Bound to the Immortal Court

Zhang Xuezhou is rarely the type to be completely outmaneuvered.

One reason is that he is young and lacks strength, so he can always find a gap to break through when others are not paying attention.

On the other hand, he is mentally mature and has been exposed to and influenced by a great deal of knowledge.

This made Zhang Xuezhou quite proud, and he regarded these abilities as his true strength.

But when he was directly targeted, he couldn't help but realize that he was no different from those who were being schemed against, and it was difficult for him to break free from the situation.

The time frame wasn't long; only a day had passed since Yao Yuanguang met Rong Tianding last night.

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Martial Uncle!"

Zhang Xuezhou didn't dwell on it too much.

He knew very well that the solution Yao Yuanguang offered was indeed the optimal one.

He was also glad that he and Rong Tianding did not place too much importance on the Technique Method annihilation armor brought by the Ancestral Dragon's Essence Blood.

This ability is of very little use to Rong Tianding at present. As long as it does not threaten his life, it is not a pity to have it taken away.

The initial intention of administering the Ancestral Dragon's Essence Blood to Rong Tianding was simply to save their lives; neither Zhang Xuezhou nor Rong Tianding intended to become more powerful by using the Ancestral Dragon's Essence Blood.

Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a hint of helplessness, yet also a shared understanding.

Not only did Chen Zhang not see Wei Shao'er, but they hadn't seen him for the past two days either. Perhaps he had discovered something and hidden away, or something else entirely.

This can undoubtedly be considered one of their backup plans.

Revealing Wei Shao'er would not benefit them; keeping Wei Shao'er hidden would actually protect their lives.

As long as he and Rong Tianding are still useful, this trip shouldn't be a big problem. However, if they are completely drained and have no further value, that would be their real crisis.

"I'm currently being mocked by the Confucian scholars guided by Shen Pei, but I'll be able to leave by carriage in the next couple of days. Just wait a little while, I'll arrange everything and pick you up from that inn!"

Yao Yuanguang gave a brief signal, and Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding quickly left.

"This little thing seems to have a trick up its sleeve; it really is as troublesome as Hongku said, but who cares!"

Watching Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding walk further and further away, Yao Yuanguang shook his head.

As long as the task can be completed, everything is fine.

His only goal was the elixir of immortality.

Yao Yuanguang reached out and counted on his fingers; he could almost pinpoint the exact number of days he had left to live.

The pressure of this life-span countdown was so intense that it forced him to take a gamble.

He schemed and even used his most powerful connections in the court, but everything was seen through by the Empress Dowager of the Han Dynasty, which almost cost him his life.

But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. While fleeing for his life and seeking help, he bumped into Rong Tianding and sensed the aura emanating from him.

By the time the Technique Method was tested, everything was in order.

"Thirty years, twenty years, ten years, five years—even though I know the effects of taking the elixir will decrease with each dose, and this method of prolonging life is a dead end, but... who wouldn't want to live a few more years!"

There was a hint of dejection, loneliness, and Kongxu in Yao Yuanguang's eyes.

When faced with such a pursuit, they are undoubtedly like moths drawn to a flame, using all their strength to seek it.

But once you actually get it, everything becomes tasteless.

He will continue to live his ordinary life, repeating the same monotonous days, and then struggle to prolong his life again when his time comes.

He succeeded in his struggle and could prolong his life.

Unable to escape his struggle, he ended his life tragically in the final stages.

Yao Yuanguang was neither the first nor the last person to be bound to the Immortal Court.

On their path, even the most unruly geniuses and Divine Ability beings would yield, eventually merging into the Immortal Court Immortal Court and contributing their twilight years to it.

He glanced at the imperial palace in Chang'an City and couldn't help but shake his head again.

According to Yao Yuanguang's estimation, at this time, nearly half of the high-ranking officials of the imperial court likely maintained a vague connection with the Immortal Court and were contributing their own strength to the Immortal Court, hoping to complete the mission and obtain the elixir of longevity.

If the Han Dynasty's imperial family hadn't been so cautious, the Immortal Court would have long since replaced the dynasty and ultimately achieved complete integration.

Everyone wants to live a few more years, and this desire is how the Immortal Court controls people's hearts.

The rulers of the Han Dynasty were precisely these elderly people, and it was these people who constantly generated demands.

Yao Yuanguang strolled slowly through the alley, making his way toward the residence arranged for him by the new emperor.

"Elder, you've finally returned!"

Where did you go?

"We thought Shen Pei was targeting you!"

"That Shen Peigong is simply going too far! Doesn't he care about the foul mouths of those Confucian scholars under his command!"

"Elder, you were a professor during the reign of the late emperor, and the late emperor sought your guidance many times. Those young people are simply ignorant and arrogant!"

Despite the apparent excitement of the assembled heroes, it was actually only Yuan Gu's two old servants who were speaking out.

Yuan was over ninety years old, and his old servants were all over sixty.

Although they were old and had a lot of theoretical knowledge, the three of them didn't have much practical skill. It was normal for them to be criticized by Confucian scholars, and it was even more normal for them to be no match for a group of young people.

Every evening, this group of Confucian scholars would come to the mansion to laugh, curse, and mock Yuan Gu for having no disciples.

Yao Yuanguang thought of Yuan Gu, who was so angry that his hands and feet were twitching, and then he thought of the two helpless old servants, and couldn't help but wave his hand as well.

"Prepare the carriage and luggage; we'll return to Qi today," Yao Yuanguang said.

"Elder, are you no longer planning to serve in the imperial court?"

"If you ask me, it would be better to go back sooner. Why put up with this awful situation in this godforsaken place? Shen Pei doesn't care about his disciples, and the new emperor doesn't even send troops to protect them, letting those Confucian scholars make all that noise!"

The two servants muttered to themselves, but both breathed a sigh of relief.

"I've taken in two young men in Chang'an City who are quite talented in Confucian studies. You two can go to the 'Extraordinary Inn' and pick them up as well," Yao Yuanguang said. "As for the rest, don't worry about it!"

"Yes!"

They both agreed and then went their separate ways.

Yao Yuanguang entered the mansion through the main gate. After pushing open the door and taking a few steps toward the bed, he reached out and pulled back a thin veil, revealing the real Yuan Gu on the bed.

At this moment, the old man's body stopped convulsing, but instead, he felt a surge of fear.

"Don't get involved in the mess in Chang'an City. In your current state, you'll only get angry and die if you stay any longer," Yao Yuanguang said. "Going back to Qi now will give you a longer chance to live!"

"Are you Yao... Yao the Half-Immortal?" Yuan Gu asked slowly in a low voice.

"These are all names I used decades ago. It's amazing that you still recognize me," Yao Yuanguang nodded.

"I met you once years ago, and I've never forgotten you," Yuan Gu asked. "I'd like to ask you to tell my fortune; how much longer do I have left to live?"

One year and two months!

Yao Yuanguang glanced at it several times, then replied with a number, which made Yuan Gu sigh deeply and nod in agreement.

"I will return to Qi, and I will take care of everything for you regarding leaving the city," Yuan Gu said proactively. "I wonder if you could point me in the right direction?"

"I am at the mercy of others; how can I possibly offer you any advice!"

Yao Yuanguang sighed.

To catch the eye of the Immortal Court, one clearly needs qualifications.

If one is not qualified, even if one travels across mountains and rivers, one will not be able to find the Immortal Court Immortal Court, let alone receive its rewards.

As long as one is qualified, even without seeking out the Immortal Court, people from the Immortal Court will come to them on their own initiative.

No one has contacted Yuan Gu to this day; he clearly does not meet the Immortal Court's recruitment requirements.