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

The 23rd day of the 11th lunar month.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Yesterday, beneath the imperial city walls, the Chu couple were publicly executed. Their hereditary titles vanished overnight, their mansion was confiscated, and their gold and silver treasures were all taken into the national treasury.

The Prefect of the Capital acted swiftly, and with the Emperor's decree as his backing, the officials, though harboring some complaints, dared not speak out, remaining silent as cicadas in winter.

In fact, the emperor was fully aware of their thoughts. The officials were silent at this moment, simply holding their breath and waiting for Prince An to lead his army back to the capital.

In fact, the Four Kings and Eight Dukes have had many political enemies over the long term, but few of them are useful now.

Rather than relying on them, it's better to...

The emperor tapped the table, his gaze shifting slightly to the "Cultivation Diary," his eyes deep and thoughtful.

In the fifteenth and sixteenth diary entries of the previous two days, Chu Lengyu detailed the distinction between the realms of cultivators and practitioners, as well as their superiority and inferiority.

The emperor was thus able to gain a deeper understanding of these two very different paths.

Cultivators transcend the mortal world, their cultivation starting from Qi Refining, advancing to Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and many other realms, experiencing numerous hardships in pursuit of longevity and freedom, ultimately ascending to immortality.

Cultivators, on the other hand, focus more on inner cultivation and the improvement of martial arts skills. Although they cannot achieve immortality, they can accomplish extraordinary things with a mortal body.

Compared to the other, there is no doubt that the path of cultivating immortality is more mysterious and unpredictable, which aroused the emperor's longing.

The day before yesterday was the winter solstice, which is usually an auspicious day.

Governor Sun respectfully presented a rare white tortoise, claiming it to be an auspicious omen bestowed by Heaven.

However, the emperor's eyes were sharp. Through Governor Sun's seemingly pious and respectful face, he keenly caught a hint of mockery and alienation.

The betrayal of his trusted minister was like a sharp dagger suddenly stabbing him from behind, chilling him to the bone!

The four kings and eight nobles had become too powerful to control, and were increasingly ambitious. Now, even the ministers he had personally promoted and on whom he had placed his hopes had switched sides...

A sense of powerlessness welled up in the emperor's heart; he felt a deep sorrow and disappointment.

On the way back to the palace, the emperor was unusually heavy-hearted.

He gazed at the long road ahead, his feelings a mixture of disappointment with the prince and Governor Sun, and a sense of confusion about himself.

However, when the emperor returned to the palace, he found himself drawn to the imperial study.

Looking at the light yellow booklet on the table, his mind suddenly calmed down. It was as if, in that instant, he temporarily forgot the turmoil in the court and the undercurrents.

The emperor knew he was indeed no longer young, but he still had the hope of cultivating immortality!

Lao Ji Fuping, ambition of thousands of miles.

The martyrs are young and strong.

Thinking of this, the emperor's eyes regained their light.

He secretly made up his mind that no matter how difficult and dangerous the road ahead, he would persevere.

He needed to prove his worth to Chu Lengyu and win her over to his side. Only in this way could he break free from his constraints and become the true supreme ruler!

That's why he could say so frankly at the palace banquet that night, "I am very pleased."

Because he believed that he could truly live a long and healthy life, and never grow old!

The emperor's ambition surged once again.

He's just a mere governor-general, does that guy surnamed Sun really think he's something special?

As long as I live, you will always be my subjects!

Thinking of this, the emperor picked up his pen, dipped the tip in thick ink, and wrote down three imperial edicts in a few swift strokes.

After he finished writing, he personally affixed the imperial seal.

Then he summoned Hong Fu and ordered him to take him away to deliver the imperial decree.

Hong Fu bowed his head and stepped forward, rolling up the imperial edicts one by one. Inadvertently, he caught a glimpse of the contents and was horrified.

However, he dared not show the slightest sign of it, and his movements were not slowed down at all.

Seeing Hong Fu leave with three imperial edicts, the emperor then picked up "Cultivation Diary" and began reading the eighteenth chapter.

"I've been having good luck lately."

"Master Lu has successfully cultivated a counterfeit version of the Dew Grass, which can now be used to refine pills."

"I never expected that I would have some talent in alchemy, and now my success rate is quite high."

"Perhaps the bonus brought by the 'natural Dao seed' physique also played a significant role."

The emperor didn't understand what "knock-off" meant for the time being, but he could guess that it probably wasn't a good word.

"So quickly, she's already learned alchemy..." the emperor muttered to himself, assuming it was all thanks to Master Lu's generous teaching.

But it cannot be denied that she is exceptionally talented.

According to her diary, she has a special constitution called "natural Dao seed".

The emperor sighed slightly, wondering if he had any special talents, though he guessed he probably didn't.

He put aside his distracting thoughts, looked down, and continued reading.

"In my diary two days ago, I wrote a comparison between cultivators and practitioners. I didn't expect the system to reward me with two items: a lightning-struck stone and a tortoise spirit shield."

"The lightning-struck stone is a good second-tier spiritual material, naturally possessing the ability to attract lightning."

"The Turtle Spirit Shield is a third-tier magic weapon, specializing in defense."

"With these two items, plus the spiritual spring that can replenish my spiritual energy at any time, I finally have the confidence to overcome the tribulation."

Upon seeing this, the emperor's spirits lifted.

He knew that Chu Lengyu was about to undergo the Golden Core Tribulation, and he was extremely nervous.

His dream of immortality, and even the future of the entire dynasty, were closely linked to Chu Lengyu.

The power of thunder is unpredictable. If she were to die and her life were to end, wouldn't all of this be over?

I hope she doesn't rush things and makes sure she's fully prepared!

The emperor suddenly became worried and genuinely concerned for Chu Lengyu.

However, the next sentence in the diary, written in black and white, reads:

"I'm in good condition and have decided to face the tribulation tomorrow."

tomorrow?

That's today!

The emperor realized what was happening and wished he could immediately bring her to the imperial study to give her a serious lecture and warn her against acting impulsively.

The tribulation of lightning is no small matter; life and death are uncertain. She's so young, why is she in such a hurry?!

The emperor was extremely anxious and felt like he was on a hot tin roof.

He barely managed to control himself and continued reading, comforting himself that perhaps there would be a twist in the diary later on.

"Moreover, in the evening I had a sudden feeling that something was about to happen."

"There is nothing in the mortal realm that can threaten me, so after careful consideration and ruling out all possibilities, I guessed that this might be the 'future' the system had mentioned." (Chapter 83)

"Perhaps, this world is about to undergo a great change."

"It's always good to have even a little more strength before things change."

"A tremendous change?" The emperor muttered these two words repeatedly, his brows furrowed.

He put down his diary and silently pondered the meaning of the word.

The Great Xia Dynasty has existed for over two hundred years, weathering countless storms and calamities. Severe droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, though heartbreaking, have ultimately been alleviated through human effort and the passage of time.

However, the "drastic change" mentioned by Chu Lengyu put pressure on the emperor.

But what she calls a "major change" and what she secretly fears is probably some calamity beyond her imagination.

Driven by a sense of crisis, he felt compelled to investigate the matter as soon as possible and devise a countermeasure!