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

Chapter 546 Sect Leader Yuan, how about I add a prize too! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Dai Xiaoyao was sensible and followed behind Li Chen, not daring to overstep his bounds.

Xuanji, who was standing next to Dai Xiaoyao, had also met him before, but he knew that he only needed to please Li Chen, and pleasing this person might backfire.

The group headed south, took a boat out to sea, and soon arrived at the island where the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace was located.

Dai Xiaoyao looked up at the cloud-shrouded mountain peaks, deeply moved.

He remembered that when he was studying at the Chensha Dao Sect, the sect leader, True Person Chiyuan, highly praised the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall and always spoke of it with utmost respect.

On one occasion, an elder from the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall came to visit, and True Person Chi Yuan led the entire sect in receiving him.

Dai Xiaoyao would remember that scene for the rest of his life.

Hidden sects hold a supreme position in the cultivation world of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

"Young Master Li, this..." Dai Xiaoyao was about to speak when a group of people suddenly surged out from the mountain gate.

The leader was a middle-aged man with an extraordinary air, dressed in a purple and gold Taoist robe.

The elder that Dai Xiaoyao had met was still behind this person.

"Yuan Tianhe respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!" Yuan Tianhe bowed from afar, his voice booming like a bell.

Dai Xiaoyao was dumbfounded. This was the legendary Sect Master of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace!

They actually came out to greet us personally, and with such respect?

Li Chen nodded calmly: "Sect Leader Yuan, there's no need for such formalities. I've come today to return the Immortal Token."

He took out the ancient token from his bosom, and Yuan Tianhe quickly accepted it with both hands: "Your Majesty keeps your word, I admire you. In fact, you could have just sent someone to deliver it, why did you have to do it yourself?"

Li Chen waved his hand and said, "I will personally fulfill my promise."

Seeing this, Dai Xiaoyao was shocked once again. He had long heard that Li Chen had subdued the sects, but he never expected that even the hidden sects were like this.

If I had even one percent of Li Chen's abilities, why would I worry about Xingluo not rising!
At Yuan Tianhe's warm invitation, Li Chen and his group slowly ascended the stone steps of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall.

Dai Xiaoyao followed behind, looking around curiously. He didn't look like a king at all; he was more like a country bumpkin visiting a grand mansion, with too many eyes to see.

Along both sides of the mountain path, every ten steps stood a disciple dressed in a silver-white Taoist robe, each with an extraordinary bearing. They all bowed respectfully to Li Chen.

"Your Majesty's last visit was too brief, and you were unable to properly tour the scenery of my Eight Gates Heaven-Piercing Palace," Yuan Tianhe said, pointing to the distant, mist-shrouded peaks. "That is the 'Peak of Seeking the Dao,' the place where our sect's founder secluded himself to comprehend the Dao."

Li Chen walked with his hands behind his back, nodding in agreement from time to time.

The two chatted and laughed, discussing everything from the history of their sect to their cultivation experiences, just like old friends.

Dai Xiaoyao listened in the back and was dumbfounded. He had never seen the sect leader of a hidden sect so approachable.

When they reached the pavilion halfway up the mountain, Li Chen suddenly stopped and said, "Sect Leader Yuan, this Dai Xiaoyao is a good friend of mine. He has always admired your sect's techniques. I wonder if I could borrow them?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Xiaoyao was startled and quickly stepped forward to bow.

Being personally called a "good friend" by His Majesty Li Chen was such an honor that his fingertips trembled with excitement.

"I am Dai Xiaoyao. I have long admired the reputation of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace. It is my great honor to meet Sect Master Yuan today!" He bowed deeply, his waist almost touching the ground.

No matter what Li Chen said, Dai Xiaoyao was very cooperative. When Li Chen said he wanted to borrow the book, he thought Li Chen was giving him a chance.

Yuan Tianhe stroked his beard and smiled: "Since you are His Majesty's friend, you are also my friend, Yuan Tianhe. Not to mention borrowing the cultivation techniques, you can even stay in the library to study them!"

Dai Xiaoyao suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

It should be noted that the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall's techniques have always been kept secret, and even the sect's own disciples must undergo numerous trials before they can enter the library.

He actually agreed to it so easily? He secretly pinched his thigh to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

The three arrived at the library, a seven-story ancient building constructed entirely of sandalwood, with bronze wind chimes hanging from its eaves, producing a clear and melodious sound in the wind.

A stone tablet stood in front of the pavilion, inscribed with five powerful characters: "Hidden Mysteries of Heaven and Earth." "Please," Yuan Tianhe said, personally pushing open the heavy, carved wooden door.

The library is dimly lit, and a faint scent of ink wafts through the air.

Tens of thousands of books are neatly arranged on the rosewood bookshelves, each one gleaming with a soft, shimmering light.

Dai Xiaoyao was dazzled by the sight and followed Li Chen carefully, afraid of breaking something.

"Brother Dai, there's no need to be so formal."

Li Chen glanced at it, then casually took a copy of "The True Explanation of Tiger Appearance" from the shelf and handed it to him.

"This martial arts technique is powerful and domineering, which is suitable for your physique."

Dai Xiaoyao accepted the gift with both hands, his voice trembling with excitement: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Sect Leader Yuan! I will keep it safe and return it within six months!"

He could tell that this book was definitely one of the few rare treasures here.

Yuan Tianhe waved his hand: "It's alright, I trust the people recommended by His Majesty."

While Dai Xiaoyao was engrossed in reading the cultivation manual, Li Chen strolled among the bookshelves.

His slender fingers swept across rows of ancient books, finally stopping on a yellowed fragment of the "Eight Gates Heavenly Desolate Sword Manual".

Turning the pages, the sword manual text flowed into view like water.

With his talent, he grasped the essence in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Yuan Tianhe thought Li Chen was just browsing casually, but little did he know that Li Chen was completing a mission.

[Ding! The quest "Introduction to the Sect" is complete, and the reward has been issued.]

The system notification sounded in his mind, and Li Chen smiled slightly as he put the book back in its place.

Now that it was over, Li Chen naturally had no interest in continuing his tour and left the library with Yuan Tianhe.

Just then, cheers erupted from afar.

Li Chen raised an eyebrow and looked into the distance: "Sect Leader Yuan, what's that over there?"

Yuan Tianhe laughed and said, "Ah, it just so happens that my sect is holding a competition to recruit disciples. There are many applicants this year, so we have set up three rounds of selection."

Li Chen became interested: "Why don't we go take a look?"

The training ground was bustling with noise.

Hundreds of young prodigies are competing and exchanging skills. Each of these individuals is a renowned genius from their respective regions.

The flashing swords drew gasps of surprise from the onlookers.

Several elders sat on a high platform at the side of the field, judging the disciples' performance.

Yuan Tianhe pointed to several figures on the field and introduced them: "Those are some of the most promising talents this year. The one in blue has already won seven games in a row."

Li Chen's gaze swept across the entire room, and he suddenly unfastened the sword from his waist: "Sect Leader Yuan, how about I add a prize?"

He placed the sword on the stage, and the dragon pattern on the scabbard became faintly visible: "Today's champion will receive this sword."

The moment Li Chen drew his sword, the entire arena fell silent.

Everyone stared at the pure white longsword. Even before it was drawn, the sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling could be faintly heard. It was clearly a peerless divine weapon!

Yuan Tianhe was both surprised and delighted: "This is His Majesty's personal sword, it's far too precious."

Li Chen smiled calmly: "It's alright. I only hope that whoever obtains this sword can make the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace even more glorious."

(End of this chapter)