……
In the following days, rumors spread within the clan that the Clan Leader and his wife felt the heavy responsibility on their shoulders. With the clan's population not yet flourishing, they entered a short period of seclusion.
Because of this, at the mahjong table in Stay Immortal Residence, the Chaoyang King publicly praised Shouzhe for his efforts towards the rise of the human race, calling him a model of young talent.
This sparked a wave of seclusion and cultivation within the clan...
Imagine, if even the Clan Leader and his wife were working so hard, what excuse did everyone else have to slack off?
Day after day passed.
In the portable abode, Liu Ruolan appeared more and more radiant and refreshed.
While enjoying her delightful daily life, she also experinted with her culinary skills, developing so unique new dishes to nourish Shouzhe.
With nothing much to do, Wang Shouzhe fiddled with the Magicauldron that Shouye had brought back from His Majesty.
The Magicauldron had an ancient and heavy appearance but was severely damaged. Moreover, it housed a pair of entangled, inseparable remnant souls.
"Husband, you're studying that broken cauldron again? You look a bit tired, don't overwork yourself. Co, try this new dish I developed, 'Spicy Cumin Vinegar Dressed Spiritual Fruit,' to replenish your nutrition." Liu Ruolan brought over a plate of spiritual fruits, all harvested from the fruit trees in the spiritual farmland of their portable abode.
Wang Shouzhe's eyelid twitched.
Can't we just eat the spiritual fruits raw? Why go through all this trouble?
While grumbling internally, his body honestly started eating the dressed spiritual fruit, praising it while expressing concern, "My dear, don't tire yourself out. Just rest well, and I'll handle the cooking from now on."
"How can that be? You're the dignified head of the family; how could you cook personally?" Liu Ruolan gently held Wang Shouzhe's arm, "In this portable abode, it's inconvenient to bring in a cook, so naturally, I should take on the responsibility. Besides, I'm usually busy managing... no, handling various household matters, and rarely have ti to take care of your als. Alas, it's all my laziness..."
Her words carried a hint of self-reproach.
Hearing this, Wang Shouzhe's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
With daughters-in-law, granddaughters-in-law, and great-granddaughters-in-law all helping manage the household, how could Ruolan be so busy?
"You've already done a great job managing the household." Wang Shouzhe held her hand, comforting her tenderly, "You should spend more ti playing cards at Stay Immortal Residence."
Playing cards is great; it can even earn money to supplent the household. Just don't cook anymore~
"Sigh~ I wish I could spend my life with you in this cozy abode, growing old together in simplicity." Liu Ruolan said emotionally, "Just like the Chaoyang King and his husband."
At least the Chaoyang King doesn't cook.
Wang Shouzhe thought to himself and then focused on studying the Magicauldron.
Since Shouye sent it back, it was clear he trusted his fourth brother imnsely, hoping he could solve the problem.
"You, a re Purple Mansion Realm kid, I advise you not to waste your efforts." The remnant soul of Magicauldron Venerable mocked, "I cling to the remnant soul of that Mysterious Pill kid, and if you have the ability, destroy both of us. Do you think you're the Holy Emperor?"
Wang Shouzhe replied calmly, "I'm not in a hurry. With my current bloodline potential, becoming a True Immortal is within reach. I'll solve it slowly then."
"Bah! True Immortal? Who isn't a True Immortal?" Magicauldron Venerable showed no awareness of being a prisoner, arrogantly saying, "Besides, by the ti you beco a True Immortal, I'll have found a way to destroy that Mysterious Pill kid. How about this, I see your bloodline potential is indeed good. Why don't we join forces? I'll help you prosper and reduce obstacles on your path to becoming a True Immortal, and you help find a gifted body for possession."
Currently, Magicauldron Venerable was severely weakened by the Nine Nether Hellfire and had no ability to forcibly possess another body.
Moreover, he realized that this couple seed to have an extraordinary background, far stronger than that kid Wang Shouye, and the risk of being destroyed if he forcibly possessed was greater.
"With just a weak, dying remnant soul like you, you dare to dream of joining forces with my husband?" Liu Ruolan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, "Husband, I suddenly thought of a way to separate these two entangled remnant souls."
Liu Ruolan was sowhat annoyed.
It was rare to have ti alone with her husband, enjoying a harmonious life, yet he was wasting so much ti on this Magicauldron. Wasn't this indirectly reducing her ti with him?
"What thod does my dear have?" Wang Shouzhe's mouth twitched, "Could it be another idea from your dreams?"
