Each of the nine dragon maidens possesses extraordinary abilities.

The recluse's peak achievement was forcing away Ji Chengshuo, the most warlike and capable dragon maiden of the Jiuyi Sect. No one knows how she did it; all that is known is that Ji Chengshuo descended in her true form, aggressively seeking to seize a certain secret treasure of Qingzhou, and even intending to annihilate Langya, the largest power in the area.

The merchants of Langya were not strong enough; their strongest were only at the Dao-Mastering Realm. Having no other choice, they had to invite the Reclusive Hermit. At that time, the Reclusive Hermit was only at the Dao-Mastering Realm, and facing the Dragon Maiden who had achieved oneness with the Dao—and the most powerful Dragon Maiden at that—it was safe to say he had no chance of winning.

Everyone thought Langya was doomed. The Nine Peaks Sect had even deployed its nuclear weapon. What else could they do? But a scene that shocked them appeared. The two sides clashed in the clouds. No one saw how they made their moves. They only saw Ji Cheng return expressionlessly, while the Hermit even smiled as he saw him off.

Is the Way of Etiquette really that powerful? What kind of magic did the reclusive hermit create that was able to persuade Ji Cheng to go back?

The recluse did not win, but she did not lose either! Not losing is winning, and making peace is also a victory. After this battle, the recluse became famous overnight, and her name resounded throughout the land.

Like Lu Yueyuan's grandmaster, she became one of only two special beings in the Nine Provinces Continent who fought to a draw with the Dao-Impartial Realm while holding the Dao Realm.

Everyone was curious about how the recluse master did it. Some people dug up her cultivation experience and found that when she was still an ordinary person, she liked to drink and gamble, and did not have a proper job. She was practically a street urchin.

Many people are curious about how such a person could reach the pinnacle of etiquette.

But no matter what, no one can deny that she is currently the strongest in the way of etiquette.

Not convinced? If you're not convinced, you can use etiquette to make Ji Cheng talk back. Do you understand the significance of beating Lu Yueyuan to the point of mental breakdown?

The Hermit is a very important person. Every time Lu Yueyuan simulates the future, he can't do without her help, and this time is no exception.

So before Arrogance arrived, he specially sent Arrogance to Qingzhou to visit this reclusive hermit.

As someone who knows the future, Lu Yueyuan had Aoman deliberately say some things, and the reward for those words was astonishing. Just now, the moment Lu Yueyuan and Aoman touched hands, the talisman refined by the Hermit Hermit was transferred to Lu Yueyuan's hand.

The process was extremely fast. In order to ensure the successful transmission, Lu Yueyuan even used illusion magic in a certain area. Sure enough, although Ye Buxi sensed something was strange, he did not pay attention to it.

With that, Lu Yueyuan and Arrogance successfully completed the handover. Now, all that's left is to meet that evening.

Nighttime, Jiuyi Sect, Sect Master Mountain Range, Chuiyi Hall.

Just like during the day, moonlight streamed down from the openings in the dome high above, and with a creaking sound, the doors of the main hall opened.

Arrogance peeks out.

“I’m here.” Lu Yueyuan emerged from the darkness.

Arrogance was startled, but she was relieved to see Lu Yueyuan. She rubbed her face a few times with her hands full of spiritual energy, restoring her original appearance.

"Phew, finally in." Arrogant exhaled, patting his neck. "This spell is really uncomfortable. My skin was itchy when I was in disguise."

Her features were exquisite, with neatly defined eyebrows, slightly upturned eyes, a narrow and straight nose, and thin lips that, when pursed, seemed to defy the entire world. And indeed, that was exactly who she was; in the simulation, she always fearlessly charged at Lu Yueyuan.

Lu Yueyuan had mostly watched her being beaten to death; this was the first time he had seen her jumping around in front of him like a living person.

Arrogance felt a chill run down his spine and looked at Lu Yueyuan: "Why do I look like a dead man to you?"

