Be the Hardest Working Demon Cultivator!

However, if these significant forces, slightly weaker than the top Immortal Sects, could be recruited, perhaps his long-held expectations might come true.

In the past, Emperor Yi had also tried to implement this idea, but unfortunately, none of his subordinates could connect with those notable forces.

Thus, he had to give up on the idea back then.

Unexpectedly, after many years, as if finding light at the end of the tunnel, it seemed he now had someone among his subordinates who could contact those forces!

"Your Majesty could post a proclamation to recruit talents, promising great rewards. With such demons appearing now, it may induce some extraordinary individuals hidden among the common folk to show themselves voluntarily," the Loose Cultivator suggested.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yi felt somewhat disappointed, but he had to admit that there was some sense in the suggestion, so he nodded and said, "Then I'll leave this matter in your hands. If it succeeds, you shall be credited for your efforts."

The Loose Cultivator, hearing this, was not disappointed. He quickly expressed his gratitude because he knew this would be the outcome the moment he spoke; his idea was just to randomly try his luck.

If it didn't work, no harm done.

If it did, then he could easily claim a merit without even having to go anywhere!

The other Loose Cultivators, witnessing this, clearly understood his intentions, so they offered to help Emperor Yi distribute these proclamations even further afield.

Without the connections to go through the Immortal Sect route, they might as well try their luck with this random shot at earning a merit!

However, this made the first Loose Cultivator who suggested the idea curse inwardly, annoyed that even this small potential merit had others flocking to claim a share. Why don't you just go sell spring rolls and roll to your heart's content?

Thus, with no other options, this Loose Cultivator also had to express his willingness to make a special trip to the bitter cold Vast Cold State for Emperor Yi.

Seeing this, Emperor Yi nodded his approval.

His subordinates were willing to get involved, and as a ruler, this was naturally the most pleasing sight to see.

However, as he sent off the only few Cultivators he could utilize, Emperor Yi still couldn't help feeling frustrated and helpless. His stature as The Utmost Supreme seemed rather pitiful indeed.

Although he possessed the powerful Qitian Pavilion, there were very few within it that he could directly command.

The existence of Qitian Pavilion was solely orchestrated by the major Immortal Sects to safeguard the value of the Supreme Celestial Seal. After all, the chaotic currency minted by Zi Xuan dynasty would not be endorsed by the multitude of Cultivators.

At this moment, Emperor Yi profoundly understood the helplessness of his predecessors and the frustrations of past emperors.

"I, am The Utmost Supreme! The sovereign of all under heaven!"

Emperor Yi's thoughts fluctuated, but in the end, he could only let out a resigned sigh. Just then, an eunuch who had served beside him for many years came in: "Your Majesty."

"What is it?" Emperor Yi asked with a slight frown, knowing well that the eunuch's arrival meant there was a matter to address, although his mood was already sour.

"Your Majesty, there is a Cultivator claiming to be from the Peach Blossoms Forest of Vast Cold State, named Immortal Master Tao Jun, who wishes to meet Your Majesty!" the eunuch quickly reported.

"Vast Cold State Peach Blossoms Forest?" Emperor Yi's expression changed instantly, and he urgently responded, "Quick, bring him to see me! No, you fool, lead me to meet this Immortal Master Tao Jun!"

Having been in a position of supreme power for so long, Emperor Yi sharply realized that this self-proclaimed "Immortal Master Tao Jun" might very well be the leader of the extraordinary forces he had longed for.

However, seeing Emperor Yi's urgency, the eunuch hesitated: "Your Majesty, this Immortal Master Tao Jun is accompanied by an enormous serpent, larger than any dragon general we have..."

"You fool, that's a disciple from the Serpent Transformation Cave!" Although Emperor Yi felt undermined, his experience still granted him insight, and he immediately recognized the true identity of the so-called giant serpent upon the eunuch's description.

"Your Majesty is wise! I have already arranged for this Immortal Master Tao Jun to stay at the Heavenly Dragon Mansion outside the imperial city..."

"Well done!"

Emperor Yi nodded, pleased. The Heavenly Dragon Mansion was the finest palace in the outer imperial city, surpassing most of the buildings even within the inner imperial area.

