206: What Zhao Xizheng wants

"This subject, Zhao Su Ling, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Dressed in Daoist robes and possessing the air of an immortal, Zhao Su Ling walked in slowly and made a Daoist obeisance.

"Daoist Priest Zhao need not be so formal."

Zheng Yi gently supported him and said, "I wonder why Daoist Priest Zhao has sought me out today?"

Taiyi Sect.

Because Zhao Su Ling, Zhuang Yuheng, and others had entered the court to serve as officials and consorts, they had long been bound together with the Great Yu Dynasty court.

There was you in me and me in you, with no distinction between us.

The Great Yu Dynasty court had gained a large number of Shangwu Division Martial Artists, and its high-end combat power had significantly improved.

As for the Martial Artists of the Taiyi Sect, because they had spent years around the capital, their martial arts cultivation improved rapidly under the nourishment of Spiritual Qi.

For example, Zhao Su Ling was already an Innate Realm Martial Artist.

Furthermore, the martial strength of other Taiyi Sect Disciples was also advancing rapidly.

For instance, Zhao Su Ling's Junior Brother Zhao Sufeng was already a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist.

In addition, several other Disciples had also stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, greatly increasing their overall strength.

Zhao Su Ling said, "Replying to Your Majesty, this subject has entered the palace this time by the order of my Revered Master."

"Oh? Senior Zhao Xi Zheng?"

Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised. How many years had it been? Zhao Xi Zheng had finally emerged from seclusion again?

"I wonder what urgent matter Senior Zhao has that actually prompted Daoist Priest Zhao to come in person?"

Zhao Su Ling said, "My Revered Master knows that Junior Sister Yuheng is on the verge of giving birth, so he specially prepared a meager gift and had me bring it into the imperial palace to hand over to Junior Sister Yuheng."

"Oh? A gift for Consort Yu?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Su Ling said, "Aside from some common Daoist ritual gifts, my Revered Master also specially refined a protective Magical Artifact to give to the unborn child."

Zheng Yi said in astonishment, "Senior Zhao even knows how to do Artifact Refining?"

"My Revered Master's cultivation has stagnated at the Qi Refinement Phase for nearly a hundred years. When he was young, he traveled outside year round and acquired many miscellaneous arts of cultivation, understanding a bit of all of them."

Zhao Su Ling smiled and said, "My Revered Master also once mentioned that over thirty years ago, he even traveled overseas in the Cultivation World for several years and learned quite a few things."

"I see."

Zheng Yi said, "Then on behalf of the unborn child, I thank Senior Zhao."

"Your Majesty is too polite."

"I imagine Senior Zhao sending Daoist Priest Zhao to find me isn't solely for delivering a gift. I wonder what else there is?"

"Your Majesty is truly wise."

Zhao Su Ling said, "A few days ago, my Revered Master learned that quite a few Heaven And Earth Treasures have appeared in the capital region, and they have all been placed under guard by Your Majesty."

"Upon learning of this, my Revered Master wished to use the spirit sand in his hands to purchase a Purple Ginseng from Your Majesty."

Zheng Yi blinked his eyes and said, "Why should Senior Zhao go through such trouble if he wants a Purple Ginseng? Just take it directly; let's not talk about any spirit sand or non-spirit sand."

"My Great Yu Zheng Clan and your Taiyi Sect share the same branch and root, so why go to such lengths?"

As he spoke, Zheng Yi stood up and quickly strode away, saying, "I am going to Yuheng Palace to see Consort Yu. Daoist Priest Zhao, please make yourself at home."

"Old Chen, I remember there are a total of seven Purple Ginsengs. Bring... five of them, and let Daoist Priest Zhao take them all back."

"Understood!"

Chen Liancang quickly left, looking as though he was preparing to personally go to the place where the Purple Ginseng grew to harvest them.

"Your Majesty! Ah, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Su Ling hurriedly chased after him, shouting, "My Revered Master is willing to exchange thirty pieces of spirit sand and ten Yellow Dragon Pills for the Purple Ginseng. Your Majesty, please slow down..."

The two of them, one following the other, quickly ran a long distance, causing other eunuchs and palace maids to hurriedly give chase.

However, Zheng Yi was unobstructed all the way, whereas Zhao Su Ling could only pull out his token when passing through several palace gates. Some gates he could not even enter, and he could only helplessly watch Zheng Yi's sedan chair go further and further away.

After shaking off Zhao Su Ling, Zheng Yi let out a long sigh of relief.

Chasing after someone to give them a gift and still fearing they wouldn't accept it—this was truly the first time he had ever done such a thing.

"Your Majesty~"

Liu Chengen, who was standing beside him, panted and said, "Since Daoist Priest Zhao wants to exchange some spirit sand for it, why did Your Majesty bother to refuse?"

"Old Immortal Zhao is a figure like an immortal; surely the things in his possession must be extremely precious..."