"Is there?"

"Yes... never mind, let's get down to business." He said arrogantly, "With the Holy Emperor's help, I have successfully infiltrated the Sifu Clan. That guy named Ye Buxi isn't watching us that closely; he's mostly busy with his own affairs."

“He won’t bother you, don’t worry. Did you bring the things?” Lu Yueyuan asked.

“I brought it, I brought it.” Arrogantly pulled out a map from his pocket. “This was drawn for you by the Hermit Hermit. As long as you find a place with abundant spiritual energy, the great formation here will be activated.”

"it is good."

"Oh, right, she also asked me to pass on a message to you." The arrogant hissed for a moment, "What did she say? Something about Youpeng..."

"Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar?"

"Oh right, right, that's the line. Sorry, I have a bad memory and I've never been able to memorize things since I was little. But how did you know?"

I also know that you like to sleep with the Holy Emperor doll at night. Lu Yueyuan didn't say this out loud, but said, "She's setting a trap for me. This is a prerequisite for her spell to be activated."

"Ah? Then you've fallen for it!!" Arrogance said anxiously. "You didn't tell me! If I had known, I would have..."

“Don’t worry, you didn’t get infected because you didn’t remember it,” Lu Yueyuan said. “I was the one who said that just now, so it doesn’t count.”

"Okay, okay."

Seeing that this guy was confident and composed, Arrogance felt reassured.

Today, having infiltrated the enemy ranks, she was exceptionally nervous. She had been so focused on the matter at hand that she only now had the time to observe Lu Yueyuan. He was a very young man, quite handsome, but his features hinted at maturity, and his manner of speaking sounded similar to that of her father and grandfather.

She asked instinctively, "How old are you?"

“I don’t have an old-fashioned smell,” Lu Yueyuan said as he disassembled the map.

"Huh? How did you know what I was going to say?"

"Guess."

"It feels like you know me."

"Your imagination," Lu Yueyuan said calmly.

Chapter 27: Loyalty!

The Hall of Hanging Robes was quiet and deserted, except for the imprints of our ancestors on the cloud-shaped platform at its depths. There was a sense of sanctity here, especially when the moonlight shone down from above, as if veiled by a mist.

Lu Yueyuan spread the map out on the ground. The spirit array inside had been dismantled into pieces, and could even be said to be unrecognizable.

Arrogance dared not run around and squatted down to wait for him.

She looked at the moonlight falling on Lu Yueyuan's face and said, "I always feel like you know me very well."

“I’ve already told you, this is your misconception,” Lu Yueyuan said. “But it’s not surprising that you have this misconception. The Holy Emperor has told me a lot about you.”

"He still cares about me, right?!"

"Yes, He cares about you, and He cares about every believer."

"Hehehehe... By the way, I also wanted to ask, since the gathering allows the exchange of items, why didn't you let me exchange talismans and diagrams there?"

"Because you don't have the authority, and besides, I don't want the Hermit's things to go there."

"Okay, I have one more question. How did you become an agent?"

"Didn't Gluttony tell you everything? I entered the Nether Sea through our great formation, met the Holy Emperor, and then became his agent. Of course, you could also say that the Holy Emperor coveted my beauty."

"Don't you dare insult the Holy Emperor! Just because you're handsome doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! Your good looks are all thanks to your parents!" he said arrogantly.

She didn't believe that the Holy Emperor was the kind of god who valued beauty, thinking that everyone was like the Fairy of Six Desires and Wonderful Sounds, who had to make appearance a hard standard when looking for a substitute.

“My parents died a long time ago. I was very young at the time and have long forgotten what they looked like, so I don’t know if they did anything to help me,” Lu Yueyuan said.

Arrogance paused for a moment, then immediately apologized in a low voice: "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"There's nothing to apologize for." Lu Yueyuan had already begun reassembling the spirit array. "Today is our first meeting, and we'll be working together for a long time to come. It's better to talk things out if there are any problems."

