In the Imperial Palace's back garden.
Seeing Jing Emperor's serious expression, Lin Sheng pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"In that case, Lin Sheng thanks Your Majesty."
"Good!"
Seeing Lin Sheng agree, Jing Emperor's smile widened, and he immediately nodded.
"Since that's the case, tomorrow I will issue an imperial decree to announce your marriage to Lingyu and your ennoblement."
"As for those Yao Beast blood and flesh, don't worry, they will be sent to Lingyu Princess's residence immediately after the decree is issued tomorrow."
Hearing this, Lin Sheng nodded and bowed again.
Although he wasn't sure what Jing Emperor was up to, he thought it shouldn't be anything bad.
After all, Lingyu Princess and Jing Emperor had an extraordinary relationship; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he treated her as his own daughter.
He wouldn't possibly trick his own people, would he?
"Imperial Uncle, then it's settled. Don't forget the Yao Beast blood and flesh tomorrow, okay?"
At this moment, Lingyu Princess said with a smile.
"Also, let's talk about the banquet another day. You are currently cultivating, so it's best not to delay. Besides, Lin Sheng is new to the Imperial City, and Lingyu wants to take him around to enjoy the scenery of the Imperial City."
"You girl, that's fine too. Then I won't keep you two."
Jing Emperor was quite straightforward and didn't try to keep them, saying with a playful scold.
Afterward, Lingyu took Lin Sheng and departed.
"Lin Sheng, you are about to become the Southern Qi Imperial Son-in-Law. It wouldn't look right if you didn't have an official position. Imperial Uncle will likely give you a nominal position in the court. Don't worry, there won't be any restrictions."
As if knowing that a Martial Artist like Lin Sheng disliked restrictions, Lingyu Princess explained seriously as soon as they left the palace.
"I understand."
Lin Sheng nodded.
After all, he had only just met Jing Emperor for the first time.
Although he had settled the marriage with Lingyu, he hadn't officially married her yet.
Jing Emperor probably wouldn't arrange any important position for him.
Thinking this, he didn't take the matter too seriously.
After accompanying Lingyu on a tour of the Imperial City, he returned to Lingyu Princess's residence.
In the room prepared in advance, Lin Sheng continued to refine the Red Fire Bull essence blood.
The last blood pill, condensed from the Red Fire Bull's heart, remained in his hand.
He threw this blood pill into his mouth for simulated refinement.
Time moved forward, within the Southern Qi Imperial Palace.
After seeing Lin Sheng and the others leave, Jing Emperor's face showed satisfaction.
"No wonder he was highly regarded by Mr. Tang. This child is indeed no Mortal."
Behind Jing Emperor, a shadow suddenly appeared, and a thin, gray-clothed figure emerged from it.
The gray-clothed figure was extremely gaunt, looking like skin and bones. If he wasn't moving, no one would doubt if he was a dried corpse.
"This child indeed has some tricks. He discovered me."
The old man, resembling a dried corpse, spoke slowly in a hoarse voice.
"Oh? He can even discover Elder Long!? This kid's perception is actually so strong."
Hearing the dried corpse old man's words, Jing Emperor's face showed surprise.
One must know that this dried corpse old man was a genuine Three Realms Grandmaster, and even among Three Realms Grandmasters, he was a top-tier existence. With his deliberate concealment, even an ordinary One Realm Grandmaster might not be able to detect him.
He hadn't expected Lin Sheng, who hadn't yet entered Divine Form, to be able to perceive him.
The old man nodded.
"His senses are indeed outstanding, and he has traces of the Heaven-Cleansing Qi Guiding Method on him. It seems he received instruction from Mr. Tang."
Hearing this, Jing Emperor's face showed a look of realization.
"That explains it."
At this moment, the dried corpse old man's figure had already re-hidden itself.
Jing Emperor stroked his chin and said to the trusted eunuch beside him.
"Ah Fu, take my token to the national treasury and retrieve those Yao Beast blood and flesh. Remember to choose the High Grade ones. Also, take out some Long Xian Jin Ye (Dragon Saliva Golden Fluid), also the High Grade ones."
"Long Xian Jin Ye (Dragon Saliva Golden Fluid)!?"
Ah Fu, who hadn't thought much of it at first, was stunned when he heard the latter part, thinking he had misheard.
"Your Majesty, the amount of Long Xian Jin Ye (Dragon Saliva Golden Fluid) in the national treasury is not much. It's already insufficient for the cultivation of imperial descendants, not to mention the quotas for the children of high-ranking officials. Wouldn't using Long Xian Jin Ye (Dragon Saliva Golden Fluid) be..."
"Just do as I say."
Jing Emperor said indifferently.
"Wouldn't such a rare treasure be wasted on those fools?"
"Your subordinate will go and arrange it now."
