After Ling Tianxiao finished reading, he stood there stunned for a long time. ’Is this still my spineless, good-for-nothing son? Is this still that lovesick fool who would protect that girl from the Xie Family even after she schemed against him? It doesn’t feel like him at all! It’s like he’s a completely different person!’

Ling Tianxiao still held the Purple Blue Fruit. On the one hand, he had no trusted subordinates in the army who were worthy of using it. On the other, he had subconsciously decided to keep it. ’This is a gift from my son! How could I just give it away to someone else?’

Ling Tianxiao suddenly snapped back to his senses. He reached into the cloth bag and pulled out an Elixir. A faint, cyan mist swirled around it, but it had no discernible scent. His hand trembled slightly. ’This Elixir... it feels as if it weighs a ton!’

"This is the Elixir refined from three Tier Five Crystal Cores?" Ling Tianxiao placed the Elixir in his palm, feeling how smooth and round it was. He was utterly astonished. ’How can immensely powerful Crystal Cores be refined into an Elixir? Ling Xiao... when and from whom did he learn this? Could the rumors be true? Has a powerful, hidden family or sect really taken an interest in my third son?’

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Ling Tianxiao steeled his resolve and called out, "This General is entering seclusion to cultivate. No one is to disturb me!"

The guards outside the tent were all Ling Tianxiao’s trusted men. They called out in acknowledgment and tightened their perimeter.

Ling Tianxiao went to the back of the tent and pressed a button hidden beneath his chair. A heavy GRINDING sound came from the floor as a secret door slid open. Ling Tianxiao stepped through, and the door slowly closed behind him, leaving the dusty floor looking as if it had never been disturbed.

Far away in the bitterly cold northern lands of Chakna, on the Ling Family’s fief, Lingzhi was training a group of greenhorn recruits when he too received a letter from the clown. After reading it, he entered seclusion without the slightest hesitation.

In the Imperial Capital, Lady Ling called her daughter, Ling Yun’Er, back home. After giving her a few quiet instructions, Ling Yun’Er took an Elixir and gleefully went into seclusion.

Lady Ling herself handed matters over to the butler and also entered seclusion. These subtle changes were difficult for outsiders to notice. The entire Imperial Capital was still abuzz with talk of the Beauty Pill’s benefits and... its exorbitant price.

「In the Imperial Palace.」

His Majesty the King was flanked by two Tier Three Sword Sect masters, Elder Rong and Elder Nangong.

The fragrant tea on the table had long since gone cold, yet no one had taken a single sip.

His Majesty the King broke the silence with a forced smile. "You’ve both read the secret report. What are your thoughts?"

Elder Rong spoke first. "I’ve been studying that Beauty Pill for a long time but haven’t been able to identify a single one of its herbal ingredients. However, a few days ago, I suddenly recalled the herbs Ling Xiao once had us search for. I had someone procure a sample for me, and heh, I finally managed to identify one of the ingredients. It’s not the main component, though. Sigh... I don’t know if Ling Xiao came up with the formula himself. If he did, that boy... he’s an absolute genius!"

Elder Nangong cleared his throat. "I’m more inclined to believe the boy stumbled upon an ancient secret manual. It must contain countless records about Alchemy and the medical arts. Heh heh, from a Martial Artist’s perspective, what he obtained... is a divine-grade Cultivation Technique!"

His Majesty the King couldn’t help but gasp, an unconcealable greed flashing in his eyes. "If that’s true, then something so miraculous... the Royal Family must have it!"

Facing two Sword Sect masters, His Majesty the King made no attempt to hide his feelings, stating his desire bluntly.

Elder Nangong and Elder Rong exchanged a glance, both smiling bitterly. "Your Majesty, surely you read the secret report. A group of powerful experts has suddenly appeared at Ling Xiao’s side! Even Meng Li, who used to be with the Royal Family Member Li Houlin, now has the power of a High-tier Demon Swordsman. That top-tier Sword Sect from the hidden family was torn to shreds by one of Ling Xiao’s men—clearly the work of a master at the Sword Emperor level! Your Majesty... do you truly believe the Royal Family... can obtain it?"

