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

Can the cultivators who have joined the sect really solve Xie Cangrong's problem?

Xiao Zheng wanted the Great Xia to take sides and show its stance, to be under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Alliance, and to expand the Immortal Alliance's sphere of influence. Sending cultivators here was to occupy territory and be under the control of the sect, not to be laborers doing manual labor.

The Great Xia is isolated overseas and not a vital location for sects. Cultivators are busy with their cultivation, so how can they have time to deal with those trivial matters?

Xie Cangrong's words, "Such a thing would never happen in the Immortal Land," made him feel a little embarrassed.

Are the people of the four continents of immortals and demons truly prosperous and at peace?

"Cough cough~"

Xiao Zheng coughed lightly twice and unconsciously tugged at Lu Junfeng's sleeve.

Perhaps, the disciple's line of thinking is correct.

The path to becoming the Emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty is truly difficult.

Lu Junfeng paused for a moment, then understood and raised his head to Xie Cangrong, saying, "Your Majesty, my master has suddenly fallen ill and is not in good condition. Please have mercy on us and allow us to go back and rest for a few days before we talk again."

Xie Cangrong sighed softly upon hearing this: "Alas, Immortal Master is unwell. In that case, you should rest as soon as possible. If you need anything, please feel free to tell me."

"yes!"

Xiao Zheng cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave!"

Having said that, he led the group of cultivators away.

For a moment, the main hall of the Mingtang was quiet.

The courtiers had not expected that this first formal meeting would end so abruptly.

Xiao Zheng's hasty vomiting of blood and kneeling down shattered some of their awe of that ethereal cultivator.

"The outsiders are gone, only our own family remains."

After the cultivators left, Xie Cangrong's smile seemed even more amiable. He looked down at the assembled officials and said with a smile, "What do you all think? Please feel free to speak your minds."

Tang Yi was the first to step forward, his eyes gleaming: "Your Majesty, these cultivators claim to be eliminating demons and upholding justice, but in reality, they are treacherous. We must not allow them to garrison troops in Great Xia."

Another minister with a solemn expression chimed in, "Indeed! Your Majesty, these immortal sects, using righteousness as a pretext, may be eroding royal authority. We must be extremely careful."

Hey~

Ning Boxing chuckled lightly: "That immortal seems quite imposing, but he's also a sickly fellow! I wonder if he dares to have a discussion with this humble general~"

Xie Cangrong said jokingly, "One slap from him could probably send you flying, you brute!"

Ning Boxing said aggrievedly, "Your Majesty, how can you boost others' morale while diminishing your own?"

The interaction between the two gradually eased the serious atmosphere, eliciting bursts of laughter from the military officers who were on good terms with them.

Another official, slightly plump with a kind smile, spoke up: "Your Majesty, aren't we seeking the cultivation methods and various knowledge of the immortal sects? If we refuse them even a little, how can we expect them to help us?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, what if they just pack up and leave?"

After all, the majority of people are still pro-immortals, and this meeting started strong but ended weakly, which did not meet the expectations of many people.

"Tsk~"

A minister with a goatee and slender, willow-leaf-like eyes chuckled, "I wonder what these immortal sects, who fear the demonic sects like the plague, are like? What can we possibly gain by only contacting the Immortal Alliance?"

He looked up at Xie Cangrong, his shrewd eyes revealing a cunning glint: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, if we were to find another way and make contact with the Demonic Sect, that would be quite interesting."

Before the words were finished, someone else said solemnly, "No! Lord Ji, according to what the immortal said, these evil people from the demonic sect are all utterly devoid of conscience and are wicked people who bring disaster to the common people. To associate with them is no different from asking a tiger for its skin."

He laughed and said, "What's wrong, Lord Lu? You believe everything people say? We haven't even met anyone from the Demonic Sect yet! And these righteous people don't seem so righteous to me!"

"You... Lord Ji, this matter is of utmost importance. You must not lead the Great Xia down a path of utter destruction."

"Lord Lu, please don't be in such a hurry! Look at you, you're so anxious! His Majesty has instructed us to speak freely, and I was merely speaking off the cuff."

The ministers argued amongst themselves, but Xie Cangrong merely smiled with narrowed eyes, offering no comment: "Don't rush, don't rush, my lords, let's talk this over slowly!"

"The Immortal Master is unwell today. Lord Liu, please take some tonics and go to inquire after him on my behalf. We must not let him think we are being impolite."

The exchange of benefits will not be discussed at a major, open meeting.

As the supreme leader, Xie Cangrong's every word carries immense weight, and he cannot easily make promises.

They will only discuss it privately and gradually work out their interests.

Liu Bingxuan was the link that held them together.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bingxuan smiled with narrowed eyes, bowed, and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Lord Liu is truly fortunate, deeply favored by the Emperor, and has repeatedly had the opportunity to formally meet with cultivators and cultivate their relationships.

Some ministers were extremely envious.

Many people know that it was Liu Bingxuan who mediated the matter of Shi Yu, which led His Majesty to spare Shi Yu's life.

No one knows how many benefits Liu Bingxuan received from the cultivators!

This is not something that can be bought with money alone.

At this moment, another minister stepped forward. His eyes darted around as he tentatively said to Xie Cangrong, "Your Majesty, cultivators are all proud and arrogant. Do not humiliate their dignity. Today, that immortal almost flew into a rage because of this, which damaged the harmony. How about... releasing that stone island and returning it to the immortals, thus doing them a favor? After all, it's not one of our Great Xia."

These words quieted the court somewhat.

Many officials couldn't help but frown.

"Oh?"

Xie Cangrong raised an eyebrow, looking at the speaker with great interest: "Lord He, what a magnanimous heart you have!"

The emperor, as always, wore a smile, but the relaxed atmosphere seemed to suddenly turn cold.

Before He Minghao could react, he thought His Majesty was praising him, and still had a smile on his face: "If Your Majesty grants permission, I am willing to go in person..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Cangrong interrupted him: "Not to dishonor the dignity of cultivators, Lord He, are you thinking of dishonoring the dignity of our Great Xia laws!"

Once these words were spoken, even the most foolish person would understand.

He immediately trembled: "Your subject dares not!"

"What wouldn't Lord He dare to do? These past few days, the servants of the He household have been running to the post station quite frequently! You look quite well; perhaps the immortal has sent you some good thing? Let me see it, and broaden my horizons, how about that?"

Xie Cangrong was right after all.

The pills sent by the cultivator made him feel refreshed and invigorated, and the deficiencies he had suffered over the years were replenished.

However, at this moment, when Xie Cangrong mentioned it, He Minghao felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. His face turned pale, and sweat poured down his face. When he came to his senses, his knees had already involuntarily knelt on the ground.

"You took good care of Shi Yu while he was in prison, didn't you?"

Xie Cangrong's smiling eyes seemed to see right through him.

"Your Majesty, I...I dare not!"

Xie Cangrong lowered his eyes, a hint of pity and regret in them, and sighed softly, "Marquis Wei is a hero, but you are not as good as your father."

"He would not be happy if he knew you were like this."

He Minghao's mind went blank, and he stammered, unable to utter a single coherent sentence: "Your Majesty... Your subject..."

Xie Cangrong was not angry. He simply lowered his eyes and remained calm, as if brushing away a speck of dust. He waved his hand gently and said, "Don't stay in the Ministry of Justice. Go home, guard the ancestral hall, and talk to your father more."