CH 41

At the hour of snake (1), in the Imperial Palace Academy.

The Imperial Tutor held a bamboo ruler in his hand and asked, “In the current Demon Realm, the nine Demon Kings each have their own territory. Can anyone tell me who they are?”

The children below, dressed in identical black attire with phoenix embroideries on their sleeves and hems, all looked solemn and concentrated.

A young boy in the front row stood up and answered, going through each Demon King from the first to the ninth, explaining clearly how each one gained fame and ruled over their respective territories in the Demon Realm.

The others in the room were full of admiration and applause.

“Zhang Zhang is so amazing. I spent a long time reading in the library and took notes everywhere, but he has already memorized all the answers.”

“He is Young Master Miao Miao’s younger brother. It seems that talents run in the family.”

“You can’t say that. Look at the one in the back.”

A few children whispered among themselves and turned their heads to the back.

Sitting in the last row, a young boy dressed in luxurious clothing, his black hair tied with golden satin, supported his chin with one hand and his long eyelashes drooped as he slept soundly.

He was the Emperor’s offspring who was lost outside and was brought back seven years ago. For some reason, he has been like this ever since.

In the thousands of years since the establishment of the academy, he was the only one who dared to sleep during the Imperial Tutor’s class.

At first, the Imperial Tutors wanted to punish him, but later, they simply turned a blind eye and continued with their lectures.

After Yu Zhang Zhang finished answering, the Imperial Tutor stroked his white beard and asked again, “Do you know which Demon King currently holds the strongest power in the Demon Realm?”

Yu Zhang Zhang replied, “The Great Demon King.”

A satisfied expression appeared on Shao Hong’s face as he motioned for him to sit down. However, loud opposition came from the back row.

“No, it’s the Ninth Demon King.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Shao Hong’s forehead vein throbbed slightly. “Say it again.”

Shen Liuxiang narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly. “The Ninth Demon King is the most powerful.”

There was an uproar in the room, and the young faces around him showed puzzled expressions.

“I heard it was the Great Demon King who is the most powerful.”

“But Young Master Shao said it’s the Ninth Demon King.”

“Well, let’s go with what Young Master Shao said. It seems that the most powerful in the Demon Realm is the Ninth Demon King.”

Seeing all the students being influenced in an instant, Shao Hong’s face turned iron blue. He tapped the table with his ruler and said, “Silence… Please come forward, Young Master.”

Clap! Clap!

The little hand on the table received two hits with the ruler.

Shen Liuxiang let out a soft gasp, furrowing his brows. After a moment, he narrowed his eyes and hmphed, “They have never fought, so is the Great Demon King strong in an imaginary sense?”

“You, you…” Shao Hong was so angry that he trembled all over, raising the ruler to strike again. But a pleasant female voice sounded in his ears, “Old Shao, I just made osmanthus cake and brought it for you all to taste.”

A woman dressed in light yellow fairy attire stood at the door, holding a food box in her hands. She had a graceful figure and an otherworldly beauty.

Everyone hurriedly bowed, “Greetings, Imperial Princess.”

Her attendants distributed the osmanthus cake to each person. Shao Hong reluctantly put down the ruler and said, “That’s enough for today.”

Xu Xinglian took the opportunity to lead Shen Liuxiang away. “Old Shao, why did you punish my brother again?”

She opened the food box and took out a piece of osmanthus cake, offering it to Shen Liuxiang.

“He couldn’t argue with me, so he got angry and embarrassed,” Shen Liuxiang tasted a bite, “Your cooking skills have improved.”

Xu Xinglian was his half-sister from the same father but a different mother, the daughter of the Emperor, and bore her mother’s surname. Seven years ago, when he first came to the Imperial Palace and was unfamiliar with everything, she was the only person who treated him kindly.

“If my brother likes it, then eat more,” Xu Xinglian said.

With a sigh, she added, “I spend my days in the Imperial Palace and can only busy myself with these things to pass the time.”

Shen Liuxiang thought of how she had never left Shengqi Mountain and raised an eyebrow, “Once I’ve cured the demonic poison, I’ll take you out to play.”

Xu Xinglian lowered her gaze, “Father won’t allow it.”

Shen Liuxiang replied, “Let’s try and see.”

Xu Xinglian had no hope in her heart, but she smiled and said, “Thank you in advance, brother.”

Then she said, “Brother is coming back.”

Shen Liuxiang finished the last piece of osmanthus cake, unconcerned as he clapped his hands, causing the crumbs to fly.

Xu Xingchen was originally the unique “Young Master” in the Imperial Palace and naturally disliked this sudden older brother who appeared out of nowhere. Over the years, he had done many things to make trouble for him.

“Let him come back then,” Shen Liuxiang said.

Under the warm sunlight, Shen Liuxiang stretched lazily, looking at the various pavilions, towers, and countless palaces around.

Seven years ago, after he woke up in Qingling, various sects led by Jin Xiangtian wanted to attack him, and he was expelled from the sect by his martial brothers. But not long after, when they wanted to make a comeback, people from the Imperial Palace came to take him away, and the group of people immediately dared not cause any more trouble.

