Ye Xiruo quickly received a message from Xiu Qiyu, learning that Chen Siling had died at the hands of Tie Shengge. Her obsidian-like, pure and sparkling eyes narrowed immediately.
"Has something good happened?"
"That's good, but it's even better for you."
"Immortal Master, why do you say that?"
"It's a secret, but you'll find out soon enough."
Soon, it was time to present the birthday gifts. Many ministers were already restless, and the emperor's expression was somewhat displeased. They had missed the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, and the birthday banquet was almost over, yet there was still no sign of the Fifth Prince. Had he truly become so arrogant after his breakthrough in strength that he no longer held him in high regard? Anger and worry mingled in the emperor's heart.
Ye Xiruo smiled. So the emperor doesn't like Chen Siling that much after all. Tsk tsk, how tragic. In that case, the emperor should thank Brother Xiu Qi.
Have you prepared your birthday gift?
"What difference does it make whether I'm prepared or not? I've never even existed in his eyes."
"That's not necessarily true; a ruler's heart is hard to fathom." Ye Xiruo simply nodded and didn't elaborate further.
The second prince stood up and took out a rectangular box from under the table: "Your subject wishes Your Majesty a long and prosperous life."
Soon someone opened the box in the Second Prince's hand and presented it to the Emperor. Ye Xiruo glanced at it and saw a thousand-year-old blood ginseng, which was quite well preserved. Its medicinal effects could probably reach about 80%. It was already very difficult for an ordinary person to achieve this.
Sure enough, the emperor's gloomy expression softened considerably upon seeing the blood ginseng, and he even smiled slightly: "Tan'er is so thoughtful."
"This is all I should do. I hope that Father will take care of his health for the sake of the people of Darui." These words were spoken with deep emotion, and sure enough, the emperor's expression improved even more.
Oh no, the Fifth Prince's faction is about to get restless. In previous years, the Second Prince never had a chance to show off; he was always shut down by the Fifth Prince in a humiliating way. How can he possibly show off like this now?
The Fifth Prince must be delayed by something! Why hasn't he appeared yet?
To this, Ye Xiruo silently thought to herself, "Give up! The Fifth Prince won't be showing up today."
After the Second Prince finished presenting his gift, Ye Xiruo stood up immediately: "Your Majesty, my gift must be presented to you in person."
The ministers below immediately spoke up: "Your Majesty, you must not! This person's origins are unknown. If he intends to harm Your Majesty, you must not take the risk!"
"I second that proposal."
"I second that proposal."
These are all from the Fifth Prince's faction. They didn't have a chance to attack the Second Prince earlier, so now they're all turning their fire on Ye Xiruo.
"Insolence!" Ye Xiruo, a Golden Core cultivator, exuded an aura that caused all the ministers to kneel down with a thud.
"I came to relieve the emperor's worries, how can I allow you traitors to slander me?" Ye Xiruo's words were extremely impolite.
"Immortal Master, please don't be offended. They were just worried about my safety. It's alright, I eagerly await your birthday gift."
Old ginger is indeed spicier.
The Imperial Advisor had already informed the Emperor of Ye Xiruo's level of cultivation; if such a celestial master truly wanted to do something, there was no need for such a roundabout approach. Although the palace possessed methods to deal with cultivators of this caliber, avoiding conflict was naturally the best course of action.
Ye Xiruo flicked the whisk in her hand and walked gracefully to the emperor, looking directly into his eyes: "This is my gift."
Ye Xiruo handed over a jade bottle, inside which lay the Longevity Pill.
"May I ask what kind of elixir this is, Immortal Master?"
This time, Ye Xi didn't speak, but directly transmitted her voice to the emperor's ears: "Longevity Pill." These three words immediately changed the emperor's expression. A Longevity Pill! It was actually a Longevity Pill! This legendary elixir had actually appeared in the world, and had actually been delivered to him. Two beams of light shot from the emperor's eyes: "You haven't fulfilled my request. What do you want?"
"Why would I deceive you? Once you enter the immortal realm, is there anything I want in the mortal world?" Ye Xiruo asked the emperor calmly.
"Are you really going to give me this longevity pill as a birthday gift?" The emperor no longer referred to himself as "朕" (Zhen, the imperial "I"), and his aged face was full of excitement.
"Of course it's true. However, the Longevity Pill itself comes at a price, do you understand?"
"Please enlighten me, Immortal Master."
"The Longevity Pill is a ninth-grade elixir, so precious that it's estimated to be worth half the imperial palace, but it's not popular among immortal masters. The Longevity Pill blocks the channels of communication between immortal masters and the outside world, locking their true energy inside their bodies. The consequence of doing so is that their true energy cannot circulate, turning them into living dead."
Sure enough, the emperor's pupils contracted, and a hint of struggle appeared on his face.
Ye Xiruo continued, "But for mortals who cannot communicate with the primordial energy of heaven and earth, the impact will not be so great."
"I wonder what wise plan the immortal master has? I am willing to give everything." The emperor was no longer young, and his frail body forced him to face the threat of death every day. He was powerless to care for his country and his people.
"The chances of mortals having the opportunity to consume the Longevity Pill are extremely slim, given its rarity. I have a rough guess: when used in conjunction with rare and precious herbs to replenish lost vital energy, one pill can extend one's lifespan by thirty years. But what the specifics are, I do not know." Ye Xiruo told the Emperor everything; now it was up to him to make his own choice.
"May I ask what your conditions are, Immortal Master? I am willing to pay a sufficient price, and I humbly request your assistance."
"Why don't you ask the Imperial Advisor for his opinion?" This surprised Ye Xiruo. How could a mere mortal have such courage?
"This is my own business. I trust my eyes and my feelings are correct. Please come with me, Immortal Master."
This was a matter for detailed discussion. The emperor rose and returned to the palace. Ye Xiruo followed behind the emperor, her white robes fluttering, looking as pure and holy as an immortal.
The remaining ministers exchanged bewildered glances. What had the immortal master said to the king? The king had simply left, and this was the most crucial part of presenting the birthday gifts—he was gone just like that. Many ministers felt a sense of unease. The fifth prince hadn't appeared yet, and the second prince's birthday gifts had already been delivered. Now the king and the immortal master had departed; could something unexpected have happened?
"You may all leave!" Upon entering the palace, the emperor dismissed all his attendants.
"Please, Immortal Master, save me."
"Your Majesty is too kind. I have said that I am here today to relieve Your Majesty's worries."
Ye Xiruo raised a vibrant green orb in her hand, which then transformed into countless green specks that merged into the emperor's body. Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the emperor's vitality intensified.
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