Immortality Cultivation

Fang Hao had been hiding in the small courtyard of the Listening to Rain Pavilion for two days, not stepping out once. He was busy familiarizing himself with the Pill Formula for the golden spirit pill while pondering how to acquire the two main ingredients: "golden sap fruit" and "jade marrow ganoderma." He wondered if he should swallow his pride and ask Mu Fenghua for advice. After all, she was a local, and she had access to information.

That afternoon, while he was comparing a pile of medicinal herbs, Steward Wang’s respectful voice came from outside: "Senior Ning, Her Highness the Ninth Princess has arrived, and... and Her Highness the Grand Princess is here as well, saying they wish to see you."

Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat. Mu Fenghua coming wasn’t strange, but why bring the Grand Princess along? Princess Mu Yijing? That was a powerhouse in the Nascent Soul Stage! The one from the Hundred Flower Ruins... My god! Why is she here? Could it be...

In an instant, the hair on Fang Hao’s back stood up! Lightning flashed through his mind, recalling that valley in the Hundred Flower Ruins, where, after being afflicted by the lust-inducing miasma of the lecherous serpent, he had a hazy, wild night of passion with this Grand Princess! He was only in the Foundation Establishment Stage back then, and to survive, and also... ahem, anyway, he had slipped away while she was still asleep. This matter had always been his biggest secret, and his greatest ticking time bomb! If he were recognized...

He hurriedly took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. It had been so long, and he had changed his appearance, and his cultivation had reached the Middle Golden Core Stage. His aura had changed completely; she might not recognize him! Right! Steady! Don’t panic!

"Please, invite them in!" Fang Hao adjusted his clothes, tried his best to look natural, and went out to meet them.

Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Mu Fenghua accompanying a beautiful woman in court dress walking in. Mu Fenghua was as bright and moving as ever, carrying a youthful charm. And the person beside her...

Fang Hao only took one glance, and his heart pounded wildly!

Princess Mu Yijing!

She was as magnificent as ever, wearing a light purple court dress, her figure slender, her temperament noble and cold, like a lotus on the summit of a snow-capped mountain, to be viewed from afar but not to be profaned. Her appearance held a bit more mature charm and majesty than Mu Fenghua’s, and her phoenix eyes were clear and deep, as if they could see through a person’s heart. She did not intentionally emit any Spiritual Pressure, but that unique aura of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, one that merged with the heavens and earth, still made Fang Hao feel an invisible pressure, causing his breathing to subconsciously lighten.

Princess Mu Yijing’s gaze also fell on Fang Hao, calm and waveless, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Fang Hao hurriedly lowered his head, bowed, and kept his voice as steady as possible: "Junior Fang Hao, pays respects to Her Highness the Ninth Princess and Her Highness the Grand Princess!"

"Fellow Daoist Ning, no need for formalities." Mu Fenghua waved her hand with a smile and introduced, "This is my aunt, the current Grand Princess. Aunt, this is the Fellow Daoist Fang Hao I mentioned to you, who helped me in the Secret Realm."

Princess Mu Yijing nodded slightly, her voice clear and melodious, revealing no emotion: "Little Friend Ning, no need to be restrained. That girl Fenghua spoke highly of you after she returned, so I happened to stop by to see what kind of young talent you are."

"Your Highness the Grand Princess is too kind; this Junior is unworthy of such praise." Fang Hao’s heart drummed, and he didn’t dare lift his head too high, fearing his flaws would be spotted. He could feel that Princess Mu Yijing’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, seemingly... carrying a faint trace of investigation?

"Fellow Daoist Ning, are you getting used to living in the Heavenly Capital? If you need anything, just tell Steward Wang." Mu Fenghua didn’t notice anything unusual and said enthusiastically.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This place is excellent, and I am very grateful." Fang Hao replied respectfully.

The three entered the living room and sat down, and the maid served spirit tea. Mu Fenghua mainly inquired about Fang Hao’s injuries and chatted about the local customs of the Heavenly Capital, her attitude very easygoing. Princess Mu Yijing rarely spoke, just quietly tasting the tea, occasionally sweeping her gaze over Fang Hao, making him feel like he was on pins and needles.

