Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 110: Golden Elixir in the Cauldron, Emperor's Dragon Technique
Inside the Penglai Palace, after several rounds of drinks...

Zhao Wuji and the old man Zhaoming were only superficially friendly, while Consort Li Shiyu was adept at winning people over and building a more intimate relationship on the surface.

Zhang Zhaoming truly never expected that the young imperial physician, whom he would never have given a second glance to, would achieve such astonishing accomplishments in just one year after entering the grotto-heaven.

Commander Mingxia made the greatest contribution in the counterattack, assisting in the slaying of an enemy cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

In addition, the powerful and influential Flower Peak Master serves as his backer.

This former junior imperial physician has clearly already shown his potential and will surely become a master of the Purple Robe Secret Technique in the future, studying the sect's most powerful martial arts.

Given time, he will surely become the master of the Purple Robe Secret Technique, and may very well be the next peak master.

At this time, while they were still weak, it was the perfect opportunity to actively cultivate relationships and build rapport. The shrewd and resourceful Consort Li played a significant role in this process.

"My beloved concubine, pour another cup for Minister Zhao." Emperor Zhaoming gestured with a smile.

"What a pity." He sighed inwardly as he looked at Li Shiyu, who was treating Zhao Wuji very well as his junior sister.

If it weren't for the fact that this imperial concubine has a special constitution and is of great use, he would have wanted to bestow this hero upon her today, completely binding her to the royal family's interests, making her his right-hand woman and an important pawn in his future plans.

Unfortunately, Li Shiyu is also of great use.

Otherwise, given the convenience of cultivating within the grotto-heaven, one could easily have the advantage of being close to the source.

Nowadays, even the most skilled courtesan will find her effectiveness greatly diminished if she cannot serve in bed.

Just then, Zhao Wuji suddenly turned his wine cup towards Fang Shiyu, his smile as gentle as a spring breeze in March: "Senior Brother Fang, back when we were discussing Dao at Penglai, I heard that you were studying the secrets of Li Shaojun's Taiyi Golden Elixir."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the rim of the cup. "I wonder if you've gained anything from this, Senior Brother?"

Fang Shiyu's hand holding the cup trembled almost imperceptibly.

He already knew that his junior brother was exceptional in both alchemy and swordsmanship, so his sudden question...
He immediately raised his glass politely, then said with a wry smile, "The elixir formula left by Young Master Li is profound and obscure. I have pondered it for a long time and suspect that this golden elixir never existed in the world."

"I see." Zhao Wuji said thoughtfully, "As you know, I have also been immersed in this field for many years and have achieved some success. I am very interested in this Taiyi Golden Elixir. I wonder if you would be willing to share the refining method of this Golden Elixir?"

Seeing Fang Shiyu's hesitant expression, Zhao Wuji immediately smiled and said, "Senior brother, don't worry, I won't let you share for nothing. Junior brother is willing to share some secrets for refining high-grade Dragon Tiger Pills!"

"Oh?" Fang Shiyu was immediately intrigued. He had heard about Zhao Wuji's feat of refining a superior-grade Dragon-Tiger Pill within the cave.

"The Imperial Advisor!"

Emperor Zhaoming interjected at the opportune moment, his dragon robe fluttering slightly, "You and Minister Zhao, one is my Grand Preceptor of Xuan Kingdom, and the other is the Head of the Imperial Medical Academy, both are pillars of the state."

The path of alchemy values ​​mutual exchange and avoids isolation. Therefore, the formula for the Taiyi Golden Elixir should be shared.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Upon hearing this, Fang Shiyu could only bow in agreement.

After all, the precious cauldron belonging to Li Shaojun was originally a gift from His Majesty.

The method for refining Taiyi Golden Elixir was also something he researched under imperial orders.

Seeing that the opportunity was not to be missed, Emperor Zhaoming decided to take another chance and laughed loudly, "Junior Brother Zhao is so dedicated to the Dao of Alchemy, I am very pleased. Since that is the case," he waved his hand, "I will bestow upon Junior Brother Li Shaojun's alchemy cauldron as a celebration of Junior Brother's triumphant return!"

"A precious cauldron and a skilled alchemist are a perfect match. It's just a pity..."

His tone shifted, tinged with regret, "Although this alchemy cauldron was once a superior magical artifact, it has long since lost its spiritual essence after being buried in a place devoid of spiritual energy for a thousand years. Now it only has some research value left."

Upon hearing this, the Grand Preceptor's expression stiffened slightly, and his five fingers unconsciously clenched in his sleeve.

When he sought this tripod back then, the emperor merely allowed him to observe and study it, but now...
"What a brilliant imperial strategy!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Wuji immediately expressed his gratitude, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

Back then, Tao Fei, a close friend, was deceived by a "busty heroine" while searching for this cauldron.

During the grand gathering at Penglai, I was just a nobody, only able to look on with envy and sigh.

Who would have thought that today, with Mingxia returning in triumph as the commander-in-chief, this long-desired treasure would be within easy reach!
The difference between coveting something and having it readily available is truly like heaven and earth.

The banquet ended.

Some of his fellow disciples rushed back to their grotto-heavens at night, for these grotto-heavens cultivators could not bear the filth and pollution of the mortal world.

Only Zhao Wuji stayed overnight at the imperial palace under the pretext of retrieving the tripod, which was exactly what Emperor Zhaoming wanted.

"Minister Zhao, please rest assured." Emperor Zhaoming stroked his beard and chuckled. "Tomorrow I will personally take you to retrieve the precious cauldron."

That night, the eaves of the Penglai Palace were bathed in the cold moonlight. Zhao Wuji released Xiong Ba from the window to search for the little jade fox, and for a moment, there was peace and quiet.

