The twenty-third year of Emperor Chenglu''s reign.


    As the year''s end drew near,


    there were no pressing matters in the Imperial Court; anything unresolved was postponed to the next year.


    The Officials, either bored to death or busy ingratiating themselves with superiors, were startled by the sound of theint drum, which echoed throughout much of Da Qian''s capital.


    There was no new gossip in the pce, so the news quickly spread.


    The descendant of Mr. Zhou, who had once saved the Sage Emperor''s life and imparted a Cultivation Technique, arrived with a token to seek refuge with the Li Imperial n.


    The history of the Sage Emperor''s rise was well known among the long-established families, especially since many historians thoroughly researched it after the Sage Emperor''s death.


    Among the unresolved mysteries revealed only at the Sage Emperor''s deathbed, was how the Li family, when exiled in its entirety, survived an encirclement by bandits and then how they assumed the name Zhou Hong to establish a foothold in Deste City.


    The historians who investigated the officials of Deste City seemed to confirm that a young man surnamed Zhou had rescued the Sage Emperor and taught him a Cultivation Technique.


    Only on his deathbed did Li Hong finallypletely unveil the answer to the riddle.


    A hundred yearster, the descendants of the Zhou family came knocking, and the Officials watched eagerly from the sidelines.


    This matter was purely an internal affair of the royal family, not something anyone else could appropriately meddle in. Whether they were dismissed as impostors or granted a peaceful and esteemed title, it would not significantly impact the Imperial Court.


    At this moment,


    in Qianyang Pce,


    Emperor Chenglu summoned the elders of the imperial kin to discuss the matter.


    "We have temporarily invited the individual into Changhe Hall to bathe and change clothes. I have hastily summoned all my uncles here because this matter cannot be dyed. Everyone in and out of the court is watching this; if handled improperly, it can be a stain on the legacy of the Sage Emperor!"


    The elders of the imperial kin took their positions on either side, nodding in agreement and whispering amongst themselves.


    An old Uncle Wang asked, "Your Majesty, can we be certain of the visitor''s authenticity?"


    Emperor Chenglu shook his head, "We have yet to confirm their identity. I have already ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a banquet, and to show our sincerity as royals, I will personally inquire about this matter."


    "For such a great kindness, elevating to royal status is also an option, befitting the virtue of the Imperial n!"


    "We could have an Immortal Law master from the Immortal Pensions Office secretly investigate, then the truth wille to light!"


    The discussions among the elders were numerous but generally supportive of repaying the kindness.


    This act was beneficial and cost nothing; repaying the kindness even after three generations would greatly enhance the prestige of the Li Imperial n. To deny or expel the person would be to p one''s own face. In Da Qian''s capital, every high-ranking family had poor rtives who, upon visiting, must be properly entertained.


    Another Uncle Wang frowned slightly, sighing, "I am afraid that they may not be interested in wealth and honor."


    Emperor Chenglu asked, "Does Uncle Zhong Wang know something?"


    "Your Majesty, I have managed the royal family''s archives, and I am quite familiar with Mr. Zhou. ording to the records, Mr. Zhou secretly controlled the Jinyiwei, indifferent to power and splendor, his heart set on seeking immortality and the mystic arts."


    Uncle Zhong Wang said, "With the martial arts and Immortal Law inheritance of Mr. Zhou, his descendants won''tck for wealth and power. The only thing that might catch their eye from the royal family would probably be that piece ofnd in the east."


    Emperor Chenglu nodded, "Uncle Zhong Wang speaks sensibly."


    Uncle Zhong Wang''s expression turned rather somber. Nowadays, every member of the Da Qian Imperial n was aware of the cultivation methods, yet the issue of possessing a Spirit Root was causing despair.


    "Your Majesty, granting Spirit Land and Spirit Stones is also reasonable. With the deep connection and kindness of the Zhou family, if they achieve sess in their cultivation in the future, they will be much more reliable than those Loose Cultivators. But does he possess a Spirit Root?"


    "It''s very likely he does not."


    Emperor Chenglu said, "When the Sage Emperor became a disciple of an Immortal Sect, it was with guidance from Mr. Zhou. If there were a Spirit Root, he would have gone directly to Little Dan Mountain."


    The other elders, listening to the conversation between the monarch and his kin, quickly grasped the crux of the issue.


    With an inheritance but no Spirit Root, what the Da Qian Imperial n could offer was Spirit Land and Spirit Stones, piling resources to promote advancement to Innate martial artists, forcing a path into the way of cultivation.


    Immediately, someone questioned, "Isn''t this... somewhat wasteful?"


    A Spirit Root, one in ten thousand, yet fate had notpletely sealed the path. The difficulty of attaining Innate status in martial arts was even greater than acquiring a Spirit Root. For example, among themon people in the Righteous Sun Abyss, only asionally did someone be a cultivator.


    The Da Qian Imperial n could maintain a session of cultivators in a manner simr to the Jiangnan gentry, by marrying many and producing many offspring.