After chatting for a while, Mu Fenghua got to the point: "Fellow Daoist Ning, your cultivation is advancing rapidly, so you must need Medicinal Pills to assist your Cultivation, right? The ’Ten Thousand Treasures Tower’, the largest in the Heavenly Capital, will hold an auction in three days. It is said that many rare Medicinal Pills and herbs will appear, and there might be some you need. I have two invitations here; if you are interested, you can go with my Steward Wang to see."

Saying this, she took out two gilded invitations and handed them to Fang Hao.

An auction? Fang Hao’s heart stirred; this was a good Opportunity to get the herbs! He hurriedly took the invitations: "Thank you, Your Highness! This Junior is indeed in need of purchasing some herbs, and I will definitely go to broaden my horizons."

"Hmm, the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower is an imperial industry, so it is safe. You can rest assured." Mu Fenghua nodded.

At this moment, Princess Mu Yijing, who had been silent, suddenly put down her teacup, looked at Fang Hao, and said lightly: "Little Friend Ning."

Fang Hao’s heart tightened, and he quickly responded: "This Junior is here."

"I observe that your spiritual power is dense and your Foundation is solid, as if you have had some unique Opportunity. The Cultivation Technique you practice is also quite profound, faintly possessing a bit of... Chaos?" Princess Mu Yijing’s voice was still calm, but these words made Fang Hao’s scalp tingle!

She saw it? Impossible! The Chaos Derivation Art was one of his biggest secrets!

Fang Hao forced himself to remain calm: "Your Highness the Grand Princess’s Dharma Eye is sharp. This Junior does indeed have some opportunities, and the Cultivation Technique is a family heirloom, very rudimentary, and unworthy of Your Highness’s praise." He spoke vaguely, trying to steer the conversation away.

Princess Mu Yijing looked at him deeply, her gaze seemingly able to pierce through his disguise and look straight into the depths of his Divine Soul. Fang Hao felt his heartbeat almost stop.

However, Princess Mu Yijing did not pursue the matter, just lightly said "Hmm," and then changed the subject: "On the path of Cultivation, the Foundation is most important; do not be greedy for speed. The Heavenly Capital is a mixture of dragons and snakes; although there are many opportunities, the risks are also great. Since you have a past with Fenghua, you should be cautious in your actions and not get involved in unnecessary disputes."

These words sounded like a Senior’s routine warning, but Fang Hao heard a faint... reminder? Or even... protection?

"Yes! This Junior will keep Your Highness the Grand Princess’s teachings in mind!" Fang Hao quickly agreed.

After sitting for a while longer, Princess Mu Yijing stood up and said: "Fenghua, let’s go, do not disturb Little Friend Ning’s quiet Cultivation."

Mu Fenghua also stood up: "Fellow Daoist Ning, then we will leave first. For the auction, you can just let Steward Wang arrange it."

"Respectfully sending off the two Highnesses!" Fang Hao bowed to send them off, exhaling a long breath in his heart. Finally, he had managed to muddle through?

As he sent the two to the courtyard gate, when Princess Mu Yijing passed by Fang Hao, her footsteps paused imperceptibly, and a faint, thin strand of Divine Thought, carrying a light, cold fragrance, was quietly transmitted into Fang Hao’s ears:

"Since our parting at the Hundred Flower, your progress has been swift; it is gratifying. Past events are like dew and lightning; I hope you conduct yourself well."

After the transmission, Princess Mu Yijing’s expression was as usual, and she boarded the phoenix carriage with Mu Fenghua and drifted away.

Fang Hao froze in place, as if struck by a lightning bolt! His whole body was cold!

She recognized him! She really recognized him! Since our parting at the Hundred Flower... She remembered everything!

It’s over! It’s completely over now! The privacy of a Nascent Soul Grand Princess had been... by a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him! If this were to be investigated, a hundred lives wouldn’t be enough to pay the price!

Immense fear instantly engulfed Fang Hao! His hands and feet were cold, his mind was blank, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

But... wait! What did her last sentence mean? "Past events are like dew and lightning; I hope you conduct yourself well."... This didn’t sound like she wanted to pursue it? Instead, it sounded a bit like... letting it pass? Or even... some kind of tacit approval?

Fang Hao stood in place, his heart in Chaos, cold sweat soaking his back. What exactly did this Grand Princess mean?