Clearly, Lord Wanghuo couldn't care less about the administration of his own Nalupu Kingdom. According to what the Sisters of the Abyss knew, everything was in fact handled by his ministers.
Apparently, he had once been a great general. Although his tactics and strategy were rudimentary and a bit brutish, he had been an exceptional figure of the Desolate Sepulcher's history. Seeing him like a fat child in front of him, Cao Yun couldn't even picture the man he had been. Indolence had completely broken him. The reports from the Sisters were accurate and it disheartened Cao Yun.
In his own land, he knew of two great leaders, Empyrean Asura and Emperor Weide. Both were terrible in Cao Yun's eyes as one simply wanted to eradicate his entire kind while the others was ready to betray his own people for power. In front of Lord Wanghuo, Cao Yun didn't feel the same disgust. He simply felt sad as he was witnessing the decadence of a once great cultivator.
Idleness and pleasure had vanquished what weapons had failed to destroy. Apparently success could be worse than any sword or spear in the world. This awoke Fallen Arrow in Cao Yun's mind. Once his goals were achieved, would he also fall in such a state? Although Cao Yun was ready to explore the vastness of this world and even others, he had no way of knowing how far his cultivation would really go.
Thankfully, Cao Yun also had a few examples of great men and women who had not let success destroy them. But in a way, Lord Wanghuo could be his future. Indeed, Cao Yun was certain that he would grow to be more powerful than anyone on the Piaolu planet. Would boredom claim even his will? As much as he wanted to negate this thought, he didn't. After all, it was helpful for his mind cultivation. As long as those doubts didn't damage his Dao Heart, they could be used to strengthen it. It was only in doubts that one could really grow. As it was in peril that one could push his strength and his martial arts further.
Speaking of martial arts, Cao Yun was almost as excited as Lord Wanghuo at the prospect of this challenge. Clearly, he was winning way more than Lord Wanghuo in this exchange. But the king of the Nalupu Kingdom didn't mind, or rather he didn't care at all. In fact, the very notion of politics had not entered his mind once during his discussion with Cao Yun. Apparently, making him do whatever Cao Yun wanted would be easier than he had thought.
"Noble Lord, this humble one is extremely grateful of your generosity. This talentless one is ready to receive pointers from Lord Wanghuo."
"Good, good."
Lord Wanghuo slapped his own belly that giggled around while he was laughing heartily.
"Please, rest in Sidina for a few weeks. Prepare yourself. I want to spar with you at your most powerful. Whatever you need, consider that you already have it."
High Mother Lisha intervened once more.
"Lord Wanghuo, I do think it would be more appropriate to find a suitable place in the desert for such a sparring session. After all, even though Sir Mo is nowhere as strong as you are and even if you suppress your cultivation to his level, your fight would likely cause some damage to the royal palace."
In fact, High Mother Lisha could already see Sidina in flames. Even with Lord Wanghuo suppressing his cultivation, the two cultivators were both powerful and great martial artists. Being too close to their fight could mean death. Besides, despite Lord Wanghuo's claim that this would be a simple sparring session, she knew that he wouldn't be able to control his excitement. Cao Yun was in real danger. If he could not match Lord Wanghuo, he might really end up dead. Obviously, this would also be a terrible thing for High Mother Lisha as her seals would kill her and all the elders of her order.
If the Sisters of the Abyss were to die under such circumstances, it would be too tragic to even laugh about it.
Looking at High Mother Lisha's eyes, Cao Yun knew exactly what she was thinking about. And, as a matter of fact, he agreed with her. Dying in a simple sparring session would be simply too stupid. But so would be dying in the stomach of a sea monster because he had not found a suitable navigator.
"Noble Lord, if it is possible, I would like to meet the navigator before our duel. This would put my mind at ease before the fight."
"Of course, of course!"
Lord Wanghuo immediately sent his spiritual senses all over the place. Cao Yun was sensitive enough to feel it clearly. In front of him, this shameless and debonair king was an 8th-grade Accomplished Demon. He was in the process of merging his seven Turbid Demons together into a real Demon Soul.
