Chapter 80: Immortal Journey

Chapter 80: Immortal Journey

Yuan Zixu paused at the entrance of the purification chamber.

A subtle fragrance wafted through the curtains, a scent he was all too familiar with.

Dragon's Brain Incense was no longer found in the palace since Empress Shen's passing; all of it had been buried with her.

Inside the small chamber, only the Crown Prince was present. The guards had reported that he had barely eaten anything today, instead devoting his time to meditating in front of Empress Shen's portrait, honoring the gods and remembering his mother.

Despite not leaving the room all day, the prince was now imbued with this peculiar aroma, as if he had spent a long time in a chamber saturated with Dragon's Brain Incense, his very soul tainted by its scent. Legend had it that this incense was used to worship Buddha, its fragrance reaching directly before the divine.

The eunuch silently drew back the curtains, intensifying the aroma.

His expression shifted, but he didn't proceed further. He already knew the answer. He gazed at his son, the Crown Prince, who sat cross-legged before the altar in the purification chamber. The candles on the altar were still, casting a dim light, while the snow outside illuminated the window. On the wall, Empress Shen sat in her portrait with lowered eyes, solemn and lifelike, wearing a headdress adorned with nine phoenixes and a flowing robe. She had entered the palace not long after giving birth to the prince, and Yuan Zixu had commissioned court painters to capture her slightly plump figure and natural blush in their portraits.

The prince resembled her, whereas Yi Yang took after him more.

From the window, the Crown Prince's profile appeared serene, his white robes akin to a lotus flower in pure water, detached from the world and transcendent.

"The Crown Prince is pure and untainted, like a lotus unsullied by water."

He had long since ceased to care about the world's boundless wealth and glory, for he had discovered his ability to leave his physical body behind. He had pierced through all illusions, with no intention of enduring the cold winters of the mortal realm. He would ascend to the unattainable heights of the ninth heaven, leaving only his son trapped here amidst this wealth and gold, to decay alongside the world.

Yuan Zixu remained silent, taking a few steps back. The curtains fell, and he fled the Precious Scroll Palace as if in escape.

The withered lotus stems in the pond were covered in snow, while the moon illuminated the icy water and reflected off the cold eaves. The palace seemed like the abode of immortals, mocking him for sealing his own son within its walls through a conspiracy, and then stealing away his chance at divine transcendence, abandoning these mundane beings in their filth.

Yuan Zixu strode back to his Heavenly First Temple and suddenly summoned Chong Xiao, ordering that the vermilion pill he had recently refined be brought forth.

Master Chong Xiao approached, and the guards swarmed around him. Yuan Zixu held the crimson pill in his hand, examining it intently. Suddenly, he ordered a cup of wine to be brought, which he drank in one go. Following that, he took a few bites of the crimson pill, chewing it, before swallowing it down.

Warmth cascaded down his throat, gradually infusing warmth into his body. Yuan Zixu had never felt so relaxed before. His heavy and weary limbs seemed to have been suddenly relieved, granting him a sense of lightness. He felt incredibly buoyant, yet his eyelids felt too heavy to lift. The comfort was so overwhelming that all he desired was to lie down. Observing his condition, Chong Xiao instructed two attendants to help the Emperor recline on a couch, and then ordered someone to cover the Emperor with a light blanket.

Observing the emperor, one could only see his cheeks flushed a gentle red, his lips vibrant with color. His eyes were wide open, the pupils slightly dilated, revealing a trance-like state. His entire being seemed to be detached from his body, as if his spirit had soared towards the unknown celestial realms.

He seemed to see himself floating unsteadily, swaying gently like a delicate butterfly, ascending into the ethereal realm above the azure clouds. From afar, he glimpsed resplendent palaces and jade towers, with divine trees adorning their steps. Countless ethereal maidens, fair-skinned and flower-faced, with misty hair and breeze-tousled coiffures, gracefully wandered about. They danced as if snowflakes in the wind, their celestial robes billowing softly.

Yuan Zixu fluttered his wings, soaring over the Nine Treasures Palace, and in a daze, he landed on a jade tree adorned with countless emerald gems and exquisite flowers. Beneath the tree, a woman wearing a Nine-Layer Phoenix Crown sat gracefully, her radiant feather robe shimmering like a startled swan, elegant as a meandering dragon. She looked at him in surprise, "His Imperial Majesty still has unspent blessings in the mortal realm, so how has your soul wandered to this place?"

Yuan Zixu suddenly realized that the woman's phoenix eyes and apricot lips were as radiant as a crimson dawn - it was Empress Shen. He couldn't help but call out her maiden name, "Mu Hua, I've missed you."

