Chapter 433: Four Men and a Woman

Chapter 433: Chapter 433: Four Men and a Woman

An elixir of immortality? Could this really be the rumored elixir of immortality?

All eyes in the court were fixed on Lin Xiao. These were people of great power, each exuding an immense aura not just of cultivation strength, but also of official authority, power, and prestige. The overwhelming pressure bore down on Lin Xiao, but he remained calm and confident, not showing a trace of fear.

Some knowledgeable officials were slightly surprised.

"Great Li Emperor, please take a look!" Zhong Shan said with a smile as he walked over and lifted the Nine-Dragon Crystal Cover.

The Nine-Dragon Crystal Cover could block divine sense, so no one could see what was inside. As Zhong Shan lifted it, a purple light flashed.

Everyone's eyes widened.

What was that? A baby?

They saw, on the tray, a tiny baby the size of a fist. The baby's mouth curled into a sinister smile, surrounded by a faint purple mist, looking incredibly eerie.

Everyone felt a rush of evil energy piercing their minds, making them feel uneasy. What was this thing? It looked so malevolent.

No, it wasn't a baby.

Everyone gulped, unsure of what they were looking at.

"Great Li Emperor, please take a look. This is what I obtained. I've only heard that consuming it can increase one's lifespan by at least a thousand years. I am not certain if it is true, and I would like to request your evaluation," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

Looking at the item next to Zhong Shan, Nie Fancheng's pupils contracted instinctively. He recognized it.

"Where did you get this?" Nie Fancheng asked.

"In the Great Jin Dynasty. It was discovered while we were assisting the Longevity Realm in exterminating the Demon Remnant Army headquarters," Zhong Shan replied truthfully.

Demon Remnant Army headquarters? Nie Fancheng smiled slightly, as if he had thought of something.

"Great Li Emperor, can you confirm the information I obtained? Does this item really have that effect?" Zhong Shan asked.

"It can indeed increase one's lifespan by a thousand years," Nie Fancheng nodded.

"Wow~~~"

The officials could no longer contain themselves and burst into excited murmurs. It was true, it was really an elixir of immortality? The elixir of immortality?

"Zhong Shan, are you planning to present this to the emperor?" Xiaoyao Hou Nie Kuang suddenly asked.

Xiaoyao Hou's question made everyone frown. They didn't want Zhong Shan to give it to Nie Fancheng, but they couldn't show it openly.

"Xiaoyao Hou?" Zhong Shan asked with a puzzled smile.

"Hmm?" Nie Kuang raised an eyebrow.

"This is my possession. It's not up to you to decide what I do with it," Zhong Shan replied with a smile.

Zhong Shan's words made the officials secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Though they couldn't have it now, who knew what the future held? But if it was given to the emperor, they could forget about ever getting it.

"Thank you, Great Li Emperor, for appraising this treasure for me," Zhong Shan said respectfully.

Nie Fancheng looked at Zhong Shan, sensing that Zhong Shan hadn't finished speaking. The rumors said Zhong Shan wanted to exchange this treasure for something from him.

"Great Li Emperor, I have a wife who is currently in the Great Li Celestial Dynasty. I hope the emperor can bestow blessings upon us and allow me to take my wife home," Zhong Shan said sincerely.

"Oh?"

"Wow~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" The court became noisy once more. Surrender? Impossible!

In his thoughts, Zhong Shan quickly analyzed everything. The Grand Cheng Empire was a neighbor of the Great Li Celestial Dynasty, but their relationship had always been strained, with continuous wars. Why would they suddenly surrender? No, the Grand Cheng Empire never seemed to have a crown prince. All of the Grand Cheng Emperor's sons had died. How could a crown prince suddenly appear? Not long ago, the Grand Cheng Emperor had celebrated his 4,000th birthday.

4,000 years? An Emperor Extreme Realm cultivator's lifespan is 4,800 years. That means he still has 800 years left.

"The Grand Cheng Emperor wants to submit to me? Although his lifespan is short, his ambition wouldn't allow him to submit," Nie Fancheng said in doubt.

"Reporting to the Great Li Emperor, all of this is because of me," Zhao Tiansha said.

"Oh?" Nie Fancheng questioned.

"It was recently confirmed that I am the emperor's distant descendant and his only bloodline. The emperor, feeling his end approaching, wanted to ensure my safety, so he willingly gave up the Grand Cheng Empire that he founded," Zhao Tiansha explained.

Upon hearing Zhao Tiansha's explanation, everyone immediately understood. With the empire's fall, the crown prince would certainly be hunted down by powerful enemies. To protect his only bloodline, the Grand Cheng Emperor was willing to give up his millennia-old foundation.

"Very well, I accept his terms," Nie Fancheng declared.

Given such a situation, how could he refuse? An empire handed over for free, who wouldn't want it?

"Reporting to the Great Li Emperor, my emperor also considered my safety. He stated that if the Great Li Emperor were willing to marry one of his princesses to me, the news reaching our capital would immediately result in our empire's submission to the Great Li Celestial Dynasty," Zhao Tiansha continued.

Indeed, there was no free lunch in the world. This was the hidden condition of the Grand Cheng Emperor. A princess's marriage would ensure Zhao Tiansha's safety, making him a prince consort. This request was not unreasonable; it was fair and logical.

"Oh? Which princess do you wish to marry?" Nie Fancheng asked.

Clearly, Nie Fancheng was intrigued. Everyone looked at Zhao Tiansha, waiting for his answer. Meanwhile, Zhong Shan suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

"The Princess of the Great Li Celestial Dynasty, Princess Ling'er," Zhao Tiansha stated.

"Wow~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Princess Ling'er? The court erupted again with discussions. The matter of Zhong Shan's wife was not yet settled, and now another suitor had appeared?

"Reporting to the Emperor!" Xiaoyao Hou suddenly spoke up.

"Speak!" Nie Fancheng looked at Xiaoyao Hou.

"Emperor, I have seen Princess Ling'er multiple times and have always admired her. She is the object of my day and night thoughts. Although she is a princess and holds a noble status, we are both the sixth generation descendants of the Emperor. I humbly request the Emperor to grant me a marriage with her to ease my longing," Xiaoyao Hou said.

The court was once again in an uproar.

Another suitor? If this weren't the court, the ministers would have cried out. Princess Ling'er had such immense charm?

Nie Fancheng frowned slightly.

"Reporting to the Emperor!" On the right side of the court, Shaofei Hou suddenly stepped forward.

"Speak!" Nie Fancheng ordered.

"Princess Ling'er is gentle and virtuous, lively and adorable, cheerful and generous. Seeing her once left me thinking of her day and night. She is the ideal partner I have always dreamed of. I never dared to harbor any presumptuous thoughts, but now, with so many pursuing her, I cannot give up. I am willing to exchange my past military merits for the Emperor's blessing in marriage," Shaofei Hou said, shocking everyone.

"Wow~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

In the court, the ministers were about to go crazy. Again, Princess Ling'er? Four outstanding men were simultaneously seeking the Emperor's blessing to marry Princess Ling'er?