Chapter 813: Longevity Pill (In honor of Alliance Leader 67832!)

The Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Garden.

The Dasong Garden is the finest in the world, and the Imperial Garden is even more ingenious; amidst its grandeur and majesty lies a graceful elegance, with a riot of colors that leaves one dazzled.

"This humble Daoist greets the Emperor!"

Aaron, dressed in a Daoist robe, wearing a jade crown, and holding a horsetail whisk, performed a Daoist salute to the current Son of Heaven.

The Emperor was fishing and smiled at this moment: "Sometimes... I truly envy the Zhenren, being able to avoid the toil of official documents and live freely in the mountains and forests..."

"Oh?"

Although there are legends of Daoist ancestors attaining immortality, no outsider knows the truth; it is very similar to the Buddhist concept of emptiness, where one attains the status of Arhat, Bodhisattva, or Buddha... these are all things boasted of by descendants, and not a single old monster who has truly lived for hundreds of years exists.

'How truly boring...'

This shows that the Emperor is somewhat suspicious of Xulingzi, yet wants to make great use of him, so he can only force him to break with both the Buddhist and Daoist factions and use these two to keep him in check!

The backlash and ill will from killing the official earlier can then be reduced by more than half.

'This child... is truly wise while appearing foolish, or should I say... is it due to his Qi Luck?'

As soon as Aaron spoke, it was earth-shattering: "Otherwise... why can't one perform the Dharma?"

But the separation between Yin and Yang, making it difficult to manifest spirits or even influence the world of the living, is an iron law!

Otherwise, this human world would be in chaos.

He does not play those hollow games, such as going overseas to seek immortal medicine or refining pills for ten or twenty years; he tells the Emperor directly that there will be results within one hundred days!

It is truly fast-acting!

The Emperor was startled, then his breathing became a bit heavier, and his eyes turned fiery.

A moment later, Zishi Zhenren and Dazhi Chanshi entered and both bowed: "Greetings to the Emperor."

Aaron's expression did not change: "Fire Jujubes can prolong life, but to attain immortality, one still needs to refine the 'Longevity Pill'... This Longevity Pill must use the Undying Herb as its main ingredient; after consuming it, one can attain Changsheng!"

Because their ancestors did not become immortals or Buddhas, but rather—they became gods!

"To tell you the truth, this humble Daoist only wishes to glorify the Daoist Lineage and has no other requests."

After death, a wisp of soul remains undying, opening up a blessed land in the underworld to enjoy the incense offerings of later generations of disciples; if one gains the favor of Dragon Qi and receives a title, it is even more comfortable.

Aaron smiled slightly, said nothing, picked up the tea brought by a palace maid, and took a light sip.

But by the edge of the pond, the faint presence of soldiers in armor and the killing intent were not fake.

The Emperor's expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Oh? Then why do Zishi Zhenren and Dazhi Chanshi not say so?"

And it is unknown whether Xulingzi was arrogant by nature or had carefully considered it, but he broke with them without the slightest hesitation!

To rebuke them to their faces as fake Daoists—this is an irreconcilable grudge!

Once this attitude is displayed, the Emperor can rest easy.

"Thank you, Emperor!"

In fact, it was also a statement of position, and incidentally, a way to cut ties with Xulingzi.

The Emperor asked with interest.

Although he also saw the Emperor's intention to force the three parties to tear off their masks and keep each other in check, it did not mean he was willing to accept it just like that.

Dividing power and balancing it, not allowing subordinates to band together, is the political Instinct of any ruler!

Xulingzi possesses supernatural powers; once he merges with the original Daoist Gate, his influence would be truly too great to control!

Therefore, the Emperor's question was actually a test!

After all, as the saying goes, if one can perform the Dharma before the throne, one can assassinate the Emperor before the throne! Today he dares to let a dog bite an official to death, tomorrow he might plot against the Emperor!

But this fact would dig up the foundations of both factions, so neither of them spoke.