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "If I accept the spirit sand, then it becomes a transaction."

"If it's a transaction, money and goods are cleared, and I get nothing else."

"But if it is given as a gift to Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng, the Old Celestial Master will owe me a favor."

"In the long run, that is much better than mere dozens of pieces of spirit sand."

"I surmise that Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng is already over a hundred years old and his Lifespan is nearing its end. This time, wanting the Purple Ginseng is most likely for refining a Medicinal Pill that can increase Lifespan."

"With such a huge favor, surely Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng won't just sit back and ignore it."

Liu Chengen said with sincere admiration, "Your Majesty is wise."

"However..."

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "After all, Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng is Consort Yu's Revered Master. It is only right for me to send him some things."

"As long as he treats Consort Yu well enough..."

When Zheng Yi and the others arrived at Yuheng Palace, a crisp and resounding cry was coming from the grand hall.

The child had already been born!

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!"

Lu Liner led several imperial concubines and quickly came forward to greet them: "Junior Consort Yu has given birth to another imperial prince for Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, you are truly vigorous and robust, having produced five imperial princes in a row!"

"This palace wants to see what else those rebellious subjects have to say!"

"Hahaha..."

Zheng Yi laughed heartily and said, "Rise, my Beloved Consorts, there is no need for formalities."

"Come, let me take a look~"

Zheng Yi picked up the child. It looked almost identical to the ancestor Zheng Chengqian, both being wrinkled little monkeys.

"Yuheng Palace, rewards for all palace servants!"

"this servant and the others thank Your Majesty!"

After teasing the baby for a moment, Zheng Yi handed the child over to the wet nurse.

"Beloved Consorts, you should all head back quickly. I am going to go see Consort Yu."

"Respectfully sending off Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi walked alone into Zhuang Yuheng's bedchamber. Much like Cui Xiabing, Zhuang Yuheng recovered very quickly after giving birth.

"This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Beloved Consort need not be so formal."

Zheng Yi came to the bedside and sat down next to Zhuang Yuheng, saying, "Beloved Consort, you have given birth to an imperial prince for me, rendering meritorious service through your hard work. Just name whatever reward you want!"

Zhuang Yuheng revealed a smile and said, "This concubine is terrified. In the palace, this concubine has everything and has no need for anything."

"Is that so? Then I shall reward your family and relatives."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"That's right, Beloved Consort, Daoist Priest Zhao Su Ling entered the palace and even brought quite a few things, a portion of which was said to be a gift from Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng."

"Revered Master, that old Senior has emerged from seclusion?"

"Mhm, and he even wanted to use spirit sand to purchase a Purple Ginseng from me."

Zheng Yi said, "Zhao Xi Zheng is my Beloved Consort's Revered Master after all; how could I possibly let him spend his own resources?"

"During the last report, a total of seven Purple Ginsengs had grown. I had five of them harvested and ordered someone to send them to Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng."

Zhuang Yuheng said with moved, beautiful eyes, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty!"

"Revered Master is advanced in age, and Purple Ginseng is an essential Spirit Medicine for refining longevity-extending Medicinal Pills. Presumably, Revered Master did this for that reason as well."

"On behalf of Revered Master, this concubine thanks Your Majesty!"

"What is my Beloved Consort saying?"

Zheng Yi hugged Zhuang Yuheng and said, "Your Revered Master is my Revered Master; how could I be reluctant to part with them?"

"These are also a small token of sincerity from us Juniors."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhuang Yuheng was even more moved. After lingering warmly for a long time, Zhuang Yuheng sat up with a blushing face and tidied her disheveled clothing.

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Ever since giving birth to the child, Beloved Consort has become even more radiant and nourished."

"Your Majesty is making fun of this concubine~"

Zhuang Yuheng got up and said, "I wonder if Your Majesty has chosen a good name for our child yet?"

"Does Beloved Consort have any good ideas?"

"This concubine listens entirely to Your Majesty's arrangements."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Beloved Consort's Daoist title is Yuheng. Yuheng is one of the Northern Dipper stars, and it is the brightest star among the Big Dipper."

"Since that is the case, I shall name our child 'Zhao', how about that?"

"The character Zhao means the sun and brightness, which shares a wonderfully similar ingenuity with Beloved Consort's name."

"Zheng Chengchao, Zheng Chengchao..."

Zhuang Yuheng murmured, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for bestowing the name!"

"Beloved Consort, rest now. I still have other matters to handle."

"This concubine respectfully sends off Your Majesty!"

After leaving Yuheng Palace, Zheng Yi went to check on Consort Chan, Dongyun Jie, Dongyun Yu, as well as Consort Yin and Qing Consort, who were about to give birth.

Their days of giving birth were also in the second half of this year, just a few months away.

After all of them gave birth, the second three thousand worlds would descend!

By then... I wonder what kind of world it will be?

After comforting them, he once again returned to the dungeon.

