The Final Great Wager

"Is Lord Dongfang feeling any better?"

"Don't even mention it! I feel like my health will never get better. Over the years, I've sought out countless experts, hoping to improve my health, but none of them can cure my illness!"

"Even Master Zhenyuan couldn't cure your illness?"

"Master Zhenyuan is not skilled in medicine!"

Outside the main hall of Anle Palace, after Zhang Xuezhou's flattery, the conversation between Princess Dou and Zhang Xuezhou became more casual.

If it weren't for the fact that Princess Dou was concerned about the situation in the main hall and occasionally steered the conversation towards Divine Lord Zhenyuan, Zhang Xuezhou felt that Princess Dou might have rewarded him with some nourishing tonics.

He mentioned that Divine Lord Zhenyuan was not skilled in medicine, which made Dou Taizhu sigh slightly.

If Zhang Xuezhou's illness is incurable, Divine Lord Zhenyuan is clearly even less likely to be able to heal the Empress Dowager.

"Our most famous physician in the past was Chunyu Great Han Dynasty. He was deeply versed in the medical traditions of the Yellow Emperor and Bian Que," said Princess Dou. "It's a pity he didn't live to see the end of his life. If he had been here, Lord Dongfang's suffering would surely have been relieved!"

"I've heard of him," Zhang Xuezhou nodded. "He also has a good-for-nothing descendant who cracked my skull open!"

"Ahem, Ti Ying was also in a hurry to save you at the time," Princess Dou said awkwardly. "You were guarding Yangling and were corrupted by the evil curse of Zhu Jiuyin. Many good doctors in the Imperial Medical Academy were helpless, so she had no choice but to use this method!"

"I had no idea there was such a thing as a curse that could corrupt someone!"

"The Demon Cultivator Zhu Jiuyin is unfathomable, and his demonic magic is strange and difficult to unravel. Ti Ying's ability to help you remove this demon's curse already makes her a renowned physician!"

So you're saying I should thank her?

"Lord Dongfang is skilled in social interaction. If you have the opportunity to find Tiying, you can seek her help again. Perhaps her skills have improved over the years and she can cure your illness!"

Princess Dou looked at Zhang Xuezhou.

Even after using all the official systems of the imperial court, they were unable to find Chunyu Tiying, so Princess Dou was just making things up on the spot.

She didn't expect Zhang Xuezhou to find Chunyu Tiying immediately, but Princess Dou didn't mind having one more person searching for Chunyu Tiying.

The investigation into the gourd case at Anle Palace involved many things. She even detained the female physician who served the Empress Dowager, and left Yi Shuo covered in wounds, which also strained their relationship.

If Chunyu Tiying could be found to fill the vacancy, it would undoubtedly help to ease the tension and improve relations between Princess Dou and the Empress Dowager.

"I'm terrified of that woman. I wish we'd never see each other again," Zhang Xuezhou said sullenly.

"Those who are ill should not fear doctors!"

Princess Dou forced a smile.

Seeing that Zhang Xuezhou didn't like talking about Chunyu Tiying, she couldn't help but gossip for a while, starting to chat about Zhang Xuezhou getting married and having children.

In the main hall of Anle Palace, the Empress Dowager repeatedly asked questions, followed by deep disappointment.

"This humble Daoist priest is not skilled in medicine and cannot heal your injuries, fellow Daoist!"

Divine Lord Zhenyuan and the Empress Dowager stared at each other, and he hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

"Fellow Daoist, please speak freely. I can bear whatever you have to say, good or bad," said the Empress Dowager.

"I have a tree over there," Divine Lord Zhenyuan said. "This tree feeds on the essence of corpses. It cannot remove the malevolent energy from your body now, but after you die..."

Divine Lord Zhenyuan did not provide any further details.

He couldn't cure the living Empress Dowager, but he had a way to remove the ailments that had accumulated in her body after death, so that her body could be buried normally.

"Treat the dying but not the living; it seems my time has truly come!"

