Chapter 14: Longevity Revitalizes the Cultivation World (14% Progress)

As dusk falls, the Emperor's Birthday banquet begins.

The musicians played melodious music, and high-ranking ministers and imperial relatives exchanged pleasantries, using fake smiles to conceal their turbulent emotions.

Everyone knows that the emperor was eager to achieve immortality, so most of the birthday gifts he prepared were related to this.

Wenren Ji sat listlessly in the position symbolizing the highest power, paying little attention to the flattery of his subordinates, only occasionally glancing at Rong Ling to his right.

Upon seeing this, the ministers all composed themselves and began drinking and making merry, each with their own thoughts.

Ten years ago, demonic cultivators caused havoc. Those who witnessed history either died under Rong Ling's sword because of the power grab, or their health deteriorated and they withdrew from the court in recent years. Now, there are very few people who still hold high positions and have personally witnessed what she did back then.

For most people, although they have heard the legend of the Imperial Preceptor single-handedly resisting three thousand demonic cultivators ten years ago, the Imperial Preceptor has only gone out a handful of times in the past ten years, and the opportunity to see her is extremely rare. This sense of awe is somewhat vague.

In addition, many people in high positions have a strange sense of arrogance. They believe that they have read thousands of books and are not as ignorant and easily fooled as ordinary people. They believe that the appearance of the dragon god is all an illusion. If the dragon god is sincerely protecting them, why didn't he take action as soon as the demonic cultivator appeared?

For many years, a popular saying has been that the ascended dragon god no longer protects the mortal world, and the so-called goddess sent by the dragon god is just a title used to deceive the ignorant people into believing. In reality, the so-called national teacher is just a salaried cultivator who is at most a little stronger, but not that magical.

In a sense, this statement is quite close to the truth.

Many people are dissatisfied with the fact that the Grand Preceptor is in a deputy position.

However, due to the emperor's favor and out of consideration for the refined and benevolent young emperor, and since there was no conflict of interest between them, they respectfully bowed and said no more.

"Teacher, is the banquet boring?" Wenren Ji ignored the undercurrents below and turned to his right to ask.

He sat at the head of the table, with musicians and dancers playing music and performing, making it difficult for those below to hear their conversation.

"Not bad, the dishes are quite good and novel." Rong Ling was busy refining weapons and hadn't eaten for a while, so she was very satisfied with the dishes this time.

Wenren Ji seized the opportunity to start a conversation: "I'm tired of the food made by the Imperial Kitchen. Today, for the palace banquet, we specially hired a chef from Fuguilou Restaurant. His skills are indeed excellent. No wonder he has become famous in the capital in just two years."

Rong Ling paused, her hand holding the cup slightly: "You've settled Su Xiaoyao's assets."

Fuguilou is a restaurant run by Su Xiaoyao. It was there that she met her and realized that her soul came from the same place as Fang Tieyan.

Wenren Ji smiled and said, "Yes, that day you escorted Su Xiaoyao away. Before she left, she made arrangements for her properties. But with interests at stake, even though she was a cultivator, her words didn't count, and the properties were completely divided up. I had people retrieve the land deeds and return them to the rightful owners according to her wishes before she left. I also gave her certain honors to show my attitude, and that's why they didn't dare to take any action."

He didn't know why Su Xiaoyao deserved Rong Ling's special treatment, but since she was someone his teacher wanted to protect, he felt he should do something about it.

After everything was arranged, he naturally couldn't keep it a secret. He had to tell Rong Ling what he had done, so he specially arranged for the head chef of Fuguilou to participate in the palace banquet and use novel dishes to attract Rong Ling's attention.

His intention to claim credit was too obvious, and Rong Ling couldn't help but turn her head to glance at him.

Wenren Ji's eyes were like stars, revealing a childlike quality that contrasted with his composed appearance.

Rong Ling felt it wouldn't be good to disappoint the child's expectations, so she said, "Su Xiaoyao is a promising talent that my sect has its eye on. Thank you for fulfilling her wish."

"Teacher, there's no need for you to thank me." Wenren Ji said jokingly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Ten thousand years have passed since the Dao Ancestor ascended to heaven, and I'm actually fortunate enough to have established a connection with her through you. It's truly amazing and exhilarating."

She...an old lady?

Rong Ling's expression changed, and there was an indescribable emotion in her eyes as she looked at him.

Before the world-saving slumber, people often said that her relationship with Jun Feibai was like "a child riding a cub." Ten thousand years have passed, and she has reached a level where she can rely on her seniority.

As for Wenren Ji's ascension to Daozu, everyone thought she ascended after saving the world. She didn't correct this, since her main body was in the mustard seed space and it was inconvenient for her to go out.

Wenren Ji remained curious about everything in the cultivation world, especially since Rong Ling was the only Dao Ancestor who had saved the world. He asked Rong Ling many questions.

"The cultivation world's fortune has been scattered and the cultivation methods are incomplete. No one has ascended to immortality in the past two thousand years. Our master, she was very concerned and sent us down to find a destined person to teach us the way and resolve our doubts."

Rong Ling felt a little strange calling herself "Master" and paused for a moment.

"Tianyan Academy is currently located in the sea area at the center of the four continents. Its location is hidden and we do not plan to publicize it for the time being."

The academy was located there for two reasons: firstly, it was a secluded place where it would be undisturbed; secondly, it was the only gap between the cultivation world and the immortal world, and she wanted to try to skirt the rules by establishing a library there, where students could freely browse some less restricted cultivation books. After all, the content that could be opened up through system lotteries and sales was too limited.