Hearing this, Ah Fu stopped his delay, immediately turned around, and hurriedly made arrangements.
Not long after, he returned.
"Your Majesty, everything is ready. When would you like it to be sent over?"
"Let's wait until tomorrow."
Jing Emperor nodded in satisfaction.
Ah Fu, however, couldn't help but ask.
He had been by Jing Emperor's side for many years, practically growing up with him, and thus understood him extremely well.
"Your Majesty, those Yao Beast blood and flesh can be directly allocated. Why bother to bestow an official position on this future Imperial Son-in-Law? After all, Lin Sheng comes from the Dark Star Organization."
He was indeed a bit confused. This seemed rather redundant, especially since Lin Sheng had another identity.
"I want to bestow an official position upon him, and not just an ordinary one. I want to appoint him as the Commander of the Crimson Feather Army, in charge of the entire Crimson Feather Army."
Facing Ah Fu's confusion, Jing Emperor's lips curled into a smile as he slowly spoke.
"What!!"
Ah Fu's face was filled with surprise.
"But Your Majesty, hasn't the Crimson Feather Army always been under the command of Grand Secretary Gongsun? Wouldn't doing this..."
"The Crimson Feather Army has always belonged to my Imperial Family. It's just that for the past fifty years, there hasn't been a suitable commander among the Imperial Family's descendants, so the Gongsun family has been temporarily managing it. Lingyu is a suitable candidate, but her cultivation is still a bit weak. Originally, I planned to let Lingyu take over the Crimson Feather Army after her cultivation advanced further, but now there's no need to wait."
Jing Emperor spoke slowly, his tone gradually turning cold.
"If this continues, won't these old court officials truly believe that my Imperial Family has no one?"
Over the years, the Crimson Feather Army had repeatedly demanded vast amounts of military supplies, especially after the outbreak of the frontline war. With Tang Zhong's injury, this trend had intensified. Numerous military supplies were a huge drain on the national treasury. Thinking of this, Jing Emperor's expression grew somewhat gloomy.
"It's also time to discipline these people."
At this point, Jing Emperor paused and his gaze fell on Ah Fu again.
"As for the identity issue you mentioned, what does it matter? Since he will marry Lingyu, he is a member of my Southern Qi Imperial Family, one of our own. I believe in Mr. Tang's judgment..."
*
The next day.
At the imperial court.
"Your Majesty, the frontline war has broken out again. This battle is quite fierce, and the red crystal stone consumption is immense. We still need Your Majesty to approve the transport of red crystal stone to support the front lines."
"Good, General Song, take my token and go to the Ministry of War to allocate them. Anyone who obstructs the war can be executed first and reported later."
"Your subordinate obeys."
After listening to the report from the military general, Jing Emperor's gaze fell upon the officials.
"Since there are no other matters, I also have two important announcements."
Hearing Jing Emperor's words, the officials below exchanged glances, many guessing what he was about to say.
Without beating around the bush, Jing Emperor spoke in a clear voice.
"Firstly, Lingyu Princess has reached the age of marriage. I have chosen a suitable partner for her, named Lin Sheng, who will be the future Imperial Son-in-Law. This matter is settled, and I will personally preside over the wedding after the New Year."
Hearing this, although the crowd below had already suspected something, they were all quite surprised to hear this unfamiliar name.
Lingyu Princess held an extremely high position in the Imperial Family, even above ordinary princesses. Her talent, in particular, was the best among the younger generation in the Imperial City. Marrying Lingyu Princess was undoubtedly a step to heaven.
In the Imperial Family, Bloodline was supreme. Lingyu Princess's Bloodline was almost the most outstanding among the Imperial Family in the past century, naturally giving her the qualification to inherit the Great Unification.
If she could become a Grandmaster, there was a high possibility of her becoming the Female Emperor of Southern Qi.
This was not without precedent in Southern Qi's history.
This was also why many major forces within Southern Qi wanted their descendants to marry Lingyu Princess.
As for the high-ranking officials in the court, many also harbored such thoughts.
At this moment, many officials' gazes fell upon the tall old man in the front row.
This Grand Secretary Gongsun, who held great power, was one of them.
At this time, Gongsun Yue's expression was calm, his eyes merely flickering, without any other unusual signs.
He seemed to have already known this outcome.
Although he felt some reluctance in his heart, with the imperial decree now issued, it was too late to say anything more.
Jing Emperor naturally noticed the reactions of the officials below, and a cold smile appeared in his heart as he continued.
"The second matter also concerns this future Imperial Son-in-Law."
"His talent is peerless. Since he is joining my Imperial Family, he naturally needs to be granted an official position. I have decided to appoint Lin Sheng as a Second-Rank Cavalry General and the Commander of the Crimson Feather Army, effective immediately."
"What?"
Upon hearing this, an uproar immediately broke out below the hall.