The Empress Dowager's face turned pale.

The Great Han Dynasty faced numerous calamities and hardships, but as long as the Empress Dowager could endure them, she would remain the pillar of stability for the Great Han Dynasty.

The Empress Dowager's primary concern was to save herself.

But the Empress Dowager never expected to be greeted by a corpse collector.

There is a destiny at the Unseen in the universe. The Empress Dowager felt that her time was near. In just a moment of wavering, her hair turned gray and began to fall out.

Age spots kept appearing on her body, and the unyielding flame of life flickered back and forth in the eyes of the Empress Dowager.

"I cannot rest easy about the Great Han. I do not wish to see this dynasty perish, I do not wish for the extinction of our royal family, I do not wish for chaos and war on all sides, I do not wish for countless people to be displaced," the Empress Dowager said with great effort. "If the Daoist priest can swear to protect the dynasty for me and become the Grand Preceptor of the Great Han Dynasty, everything in Anle Palace will belong to him!"

"Feel sorry!"

The Empress Dowager's plea for help during her illness was so sincere that she practically offered up a vast empire.

If Divine Lord Zhenyuan makes a vow, there will be a series of power transfers tonight, allowing Divine Lord Zhenyuan to ascend to the pinnacle of power.

Possessing vast empires brings countless benefits. For example, the array materials needed by Divine Lord Zhenyuan can be gathered in the shortest time after the order is given, and one can also obtain heavy Law Treasure and Law Artifact that represent the foundation of a nation.

Meanwhile, the cultivators of the Great Han could gather their power around themselves for protection, thus creating a large force that could instantly surpass the Sacred Land forces where Dao Lords and others resided.

But as soon as he thought of Zhang Xuezhou and his own lifespan deficiency, and the inevitable hostility that the Kunlun Heavenly Court would encounter when it intervened in the Southern Jambudvipa Continent, Divine Lord Zhenyuan had no other thoughts.

External possessions can be acquired in the future, but one's lifespan, once missed, can never be regained.

"My current situation is somewhat complicated, and I would like to ask fellow Daoist for a set of formations sufficient to protect me," Divine Lord Zhenyuan said. "If you have any fine Law Treasure artifacts or materials, that is also what Zhenyuan needs. In return, Zhenyuan can assist you after resolving my own problems!"

The Empress Dowager spoke very directly. Her first request was to Divine Lord Zhenyuan to cure her illness, and her second request was to make arrangements for her affairs after her death and to seek Divine Lord Zhenyuan's protection.

This was something that Divine Lord Zhenyuan could not agree to, and he directly stated his demands at this moment.

If the Empress Dowager can satisfy Divine Lord Zhenyuan, they can continue their conversation; otherwise, their meeting and discussion tonight will be called off.

Behind the screen, the Empress Dowager's face was ashen, clearly indicating that she was equally aware of the outcome of their meeting.

Both of them communicated in a very direct style, but Divine Lord Zhenyuan's request made the Empress Dowager hesitate and waver.

Divine Lord Zhenyuan's requirements seem simple, but the array required to protect a True Self Realm cultivator like Divine Lord Zhenyuan is extremely demanding. The Law Artifact he needs are not something that can be met by ordinary means, and his promises are also full of uncertainty.

Accepting Divine Lord Zhenyuan's request was undoubtedly a gamble; whether it would result in profit or loss was uncertain.

What the Empress Dowager was certain of at the moment was that everything she provided to Divine Lord Zhenyuan was a genuine sacrifice, while what Divine Lord Zhenyuan reciprocated was indescribable.

"Our Great Han Royal Family has withstood the storms of the four directions, and over the past century, we have resisted the invasions of dozens of the True Self Realm cultivators. The formation they used was called the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation..."

The Empress Dowager looked at Divine Lord Zhenyuan, who was floating in the air, and saw the calm expression in his eyes.

The thoughts of seeing off guests and interacting with them kept swirling in her mind.

She finally took a deep breath and, a few seconds later, made the final big bet of her life.