Empress Shen smiled. "The time for His Majesty to resume his throne is near. When that day comes, the Vast Heaven Palace will have its ruler once more. This concubine and the other consorts will wait in silence for the Emperor's return."

Yuan Zixu said, "So that's how it is?"

Empress Shen spoke gently, "How is Ah Jun doing? It will still be a century before he returns. When the Emperor goes back, please have someone paint a portrait of him with Yi Yang and burn it for me to see."

Yuan Zixu asked, "Why don't you go see them yourself?"

Empress Shen sighed, "There is a divide between immortals and mortals. How can I disturb your mortal cultivation? The Emperor's descent to Earth for cultivation is a great blessing, ensuring national prosperity and people's well-being, bestowing rain and sunshine equally. The Emperor must not neglect this duty. It's time to return."

Yuan Zixu felt reluctant to part but couldn't resist asking, "Ah Jun is now at odds with me over Yi Yang. What should I do?"

Empress Shen was surprised. "Ah Jun has always been filial. Besides, if the Emperor tests him, would he doubt the Emperor? Please don't take it to heart. As long as there's an imperial edict, he will never disobey – the time has come..." With a sweep of her wide sleeves, Empress Shen smiled like a blooming flower. "Farewell, Your Majesty. This concubine awaits the day of your return."

Surrounded by pink clouds and fragrant flowers, Yuan Zixu woke from his dream, seeing the sky filled with dawn hues as divine light seemed to stream through the window, illuminating the hall.

After a moment of daze, he summoned the Crown Prince.

Yuan Jun arrived attired in plain robes, his eyes clear and serene. As he bowed, he seemed to emanate an otherworldly aura. Yuan Zixu smiled and invited him to sit, "I heard you were unwell, so I didn't send you out for blessings on your mother's memorial day. Today, you seem to be in good spirits?"

Yuan Jun's expression was blank, "Thank you, Father, for your concern. I am doing well."

Yuan Zixu said, "I recall you discussing Zen and Buddhism with Wu Wang before. Now, I hear you're delving into Daoism? What book did you read today?"

Yuan Jun replied, "Yes, Father, I read Mr. Jiaxuan's 'The Highest Pavilion'. It gave me much insight."

Fixing his gaze on Yuan Jun, Yuan Zixu smiled but said, "The Highest Pavilion, I grow old." Li Dongfu held his breath, for if this were in the past, the Emperor would suspect that the Crown Prince was mocking his aging.

But Yuan Jun remained unperturbed, reciting slowly, "Drinking leisurely, composing poems. A thousand years of land has seen eight hundred masters, each mouth fed by several spoons. Let it go, let it go, what's the point of discussing right and wrong? The line that resonated with me is this one."

Yuan Zixu surprisingly didn't lose his temper, only asking, "A thousand years of land has seen eight hundred masters?"

Yuan Jun responded, "Just looking at the sixteen states of Yan Yun that my elder sister recently regained, they've changed hands countless times throughout history. Our dynasty, the Yuan, has ruled for mere centuries... It's just a reflection on the rise and fall of empires."

Seeing Yuan Jun's calm demeanor, Yuan Zixu felt a slight unease, though he maintained his smile, "Can a crown prince afford such thoughts? The responsibility of the nation, the welfare of the people, how can you shirk these duties?"

Yuan Jun smiled gently, "An emperor is chosen by heaven. Father, you possess great talent and vision, and my brothers are growing up. They are ready to learn. I, on the other hand, am now devoted to seeking Dao. I no longer bear the weight of the throne. I humbly request your grace, allowing me to pursue my spiritual journey."

He spoke with an air of pleading, but there was no sign of it in his demeanor. His gaze was as clear as water, as if he were merely having a casual conversation with his father, without any trace of resentment on his face. Yuan Zixu found this superior and confident attitude somewhat displeasing, yet it also stirred a sense of superiority within him. Didn't he think he had a connection to the immortals? Little did he know that even in the heavens, I am the Supreme God, your very own father.

Well, it's all part of the mortal experience, after all. We are, after all, celestial beings who share a father-son bond.

Yuan Zixu's thoughts wandered for a moment. If Yuan Jun and Empress Shen were both from the heavens, what about the other princes?

Since they weren't born of Empress Shen...

Yuan Zixu frowned. Even though they were human incarnations, they still carried my bloodline. However, without that connection to the immortals, they can only aspire to earthly riches.

