For a long while, the two men stared at each other, unable to hide their astonishment.
"Did you feel that?" Liu Zhan's throat tightened, and he had to force the words out. "That aura seemed to be the spiritual energy of someone who had entered the Dao..."
"I suspect so too." Huo Wuyong wanted to say more, but for some reason, he swallowed his words and fell silent.
They had only just mentioned the emperor's Great Restoration Elixir, and a Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart had appeared. Did Heaven's Mandate truly permit the emperor to live forever?
"The wind is rising. I should be heading back." Huo Wuyong rose straight away and calmly took his leave.
He had not taken even a sip of the tea Liu Zhan had just poured him.
Neither man had the leisure to worry about whether his haste compromised the bearing of a lofty sage. Even Liu Zhan made no attempt to keep him, saying, "Very well. Go back early. I fear we'll have our hands full soon."
As long as that aura of entering the Dao was genuine, even a young lord from an aristocratic family would likely find death inescapable.
Whether they wished it or not, both men would have to cooperate with the emperor to refine the Great Restoration Elixir. After that, they would likely be even busier.
And once the princes learned that there might be hope of successfully refining the Great Restoration Elixir, would they meddle again?
Thinking of the earlier destruction of the secret medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Great Restoration Elixir, both Liu Zhan and Huo Wuyong felt a heavy weight settle over their hearts, almost suffocating them.
Rain had begun falling outside, cool and refreshing. The two men walked slowly through the light breeze and drizzle, saying nothing,