Now that his soul had reached the Peak of Qi Sea, Nie Yun could use a growing number of Secret Techniques. One of these was a special technique: using Spirit Stones to extract Spiritual Qi and perform a forced Empowerment. This Secret Technique was only suitable for those with powerful physiques. If one’s body was even slightly weaker, they would not only fail to advance but would explode and die!

Hei Yan and Zi Tong were both fierce types of Demon Beasts, so their powerful bodies were not a concern. Nie Yun naturally gave it no further thought.

Of course, this Empowerment method required power to drive it, meaning it could only be used to help others, not himself. It was like towing another car—you needed strength to pull someone else along, but you couldn’t pull yourself.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Soon, Zi Tong’s and Hei Yan’s injuries were completely healed. Under the Empowerment, the True Qi Power in their bodies grew steadily stronger until it reached a Critical Point and stopped.

After this Empowerment, the two Demon Pets’ strength had doubled. In terms of true combat ability, they could now rank among the top three on the Celestial List!

"Let’s head out."

After taking care of the three Demon Beasts, Nie Yun felt a bit fatigued. He sat down to recover for a moment before standing up and heading outside.

"Feng Xiao, make the arrangements. I am summoning all the ministers to discuss an important matter!"

Having stepped out of the great hall, Nie Yun found Feng Xiao and Yangg Yan and relayed his command.

"Yes!" Feng Xiao and Yangg Yan now followed Nie Yun’s lead without question, nodding in unison without another word.

"Right, and while you’re at it, have Baihua Xiu and the others come over too..."

After giving this second command, Nie Yun led his three beasts toward the Imperial Palace’s council hall.

Feng Xiao and Yangg Yan moved quickly. Before long, they had gathered all the ministers, along with Baihua Xiu and the others.

"I have gathered you all here to inform you of my plans. I intend to travel to Guangming City for the conference of the Seven Empires. In my absence, I expect you to cooperate sincerely and continue to build and strengthen our Nie’s Empire!"

"Attend the conference of the Seven Empires? Your Majesty, the Divine Holy Empire is teeming with experts. It would be rash to go there like this..."

Feng Xiao hadn’t expected Nie Yun to make such a decision, and he cried out in alarm.

"Rest assured. Feng Xiao, Yangg Yan, Luoo Xiaofeng, this journey to the Divine Holy Empire will be fraught with peril, so I will not be taking you with me. You are to stay and guard the Empire. Right now, I will enhance your strength!"

With another great sweep of his hand, Spirit Stones flew out, and immense Spiritual Qi once again enveloped the three of them.

CRACK! CRACK!

Soon, Feng Xiao and Yangg Yan reached the Peak of Armor Realm, and Luoo Xiaofeng reached the Ultimate Venerable Peak!

’In one final push, break through!’

Ordinarily, advancing from the Armor Realm to the Qi Sect required a breakthrough in one’s Spirit. However, having followed Nie Yun for the longest time, Feng Xiao and Yangg Yan understood how to make this leap. They knew how to merge all streams into a single river. The moment their True Qi reached the Peak of Armor Realm, it found an outlet, and they both broke through, advancing to the Qi Sect!

The barrier between the Armor Realm and the Qi Sect was a major threshold. Upon breaking through, the duo’s strength soared once more, finally stabilizing at the Peak of Qi Sect.

’Peak of Qi Sect... Ultimate Venerable Peak?’

’How terrifying! His Majesty is incredible!’

’From now on, I must serve His Majesty with absolute loyalty...’

Watching the young Emperor casually elevate two Early-Stage Armor Realm cultivators to the Peak of Qi Sect, and an Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable to the Peak of their realm, all the ministers in the room grew breathless with excitement, their eyes blazing.

Only at this moment were they truly and completely convinced, not daring to harbor a single disloyal thought toward the young man.

"Serve me with loyalty, and I will make you stronger. But dare to betray me, and not only will you face certain death, but your families will be dragged down with you. I won’t even spare the chickens and dogs!"

Nie Yun had gathered these ministers specifically to watch him empower Feng Xiao and the others. Now that he had achieved the desired effect, he delivered his cold warning.

"Yes, yes! We will be absolutely loyal to Your Majesty!"

The ministers all replied in unison.

"Mm." Nie Yun knew his authority was now firmly established; these men would not betray him now, even under threat from other experts. He nodded, had Feng Xiao and Yangg Yan make some introductions, and then raised the cultivation levels for a few other ministers before dismissing the assembly.

When managing subordinates, one must not only be strict but also offer benefits. The carrot and the stick—that was the surest way to secure absolute loyalty.

"Now, let me help the three of you improve your strength as well."

After he finished boosting the power of his ministers and subordinates, Nie Yun called Baihua Xiu and the other two forward.

The three women’s physical bodies weren’t particularly strong, which limited how much he could improve their strength. However, each had already found a path of cultivation that suited them, so they were by no means weak. They were already considered among the best on the Celestial List.

Once all the arrangements were complete, Nie Yun rose from the throne. "We set out tomorrow morning. Everyone, go get some rest and gather your strength!"

Baihua Xiu, Mu Qing, and Mu Xia had already said they would accompany him, so Nie Yun didn’t waste his breath. His Three Great Demon Pets plus the three women made a total of seven powerhouses at the Ultimate Venerable Peak. Each of them possessed strength worthy of the Celestial List. Once they reached Guangming City, they would definitely make some serious waves!

"Understood!" Knowing the youth’s decision could not be changed, they all nodded and dispersed.

Although his three Demon Beasts had all been promoted, their Cultivation levels weren’t yet stable. After getting them settled, Nie Yun flickered out of sight, flying toward the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps.

Over a month ago, he had tasked the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps with two things: find news of his parents and find a way to investigate Venerable Tuxin. ’More than a month has passed,’ he thought. ’There should be some progress by now.’

As the Emperor, he wielded immense authority and could have used his own men for the investigation. However, he had only just taken the throne at the time, and his new court was not yet stable. Nie Yun hadn’t wanted to risk alerting his enemies, so he’d had no choice but to rely on their organization.

After all, the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps had been operating for countless years, and many of its Mercenaries were highly reliable. They wouldn’t leak the tasks he had assigned them.

..........................

"Little Leopard, why do you think Nie Yun is so busy? It’s been over a month, and he’d only just returned before leaving again..."

Inside the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps headquarters, a sexy, fiery young woman in an outfit of animal hides sat at a table, resting her chin in her hands with a look of resignation.

"His Majesty possesses such strength at such a young age; he must have endless matters to attend to. Don’t worry, Master. When he returns, I’m sure he’ll come looking for you!"

A massive black leopard lying in the courtyard before her spoke, its voice rumbling.

It was a Black Cloud Leopard, the Demon Pet subdued by Tie Lan. After taking a Rebirth Bone Cleansing Pill, it had successfully advanced to the Ultimate Venerable realm and could now speak the human tongue.

"Come looking for me? I can only hope he even remembers me..." Tie Lan shook her head. Recalling the youth’s utter indifference to her beauty, she bit her lip.

"Heh, no need to fret, Master. If His Majesty didn’t like you, he wouldn’t show such concern... Wait—Master, look out!"

As the Black Cloud Leopard was speaking, terror suddenly filled its enormous eyes. It began to tremble violently and shielded Tie Lan with its body.

Its senses picked up a terrifying aura, one so powerful it made its very soul tremble, rushing toward them at an incredible speed!