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

On the Star Gazing Tower, Chu Lengyu stood facing the wind, dressed in plain white robes, untouched by any dust.

His eyes were clear and cold, like the vast autumn sky and water, yet he remained unmoved by the emperor's overtures.

"I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness. While meteorite iron is valuable, it is not what I need, let alone something I would accept as a reward for doing nothing," she said calmly.

"Very well, since that's how it is, I won't force you. But I hope that if you ever need anything in the future, just ask, and I will do my best to help you." The emperor's voice carried a hint of helplessness, but it was also full of sincerity.

Chu Lengyu nodded slightly to express her gratitude. Her gaze pierced through the layers of buildings and looked towards the distant horizon, as if she were pondering something far more profound.

"Since His Majesty has already sent people to follow me, he naturally knows that I have no interest in power. Moreover, the path of cultivation is long and arduous, full of unknowns." Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

As the emperor gazed at Chu Lengyu's aloof profile, a sense of melancholy welled up within him.

He understood that the woman before him had lofty aspirations and was unlike ordinary people. In her eyes, there was a much broader world.

"I understand," the emperor said in a deep voice. "Even if you are unwilling to accept the position of Imperial Preceptor, I will not use worldly power to restrict your freedom."

Chu Lengyu turned her head, gave the emperor a faint smile, and said, "If one day I am able to grasp the mysteries of heaven and earth, I will certainly share them with Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes: "Is what Miss Chu said true?"

"Why would I need to lie?" Chu Lengyu replied, her tone revealing a transcendent confidence.

The two continued their conversation atop the Star Gazing Tower; though brief, their words were full of profound meaning.

The emperor's attitude towards Chu Lengyu shifted from appeasement to anticipation. He knew that Chu Lengyu was not so easy to approach, and since they had only met for the first time, there was no need to rush things.

Through this meeting, Chu Lengyu became even more certain about some things.

As time passed, their conversation gradually came to an end.

Chu Lengyu politely declined the emperor's invitation to the banquet, and like a gentle breeze, she left the Star Gazing Tower with ease.

The emperor stood on the balcony, watching her figure disappear into the horizon.

He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling an unprecedented tranquility, as if the turmoil in his heart had finally subsided at this moment.

He knew that a person like Chu Lengyu was not someone who could be easily controlled, and that their relationship needed time to be cultivated and deepened.

The emperor had no intention of staying in the Star Gazing Tower to brave the cold wind any longer. He turned around, stepped down the stairs, and began to plan how to maintain contact with Chu Lengyu and how to gain her friendship and support without offending her.

It would be a great blessing if she could become an ally of the Great Xia.

His heart was filled with boundless imagination for the future.

……

After leaving the palace, Chu Lengyu did not rush back to Songlin Xiaozhu.

Instead, they choose to hide among the bustling streets and alleys of the capital, strolling amidst the hustle and bustle of the world.

The place was bustling with noise, a cacophony of voices, and the cries of various vendors rose and fell.

She walked slowly, her gaze inadvertently sweeping to one side, where she saw a small area bustling with activity.

Upon closer listening, it turned out that someone was loudly hawking: "This is the invitation to the snow-viewing banquet from Fairy Chu! Although only a fragment remains, it still carries the aura of a celestial being, making it extraordinary!"

After he finished speaking, a small piece of red paper in his hand attracted a crowd of onlookers who vied to bid for it, eager to claim this elusive "fate to the immortals" for themselves.

Chu Lengyu stood outside the crowd, quietly observing this farce.

A faint smile played on her lips, but a hint of helplessness and regret flashed in her eyes. There were still too many fools in this world willing to give money to scammers. She shook her head with a smile, not intervening to stop it, letting the scramble continue.

Further on, a rustic wooden platform suddenly appeared by the roadside, with a banner hanging on it. The red silk fluttered and the ink characters were vigorous and powerful, reading: "Poetry Recitation Conference at Yaochi".

In this scene, the host held a gong and drumsticks, striking them vigorously while shouting loudly. His voice pierced through the bustling crowd, attracting the attention and footsteps of passersby, who stopped to watch.

On the wooden platform, several scholars sat upright, some deep in thought, others wielding their brushes with effortless skill, transforming their talents into lines of praise.

Each time a poem was completed, the host would carefully take it, recite it aloud, and display it to the audience.

His poems were beautifully written and profoundly evocative, drawing gasps of amazement from the audience. Even illiterate commoners were captivated by the atmosphere, craning their necks to look and cheering.

Around the wooden platform, crowds gathered in ever-growing numbers, layer upon layer, like a sea of ​​people.

From the stacks of poems on the table, it's easy to see the high level of enthusiasm everyone had for this poetry competition.

Chu Lengyu paused and looked for a while before continuing to walk forward.

The teahouses along the roadside were filled with people, and a few shouts could be heard from the street.

With the sound of the gavel, the storyteller began to explain the story in detail to the audience.

She listened intently and heard people describing the wonders of the celestial palace, their exclamations and praises never ceasing.

Her gaze swept around, and she saw that the streets were lined with all sorts of stalls.

Some vendors were selling exquisite ice dragon sculptures, which were meticulously sculpted by highly skilled craftsmen based on the image of the ice dragon in the sky that day, and were lifelike.

Some displays depict goddesses, whose graceful figures bear a striking resemblance to Chu Lengyu's former beauty.

Some vendors even sell so-called "fairy water from Yaochi," claiming it was brought down from Yaochi at great risk and can bring good luck and blessings.

The vendors were all very enthusiastic, and customers strolled among them, selecting their favorite items.

Everyone is busy, but their goals are clear.

Looking at the lively scene, Chu Lengyu suddenly felt a pang of emotion. She realized that although she possessed extraordinary power, she seemed to have become overly cautious, increasingly hesitant and indecisive.

Thinking so much, doing so little.

"What's wrong with me?" Chu Lengyu asked herself, her heart beginning to stir.

"Isn't the purpose of having power to better realize what's in my heart? How can I waste my time here, indulging in pointless hesitation?"

She took a deep breath, and the fog in her mind gradually dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and decisiveness.

Instead of standing here in a daze, we should hurry back and practice our swordsmanship!

Chu Lengyu made up her mind and quickly returned to Songlin Xiaozhu.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she returned, Lüyun came over with a troubled look on her face and hesitantly called out, "Miss."

Then he stammered and trailed off.

Chu Lengyu only needed one glance to understand what was troubling her.