"Sort of. I just thought of a way because I saw you troubled by this recently." Liu Ruolan said nonchalantly.
"……"
Wang Shouzhe was speechless.
How could there be such a huge gap between people?
Why did he have to work hard to cultivate, why did he have to strive to comprehend, while his dear wife could laze around all day...
"Please, my dear, take action."
Wang Shouzhe closed his eyes, deciding to just go with the flow.
"Hahaha~" The remnant soul of Magicauldron Venerable laughed wildly, "You dare to be even more shaless, letting your wife solve a problem you can't? Just her? Soone who can't even cook well... uh..."
In the next mont, the laughter of Magicauldron Venerable's remnant soul abruptly stopped.
Liu Ruolan's deanor suddenly changed.
A cold and domineering aura rose from her, sweeping through the room like a mighty heavenly might.
She seed to transform into a different person, her presence growing tenfold stronger.
Cold, indifferent, not like a mortal.
Under her cold gaze, Magicauldron Venerable felt as if an invisible force was choking his throat, rendering him speechless, his thoughts and breath frozen.
If he still had breath.
"Who did you say can't cook well?" Her voice was cold and cruel, her gaze on the remnant soul containing a terrifying sword intent capable of destroying the heavens and earth.
"I..."
Magicauldron Venerable wanted to retort, but a deep-seated fear from his remnant soul silenced him.
"……"
Wang Shouzhe was speechless.
This Magicauldron Venerable had never experienced the harshness of reality~ Criticizing Ruolan for anything else was fine, but saying her cooking was bad...
Even he wouldn't dare say that.
"Break."
Liu Ruolan drew her sword with a cold face and swung it.
In an instant.
A sharp sword intent shot forth, heading straight for Magicauldron Venerable.
This sword carried an indescribable terrifying power, as if it could split chaos and create the world, mysterious and dangerous.
Where the sword light reached.
Almost instantly, Magicauldron Venerable's remnant soul was split in two.
On the left was True Lord of the Mysterious Pill, on the right was Magicauldron Venerable.
Magicauldron Venerable was horrified, his soul trembling, feeling as if his entire soul was frozen, unable to muster any resistance.
Her speed was so fast that Wang Shouzhe didn't even have ti to stop her before it was over.
And she actually succeeded.
"My dear, you're amazing." Wang Shouzhe took out two soul jade pendants he had prepared, "Senior Mysterious Pill, please reside in the jade pendant."
True Lord of the Mysterious Pill's remnant soul, still sowhat shaken, quickly took the opportunity to enter the soul jade pendant.
As for Magicauldron Venerable's remnant soul, after coming to his senses, he wasn't as polite to Wang Shouzhe. He said angrily, "Why should I move? The Magicauldron is mine, and I want to stay..."
But before he could finish.
Liu Ruolan gave him a cold look, "Enter the jade pendant."
Magicauldron Venerable's remnant soul shivered, then obediently moved from the Magicauldron to the soul jade pendant.
As he relocated, he muttered under his breath, "Moving, moving. It's just moving, no need to be so fierce. Kid, where did you find such a fierce wife?"
This old Magicauldron Venerable sure was talkative...
Wang Shouzhe even suspected that his being one of the Top Ten Wanted Criminals wasn't just due to his cris but also because he offended the Holy Emperor with his mouth.
"Thank you, Master Wang Shouzhe, for your help." True Lord of the Mysterious Pill expressed his gratitude.
At this mont, he felt as if he had been reborn, his soul feeling refreshed and invigorated.
However, the terrifying sword intent from Liu Ruolan still left him with lingering fear, "Your wife's sword intent is incredibly powerful, capable of precisely separating our souls. I've never seen anything like it. Could she be a reincarnated True Immortal?"
A reincarnated True Immortal wasn't unheard of in the two dynasties of immortals and demons. In the three to four thousand years of history on the immortal side, there have been seven or eight cases.
Normally, a reincarnated True Immortal would be a peerless prodigy, far surpassing others in comprehending the laws of the Great Dao and in cultivation speed.
However, even for a reincarnated True Immortal, reclaiming the position of True Immortal was extrely difficult. Throughout history, there have been many peerless prodigies, not just reincarnated True Immortals.
Most of those who were peerless prodigies before inheriting the compendium, as long as they didn't fall mid-way, would mostly reach mid or late Void Realm, with only one successfully ascending to the position of Immortal Sovereign.
"Senior Mysterious Pill, I also think Ruolan might be a reincarnated True Immortal." In the absence of outsiders, Wang Shouzhe spoke honestly.
