Chapter 41: To see me once, you don

Those familiar with Lord Dingtian knew that this expression meant he had already devised a thorough plan.

In fact, Lord Dingtian wished more than anyone else for Li Xian to become emperor.

Because if Li Xian became emperor, he himself would become the National Teacher of the TianCe Dynasty.

His status would naturally rise another level.

Though Tianyan Divine Sect held a lofty position in the TianCe Dynasty and had many disciples,

in truth, it was merely an illegal civilian organization.

If Li Xian became emperor, wouldn’t Tianyan Divine Sect be officially recognized?

It would become an officially sanctioned major power of the TianCe Dynasty.

Lord Dingtian could then truly experience the sensation of rising above imperial authority.

Few could resist the temptation of standing atop the emperor’s head.

Master Yu was one such person—though well-read and aware this was wrong, the thrill made him unable to stop.

Of course, he had suffered a crushing fall.

Why did Lord Dingtian delay for days? Precisely to make Li Xian’s attitude more humble.

If you beg me, I go immediately? That would make me seem too easy to persuade.

In short, he wanted Li Xian to beg him multiple times, so that after becoming emperor, Li Xian would know who granted him the throne.

“So that’s how it is—this truly benefits our sect,” said Lady Youlan, finally understanding her consort’s intentions.

She had long known Lord Dingtian was deeply calculating; he never acted until he fully understood the situation.

Lady Youlan cared deeply for Li Xian, but she always judged actions from the perspective of Tianyan Divine Sect.

This was the fate of those belonging to a sect.

“You understand. If I assassinate the emperor, my reputation will be ruined. What we must do is find a way to control the new emperor, making him willingly abdicate the throne to Xian’er—this way, Xian’er knows our debt, and we avoid public condemnation. Is that not perfect?”

Lord Dingtian’s plan was brilliant—even if everyone suspected his involvement, there was no evidence.

The blame, at worst, would fall on Li Xian; it could never be traced back to him.

Saying this, Lord Dingtian pulled out a treasure.

It was a divine artifact he had seized after defeating an extraterrestrial demon; once implanted in the emperor’s body, the emperor would become his puppet.

That extraterrestrial demon had once used this artifact to control a human Saint-level powerhouse and launch a betrayal, nearly wiping out the entire group.

Extraterrestrial demon artifacts were banned across this continent.

They were forbidden—but if no one discovered it, it was as if it never existed.

Moreover, someone of Lord Dingtian’s caliber no longer fell under the rules; the rules themselves were made by people like him.

“To refine it, I spent twenty full years!”

Lord Dingtian stared at the fine needle in his hand, his eyes filled with obsession.

All these years he had secluded himself in cultivation, solely to work on this needle.

Lady Youlan disliked this method, but for Tianyan Divine Sect, she had no choice.

Noticing Lord Dingtian looked worn, Lady Youlan wished to share his burden and said earnestly: “Husband, your body has not yet recovered. Let me take this divine artifact to deal with the young emperor—you stay at the sect and await good news.”

Everyone knew Lord Dingtian was a Saint-level cultivator, but the deepest secret of Tianyan Divine Sect was Lady Youlan.

She had always appeared to be at the peak of the Heaven’s Abyss realm, but in truth, she had long surpassed it into the Saint realm.

Though not as strong as Lord Dingtian, she was stronger than ordinary Saint-level cultivators.

She concealed her true power to avoid provoking excessive fear from other sects.

Many sects didn’t even have a single Saint—this sect possessing two Saints would force enemies to band together.

Hearing his wife planned to face the emperor alone, Lord Dingtian immediately put the artifact away and said sternly:

“It’s not that I distrust you—the imperial capital has more than one Saint. The emperor may have just entered the Saint realm, but that doesn’t mean others haven’t long been there. I’m saying this for your own safety.”

Lord Dingtian wasn’t a fool—if this went wrong, his full-figured, vibrant wife would be handed over to the enemy. He couldn’t even imagine what fate awaited her in their hands.

The risk of Lady Youlan going to the imperial capital alone was too great, so Lord Dingtian proposed they go together.

Two against one—could they possibly be defeated?

Lady Youlan felt a slight resentment, but conceded his reasoning was sound, agreeing to wait until he restored his peak state before departing for the capital.

Their opponent was a newly ascended Saint—even if only at the initial stage, they couldn’t afford to be careless.

With matters settled, Lord Dingtian resumed his seclusion to adjust his state.

Lady Youlan informed Li Xian that Lord Dingtian would expend his life force using a sect taboo technique to control Li Chen, cloud his mind, and force him to abdicate the throne.

She used the phrase “expend life force” to make Li Xian feel deeply indebted.

She said nothing else.

At this moment, Li Xian rejoiced wildly, finally releasing the emotions he had suppressed for days!

“Li Chen, wait and see—I will reclaim everything I’ve lost!”

!

In a daze, he felt himself seated on the dragon throne, becoming the supreme emperor above all.

If Li Chen knew how he thought, he’d surely say: Have you ever even been emperor? How dare you claim you’ve lost anything?

Chancellor Zhao Wenyuan received word only of Li Xian’s expression change at Tianyan Divine Sect.

The usually gloomy Second Prince Li Xian suddenly beamed with joy—this proved his master had likely agreed to help him seize the throne.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so elated.

A Saint-level cultivator coming to the capital was no small matter.

Zhao Wenyuan was not a Saint, nor did he have any Saint-level subordinates, but he did know one.

That man was Master Yu of Yunlu Academy.

Zhao Wenyuan and Master Yu had been old friends for years; if he appealed to emotion and reason, Master Yu would likely intervene.

He had heard Yunlu Academy had invited Li Chen to its twentieth-anniversary celebration.

In Zhao Wenyuan’s mind, Li Chen and Master Yu were now at the Star-Gazing Tower, drinking together, clearly delighted to have met.

At this moment, Zhao Wenyuan still didn’t know Li Chen had made Master Yu kneel—but the news would reach him soon.

Inside the imperial palace, Li Chen felt no great emotion over Master Yu’s kneeling or the scholars’ adoration.

To Li Chen, this was simply what these people ought to do upon seeing him.

Why should he give in for the sake of stability?

Just see whether they fear death or not!

Still, skipping morning court meant he didn’t have to listen to the courtiers’ nagging—his mood was decent.

When he returned to his chambers, he found Li Sining seated in meditation.

Since returning last time, Li Sining had refused to leave, claiming her cultivation speed increased here.

Li Chen wanted to argue, but found no valid reason—he cultivated here too.

Still, he had no intention of driving her away—who would reject such a sweet, lovely younger sister?

Countless others coveted the Heaven-grade elixir, yet Li Sining casually placed it on a nearby tray—looked like a snack.

The Nine Heavens Dragon Vein Scripture lay atop her head, as if knowledge were pouring directly into her mind.

Li Chen remembered he’d never taught her this.

Seeing Li Sining in deep meditation, Li Chen decided not to disturb her and prepared to leave.

But at that moment, Li Sining’s eyelashes trembled slightly—as if sensing his return, she forcibly broke her meditation.

Spitting blood, she rushed over and said in the sweetest voice: “Brother, you’re finally back.”

Li Chen: “.”

To see me once, you don’t have to go this far!

(End of Chapter)