My Sexy CEO Wife

After the banquet concluded, Emperor Dugu Jingtian led He Hentian to the Inner Hall.

"Please, have a seat and relax as if you are at home," the Emperor said with a smile, looking at He Hentian, "If I'm not mistaken, you're at the Fourth Layer of the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, correct?"

"Mm," He Hentian nodded, "You're not mistaken."

"Not bad, really not bad," the Emperor nodded in approval, "To have such cultivation at such a young age is truly rare." He sighed softly, "You're much stronger than the other descendants." In his lifetime, the Emperor had many children, but not one of them truly made something of themselves.

He Hentian listened quietly without saying a word.

"This time, don't leave," the Emperor said, "I appoint you as the Crown Prince. Once your strength has increased a bit more, you can inherit the throne."

"Crown Prince?" He Hentian was taken aback, then shook his head, "I don't want to be the Crown Prince! Absolutely not!"

"Eh? Why not?" the Emperor asked, puzzled, "Do you know how many people dream of becoming the Crown Prince?"

"That's them!" He Hentian retorted with a curl of his lip, "I'm not like them! What's so good about being the Crown Prince? Every action is under scrutiny, every move must be cautious, and there's no freedom at all. I don't want that."

"How can there be no freedom?" the Emperor asked with a smile, "The title of Crown Prince is just a transition. Once you have inherited the throne, you will be able to command the world and do as you please."

"Really? Can you do whatever you want?"

"Eh... In theory, that's the case..."

"And in practice?"

"In practice, there are a lot of things to consider. In this world, there is no one who is truly free. Everyone is more or less bound by something."

"Indeed," He Hentian sighed, "To possess true freedom is so difficult."

"There is no absolute freedom, only relative freedom," the Emperor said with a smile, "The higher one's status, the fewer restrictions one faces. If you wish to have more freedom, you must become the Emperor."

"I'm puzzled, why are you giving up the throne if you're doing so well?" He Hentian frowned.

"I'm about to leave soon," the Emperor sighed softly.

"Leave? Where are you going?" He Hentian asked, puzzled.

"To another realm. The name of this realm is the Lesser Heavenly Realm..." The Emperor briefly explained the situation about the Lesser Heavenly Realm.

"The Lesser Heavenly Realm?!" He Hentian's eyes widened, "There's such a miraculous place in this world?"

"I may not return after going to the Lesser Heavenly Realm," the Emperor said gravely, "That's why I'm in a hurry to establish a successor." He paused for a moment, "After I leave, the Grand Steward Liu Yifei will assume the position of Emperor until you grow up. Liu Yifei will then hand over the throne to you."

"Can't you just not leave?"

"I don't want to leave either. Here I am the Emperor, I have immense power, and no one dares to provoke me. After going to the Lesser Heavenly Realm, I'll have to start all over, my status reduced to nothing, maybe even live at the mercy of others..." the Emperor Dugu Jingtian said with a bitter smile, "If there were any way possible, I would not go to the Lesser Heavenly Realm! Truly, I have no choice. My life is nearing its end; if I want to continue living, I must go to the Lesser Heavenly Realm." He added another sentence, "Sooner or later, you will also go to the Lesser Heavenly Realm, because the path to Becoming an Immortal has been severed. Only by going to the Lesser Heavenly Realm can one obtain a longer life."

"My mind is a bit messy..."

"You are my grandson, and the blood of the Dugu Family flows in your veins. You have a duty and obligation to carry on the glory of the Dugu Family!"

"...Let me think about it, I'll give you an answer after I've made up my mind."

"Alright, I give you three days. You must give me an answer in three days, and I hope you won't disappoint me."

"...So, there's something I want to ask you about."

"Speak. As long as I know, I will surely tell you."

"I've heard that the imperial palace has a collection of rare treasures? Among them, are there any Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicines?"

"Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine?" Dugu Jingtian let out a bitter smile and shook his head, "No! I had also tried to search for it but alas, found nothing." Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine could extend one's lifespan, and it was exactly what Dugu Jingtian needed. He had once sent out many people in search of it, but regrettably, they had never found any.

"None at all?" He Hentian's face showed a disappointed expression.

"Why are you asking about this?" Dugu Jingtian inquired with confusion, "Is there something wrong with your body?"

"No, I'm very healthy... I was reading some ancient texts a few days ago, and came across a description of Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine. I was instantly captivated, always thinking about getting a few to taste."

"Dismiss that thought, Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine has long been extinct, impossible to find."

Time passed by, little by little, and before they knew it, it was deep into the night.

"It's getting late, I should go back to rest," He Hentian said as he got up to leave.

"Go back and think it over, and afterward, come find me," Dugu Jingtian instructed, "You are the most outstanding member of the Dugu Family, and the heavy responsibility of reviving our family lies with you."

...

When He Hentian returned to his residence, he found someone sitting in his room - a person he was very familiar with, this person was Gao Fei.

"I thought you weren't coming back tonight," Gao Fei said with a smile.

"The old fellow was too hospitable, wouldn't let me leave," He Hentian walked over to the table, stretched out his hand to pick up a cup of tea, and took a few sips, "Guess what the old fellow said to me?"

"I'm not an Immortal, how could I possibly know?"

"The old fellow wants me to become the Crown Prince, to succeed to the throne later."

"Ah? That's great news! Did you agree?"

"Initially, I refused because I was afraid of losing my freedom... But then the old fellow said he was leaving, never to return, and begged me to take the throne to continue the glory of the Dugu Family, and then I hesitated."

"Leaving? To where?"

"The Minor Celestial Realm," He Hentian explained the whole situation in detail.

"A set of rules all its own that can greatly increase lifespan, that's unbelievable," Gao Fei exclaimed with admiration.

"Gao Fei, what do you think I should do? Refuse? Or accept?" He Hentian sought Gao Fei's opinion.

Gao Fei pondered for a moment, "You should accept it. If you really could become the Human Sovereign, I could also bask in your glory."

"I knew you would say that," He Hentian snorted, "Only thinking about yourself, not considering me at all, so selfish."

"Have you asked if there's any Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine in the palace?"

"None."

"Really none?"

"If there were, the old fellow would definitely have consumed it, he'd never leave it for others."

"..."

"Keep looking, if we can find it, we're lucky, but if we can't, don't be too disheartened. As the saying goes, 'What's meant to be will happen, what's not will not force its way!'"

Gao Fei nodded, "I have been a bit too anxious."

"By the way, do you have a grudge with Dugu Xiu and Dongfang Jian?" He Hentian asked, "Why are they targeting you?"