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

Chapter 514 Ordinary Materials, What Can Be Replaced? (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

After testing each other for a while, Li Chen understood what Venerable Yinyue meant.

He has dealt with the internal strife and rebellion within the sect, but the sect is severely weakened and needs a large amount of resources to replenish itself.

Li Chen stated that there are some high-quality mineral veins and secret realms in the west, which the Ten Netherworld Palace can be responsible for mining. In addition, the Ministry of Works is also planning a new rail train line, and asked Venerable Yin Yue to send someone to coordinate.

If there are any further needs, Venerable Yinyue can report them to the Sect Affairs Department. As a major sect of Tian Ce, the stability of the western sects still requires Venerable Yinyue's continued efforts.

Upon hearing this, Venerable Yinyue's face lit up with joy, for these were exactly the resources and support he desperately needed!

What excited him even more was that His Majesty's words clearly elevated the Ten Netherworld Palace to the position of "leader of the western sects".

This was personally approved by His Majesty, so who would dare to say anything?
The Ten Netherworld Palace already had this kind of prestige.

He immediately bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! I will do my utmost to develop the sect and dedicate myself to the stability and prosperity of Tian Ce. Your Majesty has the world in your heart and benefits all people. You are truly a wise ruler for all ages!"

Li Chen waved his hand: "Sect Master Yinyue, you flatter me. This is all you deserve."

Li Chen quite enjoyed listening to people of this caliber flatter him.

The Hidden Moon Venerable became even more respectful: "Your Majesty is unaware that the various sects in the West have always been arrogant. Now, with Your Majesty's support, our Ten Netherworld Palace will surely be able to assist the court in stabilizing the region. Your Majesty's move is truly a blessing for the millions of cultivators in the West!"

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Venerable Yinyue, seeing that his purpose had been achieved, tactfully took his leave.

Eunuch Cui personally escorted him out of the palace gate. Suddenly, Venerable Yinyue took out a jade bottle from his sleeve and handed it to him: "Chief Eunuch Cui works day and night. This is our sect's specially made 'Mysterious Spirit Jade Liquid,' which will be of some benefit to cultivation."

Eunuch Cui quickly declined, saying, "How can this be?"

Venerable Yinyue insisted on presenting it, saying, "This is but a small gift, hardly enough to express my respect. I will need Chief Steward Cui to put in a good word for me before His Majesty in the future."

Without giving him a chance to refuse, she stuffed the jade bottle into Eunuch Cui's sleeve.

It was really hard for Eunuch Cui to refuse when someone of his rank offered it to him so readily.

Back in the imperial study, Eunuch Cui immediately presented the jade bottle: "Your Majesty, Venerable Yin Yue insisted on giving this to this old servant."

Li Chen glanced at it: "Mysterious Spirit Jade Liquid? That's a good thing. Since it's for you, you can keep it."

"This old servant dares not." Eunuch Cui knew that this thing was extremely precious; even the royal family didn't have many of them, making it priceless and unavailable.

Li Chen said calmly, "It's alright, your cultivation level really does need to be improved."

Only then did Eunuch Cui accept the gift with profuse thanks.

As the emperor's personal eunuch, he knew all too well when to show loyalty and when to accept gifts, acting entirely according to the emperor's mood.

Even if he wanted it, he would need Li Chen's permission first, so that he could have it without worry.

Eunuch Cui has always been a shrewd man. He's managed to survive here until now by knowing when to play dumb and when to be clear-headed.

As the saying goes, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. Don't be fooled by Li Chen's easygoing demeanor; if you offend him, you're as good as dead.

Eunuch Cui knew this all too well.

As evening fell, Li Chen had just finished reviewing memorials and returned to the inner palace when he heard a burst of silvery laughter.

Then, her younger sister, Li Sining, came skipping and hopping over, lifting her skirt: "Brother! I heard Prince Yongzhou presented you with a treasure? Let me see it!"

Li Chen affectionately ruffled her hair: "You silly girl, all you ever think about is playing." As he spoke, he took out a few crystal-clear chips from his sleeve: "But these are indeed rare items."

The chip shimmered with light, revealing lifelike images and emitting clear sound.

Li Sining's eyes widened, her mouth agape: "My God! Is this...is this a magical artifact from the heavens?"

"You can't say that, but it is indeed very rare."

Li Chen demonstrated the operation with a smile.

"It can not only record images, but also transmit sound over long distances."

"It's amazing! Brother, can you..." Li Sining played with it lovingly.
"Want one?" Li Chen had expected this, and as if by magic, he produced another pink chip. "I've already prepared one for you."

"Brother is the best!" the girl cheered and rushed over, giving Li Chen a quick kiss on the cheek. Then, like a child who had just received a new toy, she skipped and hopped off to show off to her friends.

Watching his sister's departing figure, Li Chen shook his head and chuckled.

These technological products from the Morris civilization were indeed no different from celestial artifacts in the eyes of the Tian Ce people.

However, soon, the entire Tian Ce will undergo earth-shattering changes.

It was late at night, and Li Chen had not yet summoned his concubines to serve him in bed when a series of light footsteps came from outside the palace.

With a gentle lift of the beaded curtain, Jiang Rong gracefully entered.

Her figure was graceful, a thin purple dress covering her exquisite curves, her snow-white skin was faintly visible, her waist was slender, her chest was full, and with each light step she moved, the hem of her dress swayed, exuding charm.

She has always been deeply favored by Li Chen, not only because of her stunning beauty, but also because of her intelligence and thoughtfulness, which always soothes the emperor's weary mind.

Following closely behind was Li Meng.

Compared to her youthful innocence, she now exudes a more mature charm. A crimson gauze dress accentuates her graceful figure, with a slightly open neckline revealing her fair skin, luscious red lips, and captivating eyes.

She and Jiang Rong stood on either side, holding tea and snacks, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, it's late, why aren't you resting yet?"

Li Chen looked up and saw the two women approaching, and couldn't help but smile: "What brings you here?"

Jiang Rong put down her teacup, gently placed her jade hand on Li Chen's shoulder, and said softly, "Your Majesty was still reviewing memorials late at night, and I was worried that Your Majesty was tired, so I came with Sister Li Meng to come and see."

Li Meng also leaned closer, picked up a pastry with her slender fingers, and held it to Li Chen's lips, saying sweetly, "Your Majesty, please eat something, don't overwork yourself."

Li Chen smiled and accepted it, then casually put his arm around Li Meng's waist and let her sit on his lap. With his other hand, he gently held Jiang Rong's soft hand and said, "I'm not reviewing memorials, I'm studying some interesting things."

Upon hearing this, the two women looked curiously at the chip on the table.

"Isn't this the treasure presented by Prince Yongzhou? Is His Majesty studying it?" Jiang Rong blinked her beautiful eyes.

Li Chen nodded, picked up a chip, and gently rubbed its surface with his fingertips: "This chip is good, but the materials are precious and the production cost is extremely high. Only nobles and top cultivators can afford it. I'm thinking, is it possible to find a cheaper alternative so that ordinary cultivators can also use it?"

Li Meng tilted her head, her red lips slightly parted: "But isn't this chip a celestial artifact? How can ordinary materials replace it?"

Li Chen laughed and said, "Do you still remember the magical treasures that Qingxu Shangren, Wanfeng Zhenren, and Helan Xuan refined? Thousand-year mirage pearls, dragon bone powder, ten-thousand-year black iron, which one is not a rare treasure? But I can still make substitutes with shell powder, kelp, and yellow croaker bones. Although the effect is slightly inferior, the price is low and ordinary cultivators can afford it."

(End of this chapter)