Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Moreover, I definitely am not the person Your Majesty is looking for.”

As Xu Ming’s words fell in the undersea garden, the Dragon Empress’s gaze grew even more intrigued.

Everyone else who had been brought here, upon learning the reason for their summons, would secretly pray that they were the one.

But Xu Ming was different.

“Does he think that by saying this, he’ll attract My attention?”

The Dragon Empress pondered for a moment.

No… that didn’t seem to be the case.

She shook her head inwardly.

She had lived for ten thousand years, while he was just a mere seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy.

And in her eyes, every word Xu Ming had spoken was genuine.

He truly didn’t care about the so-called throne or beauty.

And he was genuinely confident that he was not the person she sought.

“Interesting.”

“Why are you so certain that you can’t be the one I’m looking for?” The Dragon Empress tilted her head slightly, watching Xu Ming.

For a brief moment, Xu Ming was stunned.

Seeing this regal woman make such a gesture… it was unexpectedly adorable.

“If I were, Your Majesty would have already known, wouldn’t you? Or do I need to undergo some sort of test?” Xu Ming replied with a smile.

After all, she was an Ascension Realm cultivator—not just any ordinary one, but an ancient Ascension Realm cultivator.

Against someone of his low cultivation level, she might not be able to fully see through his soul, but making a general judgment wouldn’t be difficult.

That overwhelming feeling he had when they first locked eyes—like his very soul was being laid bare—was probably her way of testing him.

And judging by how calm she looked now, it was clear that he wasn’t the one.

Otherwise, given that this Dragon Empress had been searching for her lost lover for tens of thousands of years, there was no way she’d be this composed if she had truly found him.

Besides, his soul had transmigrated from another world—some inexplicable accident had caused him to reincarnate here. How could he possibly be the person she was looking for?

The Dragon Empress nodded. “You’re right. At first glance, you don’t resemble him at all. But that alone isn’t enough to draw a final conclusion.”

She took out a golden pearl from her storage pouch and casually tossed it to Xu Ming.

Xu Ming caught the pearl, looking at her in confusion.

“This is the test you just mentioned, Young Master Xu,” the Dragon Empress said. “Just to be absolutely certain, I ask that you drop a single drop of your blood onto this pearl. Regardless of whether you are the one I seek, I will offer you some form of compensation afterward.”

“Alright.”

Xu Ming didn’t hesitate. He directly used his sword aura to pierce his fingertip, gathering a drop of blood before letting it fall onto the pearl.

His decisiveness came from the fact that he did have something to request from the Dragon Empress.

He had already gathered the main fruit of the Blood Bodhi. Now, all he needed was a Linglong Pearl to restore Qing Wan’s body.

The Linglong Pearl was a immortal-grade treasure.

It was impossible for the Dragon Empress to simply hand it over without receiving something in return.

Of course, just because he agreed to this test didn’t mean he expected to get the pearl in exchange. If every person who underwent the test was rewarded with a immortal artifact, the North Sea Dragon Palace wouldn’t have thousands of such treasures lying around.

But at the very least, it gave him an opportunity.

As Xu Ming’s blood—infused with his sharp sword aura and martial true qi—dripped onto the pearl…

The pearl, which resembled a luminous night pearl, absorbed the blood.

Xu Ming half-expected it to light up, flicker, or display some kind of reaction.

But in the end, the pearl simply rested quietly in his palm, completely motionless.

Xu Ming looked up at the Dragon Empress, puzzled. He wondered if the test was over since the pearl hadn’t shown any reaction at all.

The Dragon Empress nodded. “That’s enough. You are indeed not the person I was looking for.”

With a wave of her hand, the pearl disappeared into her grasp. “Now, tell me—what do you want?”

Xu Ming cupped his hands and bowed. “I wish to obtain a Linglong Pearl.”

The corners of the Dragon Empress’s lips curled into a faint smirk, and her gaze carried a hint of amusement. “You certainly have the audacity of a lion, Young Master Xu. Do you truly believe that just by taking this test, you can obtain a Linglong Pearl?”

Xu Ming replied calmly, “Of course not. I have a friend who needs a Linglong Pearl. I know that merely participating in this test is far from enough to warrant receiving such a treasure. I only hope for an opportunity.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “If I am able to obtain a Linglong Pearl, then I will owe Your Majesty a favor. In the future, I will offer a immortal-grade artifact in exchange.”

As he finished speaking, Xu Ming felt a little uncertain.

A favor from a Gragon Gate Realm cultivator? To a Ascension Realm ruler, the master of the North Sea? It sounded almost laughable.

And as for the promise of a immortal artifact in the future… he doubted she would believe it.

After all, he was just a Dragon Gate Realm cultivator.

But this was the only promise he could offer.

The Dragon Empress studied him. “This friend of yours… she’s a woman?”

Xu Ming nodded. “Yes.”

The Dragon Empress’s expression didn’t change. “You like her?”

Xu Ming was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected such a question.

But after thinking about it, it made sense.

This woman had spent ten thousand years searching for a man. Clearly, she was a hopeless romantic. It was only natural for her to be curious about matters of love.

So, Xu Ming nodded. “Yes.”

“That’s good.”

With a flick of her finger, a stream of water shot toward Xu Ming’s palm.

Xu Ming opened his hand and saw a deep blue rune appear on his skin.

The Dragon Empress spoke calmly, “This sigil will last for thirty days. After the Four Seas Grand Ceremony, go to the North Sea Abyss—what you seek is there. But whether you can come back alive or not… that’s up to you.”

Xu Ming bowed once more. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need to thank me,” the Dragon Empress said indifferently. “I am merely giving you an opportunity. If you can survive, then it is your own fortune. As for that so-called favor and immortal artifact exchange—there is no need.”

She cast a glance at him, her tone turning dismissive. “I have nothing more to say. You may take your leave, Young Master Xu.”

Xu Ming understood that this was a polite way of telling him to leave.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Without hesitation, Xu Ming turned and left the palace.

For the Dragon Empress, this was yet another dead end.

But she was used to disappointment by now.

As for Xu Ming, aside from losing a single drop of blood, he had gained an opportunity to acquire the Linglong Pearl.

Yet, just as he disappeared from view, the Dragon Empress’s brows furrowed slightly.

She felt a strange heat radiating from her palm.

Lifting her hand, she gazed at the pearl resting in her palm.

What had once been a dull and lifeless trinket…

Was now glowing with a faint crimson light.