Chapter 114: Power and Authority

“Hahaha...”
Emperor Nanluo sat poised amidst the clouds, his golden eyes cold and majestic as they fixed upon the audacious Five Elements Dao Lord below. His lips parted, and suddenly a thunderous laughter echoed across the divine forum, reverberating over a million miles.

The laughter of Emperor Nanluo was like the spring thunder that shattered the chill in the air, drawing the attention of Martial Sovereign, the Five Elements Dao Lord, and the millions of deities gathered below.

“This grand forum on the Dao was established by the Divine Court to select the mightiest in all the realms. Such formidable beings must come and go as they please. As for official positions within the Divine Court, these are rewards prepared for the strongest. One may accept or decline them as they wish. To hold office in the Divine Court is optional for the mightiest—it is not compulsory.”

“Since the Five Elements Dao Lord is unwilling to serve as an official of the Divine Court, how could the Court possibly force him?”

Emperor Nanluo gazed down upon the millions of divine beings below the forum, the sacred golden light encircling him growing ever brighter, his authority deep and unfathomable like an abyss.

At his words, the multitude below looked upon Emperor Nanluo with reverence, admiring his magnanimity.

Even the Five Elements Dao Lord was taken aback, seemingly unprepared for such a decision from the Emperor.

Martial Sovereign’s expression darkened slightly, surprised by the Emperor’s ruling.

Among the ten strongest bestowed with imperial decree, including Marshal Tianpeng and Lord Shuikun, each bore complex expressions as they watched Emperor Nanluo.

In the VIP Hall, the Dragon Clan Hall,

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, the smiling face of Lord Zhulong immediately lost its warmth, growing somewhat somber.

“The Emperor’s resolve is truly formidable!”

Lord Aorun’s eyes gleamed with admiration as he praised without hesitation.

Lord Huolong Aoyan glanced between the somber Lord Zhulong and the admiring Aorun, utterly confused as to why Zhulong’s face had darkened and why Aorun was so full of praise.

“Aorun, what is going on? Why did Lord Zhulong’s expression turn so grim after the Emperor’s speech? And why do you speak with such admiration?”

Bound like brothers, Aoyan did not hesitate to send a telepathic inquiry to Aorun.

Aorun received the question without reproach for Aoyan’s naivety.

No being in existence is flawless.

Unlike the worldly-wise Aorun, Aoyan was wholly devoted to cultivation, ignorant of schemes and stratagems.

It was precisely for this reason that Aoyan’s cultivation ranked fourth among the Seven Dragon Lords, far surpassing Aorun’s sixth place.

“The grand forum on the Dao, painstakingly organized and consuming countless resources, was designed to attract the strongest across the realms to the Divine Court. Naturally, it would never easily relinquish any such powerful individual. Moreover, those who dominate the forum invariably join the Court.”

“This is an unspoken rule—a tacit understanding.”

“Yet today, the Five Elements Dao Lord has arrogantly shattered this tacit rule, openly rejecting the Divine Court’s official rank.”

“This act is undoubtedly a grave provocation to the Court’s authority.”

Aorun looked at Aoyan and slowly revealed the true purpose of the forum and the implications of the Dao Lord’s defiance.

“If the Five Elements Dao Lord’s actions so severely challenge the Divine Court’s authority, why does the Emperor not simply seize him?” Aoyan suddenly asked, puzzled.

“That is because tacit rules remain tacit and cannot be made public. From a legal standpoint, the Dao Lord’s refusal holds no fault. The Emperor cannot punish him on such grounds.” Zhulong suddenly turned toward Aorun and Aoyan, speaking calmly.

“Your Highness speaks correctly. But here lies the dilemma: the Dao Lord breaks the tacit rule and challenges authority, hence punishment is warranted. Yet as the rule cannot be exposed, the Emperor lacks legal grounds to punish him.”

“To fail to punish undermines the Court’s authority; to punish without legal basis is untenable.”

“This is the predicament facing the Emperor!”

Aorun gazed up at the Emperor above the heavens and calmly stated the Emperor’s quandary.

“I see! Then what purpose do the Emperor’s words serve? How can this deadlock be broken?” Aoyan pondered the Emperor’s earlier speech, unable to grasp its meaning or how it might resolve the situation.

“There are two ways to break this deadlock. First, forcibly seize and punish the Dao Lord. Second, dismantle the tacit rule entirely.”

“If the Dragon Clan faced such a dilemma, what do you think they would do?” Zhulong’s gaze was steady as he posed the question to Aoyan.

“The Dragon Clan?!” Aoyan looked at Zhulong in surprise, thought for a moment, then muttered, “The Dragon Clan would choose to punish forcibly.”

“That is the difference between the Dragon Clan and the Divine Clan!”

“Both approaches have merits and flaws. To punish the Dao Lord forcibly would shatter the Divine Court’s authority and credibility. To break the tacit rule would weaken the Divine Clan’s ability to attract the strongest.”

“The Dragon Clan values strength above all and would enforce punishment to uphold tacit rules and continue gathering power. The Divine Clan, proud of their sanctity, would rather break tacit rules to preserve their authority and credibility.”

“Strength and authority—that is the essence of the difference between the Dragon Clan and the Divine Clan.”

Zhulong looked upon Emperor Nanluo, encircled in sacred golden light, and spoke calmly.

...

At the forum on the Dao,

“Do you know why I forsake strength for authority?” Emperor Nanluo’s voice suddenly echoed in Martial Sovereign’s ear.

A flash of blood-red light flickered in Martial Sovereign’s eyes as he quietly replied, “Your humble servant does not dare presume to know. Yet Your Majesty’s decision will reduce the number of strong warriors joining the Divine Court by about thirty percent.”

Nanluo understood Martial Sovereign’s lingering resentment and dissatisfaction and said, “The Divine Clan is the clan of destiny. Authority is the foundation of such a destined clan. With authority, the Divine Clan will eventually command enough strength.”

“Moreover, the Divine Court must shift from accepting all who come to embracing only those who truly pledge loyalty. Otherwise, the Court merely harbors and nurtures heretics.”

“A Divine Court free of heresy is far stronger than one overrun with dissent.”

“Do you understand now?”

Martial Sovereign pondered deeply before submitting, “Your Majesty’s foresight and prudence far surpass my own.”

Martial Sovereign knew the Emperor’s disruption of the tacit rule was right, though he initially struggled with the reduction in recruits.

But after Nanluo’s guidance, Martial Sovereign recognized the danger of indiscriminately absorbing all strong warriors.

Imagining a Divine Court rife with heresy sent chills down his spine.

With Martial Sovereign’s doubts resolved, Nanluo turned his gaze toward the principal instigator of this predicament.

Under the Emperor’s unflinching gaze, the Five Elements Dao Lord soon felt the piercing coldness of those golden eyes, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Now without any talisman for protection, the Dao Lord knew that a single fault seized by the Emperor would mean instant execution.

Facing Nanluo, the Dao Lord hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed deeply, “The sacred might of the Emperor, your humble one submits!”

To prevent the Emperor from quietly eliminating him, the Dao Lord deliberately broadcast his submission aloud so that all present at the forum could hear his words of surrender.

“The sacred might of the Emperor! The sacred might of the Emperor! The sacred might of the Emperor...”

Seeing the once arrogant and haughty Dao Lord now humbly bow his proud head to the Emperor, the millions of divine beings erupted in thunderous cheers, proud of their noble and wise sovereign.