Looking at Yuan Jun, he noticed that his brother seemed lost in thought, no longer as cautious or restrained as before. His silence didn't make Yuan Zixu feel restricted or tense, as if Yuan Jun already knew his fate and cared not.

Yuan Zixu inwardly scoffed. While I'm still diligently governing the world, you're already dreaming of escape? That connection to the immortals is mine. I grant it, and you have it; I take it back, and it's gone.

He said calmly, "The heir is the foundation of the nation. How can you discuss Buddhism and philosophy, neglecting your duties to the kingdom? This cannot be allowed. The imperial examinations will soon begin, and state affairs are demanding. From today onwards, you must read and approve official documents daily, easing the burden for your father. You must not shirk your responsibilities."

Yuan Jun appeared taken aback but eventually acquiesced, "Your son obeys, I dare not be lazy."

Only then did Yuan Zixu continue, "I know your health has not fully recovered, but how can your character change? If your mother were here, she would certainly scold you." His tone softened, tinged with nostalgia, as he recalled the Empress Shen he had seen in that dream-like vision, still in the bloom of youth, seemingly even younger than himself.

Suppose if I were to return to heaven, wouldn't it be during my prime years?

He suddenly realized that ever since he consumed the red pill earlier, his energy had been unusually vibrant. The subtle aches and pains in his body seemed to have vanished. He even felt that his mind was clearer than ever before, with thoughts flowing swiftly.

An idea struck him. He gave Yuan Jun a few instructions and told him to return to the palace. Then, he rose and went to the backyard, asking for a bow to be brought. He picked up the bow he used in his younger days and tested it. Indeed, he found his strength intact, pulling the bow effortlessly. His entire body brimmed with vitality, his blood coursing robustly, and his spirit invigorated.

He returned to his chambers where the female Taoist attendants, dressed in sheer veils, approached him. On this night, three of them attended to him, but none could withstand his prowess. In the end, they wept, praising the emperor's might. He, on the other hand, maintained control, sustaining his endurance without exhaustion, his vigor as robust as that of his youth.

Could it really have such remarkable effects?

Chong Xiao, confined within the palace's daoist temple to concoct medicines, received on this day a bestowment from the emperor's emissary. The gifts comprised ten bolts of five-colored cloud brocade, ten bolts of purple silk, a hundred catties of incense, a bronze incense burner tinged with purple, and ten ingots of gold.

Venerable Chong Xiao, accompanied by his disciples, expressed their gratitude for the imperial favor.

Li Dongfu smiled warmly and said, "His Majesty has expressed his gratitude for the State Preceptor's efforts during this time. However, since the elixir is now complete, he kindly requests that you prepare more in anticipation of future needs. If there are any specific herbs, spices, or other ingredients required for alchemy, please provide a list, and we old servants will attend to procuring them."

Chong Xiao's expression remained composed, as if he was unaware of his predicament of being utterly confined within the palace for alchemy. Instead, he smiled and said, "Many thanks to Eunuch Li. It is our good fortune to have earned His Majesty's trust. Currently, we are still experimenting with the second and third furnaces."

Li Dongfu beamed and said, "Monk, you are destined for great wealth and prosperity." The two exchanged more compliments and polite remarks before Chong Xiao finally pressed a gold ingot into Li Dongfu's hand, thus bidding him farewell. Afterward, he let out a long sigh of relief, feeling a cold sweat drench his back. He had been on tenterhooks as he watched the Emperor depart with a dazed, blissful smile, fearful that at any moment palace guards might burst in to arrest them all and mete out severe punishment.

Yet what came was a reward, as expected. Master was right; after consuming them, one saw what their heart desired the most, longed for the most. The only downside was that once the drug was taken, the dosage required would continually increase. Without a consistent supply, its effects would eventually fade.

He had embarked on a path from which there was no return, yet he had no choice but to grit his teeth and persevere.

His disciples were unaware of the great risk he had taken. They looked at him with admiration, "Master, you've truly refined the immortal pill?"

Li Dongfu maintained an enigmatic air, flicking his Buddhist whisk with an ethereal demeanor. He smiled, "This is His Majesty's divine fate. Otherwise, how could I have failed to refine it before, yet succeeded now upon His Majesty's command? This is truly unpredictable destiny."

The Taoist novices all marveled, "Master's Daoist arts are profound!" "Indeed, divine fate isn't something everyone can encounter."

Yet, Li Dongfu secretly calculated in his mind how long the medicine in his possession could sustain him. After gaining the emperor's trust, he would have to devise a way to bypass the imperial physicians' supervision and acquire more medicinal ingredients to continue refining the pills.

Once the medicine ran out, so would his life!