"The Imperial Vein Spirit Jin?!"
Zhou Minruo's delicate brows furrowed slightly, the wariness in her eyes receding a bit.
If!
This wandering mystic had been aloof and detached, completely disinterested, she would have found that more suspicious.
After all, in the pursuit of the immortal path, who isn't greedy?
If not for greed, why fight for the Dao?
The Imperial Vein Spirit Jin was indeed a great treasure of Great Zhou, formed from the remains of an ancient Emperor's corpse.
Why was this so-called ancient Emperor so powerful?
In the past, the protagonists of the world weren't the human race, but the demonic beasts of the great marshes and deep rivers.
The world's luck favored demons, not humans, and spiritual vein sites and treasured lands were mostly occupied by demonic beasts.
Therefore, human cultivation wasn't as easy as it is today; a single misstep could lead to becoming food for demonic beasts.
Those who could grow to the Emperor Realm all experienced life-and-death trials and possessed great luck.
Unlike now, where if your father is powerful enough, even piling up pills can produce a few fake Kings and fake Emperors.
Of course, the matter of this Spirit Jin wasn't any great secret within Yunfang City.
So, it wasn't surprising that this mystic knew about it.
This Jin contained the essence of the ancient Emperor and could protect her damaged heart meridian.
If not for this, she would have likely perished long ago.
But... just now, this mystic said he could help extend her life?
"I'm refining a pill and lack one ingredient, which is this very Jin. Otherwise, why would I bother with the affairs of a mere Divine General?" Ling Xiao shook his head with a light laugh, inadvertently releasing a trace of Emperor aura that instantly caused Zhou Minruo's pretty face to change.
A Divine Emperor expert!!
Great Zhou had many Divine Emperors, but none who truly mastered the art of pill refining.
Yet now, this wandering mystic wanted to use her Spirit Jin to refine a pill?
How audacious. Are you refining a ninth-grade pill or something?
"Heh, so the immortal elder is also versed in the art of pill refining?" But Zhou Minruo was no simple-minded fool. She was someone who could scheme against Ning Tiance, hardly the type to be easily deceived. She still offered a perfunctory smile.
This mystic did have some skill, actually able to deduce that her children weren't by her side.
Within her Yunruo Palace, only she and the old matron... just the two of them knew this secret.
As for whether he might have encountered Ning'er...
Heh, if he had, wouldn't it be more convenient to directly use Ning'er to threaten her?
"Heh, I know a little, just a little." Ling Xiao shook his head with a light laugh. He flicked his finger, and a wisp of golden Emperor flame quietly bloomed.
A terrifying heat instantly swept through the entire ancient hall. Even the bluestone paved floor cracked with countless fissures, seemingly unable to withstand the ferocity of the flame.
Zhou Minruo's expression froze almost the instant the flame appeared.
Although she was only at the Divine General realm, as an imperial princess, her knowledge far surpassed ordinary people.
Within that wisp of flame was a trace of the power of heaven and earth. This was... a Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire!!!
This man possessed a Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire?!
In this moment, Zhou Minruo's heart and mind trembled.
It was widely known that those capable of controlling such divine objects were all renowned, supremely powerful existences under the heavens.
And judging by the nonchalance in his tone, he seemed completely unafraid of exposing such a divine object.
Clearly, he had sufficient confidence!
Indeed, accompanied by a divine fire, faintly imbued with the power of Dao Principles—how many in the world could rival such a Divine Emperor?
Suddenly, Zhou Minruo understood!
This powerful expert might just be the noble person who could change her destiny!
Moreover, this was the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. Even if someone wanted to scheme against her, they would never dare be so blatant.
Although this man's face was obscured by immortal radiance, it was likely just for maintaining a low profile.
Before such a supreme expert, imperial dignity was practically worthless.
If he wanted a stretch of land, many would probably be willing to offer it to him with both hands.
"Might I ask... the immortal elder's esteemed name?" Zhou Minruo suddenly stood up and bowed towards Ling Xiao.
"This humble Daoist is Ling Youzi!" Ling Xiao spoke indifferently, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
As expected!
People in this world always feel awe towards the mysterious and powerful.
If he had revealed the spirit fire immediately, perhaps Zhou Minruo might have felt some greed.
But by making her experience fear and suspicion step by step, she wouldn't dare act rashly.
"Immortal Elder, you said just now you could help me extend my life, and also help me obtain that... thing I desire. Is that true?"
"Give me the Spirit Jin, and you will know whether it's true or false." Ling Xiao didn't answer directly, his attitude even somewhat forceful.
"This..." Zhou Minruo hesitated for a moment, but finally took a golden spirit flower from her chest and respectfully offered it to Ling Xiao.
Ten years!!
For ten years, she had used countless methods—coercion, temptation, deep affection, cold indifference—yet she still hadn't managed to get that immortal art of military strategy from Ning Tiance.
If this Daoist before her could truly help her obtain that immortal method, even if she died, it would be worth it.
Born into the imperial family, her destiny was set from the moment she was born.
Especially as a woman, even if... she once had ambitions for the throne, these ten years of scheming had long left her exhausted, both physically and mentally.
If not for... her unwillingness to accept defeat, she might have given up long ago.
Sometimes, Zhou Minruo would wonder what meaning there was in a life controlled by others like this.
But ultimately, there was no starting over.
"Immortal Elder, now can you tell me how to obtain the thing I want?"
From beginning to end, Zhou Minruo never stated what she actually wanted.
But her earlier argument with Ning Tiance couldn't escape Ling Xiao's divine sense.
Moreover, the old matron's divine consciousness also contained some fuzzy memories.
Everything matched up perfectly. Clearly, Zhou Minruo was merely a pawn.
Or rather, a spy planted by the Zhou Emperor beside Ning Tiance.
The purpose, of course, was the non-existent immortal art of military strategy that Ning Tiance supposedly possessed.
Perhaps, with Ning Tiance's intellect, he had long guessed it.
Yet he still remained by this Great Zhou princess's side, surely due to some melodramatic emotional entanglement.
The War God returning to the court was most likely because of a guilty conscience.
"In my eyes, which is more important, your husband... or that thing? Of course... obtaining that thing will not only allow you to command troops across the world but also extend your life. Consider carefully before you tell me." Ling Xiao's tone was slightly grave, the implication already clear.
He believed Zhou Minruo would make the right decision.
This was determined from the moment she abandoned her daughter.
A woman with ambition, how could she be willing to let these ten years of her prime go to waste?
Of course, even if Zhou Minruo had some hesitation during these ten years, it held no meaning for Ling Xiao.
Plans, of course, needed A and B versions.
Regardless, today, Zhou Minruo had already entered the game.
As for why Ning Tiance was willing to lay down his arms for her, it was probably mostly because of the injury near this princess's heart.
An old, nothing new, but indeed touching!
Especially the true feelings of youth, which are more easily remembered.
Unfortunately, in imperial families, where does true feeling exist?
It's just one instance after another of how things change, and people change with them.
"Of course... that thing is more important!" Zhou Minruo didn't hesitate at all, speaking directly.
But for some reason, she felt a pang of pain in her heart.
Ning Tiance, don't blame me!
Blame your military achievements for being too high, threatening my Zhou family's rule.
I didn't kill Ning'er, leaving you a lineage.
So, you should thank me!