Most of the gazes once again converged on Gongsun Yue.
Who didn't know that the Crimson Feather Army had basically been controlled by the Gongsun family for the past fifty years?
Jing Emperor's current intention was clearly to reclaim the Crimson Feather Army.
At this moment, Gongsun Yue's face also showed surprise; he clearly hadn't expected this second matter to concern him.
He immediately stepped forward, cleared his throat, and said.
"Please reconsider this matter, Your Majesty. After all, this future Imperial Son-in-Law is still young. How can he command an army? Haihe Valley concerns the front lines and cannot be taken lightly."
Speaking of this, he paused and glanced at the officials behind him before continuing.
"Furthermore, as your old subject knows, this future Imperial Son-in-Law does not seem to be from our Southern Qi Country, but rather from Northern Yan. Entrusting such an important position to him is perhaps a bit too childish..."
As his voice fell, many officials behind him immediately spoke in agreement.
Watching this scene, Jing Emperor's expression remained unchanged, but he spoke in a deep voice.
"What does ability or lack thereof have to do with age? As for the identity issue mentioned by Grand Secretary Gongsun, it is even less significant. Southern Qi and Dark Star are currently united. Now that Lin Sheng is about to become my Southern Qi Imperial Son-in-Law, if such a person cannot be given important responsibilities, then who can?"
"Moreover, this child was introduced to me by the God of War. Do you all not trust Mr. Tang's judgment?"
As Jing Emperor's words fell, the officials who had been continuously objecting below the court immediately fell silent.
After all, everyone knew what a Supreme Grandmaster meant to Southern Qi.
"Grand Secretary Gongsun, do you have any other questions?"
Jing Emperor smiled as he looked at Gongsun Yue and slowly asked.
"Since this child can be favored by the God of War, then this old subject naturally has nothing more to say."
A gloomy expression flashed across Gongsun Yue's face, but it quickly returned to normal as he bowed and replied.
"Good, if there are no problems, then let's adjourn."
Jing Emperor flicked his sleeve and spoke indifferently.
Watching the officials disperse, a smile appeared on his face.
The emotions that had been suppressed and unreleased for some time were finally relieved today.
"Ah Fu."
"Your subject is here."
"Take the imperial decree and those items to the Princess's residence."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
*
In the quiet room.
Lin Sheng sat cross-legged, his eyes tightly closed, with streaks of crimson Bloodlines appearing on his body, constantly twisting.
Looking closely, one could see his muscles vibrating at an extremely fast rate.
As his muscles continuously vibrated, the Bloodlines on his body gradually separated at a visible speed. Before long, Lin Sheng's entire body was covered in dense Bloodlines.
He sat on the ground like a blood person.
Irregular lumps gradually bulged on his skin, constantly protruding and contracting.
It gave off an indescribably strange and terrifying feeling.
Fortunately, this situation did not last too long. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
The lumps gradually subsided, returning to his body.
The Bloodlines that had been connected into a single mass also gradually faded until they completely returned to normal.
Only to see wisps of dense white mist emanating from Lin Sheng's body, almost filling the entire room.
But it quickly dissipated.
At the same time, Lin Sheng slowly opened his eyes.
The crisp sound of bones cracking like firecrackers continuously emanated from within his body.
"Phew... finally finished refining."
Lin Sheng exhaled.
The pure energy added to his Dantian was quickly absorbed and digested by his body under his guidance.
"My strength seems to have increased quite a bit. Has the effect finally manifested itself!?"
Feeling the abundant power in his body, Lin Sheng muttered to himself, a hint of joy on his face.
He had almost finished refining the Red Fire Bull, nourishing his body with the pure energy refined through the Blood Devouring Secret Method for several days.
Although he could feel his Physique slowly strengthening every moment, it was only today that he felt a significant improvement.
He immediately had a thought, and the panel appeared before his eyes.
【Lin Sheng】
【Realm: Bones Transformation】
【Strength: 23】 【Physique: 23】 【Agility: 19 (Breakthrough to Bones Transformation Seventh Level increased Agility by one point. I forgot to add it before, adding it now.)】 【Perception: 13】 【Spirit: 5】
【Talent: Dragon Elephant Power】
【Talent: Ji Hai Magic Blood】
"Sure enough, Strength increased by one point."
Seeing the attribute changes on the panel, Lin Sheng's face showed a smile.
Strength and Physique, as his two highest attributes, each point of increase brought a considerable boost.
Moreover, the energy in his body had not yet been fully digested. If it were completely digested, perhaps his Physique could also be increased by one point.
"After the other Yao Beast blood and flesh are sent, I will refine all of them, and there will definitely be more improvements. However, this Blood Devouring talent also has a limit. I wonder how much more it can refine?"
Lin Sheng murmured, still quite looking forward to the boost that the Blood Devouring talent could bring.