However, at this moment, several beautiful women were now keeping him company in the bedroom, demonstrating the old man Zhaoming's thoughtful hospitality.

However, Zhao Wuji had other ideas. If he wanted to satisfy his physiological and entertainment needs, he had many options.

Seeing that four stunning beauties in the hall were about to step forward to serve him tea, he frowned slightly and said, "I need to meditate and contemplate. You may all leave now." But no sooner had the beauties left than a faint fragrance wafted back.

Consort Li Shiyu actually came to visit in person. She dismissed her attendants and, with a light flick of her sleeve, brought a subtle fragrance into the room.

"Senior Brother Zhao is truly heartless! These beauties are all the apples of the Nine Ministers' eyes, yet they are willing to offer themselves to you. Their status is not much different from your fiancée's. They are just hoping to receive your favor and bear a child, which would be a blessing for their family's descendants!"

“What a pity!”

Consort Li covered her mouth and chuckled, her golden hairpin swaying with a mesmerizing glow. "These ordinary beauties are not worthy of Senior Brother's eyes. This immortal destiny is something they can never obtain."

"Junior Sister Li, what brings you here? This is a clandestine rendezvous at midnight; don't you know how to avoid suspicion?"

Zhao Wuji frowned and looked at Li Shiyu.

"So, Senior Brother knows to avoid suspicion now," Li Shiyu chuckled, then suddenly leaned closer, her breath sweet as orchids. "Isn't this kind of clandestine affair even more exciting?"

She reached out her slender hand to take Zhao Wuji's arm, but Zhao Wuji pushed her away with a flick of his sleeve.

"Junior sister, please be careful."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Li Shiyu, feeling awkward, gently sat down, running her fingers through her hair, and transmitted her voice, "I came to see you and also to inform Old Man Zhaoming that I want to ask you about my cultivation questions. You're his favorite now, and that old man is eager for me to win you over."

She suddenly chuckled, "If it weren't for the fact that my Xuan Yin body would be useful to him in the future, I'm afraid he would have already stuffed me into your bed."

Zhao Wuji frowned and transmitted his voice, "How can Zhang Zhaoming be so careless?"

"What's so bad about giving away wives and concubines in the royal family?" Li Shiyu curled her lips into a mocking smile. "In fact, there have been emperors in past dynasties who seized their wives, children, and mothers. Zhang Zhaoming is at least half a man."

But in his eyes, I was nothing more than a tool. He wouldn't touch me, and he knew I wouldn't dare let anyone else touch me.

As she spoke, her body slid to her knees and onto the ground, crawling like a snake, her brocade palace dress trailing behind her with a rustling sound, until she reached Zhao Wuji's feet.

"If my Profound Yin Body were to break through its primordial Yin, I wouldn't even be qualified to be a cauldron, and my fate would be miserable. What could he possibly worry about?"

Her slender hand suddenly wrapped around the hem of her blue Taoist robe, her upturned face gleaming with a porcelain-white luster in the moonlight: "But if it doesn't break my cultivation."

She lightly licked her lips with her red tongue, "Senior brother, I will serve you however you wish. You are truly a hero in my eyes, having made such a great contribution once again. How do you want me to serve you?"

"absurd!"

Zhao Wuji moved his feet, sat down, and transmitted his voice, "The reason I stayed overnight at the palace this time was to investigate the dragon vein. It's good that you've come. Tell me the rules of Zhang Zhaoming's 'Huangji Jingshi Gong' so that I can avoid it."

"OK"

Consort Li parted her red lips slightly, her breath sweet as orchids, and pressed against Zhao Wuji from behind, her slender hands encircling his waist. "I'm telling you all this, but you have to make me happy first!"

In the midst of their intimate conversation, she eloquently explained the key principles of the "Huangji Jingshi Gong" such as the circulation of Qi and the changes in Qi.

When she got to the most exquisite part, she didn't forget to gently bite Zhao Wuji's earlobe and let out a charming giggle.

After a stick of incense.

Consort Li straightened her disheveled palace attire and instantly regained her dignified and majestic demeanor, exuding nobility and disdain.

As if they had only come to seek guidance on cultivation difficulties, they left with great poise after completing their pilgrimage.

Inside the room, Zhao Wuji shook his head helplessly.

This junior sister Li was unable to lose her virginity due to the limitations of her cultivation technique, and she was also lonely in the deep palace. She loathed Emperor Zhaoming, that old geezer, but she favored him the only one.

He would often come looking for some "self-entertainment," and even enjoyed being slapped by him.

He simply considered it an act of consideration for their feelings.

Having now extracted the operating rules of Zhaoming's "Huangji Jingshi Gong," Zhao Wuji was not idle. He immediately began to secretly absorb the yang energy within the Penglai Palace while waiting for the right opportunity.

He had discovered the pattern: as long as he absorbed no more than ten strands of yang energy every hour, it would not cause any disturbance to the dragon energy on Zhang Zhaoming's body, making it relatively safe.

This is also why he chose to spend the night at the Penglai Palace.

They waited until the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), when the water clock dripped its ninth time, and the majestic dragon aura of the entire Penglai Palace suddenly trembled slightly.

A glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes.

Zhaoming the Elder has begun to circulate the "Imperial Supreme World-Shaking Technique"!

"rise!"

He suddenly pointed his sword finger towards his brow, and the guiding technique probed into the earth's veins like invisible tentacles.

In the instant the view suddenly opened up, a five-clawed golden dragon was seen coiled above the emperor's palace. Each dragon scale was solidified, and with each breath, it stirred up spiritual energy from all directions like a surging tide.

However, a hundred feet underground beneath that dazzling golden light, an even more astonishing phenomenon lurked.
(End of this chapter)