My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 489 Ten thousand years is too long, seize the day!

A few days later.

Chu Lengyu finally took her leave and returned to her cabin to rest.

When Danzhu brought in tea and snacks, Tang Qingying was holding the Purple Gold Merit Lotus, her face full of sorrow.

The purple-gold lotus of merit, in the past, had countless layers of petals, like clouds on the horizon, extremely beautiful.

But now, about two-thirds of its petals have been torn off, and the few dozen petals remaining are wrapped around the flower's heart, giving it a pitiful, trembling appearance.

Danzhu looked closely and, confirming that she hadn't misread it, exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing?"

According to previous investigations, it seems that the misfortune in that small world was caused by acts of merit.

This supreme-grade purple-gold merit lotus is a unique treasure even across the vast universe.

Tearing off a single petal can destroy a Tribulation Transcending expert (due to the special nature of Tribulation Transcending) or be exchanged for a clue to a high-level opportunity, making it incredibly valuable.

Over the years, Tang Qingying has faced numerous calamities, yet she has always managed to escape danger, all thanks to the power of this lotus. More than thirty petals have already been used, but for the lotus, it has no great harm; it can absorb the merits of incense offerings and slowly recover.

But this time, so many petals were picked at once, which is truly astonishing.

Even if Tang Qingying herself remained unmoved, Danzhu would still feel heartbroken. Regardless of whether Chu Lengyu was worth such a huge price to win over, if such a massive amount of merit were paid off in the end, wouldn't it be a losing proposition?

Let alone two-thirds, even taking just one petal could quickly subdue a high-level combatant or make her world in the book more solid.

Thinking of this, Danzhu's lips twitched slightly, his face showing displeasure, revealing his displeasure.

Tang Qingying looked at the bare lotus flower and felt somewhat uncomfortable.

The cost of repairing the Nine Cauldrons far exceeded her expectations; even if she exhausted all of this precious flower, she could not succeed in one fell swoop.

Left with no other choice, she could only discuss with Chu Lengyu the possibility of settling for second best and focusing on repairing one or two of the damaged parts first.

However, this can also be considered a good thing. The greater the cost of repair, the more it proves the unimaginable potential of the Nine Cauldrons.

Tang Qingying sighed softly, put away the lotus flower, and said slowly, "Danzhu, what's the use of guarding this lotus flower? We have been lying low for too long."

Upon hearing this, Danzhu stepped forward and asked in confusion, "Time is on our side; we just need to wait patiently. Isn't that the conclusion you came to yourself?"

“Not bad.” Tang Qingying stood by the window, her expression solemn. “The Star Palace’s style is too forceful, and its problems have been accumulating for a long time.”

"Throughout history, cultivators who have been forced to ascend to immortality by it have been like powder kegs. With just a spark, they could ignite the Twenty-Four Star Domains. At that time, no one will be able to escape unscathed. Even the Holy Realm, which is said to be eternal and immortal, is in danger of being smashed to pieces."

Besides the ascended cultivators, there are many organizations rebelling against the Star Palace and the Holy Realm, as well as the pollution from unknown star fields and the coming of the spiritual energy ebb...

The demon realm is stirring, the spirit realm is insatiable, the higher-ups are incompetent and lazy, and the lower-ups are just bullies...

These are all the challenges that the Star Palace faces.

Beset by internal and external troubles, a cataclysmic change, unprecedented in a million years, may be quietly approaching. (Note 1)

"The fact that the Emperor has been so lenient with us until now is the best proof." Danzhu said this with a helpless look on his face. "It is thanks to your extraordinary wisdom that you were able to see through this. I never would have thought of such a profound meaning."

The human heart is complex and profound, and even with her status as an "immortal," it is difficult to fathom.

Tang Qingying murmured to herself, "Perhaps it is because I have always been hesitant and indecisive that I have accomplished nothing."

"Why do you belittle yourself so much?" Danzhu asked, even more surprised.

She stayed by Tang Qingying's side the whole time. She witnessed all the hardships Tang Qingying went through and the blood and tears she shed, and she remembered them all.

The enemy was too powerful, and the inability to avenge her was not Tang Qingying's fault.

If she had experienced such a desperate situation, probably no one could have done better than her.

"There's a saying among humans: 'A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years.' So, for cultivators, taking revenge is never too late, even after a thousand or ten thousand years. Didn't that parasitic plague god say that he had a grudge against the Emperor a hundred thousand years ago, and isn't he still lurking in the Demon Realm now?" Danzhu pondered for a moment and gave an example that might not be quite right, but the principle was the same.

Upon hearing this, Tang Qingying smiled and said, "That's true."

But then he changed the subject, saying, "But how long must we wait? Do we really have to wait ten thousand years?"

She knew the opportunity was coming, but cultivators always had a vague concept of time. This wait could be several hundred years, or even several thousand years.

If her calculations are wrong, and the conflict erupts but is quickly suppressed by the Star Palace, and everything returns to calm and nothing happens, what should she do then?

Tang Qingying had always lived a very cautious and restrained life. However, after getting to know Chu Lengyu these past few days, she felt much more relaxed and carefree. She no longer needed to pretend or worry about the details of her life.

Even when Chu Lengyu proposed a plan with an uncertain future, she agreed without hesitation.

Opportunities to act recklessly are few and far between; she hasn't done so in a long time.

Tang Qingying opened her arms and presented a letter to Danzhu.

A sentence is written on it in elegant running script—

"Ten thousand years is too long, seize the day."

At the same time, Chu Lengyu also wrote this sentence in her diary today.

"This is the first blessing I received in my past life."

"At that time, I was young and ignorant, and I could not understand why that elder left these words, nor did I know what they meant."

"Upon learning the origin of these words, I felt apprehensive and doubted whether I was worthy of such high expectations."

"But I was also happy, because at least in that elder's eyes, I was worthy."

"My past life was unremarkable; I was simply an obedient daughter who met my parents' expectations and played different roles well in my position."

"If I could do it all over again, I would only want to live for myself. This is such a rare opportunity, I should live it to the fullest and for as long as possible."

"I'm not stupid, but I'm not exceptionally smart either; I'm not weak, but I'm not unparalleled in the world."

"But if I don't come, there will be many things that no one will do."

"So, wish me luck!"

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Note 1: Information regarding the background of internal and external troubles, as well as Tang Qingying's choice, will be explained in more detail in the author's closing remarks.

Note 2: So many things, always urgent; the world turns, time presses on. Ten thousand years is too long, seize the day! — Mao Zedong, "Man Jiang Hong: In Response to Comrade Guo Moruo"