Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

The Imperial Capital of the Wu Kingdom.

In the very center of the capital, a golden dragon soars through the skies above, weaving tirelessly in and out of the clouds. This dragon is not physical but is entirely formed from the kingdom's fortune and the essence of its mountains and rivers. Below the dragon lies the Wu Kingdom's imperial palace.

In the Imperial Study, a man dressed in a dragon robe is meticulously reviewing memorials. Behind this middle-aged man stands a dignified and elegant woman. She wears a white strapless dress, its delicate lace edges accentuating her fair, slender legs, tall and graceful, her curves perfectly outlined. Her bare ankles rest lightly on the ground, her pale, tender feet like plump grains of water-filled rice, her soft arches barely grazing the floor, leaving an almost imperceptible misty imprint.

A stray lock of hair falls across her face, and she brushes it back with her fingers, her touch leaving a faint trace of fragrance. Her gaze carries the gentle charm of an autumn river, deep and affectionate. Every expression, every movement exudes poise and allure, a blend of youthful delicacy and mature elegance, as if such beauty came naturally to her.

Without excessive adornments, her hair is tied in a simple bun, her demeanor refined and understated. A few loose strands cascade down her face, brushing past her ears. Her fair and rosy left ear is faintly adorned with a phoenix-shaped hairpin, gleaming faintly in the shifting light. Her face is calm and composed, wearing a subtle, enigmatic smile.

This woman is none other than the empress of the Wu Kingdom, Xiao Ke, ranked 93rd on the Beauty List.

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The emperor, engrossed in his work, heaves a heavy sigh.

"Why does His Majesty sigh?" Xiao Ke asks softly, her eyes sparkling with gentle curiosity.

"How can I not sigh?" The emperor sets down the memorial and rubs his temples.

"The northern barbarians are constantly harassing our borders, causing incessant skirmishes that leave the people destitute.

In the west, the demonic cult is infiltrating and spreading its teachings within our kingdom. They now have footholds everywhere, and no matter how many times we purge them, they seem impossible to eradicate.

Though it wouldn't be so troublesome if that were all. The Buddhist sects in the western regions act as a counterbalance to the demonic cult, and the cult itself remains leaderless and scattered. However, just yesterday, the governor of Xiliang Province reported the emergence of some so-called 'Saintess of the Green Lotus' from the cult.

To make matters worse, the various sects within our Wu Kingdom refuse to submit to imperial authority. While they feign compliance on the surface, they completely disregard our rule in reality.

And then there's Qi Kingdom, where a prodigious talent has appeared—a so-called 'child prodigy' who can compose poetry in seven steps, possesses photographic memory, and is said to have a divine gift for literature. Tell me, how can I not worry?"

The empress chuckles softly as she massages his shoulders. "Your Majesty, you worry too much."

"The northern barbarians are no match for General Chen, who has been victorious time and again, striking such fear into their hearts that they flee at the mere mention of his name.

As for this 'Saintess of the Green Lotus,' she's only seven years old and hasn't even made it onto the Qingyun Rankings.

The sects' rebelliousness is hardly unique to our kingdom—do you think they obediently follow the laws in other realms? Cultivation sects are the same everywhere. What troubles you also troubles others.

And this so-called prodigy from Qi Kingdom? So what? In our Wu Kingdom, the Xu family produced Xu Xue Nuo, who entered the Cave Mansion Realm at the age of five—a feat unprecedented in history, celebrated far and wide.

And let's not forget the Qin family's Qin Qing Wan, born with an innate divine constitution and personally accepted as a disciple by the National Preceptor herself. Isn't this clear evidence that heaven favors our Wu Kingdom?"

The emperor's furrowed brow relaxes slightly under the empress's soothing words, though his expression remains somewhat troubled.

"You're right, Ke'er. But consider this—while we call the northern savages 'barbarians,' do you know what Qi Kingdom calls us? They also call us barbarians!

We pride ourselves on being a martial nation, yet in their eyes, we're nothing more than sword-swinging brutes.

Take the White Deer Academy as an example. It has a total of three thousand scholars and instructors, but five hundred of them hail from Qi Kingdom. Their literary brilliance overshadows us in the eyes of many."

"And as for us? To this day, we've produced only three notable literary talents. Our cultural spirit is lacking, and we remain the subject of ridicule. No one respects us."

"Your Majesty, you are truly too anxious." Xiao Ke shook her head gently. "Our Wu Kingdom has only existed for 255 years, while Qi Kingdom has stood for over a thousand. It is inevitable that we will rise above them in due time."

"I only fear the gap will continue to grow wider." The emperor chuckled bitterly. "Speaking of which, your younger brother refused to take up an official position and instead chose to become a schoolteacher. I wonder how he's managing his students."

Xiao Ke covered her face and laughed softly, her expression one of pride. "Mo Chi, he—"

Before she could finish, a voice interrupted, "Your Majesty." Eunuch Wei entered the room. "Xiao Mo Chi requests an audience."

"Well, speak of the devil!" The emperor laughed heartily. "Let him in immediately."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Wei quickly withdrew, and not long after, Xiao Mo Chi entered the Imperial Study. He cupped his hands and bowed. "Your subject, Xiao Mo Chi, greets Your Majesty."

"Still a commoner," the emperor remarked with a wry smile, turning to the empress. "Ke'er, listen to this! Isn't he the one who gave up an official position just to insist on calling himself a commoner?"

Xiao Ke smiled faintly but chose not to reply.

"Rise," the emperor said, studying Xiao Mo Chi with approval. "So, tell me, what wind has brought our great scholar Xiao to visit today?"

Straightening, Xiao Mo Chi smiled. "Your Majesty instructed me to report on the progress of the school seven days after its opening. I have come to do so."

"Ah, that's right." The emperor nodded, recalling his earlier decree. "Well then, what insights has our kingdom's foremost scholar gained after teaching a group of ignorant children for seven days?"

Xiao Mo Chi answered, "Even the least capable child in the school can now recite five odes from the Book of Songs."

The emperor was momentarily speechless. A student of the prestigious White Deer Academy, boasting about teaching children to recite five poems? He found it hard to believe.

"And?" Xiao Ke, sensing the emperor's bemusement, prompted further inquiry.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," Xiao Mo Chi continued with a bow, "there are two students who have particularly surprised me."

"Oh?" The emperor's interest was piqued. "What pampered young aristocrats could possibly catch your attention? Do tell."

"The first is the third son of the Xu family, Xu Pangda," Xiao Mo Chi replied. "Though only five years old, he is exceptionally diligent. His innate talent may not be the highest, but his determination and persistence are truly remarkable."

The emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And the other? Is this child the most gifted of your students?"

Xiao Mo Chi nodded. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Allow me to explain. The other day, a swan accidentally wandered into the school. I asked the children to compose verses about it. This child wrote the following poem."

Xiao Mo Chi presented a sheet of white paper. Xiao Ke stepped forward to take it and handed it to the emperor.

The emperor unfolded the paper and read aloud, his voice tinged with admiration:

"Goose, goose, goose,

Arching necks sing to the heavens.

White feathers float on green water,

Red feet stir the clear waves."

As the emperor finished reading, he held his breath for a moment, stunned by the simple yet profound imagery.

Beside him, Xiao Ke's eyes glistened with wonder. Such a poem seemed beyond the capacity of a mere child, yet its innocent charm unmistakably reflected a youthful perspective.

The emperor carefully folded the paper, his tone solemn. "Mo Chi, who is this child?"

Xiao Mo Chi bowed once more. "This child is Xu Ming, the son of the Xu Prefecture Magistrate's fifth concubine."