I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 504 If you utter even half a wrong word, even your master cannot protect you! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Meanwhile, Li Chen had already left the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace and was heading north.

He wasn't in a hurry, since the court officials would handle most things, and he had made some arrangements before he left, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

Along the way, he and the three beauties enjoyed the scenery. Since they were traveling incognito, it would be good to take a look at the people's livelihood and the development of cultivators.

As an emperor, he should at least know more about the needs of ordinary cultivators and the general public, so that he can make better plans for development.

In the Western Region, Shiyouxuanming Palace.

Venerable Yinyue sat upright on the cultivation platform made of Xuanbing ice, holding a newly received letter in his hand.

The handwriting on the letter had a familiar feel to it; it was written by Yuan Tianhe, the sect leader of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall.

"An Immortal's Decree?" Venerable Yinyue murmured to himself, repeatedly turning the pages of the letter, making a crisp sound.

His closed-door disciple, Han Shuang, cautiously asked, "Master, is there something important?"

The Venerable Hidden Moon did not answer immediately, but instead handed over the message.

Han Shuang took a look and her eyes widened immediately: "His Majesty Li Chen is collecting Immortal Tokens?"

Venerable Yinyue stood up, his black robe fluttering even without wind: "Yuan Tianhe and Daoist Baichuan have already given them to His Majesty, who now has two."

Frost gasped, "Doesn't that mean we're only one step away from opening the ancient ruins?"

As members of a reclusive sect, they must know some ancient legends.

Ancient books also record methods for accessing the ruins of immortals.

However, there are many problems here. For example, the four reclusive sects that hold the Immortal Tokens have a good relationship with the Eight Gates Heaven-Piercing Palace and the Ten Netherworld Palace, and the Guixu Boundless Sect and the Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion have a good relationship.

While these two groups are not exactly opposed, there have been some frictions between them.

Therefore, according to ancient records, collecting three Immortal Tokens is enough to open the ancient ruins, but they couldn't collect them all.

This is one of them.

Secondly, the relics of immortals are not something you can find just by looking for them. Throughout history, many have been discovered, but those that haven't been discovered are extremely hidden and may be concealed in some secret realm.

Therefore, relics of immortals are extremely rare in this era.

The ruins of immortals produce magical treasures and cultivation techniques that surpass the power of this world. It is said that obtaining them will greatly increase one's strength.

Of course, hidden sects also possess many items from immortal sects, which is why they are so powerful.

Just like the Immortal Fate Crystal of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, it is said that if one cannot break through to the peak of the Heavenly Abyss Realm, one can use the Immortal Fate Crystal.

This means that the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace will at least have a Saint Realm expert in charge.

A force with a Saint-level expert in charge is bound to have a high status and prestige, especially one that is hiding its strength and has countless geniuses.

Venerable Yinyue walked to the window, gazing at the distant, continuous snow-capped mountains, his brows furrowed: "Yuan Tianhe said that His Majesty is heading north, most likely to the Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion."

These words made Han Shuang's heart skip a beat.

As his last disciple, he knew all too well what his master was thinking at that moment.

Since the last internal strife, the Ten Netherworld Palace has suffered a great loss of strength and is in dire need of external assistance.

If we can seize this opportunity to establish a relationship with Emperor Tian Ce, we might be able to weather the crisis.

"Master, what do you mean?" Han Shuang asked tentatively.

Venerable Yinyue turned around, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "We'll wait on the only way to Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion."

Han Shuang gaped in surprise: "Master is going in person?"

Venerable Yinyue snorted coldly: "What? Do you think your master is not worthy to see His Majesty?" That was all he could say. He couldn't very well say, "Send an elder to summon Li Chen to the Ten Netherworld Palace."

If Li Chen really comes, he'll probably come to dismantle the Ten Netherworld Palace.

Han Shuang quickly shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and said, "That's not what I meant. It's just that given Master's status, if we go there rashly and are discovered by the people of the Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion, our relationship with them is already strained."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Venerable Yinyue understood and casually said, "What's there to be afraid of? It doesn't matter if the relationship isn't good or if there's a little conflict. If Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion gains His Majesty Li Chen's favor and allows them to develop, then we will be at a disadvantage."

Hidden sects are inherently competitive, with each sect vying for dominance and being eliminated by the times.

There used to be many reclusive sects, but very few have survived to this day.

Don't assume that reclusive sects are mysterious and indifferent to worldly affairs.

That's because ordinary sects aren't qualified to compete with them; they only exist in legends.

Within the exclusive circle of reclusive sects, there is bound to be a lot of competition.

It's like discovering a relic of an immortal; once the news spreads, even reclusive sects will send people to seize it.

Although they have immortal artifacts, who would complain about having too many immortal artifacts in their own sect?

As the sect leader, naturally the more the better.

The sect leader's mindset is to ensure the sect can be better passed down through generations.

With more magical artifacts and resources, more geniuses will emerge.

Another saying is that Venerable Yinyue felt that seeing his opponent grow stronger was more painful than his own decline.

So I have to seize this 'opportunity' no matter what, and this opportunity is naturally referring to Li Chen.

At this point, are we still afraid of offending the Sumeru Lingxiao Pavilion? Should we continue to develop?
My old friend Yuan Tianhe gave me this suggestion out of good intentions.

If you don't know what's good for you, then you've wasted other people's time and effort.

These words left Frost speechless.

Indeed, since the Third Elder's betrayal caused a major blow to the sect, the status of the Ten Netherworld Palace in the Western Region has been far less than before.

Venerable Yinyue waved his hand, "Go and prepare. Remember, take that Immortal Token with you."

Han Shuang bowed and retreated, but her heart was filled with turbulent waves.

The Immortal Token is a treasure of the sect, and even he, as the closed disciple, rarely gets to see it. Now, his master is actually offering it up voluntarily?
Half an hour later, a Xuanbing carriage pulled by four snowfield ice wolves stopped in front of the palace.

Venerable Yinyue changed into a brand new black robe, with a cold jade token symbolizing his status as sect leader hanging at his waist.

"Master, everything is ready," Han Shuang said respectfully.

Venerable Yinyue nodded and was about to get into the car when he suddenly stopped: "Oh right, take 'that thing' with you too."

Han Shuang was taken aback at first, but then she understood and quickly ran back to the inner hall.

A moment later, he rushed over carrying a sandalwood box and carefully placed it in the hidden compartment of the carriage.

"Master, the person we need to meet this time..." Han Shuang hesitated before speaking.

Venerable Yinyue glanced at him and said meaningfully, "Remember, when you meet that person later, watch your mouth. If you utter even half a wrong word, even I, your master, cannot protect you."

These words sent a shiver down Han Shuang's spine.

He had followed his master for many years and had never seen his master so wary of anyone.

It should be noted that even when facing a powerful figure like Yuan Tianhe, Master always remained calm and composed.

(End of this chapter)