Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Xu Ming picked up the teacup from the table and took a sip.

His expression carried a trace of melancholy.

He truly hadn’t expected that, during the time he was away, something like this would happen to Shengsheng.

“Where is Shengsheng undergoing seclusion?” Xu Ming asked.

“Follow me,” Wu Yanhan said as she stood up and walked deeper into the courtyard.

Xu Ming followed her, passing through one courtyard after another until they arrived at the innermost part of the Prince Qin’s residence—an isolated, secluded courtyard.

Standing at the entrance, Xu Ming could already feel the surging spiritual energy emanating from within.

The courtyard was enveloped in numerous formations, and not of low quality. At a glance, it was clear that multiple layers of protective arrays had been set up, encasing the entire space.

Wu Yanhan stepped forward, placing her palm against the large wooden gate.

With a deep, resonant vibration, the formations began to unravel.

Spiritual energy stirred, forming a gentle breeze that swept over them, carrying a soothing sensation.

Xu Ming followed Wu Yanhan into the courtyard.

The moment he stepped inside, his gaze was immediately drawn to the massive black cocoon at the center.

It was enormous—about the size of two large water vats commonly found in ordinary households.

Around the cocoon, silk threads were wrapped tightly, suspending it between the surrounding trees. The strands stretched outward like an intricate spider’s web, continuously extending across the area.

Xu Ming stepped closer and reached out to touch the cocoon.

He could distinctly feel it pulsating—as if it were a heartbeat.

A faint strand of sword energy flickered at his fingertip. He wanted to probe the cocoon’s structure, just to get a sense of what lay inside.

But the moment his sword energy pierced even slightly into the surface, waves of spiritual energy exploded outward.

The shockwave sent Xu Ming staggering back three or four meters.

His eyes flickered with Dao runes.

Activating his Dao Pattern Eyes, Xu Ming peered at the cocoon once more.

Yet all he could see was a thin, translucent membrane.

Through the membrane, a human-like silhouette could be faintly discerned.

However, compared to the petite figure Shengsheng once had, this shadow appeared to have grown significantly.

Moreover, a pair of large wings now enveloped her body.

A long tail extended from behind her, resting motionlessly within the cocoon.

Xu Ming’s Dao Pattern Eyes gradually faded.

What surprised him was that even with his ability, he couldn’t see through the entirety of the cocoon.

That thin membrane—it wasn’t just an ordinary shell. It was a barrier formed from pure spiritual energy.

The energy was so dense that it had taken on a tangible form, rendering even his Dao Pattern Eyes ineffective.

If even he couldn’t see through it, then not even cultivators at the Immortal Realm would be able to.

“For now, I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Shengsheng, Yanhan. If anything happens, come to the Xu Residence and notify me immediately,” Xu Ming said, his tone carrying a rare seriousness.

He was certain that Wu Yanhan had already sought out various experts to examine Shengsheng’s condition. Yet, given how things stood, none had been able to provide answers.

“You don’t need to say that,” Wu Yanhan rolled her eyes at him. “I care about Shengsheng too. I’ve always treated her like my own little sister. Of course, I’ll keep a close watch on her. You don’t need to worry—just focus on handling your own affairs. You won’t be having an easy time in the coming days.”

“I know.” Xu Ming nodded.

If he had wanted an easy life, he would have stayed in Beihai (North Sea) and never returned.

He certainly wouldn’t have come back to the treacherous battlefield that was the imperial court.

“By the way,” Wu Yanhan added, her expression turning more serious, “there’s something I need to warn you about in advance. You should prepare yourself.”

She paused for a moment before continuing, “Remember what I told you before about the Fifth Prince, Prince Shan?”

Xu Ming nodded. “Of course. That unspoken taboo of the imperial court—what about it?”

The Fifth Prince, Prince Shan, was the younger brother of Wu Yanhan’s grandfather. Two hundred years ago, he had vied for the throne against her grandfather but ultimately failed.

However, Prince Shan had been deeply respected by many, and to this day, remnants of his loyalists remained active in the shadows.

Wu Yanhan fixed her gaze on Xu Ming. “According to intelligence from Tingfeng Pavilion, the remnants of Prince Shan’s faction have been secretly regrouping. Lately, they’ve been moving frequently within the imperial palace, doing everything they can to sway court officials to their side.

There are even rumors that several vassal princes have already pledged their allegiance in secret.

The note you received is the best proof of this. And it’s not just you—many other nobles and princes have received similar messages.

It won’t be long before you’re tasked with investigating this matter.”

—

“Commander Xu Ming—forming factions for personal gain, wielding excessive power, flouting the law, and behaving arrogantly.”

Within the imperial palace, Emperor Wu read aloud from a memorial of impeachment against Xu Ming.

As he read, the Emperor couldn’t help but chuckle.

Closing the memorial, he casually tossed it aside and turned to Wei Xun, his trusted aide.

“What do you make of this, Wei Xun? If I recall correctly, Wang Chong and Xu Ming are actually relatives, aren’t they? Wang Chong’s younger sister, Wang Feng, is Xu Ming’s aunt, isn’t she?

So what’s he doing, submitting an impeachment against his own nephew?”

Wei Xun put on a sycophantic smile. “Your Majesty, this only proves that under your divine rule, we have such loyal officials like Wang Zhongcheng! Wang Zhongcheng disregards personal ties and prioritizes the interests of the nation, boldly impeaching the top scholar. This is a testament to his loyalty to Your Majesty.”

“Heh.”

Emperor Wu chuckled.

He picked up the memorial again, stood up, and lightly patted Wei Xun’s head. Wei Xun quickly nodded along, maintaining his ingratiating smile.

“Are you truly a fool, or just pretending to be one? You served under the late Emperor for years and have been with me for just as long—don’t tell me you still can’t see through Wang Chong’s intentions?”

Wei Xun remained silent.

He merely kept his smile, for even if he understood Wang Chong’s motives, he would never admit it.

The Emperor tossed the memorial toward Wei Xun.

Startled, Wei Xun hastily caught it.

“Wang Chong is giving me a peace of mind pill.”

The Emperor let out a cold snort, folding his hands behind his back.

“He knows that more impeachment memorials against Xu Ming are coming. So, he submitted the first one himself.

Every word in this memorial appears sincere, yet in reality, it’s filled with baseless speculation—just enough to make me feel that it’s overreaching.

I never expected that our top scholar, barely in office, already has people paving the way for him.”

Hearing this, Wei Xun was truly alarmed. He quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, “Your Majesty, the top scholar is loyal and devoted—he would never do such a thing!”

“How do you know he wouldn’t?” The Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Could it be that you are one of his people too?”

With a loud thud, Wei Xun dropped to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly.

“This humble servant belongs only to Your Majesty, now and forever!”