I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 721 Acting with extreme caution, striving for absolute certainty! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

"Lord Wuzu, what are you thinking about?" Olga's gentle voice sounded beside her, carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern.

As the holy maiden appointed by the "Witch Ancestor," she had always been by his side. Seeing Li Chen sitting alone in deep thought, she couldn't help but ask him a question.

Li Chen glanced at the beautiful and thoughtful saintess, a thought flickering in his mind. He decided to pose the question, half-truthfully and half-jokingly, hoping to use it as a way to organize his thoughts:

"I'm thinking about the new emperor. Although I am the imperial tutor, the power of the Great Luo Dynasty is still firmly held by the old emperor Ivan and the reclusive ancestor, Emperor Romanov, and the royal family is largely subservient to them."

The new emperor is young and needs my assistance. I'm pondering how to find a suitable opportunity to invite these two 'seniors' out for a proper 'discussion' about the future of this empire.

His words were rather cryptic, as there were some deeper plans that even Olga couldn't openly discuss.

Olga seemed to understand, but not quite. She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then casually remarked, "Since those two have been able to stay hidden behind the scenes and control everything, there must be some 'connection' they consider absolutely secure, right? If we can find a way to cut off this 'connection,' they might feel unsafe and come out on their own?"

This unintentional remark, like a flash of lightning in the darkness, instantly illuminated Li Chen's thoughts!

"Wire?"

A glint flashed in Li Chen's eyes as he quickly deduced in his mind, "That's right! They must have a 'line' they consider safe! This line is very likely the ancestor Emperor Romanov himself!"

Ivan, being cunning and fearful of his life, would surely hide in the safest core area. But Romanov was different. He was confident in his extraordinary cultivation and considered himself one of the strongest in the world. He had already taken the initiative to appear and negotiate with the "Witch Ancestor" several times before.

So, if we can find another opportunity to "meet" Romanov and then follow him! If we can follow him to his hideout and trace the clues, we'll very likely find Ivan's hiding place!
However, the next problem immediately followed. Romanov was a Saint Realm peak expert of the same level as Li Chen, with keen spiritual senses and great supernatural powers. How easy would it be to track him without being detected?

It would be difficult for Li Chen alone to achieve a flawless result.

With this in mind, Li Chen no longer hesitated.

His current location in the border region between the two countries makes it convenient for him to mobilize forces.

He immediately issued a top-level summons to the Tian Ce Empire through secret channels.

Several days later, in a secluded valley on the border, shrouded in formation and rarely visited by people, several powerful auras quietly descended.

There were five people in total, four men and one woman. Each of them had an extraordinary demeanor and their bodies were filled with Daoist aura. They were several Saint Realm experts who were the pillars of the Tian Ce Empire.

Today, Master Wanfeng had a stern face, sharp eyes, and a deep, composed aura.

The Celestial Venerable Bichen held a whisk, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance, and was skilled in divination of formations.

Master Qingxu, dressed in a Bagua Taoist robe, appeared serious, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused. He was also a master of formations.

He Lanxuan, a burly man in general's civilian clothes, exuding an imposing aura, is a general under Li Chen. Fairy Youlan, dressed in a light purple dress, is a woman of exquisite beauty and a cool, aloof temperament, nominally an elder of a certain immortal sect.

Li Chen had now regained his composure and concisely informed everyone of the current situation in Da Luo, his identity as the "Witch Ancestor," and his plan to track down Romanov and lure out Ivan.

As soon as he finished speaking, Helan Xuan couldn't help but clap his hands in praise, his voice booming like a bell: "Your Majesty is truly wise and resourceful! When I was leading the army before, I was worried about how to deal with this 'Witch Ancestor' who suddenly appeared in Da Luo. I never expected that Your Majesty would come in person! I am truly impressed!"

His words carried seven parts sincerity and three parts deliberate flattery.

Bi Chen Tianzun glanced at him indifferently, his tone tinged with disdain: "General Helan, His Majesty has summoned us to discuss important matters and seek solutions. If you have no ability to track and conceal yourself, what are you doing here trying to steal the limelight? You're just making a fool of yourself."

Exposed in public, Helan Xuan blushed and angrily retorted, "Old Daoist Bichen! Do you have a method of tracking?"

Bi Chen Tianzun wanted to hear those words, so he snorted coldly, a hint of smugness on his face. He turned to Li Chen and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I am unworthy. In my early years, I traveled to all corners of the world and once obtained a secret technique in an ancient ruin called 'Collapse Without a Trace'."

This technique doesn't directly track auras; instead, it uses a special method to sense and manifest the extremely subtle 'footprint Daoist charm' left behind by the target's footsteps. It's silent and incredibly profound. Even a peak Saint Realm expert would find it extremely difficult to detect without a special treasure or supernatural ability to guard against such a secret technique.

He Lanxuan was furious that he had been used as a stepping stone, but he dared not show it in front of Li Chen. He could only curse in his heart: You old bastard Bi Chen, I hope your damn secret technique can actually come in handy. If you can't track it down, I'll find a chance to beat you up later!

Li Chen didn't take this minor squabble between his subordinates seriously. Instead, he greatly admired the secret technique of Celestial Venerable Bi Chen and nodded, saying, "Lord Bi Chen's method is excellent. If it is truly effective, you will be credited with the greatest merit."

He then looked at everyone, “So, the next question. Even if we find their hiding place, Romanov is incredibly strong. If he is determined to escape, it will be difficult to keep him here. Does anyone know of any suitable formations that can trap this place for a short while? Not for too long, just enough to create an opportunity for us to join forces and kill them.”

Mentioning the formation, Master Wanfeng and Master Qingxu immediately perked up.

Master Wanfeng stroked his long beard and pondered, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough. Ordinary formations are indeed ineffective against such powerful individuals. What is needed is a top-tier trapping formation that can isolate space, disrupt the five elements, and slow down their movements."

Master Qingxu chimed in, “That’s right. If we can combine it with an illusion array to make it difficult for him to discern directions for a short time, the effect will be even better. The two of us can join forces to set up a combination of the ‘Nine Netherworld Mystic Lock Array’ and the ‘Sky-Piercing Immortal Array’. With the two arrays stacked together, the power will be doubled. Even Romanov will have to put in some effort to escape once he is trapped in the array.”

The fact that Li Chen had to set up such a powerful formation in advance, even when facing a six-against-one situation, demonstrates his extreme caution and determination to ensure absolute success.

Li Chen nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, the matter of the formation will be fully handled by True Person Wanfeng and Venerable Qingxu. Please bring any materials you need."

After arranging these things, his gaze turned to the fairy Youlan, who had been standing quietly to the side, like a secluded orchid in a valley.

Fairy Youlan is nominally an elder of the immortal sect, but in reality, she is one of Li Chen's concubines. The two have a tacit understanding.

Li Chen nodded slightly to her, and Fairy Youlan understood. She took light steps and followed Li Chen to a quiet spot to the side, clearly having something important to discuss.

After Li Chen and Fairy Youlan left, True Man Wanfeng looked at the seemingly righteous Master Qingxu with some curiosity and teased, "Old Daoist Qingxu, why are you so eager this time? You've traveled thousands of miles to this border region? Could it be that you're afraid of your 'she-wolf' wife again and took the opportunity to run away for some peace and quiet?"

(End of this chapter)