Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 442 Nascent Soul in the Thatched Cottage!

"Absolutely true!" Old Li lowered his voice. "Elder, the purity of the spiritual energy contained in these spiritual plants is at least three times that of before!!"

"Good! Good! Good!" The eighteenth elder exclaimed three times. "Li Fugui, you handled this matter brilliantly! You truly deserve the position of deputy manager! I will report this to the main hall immediately and recommend you for commendation!"

"Thank you very much, Elder!" Old Li was overjoyed. "Also, Fellow Daoist Chen Fan has been asking about the Soul-Nourishing Wood..."

"I have ordered people to transport it from the 'Tiannan Branch Storehouse,' and it will arrive within a month at the latest," said the Eighteenth Elder. "As for the Vitality Elixir... the main storehouse does not have it, but I have issued a reward for its purchase. Inform me immediately if there is any news."

"Yes!" Old Li felt much more at ease.

"Furthermore," the Eighteenth Elder's tone turned serious, "I have already selected the two guest elders, 'Azure Wood' and 'Crimson Flame.' They will arrive within three days. Be prepared to receive them. Remember, the old eunuch is unfathomable; you must be on good terms with him and not neglect him."

"Disciple understands!"

The message has ended.

Old Li held the jade talisman and paced excitedly around the shop.

Cuihua walked over and asked softly, "Shopkeeper, what makes you so happy?"

"Great news! Fantastic news!" Old Li grabbed Cuihua's hand. "Our Baicaotang is about to achieve something great! I'm getting promoted to assistant manager!"

Cuihua's eyes gleamed with a magical light, and she smiled, "Congratulations, shopkeeper."

"Congratulations, congratulations!" Old Li laughed heartily, then suddenly remembered something, pulled a low-grade spirit stone from his pocket and stuffed it into Cuihua's hand. "Go, buy a roast chicken and a pot of good wine! Let's celebrate tonight!"

Cuihua accepted the spirit stone and nodded obediently, "Yes."

After Cuihua left, Old Li took out the account book again, turned to the page recording spiritual plants, looked at it again and again, and became happier with each look.

"A first-class merit... With this merit, I might be able to be transferred back to the overseas headquarters..." he murmured to himself, his eyes full of longing.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan had already returned to the palace.

He entered the imperial study without alerting anyone.

Emperor Jianwen was reviewing memorials when he sensed a presence. He looked up and saw Chen Fan, and quickly stood up: "Master, you're back."

"Hmm." Chen Fan sat down in the chair. "Has there been any unusual activity in the court these past few days?"

"Everything is as usual," Emperor Jianwen said. "The Zhenxian Division has taken over the Wei and Chu kingdoms and is currently clearing out the remaining forces. As for the Zhao kingdom, Senior Jidaozi has already gone to scout ahead, and the main army will set off in three days."

Chen Fan nodded: "Well done."

Emperor Jianwen hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Master, what about Fairy Tianxiang...?"

"He's awake, and his injuries have stabilized," Chen Fan said. "He still needs to rest."

Emperor Jianwen breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Chen Fan looked at him and suddenly said, "I need to go into seclusion for a few days. If there is any emergency, you can come to my quiet room to find me."

"Seclusion?" Emperor Jianwen was taken aback. "Master is about to break through?"

"No," Chen Fan shook his head. "It's just some recuperation. Also, two Nascent Soul cultivators from Hundred Herbs Hall will be stationed in the capital in three days. Make the arrangements and don't neglect them."

"Bai Cao Tang? Nascent Soul cultivators?" Emperor Jianwen exclaimed in surprise, "What are they...?"

"Cooperation." Chen Fan explained briefly, "Old Li will hand over the specifics to you. Remember, Baicaotang is a friend, not an enemy, but there's no need to be overly humble. Dayuan is Dayuan, and Baicaotang is Baicaotang."

Emperor Jianwen nodded solemnly: "Your disciple understands."

Chen Fan said no more and got up to walk towards the quiet room.

The quiet room was located beneath the imperial study, isolated by an array, and filled with spiritual energy. He sat cross-legged, took out the Spirit Nourishing Pill given to him by Old Li, poured out one, and swallowed it.

Once the elixir enters the stomach, it transforms into a warm and nourishing medicinal power that flows through the limbs and bones, eventually converging into the sea of ​​consciousness to nourish the soul.

Chen Fan closed his eyes and regulated his breathing.

Three days later.