This was an intentional construction by Emperor Yi to demonstrate his willingness to honor distinguished individuals.

After a short while, upon arrival at the Heavenly Dragon Mansion, Emperor Yi encountered a group of four, accurately described as three people and one snake. Despite being prepared, seeing the colossal black snake in person still unintentionally made his heart tremble with fear.

"May I know which of you is Immortal Master Tao Jun?" Emperor Yi mustered a smile and took the initiative to greet them.

"That would be me. As for my identity, Your Majesty might have already guessed, right? However, Your Majesty's guess is still somewhat incomplete," said Tao Jun, clad in a dark robe, which he used to conceal most of his corpse-like body.

"May I inquire what other identities Immortal Master Tao Jun possesses?" Emperor Yi purposefully asked this way, not wanting to be suppressed in their exchange of words and forced to follow the other's lead.

"Please have your attendants withdraw, Your Majesty," said Tao Jun.

Emperor Yi hesitated but nodded a moment later, signaling for everyone around them to leave.

There was another cultivator hidden nearby, who had achieved sixty years of cultivation practice and was his most reliable secret weapon.

This cultivator's entire family served in the court and, although they did no direct service, they never left Jingzhou, earning Emperor Yi's complete trust.

"Your Majesty, three hundred years ago, Immortal Tao ascended but only his cultivation from the Path of Peach Blossoms ascended, his physical body remained in this mortal realm.

Over three hundred years, this body died in an accident and, even though I have awakened now, I can only recover half of my vitality," Tao Jun revealed, aware of the presence of someone else nearby, but still choosing to disclose this information.

Because the moment he uttered these words, the onlooker was doomed.

The color drained from Emperor Yi's face.

He hadn't expected such a shocking secret!

This person before him was the reincarnation of a being who had ascended three hundred years ago!

Emperor Yi's eyes lit up with fiery excitement.

"What do you require me to do, Master Tao?" Since the other party had sought him out, there must be a favor to ask, so Emperor Yi got straight to the point.

After all, he had waited too long for this day.

"In Your Majesty's prisons, there must be numerous death row inmates. I would like to use their vitality to restore my body to its prime," said Tao Jun slowly.

He could have chosen any village at random, but that would inevitably leave traces. Moreover, his recently accepted disciple, who also possessed the Son of the Heavenly Mandate, was somewhat overly upright, seeing the world in black and white. If he were to do such a thing, it was likely his disciple would immediately part ways with him.

Moreover, such an act would significantly strengthen his spectral nature, which was detrimental to restoring the celestial nature within him.

Thus, Tao Jun resorted to this compromise.

After all, he also needed the assistance of The Utmost Supreme, although top Immortal Sects such as those of Heavenly Sword Mansion, Jinglong Cave Heaven, or Western Tuo Mountain might look down upon Emperor Yi; Tao Jun knew the tremendous power that such a ruler could wield.

As long as it was handled properly, restoring his strength to its peak would be effortless.

Emperor Yi's face showed uncertainty, as absorbing another's vitality often bore no difference from a fierce ghost, but he was still prepared to agree.

But before Emperor Yi could speak up, an old man's figure appeared, walking in: "Your Majesty must not agree to this demon's request. The Immortal Tao from three hundred years ago had already ascended. The being that remains in the mortal world is highly likely tainted, having evolved into a malicious entity!"

This was the cultivator secretly protecting Emperor Yi, whose family all resided in Jingzhou as leverage.

At this moment, the old man stared intently at Tao Jun.

Despite Tao Jun's adept disguise, this elder, who had lived the better part of his life, still saw the resentment of the dead toward the living in Tao Jun's eyes.

Thus, the elder, sly as a fox, knew clear well that this being was a demon. Although well-masked, it was essentially no different from a fierce ghost, and far more troublesome and frightening than most spectral beings.

Without hesitation, the elder attacked: "Your Majesty, please forgive my overstep. Ghost Suppressing Technique!"

"Ghost Suppressing Technique!"

Upon hearing this, Tao Jun sneered, countering with the same Ghost Suppressing Technique. Then, an unbelievable event occurred: Tao Jun remained unharmed, while the elder was instantly restrained, as decayed as the dead wood of Western Tuo Mountain.