The foundation of the academy hasn't been laid yet, the mission takers haven't matured, and the student body hasn't been finalized, so she doesn't want to publicize it too much, otherwise the sea area won't be peaceful. But she can spread some rumors so that everyone can be prepared for the academy's emergence in advance.

In the mortal realm, she only intended to tell Wenren Ji.

“My master dislikes constraints and doesn’t like being disturbed. She only personally teaches the three of us disciples, and she won’t be accepting any personal disciples this time.” She didn’t intend to take on any disciples; being an honorary headmaster would be enough for her.

"We can return to the cultivation world once we ascend; it's not difficult." Ascension isn't something that can be done with just a thought.

Rong Ling answered all the questions.

Wenren Ji asked many questions, still feeling unsatisfied: "The world of cultivators is truly wondrous."

He remembered Rong Ling's words: "Unless one creates a great and lasting legacy that benefits generations to come, an emperor has no chance of ascending to heaven in the physical body."

Given that, it's not entirely impossible.

"The cultivation world's fortune is scattered and the techniques are incomplete. My teacher has come with a great mission. Is there anything I can do to help in the mortal realm?" he asked.

“The mortal realm is located within Yongzhou and coexists with the cultivation realm in essence, with each influencing the other.” Rong Ling thought for a moment and said, “You are a good emperor, and I believe you can govern the mortal realm well without me having to tell you.”

Therefore, she only informed Wenren Ji of the current situation in the cultivation world, without repeatedly emphasizing that he should guard the mortal realm in the rear.

She understood that the more you push a cub, the more rebellious it becomes; if you don't tell it anything, it will spontaneously do its job.

Wenren Ji's smile widened: "I will not let my teacher down."

He clenched his hands, which were resting on his knees.

Maybe he can achieve something in the mortal world; there's always hope, isn't there?

He relaxed a little and had the eunuchs summon the sons selected by the various imperial relatives and ministers, so that Rong Ling could observe their talents.

As the young men and women bowed in unison, Wenren Ji's smile gradually faded.

He possessed far more intelligence than the princes and ministers believed.

These children in front of me are clearly not the most talented children in their respective families.

Wenren Ji composed his gentle expression and said to Rong Ling in a low voice, "The situation is unstable, and I rely heavily on various powerful families, which has only emboldened them."

Rong Ling appointed him as emperor, but he did not actually participate in government affairs. His achievements over the years were the result of his hard work and the essential skill of winning over powerful families and nobles.

Who would have thought these people would become as audacious as those in the cultivation world?

Rong Ling was surprisingly not angry.

Why get angry?

She wasn't the one who missed the opportunity. Once the gates of Tianyan Academy opened, with the title of Tianyan Daozu, countless geniuses would flock to it. Even the most outstanding talent was merely their ticket to enter the assessment circle. Having missed the opportunity for Wenren Ji to open the back door, without real skills, they could only fade into obscurity.

Furthermore...

Rong Ling hadn't forgotten how heavy Wenren Ji's desire for revenge was, even though she wasn't in the Southern Fate story she'd watched ten years ago.

Ten years ago it was too chaotic, and her apprentices have only temporarily sheathed their fangs in order to stabilize the situation over the years.

Given her seniority, it's not appropriate for her to argue with children who aren't even a hundred years old; she should just watch the show.

She eagerly anticipated how her seemingly warm-hearted but cold-hearted apprentice would use the prophet's message to humiliate and suppress those who looked down on "small families."

Wenren Ji gritted his teeth: "They don't know that Lord Zu's establishment of his own residence will eventually lead to their regret."

Because of his connection, Rong Ling took the initiative to change "give the juniors a look at their aptitude" to "give them a few spots to enter the manor." These stupid and dull people didn't cherish it. If he hadn't been without brothers or children, how could they have gotten such a good opportunity?

The thought of a bunch of idiots not only picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons, but also constantly eyeing his three acres of harem and pressuring him to get married, made him angry again.

Rong Ling suddenly gave him a slow smile.

Wenren Ji was taken aback: "Teacher?"

“It’s quite good. Consider it a case of playing the beacon fire to amuse the feudal lords.” Rong Ling said with pleasure, “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you show your true colors. Their move has some use.”

Wenren Ji chuckled and shook his head, his pent-up frustration suddenly vanishing: "If you say so, then so be it."

Rong Ling looked down at the trembling, immature faces below and selected a boy and a girl from among them.

“They are not the best.” Wenren Ji frowned as he held the information presented by his guards.

The boy who was chosen was a mere filler with four spiritual roots, and was also the son of his royal uncle who disliked him, and an insignificant cousin.

“I think he looks a bit like you,” Rong Ling admitted.

Wenrenji inevitably felt jealous.

Whether you have four spiritual roots or not, you can still be chosen by the teacher.

If he had said back then that he didn't want to be emperor... well, he couldn't bear to give up power.

Wenren Ji chuckled self-deprecatingly. He wanted everything, and he hoped to have the ability to match his desires.

What a magnificent achievement!

A note from the author:

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Xiao Ji is the guardian of the mortal realm. We won't go into detail about how he governs the country, but while A Lian is revitalizing the cultivation world, he always has a steadfast disciple working silently in the mortal realm. Our entire sect, including those not officially part of the sect, is striving to save the world.