The cultivators inside the city were still bewildered, guessing which peerless powerhouse had come to visit. On the walls, the elite Imperial Guards were even more tense. They gripped their immortal weapons, immortal origin surging within them, yet dared not make the slightest move.
"This procession is grander than His Majesty's imperial tours!" A young cultivator on the wall swallowed hard, his voice wavering.
The veteran beside him clapped a hand over his mouth and whispered, "Do you have a death wish? Shut up and watch!"
Their commander had already issued strict orders: no one was to act without permission.
They could only watch as the Nine Dragons Agarwood Carriage slowly rolled across the sky above the Divine Capital, like a sovereign surveying his own domain. Before it, the Celestial Stars Barrier they took such pride in parted of its own accord like rippling water, drawing aside without daring to offer the slightest obstruction.
Outside the Divine Capital, bells and drums sounded together, nine peals clearing the way.
The city gates swung wide, and a ceremonial procession bearing dragon banners wound out. Gold-armored guards lined both sides, stretching from the gates to a hundred miles beyond, their armor gleaming in the sun, solemn and imposing. The emperor had arrived in person, with his imperial carriage and canopy; the Nine-Curved Yellow Silk Canopy snapped in the wind.
The Zhou Emperor, Ji Chongli, stood at the very front. Behind him, the civil and military officials lined up on either side according to rank, their robes and ceremonial caps gathered like clouds, their bearing dignified.
Imperial dragon aura had been deliberately stirred into nine smaller crimson-gold dragon phantoms, which circled above the officials with long cries. It was unclear whether this was meant to create a solemn, majestic welcome, or whether the Zhou