Youth Preserving Fluid

In the Imperial Palace Inner Court, within a side hall, a man in his twenties, wearing a yellow robe and possessing a face like jade, was quietly listening to the Marquis of the Savage Lands' report.

"This incident was sudden, and your subordinate dared not make a decision without authorization, thus requesting an audience with the Fourth Prince late at night. I beg for your forgiveness, Fourth Prince," the Marquis of the Savage Lands said.

The handsome man was none other than the Fourth Prince, Chu Xia. However, unlike other princes, he was born to a mere concubine.

Despite being a prince, his status was vastly different. Nevertheless, the Fourth Prince had always maintained a low profile, avoiding jealousy, and enjoyed great popularity among all the princes.

Almost all the empire's nobles believed that the Fourth Prince was the most qualified to inherit the throne. Unfortunately, he was not born to the Empress.

The Fourth Prince, Chu Xia, nodded and said, "You did the right thing. However, that Long Chen suddenly becoming an Alchemist is quite surprising."

"Indeed. When I saw that nameplate, I couldn't believe my eyes. This good-for-nothing has transformed into an Alchemist; it's truly unbelievable," the Marquis of the Savage Lands also shook his head, still finding it hard to accept.

"This is interesting. After Long Chen was severely injured by your son last time, he seems to have changed entirely. He's become powerful, even capable of killing a half-step Blood Condensation Realm expert. There must be more to this," the Fourth Prince stood up and paced a few steps.

"When you return, carefully monitor the movements of Marquis Zhenyuan's Mansion. See if any suspicious individuals enter or leave. Remember not to alert them."

"Yes, your subordinate will attend to it immediately. However, regarding Long Chen..." the Marquis of the Savage Lands said hesitantly.

"For now, don't worry about him. He's just a pawn. As long as he doesn't step out of the game, even with a backer, he can't escape his fate as a pawn.

But his current identity is a bit sensitive. Have your son lie low for now. By the way, how is Yaoyang's injury?" the Fourth Prince asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Fourth Prince. My son has recovered and is no longer in serious condition," the Marquis of the Savage Lands quickly replied.

He had been truly shocked when Zhou Yaoyang was carried back. The injuries were so horrific that he almost didn't recognize his own son.

Fortunately, despite the terrifying appearance of the wounds, there was no significant internal damage. This was because Long Chen had given him a pill that saved his life.

After a period of recuperation and spending a large sum of Gold Coins, Zhou Yaoyang was able to walk yesterday. Apart from being unable to fight for now, he was out of danger.

"Good, that's reassuring. You may leave now. Remember what I said: keep an eye on them, and report any unusual activity to me immediately."

"Yes, your subordinate takes his leave."

After the Marquis of the Savage Lands departed, the Fourth Prince walked to the window, gazing at the dark night sky, a smile appearing on his lips.

"Darkness cannot last forever; dawn will soon arrive. Marquis Zhenyuan, how much longer can you resist?"

The next morning, when the people of Marquis Zhenyuan's Mansion opened the main gate, they found that the ground in front of it had been paved with brand new tiles, much to their surprise.

What they didn't know was that the people from the Marquis of the Savage Lands' mansion had dug up the blood-stained ground when cleaning up.

Seeing the pitted ground left behind, the person left to handle the aftermath, recalling the angry scolding from the Marquis of the Savage Lands before he left, thought it over and finally ordered his subordinates to renovate the entire ground before leaving with peace of mind.

Long Chen couldn't help but sneer at the matter. "Bully the weak and fear the strong. You should be quiet for a while now!"

After getting up, Long Chen first went to greet his mother. Madam Long didn't know how she had returned yesterday; it felt as if she had just opened her eyes and it was already morning. Everything that happened yesterday felt like a dream.

"Chen'er, what exactly happened yesterday?" Although she saw Long Chen safe and sound, Madam Long was still somewhat shaken.

"Mother, your son has grown up. I've become a true man, just like Father. I can protect this family from wind and rain," Long Chen said, holding his mother's hand solemnly.

He didn't want his mother to know too much. She was just a mortal. Long Chen had already examined her body; she had a congenital absolute meridian, not a useless spiritual root, but rather no spiritual root at all.

Moreover, his mother was nearing forty and could no longer cultivate, let alone practice rigorous, yang-dominant cultivation methods that women simply couldn't use.

Even with Long Chen's extraordinary abilities, he couldn't change his mother's constitution. All he could do now was to reduce her worries.

Seeing her son seemingly grow up overnight, reminding her of her husband's resolute figure, Madam Long couldn't help but feel emotional, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Good child, Mother won't ask. Mother believes you."

Long Chen quickly wiped away his mother's tears and smiled, "Mother, your son has grown up, you should be happy. Today, I have prepared a gift for you."

As Long Chen spoke, he touched his space ring, and a jade bottle appeared in his hand. Before Long Chen could speak, Madam Long exclaimed, "This is a space ring! Where did you get it?"

Long Chen couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and helplessness. Her expression made him feel like a thief.

Long Chen knew that constantly hiding things from his mother wasn't a solution. To spare her from worry, Long Chen revealed his identity as an Alchemist to his mother.

