I Don't Have Time to Be Emperor

Beside the deep well, Fang Qing spoke with Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

The three had not seen one another for over two months. Now that they had reunited, each of them had undergone tremendous changes.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had gone through many things. They had already cultivated the Longevity Art to the beginner stage, and today, they had created their own cultivation method, Moon in the Well.

As for Fang Qing, after returning to the Shrouding Heavens World and receiving the cultivation of Lingxu Grotto-Heaven, his Cultivation Level had already reached the Divine Bridge Realm. In a martial arts world, such a realm was absolutely a dimensionality-reducing blow.

However, although Fang Qing's combat strength was high, he still had much to learn.

In the Shrouding Heavens World, he had read only a few books: the Dao Scripture, the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill, the Purple Haze Skill, and the Longevity Art. There were not many of them. Yet in this world, he seemed able to encounter more peerless martial arts, which would greatly expand his store of knowledge and allow him to one day forge his own path of Dao arts.

If one could create one's own peerless art without reading widely or broadening one's horizons, then one would be a genius among geniuses, a legend among legends. Ordinary people simply could not accomplish such a thing.

"After all your travels these days, what are the two of you planning to do? Where will you go next?"

As Fang Qing spoke, he brought up a matter.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged glances, their expressions both turning grave. Kou Zhong spoke first. "To be honest, Brother Fang, the realm is in chaos now. We originally only wanted to join the rebel army with the greatest ideals and brightest prospects, but the likes of Du Fuwei and Li Mi whom we encountered were all ruthless brutes who cared only for profit. If we helped them become emperors, it would never be a good thing."

"If Brother Fang were to contend for the realm, Xiao Ling and I would definitely support you. We would carve out a vast dominion and follow Brother Fang in achieving great deeds."

Kou Zhong continued.

Xu Ziling nodded as well.

Although he had not spent much time with Brother Fang, he felt that Brother Fang was a benevolent and righteous man. If Brother Fang won the realm and became emperor, it seemed it would be a good thing for the common people.

"Me, become emperor? I could certainly do it, but I do not have much time. I cannot devote all my energy to fighting for the realm. For me, cultivation is what matters most."

Fang Qing smiled as he listened to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling pledge their loyalty and prepare to support him as emperor.

If he had merely transmigrated to the Great Tang World, then who else but him could be emperor of this Great Tang World?

Naturally, he would have given it a try.

However, his main world was the Shrouding Heavens World. Cultivation and immortality were the eternal priorities. Even if he truly became emperor in the Great Tang World, it would not mean much.

Of course, having said that, Great Tang was such a vast world that Fang Qing did not intend to abandon it completely. If he could bring it under his control, it would always have its uses in the future.

Worlds, worlds—every world was an exceedingly precious treasure.

As Fang Qing's thoughts turned, he came up with an idea.

"Xiao Zhong, I do not have much time to be emperor, but I think you have enough time. You came from the common people, so you understand their suffering best. I think that if you became emperor, you would know how to govern with benevolence. What do you think? Are you interested?"

Fang Qing looked at Kou Zhong, and his words were somewhat startling.

"Me?"

Kou Zhong's expression shifted slightly as he looked back at Fang Qing, as though trying to see whether Brother Fang truly meant what he said.

Then he sensed that Brother Fang was indeed sincere. Brother Fang truly did not want to be emperor; cultivation seemed to be what mattered most to him.

Then...

Kou Zhong's expression turned solemn, carrying a hint of pride. "Since Brother Fang will not contend for the realm, why can't I, Kou Zhong, contend for it? The most important thing for a man is to have ambition! I, Kou Zhong, am no worse than Du Fuwei, Li Mi, and the like."

"Good. It could not be better that you possess such lofty ambitions. Within my limited time, I will give you a hand."

Fang Qing nodded.

"If Brother Fang can truly help me attain the throne, then whatever Brother Fang wants, as long as it is within my reach, will be yours. Whether Brother Fang wishes to be Imperial Tutor, military adviser, or anything else, Brother Fang may choose it all. I, Kou Zhong, will not utter a word of objection."

Hearing Fang Qing's words, Kou Zhong immediately spoke earnestly.

Fang Qing smiled.

Those words might sound like empty promises, but Fang Qing knew that Kou Zhong was not that sort of person. Besides, there was no point in making such empty promises. This was clearly Kou Zhong's genuine intention.

"I understand your intentions, Xiao Zhong. I have some good treasures here that can greatly raise your Cultivation Levels."

As Fang Qing spoke, he took out two bottles of Hundred Herb Liquid.

These treasures from Lingxu Grotto-Heaven in the Shrouding Heavens Realm were absolutely unimaginable supreme treasures in the Great Tang World.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling stared at the small bottles before them. The vigorous vitality radiating from within filled their faces with incomparable shock.

There were actually such treasures in the world?

The life essence contained in a single bottle of this treasure had reached an unimaginable level!

"This..."

"Brother Fang, isn't this too precious?"

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling both hesitated. Two months ago, they had received fifty taels of silver from Brother Fang, which had already been extremely valuable. But the Hundred Herb Liquid before them now seemed like a treasure from the Immortal Realm, and they hardly dared accept it.

Such a treasure was absolutely a priceless divine item. If news of it spread through the martial world, it would likely spark a scramble among countless martial artists.

Yet Brother Fang was giving such supreme treasures to them to consume!

They could not bear such a favor.

"If the two of you do not increase your strength, how will you contend with others in this age of great struggle?"

Fang Qing smiled. "Go ahead and consume them. Only by increasing your strength can you earn a reputation in the martial world. Then more talented people will come to join you, and there will be something you can accomplish. Otherwise, if you truly rely on just the two of you to conquer the realm, who knows how long it will take?"

"Thank you, Brother Fang!"

"Brother Fang, I understand."

Clear Understanding appeared on Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's faces. The two sat down where they were, took out the Hundred Herb Liquid, and drank it. Great amounts of life essence entered their bodies and circulated according to the cultivation method of the Longevity Art. In an instant, their true qi grew increasingly vigorous, as though they had gained several decades of internal energy.

Fang Qing saw things clearly. Although they had consumed the same Hundred Herb Liquid, the true qi it transformed into within their bodies possessed completely opposite attributes. One was yin in nature, while the other was yang in nature.

They would still need to combine yin and yang before their true qi could advance further.

However, the quality of their true qi was already sufficient for them to make a name for themselves in the martial world.

The Hundred Herb Liquid of the Shrouding Heavens World had truly become a supreme treasure here!

The protagonist would not become emperor in Great Tang after all. Since he had to return, supporting Kou Zhong seemed fine too. Also, did a sect like Taixuan Sect have the Dao Scripture: Dao Palace Scroll? Does anyone know?