Chapter 57: Ascension to the Throne

Time flew by, and ten days passed without Chen Xiyi noticing much. Every day he spent fishing and idling away, living quite comfortably.

Outside, however, things were in an uproar. With the support of the Imperial Clan Court, Wang Li, under Lü Xian’s planning, gradually secured the throne, and now they were close to holding the ascension ceremony.

Chen Xiyi was aware of this situation. Even though he was a homebody who never went out, the continuous stream of supplies sent to him these days showed that Wang Li’s status was rising day by day. Under various negotiations, the supplies became more abundant and faster than before.

Clearly, Emperor Li had hesitated and tried to control Chen Xiyi, but with Wang Li taking over, it was impossible to be stingy. They were definitely giving Chen Xiyi full support.

“Today should be the day of the ascension ceremony. But the fact that Emperor Li died could be covered up—this Wang Li, no, I should say Lü Xian, is truly something,” Chen Xiyi couldn’t help but muse.

With the groundwork laid by Wang Li’s earlier propaganda about Emperor Li transforming into the Imperial Destiny to achieve eternal glory, Lü Xian built on that and claimed that Emperor Li had achieved success in his cultivation and ascended to immortality.

Yes, not deceased, but ascended.

At first glance, it seemed utterly absurd, and no one would believe it.

However, the high officials and Noble Houses in the court all acknowledged this bizarre explanation, while the common people were in an uproar.

Of course, “the common people” here only referred to those in the Capital. The backward and feudal Great Li Kingdom lacked developed transportation and communication systems. For news to spread, it took at least ten days to half a month, and sometimes even half a year for it to reach everyone.

Did anyone think that an event happening today would be known throughout the land tomorrow?

That was simply impossible. Even in the modern world, news doesn’t spread that fast.

Under normal circumstances, when a new emperor ascended the throne in the Great Li Kingdom, it had to be announced to the world before the common people and officials in other places would know: “Oh, the emperor has changed.”

If it spread at a normal rate, it might take one or two years for most people to learn about the change of emperor.

To spread the news, they relied on the movement of people. In this era, aside from merchants, escort guards, scholars heading for exams, and the like, few were willing to leave their hometowns to strive elsewhere.

So, if they wanted to promote anything, the court had to do it themselves.

As for Wang Li and Lü Xian’s methods, Chen Xiyi didn’t understand them, and he knew his limits.

When it came to things involving politics, connections, emotional intelligence, intellect, and so on—areas he wasn’t good at—it was best not to get involved recklessly. Everyone has their own expertise; otherwise, he might mess things up and turn good intentions into trouble.

He had a clear understanding of himself: he was playing the role of an immortal. He had tricked them into thinking he was a top-tier existence, with formidable Immortal Arts and transcendent detachment. If he really got involved in such matters, his shortcomings might give him away.

If it ever came to a critical moment, there was still a solution.

He could have Jianghu create some special effects, then drop some TNT to eliminate those causing trouble.

If he couldn’t solve the problem, couldn’t he just eliminate the ones creating the problem?

Thankfully, Wang Li and Lü Xian were competent. After various exchanges of interests, winning over supporters, and suppressing opposition, this Prince Zhuang ascended to power.

Chen Xiyi looked at the map and saw Wang Li’s white dot and other white dots gathered together. He knew the ascension ceremony was taking place.

The entire Prince Zhuang’s Mansion was very quiet. There might have been a bit of activity on ordinary days, but now, because many people had been taken away, it felt especially still.

“Once Wang Li is in power, I can have him help me investigate other sects from before the Age of Dharma Decline. If nothing else, it would be great to pry loose some inheritance arrays; maybe they’ll be useful in another world later on.”

Chen Xiyi had wanted to ask Wang Li, and even the previous Emperor Li, for help before, but he couldn’t find a good way to bring it up.

After all, he was playing the role of an immortal. Asking them to help collect some soil, stones, gold, or silver to refine the Divine Soil Xirang was acceptable, as there was the excuse of it being troublesome to gather.

But looking for inheritances? As an immortal, wouldn’t a simple calculation suffice? Why go through all the trouble?

They might not say it out loud, but they might have doubts in their hearts.

Therefore, Chen Xiyi couldn’t find a good reason and never brought it up.

He knew that relying solely on Wang Li wouldn’t be enough; he needed Emperor Li’s cooperation. And now that Wang Li had become Emperor Li, everything would be much simpler.

“Judging from the earlier situation, Wang Li was able to consolidate the court likely by borrowing the prestige of my persona as Immortal Fuyao, along with the food supplies to win people over.”

“So, it’s likely that I’ll have to step out from behind the scenes soon. Even if Wang Li and those who know about me keep it to themselves, it will become an open secret.”

This situation had its pros and cons.

The advantage was that it would boost his reputation and influence, making it easier for him to act and obtain more resources.

But there were downsides too. The more people who knew, the more attention he would attract. If Chen Xiyi slipped up and revealed something, it could tarnish his persona and lead to suspicion, tests, and other troubles.

“Gains come with losses. After all, this is just a Dharma-Ending Age world. Once the Cycle Function cooldown is over, I’ll leave this world. What happens afterward has nothing to do with me.”

As a Player, Chen Xiyi naturally believed that after his death, the flood could rage on.

The most valuable things in this world now were resources and any possible sect inheritances.

He was already steadily acquiring resources, but as for the possible sect inheritances, honestly, without the guidance of the Home Game map, he was completely in the dark and couldn’t find them, so he could only keep them as a thought.

It would be better to go to other worlds where there might be better opportunities.

“The ceremony is over? It seems Wang Li is coming to see me?” Chen Xiyi glanced at the map and noticed Wang Li’s white dot starting to move.

A short while later, outside his door stood civil and military officials, with Wang Li, dressed in imperial robes, at the front, speaking respectfully.

“Great Immortal, please grace the palace with your presence to bless and strengthen our Great Li Kingdom.”

With Wang Li speaking, the civil and military officials behind him naturally shouted in unison, “Great Immortal, please grace the palace with your presence.”

Since the emperor had said so, his subjects had to follow. Although some found it strange, they knew what day it was and thought it best not to show it, or else they would have to face the consequences.

Hearing this, Chen Xiyi put away his fishing rod, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Such a good opportunity—wouldn’t it be a waste not to use some special effects to reinforce his immortal persona?

‘Jianghu, let’s use Water Manipulation and the effects of Immortal Arts (water) to play tricks and fool people.’