My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

Hosting this Debate Ceremony had been one of Gu Lan's planned initiatives since his time in the Immortal Realm. It was also motivated by his wife's intention to establish a nation there. For any new nation in the Immortal Realm, population was essential. Although Jing Nation had flourished, the number of cultivators still couldn't rival the entire Earthly Realm.

The Immortal Realm, with its vast land and abundant resources, provided nearly everyone the opportunity to cultivate—a stark difference from the Earthly Realm. For initial nation-building, cultivators were better suited to handle the demands of construction. However, Jing Nation's cultivators alone wouldn't be sufficient for such a massive endeavor.

Thus, Gu Lan devised a plan. He would use Lanyan Royal School's name to invite cultivators from across the world, offering them a chance to ascend to the Immortal Realm. With such an opportunity, few would refuse. This strategy would also unify the strength of cultivators, raising the overall power of the Earthly Realm.

The assembly would remind them that there are always stronger forces beyond their understanding and that staying in the Earthly Realm doesn't mean they can afford to be complacent. Seeing Lanyan Royal School's rapid development would push them to strive harder.

Only by instilling this competitive spirit throughout the Earthly Realm could Lanyan Royal School attract enough talent to sustain its growth and strength.

While talent could also be recruited directly in the Divine Realm, the Earthly Realm offered a safer option. The Divine Realm had too many factions eyeing Lanyan Royal School's power, making it likely that spies would infiltrate. Recruiting from the Earthly Realm, on the other hand, provided more control and stability.

Gu Lan's Three Clarity avatar moved throughout the Earthly Realm, distributing invitation letters, and nearly all factions accepted without hesitation. For those who wavered, he would subtly release a hint of his aura and pressure, instantly causing them to beam with eager smiles, insisting they would attend.

Even those who initially refused ended up laughing sheepishly, agreeing after a bit of persuasion.

During this period, Gu Lan's main body was equally busy. He set up an expansive Daoist venue atop Tianqiong Mountain, designed to welcome various factions while also preparing for the impending tribulation.

This venue was surrounded by an intricate array of formations, seamlessly connecting with all the formations around Lanyan Royal School and even linking to the protective barrier of the Earthly Realm.

Once activated, even Gu Lan himself would find it challenging to breach the defensive formations.

"Everything is ready, just waiting for the right moment!" Gu Lan thought as he hovered above the venue, looking towards the Jing Nation's border.

---

In Demon Realm, at Demon God City, the nine-tailed celestial fox stood atop the city walls, surrounded by several new demon kings, each exuding an aura of anger.

"Demon God, Prince Jingyang of Jing Nation is being too much!"

"This Debate Ceremony is clearly a ploy by Jing Nation to use Lanyan Royal School to suppress our Demon Realm. Please, Demon God, do not fall for it. Do not attend!"

One of the Pipa Elf demon kings spoke while maneuvering close to the nine-tailed celestial fox, subtly leaning against him.

"Demon God, you are about to break through to the legendary Imperial Realm. At that point, you will surely be able to deal with Prince Jingyang!"

"There's an old human saying: A gentleman's revenge is never too late. Let us retreat and practice together. I recently learned a special dual cultivation technique that could help you break through!"

Saying this, the Pipa Elf gazed at the majestic figure of the nine-tailed celestial fox, feeling her knees weaken. Ever since the rise of Lanyan Royal School, the Demon Realm had not dared to harbor any intentions toward Jing Nation, becoming exceptionally docile. The nine-tailed celestial fox was entirely devoted to his cultivation, trying every method in his pursuit of a breakthrough.

The Pipa Elf was his latest favorite, and it seemed that his cultivation was progressing rapidly. Just when he believed he was on the brink of breaking through to demonstrate his prowess, Gu Lan sought him out once more.

Upon hearing that Lanyan Royal School wished to invite him to give a discourse, he felt a flicker of excitement in his heart; after all, it was a recognition from his rival, which naturally made him happy.

However, knowing he was about to achieve a breakthrough, the nine-tailed celestial fox focused solely on how to defeat Gu Lan, deciding it would be a waste of time to attend such a discourse. He resolutely declined the invitation.

Then, he saw a warm smile spread across Gu Lan's face. What followed was an intensely brutal battle in Demon God City—one that could only be described as a one-sided thrashing. This confrontation forced the nine-tailed celestial fox to confront a harsh reality: while he had grown stronger, Gu Lan had grown even more formidable.

He felt an overwhelming sense of defeat, realizing that even if he were to break through and reach the imperial realm, he would still be no match for Gu Lan. Contemplating this, the nine-tailed celestial fox took out the invitation letter.

"Are you planning to throw away the invitation, Demon God?"

The Pipa Elf's eyes lit up with anticipation.

"Think again!"

"I, the Demon God, will attend the Debate Ceremony at Lanyan Royal School. This time, I won't bring any of you. Your cultivation levels are too low and might embarrass Demon God City!"

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox finished speaking and withdrew his hand from the Pipa Elf's embrace, using a teleportation technique to fly toward Lanyan Royal School, leaving the Pipa Elf and a group of demon kings staring wide-eyed at each other.

Upon reaching the border of Jing Nation, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox initially intended to continue using his teleportation technique. However, feeling the intense pain radiating from his body, he decided it was best to land obediently.

Arriving at the city gate, he noticed a long line of people waiting to enter Jing Nation, each one holding an invitation letter identical to his own. The thought of having to stand in line alongside these individuals—he, the dignified Demon God of the Demon Realm and the lord of Demon God City—filled him with an overwhelming sense of humiliation!

With a haughty demeanor, he swaggered to the front of the line and handed his invitation to a nearby soldier.

"Don't cut in line. Go to the back!"

Before the nine-tailed celestial fox could speak, the soldier reprimanded him.

As the Demon God, he had never been treated this way. The soldier's aura was merely at the King Stage, comparable to an ant in his eyes. Were it not for Gu Lan's face, he would have dealt with the soldier immediately.

"Do you know who you're talking to? I am the Lord of Demon God City, the king of the entire Demon Clan..."

"Regardless of who you are, everyone must queue here. If you don't, you won't be allowed in!"

The nine-tailed celestial fox, furious, was about to unleash his killing intent when a far more formidable presence revealed itself, locking him down entirely.

The intense killing intent made him freeze, feeling as though any movement would result in his death.

Who is this?

When did Jing Nation gain such a terrifying powerhouse?

The nine-tailed celestial fox was filled with confusion and fear.

"Stop dawdling. Queue up at the back!"

The soldier's voice rang out again, but this time, it was more soothing to the nine-tailed celestial fox, as the killing intent dissipated.

Quickly retreating, he glanced cautiously behind the soldier.