Chapter 31: State Guardian Sprite – Royal Authority

After exchanging the Fengshan Jade Registry for TNT, Chen Xiyi smiled beneath his alloy helmet where no one could see.

“Another fairy is mine.”

For items with historical connotation like this, as long as he used Enlightenment and Spirit Communication to awaken them into fairies before anyone discovered his deception, he didn’t care what happened afterward. Once the fairy was awakened, even if his trick was exposed, it wouldn’t affect the fairy.

The sword of the former dynasty cannot punish the officials of the current one.

After chatting with Emperor Li for a while longer, he followed the other back to his mansion to stay temporarily at Wang Li’s suggestion.

Emperor Li didn’t object. He could tell his royal brother had some ulterior motives, but he didn’t mind.

Instead, he smiled and told Wang Li to treat the guest well and show him the capital’s prosperity.

The two left the palace and headed toward Prince Zhuang’s Mansion. This time, they weren’t riding in Chen Xiyi’s alloy carriage but in the royal carriage of Prince Zhuang’s Mansion.

It couldn’t compare in speed or comfort. Even Wang Li felt somewhat uncomfortable, as if something was missing. He sighed and said it was merely a mundane object after all.

As the carriage moved forward, Chen Xiyi suddenly asked, “Whose house is this?”

Wang Li was taken aback. Whose house?

He lifted the curtain and glanced out. “The Ma family, a noble house of bell and tripod. One of our dynasty’s founding fathers, specially granted the title of Duke. But over the generations, the title has been reduced to only the third-rank General Fenwei. In recent years, they’ve been like flowers in brocade and fire cooking oil—extremely prosperous but now declining.”

“These people today rely entirely on their ancestors’ protection to live as they do. From what I know, not a single xiucai has emerged in recent years. They’re all good-for-nothing wastrels who eat, drink, gamble, and indulge in romance. Their vast family fortune is almost unable to cover their expenses. Not long ago, there were rumors that the matriarch was lending money at high interest rates, but it’s unclear if that’s true.”

“His Majesty simply remembers past affections and doesn’t pursue it.”

Wang Li spoke, finally unable to hide a trace of mockery. In the entire Duke’s mansion, only the head of the family held the hereditary position along with a nominal post. Every day, he chatted with those refined hangers-on without achieving anything at all.

“So, this family is just an empty shell?” Chen Xiyi asked in return.

But Wang Li shook his head at this. “Even a worn-out ship has three pounds of nails, let alone the hereditary Duke Ma family.”

“If it were an ordinary noble house, how could they occupy an entire street? The Ma family has marriage ties with civil officials, famous ministers, military officers, generals, and even wealthy families.”

“Even in decline, they still have an extensive network of connections. Even I, Prince Zhuang, wouldn’t easily provoke them.”

Chen Xiyi found the explanation quite fascinating.

But interesting as it was, there was an item with historical connotation in the Ma family that he couldn’t let slip away.

“In that case, we’ll talk about it another day.” Chen Xiyi’s words left Wang Li confused.

“What does the Great Immortal mean? Is there something in Duke Rui’s Mansion that catches your attention?” Wang Li quickly asked.

“Perhaps it’s something left by an old friend.”

Wang Li pondered this.

“If that’s the case, I can help mediate. For just one item, Duke Rui’s Mansion would surely offer it with both hands.” Wang Li naturally wanted to show his worth.

“Very well, then I’ll trouble you. There will be a generous reward in return.” Chen Xiyi thought the young man was quite perceptive and decided to give him some payment for his efforts.

Passing by Duke Rui’s Mansion, the carriage traveled for nearly another hour before arriving at Prince Zhuang’s Mansion.

Declining Wang Li’s welcome banquet, Chen Xiyi was shown to a guest room. He couldn’t wait to enter his homestead and prepare to use Enlightenment and Spirit Communication on the Fengshan Jade Registry to awaken it into a fairy.

[You used the skill Enlightenment and Spirit Communication on the Fengshan Jade Registry]

[The Fengshan Jade Registry’s spirituality is awakening 1%…]

[You obtained the State Guardian Sprite: Royal Authority]

[State Guardian Sprite: Royal Authority]

[Satiety Level: 100/100]

[Ability 1: Heavenly Might]

[Ability 2: Popular Will]

[Ability 3: Boundless Territory]

After the fairy formed, it took the shape of an ink-black dragon coiled on a sea reef, its white whiskers drifting with the waves.

Whether it was the name, the abilities, or the appearance, all were majestic. Except for the fact that this scene was contained in a palm-sized basin and, aside from looking impressive, couldn’t move, Chen Xiyi was quite satisfied.

Indeed, unlike the River Fairy: Jianghu, this State Guardian Sprite: Royal Authority was a potted landscape…

Even its abilities were passive and of the auxiliary type.

But one had to admit, these three abilities combined were truly powerful.

Heavenly Might allowed Chen Xiyi’s map to reveal more about NPCs. Previously, Chen Xiyi could only see their names, health points, and status. Now, if he clicked on them, he could also see what abilities they had and a brief daily summary of their activities over the past month.

Popular Will was even stronger: it generated a game log for all events related to Chen Xiyi and the NPCs. Before, only friends could do this, but now it was different. If someone spoke ill of him behind his back, plotted against him, or even praised him and tried to befriend him, it would appear.

Logs like [… discussed you… Favorability +1] would form, or even [… conspired to target you… Hostility Level +1], etc.

The last ability, Boundless Territory, had a single function: it turned the mini-map into a full map.

Previously, the mini-map only showed a certain range around him, but now it became a zoomable world map where he could see the entire world.

“What a pity such a cool fairy is just a potted landscape.”

After crafting the Fengshan Jade Registry into a miniature garden, Chen Xiyi placed Royal Authority inside. Although the dragon looked impressive, the basin beneath was the real body; the ink-black dragon was like a person’s hair.

[Royal Authority is very satisfied with its miniature garden and feels very happy about your praise.]

“Alright, as long as you’re happy. You’ll have to watch the house for me then. I’ll make some food for you. It’s a shame you can’t move and come out with me.”

[Royal Authority expressed that it doesn’t want to go out and would rather stay home to watch the house for you. It prefers quiet.]

“Fine. Here are three sticks of peace incense for you to eat. I’ll come back tomorrow to replenish them.”

Since Royal Authority was a potted landscape, it couldn’t eat jelly ice cream. It consumed ethereal energy from burnt offerings like paper money, candles, etc.

This peace incense was one such form of ethereal energy.

[Peace Incense (Fairy Food)]

[Satiety Level +100]

[Fairy Growth +1]

[Fairy Mood +1]