Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 673: Chapter 383 Selection

Li Shiming did not immediately go to see Meng Bin, the State Preceptor of Xia, for to him, even the mighty State Preceptor who had the power to kill members of the Royal Family was nothing more than a cultivator who had failed on the path of seeking immortality, a pitiful being who hadn’t even achieved Foundation Establishment.

“Shijie, may I come in?” he called from outside Li Shijie’s door.

“Big brother, come in quickly!” Li Shijie ran out from his room with surprise and hurriedly greeted him.

This was Li Shiming’s first visit to Li Shijie’s room. Li Shiming didn’t know how it was before, but now that the family was prosperous, high had arranged for Li Shijie a personal maid, a personal servant boy, two rough maids, and two nursemaids.

The arrangement was the same as his own, treating Li Shijie completely as his brother.

In this world, adopted children, whether in terms of legality or affection, were treated as one’s own child, not to mention they were originally of the same bloodline.

“Shijie, there’s something I want to discuss with you. Have you ever thought about becoming the Emperor of Xia?” After Li Shiming sat down and had Li Shijie sit opposite him, he asked directly.

Li Shijie was shocked and nearly fell to the ground.

He looked at Li Shiming in horror, knowing that if such words were to spread, it could mean the entire family’s heads.

“The entire Royal Family of Xia has perished. If you wish it, I can help you ascend the throne, and you need not worry about its stability. As long as I live, no one will dare to vie for the throne of Xia!” Li Shiming explained matter-of-factly.

Li Shijie was silent for the duration of a cup of tea; when he looked up again, his eyes were glowing.

Li Shiming knew he had made his decision.

“Big brother, I’m willing to give it a try!” Li Shijie said, clenching his teeth.

He knew if he missed this opportunity, he would regret it for life. When adopted into the family, he was too young to understand.

Since he came of age, he had received the most orthodox Confucian education. However, not many years passed before Li WenYuan fell from favor and their wealth was snatched away, and with it his hopes for studying for the civil service exam.

After that, he read various books and understood many principles.

He had ambitions too, but his previous life had kept those ambitions in check. Now that his elder brother had given him an opportunity, he wanted to seize it.

Although he was not like his elder brother who could become an Immortal traversing the world, he still wanted to have his own worth.

“Good. However, you must remember, no matter what, there must always be one of your descendants who remains in the ancestral home. Of course, if you ever face a life and death crisis, just come to the ancestral home and it can be resolved!” Li Shiming instructed with a smile.

For Li Shiming, the nations of the Mortal World were but a game played by mortals.

Mortal life spanned barely a hundred years, and those who lived to a hundred were extremely rare.

And yet, he was capable of living beyond five hundred years; compared to the thirty golden years of a mortal’s life, their lives were all too brief.

Li Shiming had prepared a backup plan for Li Shijie. As for what might ultimately become of Li Shijie, Li Shiming did not wish to intervene too much, leaving it all to Li Shijie himself.

Li Shijie would be luckier than most emperors in this world, with the backing of Li Shiming, a Golden Core cultivator, who had little regard for the meager benefits of a mortal kingdom.

With Li Shiming, a Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivator, backing him, no force in Xia would dare covet the throne.

Li Shiming left the room with a smile, leaving a thrilled Li Shijie behind.

He walked to the front hall and saw Meng Bin standing there respectfully.

“State Preceptor Meng Bin pays respects to the Senior!” Even though he knew Li Shiming was not yet forty years old and he was over three times the age of Li Shiming, Meng Bin still bowed deeply in a gesture befitting a junior.

Among cultivators, age was never the measure, but strength was held in high esteem.

“Please, take a seat!” Li Shiming said, waving his hand as he took his place at the head of the room.

“Thank you, Senior, for the seat!” Meng Bin dared not disobey and cautiously took his place, speaking continuously.

“I have come to report to the Senior that the one hundred thirty-six members of the Jin Family have all been slain. My sect has sent me to greet the new emperor’s ascension to the throne!” Meng Bin said seated, keeping his body lower than Li Shiming’s by more than a head in deference.

“The throne will be taken by Li Shijie. You only need to ensure his safety. After supporting his ascension, you need not concern yourself with other matters!” Li Shiming said indifferently.

It seemed as if he was not deciding the fate of a nation’s throne, but rather speaking of a very mundane matter.

In fact, it was so, even for Meng Bin, who felt no different about who sat on the throne.

Being a cultivator, without a specially arranged Formation, staying in the Mortal World for just a few days would be intolerable.

The Spiritual Energy here was too scarce, and without a wealth of resources, a cultivator in the Mortal World was essentially engaging in slow suicide.

“I will follow the Senior’s orders!” Meng Bin breathed a sigh of relief, for Li Shiming’s demands were not steep, and he could easily meet them.

Of course, he would not truly offer no help at all; with Li Shiming’s low demands, his task would be that much easier.

“Mo Yan, take the State Preceptor to find Shijie!” Li Shiming ordered aloud to someone outside.

“State Preceptor, please follow me!” Mo Yan entered and gestured politely.

About half a two-hour period later, Li Shijie, dressed in a dragon robe, first paid his respects to Li WenYuan in the main house, then to Li Shiming, before boarding the Dragon Chariot brought by Meng Bin.

The glorious life of Li Shijie was starting, and Li Shiming watched with a smile; all of this was a mere trifle for him, and he only wished for Shijie and his line to live better in the Mortal World.