses the Ice Soul Sword; his sword heart is clear and bright, which is quite good."

Lu Jiuyuan nodded slightly: "They were heroes in the mortal realm, all once invincible in the world. Although their time since Ascension is short and their Foundation is lacking, that proud spirit and willpower are what many immortals and gods born in the Heavenly Realm lack."

"It's just that this advantage, without sufficient traces, has no day to shine; even if it exists, it cannot be used."

"This 'Spirit-Tracing Origin-Returning Medicinal Pill', for them, is not just about increasing magic power, but also a process of finding themselves again."

Just at this moment, from the direction of the rear hall, three distinct yet quite powerful Auras suddenly erupted!

Boom!

The first Aura, like Nine Heavens black ice descending, instantly froze the surrounding sea of clouds, and even the air seemed to solidify.

The second Aura, like an ancient sacred mountain rising from the ground, was heavy and steady, giving one a sense of irresistible oppression.

The third Aura, like lightning cutting through the sky, was fast to the extreme, vanishing in a flash, yet leaving behind an enduring sword hum.

The three Auras intertwined, causing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi above Doushuai Palace to gather frantically, forming a huge funnel-shaped vortex.

"It is done."

Lu Jiuyuan put down the tea cup and stood up.

"Let's go take a look."

The two figures flashed and appeared outside the Jingxin Temple.

At this time, the Formation light curtain of Jingxin Temple slowly dissipated.

As the dust settled, three tall figures appeared in the center of the main hall.

Ximen Chuixue wore white clothes whiter than snow, his white hair like snow, and as his eyes opened and closed, substantial cold glints actually shot out.

Shen Lang stood with his hands behind his back, the Heavenly General armor on his body having been burst open at some point, revealing the bronze-colored skin underneath.

He held the Xuanhuang Sword, his expression indifferent, yet he gave people the feeling of being like a mountain or a peak, as if a mountain were standing there.

A Fei stood at the very front, his figure slightly thinner than before, but his whole person exuded an extreme, piercing sharpness.

Seeing Lu Jiuyuan and the Grand Supreme Elder Lord enter, the three retracted their Auras, stepped forward quickly, and knelt on one knee.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Thank you for Your Majesty's heavenly grace!"

Lu Jiuyuan looked at the three of them and nodded. Having reached this step, calling them friends would be too difficult for them!

The Heavenly Emperor is but a lonely person between Heaven and Earth!

A lone swan between Heaven and Earth! The Guhong Sword, always like this!

Lu Jiuyuan looked at the three old friends before him, who had undergone a rebirth and had vastly different Auras, his gaze deep, and he already had a plan in his heart.

He did not immediately let the three rise, but instead paced slowly amidst the quiet medicinal fragrance of Doushuai Palace, his voice calm and majestic, echoing in this small space:

"A Fei."

Hearing this, A Fei straightened his back even more, looking with burning eyes at this Your Majesty who had become the Lord of the Three Realms, yet still remembered them, these insignificant old friends.

"Your sword is fast, your heart is sincere, and your loyalty is unwavering." Lu Jiuyuan stopped and stood in front of him, "By My side, the position of General Rolling Curtain is vacant."

"From this day forward, I appoint you as 'General Rolling Curtain', in charge of the ceremonial guard, communication, and security in front of the Hall of Miraculous Mist, attending by My side. Without My decree, you shall not leave My side."

General Rolling Curtain! Although this position was not a general commanding a region, it was a close minister of the Heavenly Emperor, a confidant among confidants, with a transcendent status.

A Fei was very excited: "Your subject receives the decree and thanks you for your grace! I will surely use the sword in my hand to sweep away all obstacles for Your Majesty!"

Lu Jiuyuan nodded slightly, his gaze turning to Shen Lang.

"Shen Lang."

"Your subject is here." Shen Lang replied steadily, his expression respectful but without a hint of flattery.

"Your Heart-Nature is open-minded, able to contain all things, and you have the talent of a commander; what is even rarer is your steadiness and weightiness, capable of taking on great responsibilities."

Lu Jiuyuan's voice carried a hint of approval, "Zhu Ganglie reincarnated as a pig, escorted Tang Monk to the Western Regions, and was conferred the title of Altar Cleanser Envoy. The position of Marshal Tianpeng is vacant, and his post as commander of the eighty thousand Heavenly River naval forces is temporarily empty."

He paused, his tone becoming formal: "From this day forward, I appoint you as 'Marshal Tianpeng', in command of the eighty thousand Heavenly River naval forces, patrolling the Milky Way, and holding the authority to control the water elements of the Heavenly River. I hope you can uphold the weight of the Xuanhuang and guard the peace of the Heavenly River."

Marshal Tianpeng! This was a real position of power, commanding a Heavenly army, with high status and great authority!

Shen Lang took a deep breath, suppressing the waves in his heart; he had taken a huge advantage from his son!

He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply: "Your subject receives the decree and thanks you for your grace! I will surely not fail Your Majesty's heavy trust!"