Chapter 12: Prayers
To avoid arousing the Grand Elder’s suspicion, the two performed a little act.
Gong Yiling pretended to take his pulse, feigning a serious expression, then chuckled confidently before the Grand Elder could ask anything.
Then, she stood up, placed Yan Chuyue in her seat, and said to the Grand Elder, “I want my disciple to examine this serious condition as well. I hope you don’t mind.”
The Grand Elder, still captivated by her veiled smile, readily agreed.
Of course, the author didn’t need to take his pulse to diagnose his condition. She had written it herself.
Afterward, they stepped aside and exchanged information—actually, it was mostly Yan Chuyue speaking, while Gong Yiling memorized everything.
“Immortal Master, is there a cure for my old injury?”
“There’s always a cure.”
Gong Yiling said seriously, “Your condition isn’t that severe. I’ll prescribe some medicine and acupuncture. Within a month, your injury will be healed.”
“Just one month?” The Grand Elder was stunned.
He had endured the agonizing pain of the Myriad Souls Heart Erosion Finger for so long.
Hearing such a definite answer, he felt a sense of disbelief.
“However, during this month,”
Gong Yiling added casually, “I suggest you refrain from eating. I will personally deliver your medicine until you recover.”
“Refrain from eating…”
The Grand Elder frowned. “Are you worried about poison?”
“There are hidden currents flowing beneath the surface of this Yanlie City,” Gong Yiling said. “Since someone dared to target the Fifth Princess and His Majesty, you should understand what that means.”
“The demonic sects…”
The Grand Elder understood her meaning, then said after a moment of silence, “I understand, Immortal Master. His Majesty has his own plans regarding this matter.”
“Plans?”
“You’ll understand in a few days.”
“Is that so…”
“But Immortal Master,” the Grand Elder suddenly changed the subject, drawing their attention to the other girl present—the strange girl who had been eating non-stop.
She had already devoured two-thirds of the refreshments prepared for the three of them.
Seemingly noticing their gazes, Lu Xinyao looked up, her cheeks puffed out, blinking innocently.
“Is this also your disciple?”
*Actually, she’s your granddaughter.*
Gong Yiling scratched her cheek beneath the veil, nodding slightly. “I brought her to the palace to see the world. She just loves to eat. Please excuse her, Grand Elder.”
Lu Xinyao let out a small, dissatisfied “Hmph.”
—*Big Sister told me to eat.*
Indeed, it was Gong Yiling’s deliberate instruction.
She didn’t want the Grand Elder to recognize his granddaughter yet—especially since Lu Xinyao currently only knew demonic cultivation techniques.
The more she acted like Little Heehee, the less likely they would connect her with the missing Fifth Princess.
As for readapting to palace life, she would let Shangguan Ziyuan, sharing Little Heehee’s senses, handle that in the background.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Gong Yiling took Shangguan Ziyuan for a stroll around the palace, leaving Yan Chuyue to begin the Grand Elder’s first acupuncture treatment.
The Grand Elder was initially surprised that such an important task was entrusted to a disciple.
But Yan Chuyue’s acupuncture quickly impressed him. Within minutes, he felt the stagnation in his meridians easing.
Such immediate effects were truly remarkable.
Meanwhile, Gong Yiling held Lu Xinyao’s hand, listening to her guidance as she memorized the locations of the guards throughout the palace.
Although she wasn’t sure if it would be useful, it was better to be prepared.
Finally, at dusk, amidst the Grand Elder’s praises, the three left the palace.
—
—
For three days, things proceeded similarly.
On the fourth day, news suddenly spread throughout the capital and quickly reached the entire Heartflame Empire.
To pray for Shangguan Ziyuan’s safe return, while also sending out search parties, Emperor Shangguan Long announced a grand ancestral worship ceremony.
This ceremony was a major event.
Around three hundred cultivators under the age of thirty would be selected from across the nation. After several rounds of trials, five winners would be chosen.
The winners would each receive a custom-made Flame King Soft Hedgehog Armor (delivery date unknown), various titles, territories, spirit stones, treasures, and other rewards.
Most importantly, they would be personally commended by Emperor Shangguan Long and granted access to the royal ancestral grounds, the Heart of Blazing Flame.
This ancestral ground required countless treasures from the current emperor to open, and each emperor could only open it twice in their lifetime.
The Heart of Blazing Flame was a legendary place, the resting place of the Heartflame Empire’s founding emperor, Yan Huang Shangguan Yu. It contained countless treasures, secret manuals, and the ancient inheritance of the Shangguan bloodline.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Heart of Blazing Flame was the foundation of the Heartflame Empire. Anyone who entered would emerge with great power and influence, not only within the empire but also among the sects of the Hundred Paths Mountain.
Of course…
Those who reached the top five were already renowned geniuses of the younger generation. They had bright futures even without entering the Heart of Blazing Flame.
Although many understood this, they still hoped for the unlikely upset, the dream of a dark horse rising to victory.
When Gong Yiling heard this news, she almost bit her tongue.
This Emperor was bold.
This was clearly a trap, not a prayer ceremony.
Close proximity to the Emperor and access to the empire’s most sacred ground was an opportunity not just ordinary people craved, but also the demonic sects.
As long as they used common martial or spiritual skills, they could avoid detection, then strike when they were close to Shangguan Long.
This was a perfect opportunity for assassination.
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