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

"Otherwise what?"

Outside the window, the rain continued to fall. Xie Cangrong stood by the window, gazing quietly into the distance through the cracks in the window frame.

Although it was also a private meeting with his ministers, his expression was calm and somewhat serious, unlike the warm and gentle demeanor he displayed in front of Liu Bingxuan and Gong Qiao.

"Qi Qing, merit must be attributed to someone. If I don't take it, should it be given to the cultivators? So that the people will revere and worship them, treating them like gods, to the point that the 'Dharma King' is above the 'Human King'?" Xie Cangrong turned his head, raised an eyebrow, and asked rhetorically, "In that case, how is my Great Xia any different from the countries under the rule of the Immortal Alliance?"

Standing in front of Xie Cangrong was a man of about forty years old, tall and thin, wearing a gray robe, with his eyebrows and eyes lowered, and he did not look sharp.

He frowned upon hearing this: "Your Majesty claims credit for the rainmaking ceremony for yourself. If you were to spread the word that you can control the weather, and other places suffer disasters, with people yearning for Your Majesty's intervention, what would we do? Would we help them or not?"

Leading the conversation is an art. Throughout Shengzhou, the message was always the same: His Majesty sent people to bring rain and relieve disaster. It didn't matter who sent them; what mattered was that "His Majesty" sent them. The people would subconsciously believe that the power was in His Majesty's hands, and the core power was controlled by the court.

This did indeed minimize the impact of cultivators' mystical immortal techniques on the general public, but it also unwittingly increased Xie Cangrong's prestige excessively.

Someone always has to take the blame for the rainfall.

Xie Cangrong is just a person, and the King of Men is also a person; neither is omnipotent.

A higher reputation is not necessarily better.

When something rises to a level beyond our control, it becomes praise; and after praise comes destruction.

Every instance of excessive adoration comes with a price tag.

Ultimately, the Great Xia Dynasty currently lacks the power to control the timing of events.

Qi Xiu knew Xie Cangrong's temperament, so there was no need to be reserved in their private meeting. Unlike Yun Zhao in the court, who carefully chose his words, Qi Xiu's face was serious, and his voice was low and hoarse: "Your Majesty's achievement in ending the chaos and unifying the world is unprecedented and unparalleled. Now, to reach another level is like stepping into a misty pavilion. If you are not careful, you will fall into the abyss like a boulder, unstoppable."

This was not a major event, but it could reflect a signal and express the emperor's attitude.

What worried him was that Xie Cangrong, in his eagerness to compete with the cultivators, had blindly suppressed his own power, thus disrupting his own rhythm. Being held in a high position meant being watched by countless eyes, which ultimately became a burden; even the slightest mistake could deal a devastating blow to his empire.

In Qi Xiu's view, this matter could be handled quietly, without publicizing the cultivators or elevating the monarch. It could be treated as a natural rainfall, with the court remaining silent. Even if someone witnessed it, giving the cultivators some prestige and allowing them to exert some influence would be irrelevant to the overall situation.

"Hehe~"

Xie Cangrong couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this, raising an eyebrow at him with a beaming smile and high spirits: "Qi Qing, I'm not fallen yet, am I? Every day I, as king, am not standing atop a misty pavilion?"

"If my subjects worship me as a god, then I am a god."

"As long as I don't fall, isn't that enough?"

So arrogant, so confident.

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiu was speechless and momentarily dazed.

This man was just as confident and high-spirited back then, defeating his then-powerful lord despite being at a disadvantage.

His Majesty is a skilled debater; he knows that.

With reason returning, Qi Xiu asked, "Your Majesty's certainty puts my mind at ease. What if the people beg Your Majesty for disaster relief? Our dynasty lacks the power to control the weather; are we to ask cultivators for help? Exposing our weaknesses would be giving them ammunition."

Trying to appear more important than you are is not advisable.

Xie Cangrong did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Does Qi Qing believe in those people's methods? Do you believe they are cultivators?"

News from Shengzhou has not yet returned, the cultivators' power has not been proven, and by now many in the court do not believe in them.

But clearly, Qi Xiu, the Grand Secretary, believed it.

Qi Xiu paused for a moment, then replied, "Your Majesty's judgment is trustworthy."

Xie Cangrong stood by the window, quietly looking at the gloomy sky outside: "Let me tell you, a thousand miles away, Shengzhou is experiencing a torrential downpour unlike any seen in three months."

"Um?"

Qi Xiu did not understand the meaning behind Xie Cangrong's words.

According to the schedule, those cultivators should have just arrived in Shengzhou. Even if it rained, the news couldn't have come so quickly. Your Majesty must just be guessing.

Xie Cangrong looked westward, towards Shengzhou.

He narrowed his eyes slightly: "Did you hear that...?"

"What?"

"Millions of people are calling my name."

Upon hearing the voice, Qi Xiu shuddered.

In an instant, he felt as if the emperor, who was so close to him, had suddenly become infinitely distant. It was as if he had left the Zhaolin Pavilion of the imperial palace, and his consciousness had traversed space to a place thousands of miles away...

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Hahaha! Heaven is sending down rain! What a wonderful rain! Hahaha~"

"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is truly wise!"

……

The sound waves surged like a tide, flooding into our ears! Countless figures danced wildly and knelt in devout worship amidst the torrential rain! The ecstasy of the drought's relief was so real that even a cold and aloof person like Qi Xiu was overwhelmed by the surging emotions.

With a blink, the illusion vanished, and reality returned.

The revelry of the crowds vanished in the torrential rain, replaced by the enigmatic monarch.

Qi Xiu stood there, somewhat dazed, unsure of what he had just experienced.

"Qi Qing, did you hear that? What a powerful voice!"

Xie Cangrong looked down at his palms: "We are not actually without anything."

What defines a powerful nation?

Military strength and economic strength—these tangible material forces are undoubtedly the standards of measurement.

However, on the other hand, national cohesion, cultural strength, and spiritual inheritance are also forces that cannot be ignored, and in some cases, they are even more important.

When people are united and determined, even if their hard power is insufficient, their resolute determination to "die rather than bend" can unleash tremendous power.

A united nation can never be defeated.

This rain was also a test for Xie Cangrong.

What are the key indicators of the nation's destiny that we control? How can we enhance them?

As the dynasty developed and productivity improved, the national fortune of the Great Xia Dynasty would naturally increase.

What about on a spiritual level? The stronger the national cohesion, the more the people believe in their leader and elevate him to a high position, will this also enhance his power?

At present, the drought in Shengzhou has been relieved, and the people worship and admire him. He can truly feel that his power to control the fate of the country has become stronger. The losses caused by smashing the floating ship have been completely made up, and even surpassed the past.

Qi Xiu was worried that the people were creating a god-like figure for Xie Cangrong, elevating him too high, which would put him in a difficult position in the future and cause him to fall from grace.

However, the voice of the people that he ignored was extremely powerful, and this could bring tangible benefits to Xie Cangrong.

If the hundreds of millions of people in the Great Xia Dynasty truly had a fanatical faith and revered Xie Cangrong, their leader, as a god...

Xie Cangrong would then be omnipotent.