The clamor in the Golden Phoenix Hall subsided, and the heavy palace gates slowly closed behind them, isolating the courtiers from their varied thoughts and lingering shock.
Emperor Sheng did not immediately return to his palace. Instead, after issuing the Token of the "Great Sheng Governor," he dismissed his attendants and walked alone along the bluestone imperial path into the depths of the Forbidden Grounds area of the Imperial Palace.
Passing through a lush forest, petals fell like rain.
Amidst this picturesque landscape, a figure can be vaguely seen in the elegantly designed pavilion in the center of the lake.
She was tall and slender, her wide robe sleeves fluttering gently in the breeze. The dark patterns resembling the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) were revealed in the sunlight, outlining breathtaking curves, yet perfectly balanced by her cool and aloof demeanor.
Her black hair, flowing like a waterfall, was tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, and her eyes, cold and deep as a pool, gazed silently at the rippling lake surface.
He is none other than the undisputed strongest being in the Great Sheng Dynasty today, the legendary Shangqing Immortal!
"The Imperial Advisor has been waiting for a long time."
Emperor Sheng's voice softened slightly. He stopped at the stone steps outside the pavilion, gazing at the lake ahead, and asked thoughtfully:
"Imperial Preceptor, I have nearly mastered the techniques you taught me, yet why can't I find even the slightest opportunity for a breakthrough?"
A barely perceptible hint of anxiety crept into his voice.
"I said before that you bear too heavy a burden of National Fortune, making it difficult for you to become an immortal."
An Lingzhen didn't turn around. She parted her thin lips slightly and said, "You don't have much time. Why don't you focus your attention elsewhere?"
The destiny of the Great Sheng National Fortune is as majestic as a dragon.
Although it can make the cultivation of emperors and royalty twice as effective, there are few Martial Dao barriers that can keep them out.
But everything comes at a price. Those who bear the National Fortune may seem to cultivate as easily as climbing a mountain, but as their realm improves, they will gradually be crushed by the increasingly heavy National Fortune Imperial Qi of the nation's fate.
It's like carrying the rocks you've climbed on your back.
Therefore, even if one breaks through to the Immortal Realm and becomes the Supreme Being, the lifespan of the emperors of the Great Sheng Dynasty was no more than 20,000 years after taking office.
"I've said it before, I won't give up easily."
Emperor Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, his voice, though deliberately cold, was filled with a resolute intent:
"What previous emperors failed to accomplish does not mean it is an impossible dead end."
"I will lead the way in breaking this precedent, at least to let future generations know that those sitting on this throne are not just short-lived men with lofty ambitions!"
A brief silence fell over the pavilion, broken only by the soft sound of maple leaves falling to the ground.
The Shangqing Immortal said no more, his expression unwavering, only his clear voice proclaiming:
"Good luck."
"... Speaking of which, does the Imperial Preceptor know that a new talent has emerged in our Great Sheng?" Emperor Sheng clearly didn't want to delve too deeply into the topic of lifespan, and instead chuckled:
"Not only have they repeatedly performed extraordinary feats, but they also made astonishing remarks at today's court assembly. With the cultivation level of High-ranking Venerable, they think they can eradicate the Bone and Blood Cult in the Southern Territory within ten days. Truly, ignorance is bliss."
What's your name?
"His name is Ye Li. I wonder if the Imperial Preceptor has heard of him?"
Upon hearing this...
The Shangqing Immortal put down his jade cup and calmly turned his gaze to Emperor Sheng.
"Yes." Under Emperor Sheng's slightly surprised gaze, she said calmly:
"The madman who caused a ruckus in the Shangqing Palace a couple of days ago while I was away, and openly killed four palace servants, is named after him."
"... Could it just be a case of the same name?" Emperor Sheng asked.
"No." The Shangqing Immortal gently shook his head and said:
"Last night, I caught a glimpse of him from afar and confirmed that he was the one who had wreaked havoc in the palace."
If it weren't for the fact that Commander Ye had a legitimate reason for his actions during the subsequent investigation, she would have punished him even if it was just to maintain the dignity of the Shangqing Palace.
It won't just be a casual glance.
She paused, then continued:
"However, this child's senses are terrifying; he detected my gaze in an instant. This insight is no less than that of a Buddhist supreme being."
Emperor Sheng naturally knew that the other party was referring to the [Buddha Lord] of the Great Brahma Palace, and he became even more surprised:
"He's only at the Cosmic Birth Realm, yet he was able to detect the Imperial Preceptor's probe?!"
Even if someone possesses such investigative Divine Abilities, they shouldn't have such exaggerated sensory capabilities!
"..." An Lingzhen closed her eyes slightly, unwilling to repeat what she had just said.
"Now that the Imperial Advisor has met with him, what are his thoughts?" Emperor Sheng, disregarding being ignored, once again asked the question that truly concerned him.
He knew full well that the vision of the person before him was far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
The air fell silent once more.
The peerless immortal closed his eyes and remained silent, yet his surroundings gradually filled with a majestic power akin to that of mountains and rivers, so much so that even the Emperor Sheng dared not approach too closely.
After a moment, she opened her eyes again, her delicate brows furrowed, as if she had seen something unbelievable, and remained so for a long time.
"Ye Li, this boy's fortune is like oil being poured over a raging fire—intense but fleeting," she said.
Emperor Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly, awaiting the next development.
"The methods are complex, encompassing the physical body, Magic Power, and soul... almost everything is cultivated, which inevitably leads to a mixed and impure foundation, making it difficult to grasp the true meaning of the Great Dao." Her tone was firm, carrying an indifference as if looking down upon all living beings.
Only at the very end did she shake her head slightly, concluding with a final statement. "What a pity."
"His luck is too weak, his methods too varied, and his killing intent too strong."
Even if his talent shines as brightly as a newly born Star, he is destined to be unable to become an immortal in this realm.
It's such a pity.
Emperor Sheng remained silent for a moment, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
His smile deepened, "Does the Imperial Advisor mean that since this person is destined not to become an immortal, we should entrust him with important responsibilities and support him with all available resources?"
The more he listened, the more he felt that Ye Li was a capable person.
Such a prodigy, who cannot shake the foundation of the Great Sheng Dynasty, is perfect for adding bricks and tiles to his achievements. With a large amount of resources poured in, he might even give birth to a supreme ruler who is loyal to the end!
That would be a huge help.
However, An Lingzhen did not answer his question.
After placing a clean white Porcelain Bottle on the table.
Her figure vanished mysteriously from the spot, as if she had never truly appeared.