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

Chapter 734 That devotion and "proficiency" were already etched into his very bones! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
What alarmed him even more was that the Tian Ce cultivators he encountered along the way, whether they were sect disciples or independent cultivators, all appeared orderly and showed considerable respect for the authorities, far surpassing the unruly wizards within the Great Luo territory.

Shops lined both sides of the road, selling many rare and exotic treasures that he had never seen or heard of before. Elixirs full of vital energy and magical artifacts with flowing light were almost everywhere.

Its prosperity, its order, its profound heritage are simply unmatched by the Great Luo Dynasty.

"As expected of the recognized super empire on the mainland," Mavit thought to himself.

When the majestic and imposing capital of Tian Ce, with its towering city walls and ever-flowing array lights, finally came into view, Mavit felt a profound shock that went straight to his soul.

He could hardly imagine that such a magnificent and fortified city existed in the world. He even felt that no army on the continent could breach this giant city.

However, as he was shocked as he was, his fear grew stronger as they got closer to the capital.

He was about to face Li Chen, the brilliant and powerful Emperor Tian Ce, who was renowned throughout the continent!

Legends about this emperor are all filled with iron-fisted and domineering nature. How would he treat his "submissive" ruler?

In this extreme unease, he couldn't help but think of his master, "Witch Ancestor".

'If only Master were here,' Mavit thought. 'With Master here, he would surely see through Emperor Tian Ce's intentions and tell me how to deal with him. With him by my side, I wouldn't be so afraid.'

He even had a thought: should he try to send a message to his master and ask him to come down from the mountain to help him in Tian Ce?
But he nipped the idea in the bud as soon as it arose.

"No! My master finally entrusted the Great Luo to me with great difficulty, allowing me to handle the affairs of state independently. Now, on my first diplomatic mission representing the Great Luo, if I encounter difficulties and immediately think of seeking my master's help, he will surely think I am weak, incompetent, and unfit for great responsibility, failing to live up to his cultivation and expectations! I cannot let my master down!"

He clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

Regardless, he must face this mysterious and powerful Emperor Tian Ce alone.

Little did he know that the master he longed for and the Emperor Tian Ce, whom he was about to meet, were the same person.

The process was quickly arranged, and officials from both countries discussed it.

The following morning, in the solemn and majestic Tian Ce Golden Palace, civil and military officials lined up on both sides, creating a somber atmosphere.

Mavit took a deep breath and straightened his ceremonial robes, which represented his status as the Emperor of Great Luo. Although he had already submitted to the throne, he still greeted the emperor with the respect due to a monarch on their first audience.

He entered the power center of this foreign land with several high-ranking officials, heads bowed and steps heavy.

This was not Mavit's first time attending court, but the feeling was completely different.

In the past, he sat high on the dragon throne in his own territory. Even though there were undercurrents beneath the surface, he was at least nominally the supreme being.

At this moment, he stands in someone else's court, having surrendered and submitted to the emperor, his life, honor, and disgrace all hanging in the balance at the mercy of the emperor on the throne.

This enormous contrast and unknown danger made his palms sweat and his heart pound like a drum.

The officials of Tian Ce sized up the young new emperor of Da Luo, noticing a hint of forced arrogance in his brows (this was something Li Chen had taught him before: even when submitting, one should not appear too obsequious, lest one lose national dignity and be looked down upon).

Most of the ministers of Tian Ce secretly thought: This young man, though young, seems to be no easy opponent. They would likely need to test and challenge him further before he would truly agree to the harsh terms. However, what happened next almost made all the ministers, who were prepared to watch the show, drop their jaws in astonishment.

When Mavit walked down the steps and, according to etiquette, raised his head to say some polite words, his gaze fell upon Emperor Tian Ce, Li Chen, who sat upright on the dragon throne, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, exuding an imposing aura.

In that instant, Mavit's body stiffened abruptly, and his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

An extremely strange feeling welled up in my heart. This face, this figure, was clearly unfamiliar. It was undoubtedly the legendary Emperor Tian Ce, but why did I have such a peculiar feeling?

The feeling came so abruptly and absurdly that his mind went blank, and he instantly forgot all the prepared remarks he had made, which were made with a somewhat humble yet assertive attitude.

As if his body possessed its own will, with a "thump," he knelt directly on both knees, touched the ground with his head, and proclaimed in an incredibly smooth, even slightly pious, tone:

"Your subject, Ma Weite, the ruler of the Great Luo Kingdom, pays respects to His Majesty Tian Ce! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

This kneeling was done with a loud voice and a swift, decisive movement, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance!
The entire court of officials: "???"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

What... what's going on? What happened to the young, spirited, and perhaps a little stubborn guy we were supposed to know?
Even if the emperor of a great dynasty were to surrender, shouldn't the custom be to first stand up and state the reasons for his surrender, and then perform a grand ceremony after receiving the emperor's approval or signal?
Who else would come up and immediately offer such a grand salute, with such a practiced and natural tone?
Little did they know, for Mavit, kneeling and kowtowing was all too familiar!
In order to become a disciple of the Witch Ancestor, he sincerely knelt and kowtowed three times and crawled all the way from the mountain gate to the core of the holy land!
That devotion and "proficiency in the business" were already ingrained in his very being.

At this moment, although the recipient had changed to the Emperor of Tian Ce, the inexplicable sense of security made him subconsciously express his "respect" in the most "familiar" way.

Only Mavit himself remained puzzled: 'Strange, so very strange! I should be afraid, but why do I feel so at ease when I see him? Could it be that this Emperor Tian Ce possesses some unique regal aura that commands respect without one's own accord?'

The subsequent proceedings of the court assembly made the ministers of Tian Ce feel as if they were in a dream.

Whatever terms Li Chen proposed, including ceding occupied territory, reducing troop numbers, opening trading ports and granting tax-free privileges to the Tian Ce caravan, and paying huge annual tributes, etc.

Mavit agreed without hesitation: "We will obey Your Majesty's decree!" "Your Majesty is wise!" "The Great Luo has no objection!"

His attitude was so straightforward that it made one wonder if he hadn't even heard the terms clearly, or if Ronaldo was some country he had picked up.

Some ministers, who had prepared a whole host of difficult words to ruthlessly suppress the other party's arrogance when they tried to bargain, found themselves unable to utter a single word, their faces turning red with frustration.

The surrender ceremony, which was originally expected to be filled with heated debate and intense competition, drew to a close in this almost eerie atmosphere of "harmony."

Li Chen seemed quite satisfied with Mavit's attitude, and finally said, "Since you have sincerely submitted and the terms have been agreed upon, your country is newly established and internal affairs are complicated. You should return to your country first to appease the people, rectify internal affairs, and ensure peace within the country, so as not to cause any trouble."

This already implies that they are permitted to leave.

Mavit felt a great weight lifted from his heart and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your compassion! I will certainly do my duty diligently, manage the vassal states well, and never fail Your Majesty's grace!"

However, just as he was about to get up and take his leave, he bowed down again, hesitated for a moment, and mustered up his courage to speak: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask for a request. I wonder if Your Majesty could grant me a moment of leisure to have a private audience with you? I have some private matters to discuss with Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)