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

Are there really immortals and gods in this world?

Can these people really live forever?

Do they really possess such great power?

What was their purpose in traveling across the ocean to come to Great Xia?

What is His Majesty's attitude towards these people?

How should their contributions be rewarded? And in what position should they be honored?

……

The stone fell into the calm lake, creating ripples.

The news from Shengzhou confirmed Lu Junfeng and his group's identities and capabilities.

The eyes of millions of people do not lie; the drought has finally been relieved.

They proved themselves successful.

To control the timing of the weather and make rain fall at will is not a simple ability.

They were not charlatans, but genuine immortals. The reality was stark, and no matter how unimaginable it seemed, the courtiers had to accept it.

What we need to worry about now is no longer His Majesty's pursuit of elixirs and alchemists, or his pursuit of immortality.

Rather, it is the appearance of these people, who are beyond worldly comprehension, that will have what impact on the Great Xia Dynasty, and what impact on them, the administrators.

Various questions also surfaced in my mind.

But no one spoke at that moment.

Because everyone knows that Xie Cangrong doesn't want to hear questions, but rather their stance and advice.

After a while, a low-ranking civil official tentatively spoke up: "Your Majesty... the rain may be accidental. Should we test the waters again to find out more about these people?"

"inappropriate!"

Yun Zhao, who had advised Xie Cangrong against readily trusting sorcerers at the last court assembly, stood up this time to object, saying, "Your Majesty, one test is enough. The capable are all proud; they can be tested but not humiliated. What does going back and forth do with Your Majesty's words? In any case, since they have brought rain, they have done a good deed and should be rewarded. Otherwise, I fear it would damage the dignity of our great dynasty."

One of the military officers snorted coldly, "Your Majesty, even if those people are truly capable, they are far too arrogant! They treat us as if we are nothing, and have no respect for the Emperor! If we were to treat them with courtesy, who knows what outrageous demands they would make!"

Ning Boxing shook his head. The usually rough and tumble man was now quite serious as he said, "Your Majesty, I believe that those who deserve rewards should be rewarded, and those who deserve punishment should be punished. They have indeed rendered meritorious service, so let us reward them. If they become arrogant and violate the laws of our Great Xia, then it is not too late to punish them."

A civil official standing beside Liu Bingxuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe we should try every means to introduce the cultivation methods and mystical abilities of cultivators into our dynasty so that our subjects can practice them and strengthen our national power."

Upon hearing this, the court fell silent for a moment!

Some people involuntarily took a breath, their eyes filled with eagerness.

These cultivators look quite young; can we learn their spells?

This is a very important issue.

Ultimately, those who hold high positions are also made of flesh and blood, and cannot escape the entanglements of desire. Who doesn't want to wield extraordinary power? Who doesn't want immortality?

"No!"

The next moment, another stern-faced civil official stepped forward: "Your Majesty! Those who are not of our kind are bound to have different intentions! We don't even know the background of these cultivators, how can we entrust them with important tasks? They must have come across the sea with ulterior motives. What if they harbor malicious intentions?"

"The introduction of cultivators' power into Great Xia will inevitably plunge the world into chaos and turmoil!"

"Our Great Xia Dynasty spans vast territories, abundant resources and prosperous people; why should we need outsiders to interfere?"

"In my opinion, they should be expelled."

Even ministers who hold high positions and wield power, even those who are the most intelligent in the world and have seen many sights that ordinary people rarely witness, still have limitations in their perspectives. They have not been swept away by the flood of information and cannot see the full picture of the future. They can only rely on their old knowledge and give vague and contradictory responses.

One by one, the officials spoke, expressing their opinions, some radical and some conservative.

Xie Cangrong remained silent throughout, offering neither affirmation nor denial. He simply sat upright on his throne, his gaze unfathomable, silently surveying the diverse expressions of the people below—some eager, some expectant, some fearful, some repulsed…

The various behaviors of the officials were all on full display.

A large conference can't solve big problems because there are too many people and too many opinions... and a consensus can never be reached.

The purpose of the conference is to convey information and issue orders.

In making important decisions, the monarch's decision-making process must be faster than that of the ministers, the ministers faster than the local officials, and the local officials faster than the people... Only by leading from top to bottom and advancing step by step can the entire national machinery operate rationally.

Xie Cangrong never expected these people to give him an answer. The reason he arranged this debate was simply to spread the message and get everyone to accept this reality. In this court, he wanted everyone to express their views from different perspectives, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and make it clear to everyone that no matter which direction they took in the future, it would be justifiable.

At the same time, he also used this opportunity to observe the reactions of the officials and their attitudes towards the matter. Things always need to be done; in the future, whatever decrees are issued, suitable people will be selected to implement them, while also guarding against those who might hinder progress.

He knew what the appearance of the cultivators meant for the Great Xia Dynasty.

As the supreme ruler of the Great Xia, he not only had to deal with the cultural and material invasions of foreign cultivators, but also had to coordinate and manage the vast and complex bureaucratic system within the country.

This rain was a turning point, reversing the Great Xia's attitude towards cultivators from top to bottom.

Xie Cangrong could even foresee that when the cultivators returned, they would receive vastly different treatment. Within the Taihe Hall, many officials were likely already secretly plotting how to curry favor with them.

For ordinary people, cultivating immortality is an ultimate temptation.

Liu Bingxuan smiled with narrowed eyes, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I was impetuous and disrespectful at the previous banquet. When the envoy returns, I will certainly keep my promise and personally go to the post station to express my apology."

With Liu Bingxuan taking the lead, several other officials' eyes lit up, and they kept saying to Xie Cangrong, "Your Majesty, we should also pay a visit to the envoy to apologize."

Xie Cangrong clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! A gentleman keeps his word and can correct his mistakes. After the envoy returns, Lord Liu should leave. Don't let people think that our Great Xia rulers and ministers are cowards who dare to speak but not to act."

"You don't all need to go. Just Lord Liu can go as a representative. Don't bother the envoy too much."

Several officials bowed their heads and said, "Yes!"

Xie Cangrong finally spoke, which meant that the debate had come to an end.

No one spoke.

Xie Cangrong glanced at the assembled officials and said in a deep voice, "This matter is extraordinary. I imagine none of you can sort out your thoughts in court right now. I grant you permission to go back and think it over carefully. Please submit your views on cultivators in a written report, and I will review them one by one."

"In any case, the envoys have traveled a long way to pray for rain for our people and save the livelihoods of countless people. This is a meritorious deed, and merit should be rewarded. Our Great Xia cannot be stingy. When they return, I will hold another banquet to celebrate their achievements."

"Your subject obeys the decree."

"If there is nothing else, let's adjourn the court."

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"

……