Cui Xiabing was still working hard for Xuanjizi.

The ice sculpture on Xuanjizi had already been mostly thawed, with less than a third of the cold ice still freezing her.

"Beloved Consort, how is it going?"

Cui Xiabing let out a long breath and said, "Replying to Your Majesty, in at most half a month, this concubine will be able to completely thaw the ice sculpture on Revered Master."

"You've worked hard, Beloved Consort."

Zheng Yi said, "Once it is completely thawed, the two of you Revered Master and Disciple will be able to meet."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

A few days later.

Daizong Mountain, Golden Emperor Peak.

Zhao Xi Zheng looked in astonishment at the five Purple Ginsengs appearing in the five jade boxes before him and said, "Five Purple Ginsengs!"

"That brat gave all of them to this old man?"

"Without wanting a single piece of spirit sand?"

Zhao Su Ling respectfully said, "Yes, Revered Master. Your Majesty said these are all given to you by a Junior as a gift."

"Disciple constantly wanted to hand the spirit sand over to Your Majesty, but Your Majesty went straight into secluded cultivation, and Disciple couldn't just leave the spirit sand behind casually, so I could only bring them back."

"Cultivation?"

Zhao Xi Zheng asked in puzzlement, "This old man remembers that that little rascal is already an Innate Realm Martial Artist; what else is there for him to Cultivate?"

Zhao Su Ling hesitated and said, "Revered Master, Your Majesty he... seems to be practicing Cultivation."

"Nonsense!"

Zhao Xi Zheng cursed directly, "I personally inspected that brat myself; where would he get a Spiritual Root from? Furthermore, he has no Cultivation Technique; what kind of cultivation is he even practicing?"

"Revered Master, there is something Disciple forgot to tell you."

Zhao Su Ling said, "Your Majesty seems to have excavated Emperor Taizus Mausoleum, obtaining a Cultivation Technique from it, and Chen Liancang has also stepped onto the path of cultivation."

"What?"

Zhao Xi Zheng couldn't believe his ears at all: "What did you say? That brat excavated the Great Yu Emperor Taizus Mausoleum?"

"He is truly... daring beyond heaven!"

Zhao Su Ling hesitated and said, "Revered Master, Disciple feels that although Your Majesty can sometimes be a bit impulsive in doing things, after all, he is still very good to our Taiyi Sect."

"Not only did he arrange positions for Disciples like us and regard the Taiyi Sect as the state religion, but he even gifted you five Purple Ginsengs!"

"As far as Disciple knows, among the discovered Spirit Medicines, there are only a total of five Purple Ginsengs..."

"Are you an idiot?"

Zhao Xi Zheng gave him an eye roll and said, "If he had accepted the spirit sand, then it would be a fair transaction with money and goods cleared."

"Yet this brat actually had you bring the Purple Ginseng back without wanting anything; this is making this old man owe him a huge favor!"

"Troublesome..."

Zhao Su Ling cautiously said, "Revered Master, aren't you overthinking it? Revered Master treats Junior Sister extremely well, and..."

"Scram, scram, scram!"

Before he finished speaking, he was waved away by Zhao Xi Zheng: "How on earth do you act as a Sect Head? You can't even see through such a small scheme?"

"Forget it, forget it..."

With a wave of his hand, three Jade Slips shot out, and Zhao Su Ling instinctively grabbed them in his hand.

"This is the complete content of the Chaoyang Zixia Skill, and it also contains this old man's annotations. Hand this over to Yuheng."

"There are also two other Jade Slips; one is Detailed Explanation of Primary Medicinal Pills, and the other is Detailed Explanation of Primary Talismans. Give them all to him."

"Sigh, this is also because this old man urgently lacks Purple Ginseng to refine a longevity-extending pill. Truly troublesome..."

"Disciple obeys!"

Zhao Su Ling held the Jade Slips and respectfully withdrew, but who would have thought Zhao Xi Zheng would speak again: "Wait a moment!"

"Revered Master, I wonder if you have any other instructions?"

"Yuheng mentioned before that several kinds of Spirit Medicines appeared in the capital region?"

"Yes, Revered Master."

"What about other prefectures and counties?"

"It seems... there aren't any."

"I know, you may step down!"

Zhao Su Ling respectfully left, and Zhao Xi Zheng indeed said in puzzlement: "Strange, there are numerous Mortals in the capital region; how could so many Spirit Medicines suddenly pop up?"

"Suzhen!"

"Disciple is here."

Soon, a tall youth walked out quickly from another Immortal Cave, his tone respectful.

"You have followed me in cultivation for over ten years, and now your cultivation has stepped into the Qi Refinement Late Stage. It is time for you to go out and temper yourself."

Zhao Xi Zheng waved his hand and said, "Starting today, you shall head down the mountain to temper yourself and investigate those Spirit Medicines in the capital region."

"In addition, see if there are any peculiar places in the capital region."

"Disciple obeys!"