Shen Liuxiang was originally unwilling to come, but he heard that the Imperial Palace was located in Shengqi Mountain, the place with the most abundant spiritual energy in the world. So, he brought Shen Bubu with him.

Ling Ye didn’t stop him, just reminded him to get rid of the demonic poison.

He transformed into a small form to deal with the demonic poison. At first, he was not used to it, but after living with this small body for seven years, he was now proficient in everything.

Thinking of the demonic poison, Shen Liuxiang hurried to a nearby water pool.

“Old Jiu, where are you? Come out.”

The water in the pool was clear, and various spirit herbs grew inside, gently swaying in the breeze. The water surface rippled slightly, reflecting scattered rays of sunlight.

In a short while, a golden turtle the size of a palm swam over from the center of the pool, holding something black in its mouth.

Shen Liuxiang crouched down, reaching out his right hand, “I haven’t checked for poison today.”

Old Jiu spat out the black thing into his hand and then bit his fingertip, tasting a drop of blood.

Shen Liuxiang carefully examined the golden turtle. The only thing unusual was a faint redness on its cheeks; other than that, there was nothing abnormal.

The first time it tasted his blood, the golden turtle turned red all over and spewed bubbles of blood in the water, scaring the people in the Imperial Palace. The Emperor frowned, and Shen Liuxiang began his seven-year detoxification process.

Shen Liuxiang heaved a sigh of relief, “Finally, the poison will be completely cleared.”

Old Jiu shook its head, “I have never seen such a powerful demonic poison before. The fact that you can withstand it is also a kind of opportunity.”

“Do you want this opportunity?” Shen Liuxiang chuckled and squeezed the soft, black, and muddy thing in his hand.

“What is this?”

Old Jiu said two words, “Insect eggs.”

Shen Liuxiang’s expression froze, and his whole body’s hair stood on end. He was about to throw it away when he saw a sticky little worm crawl out from it.

“?!?!?!”

The small figure squatting by the shore was startled, falling into the pool, and struggled with lotus-like arms in the water.

Shen Liuxiang was worried that the insect might have crawled onto him. Panicking, his mind became chaotic, and he accidentally swallowed a few mouthfuls of water.

At that moment, a slender hand reached into the pool and pulled him out.

Shen Liuxiang was soaked, and sparkling water droplets continuously dripped from his face and clothes. Without caring who saved him, he absentmindedly straightened his collar and rolled up his sleeves to check if the insect had crawled on him.

“It’s in the water.”

The voice was steady and inexplicably captivating.

Shen Liuxiang was stunned but gradually calmed down. His gaze moved from the cloud-patterned hem of the person’s clothes, rose to the phoenix-patterned belt, and finally met a pair of light-colored eyes.

He stepped back and paid his respects, “Emperor.”

The person in front of him was the most revered existence in the Three Realms.

In the original story, there was very little focus on Emperor Yunyu, and Shen Liuxiang knew very little about him. All he was sure of was that this man was his father.

His father was immensely powerful, and no one in the world could match his cultivation level.

However, his father’s lifespan was not long.

According to the convention, he should address him as “father,” but the first time Shen Liuxiang met him, he was astonished and couldn’t help but call him “Emperor.” Emperor Yunyu frowned but didn’t say anything, so Shen Liuxiang continued to address him that way.

Emperor Yunyu had recently been on an outing.

At this moment, the sun was shining brightly on Shengqi Mountain, without a cloud in the sky. However, there was a trace of cold and dampness emanating from him, with his long hair touched by a hint of frost, as if he had just returned from an extremely cold place.

Shen Liuxiang paid his respectful greetings, then raised his head. Suddenly, the gravel at his feet trembled.

Emperor Yunyu extended his index finger and lightly flicked it.

Shen Liuxiang’s feet involuntarily floated off the ground, and he found himself levitating in mid-air. The distinct bone joints of Emperor Yunyu’s finger moved slightly, and Shen Liuxiang’s body followed suit, rotating slowly in mid-air.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Yunyu said, “Too heavy.”

Shen Liuxiang: “······”

Emperor Yunyu had a handsome appearance, but his demeanor was imposing, making ordinary people dare not look him directly in the eye.

He lowered his eyes and said, “Take the things out.”

Shen Liuxiang pursed his lips and remained silent. After a long while, he reluctantly took out a chicken leg wrapped in oil paper from his storage bag.

Shengqi Mountain was far from the secular world, and he had gone through great efforts to obtain something to eat.

Emperor Yunyu said, “There’s more.”

Shen Liuxiang’s heart was bleeding, and he took out a small bag of melon seeds from his waist.

Emperor Yunyu said coldly, “Is there still more?”

Shen Liuxiang felt like crying. He took out half a piece of dried meat from his sleeve, feeling heartbroken.

“No more! This time, there’s really nothing left!”

For the past seven years, while detoxifying the demonic poison, he had not tasted anything salty or meaty. This time, he couldn’t resist taking a bite while Emperor Yunyu was away.

“I only sniffed it, I didn’t eat it.”