    Even if a generation or twocked a Spirit Root, the Imperial n still possessed the Devouring Heaven Demonic Technique to ensure a steady presence of Qi Refinement stage cultivators.


    "In recent years, the cultivators recruited by the Immortal Pensions Office have mostly been deste and unsessful individuals. Any Loose Cultivator with a modicum of skill prefers to live a humble life in Little Dan Mountain."


    Emperor Chenglu pondered for a long time and said, "The reason is not inheritance or the like, but a matter of trust!"


    "Indeed, it is so."


    The Immortal Pensions Office ensured the continuity of the Da Qian dynasty''s inheritance, which is fundamental to the evesting wealth and honor of the descendants of the n elders. Therefore, its development was taken very seriously.


    "If Da Qian wants to be like the great Chu, it must maintain credibility for at least three to four hundred years. Only then will those skillful Loose Cultivatorse to seek refuge and enjoy the secr glories in peace."


    Emperor Chenglu said, "The matter at hand is an opportunity, to generously nurture the descendants of the Zhou family, and that can be considered establishing trust!"


    "Your Majesty is wise!"


    "Mr. Zhou is a regret of the Sage Emperor, and this would make itplete."


    "Your Majesty has given deep consideration, and it will be much more convenient to recruit Loose Cultivators in the future. If the descendants of a benefactor from a hundred years ago can be well-treated by the Imperial n, what more of others?"


    The n elders praised him repeatedly. Emperor Chenglu clearly had a n in mind, and calling upon the n''s residence for discussion was a gracious gesture, which should be appreciated.


    ...


    The Hall of Heavenly Session.


    All sorts of exquisite delicacies need no mention.


    Zhou Yi stood outside with the eunuch for quite a while, finally waiting for His Majesty to grant an audience.


    Emperor Chenglu, appearing to be in his thirties or forties with a robust physique, saw Zhou Yi enter and smiled, gesturing for him to dispense with formalities.


    "The Zhou and Li families can be considered old friends. I am elder than you by some years, so hereafter, let''s refer to each other as uncle and nephew."


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    Zhou Yi had transformed into a young man with an honest face, and even in different clothes, he could not hide his rustic aura.


    Emperor Chenglu got straight to the point and asked, "Honored nephew, you im to be a descendant of Mr. Zhou. Besides the wooden token, do you have any other evidence?"


    "Other..."


    Zhou Yi was about to speak when he sensed a discreet fluctuation of mana and immediately pretended to be dazed, his speech dreamy, "My great-grandfather always used to curse the Dog Emperor; would that count?"


    "Dog Emperor?"


    A look of embarrassment shed across Emperor Chenglu''s face, but he then remembered a record in the Sage Emperor''s chronicles and asked, "If the Li family does not recognize you, what do you n to do?"


    Zhou Yi said, "Go back home and farm."


    Emperor Chenglu nced behind him where Loose Cultivators were hidden behind a folding screen, having already cast the Soul Bewitching Art.


    "Honored nephew, do you have any other skills?"


    Zhou Yi honestly answered, "I only know how to farm and brew wine."


    Emperor Chenglu continued to inquire, "How old are you this year?"


    "Eighteen."


    Zhou Yi was indeed a full cycle of sixty years old, which was somewhat embarrassing to admit. A Golden Elixir True Monarch had already lived half of his lifespan, while he had not even reached Foundation Establishment.


    Emperor Chenglu asked a few more questions, such as the presence of a Spirit Root and martial prowess, and then indicated for the Soul Bewitching Art to be removed.


    Zhou Yi gradually came to his senses and said with simple honesty, "Did I say something wrong? Does the royal family still recognize my great-grandfather?"


    "The Sage Emperor''s greatest regret in life was that he could not repay Mr. Zhou''s kindness. Now that the honored nephew hase, it also fulfills an ancestral wish of mine. Should you desire anything, feel free to ask. I shall grant it!"


    Emperor Chenglu still addressed him as ''honored nephew'' and maintained a warm smile, yet his tone had be more official and distant.


    Lacking a Spirit Root, with low martial aptitude, even if the Imperial n heavily invested in cultivation, it would be difficult for him to achieve Innate status. Emperor Chenglu had originally thought about recruiting him as a son-inw. Since he had given up on that idea, the resources invested would not seep out of royal control.


    "Your Majesty, my great-grandfather''s greatest regret in life was seeking the way of the immortals," said Zhou Yi.


    Zhou Yi said, "There are rumors that the royal family possesses spiritualnds. I hope to borrow suchnds for cultivation. If there could be some support with Spirit Stones as well, that would be even better."


    "I grant your request."


    Although Emperor Chenglu was disappointed, since he had promised to uphold trust, he would not be stingy with Spirit Stones.


    "In a few days, the honored nephew will proceed to the Imperial n''s spiritualnds for cultivation, with an annual provision of one hundred Spirit Stones to purchase medicinal pills."