"Ah...you, you are such a good person."

"Why are you giving me the 'friend zone' card?"

"What do you mean by 'good guy card'...? I called you a good guy because I had a prejudice against you. I always thought you became the agent by any means necessary. The Holy Emperor always told me you weren't that kind of person, but after meeting you today, I realize He was right," he said arrogantly.

"It can't be because I'm handsome, right?" Lu Yueyuan looked up at her. At this moment, his tone became more animated, and he smiled more, no longer like a robot. "Don't trust other people's appearance too much. Sometimes your first instinct might be right."

"So you're not a good person?"

"I am who I am." At this moment, Lu Yueyuan's smile disappeared, and he accelerated the process of reconstructing the spirit array.

"Did the Holy Emperor say anything else to you? I'd like to hear it." Arrogance was such a chatterbox, and now he was interested in this again.

"He said a lot."

"Really? Please tell me!!" Arrogance was so excited that his brain was trembling.

"Let me think... He said you always like to sleep with His doll, are serious and rigid in doing things, don't know how to be flexible, are easily angered, and are easily deceived. Although you look fierce and unreasonable, you still care about your companions... That's about it."

"The Holy Emperor is indeed watching me!! My prayers have not been in vain. I have always believed that the Holy Emperor was betrayed. He is the god who loves humanity the most, and only He can bring humanity the ultimate liberation!!"

“It’s good that you think that way.” Lu Yueyuan didn’t refute it; he knew all too well how fanatical Arrogance could be.

In so many simulated futures, she always fearlessly launches attacks. Sometimes, when I think about it, I don't know if it's foolish or adorable.

Silly cute.

"Is there anything else to say?"

"It's gone."

"Then, what does He think of the organization I created? Does He have faith in us? Has He received our daily faith?"

Before I answer, may I ask you a question?

"Go ahead and ask."

Why do you have such faith in the Holy Emperor?

"Why...?"

A look of reminiscence flickered in her arrogant eyes. It must have been an ordinary day, nothing special. As usual, she set out all the deities in the courtyard, kowtowing and offering sacrifices to each one, hoping to gain their attention. Her mother was asleep in her room; she had ruined her eyes from staying up all night preparing these things. Arrogance was also anxious. The inability to sense spiritual energy made her feel inferior to the other children, and her father no longer paid attention to her. Everyone said she would never be able to cultivate in this lifetime. With no other choice, she had to embark on the path of faith.

The offerings were the leftovers from the mother and daughter's dinner the previous night, so meager it was almost paltry, yet even so, the girl, arrogant and drooling with desire, pleaded. "Please, which god will spare a glance and grant me the chance to cultivate?" the girl prayed earnestly. But the gods were probably too busy, or perhaps they found the offerings too meager; none responded. But until she placed the offerings before the Holy Emperor, and sunlight fell upon her, she felt the merciful gaze of heaven—she could cultivate!

Arrogance felt that she had met her savior at that moment, and her heart trembled like a war drum. All things were silent, and everything around her would be destroyed by time, including her, but at that moment, just that moment, the Holy Emperor's mercy was eternal.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I’ll answer your question. The Holy Emperor thinks highly of you. He has his reasons for not choosing you as his successor. He has received your faith.” Seeing that Ao Man hadn’t responded for a long time, Lu Yueyuan took the initiative to answer her question.

"Is He doing well now? Having been sealed away for so long, with only us believers around, must He be suffering a lot?" Arrogance snapped out of his daze and quickly asked.

"What do you think?"

"That must be really tough. I've been locked in a dark room before, and I couldn't stand being locked up for even a day. But the Holy Emperor was locked up for so many years!"

Do you know what the Dark Sea is?

"I've read about it in storybooks; it must be similar to the little dark room I used to be locked in."

"Did you learn about these things from storybooks?"

