Inside Elder Zhu's Mansion.
The middle-aged Elder Zhu lay in a bathing tub, enjoying the fragrance of rose petals.
Having washed away the special layer of rouge and powder that adorned her face, her skin was no longer supple and fair. Instead, it was covered in wrinkles like a dried-up apple, with many age spots dotting her features.
She specialized in the study of unique constitutions, and beyond her natural talent in this area...
...Elder Zhu had an even more important reason: to research the secret of agelessness.
"My precious, it's all up to you!"
Elder Zhu's voice was a bit hoarse. An arm emerged from the warm water, its wrinkled skin as gaunt and bony as an old woman's. She picked up a delicate jade bottle from the side of the tub. Inside was a single drop of crimson liquid, which she slowly poured into the water.
"HUM!"
A flash of red light turned the clear, warm water a dark crimson.
