The Undying Immortal System

Demon beast manure turned out not to be nearly as useful as I had hoped. After a week of experimentation, I had no idea how it could possibly be useful in herbalism. When I looked at it in qi vision, all I could see was a large pile of toxic energy. Herbalists must have some way to utilize energies that alchemists couldn’t, or maybe just energies that I couldn’t. Either way, my research into trying to use manure in alchemy ended quickly.

Over the next couple of months, my karmic energy grew quickly as the factory began producing more and more pills. My karmic reserves were swiftly reaching the point where I felt comfortable making another breakthrough, but even if I had enough karma, I would still need to delay because I didn’t have sufficient qi.

I considered attempting to use the excess karmic energy during normal cultivation, but I decided that would be too wasteful. If this pattern of excess energy persisted for several stages, I might consider it, but not until I understood how much energy I should expect to receive every month.

When my cultivation finally reached a point where I felt comfortable breaking through, I was interrupted once more.

It was time for the selection of the new Thunder Groom, and I had promised Minister Jin that I would attend.

While the first stages of the Groom Selection were in progress, all current and former Rulers of the kingdom gathered in the back of the amphitheater for a quaint ball.

I delayed my arrival slightly so that when I entered the hall would already be full. I did my best to remain unobtrusive as I entered and tried to slip in unnoticed. I was extremely uncomfortable in this type of gathering, so I just wanted to be in and out with as little fuss as possible.

The hall was arranged in the pattern of the Eight Flower Kingdom, with a black and blue area for North Lake City at the far end. I did my best to deftly move through the crowd without notice to avoid having anyone approach me for a conversation. When I reached my designated area of the hall without incident, I breathed a sigh of relief.

My relief was quickly cut short when a handsome man dressed in fancy dark blue robes approached me.