At the east gate of the imperial city, two streaks of light descended from the sky and landed in front of the gate.

The newcomers, one in green and one in red, both appeared to be middle-aged. The one in green had a slender face and a gentle, spring-like aura; the one in red had thick eyebrows and large eyes, and a fiery, blazing aura.

They were Qingmu and Chiyan, guests of Baicaotang.

The soldiers guarding the city had already received the imperial decree. Upon seeing the two men arrive, they quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Esteemed seniors, His Majesty is already waiting in the palace."

Aoki nodded slightly, while Akane grinned and said, "Lead the way."

The two followed the soldiers into the palace and arrived at the imperial study.

Emperor Jianwen was already waiting in front of the palace, followed by Old Li.

"You two seniors have come from afar; I am sorry for not greeting you properly." Emperor Jianwen bowed.

Aoki returned the greeting: "Your Majesty is too kind. I am Aoki, and this is Chiyan. We have been sent by the Eighteenth Elder to guard the Great Abyss."

Chi Yan waved his hand casually: "From now on, we're all on the same side, no need for formalities."

Old Li stepped forward and said with a smile, "Senior Qingmu, Senior Chiyan, this is Emperor Jianwen of the Great Abyss."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Emperor Jianwen led the two to a side hall and hosted a welcoming banquet.

During the meal, Qingmu and Chiyan were quite polite, clearly indicating that the eighteen elders had given them instructions beforehand. Despite their high cultivation levels, they showed no arrogance and instead treated Emperor Jianwen with great respect.

After several rounds of drinks, Aoki said, "Your Majesty, now that we have come to be stationed here, we need a place to stay. Do you know if there are any vacant palaces in the palace?"

Emperor Wu smiled and said, "It has already been prepared. The Qingyun Hall next to the East Palace has been empty, so please stay there temporarily, seniors."

"Thank you for your trouble." Aoki nodded.

Chi Yan then asked, "Is Fellow Daoist Chen Fan here? The Eighteenth Elder instructed me to meet with him before I came."

"Master is in seclusion," Emperor Jianwen said. "However, Master instructed that if the two seniors have any important matters to discuss, they can go to the meditation room to find him."

"Seclusion?" Aoki and Akane exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.

Once you reach the Nascent Soul realm, each period of seclusion becomes extraordinary. Is Chen Fan currently in seclusion to break through?

Old Li, observing their expressions, quickly said, "Fellow Daoist Chen Fan has been traveling and working hard these past few days; perhaps he needs some time to recuperate. If you two seniors are not in a hurry, you can wait a few days."

"Alright," Aoki said. "Then the two of us will settle in first."

After the banquet, Emperor Jianwen personally escorted the two to the Qingyun Palace.

The palace was spacious, elegantly furnished, and its spiritual energy was more concentrated than elsewhere. Qingmu and Chiyan were quite satisfied. After thanking Emperor Wu, they went into the palace to rest.

After Emperor Jianwen left, Chi Yan set up a soundproof barrier before speaking: "Qingmu, what do you think?"

Aoki pondered, "Chen Fan is unfathomable. Just now, I used my divine sense to probe him, but I couldn't sense his aura. Either his cultivation level far surpasses ours, or... his cultivation method is unique."

"The Eighteenth Elder said he can kill Zhao Wuji." A fighting spirit flashed in Chi Yan's eyes. "I've fought that old ghost Zhao Wuji before, and he's not weak. To kill him, one must be at least a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator."

"Therefore, do not provoke us." Aoki said solemnly, "We are here for two reasons: first, to protect the interests of Baicaotang, and second, to befriend Chen Fan. As for other matters, we need not concern ourselves with them."

Chi Yan nodded: "I know. But... is that spiritual plant really that miraculous? Is it worth it for the main hall to send the two of us to be stationed here permanently?"

"With the eighteen elders personally appraising it, how could it be fake?" Qingmu said. "It's said that its spiritual energy purity is more than three times that of ordinary spiritual plants."

"No wonder," Chi Yan said, realizing. "Then let's keep a close watch and make sure nothing goes wrong."

After chatting for a few more minutes, the two sat down to meditate and regulate their breathing.

Meanwhile, in the quiet room.

Chen Fan opened his eyes, a fleeting gray-white light flashing in them.

After three days of treatment, his spirit had recovered to its peak. The Spirit Nourishing Pill was quite effective; although not as potent as the Soul Returning Pill, it still made his consciousness more refined.