Knowing that by using this 'Longevity Pill' as a carrot to dangle, the influence of his killing the official would surely be suppressed by the Emperor.

That is a super-rank; once conferred, all officials must bow.

Of course, one could also say it is a prelude to being heavily used; after all, a superior tempering you is for your own good!

Zishi Zhenren's heart stirred, and suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he understood everything: 'This is... this is the Emperor urging Xulingzi to take a stand!'

Dazhi Chanshi was worthy of being a high monk, putting his palms together and saying: "The Buddhist and Daoist paths are profound and do not rely on minor tricks to show off..."

Although the Emperor's face remained unchanged, his hand inside his sleeve trembled: "How long will it take to be completed?"

The two, Buddhist and Daoist, both bowed, and the killing intent outside seemed to have diminished significantly.

"The fish has taken the bait."

As for the cost of refining the pill, he did not ask, clearly holding it in contempt.

Aaron rolled his eyes and suggested: "To tell the Emperor... this humble Daoist has been taught by an immortal in the mountains and can refine immortal pills; although I dare not say it grants immortality, living an extra one or two hundred years is no problem!"

Aaron bowed to thank him, a smug smile in his heart.

As for the Imperial Preceptor?

Aaron watched this scene, but felt somewhat weary of it.

Zishi Zhenren realized that his understanding of Xulingzi was still too little.

"Proclaim!"

"Naturally, there is."

"Three months at the longest, one month at the fastest."

Zishi Zhenren watched this scene, not knowing what to feel in his heart.

Splash!

Just at this moment, a yellow carp was pulled out from the surface of the lake.

The Emperor is different, however!

Claiming to be the Son of Heaven, he carries his own divine rank and possesses dense Qi Luck; once he ascends as a True Dragon, he will only live better and be more powerful in the underworld than those Taoist patriarchs or Buddhist Buddhas!

Therefore, for a True Dragon to pursue Daoism is fundamentally putting the cart before the horse!

Within the Chongming Dao, there are naturally conferrals of True Monarch, but those are all posthumous titles; among the living Taoists... there is not a single one!

The Emperor said without turning his head.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yet the Emperor had easily granted the conferral to Xulingzi!

In any case, a matter like Changsheng requires time to verify... naturally, he could let him spout nonsense as he pleased!

Zishi Zhenren and Dazhi Chanshi exchanged a glance, both feeling depressed.

A Taoist is a fifth-rank loose official, while a True Monarch is third-rank.

"Naturally because they are all fake paths!"

Not long after, Eunuch Ma entered again and reported: "Your Majesty, Zishi Zhenren and Dazhi Chanshi request an audience!"

Therefore, they must be kept in check, or have some restrictions placed upon them!

Aaron replied with a smile.

The Emperor said happily, retracted his rod to catch a fish, and asked as if casually: "Does Changsheng truly exist in this world?"

However, they knew this was fake.

After all, they had seen many Taoists before, and not one dared to make such a guarantee: "If the Taoist has any requirements, just speak them... if you truly refine the Longevity Pill, I shall reward you heavily!"

The Emperor did not say much more, gazing quietly at the lake surface.

This Emperor was clearly trying to beat him down and restrict him...

The gap between them truly made him feel unwilling.

"So that is how it is."

If you want to trade, then trade; why go through all these empty, pretentious motions?

The Emperor stood up, walking with the stride of a dragon and a tiger, and finally made up his mind: "Issue the decree... confer upon the Spirit-Connecting Profound Marvelous Taoist the title of Spirit-Connecting Profound Marvelous True Monarch!"

Aaron revealed his own attitude.

Splash!

It was the Emperor throwing the fish in his hand back into the lake, laughing: "So that is how it is... however, the pills refined by Zishi Zhenren are still effective for treating illnesses, and Dazhi Chanshi is also a virtuous monk; the Empress Dowager likes the Buddhist scriptures he recites very much... issue the decree, reward them!"

Of course, doing this was truly too arrogant.

After refining the Longevity Pill, he would likely face blades at his throat and meet a violent death...

(End of this chapter)