After all, everyone would find out sooner or later, so there was no need to conceal it. However, Long Chen lied, saying that after being severely beaten, he had coincidentally opened his meridians and could now cultivate.

He even claimed to have cultivated Pill Fire, possessing the potential to become a Pill Master. Then, he went to the Alchemist Guild, coincidentally met Master Yun Qi, and clung to Master Yun Qi's leg, crying and complaining tearfully.

Finally, under Long Chen's barrage of snot and tears, he moved the stone-hearted Master Yun Qi, who promoted him exceptionally to become an Alchemist.

Madam Long listened, feeling lost, but Long Chen swore it was true and showed her the nameplate. Only then did Madam Long believe him.

Although Madam Long was not a cultivator, she knew that Alchemists were incredibly noble beings. Long Chen becoming an Alchemist was a blessing accumulated over several lifetimes.

"Mother, don't move, I'll apply it for you."

With that, Long Chen poured a few drops of liquid from the bottle into his palm and gently applied it. A faint fragrance instantly filled the room, refreshing the mind, as if inhaling it could make one feel relaxed.

Seeing Long Chen's serious demeanor, Madam Long dared not move. Long Chen gently applied the medicinal liquid on his hand to Madam Long's cheeks.

A cool, refreshing sensation permeated her being, and Madam Long immediately felt a coolness on her face, which was very pleasant.

"Chen'er, what is this? It feels wonderful," Madam Long said softly, closing her eyes and feeling her son's actions.

"Hehe, this is a treasure your son is offering you. Keep this pose and don't move," Long Chen chuckled.

"Naughty boy, you rascal," Madam Long playfully chided him when Long Chen refused to answer directly, but her heart felt warm.

Having raised Long Chen with great care, seeing her son grown and filial now made Madam Long happier than anything.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now," Long Chen said.

Madam Long slowly opened her eyes and found a giant bronze mirror in front of her. It was her own dressing table mirror, which Long Chen was now holding in front of her.

"Ah..."

Madam Long gasped as she looked at her reflection. She looked around, confirming that it was indeed her, but she appeared much younger.

The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes had visibly faded, and her previously dry skin had become moist and supple. She looked as if she had aged backward by ten years.

"Chen'er, am I dreaming?" Madam Long stared at her reflection for a long time, unable to believe it.

"Whether it's a dream or not, I don't know. But if you keep staring, we'll be having lunch soon," Long Chen said with a grin.

Madam Long blushed and lightly hit Long Chen, "You little rascal, daring to tease your own mother. It hasn't even been half an hour yet."

Long Chen chuckled. Well, not only has my mother's face gotten ten years younger, but her heart has too. He smiled, "Mother, this is the Youth Preserving Fluid I specially refined for you. Although the ingredients are ordinary, its effects can help you return to around thirty years old, no problem."

The Youth Preserving Fluid originally required a main ingredient called Youth Preserving Fruit to be prepared, but Youth Preserving Fruit was extremely rare, and Long Chen couldn't find one in a short time.

He used a type of Youth Preserving Grass as a substitute. Although the effect was much weaker and couldn't make someone return to their maiden years, it was still sufficient to make someone appear a few years younger.

"Really?" Madam Long's eyes lit up with joy. As a woman, who wouldn't cherish their appearance?

However, Madam Long had been separated from her husband, and Long Chen's innate crippled physique had caused her endless worry, which had aged her prematurely.

Seeing his mother so happy, Long Chen felt a surge of guilt. His mother had sacrificed too much for this family.

"Mother, keep this bottle of medicine. I'll also concoct a few more Pills for you. Once you take them, I guarantee that within a month, if we stand together, no one will believe you're my mother. They'll think you're my older sister," Long Chen said, placing his hands on his mother's shoulders with a smile.

"You little rascal, stop joking. You've certainly become much more capable. But Mother has something to tell you, we made a deal.

Meng Qi absolutely cannot be lost as a daughter-in-law. I don't care what method you use, you must win her back for me." Although she was happy, Madam Long still had this matter on her mind.

When Long Chen had proposed breaking up with Meng Qi before, she had guessed the general situation. A celestial beauty like Meng Qi was someone no man would give up on.

But Long Chen had done so. Later, when she thought about it, her heart ached as if pricked by needles. To put it bluntly, it was her own powerlessness that had caused her son to suffer such grievances.

Yet, Long Chen never brought it up, which made Madam Long feel even more distressed. Seeing Long Chen's capabilities today, she immediately thought of this matter.

Before, Long Chen hadn't been worthy of her, but now Long Chen was a Pill Master, his status was much higher, and there should be a chance now, she urged.

"Mother, don't worry. You know my personality, right? What's mine, who dares to snatch it away? When I was little, my cousin snatched my toys, and didn't I bite him until he cried?" Long Chen said with a laugh.

However, as Long Chen laughed, his smile faltered. He saw a trace of sadness in his mother's eyes.

Ever since his father went to guard the border, it seemed his mother had no contact with her maternal family. Despite their family's hardships, his mother had never sought help from her own family.

Long Chen took his mother's hand and said, "Mother, your son is an Alchemist now. Our hard days are over. Don't dwell on unpleasant things anymore."

After chatting with his mother for a while longer and seeing her mood gradually brighten, Long Chen ate breakfast and headed straight for the Alchemist Guild.