Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

Time flowed slowly, and a few more trivial words were exchanged amidst the clinking of glasses. The musician's piece came to an end, and the first tentative banquet drew to a close.

After all the civil and military officials took their leave, Lu Junfeng, who had gained nothing but lost money in his rainmaking ritual, also calmly left with his fellow disciples.

Liu Bingxuan stayed behind.

The palace gardens were exceptionally quiet in the night. The emperor and his minister walked out of the main hall one after the other, stood under the corridor, and looked up at the starry sky.

Xie Cangrong's face remained gentle, but he lacked the exaggerated cheerfulness he displayed at the banquet. Suddenly, he broke the silence: "Don't forget to remind Zheng Yuanhe that this rain was summoned by 'I,' because 'I' pitied the suffering and helplessness of the people and petitioned heaven and earth to send down torrential rain. These cultivators are just doing their job and have nothing to do with any immortal alliances or sects. Make sure the people know this."

It was originally a good deal to get something for nothing. But if the Immortal Alliance were to exert influence on his territory, he would lose out.

The two, the emperor and his minister, had known each other for many years and worked together seamlessly.

Liu Bingxuan smiled and said, "Of course, I understand!"

Standing behind Xie Cangrong, he looked at the young monarch's back under the starry sky and couldn't help but sigh, "Your Majesty truly has remarkable skills..."

"If this matter succeeds, it will surely relieve the drought in Shengzhou and save the lives of countless people. Domestically, it will ensure that the ministers no longer doubt His Majesty's will and the heart of a wise ruler. Externally, it will allow us to test the strength and weakness of these cultivators."

A rainmaking ritual can thoroughly verify the authenticity of these cultivators. If the rain actually falls, even if it's hard to imagine, the officials will have to accept this power beyond their comprehension and follow Xie Cangrong's decisions.

It achieves multiple benefits, both domestically and internationally.

This young ruler of the dynasty always had the overall situation under control, which was reassuring.

"The one who truly understands me is... Xuanqing~"

Xie Cangrong couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this: "It's all thanks to your quick wit and perfect teamwork with me."

Having been close friends for many years, the relationship between the ruler and his subject was so harmonious that Liu Bingxuan knew what to do and what to say with just a glance from Xie Cangrong.

"How could I possibly be even slightly better than Your Majesty? If I were intelligent enough with seven orifices, then Your Majesty would be intelligent enough with nine orifices."

"How dare you, Xuanqing! I think you're indirectly calling me cunning!"

"Your Majesty, I dare not! Flattery is forbidden, Your Majesty is far too difficult to please!"

The emperor and his ministers laughed and joked with each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After a while, Liu Bingxuan's smile faded, and he sighed softly, "If this rain can truly be summoned, these people are truly extraordinary!"

Personal bravery and violence are ultimately only about the individual.

While the art of rainmaking may seem to have little impact on individual combat, its significance is entirely different at the national level. Agriculture is fundamental, and the people depend on the seasons. Controlling rainfall is tantamount to controlling the lifeline of the nation.

This is extremely dangerous.

If managed properly, this could be a force capable of overthrowing a nation.

"We've fallen behind."

Xie Cangrong turned his head and asked, "Xuanqing, what's wrong? Are you scared?"

The cultivator civilization already possesses the power to manipulate celestial phenomena, and has countless wondrous supernatural abilities. In terms of both power and technology, it is undoubtedly far ahead of the Great Xia.

Liu Bingxuan countered, "Is Your Majesty afraid?"

Xie Cangrong shook his head, then looked down at his palm: "He can only step down if I want him to; if I don't allow it, he can't step down."

At least for now, within the territory of Great Xia, he still calls the shots.

"With Your Majesty here, I have nothing to fear."

Liu Bingxuan's eyes shone brightly, sparkling with an excitement that seemed out of character for him: "In fact, I'm quite looking forward to it!"

"We won the rain today."

"Does Your Majesty still remember how weak we were when we started our uprising, a mere seventeen people? How did we gradually conquer the world and finally unify it?"

"It's not too late!"

"I still believe that, starting with this rain, you can lead Great Xia step by step, learning from its strengths and exploiting its weaknesses, engaging in battles, and conquering..."

"Catch up with them, surpass them!"

……

"Junior Brother Ji, bring me a few spirit stones. I'll make a rain-making talisman."

The group of cultivators, escorted by guards, left the palace gates and returned to the post station.

Shi Yu rubbed his hands together, beckoning to a junior brother he was on good terms with: "This time I'm going to unleash a great rainstorm and teach these mortals a lesson."

At the banquet, he was first suspected and humiliated, then praised to a high position. If he didn't win this favor, how could he face his ministers when he returned?

Wouldn't they ridicule us to the point of utter disgrace?

On the way back, Lu Junfeng remained silent with a somber expression.

At this moment, he suddenly spoke up: "What spirit stones? What talismans?! We'll go to Shengzhou ourselves to cast spells to help bring rain, just to prove we're not frauds. Let it rain as much as we can; there's no need for perfection!"

"Senior brother, if we don't use more spirit stones, the rain won't be enough to alleviate the disaster, and we'll be letting them look down on us!"

Lu Junfeng glared at his innocent and foolish junior brother: "What are you underestimating?!"

"We're now stranded in a foreign land, our Cloud-Piercing Boat is lost, and we can't even find our way home. What would we gain from praying for rain? Is it worth wasting our meager spirit stones on this?"

"Junior Brother Shi, how many times have I told you! Don't act impulsively!"

This junior brother is always being led by the nose.

After this initial encounter at the banquet, Lu Junfeng already knew perfectly well that cooperation with this dynasty was not something their class could negotiate.

The reason why Xie Cangrong was able to command them ultimately came down to... the mismatch in their status.

They lack a voice and authority.

It takes a higher-ranking sect elder, or even the sect leader, to speak with that difficult-to-get-along-with monarch.

The most important thing now is to try to keep the other party calm, increase goodwill, and contact the sect as soon as possible to find a way back.

Lu Junfeng and his colleagues are currently in a situation similar to that of junior employees who were mistakenly assigned by a company to negotiate cooperation with other companies. However, the cooperation projects are too large and have many requirements. They are not qualified to make promises or decisions and can only consult their superiors. But they are currently unable to contact their superiors.

These people, holding low positions and having little influence, are suppressed by company leaders and are afraid of offending the other party, damaging their own company's image, and negatively impacting future cooperation. They can only act as free labor, taking whatever they are asked for.

This rain was Bai Qian's first job.

It's one thing to put in some effort, but that's enough to get by. My junior apprentice, on the other hand, is working with great enthusiasm and is even thinking of putting money out of his own pocket.

"Senior brother, I didn't act impulsively! Wasn't this something you took over?"

Shi Yu clearly didn't understand the complexities in Lu Junfeng's mind, but simply quoted what Lu Junfeng had said earlier: "Senior brother, you said it yourself! When we're out and about, we can't disgrace the Taihua Sect!"

Lu Junfeng: ...

He never went out of the mountains with Shi Yu again.

And at this moment,

"I thought it was something serious!"

A laugh rang out, and a pretty girl with a bright smile walked briskly closer, patting the two men on the shoulder: "Senior brother, junior brother, what's there to argue about? Rescuing people from disasters is what our righteous sect should do."