Emperor Yunyu looked at the tooth marks on the dried meat, fell silent for a while, and then waved his hand mercilessly, making all the snacks disappear into thin air.

Shen Liuxiang looked utterly disheartened.

He bought those snacks just to sniff them. Apart from last night when he was enticed by his cravings and couldn’t resist taking half a piece of dried meat, he intended to keep them untouched.

Still pondering in his heart, Shen Liuxiang thought to save the remaining half for tonight and add a couple more melon seeds to enjoy.

Now, everything was gone!

Emperor Yunyu remarked, “Your willpower is weak.”

“I can’t eat salty and meaty food because I have to soak in the medicinal pool every day. But when you were away, no one prepared the medicine for me,” Shen Liuxiang complained softly, “Since I’m not soaking in the medicinal pool, it won’t cause any harm if I just have a little to eat.”

Emperor Yunyu glanced at him, “Are you blaming me?”

Shen Liuxiang widened his eyes, “I dare not!”

He had no intention to blame his father; he was merely stating the facts. Who in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths would dare to blame the Emperor?

Emperor Yunyu furrowed his brow, seeming to not want to talk more, and pointed to a wutong tree (2) by the poolside, “Go stand there. You can leave after dark.”

Shen Liuxiang walked over without any fuss.

Over the past few years, whenever he did something wrong in front of Emperor Yunyu, regardless of its severity, he would repent in front of the tree and leave behind a small pit as a penalty.

After standing for a while, Shen Liuxiang found some amusement in his punishment.

He picked up a few wutong leaves from the ground and folded them into shapes – small boats, origami cranes, little frogs, anything that came to his mind.

As night approached, Shen Liuxiang clapped his hands and left the folded creations by the tree, intending to leave. However, just as he was about to walk away, something fell from the sky and hit him squarely on the head.

It didn’t hurt much; it felt as light as a wisp of cloud.

Shen Liuxiang reached up and took down the object. It was a bag covered in ice mist. He looked up at the tree, but the branches swayed gently in the wind, and there was no one in sight.

Untying the knot of the bag, he released a small lump of soft soil from inside. It was incredibly tender, and when he held it in his hand, it felt cold as ice.

Under the night sky, the soil emitted faint glimmers.

Shen Liuxiang recognized the object and his face immediately lit up with delight.

It was the Frost Spirit Soil from the Northern Abyss Realm!

The most pure and suitable soil for cultivating spiritual plants in the world.

Everyone desired it.

However, Frost Spirit Soil was extremely difficult to find. Unless there was great fortune involved, in the boundless Northern Abyss Realm, it was practically impossible to find its existence. Moreover, even if there were traces of it, the soil would be hidden deep beneath ten thousand feet of ice, and not everyone was destined to obtain it.

Shen Liuxiang had not expected that, after cheekily mentioning it, Emperor Yunyu would actually find it for him.

He tightly held the Frost Spirit Soil, feeling deeply moved.

“Father! You truly are my father!”

As Emperor Yunyu stepped into the bedroom, he heard a voice in his ears. His eyebrows raised slightly, and his face showed no expression as he heard another sentence.

“Bubu, your father is useless. To save you, we still have to rely on your grandfather.”

Emperor Yunyu: “······”

Holding the Frost Spirit Soil, Shen Liuxiang hurriedly ran back to his living quarters.

During the day, he would place Shen Bubu on the eaves to bask in the sun and enjoy the scenery around him, such as the academy and the pool.

Shen Liuxiang leaped onto the eaves, took Shen Bubu out of the soil, replaced it with the Frost Spirit Soil, and buried him back into the soil, leaving a wisp of root exposed.

Compared to his withered appearance from several years ago, Shen Bubu now appeared plump and gradually became vibrant.

Shen Liuxiang gently touched the root, picked up the exquisite porcelain pot, and returned to his room.

After washing up, he sat on the bed, focused on meditating, and practiced various spells in his sea of knowledge.

During these seven years, with the presence of a demonic poison, he refrained from manipulating the inner spiritual power, and his cultivation did not progress. However, he learned many powerful spells within the Emperor’s palace.

He was no longer the same as before, a master who couldn’t even teach a single move to his disciple.

After half an hour, Shen Liuxiang opened his eyes, scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, but found no one.

His eyes sparkled, and he laid down on the bed. He pulled out about ten books from under the pillow and arranged them in a row. Then, from his storage bag, he took out a blue jade slip.

He infused his spiritual power into the jade slip, and it immediately emitted a bright light.

In an instant, a voice floated out from the jade slip.

It seemed like someone who had just awakened from a dream, with a deeply magnetic and slightly hoarse voice that sounded incredibly alluring.

The voice entered his ears, carrying an indescribable sense of sensuality.

“Which story would you like to hear tonight, Master······”

T/N: Did Immortal Shen chuck Zhou Xuanlan into a jade and use him as an audiobook?????? In case anyone needed clarification, this is a time skip from last chapter.

(1) – The hour of the snake is the time period between 9:00 am and 11:00 am

(2) – It’s formal name is firmiana simplex but is more commonly known as a parasol or wutong tree. Solid tree, 7/10.