Candlelight flickered in the hall, casting shadows on the golden-patterned jade pillars, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.
The God Emperor waved his hand, dismissing Shen Baiyun.
Once the hall doors slowly closed, only a few high-ranking figures remained in the hall, and deep, heavy voices immediately rose, clearly having been suppressed for a long time.
"The Jiang Clan still found out about this... It seems we'll have to give up a lot of benefits!"
"We can't possibly ally with Sects like the Haotian Sword Sect, can we?"
"In the current Myriad Domains of the Heavens, even if those reclusive Great Sects emerge, they still can't compare to the Longevity Jiang Clan with Su Hongye presiding."
"As long as the Jiang Clan is satisfied, this matter will be safe."
Between their words, the few elders' tones were heavy, but they no longer pretended, clearly having reached a consensus in their hearts.
At this moment, the God Emperor, seated on the Dragon Throne, slowly spoke, his voice low yet majestic:
The God Emperor on the Dragon Throne then said, "The secret of the Great World and the Immortal Ancient Ruins, these two matters are the cornerstones of our Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty's future rise, and no mistakes can be tolerated."
"Since the news has already leaked, then we will no longer conceal it."
"An alliance with the Jiang Clan is the most stable strategy right now. It's better to openly discuss cooperation."
"This is unavoidable."
When his words fell, silence descended.
The God Emperor sat on the high platform, his expression calm, yet a hint of fatigue and deep thought subtly emerged in his eyes.
He had many children, but truly capable ones were few.
Now that the First Prince was dead, among the remaining princes, some were either mediocre in Aptitude and lacked ambition, or their Heart-Nature was impetuous, actively vying for power, but when it came to truly managing the overall situation, none could command respect.
Only Shen Luowan and Shen Baiyun, these two princesses, could be considered truly promising talents.
Shen Luowan was calm and intelligent, skilled in stratagem, and handled court affairs with ease.
As for Shen Baiyun, her talent was exceptional, her Cultivation progressed rapidly, and in recent years, she had even distinguished herself in numerous Sect trials, her prestige growing daily.
Whether it was due to the God Emperor's own considerations,
or the urgency of the approaching great trend, he had to quickly solidify the Foundation of the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty and pave the way for future generations.
"That day, when Jiang Ye came to our Immortal Dynasty, were you able to discern his Cultivation level? And his temperament?"
The God Emperor asked. His father, Shen Yangping, was quite proficient in perception, so even if Jiang Ye intentionally concealed his Cultivation, he could definitely perceive a thing or two.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yangping slowly spoke: "At least the God-King Realm!"
"From what I observed, he has mastered at least three Daos, and each one is extremely pure."
"Moreover... this young man also carries an extremely pure power, the source of which even I cannot identify."
"For him to possess such Cultivation and Foundation at an age no older than twenty, it can be said to be unprecedented."
"As for his temperament..."
He paused, then let out a soft sneer: "The outside world says he is arrogant and looks down on others, but from my observation, this young man is definitely not as simple as he appears."
"He is the son of Su Hongye; to say he has no cunning would truly be a huge joke."
The God Emperor remained silent, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the Dragon Throne, his expression gradually turning solemn.
"It seems it is indeed necessary to establish closer ties with Jiang Ye..." the God Emperor said in a deep voice, a hint of calm deliberation and calculation in his eyes.
"Whether now or in the future, befriending this young man will only benefit our Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty, not harm it."
"Who do you think is more suitable, Luowan or Baiyun?"
His gaze was unmoving, but he was already weighing his options in his heart.
Currently, the Myriad Domains of the Heavens were all wary of the Longevity Jiang Clan.
Su Hongye alone made the older generation of existences restless.
Adding such a Prodigy descendant... Meanwhile, in the residence of the Second Princess.
After finishing a batch of trivial government affairs in the palace, Shen Luowan had just changed out of her court robes when she lightly draped a plain white cloak over herself, preparing to leave the palace and personally go to see Jiang Ye.
However, as she stepped out of the palace gate, she saw someone who surprised her a little.
That person stood with his hands behind his back by the palace road, seemingly waiting.
It was Xiao Fan.
His appearance was somewhat rugged, perhaps due to Cultivating a special Physical Body secret technique; he looked unadorned, exuding a wild and tough aura.
