A new official's three fiery initiatives? Dong Wanggong's protection fee collection hits a brick wall!

Outside the Purple Firmament Palace, the ancient and unchanging Chaos Gale continued to rage silently.

As the Dao Ancestor Hongjun's cold and indifferent figure completely vanished into the depths of the void, the saintly might that had been pressing down on the heads of all the Immortals like a mountain finally slowly receded.

Just as everyone thought the sermon had come to a complete end and were preparing to fly back to their respective homes to digest their gains, a golden decree, like lightning striking fire, stirred up a huge wave in the chaotic void.

"Hereby, East King Duke is appointed Head of Male Immortals, bestowed with the Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Dragon Head Cane, to govern the Immortals of the Great Desolation."

"Hereby, West Queen Mother is appointed Head of Female Immortals, to assist in managing female Immortal affairs."

These two sentences, falling lightly, stunned the thousands of great powers present.

Head of Male Immortals? Head of Female Immortals?

Was this the official establishment?

Standing in the center of the square, the middle-aged Daoist wearing a luxurious imperial robe and with a fair, beardless face was none other than East King Duke.

He was originally just a rogue cultivator who had attained enlightenment from a pure Yang energy on the Purple Mansion Continent. Although he had some reputation, he was no match for top gods like the Three Pure Ones and Di Jun.

But now, the situation had changed.

East King Duke clenched the Dragon Head Cane, which was shimmering with light and exuding the aura of governing laws, so tightly that his knuckles turned faintly white from the excessive force.

His eyes, which had originally been filled with envy and avoidance, were now filled with an almost fanatical excitement.

What was this?

This was power, and legitimacy!

Before, he had to bow to the Three Pure Ones and detour around Di Jun. But now, the Dao Ancestor had personally appointed him Head of Male Immortals, making him, in name, the superior of all male cultivators in the Great Desolation.

An unprecedented sense of expansion filled East King Duke's Primordial Spirit.

He straightened his back, his gaze becoming arrogant and condescending as he surveyed his surroundings. Those rogue cultivators who had previously ignored him now, despite their internal grumbling, had no choice but to lower their heads, calling out "Greetings, East King Duke" in sparse, scattered voices, out of respect for the Dao Ancestor's might and the imposing presence of the Top-grade Spiritual Treasure.

These insincere greetings sounded like the most beautiful immortal music in the world to East King Duke's ears.

"Hahaha! Fellow Daoists, you may dispense with the formalities!"

East King Duke laughed heartily, striking the Dragon Head Cane heavily on the white jade ground, producing a crisp metallic clang. "Since the Dao Ancestor thinks highly of me and has entrusted me with this important task, I will naturally do my utmost to rectify the chaos in the Great Desolation and establish rules."

As he spoke, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifted towards the top powers who were gathering in small groups and preparing to leave.

Di Jun and Tai Yi sneered and left like streaks of light, not even bothering to acknowledge him.

The Three Pure Ones, without even a glance, and Primordial Heavenly Lord not even deigning to "hum," passed straight through the square.

This made East King Duke, who had just wanted to show off his authority, feel somewhat embarrassed. The newly ignited fire of a new official burned uncomfortably in his chest.

He desperately needed an object to establish his authority, a soft persimmon that looked rich and influential but whose background was not "too hard," to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys and display his dignity as the Head of Male Immortals.

Just then.

A low, deep dragon roar, exuding an aura of endless extravagance, suddenly erupted from a secluded corner to the side of the Purple Firmament Palace.

Roar--!!

The souls of nine Five-Clawed Golden Dragons swelled to ten thousand feet in size, pulling the luxurious Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage, which was resplendent with purple-gold and inlaid with various congenital gems, parting the Chaos Airflow and charging forward with imposing momentum.

The sound of the carriage wheels crushing the void was even more arrogant than Di Jun and Tai Yi's departure as streaks of light.

From within the carriage, discordant discussions could occasionally be heard.

"Big Brother, I really sealed the pot bottom properly, no leaks! This flavor is so fragrant, we can heat it up again on the way back if we get cravings."

"Third Brother, mind your image, wipe the oil from the corner of your mouth."

The Western trio!

East King Duke's eyes suddenly lit up, like a hungry wolf spotting a fat sheep.

Weren't these the upstarts who had put on a hot pot feast in the Purple Heaven Palace earlier and gained a lot of attention?

That Taiyuan, it was rumored he came from the barren lands of the West, and besides two foolish junior brothers, he seemed to have no powerful clan backing him.

The key was that these people were too rich. The spiritual materials they had eaten for that meal alone could probably match the savings of his Purple Mansion Continent for ten thousand years.

Rich, "soft," and right in his path.

A heaven-sent object to establish his authority!

"Stop!"

East King Duke roared, his figure flashing as he instantly blocked the path of the enormous Nine Dragon Carriage.

One hand behind his back, the other holding high the Dragon Head Cane, which was emitting a faint treasure light, his face was filled with righteous indignation, and his aura as a peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal pressed down without reservation.

"Bold Western cultivator!"

"Seeing this Head of Male Immortals personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor, why do you not alight and pay your respects? Instead, you are making noise inside the carriage, not only disturbing the tranquility of this sacred place but also showing utter disrespect!"

"Such extravagance is a disgrace to us cultivators of the Great Desolation! By law, you shall be punished!"

These words were full of righteousness. If those who didn't know the inside story heard them, they would truly believe he was upholding public order and good morals.

But the Immortals who hadn't left yet stopped in their tracks, all looking at East King Duke as if he were an idiot.

This new official's initial display of authority, why did he have to target that eccentric divine tycoon?

Inside the imperial carriage.

Zhunti, who was happily hugging a large jar of sealed Hot Pot base, pulled his chubby face down the moment he heard the curses from outside.

Who is this blind fool, daring to block the path of us, the Three Western Sect Leaders?

"Big Brother!"

Zhunti's eyes widened, he rolled up his sleeves, and reached for the gleaming golden Blessing Divine Pestle tucked at his waist, his tone fierce. "What stray dog is barking wildly? Let me out, and I'll give him an eternal rest with one scoop!"

Having just eaten a full meal and advanced his cultivation, he was looking for an outlet for his pent-up energy. This East King Duke was practically a sandbag delivered to his doorstep.

"Calm yourself."

Although Jieyin also frowned, he still reached out and restrained his hot-tempered third brother. However, a dangerous cold glint flickered in his eyes, which were usually filled with sorrow.

"Since he is the Head of Male Immortals and ostensibly upholds the righteousness of the Dao Ancestor, we must not lose our decorum or give others cause for criticism."

Even as he said this, the Prayer Beads in Jieyin's hand spun rapidly, clearly indicating he had no intention of letting this matter go.

Taiyuan, seated on his leisurely chair, slowly put down the spiritual tea in his hand, a playful curve forming on his lips.

The troublemakers have arrived.

He had long anticipated that the East King Duke was a restless fellow, but he hadn't expected him to start collecting "protection fees" before they had even left the gates of Purple Heaven Palace.

"Open the window."

Taiyuan lazily commanded.

Zhunti snorted and pointed a finger at the carriage wall. The crystal-carved window slowly lowered, revealing the composed faces of the three, who showed no panic despite being blocked, and even seemed amused.

Taiyuan didn't even get up.

He simply lounged in his chair, toying with two Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, producing a crisp clinking sound.

He raised his eyelids and glanced at the menacing East King Duke as if he were watching a clown.

"Head of Male Immortals?"