His Majesty the King shook his head dismissively. "When it comes to strength, I am no match for you two. In your eyes, my power is probably no different from an ant’s. But when it comes to strategy, I believe you two are a notch below me!"

"You kid, we watched you grow up," Elder Rong said bluntly, his straightforward nature showing. "Fine, then. Tell us how you plan on taking what’s his. The boy is your benefactor, after all!"

The King replied dismissively, "First, I have your support. And don’t tell me you’re no match for a Sword Emperor. Surely each of your families can muster at least one Sword Emperor, can’t they? If we truly obtain that Secret Manual, how could I dare take it all for myself? Your families will certainly get their share of the benefits. That’s one thing. Second, his father, Ling Tianxiao, is completely loyal to me. He would never betray me. So, if I were to shower him with high office, noble titles, and heavy rewards—a little carrot and stick—do you really think that boy wouldn’t obediently hand it over?"

Elder Nangong’s brow furrowed slightly, his deeply lined face betraying no emotion. He spoke softly, "Your Majesty, you don’t mean to threaten the boy, do you? Do you know how that High-tier Sword Sect died? I heard it was because his family was repeatedly used to threaten him, which thoroughly enraged him. That’s why he had his subordinate tear the man to pieces, a move that stunned everyone."

The King fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Don’t you two want that Secret Manual?" His gaze burned as he fixed it on Elder Rong. "Especially you, Elder Rong. You’ve devoted your entire life to researching medicine and the art of Alchemy. If you could obtain that Secret Manual, I imagine breaking through the Sword Sect realm to become a Sword Emperor, and perhaps even a Sword Venerable someday... wouldn’t be impossible!"

It was true. Both Elder Rong and Elder Nangong had read the King’s secret report. The rapid, undeniable advancement of those around Ling Xiao was proof: he must possess Elixirs that could increase one’s power! If they could obtain that Secret Manual, they might truly be able to break through to the next realm within their lifetimes. And with that, their lifespans... would be extended significantly.

The corner of Elder Rong’s mouth twitched. He couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh. "Your Majesty, once this course is set, there is no turning back."

Elder Nangong suddenly interjected, "What if, when the boy treated you, Your Majesty... he held something back?"

His Majesty the King was startled for a second, then quickly replied, "Even if he did, what does it matter once we have the Secret Manual? I trust Elder Rong’s medical skills. Besides, the boy was a complete nobody a year ago, and now he possesses such power. How could that be possible if not for some miraculous Secret Manual?"

Elder Rong sighed softly, feeling the King was being far too ruthless and ungrateful. He felt compelled to remind him, "That boy might have an immensely powerful hidden family backing him. That Sword Emperor-level master... is the proof! If we anger such a power, the situation could easily spiral out of our control."

His Majesty the King waved his hand dismissively. "I suspect the boy simply stumbled upon the Secret Manual by chance. As for that Sword Emperor, he brought him out of the Penzes Swamp. Hmph, who’s to say that ’master’ is even human?"

Shock appeared on the faces of both elders. That detail had not been in the report. They were inwardly stunned by the power of the King’s intelligence network. ’It’s true,’ they thought, ’when it comes to strategy, the two of us are no match for His Majesty. If he knows this, then have any of the secret plots of the Crown Prince or the Southern King truly escaped his notice?’

The King sighed softly. "If the Crown Prince hadn’t poisoned me all those years ago, I never would have built this intelligence network. But looking at it now, it was the right decision. The two of you shouldn’t worry so much. First, I’ll heavily reward the Ling Family. Then, I’ll negotiate with Ling Xiao. If he refuses, it won’t be too late to try other methods. And if Ling Xiao truly does have some powerful background, heh heh... have you both forgotten that the Royal Family itself is not without its own masters? Didn’t one of them just show up in Penzes City a few days ago?"

Elder Rong and Elder Nangong exchanged a look. They knew the King’s greed had flared up and his mind was set. It was impossible to change it now. They both sighed softly and said in unison, "Then we shall follow Your Majesty’s arrangements."

A smile finally spread across His Majesty the King’s face.