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

Chapter 764 You've been stuck at the peak of the Heavenly Abyss Realm for quite a few years now, haven't you? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

"Welcome Your Majesty's arrival!"

Led by Lor'themar, everyone who knew Li Chen's identity, whether members of the Wind Whisperer family or other half-elf patriarchs, all stood up in unison and bowed respectfully, their voices in unison, filled with piety and awe.

Meanwhile, the papal spies and royal informants disguised as guests all stared wide-eyed, their hearts pounding!

They couldn't sense Li Chen's specific cultivation level. Even if Li Chen deliberately concealed it, the aura that was in harmony with the laws of heaven and earth and resonated with all things in nature, the nobility and antiquity that originated from the essence of life, could not be faked!

'Beyond comprehension, this aura absolutely surpasses the range of known powerhouses on the continent!' A spy disguised as a merchant, but actually an elite member of the Holy See's Inquisition, had cold sweat on his palms.

'The Elf King's bloodline...it seems the rumors are true! I must report what I've seen with my own eyes immediately!' A royal guard disguised as a minor nobleman suppressed his shock and silently noted down every detail.

Li Chen's gaze swept calmly over the silent crowd below, as if he were attending an ordinary gathering. He slightly raised his hand, his voice clear and resonant, yet carrying supreme authority, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Gentlemen, please don't stand on ceremony. I hope you enjoy this grand gathering to the fullest."

Upon hearing Li Chen's words, "No need for formalities," the guests present were not foolish enough to actually sit down and eat and drink.

Almost the instant the words were spoken, everyone, whether out of genuine admiration or pressure, stood up again and quickly left their seats.

Facing the high platform, they knelt respectfully on the ground and performed a standard grand salute to express their highest respect for this unfathomable and powerful figure.

Immediately following was a continuous stream of toasts.

The patriarchs of various half-elf families and representatives of human nobles all came down to the platform with wine cups in hand, offering various words of praise and loyalty to Li Chen.

Li Chen maintained his calm expression. When toasted by the crowd, he simply raised his right hand and lightly tapped his fingertips in the air.

In an instant, a pure and pristine elemental power, imbued with a powerful life force and gentle radiance, rippled outwards from his fingertips like waves, softly sweeping across the entire banquet venue.

This force is not aggressive; rather, it is like the warmest sunshine and the sweetest spring water. Those who bathe in it feel refreshed and their fatigue from the past few days is swept away.

Some minor internal injuries seemed to have been nourished, and even the bottleneck in his cultivation had loosened slightly!

"Is this a gift from the Elf King?!"

"I feel like my old injury has healed a lot!"

"My God, just releasing one's aura has such a miraculous effect!"

A chorus of suppressed gasps and gratitude erupted from the audience, their gazes towards Li Chen growing even more fervent and awe-inspiring. They bowed once more, thanking His Majesty for his "blessing."

In fact, this was just a relatively advanced technique for utilizing life essence that Li Chen had learned in the Witch Ancestor's Cave Heaven, which he used to simulate the effect of elven power with his pure energy.

How could he possibly know any orthodox Elf King's Radiant Secret Techniques?
But it's more than enough to fool those naive people.

Anyway, since it's been used, these people won't understand it, let alone dare to question it. They'll just imagine it as the supreme divine power of the ancient Elf King.

Li Chen didn't say a word from beginning to end, but his "performance" had achieved the best effect.

After the banquet, the spies from various parties who had infiltrated the area immediately relayed what they had seen and heard through secret channels.

Inside a secluded council chamber of the Eternal Day Papacy, several bishops in red robes and a Grand Master of the Holy Knights are engaged in a heated debate.

There was tension in the air.

"We must suppress them! We absolutely cannot allow them to grow too powerful!"

A stern-faced bishop with sharp eyes slammed his hand on the table.

"His Holiness the Pope has disappeared, and the Holy See is already in a turbulent time! At this time, an 'Ancient Elf King' of unknown origin with such influence has emerged. If he intends to consolidate the half-elf forces or even interfere in the affairs of the Empire, he will surely become a major threat to our Holy See! We should take advantage of his weakness, join forces with the royal family, and use swift and decisive measures to eliminate him."

“Bishop Aldrich, you’re being too radical!” Another bishop, slightly older and more composed, interrupted him. “Suppress? Easier said than done! Leaving aside whether we can ascertain his exact strength, his ability to resonate with the elements of heaven and earth is something no ordinary saint could do!”

"To rashly create such a powerful enemy, and if it forces him to side with the royal family, or even turn against our Holy See, who will bear the consequences? Don't forget, we haven't even found His Holiness the Pope yet!"

“But his very existence is a challenge to the authority of the Papacy!” Bishop Aldrich argued. “So many half-elf families have already shown their submission!”

“A challenge?” The composed bishop sneered. “Has he ever uttered a single word about being an enemy of the Holy See? Has he ever done anything to harm the interests of the Holy See? According to reports, he even seems to have little desire for power, and is only focused on restoring his strength.”

Isn't this the kind of person we should be trying to win over? Gaining his support would be invaluable in stabilizing the current chaotic situation within the Papacy and in finding His Holiness the Pope!

"Win him over? What can we offer to win him over? He's an ancient Elf King! Would he even consider the conditions we're offering?"

"How will we know if we don't try? It's certainly wiser than pushing him to the opposite side!"

Both sides stuck to their own versions of events and argued fiercely. In the end, they could only decide to temporarily increase surveillance while trying to make informal contact to gauge the other side's opinion.

Meanwhile, deep within the palace of the Eternal Day Empire.

Emperor Charles listened to the detailed report from his trusted bodyguard, his face initially showing shock, then revealing an uncontrollable joy.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Charles stood up excitedly and paced back and forth in the study. "An ancient Elf King whose strength surpasses all understanding and who has no obvious desire for power! This is simply a gift from heaven to me!"

He was struggling with how to deal with the internal strife within the Papacy and the possible mastermind behind it all, and the appearance of this powerful figure was undoubtedly a huge force that could be borrowed.

But then he frowned and muttered to himself, "But how do I recruit him? Gold and silver? He probably wouldn't even glance at them. Power and status? He seems completely uninterested. Beautiful women? With his status and strength, what kind of beauty couldn't he have?"

Charles fell into deep thought. Recruiting such a powerful person who was almost without desires would be extremely difficult.

But he knew this might be his best chance to break the current deadlock, and he had to find a way to make contact with them.

On the Wind Whisperer family's side.

Because of her success in organizing this sensational celebration in the south, Seratis's prestige and status within the family reached unprecedented heights, making her virtually the second most powerful figure after Patriarch Lor'themar.

Her plan is now moving into its next phase.

After reporting family affairs to Lorthema, Seratis casually mentioned, "Clan leader, you've been stuck at the peak of the Heavenly Abyss Realm for quite some time now, haven't you? It's a real pity. You're just one step away from stepping into the Saint Realm, increasing your lifespan, and leading the family to a more glorious future."

(End of this chapter)