"You want me to serve as Great Tang's State Preceptor?"
Chen Cuo neither agreed nor refused.
"Yes! I hope you'll accept, True Person! Whatever you need in the future, the Li family will do everything in its power!" Li Shimin's nerves were stretched taut, as though he were a prisoner awaiting judgment. After what had happened, he had seen the situation clearly: without someone powerful to rely on in the Immortal Dao, endless tribulations awaited him.
So although Li Shimin knew the dangers of appointing an Outsider as State Preceptor, after weighing them, he could no longer afford to care.
"The Li Tang Dynasty does possess great Fortune. If a cultivator became its State Preceptor, he would gain the support of the Dynasty's Fortune and breathe in the myriad facets of mortal life. It would greatly benefit his cultivation."
As Li Shimin waited anxiously, Chen Cuo finally spoke. His words filled Li Shimin with joy, but then he continued, "For me, however, it would mean little now."
Li Shimin's heart sank. Taihua Fuyaozi, peerless in the Mortal World, was the strongest cultivator he could hope to find. If he could not secure this expert's support, seeking anyone else would likely be futile. Besides, judging by what had happened, the other factions might not bear the Li Tang Dynasty any goodwill.
Just as the ruler of Great Tang anxiously searched for another approach, Chen Cuo changed tack. "That's because Great Tang's National Fortune is already linked to me. For the first Sexagenary Cycle, at least, my ties to Li Tang will remain close."
Li Shimin was overjoyed, his mind settling at once. "In that case, please—"
"I won't serve as State Preceptor," Chen Cuo said flatly. As Li Shimin's expression changed, he added, "But for at least one Sexagenary Cycle, if