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

Royal study room.

Master Lu came as summoned.

After offering him a seat and exchanging pleasantries for a while, the emperor asked, "Master Lu, I heard that you left the palace today. May I ask what brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, Master Lu's heart stirred.

The emperor must know his whereabouts perfectly well and where he went today, yet he deliberately inquired about it now, presumably with another purpose.

He speculated that the emperor was probably wary of Chu Lengyu, this mysterious person who had suddenly appeared. He knew nothing about her and dared not make any rash moves, so he came to him to inquire.

Hearing that the emperor was intentionally protecting Chu Lengyu in court, Master Lu Dan believed that the emperor actually still yearned for cultivation.

However, the Mist Mountain decrees that cultivators must not reveal their identities or participate in worldly power struggles. No matter how much the emperor desires it, he will never find a way to achieve it.

Master Lu believed he had guessed the reason, and thus decided how he should respond today.

He frankly said, "Today, I did indeed leave the palace and head to the pine forest cottage on the outskirts of the city. However, there is a reason for my departure."

The emperor nodded slightly, looking surprised and intrigued, and asked, "What is the reason?"

"I've heard that there's a remarkable woman in the city recently, named Chu Lengyu, whose medical skills are extraordinary. She can even cure tuberculosis. Such medical skills are truly rare. I was curious, so I went to the Pine Forest Cottage to investigate," Master Lu said slowly.

Upon hearing this, the emperor pressed further, "Did the alchemist gain anything from this trip?"

Master Lu sighed softly, his expression slightly wistful: "I have gained a great deal and benefited immensely."

The emperor knew that Master Lu was of noble character and would not have praised him so highly if he did not have extraordinary abilities.

So, out of curiosity, he continued to ask, "If that's the case, why did the alchemist sigh?"

“Alas, I learned some trivial matters from Miss Chu by chance, which are not worth telling outsiders.” Master Lu was unwilling to elaborate, and changed the subject, saying firmly, “But please rest assured, Your Majesty, she is open and honest and has no ulterior motives towards Great Xia. Her visit to me this time is entirely to discuss the art of medicine.”

After speaking, Master Lu silently prepared a whole basket of praises for Chu Lengyu, waiting for the emperor to speak, but unexpectedly heard the emperor ask, "Then... did she mention me?"

His tone was somewhat cautious, carrying a hint of anticipation and nervousness.

Master Lu shook his head: "No."

At the same time, she thought to herself: The emperor really cares about her.

The emperor pondered: Chu Lengyu seemed perfectly normal. Now that she had made a high-profile appearance, the first thing she did was to seek out Master Lu. What was her intention?

Just as the emperor was lost in thought, Master Lu took his leave and revealed that Chu Lengyu possessed an invaluable ancient elixir formula—the recipe for Shennong Baicao Wan (Shennong's Hundred Herbs Pill).

He exclaimed excitedly, "If this elixir can reappear in the world, it will surely be a blessing for all living beings!"

The emperor was skeptical and, out of caution, he had not yet taken the pill that Chu Lengyu had given him.

The emperor asked casually, "I've heard that outside the Pine Forest Cottage, white mist shrouds the area, and there are lightning traps. Is that true?"

There were many witnesses to the white mist, so Master Lu had no need to hide it and openly admitted, "The white mist is indeed real. However, there are many rumors circulating outside, so we cannot believe them all."

His implication was that the emperor should not easily believe the rumors, because the rumors about Chu Lengyu in the capital were becoming increasingly outrageous and were increasingly detrimental to Chu Lengyu.

Master Lu used to not care, but now he does.

His words piqued the emperor's interest even more. He wondered what Chu Lengyu had said to him that made Master Lu so biased towards her.

The emperor then asked, "Did the alchemist witness any other unusual phenomena or rare treasures while in the pine forest hermitage?"

"Well..." Master Lu pretended to ponder for a moment before replying, "I haven't seen any rare treasures, but the beauty of the natural scenery in the suburbs is breathtaking and makes one linger."

He then described the scenery surrounding the Pine Forest Lodge, from towering trees to babbling brooks, detailing each element.

Seeing that Master Lu seemed to be intentionally concealing something, yet unwilling to let go of this clue easily, the Emperor asked, "Since you have had dealings with her, what do you think of her abilities?"

While the "Cultivation Diary" is indeed miraculous, the emperor needs to verify the authenticity of its contents through other channels, and now Master Lu is a perfect opportunity.

The emperor wanted to learn about Chu Lengyu's movements through him, but he couldn't rashly reveal what he knew. He could only try to get information out of Lu Danshi to see how much he knew.

Upon hearing this, Master Lu frowned, a sense of unease flashing through his mind.

He mistakenly thought the emperor was asking this to find out more about Chu Lengyu, so he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, although I have only met Miss Chu once, however..."

At this point, Lu Danshi suddenly understood. He realized that the reason the emperor had repeatedly mentioned Chu Lengyu was because he had ulterior motives and wanted to use him to spy on Songlin Xiaozhu and become his eyes and ears.

He chuckled inwardly, but didn't say anything.

"However, Miss Chu has lofty aspirations, which I cannot match. She asked me to study the ways of plants together, which is a matter that will benefit the world and future generations."

"What she seeks is not temporary gain or loss, but the achievement of thousands and thousands of years. Although I am old, I am willing to do my part for this cause."

The elderly man with white hair stood up, bowed, and spoke with a sincere and firm tone.

"Your Majesty, there may be many speculations and misunderstandings about Miss Chu in the court and among the people, but I believe that Miss Chu is of noble character and is by no means a wicked person. I hope Your Majesty can see through the truth and restore her innocence."

"I understand." The emperor raised his hand slightly, indicating that Master Lu should not stand on ceremony. "I already know Chu Lengyu well. I know that she is kind by nature and that she is no ordinary person."

"I actually intend to appoint her as the Imperial Preceptor. I wonder if the Alchemist thinks this is feasible?" the Emperor asked again.

Master Lu naturally believed that she was detached from worldly affairs and did not need such empty fame, but he could not say it directly, and only said: "Perhaps she does not want to be burdened by fame and fortune."

For cultivators, the Misty Mountain is their sacred land. Although the secular dynasty is peaceful and prosperous, full of various temptations, for cultivators, the mortal world is already another world that is almost irrelevant to them. How can those ordinary temptations compare to the pleasure brought by cultivation?

When the Great Sheng Dynasty collapsed and the Central Plains were in chaos, only Wushan remained independent and unaffected.

Although the Great Xia Dynasty is now magnificent and prosperous, who knows when it will become the next "Great Prosperity"?

In Master Lu's view, time is the most majestic and the coldest force in the world, which mortals cannot resist in the slightest. That is why Chu Lengyu's claim that cultivating immortality can prolong life shocked him so much.

If one truly had a lifespan of a thousand years, what would it feel like to quietly observe the rise and fall of dynasties in the mortal world? Master Lu longed for it immensely.

Finally, the emperor gave Lu Danshi a few more words of encouragement and then let him go.