Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

Seeing is believing.

Xiao Zheng had already learned about this young monarch through various sources.

But when they actually met, he couldn't help but be shocked by Xie Cangrong.

The king sat upright on his throne, his smile gentle and warm, without any sharpness, yet exuding a grand and majestic aura, fully displaying the demeanor of a leader of a great nation.

After a cultivator achieves enlightenment, it's as if they have gained an extra organ, allowing them to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and to perceive extraordinary power.

In the eyes of ordinary people in the Great Xia Dynasty, this emperor was truly spirited and extraordinary. Combined with his noble status, the founding monarch who unified the world, and his legendary deeds that have been recorded in history, it was only natural that they would admire him.

However, what the cultivators saw was different. Surrounded by a group of powerful civil and military officials with imposing presence, the monarch, seated high on his throne, exuded an aura that surged like a raging sea, converging into a powerful vortex, majestic and awe-inspiring! It resembled the initial formation of a [Dharma Image], but it was different, after all, this person was just a mortal without any magical power.

That's really weird.

The capital city has become the center of this world, a sacred place where fortune flows.

This person is the center of this sacred place, as if the sun, moon, mountains and rivers are supporting him.

Xiao Zheng has lived for so many years and has traveled to many places in the four continents of immortals and demons, but he has never seen such a person before.

Meeting the gaze of the other party, an invisible aura crashed like waves, one stronger than the next, impacting the will of Xiao Zheng and his group, and shaking the cultivator's heart.

Spiritual practice is the cultivation of the mind.

This king has the ability to transcend illusion and reach the very heart.

Under such pressure, it's no wonder that Lu Junfeng, whose cultivation was insufficient, lost face.

What extraordinary treasure did this monarch acquire that enabled him to gather such immense power?

Is it the throne beneath him?

Is that his imperial robe?

Or is there some divine object or something on him?

How risky is it to test him?

In that brief moment, Xiao Zheng's mind raced, a thousand thoughts already swirling within him.

In comparison, Xuan Gu beside him was much simpler.

This emperor is truly extraordinary!

"It was quite fortunate for Xiangyun to have met him."

He was happy for his disciple for having such connections and opportunities.

Given the opportunity, he would like to get to know such a hero.

"No need for formalities, Immortal Master." Xie Cangrong said to Xiao Zheng with a peaceful smile, "Envoy Lu once helped our Great Xia bring rain to save the people. Since you are his elder, Immortal Master, you are also a friend of our Great Xia."

Observation is mutual; while Xiao Zhengxuan was observing Xie Cangrong, Xie Cangrong was also observing them.

The two leading cultivators were indeed powerful. Their Dao hearts were as firm as a rock, and their bodies contained terrifying power. Invisible magical energy flowed around them, protecting them from external disturbances.

But... it's not strong enough!

It's still within Xie Cangrong's control.

I wonder if there will be any even stronger monsters in the future?

During this formal meeting, he did not force Lu Junfeng to kneel as he had done at the Yuntai Night Banquet.

Lu Junfeng is different from Xiao Zhengxuan. He was part of the first wave of advance troops and had lost contact with others. He had no way to retreat and was relatively weak, so he could be suppressed by force.

However, Xiao Zhengxuan was a pillar of the immortal sect, possessing decision-making power. With his high cultivation and status, he naturally had to save face.

In their perception, the status of a high-level cultivator is far higher than that of a monarch.

Taihua has something to ask of Daxia, and Daxia also has something to ask of this immortal sect.

Neither side has yet expressed a friendly or probing attitude, so we shouldn't immediately put them in a tough spot.

Otherwise, there would be no need to continue the talks.

Testing, suppressing... all of these require a pretext.

Xiao Zheng didn't actually offer much formality; he simply faced Xie Cangrong directly and said, neither servile nor arrogant, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lu Junfeng's intelligence gave him a false impression.

He thought that Xie Cangrong, whom he was hiding at this moment, was already at his peak.

Lu Junfeng was forced to kneel down as soon as they met, but Xiao Zheng was able to resist and look him straight in the eye.

This led to a bias in his assessment of Xie Cangrong.

Xie Cangrong, unaware of the other party's thoughts, inquired with some concern, "I heard that when the Immortal Master broke through the boundary, he accidentally fell into the sea, and Envoy Lu also suffered the same misfortune when he arrived, only recovering after seven days of rest. I wonder if all the Immortal Masters are well?"

Facing the other party's apparent concern, Xiao Zheng replied with a calm expression, "I am sorry to trouble Your Majesty. We cultivators of the Immortal Sect have our own wonderful methods to traverse the heavens and the seas. A mere seawater cannot harm us in the slightest."

Xie Cangrong squinted and smiled, "That's good, that's good. The methods of immortals are indeed mysterious."

Xiao Zheng nodded slightly and asked Xie Cangrong, "Your Majesty, do you believe in the magical power we cultivate?"

"I certainly believe it!"

Xie Cangrong glanced at Lu Junfeng behind Xiao Zheng, his voice gentle and full of admiration: "Envoy Lu summoned wind and rain, relieved the drought in my Shengzhou, and saved the people from suffering. I will remember his noble deeds, and the people of my Great Xia will never forget them."

Although it was clearly a compliment, the monarch's smiling gaze made Lu Junfeng's scalp tingle.

Memories of being tricked and taken advantage of began to overwhelm him.

He really never wants to come back to this land again.

Xiao Zheng had no time to worry about his disciples, and looked directly at Xie Cangrong: "Since His Majesty trusts us, why is His Majesty unwilling to grant the request for protection from the Unworthy Disciples Alliance?"

"To be honest, Your Majesty, we have come across the sea for two reasons: first, to find our sect's lost disciples; and second, to break through the miasma-ridden realm, build a bridge of righteousness, and spread the true path of our immortal sect. The demonic sect is rampant, disregarding human life and wreaking havoc on the world. Our Immortal Alliance, uniting with hundreds of righteous sects, is fighting against evil and protecting all living beings. Nearly three continents have responded. Wherever our immortal cultivators are, nations line the streets to welcome them. Why then does Your Majesty refuse to accept us?"

Our Immortal Alliance unites hundreds of sects, fights against evil spirits, protects the world, and dominates the territory of two and a half continents.

We are the side of justice, and other dynasties have submitted to us. Why is your Great Xia unwilling to join us?

Could it be... that you have something to hide? Could it be that you are from the Demonic Sect?

Xiao Zheng began to put pressure on the negotiations. Although he did not say it explicitly, it had the meaning of questioning and he began to force Xie Cangrong to take sides.

The ministers had varying expressions, and many understood Xiao Zheng's unspoken message. Some were apprehensive, while others frowned.

"Immortal Master, your words are rather domineering!"

Just then, a loud voice rang out, and a burly man stepped forward. He exuded a fierce aura, his brows furrowed, and he directly questioned Xiao Zheng: "What, are you implying that if my Great Xia doesn't join your Immortal Alliance, we'll become heretics?"

"I know nothing of any Immortal Alliance, I only know that this is the Great Xia Dynasty! I only obey His Majesty!"

At this point, a reckless, blunt person is needed to get Xiao Zheng's unspoken meaning out of his mouth so that Xiao Zheng can explain it.

Ning Boxing, who was known for his rough and uncouth demeanor, was this very person.