"How could that be? I also went to collect information on this topic after the organization grew, but I felt it was similar to a storybook, after all, the Holy Emperor is a god who has been abandoned by everyone."

"That's what you think?"

"Yup!"

“Then think of it this way,” Lu Yueyuan said. “The image of God is also determined by believers. It may be like this now, but it will be different in the next era. Where there is faith, there will be denigration. Yin and Yang are always opposites, so if you feel that thinking this way is happiness, then think this way.”

Chapter 28: Second Brother, Oh Second Brother

"That sounds very mysterious, but I don't get the feeling that you really believe in the Holy Emperor," he said arrogantly.

"You're mistaken. Maybe I respect Him just as much as you do. It's just that our images of the Holy Emperor are different. Like the Seven Deadly Sins, many of them don't really understand the Holy Emperor. They only joined because of you. If you asked them about their image of the Holy Emperor, they'd probably say it's like you. So I don't approve of bringing them in. I think you should disband them as soon as possible."

“My Lord, why do you say that? Even if they can’t help, they can still provide faith. Besides, they’ve already infiltrated all over Kyushu, so they can help us too.” Arrogance didn’t quite understand.

“I just felt there was no need to drag them into this. For example, Gluttony; without me, she would have died in the Nine Peaks Sect.”

“I would have rescued her even without you! The Seven Deadly Sins will not abandon anyone!” Pride said, mustering his courage.

"What makes you think you can do this? Without the ancient treasure I gave you, it's hard to say whether you could even enter the Dao of the Path. Do you think you're invincible just because you've reached this level? There will always be people stronger than you, and you'll encounter powerful enemies you can't defeat. What will you do then? Lead everyone to your death? Dying heroically is certainly exhilarating, but if you just die in vain, making your sacrifice another mark on the enemy's medal, that would be the greatest betrayal of your beliefs."

"No, I'm not that kind of person. If it comes to that..."

"What will happen then? You'll be the only one who dies? You think that's all there is to it?"

"I...that's not what I meant..."

"Arrogance, the childish game is over. Now that we've chosen the path of liberating the Holy Emperor, what we're about to face is bloodshed and carnage. If you still think it's like before, where everyone goes out to collect folk songs and chats when there's nothing to do, then you're sorely mistaken! Don't talk about life and death so easily. What do you even know about death?" Lu Yueyuan said.

Arrogance was startled. She suddenly felt that Lu Yueyuan had changed. The gentle man who had been bathed in moonlight had disappeared, and darkness was burning fiercely behind him. Only then did Arrogance realize that the man in front of her was the agent of the gods, the agent chosen by the Holy Emperor, and the future leader of the number one sect in the world.

Seeing the divine agent is like seeing the divine being himself, for they share a common essence. At this moment, she felt the light of yesteryear shining in again; this was the Holy Emperor's teaching, and she should heed it.

“I understand,” she said.

"It's good that you know. If you can't bear to part with them, you can keep the Seven Deadly Sins, just don't let them get involved in these matters," Lu Yueyuan said. "In the future, if there are any important matters, you, I, and the Holy Emperor will know."

“I understand, Your Excellency!” he said arrogantly, his body ramrod straight like a soldier loudly answering a general’s question.

"Alright, I've set up the grand formation. Now I need you to go to this place and continue setting it up."

After giving their instructions, the task for the day was considered complete, and the two parted ways.

The hermit's talismans concealed her figure well. She cautiously returned to her room; the traps she had set inside hadn't been triggered, and no one had entered. She breathed a sigh of relief, changed her clothes, and lay down on the bed.

She pulled the faceless doll from under the bed; it was the one that had replaced the Holy Emperor's memorial tablet back then. She was very young at the time and didn't know what the gods looked like, so she simply had her mother make all the dolls and write words on them instead.

The only response she received was from the doll.

Later, she erased the words on it and stubbornly believed that the Holy Emperor looked like that. Today, she had a new idea: the Holy Emperor most likely looks like Lu Yueyuan.