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

Chapter 506 When has a revered hidden sect ever needed to resort to such methods? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
The sight of the massive crowds before him completely exceeded his expectations.

The spacious platform was crowded with all sorts of people: nobles and merchants in fine clothes, ordinary people carrying luggage, and cultivators traveling in twos and threes.

What surprised Venerable Yinyue even more was that he actually found several cultivators in the crowd who also looked bewildered. Judging from their demeanor and attire, they were obviously reclusive masters who had not been out of the world for a long time.

"Master, there are so many people here."

Han Shuang muttered to himself, his eyes darting around. He had grown up in a sect and had never seen such a lively scene before.
On both sides of the platform, station staff in uniform are maintaining order.

A clear female voice came from the loudspeaker: "The G-742 train bound for the North is about to arrive at the station. Passengers, please queue in an orderly manner."

"Senior, please follow me." The elder led the two to the ticket window with familiarity, took out a few silver coins, and said, "Three tickets to Beishan County."

Venerable Yinyue frowned slightly as he looked at the small ticket: "Just this one piece of paper?"

"This is the certificate," the elder explained respectfully. "It has special anti-counterfeiting symbols printed on it, and it will be checked when you board the vehicle."

After buying the tickets, Venerable Yinyue pondered for a moment, then turned and gestured to the Snowfield Ice Wolf.

The four majestic spirit beasts roared and turned to run back the way they came, disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye.

Since he was going to ride the new 'mounts', he would definitely have to send these 'mounts' back, since they were too big for ordinary trains to carry.

Those trains specifically designed for carrying heavy loads can still be used for passenger transport.

"Whoosh—" With a loud whistle, a massive, jet-black steel behemoth roared in and came to a steady stop beside the platform.

The Hidden Moon Venerable's pupils contracted slightly. The train's design resembled a lurking black dragon, with the emblem of the Tian Ce Dynasty inlaid on its front.

"Senior, our..." Before the elder could finish speaking, he saw Venerable Yinyue already walking towards the train. Startled, he quickly grabbed the old man's sleeve, "Senior, wait! We bought tickets for the next train!"

Venerable Yinyue paused, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

Seeing this, Han Shuang quickly smoothed things over: "Master, the train schedules are fixed, we'll just wait a moment."

About ten minutes later, they finally boarded the right train.

The carriage was clean and bright, with soft cushions on the seats and large, bright windows.

Venerable Yinyue touched the smooth metal armrest, feeling the intricate patterns on it, and secretly marveled.

"Woo——"

The sound rang out again, and the train slowly started moving.

As the speed gradually increased, the scenery outside the window began to rush past.

The master and apprentice widened their eyes in unison. This speed was even three points faster than their snowfield ice wolves!

"Master, this..." Han Shuang was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

It's worth noting that taming those four ice wolves consumed a huge amount of the sect's resources, yet this train can carry hundreds of people at high speed and still be so smooth!
In the past, these were symbols of reclusive sects; only powerful sects could possess such mounts.

Just like when Li Chen rode the Holy Tiger, everyone around him would be very respectful and envious whenever they saw him appear.

Seeing this, the elder smiled and explained, "This is the 'Swift Wind' series, the latest product developed by the Tian Ce Ministry of Works. Its top speed can reach 300 miles per hour. It is said that His Majesty personally participated in the design and even engraved shock-absorbing runes on the bottom of the vehicle."

The train travels north, stopping at stations every so often.

To Venerable Yinyue's surprise, some stations were built directly in front of the gates of well-known sects.

Whenever we arrive at such a place, a large number of passengers get off the bus, including many young people who come specifically to learn from the master.

"Why do these sects have their own stations?" Venerable Yinyue asked thoughtfully. The elder immediately understood: "Reporting to Senior, these are all sects that cooperate with the Tian Ce government. Having their own stations not only greatly increases their prestige, but also allows them to receive substantial subsidies from the imperial court every year."

At this point, a look of envy appeared in his eyes, "Our Qingxia Sect also applied, but unfortunately our contribution was not high enough, so we were not selected."

The Hidden Moon Venerable's heart stirred.

What if the Ten Netherworld Palace could also have such a site?
The moment the thought crossed his mind, he was startled by it.

When did a reclusive sect ever need to rely on such methods to enhance its reputation?

But on second thought, now that the sect is in decline, it would be a good choice to take this opportunity to restore its prestige.

Times are changing so fast. I haven't been out for a while, and the outside world has already become so prosperous.

Because these so-called 'first-class' sects outside are developing rapidly.

Although the hidden sects have a strong foundation, what is the era?

Throughout history, countless reclusive sects have vanished without a trace, simply because they failed to keep up with the changing times.

Without fame, there are no students; without resources, there are no disciples.

Unconsciously, Venerable Yinyue touched the sandalwood box in his arms. He felt that the old methods might be outdated and it was time to make a change.

Just as shocked as Venerable Yinyue was Prince Morris of the Eternal Day Empire.

This usually aloof and powerful figure was now like a curious child, pressed against the train window, his eyes fixed on the rapidly passing scenery.

The Holy Lord sat to one side, a faint smile playing on his lips.

This seemed to surprise the foreign prince, and made the Holy Lord, as a member of the Heavenly Strategy, very proud.

“Incredible! This speed is three times faster than our fastest Holy Light Carriage!” Morris muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the window frame.

The Holy Lord slowly peeled a walnut: "What does Your Highness think of this railcar?"

"This is simply an invention that will change the fate of the nation!" Maurice turned around abruptly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Do you know? In our Everlasting Day, it takes half a month to travel from the capital to the border, but here..."

"Six hours," the Holy Lord replied, popping a walnut kernel into his mouth. "This is for a regular train; if it were an express train, four hours would be enough."

Morris's fingers unconsciously traced circles on his knees as he began to calculate: if he could bring this technology back to Everlasting Day, it would not only greatly improve the speed of troop movements but also promote trade between different regions. But could Li Chen provide it?

"Next stop, Qingyun Sect." The announcement in the carriage interrupted Morris's thoughts.

The Holy Lord stood up: "Let's go, I'll take you to see what a 'normal' sect of Tian Ce is like."

The Qingyun Sect's station was built on a cliff, with the platform directly connected to the sect's main gate.

Morris was stunned by the sight before him as soon as he got out of the car: thousands of students lined up in a long queue, stretching from the foot of the mountain all the way to the top.

Disciples of the sect moved among them, maintaining order while also searching for promising talents.

“So many people!” Morris exclaimed.

The Holy Lord laughed and said, "That's nothing. During the enrollment season, the lines can stretch for miles. Since the railcar was installed, the number of people coming to become disciples has increased more than tenfold."

Don't ask how the Holy Lord knows; he did an 'investigation'.

(End of this chapter)