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

Chapter 600 This is simply an immense blessing! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Inside the Hundred Flowers Sect, the beautiful woman He Ying stood by the window, her brows furrowed with an indistinguishable loneliness and resentment.

Li Chen has been gone for many days, supposedly to pick up someone from Qinglin Kingdom, but he has been gone for far too long.

She couldn't help but complain to Xuanji, who was standing quietly beside her, "Sister Xuanji, why hasn't Young Master Li returned yet? Is he having too much fun with Sister Rumeng to remember home?"

Xuanji glanced at the "cell phone" in her hand, which only the Tian Ce people could understand. It contained a brief message from Li Chen, saying that his identity had already been revealed in Qinglin Kingdom and that he needed to stay for a while longer to provide "guidance".

Having followed Li Chen for a long time, Xuan Ji understood all too well what kind of erotic and extravagant scene lay behind the so-called "guidance" once His Majesty's identity was exposed.

She knew that Li Chen wouldn't come back until he had had his fill of fun, so she calmly replied, "Don't worry, Sister He Ying, the young master knows what he's doing and will return once he's finished dealing with things."

Unable to contain her curiosity, He Ying asked again, "I've always wanted to ask, what exactly is Young Master Li's status in Tian Ce? It seems that everyone treats him with great awe."

Xuanji smiled slightly, keeping everyone in suspense: "Once we reach Tian Ce, you'll naturally know, sister. Isn't it more interesting to keep it a mystery for now?"

Seeing that she wouldn't say it outright, He Ying could only sigh softly, "Alright."

In the courtyard, there were also many other women who would be accompanying them. Ophelia, Isabella, and other beauties from Yongzhou were gathered together, nervously learning the etiquette and customs of the Tian Ce Empire, fearing that they would make mistakes and lose favor there because they did not know the rules.

Ophelia's voluptuous body tensed slightly with nervousness as she whispered to Xuanji, "Sister Xuanji, will Tian Ce reject us foreign women?"

Xuanji comforted everyone, "There's no need to worry. Tian Ce is very inclusive and tolerant, and Young Master is even more so, well, he treats everyone equally."

She thought to herself, "His Majesty has three thousand beauties in his harem. Not to mention beauties from all countries and ethnic groups, there are even many beauties from deep-sea alien races and some alien races with special bloodlines. Your worries are completely unnecessary."

Meanwhile, in the capital of Qinglin Kingdom, Li Chen was visiting the pillar institution of the country, at the invitation of the Dean of the Observatory.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress followed closely behind, one on each side. Both wore magnificent phoenix robes symbolizing their high status, yet they followed step by step, their heads bowed and eyes lowered, displaying a respectful and submissive demeanor.

If it weren't for their robes revealing their status, others would almost mistake them for stunningly beautiful maids brought by Li Chen.

Although in reality they are almost the same.

The Imperial Observatory held a prestigious position, and most of its disciples and officials had met the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and in the past, they all held the Empress Dowager and the Empress in high esteem.

Seeing these two most noble women of the empire following behind a young man in such a humble manner, they were deeply shocked, but no one dared to show the slightest sign of surprise.

Now that Li Chen's identity as Emperor Tian Ce had been made public, everyone who went there hurriedly knelt down and dared not raise their heads.

The dean personally led the way, introducing the academy with great enthusiasm: "Your Majesty, our Observatory has been responsible for observing celestial phenomena, deducing calendars, and warning of disasters since ancient times. We also refine elixirs and medicines and train disciples. In recent years, in accordance with the decrees of the successive emperors of the Qinglin Kingdom, we have also established the Institute of Physics to study some alchemical techniques."

He carefully considered the wording.

He could speak freely with his own emperor, but not with this one; he had to be careful with his words.

"Alchemy?" Li Chen's interest was piqued upon hearing this. "To what extent have you progressed in your alchemy research?"

Seeing that he had piqued the dean's interest, the dean quickly led the way: "Please follow me, Your Majesty."

He led Li Chen to a heavily guarded workshop, where furnaces roared and craftsmen busily smelted and purified various ores, producing metal ingots that gleamed with an unusual luster. "Your Majesty," he said, "our main focus is on purifying and fusing various metals, attempting to create alloys that are stronger, sharper, and even better at conducting energy, for forging weapons and armor. This is also a crucial reason why our Qinglin Kingdom's military can establish itself here, without entirely relying on external forces."

Li Chen carefully observed the purified metal samples for a moment and nodded: "Not bad, the idea is correct. Although it is a bit crude, it is already quite rare among ordinary people. To be able to do such a good job with basic materials shows that you have put in a lot of effort."

Upon receiving the Emperor's personal affirmation, the Dean was so excited that his face flushed red, and his snow-white beard almost stood on end. He repeatedly said, "Your Majesty flatters me! You flatter me! To receive Your Majesty's approval is truly the highest honor for our Imperial Observatory!"

Li Chen casually said, "In that case, you can periodically select some clever and promising disciples to go to my Tian Ce Gong Department for exchange and learning. Their research on this path may be more in-depth than yours."

Upon hearing this, the dean was overjoyed and almost burst into tears!

Being able to study at the Tian Ce Ministry of Industry is an incredible blessing!
He knew perfectly well where this favor came from, and quickly bowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! This junior will certainly carefully select capable people and will never fail Your Majesty's favor!"

He thought to himself, "As expected, it is because the Empress Dowager and the Empress served His Majesty well that he has received such a generous reward."

During the visit, the dean specially invited the chief disciple of the younger generation of the Institute of Astronomical Observation, a young man who has made great achievements in alchemical research.

Upon learning that the person before him was none other than the mighty Emperor Tian Ce, the disciple was so excited that he could hardly contain himself, and his voice trembled as he knelt to pay his respects.

Li Chen encouraged him for a few words and then casually rewarded him with a top-grade heavenly pill that he usually ate as a snack, containing pure energy.

Of course, this is definitely much worse than the one the dean had last time.

Otherwise, how could the dean's sense of superiority be demonstrated?

The disciple received it with both hands and felt the immense energy within. He was immediately moved to tears and almost swore an oath of loyalty on the spot, but the dean quickly stopped him with a look.

The dean wasn't worried about his disciple turning against him; it was just that there were too many people who wanted to be Li Chen's lackeys, and his disciple wasn't qualified yet.

If Li Chen felt offended, it might backfire.

The dean is a shrewd person; he has a knack for handling relationships.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager immediately changed the subject with a charming smile. She pointed gently to a towering pagoda that seemed to pierce the clouds in the distance, her voice soft and gentle: "Your Majesty, look over there. That is the most prized building of my Imperial Observatory, the Star-Gazing Tower, which is a hundred stories high."

The rooftop Star-Picking Platform is absolutely magnificent. If you wait until nightfall and stand on it, it feels as if you could reach out and pluck the stars from the sky, with the myriad lights of the entire imperial city spread out before you – a truly breathtaking sight.

Upon hearing this, Li Chen's interest was indeed piqued: "Oh? The Star-Picking Platform? That sounds interesting."

"If Your Majesty is interested, why don't you go up and take a look now? Although it is not as magnificent as the night view, it still has a unique and expansive atmosphere."

The Empress Dowager seized the opportunity to make a suggestion, her eyes conveying a wealth of implied meaning.

"Lead the way." Li Chen nodded.

Thus, led by the Empress Dowager, the group ascended to the top of the hundred-story observatory.

(End of this chapter)