Demons and asura alike named their Turbid Demons in the Accomplished Demon realm their Demon Soul. But in reality, contrary to humans, their actual Demon Soul was only forged at the end of the Accomplished Demon realm, during its eighth stage. Then, the ninth stage was called 'Chaining the Beast' and it consisted in chaining down one's Demon Soul before it could destroy the cultivator who had brought it forth.
Such a Demon Soul was much more powerful than a human's Soul Embryo. And Cao Yun could feel it. His own Soul Embryo was shaken by Lord Wanghuo's Demon Soul. Moreover, his very Turbid Demons got excited as well. And so was his Drop of Wrath. Cao Yun had more or less already formed a Demon Soul. Indeed, he had already merged some of his Turbid Demons into his Drop of Wrath. Eventually, his Drop of Wrath would become a complete Demon Soul. Then, he might find a way to also merge his Soul Embryo and his Demon Soul. But he wasn't absolutely confident about it. In fact, he had no certain idea about what to do to achieve such a goal.
Right after this sensation spread through Cao Yun, a man in a very dignified robe wearing imperial insignia and a very narrow and tall black hat appeared. There was absolutely no doubt that this was a minister of the Nalupu Kingdom. In fact, from the reports of the Sisters of the Abyss, he was the Minister of the Left in charge of all political affairs within the Nalupu Kingdom.
"Minister Renhai, I need you to immediately appoint..."
"Dan Yao."
Seeing that he couldn't even remember the man's name, High Mother Lisha reminded him of it.
"... from the Burning Sparrow as City Lord of Duma City."
'Burning Sparrow'?! High Mother Lisha and Cao Yun had the same thought, but it was close enough that Minister Renhai seemed to understand instantly. It wasn't that Lord Wanghuo was stupid, he simply didn't care at all. Even remembering the names was a pain for him.
In Renhai's eyes, the two guests saw a bit of anger and frustration. Unfortunately, he couldn't say no to this foolish king. Still, if they had been in private, he would have admonished him. Contrary to his king, Minister Renhai was a very formal man. As such, he would never allow his emotions to dictate his actions.
Moreover, Minister Renhai also knew that there was nothing he could do or say that would change Lord Wanghuo's mind. Sadly, he knew him well enough to discern when he could influence his decisions or not. This was not such a moment.
"Lord, it is a bit delicate as the city lords are in uproar after City Lord Gui's death. Besides, City Lord Sihe is causing a lot of trouble in Siqian City. The city lords around him are also worried about him. I do think it would be better to wait for a few weeks before making this decision official. But I can still write it down and perform the rites. Sir Dan Yao will be recognized as city lord, but we can wait before making it public."
In a few instants, Minister Renhai had found the best way to handle the situation knowing that his king wouldn't budge. In fact, he even barely listened to him. Once again, it was not out of stupidity. Lord Wanghuo never intervened in political affairs and he trusted his Minister of the Left entirely on such matters.
"Thank you, Minister Renhai."
Both High Mother Lisha and Cao Yun slightly bowed in front of the dignified man. Hearing their thanks, he stroked his small mustache. He was quite happy with their response as his king had clearly made this decision to please them. With such an answer, he would accept Minister Renhai's proposition without any problem.
"Good, good. Now that it's settled, I also want you to choose our best navigator. He'll accompany my young friend to God's Land as soon as possible. Who's our best navigator?"
"Lord, our best navigator is undoubtedly Jing Baiyu."
"The White Whale?!"
High Mother Lisha couldn't contain her surprise after hearing this name. Immediately she regained her senses and shut up. Cao Yun also remembered this name. Jing Baiyu the White Whale was a former admiral of the Nalupu Kingdom. Unlike the army, the naval forces of the kingdom were pretty much useless. In fact, they mainly served as bodyguards for the various convoys crossing the Divine Blood Ocean.
Among the admirals, Jing Baiyu was a legend, in the sense that not even the Sisters of the Abyss knew much about it. According to their reports, he was indeed a great navigator. But he was also a very peculiar man. For more than two centuries, he had walked on firm ground only two days because he had been forced to. This man loved the sea and the ocean so much that he never left them. Even when his boat was at the dock, he remained aboard. As such, the Sisters had very little information on him.
