Chapter 1698: Long Er

"Husband, it's been many years since you passed away; I've grown old too."

Lady Zhuang said, weeping with joy.

"We're dead?"

"Mm." Lady Zhuang nodded. "But the immortals revived you. By the way, foreign rule is over now. The Emperor governs the world today."

Under Lady Zhuang's explanation, the entire Zhuang family gradually understood the current situation, and turned to Long Er in profound shock.

A female Emperor was still too advanced for people of ancient times.

Though Wu Zetian had come before, she had merely seized the throne during a brief period of the Li dynasty—fundamentally different from founding a new realm and overthrowing the previous dynasty.

That wasn't the most astonishing thing.

The most astonishing thing was that, in the blink of an eye, they discovered immortals truly existed!

My god!

"Six-seven-zero"—did we waste our lives before?"

Especially terms like "three thousand worlds" and "myriad heavens and worlds" left them utterly confused.

Watching Lady Zhuang recount the wonders of the multiverse as if listing household items, they fell into deep thought.

Are we cultured—or uncultured?

"Enough with the reminiscing for now," Zhu Meichuo interrupted with a smile, waving her hand to restore the Zhuang family to their youthful appearances.

To witness someone regain youth firsthand was too great a shock for those just resurrected; the entire group immediately knelt down.

"Long Er, if the Zhuang family wishes to cultivate, please teach them for me," Zhu Meichuo said to Long Er. "All expenses will be charged to my account."

Long Er laughed. "Princess, you're joking. Those few points mean nothing to me. Besides, I already planned to spread cultivation after universal education."

"Spread cultivation?" Zhu Meichuo's expression shifted, understanding her intent. "That's a good idea."

Long Er sighed. "I have no choice. Unlike the Li, Zhao, or your family, I have no legitimate imperial bloodline. To grow, I can only develop this world I hold."

Though the myriad heavens and worlds are numerous, and I may one day join the chat group and claim a world,

the odds are truly minuscule.

Without universal cultivation, this world remains merely an ordinary, backward feudal kingdom—of negligible value.

Only if everyone cultivates can my future points flow endlessly.

Raising the world's rank and harvesting cosmic resources both require the entire population to grow together.

"Cultivation?"

"Can we cultivate and achieve immortality too?"

The Zhuang family was thunderstruck.

Had the dream unattainable by emperors throughout history now become theirs, merely by association with the Emperor?

"Shuang'er, say goodbye to Lady Zhuang."

"Yes."

The two Shuang'er stepped forward, bowed again to the Zhuang family, and took their leave with reluctance.

Zhu Meichuo smiled. "Don't be so sad. You can return anytime you wish. Your husband isn't so heartless—he rarely interferes with us. Whether you wish to travel the myriad heavens and worlds or stay in Taixuan Realm to cultivate, you may decide freely."

Big Shuang'er was stunned. "But we're just maids—can we really decide freely?"

"In Taixuan Realm, there are no maids," Zhu Meichuo chuckled, waving her hand to open the portal to another world, stepping through first.

Seeing this, the two Shuang'er turned back to bow once more to the Zhuang family, then hurried after her at their urging.

Ake, Jiunan, and the others followed them into the Taixuan Realm.

Once the group departed, Chongzhen took his counterpart from this world to Zhu Yuanzhang's Great Ming Realm.

Dalaotian.

With the world's rank elevated, the Dao's resonance permeated everywhere, shrouded in immortal mist—benefiting even immortals and gods, let alone mortals.

Upon arriving in this realm, the two Shuang'er and Ake immediately felt their strength surge rapidly.

In an instant, their power had increased a thousandfold.

The Ninth Princess gasped. "Is this the upper realm? It's truly miraculous!"

Zhu Meichuo smiled. "This isn't just an upper realm—it's a top-tier great world. Even in the infinite void, top-tier great worlds are few. And this one? It was opened by your husband!"

"Created a world?"

Hearing the legend of the Dao Lord again, everyone was stunned.

If one can create a world, isn't that like Pangu of legend?

At that moment, a distant, piercing bird cry rang out…

They turned to see a dark mass drifting, its form indiscernible.

"What is that?"

"That's just a giant roc," Zhu Meichuo lightly brushed the void, and instantly, a colossal bird appeared on the Mystic Mirror.

On the Mystic Mirror, compared to the roc, distant mountains appeared minuscule.

"Could such a divine bird truly exist?"

Zhu Meichuo laughed. "It's nothing. This roc is still young. Wait another ten thousand years, and you'll see how much larger it becomes."

Speaking, she rode upon auspicious clouds straight toward the Dala Dao Palace.

From afar, the group heard the sound of flutes and zithers.

"You're lucky—your husband is enjoying music and dance right now!"

The Ninth Princess and others were stunned.

The Dao Lord is nothing like they imagined.

Isn't the Dao Lord supposed to sit upon a cloud bed, expressionless, only speaking of the Dao?

To appreciate music and dance—is this not like the emperors of the mortal world?

As they thought this, the crowd entered the Dao Palace and indeed saw beautiful fairy maidens dancing, and goddess attendants playing musical instruments.

Upon the main seat sat a young man, calm and composed, with extraordinary grace.

On either side of the young man sat a host of beauties, their makeup radiant and their postures elegant beyond measure.

"Is that the Dao Lord? He truly has a face that stirs the heart!"

After just one glance, Da Shuang and Xiao Shuang felt their hearts pounding wildly; they exchanged a look and saw delight in each other's eyes.

Perfect!

To become a servant to such a divine being, they had not a single trace of resentment left in their hearts.

Ake and Aqi were also momentarily stunned.

The person before them had surpassed their wildest imaginings—perfectly aligned with their aesthetic, making their hearts flutter like startled deer.

"Meichuo, come here!" Zhang Taixuan waved his hand. "Someone, assign seats to the newcomers."

Zhu Meichuo led the group forward and took her seat not far from Zhang Taixuan.

The Nine Princess and the others took their places at the newly arranged tables.

As the tables were set, plates of immortal fruits and fine nectars were brought forth, lifting everyone's spirits.

"This is a divine banquet!" Ake cheered inwardly. "I'm actually attending a divine banquet—my life is complete."