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

Chapter 19 Sweating profusely, advancing to Foundation Establishment

"His Majesty has summoned me to the palace again?"

Guan Yang stroked his beard, a hint of reluctance on his face.

Even just sitting and chatting with the emperor requires one to be alert and not make the slightest mistake. The pressure is immense, not to mention the lack of payment. He can't afford to lose face and ask for a reward.

Brother Lu is truly exceptional. His alchemy skills are highly sought after everywhere, and even the emperor spares no expense in supporting him with gold and silver.

However, he could only complain about these things in his heart and could never say them out loud.

Guan Yang dared not keep the emperor waiting for him in the palace. He gave a few instructions to the young Taoist, then followed Eunuch Hong into the carriage and left.

Upon entering the palace, Hong Fu led Guan Yang directly to the Imperial Study.

The emperor has recently been spending long periods of time in the imperial study, often talking to himself. Hongfu, who serves him daily, has vaguely noticed something but dares not make it public.

When Guan Yang arrived, there was another round of pleasantries and formalities.

The emperor invited him to sit down, and only then did he eagerly ask the many questions that had been nagging at him.

"Master Dao, have you ever heard of the 'Inquiry into the Dao'?"

"Has anyone mastered the legendary sword-flying technique?"

Does Taoism have a system of cultivation levels?

"The beliefs of the ten sects in the world are all different, and I don't understand the relationships between the various deities. Does the Daoist know of any kind of 'system'?"

"Since the beginning of chaos, history has been incomplete and records are unclear. In your opinion, Daoist, has anything happened in between?"

"Does Master Guan understand spiritual energy?"

"besides……"

Guan Yang had been sitting calmly on the stool, but the emperor's questions came one after another like a storm, leaving him stunned and sweating profusely.

These questions had been lingering in the emperor's mind for the past few days, causing him great concern. This time, he couldn't hold back any longer and asked them all at once, without giving Guan Yang a chance to interrupt or refuse.

Even if Master Guan could only answer one or two of the questions, the emperor would not blame him.

Facing the emperor's expectant gaze, Guan Yang was drenched in sweat: "These...these questions..."

He thought for a moment. Although he was smart enough to fool the emperor to some extent, it would definitely affect his image in the emperor's eyes.

After a moment of silence, Guan Yang said earnestly, "Your Majesty, it seems you have recently encountered a remarkable and eloquent person. Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked so many questions."

"Ah, Daoist Master, you are overthinking it. I have been busy with state affairs, how could I have time to get to know any extraordinary people?"

The emperor denied it.

"It was merely that I casually read some miscellaneous books in my spare time. I found many strange and unusual stories recorded in them, but I couldn't figure them out. That's why I asked the Taoist priest to enlighten me. I humbly request the Taoist priest to give me some guidance."

Guan Yang nodded and then shook his head, it was unclear whether he believed it or not. He flicked his whisk and said, "Your Majesty is devoted to the Dao, I know that. I'm just afraid that you might be used by those with ulterior motives, which could affect the dignity of the nation."

"Huh, what does that mean?"

"For example, as Your Majesty just said, the beliefs of the ten temples in the world are different, and we do not understand the relationships between the gods. We want to ask if there is a certain system." Guan Yang shook his head and sighed. "This is to speculate about gods with the ideas of mortals. They think that if people need to eat and sleep, gods also need to eat and sleep. They think that if people have different ranks and positions, gods should also be like that. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"

Anyone who could inspire such thoughts in the emperor must have ulterior motives, seeking to exploit His Majesty's authority to disrupt order; their crime deserves death.

After listening, the emperor felt that what Master Guan said made sense, but he did not think that Chu Lengyu had just mentioned it casually in her diary, and that there was such a conspiracy behind it.

However, the emperor found it difficult to explain the matter concerning the diary, and could only say, "I have learned my lesson."

Then Guan Yang mumbled a few more vague words, then calculated with his fingers and said, "I have a premonition that an opportunity will appear somewhere far away, so I'm afraid I'll have to leave the capital for the time being."

Actually, the emperor had come to his senses by this time and realized that Master Guan's words were vague and seemed to be perfunctory and evasive. He had just repeated a few rambling remarks, but he didn't seem to have answered any of the questions.

However, he remained very polite and courteous: "Since you have other important matters to attend to, I cannot insist that you stay. Hongfu, see you out of the palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I bid you farewell." Guan Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After leaving the palace, he hurriedly got into a carriage and instructed the young Taoist priest to drive it away from the capital.

The young Taoist asked, somewhat puzzled, "Master, are we leaving already? What about that wealthy merchant from Jiangnan?"

It would have been better if he hadn't brought it up, because the mention of it made Guan Yang's face contort with pain, and he spat out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Go, we have to go."

If things continue like this, he'll probably be exposed before the emperor next time, or maybe the time after that. If his reputation is ruined, how will he do business?

He had to go to another place to hide from the emperor.

As for that wealthy merchant from Jiangnan? Oh well, there are plenty of wealthy merchants from other places.

……

Chu Lengyu got up early, waiting to receive the system reward.

【drop! 】

[The host has completed yesterday's diary entry.]

[Reward received: "Moon-Slaying Sword Technique", Foundation Establishment stage breakthrough!]

【Do you want to claim the reward now? 】

Seeing the rewards appear on the system panel, Chu Lengyu's heart stirred, and excitement and anticipation appeared on her usually calm face.

I've finally broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage! I can finally fly on my sword!

There was no need to hesitate any longer; she quickly made her choice: "Yes!"

[Rewards have been distributed! 】

A powerful force surged from Chu Lengyu's body, like a river bursting its banks, unstoppable.

She closed her eyes and quietly felt the spiritual energy within her body swirling and surging, gradually condensing from mist into liquid. At the same time, her cultivation level was rapidly increasing, as if she were transforming from a cocoon into a butterfly.

The abundant spiritual energy washed over her body time and again, sculpting her into an even more perfect body with fair skin and delicate bones.

The excess spiritual energy overflowed from her body, causing the ice and snow in the Xuanzhen Temple to melt away, and the withered and yellowed grass and trees to suddenly sprout a touch of green, as if the earth had returned to spring. All these changes surprised Ji Lingchuan and the others.

Finally, Chu Lengyu opened her eyes, and a dazzling light flashed from them, as if a galaxy was flowing within them.

At the same time, the Lone Sword left her dantian and floated in the air.

Streams of spiritual energy flowed into its silvery-white blade, as if it were being forged by the pressure of spiritual energy, and the blade emitted a series of humming sounds.

Once it calmed down, the sword's blade became even smoother and more natural, exuding the aura of a second-tier sword, clearly indicating that it had completed its advancement.

Chu Lengyu grasped it, and the spirit of the Lone Sword seemed to have grown as well, expressing a joyful and naive emotion.

She smiled gently, her gaze falling to the side.

A sword manual emitting a faint white glow was quietly floating in front of her; it was the "Moon-Slaying Sword Technique"!