"Xiao Fan, the Left Prime Minister's son, a good-for-nothing, is Shen Baiyun's man."
"Perhaps Shen Baiyun is up to something again behind the scenes."
Shen Luowan thought to herself, her expression unchanged, intending to leave directly and ignore him.
But Xiao Fan seemed to have anticipated this; he walked a few steps forward and blocked her path.
"Second Princess, there's something I want to tell you."
At this moment, his tone no longer held the frivolous and cynical air of the past; instead, it had a rare seriousness.
Shen Luowan was slightly startled, a flicker of vigilance in her eyes, then she tilted her head slightly: "Oh? You have something to say?"
Xiao Fan nodded, his tone grave: "Yes, and it's about the God Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Shen Luowan's eyes flickered, and her movement to turn and leave involuntarily paused.
"Make it brief."
Shen Luowan stood in place, cupping her hands.
Xiao Fan, however, did not back down. Instead, he glanced at the empty stone path after the palace servants had departed, took a step closer, and lowered his voice: "I accidentally overheard some rumors... The God Emperor's health might be in trouble."
At these words, Shen Luowan's already calm expression subtly changed, her eyes trembled slightly, and her figure stiffened imperceptibly.
"What did you say?"
"The God Emperor's health..." A storm surged in her heart.
He was her father, and the pillar of the entire Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty. If his health was in trouble, what would that mean?
She dared not think, nor could she easily believe it.
From childhood to adulthood, she had never heard a single word about her Imperial Father's weakening health. Even in the court, closest to the center of power, no rumors had ever spread.
"Where did you hear this?" Shen Luowan's voice was low, carrying a hint of probing and vigilance.
"Where did you hear this?" Shen Luowan's tone was low, with vigilance and probing.
Xiao Fan's expression was grave, and he did not evade: "Naturally, I'm not speaking idly."
"My father had an old friend years ago, named Liu Huai’ren, who was once the Vice Head of the Imperial Medical Institute. His medical skills were extremely high, and he now lives in seclusion on Mount Yuheng."
"A few days ago, I went to seek medical advice on my father's orders, and I happened to meet a Divine Firmament secret guard who was also seeking treatment."
"I didn't know the details at first, but at night, I unintentionally overheard them mentioning refining an Immortal Pill, and that it was being refined for the God Emperor..."
Xiao Fan looked at Shen Luowan and said bluntly: "I dare to say this because I heard it with my own ears. If you don't believe me, Princess, you can go and subtly test the God Emperor yourself, and you will know the truth."
"If the God Emperor didn't have a powerful Cultivation Foundation, he would probably have already..."
"If you don't believe me, you can certainly investigate."
Shen Luowan did not answer immediately; she was pondering.
If this was true, it would be no small matter.
"Why are you telling me?"
Shen Luowan asked, her voice as clear and cold as frost and snow, her eyes deep.
Xiao Fan was startled, then smiled, putting away the rare seriousness on his face, and said: "Because I heard that you went to Jiang Ye's coming-of-age ceremony not long ago."
"And, after returning, you did not set a marriage contract with him." He said, a meaningful glint in his eyes.
"Many people in the palace are speculating whether you are unwilling to marry him."
"I also feel that Princess, you are not the kind of person whose destiny is easily arranged."
Shen Luowan's expression shifted slightly, and she snorted coldly: "So?"
"So, I want to follow you." Xiao Fan said very directly, his expression serious.
"I know you and Shen Baiyun are rivals in a hidden struggle, and I was once her person."
He paused here, his tone sincere: "But she never truly valued me; from beginning to end, I was just a chess piece she used to command."
"But you are different."
"You have ambition and ability. I want to stake this opportunity on you."
Upon hearing these words, Shen Luowan fell completely silent.
She hadn't expected that the good-for-nothing young master she once disdained could now utter such words.
"Speak, what do you want?" she asked calmly, her expression indifferent.
Xiao Fan's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands: "If I can truly help heal the God Emperor, I hope to be able to take a treasure from the national treasury."
Upon hearing this, Shen Luowan's lips twitched, and a hint of mockery appeared in her eyes.
"You certainly dare to ask."
"I've thought it through."
Xiao Fan smiled frankly: "This isn't a gamble, but a transaction. You trust me once, I help you once."
Shen Luowan was silent for a moment, then finally turned and walked away slowly, saying nothing more.