"Indeed, High Mother. Admiral Jing Baiyu crossed the Divine Blood Ocean more than two hundred times. Few navigators reached such a number. Unfortunately, the Divine Blood Ocean is treacherous even to those who know it very well. What truly makes Admiral Jing Baiyu our best navigator is not how many travels he's made, but how many he failed.
"In his entire career, he only failed once. And he survived to tell the tale while protecting most of the cargo he was protecting. A giant 9-core sea monster attacked his convoy. Despite of that, he defended his boat with his very life. Such a heroic act allowed most of his crew and of the other boats to escape while a very small number was destroyed. Admiral Jing Baiyu is undoubtedly our best navigator. With him, you have the highest chances of reaching your destination alive."
Hearing the tales of Admiral Jing Baiyu, Cao Yun was convinced. Honestly, he didn't know much about navigation anyway. He simply knew that it wouldn't be as easy as crossing the Desolate Desert. And even then, the knowledge of the tribes had been extremely useful. So he would also rely on the knowledge and expertise of this admiral.
"Thank you, Minister Renhai."
"And could my young friend meet with this navigator already?"
"Unfortunately, Admiral Jing Baiyu is not in the Desolate Sepulcher. He should be back in a few months. Moreover, it will be almost impossible to convince him to leave his vessel. Sir Mo Yun will have to climb on board. I will try to negotiate with Admiral Jing Baiyu as being on the same vessel will be easier. But he's a very stubborn man. I don't think that even death or torture could intimidate him."
"I'll let you handle it all! Don't worry our guests with all those. I know you're competent enough.
"You heard, my young friend. If Minister Renhai tells you that he's found the best navigator, it's a done deal. Don't listen to his worries, he's simply modest like that. As long as he speaks with this Admiral Gray Fish, he'll accept to sail toward God's Land with you. Don't worry about a thing."
Obviously, Lord Wanghuo only wanted Cao Yun to focus on their upcoming duel. Given what he had just heard, Cao Yun was indeed convinced. The best navigator in a few months was better than a mediocre one right now. Besides, it would leave him enough time to deal with City Lord Sihe. Everything was going as planned, but Cao Yun wanted to stay here until the end. After that, he would have to trust those he had put in key positions.
At the moment, he had influence on the tribes through Chieftain Sha Chai Gan and the most powerful religious order through High Mother Lisha. With Dan Yao, he also had influence over the Xinian Confederation. But only after dealing definitely with City Lord Sihe would his influence over this Xinian Confederation be total. Once he would have his hand in almost every matter in the Desolate Sepulcher, he would be more at ease with leaving.
This wasn't his land. So Cao Yun had chosen a few individuals to place them at key positions. They would shape the future of the Desolate Sepulcher while avoiding as much bloodshed as possible. After all, Chieftain Sha Chai Gan had already avoided a civil war between the tribes and part of the Nalupu Kingdom. With City Lord Sihe gone, this situation would be over for good.
The only uncertainty in Cao Yun's plan at the moment was in fact Nie Pian. The old man was currently managing City Lord Sihe's affairs and making a name for himself. In fact, he was doing too good of a job. Getting rid of Nie Pian might be another problem entirely. However, Cao Yun could be flexible with his plans. He was open both to change and to better ideas. Maybe he would have to alter his plans once again. Most likely, Nie Pian wouldn't find Cao Yun's new plans agreeable at all. But the old man had sealed his fate already. He would have to accept the consequences of his choices.
"Lord Wanghuo, Minister Renhai, this humble one thanks both of you for your generosity. I will retire into my lodging to prepare myself. Please, convey the place and the time through my servants and I will be there, Noble Lord. In the meantime, may I ask that no one disturb me?"
"Of course, of course. No one in the entire Desolate Sepulcher would dare to disturb you, my young friend. I'll even prevent anyone from talking about your very existence. You can focus on your preparations!"