Chapter 67
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Chapter 67: Title
Through the camera’s lens, the interior of the little black room came into view—a rough count revealed approximately forty-seven spirit cultivators confined within.
"Forty-seven in total," the minister beside him clarified.
"All accounted for?" Ao Yuan inquired.
"They should be, based on the marked regions you provided," the minister affirmed with a nod. Within two days, the Eastern Sea City branch had mobilized nearly all its personnel to apprehend these boundary-crossing spirit cultivators.
Ao Yuan’s gaze sharpened. "Other regions?"
"Some captures occurred elsewhere, though fewer in number. Many evaded capture," the minister disclosed plainly.
Across Zhongxia, only the dragon-occupied coastal cities and Capital City had achieved thorough apprehensions. Other regions, lacking sufficient personnel, still harbored hidden spirit cultivators within urban shadows.
The imprisoned spirits consisted mostly of Tier One and Tier Two beings, save for the mid-Tier Two black wolf that radiated an isolating aura none dared breach.
Ao Yuan studied the surveillance feed, contemplating the spirit world’s unspoken hierarchy: bird spirits under Phoenix Clan sovereignty, terrestrial beasts answering to Kirin Clan, while only scales and aquatic spirits fell under dragon race governance—a system not of limitation, but of uneasy political balance.
"Your proposal?" Ao Yuan’s voice cut through the silence.
"Per our existing accord," the minister responded, "spirits remain under their clans’ jurisdiction. However, free movement requires registered identities—monthly check-ins during their first human realm year, then annual reports through the fifth year."
With over a billion human cultivators in Kyushu, transformed spirits became indistinguishable from mankind. Without oversight, any chaos would inevitably trap the Special Bureau in containment duties.
"I shall address them."
"Our gratitude, Prince Ao Yuan. Our intentions are peaceful," the minister sighed, frustration tinging his relief. "Yet these first-time visitors guard themselves like seasoned warriors against our world."
The ancestral debts now weighed upon modern shoulders, leaving Special Bureau negotiators despairing over their impossible task.
With a curt nod, Ao Yuan exited the monitoring room toward an adjacent sealed chamber. The minister produced a finger-length jade tablet etched with esoteric patterns.
"Shall I…?" The minister hesitated, envisioning calamitous escapes.
"Proceed."
The door’s jade-shaped slot accepted the tablet without requiring spiritual energy. Mechanisms clicked—silent to ordinary people, yet thunderous to heightened spirit senses.
Every imprisoned cultivator snapped toward the sound, muscles coiled. Captivity burned their pride; freedom’s call drowned rational thought. Against their common captors, even rivals united—twelve Tier Two spirits could overpower any lone Practitioner.
As the door groaned inward, their collective surge froze mid-motion. Dragon might crashed upon them like tidal force, pressing foreheads to cold stone—a primal submission etched in bloodline memory.
A powerful demon walks among us. The trembling spirits misunderstood completely, envisioning humans capturing even supreme beings. How could Tier Two souls comprehend this was no captive, but the storm itself?
Ao Yuan stepped through the doorway, observing prostrate forms through slitted eyes. Dragon pressure swirled around him as living proof—here stood no jailer, but judgment incarnate.
"You are spirit cultivators from the Mountain and Sea Realm. Answer this lord: yes or no." A voice resonated above them. The braver spirit cultivators noticed the diminishing overwhelming pressure and cautiously lifted their gazes.
Their breath caught at the sight.
Only three dragons existed in the human realm, and as the eldest among them, Ao Yuan naturally claimed the title of Dragon Lord.
Ao Yuan withdrew his spiritual dominance – these creatures already understood fear. Maintaining it longer might render them speechless entirely.
The spirit cultivators collectively sighed in relief, though their trembling limbs still required moments to regain strength.
The black wolf spoke first, its cultivation level surpassing others present. This responsibility naturally fell to it. "Might this humble one inquire as to your lordship’s identity?" It averted direct eye contact, mindful of decorum between higher and lower-ranked beings.
"Dragon Lord Ao Yuan."
Though the black wolf hailed from Northern Wilderness far removed from Eastern Wastes, every spirit cultivator knew the nine demon lords. From birth, they absorbed tales of these rulers – how Northern Wilderness answered to Kirin Demon Lord, while Eastern Wastes…
The wolf’s mind raced. Why would the legendary dragon lord grace the human realm? Though uncertain about names, all knew the Eastern Wastes’ sovereign as the true Dragon Lord.
"This humble spirit pays respects to the Dragon Lord!" The wolf prostrated instantly, its voice trembling with awe.
Recognition rippled through the crowd. Though only nine demon lords held official dominion, the appearance of this mythic figure commanded universal fealty. Soon every creature knelt, their chorus echoing: "We greet the Dragon Lord!"
The baffled human minister observed from the sidelines. How did obstinate spirits yield so swiftly? By rights, these Mountain and Sea natives should know nothing of Ao Yuan who’d transformed through Yellow River’s dragon gate. Yet hierarchy’s invisible chains bound them faster than any spell.
(Truth whispered through the ranks – this wasn’t mere submission. That face, that aura… Hadn’t their grandmothers described the Eastern sovereign’s jade-like complexion? His eyes holding celestial constellations? Even humans would recognize such perfection as distinctly otherworldly.)
With Dragon Lord presiding, procedures flowed smoothly. Within the hour, forty-odd spirits received Identity Cards bearing original-form photographs (none having mastered human shapes). Residences ranged from "Northern Wilderness" to whimsical "Little Heshan". Temporary permits accompanied each card.
"The Special Bureau provides communal housing," Ao Yuan announced in the meeting room now filled with perching, crouching, and chair-hugging spirits. "Three months’ provisions, then you integrate into human society."
This speech was the minister’s plea – staff explanations bounced off stubborn ears, even with divine mandate.
"But… must we, Lord?" The black wolf’s ears flattened.
"Affirmative." Ao Yuan’s gaze swept the room. "Human instructors will guide you. Ancient grudges hold no power here. Our era demands coexistence."
A fox raised its paw (newly learned human custom). "What if humans attack first?"
Currently, no Spirit Cultivator Office existed for grievances. Ao Yuan’s voice deepened: "For three moons, bring such cases directly to me in Eastern Sea City. Afterward, our kind will join the Special Bureau."
As spirits filed out following Special Bureau staff, Ao Yuan observed their diverse gaits – the hopping rabbits, slithering snakes, and wolf’s measured tread. Two buses awaited outside, their "monster apartment" destination already legendary.
The newly purchased towers stood amidst construction clamor, gold-plated sign gleaming: SPIRIT CULTIVATOR APARTMENT. Not ideal integration, but necessary first step – humans feared claw and fang, while spirits mistrusted concrete boxes.
Special Bureau members (secretly thrilled by housing perks) welcomed their charges. Ordinary citizens might never know their supernatural neighbors… for now. But as spiritual energies kept awakening, this gold-lettered complex marked humanity’s first fragile bridge to ancient realms.