He had long suspected Ruolan's situation but had never been able to confirm it.
"Reincarnated True Immortal, my foot!" Magicauldron Venerable's remnant soul sneered at this notion, "Who wasn't a True Immortal back then? If a remnant sword intent from a True Immortal was so powerful, would I have been beaten like this by the old dog Holy Emperor?"
"Oh, then what do you think I am reincarnated from?" Liu Ruolan raised an eyebrow.
Magicauldron Venerable hesitated, then said irritably, "I don't know, but sothing feels off. Anyway, I yield. From now on, you're my boss. Let follow you."
He spoke in the most arrogant tone, saying the most submissive words.
"Alright, I wouldn't be at ease if a creature like you followed soone else." Liu Ruolan took the soul jade.
"Ruolan, you should be careful." Wang Shouzhe frowned, sowhat worried, "Shouye ntioned in his letter that Magicauldron Venerable is cunning, evil, and one of the Top Ten Wanted Criminals of the Shenwu Royal Dynasty. I'm afraid he'll trick you."
"Who's cunning? Who's born evil? Who wants to be a wicked and cruel person? It's all because of that old dog Holy Emperor!" Magicauldron Venerable was agitated, shouting angrily, "I was originally a top-notch alchemy grandmaster and even participated in the developnt of the 'Bloodline Qualification Improvent Liquid,' making outstanding contributions."
Wang Shouzhe looked at him in surprise, "Then why are you wanted?"
"That's because I developed the great 'Blood Fetus Demon Pill' and actively promoted it to the Holy Emperor." Magicauldron Venerable explained, "This pill can unleash one's life potential in a short ti, becoming very strong. Although there are various side effects afterward, if used in a life-and-death situation, it can take down one or two enemies with you and win a chance for survival."
"Sounds good." Wang Shouzhe raised an eyebrow, skeptical, "If that's all, you shouldn't have been convicted, right?"
"Don't listen to his nonsense, Master Wang Shouzhe. The ingredients for this pill include the blood of outer region demons and other materials, using pure yin won as the cauldron... The alchemy process is extrely cruel and evil." True Lord of the Mysterious Pill explained, "And after being stopped by the Holy Emperor, instead of reflecting, he intensified his secret research, causing many major incidents."
"That explains it." Wang Shouzhe shook his head with a cold smile, "In my territory, I advise you to behave and not have any crooked thoughts."
"You know nothing, you're just as rigid as the old dog Holy Emperor! Revolutionary technology is never smooth sailing... Experints and sacrifices are inevitable, and pioneers of technological reform are bound to be misunderstood by ignorant people..." Magicauldron Venerable started ranting again.
Ignorant?
Wang Shouzhe glanced at him and leisurely suggested, "Ruolan, this Magicauldron Venerable seems to have so extre thoughts. To be safe, why not just get rid of him?"
"Wait!" Magicauldron Venerable imdiately backed down, "Upon reflection, the Holy Emperor, no, His Majesty the Holy Emperor, might have a point. Technology can be upgraded and iterated slowly, but if humanity is lost, the world will fall. I've decided to reform and contribute my insignificant strength to the rise of the new world."
"Rest assured, husband, I'll keep him and train him slowly. If anything goes wrong, I'll get rid of him." Liu Ruolan said coldly, flipping her jade hand to store the soul jade pendant.
"Alright, this Magicauldron Venerable does have so extre thoughts. When you have ti, let him read the moral education courses at Wang's Clan School." Wang Shouzhe nodded in agreent, then addressed True Lord of the Mysterious Pill's remnant soul, "Senior, please rest and recover. I'll prepare so Soul Restoration Baodan and Soul Molding Sacred Dan for you later."
"Thank you, Master Wang Shouzhe. In that case, I'll rest and not delay your reunion with your wife." With that, True Lord of the Mysterious Pill fell silent.
His soul was already weak, and he had been holding on. Now that he relaxed, he quickly fell into slumber.
Wang Shouzhe put away the soul jade pendant and the Magicauldron, stretched lazily, and said, "Speaking of which, my dear, we've been in this portable abode for half a month. It's ti to go out and breathe so fresh immortal spirit energy and return to clan affairs."
This place was unbearable, with black and white alternating every day. If he stayed any longer, he feared he'd lose half his life.
Now that the "hard days" were over, Wang Shouzhe felt much better.
"Half a month?" "Liu Ruolan" looked at him, her voice cold, "You were alone with her for half a month?"
"……"
A sense of foreboding washed over Wang Shouzhe as he looked at Liu Ruolan in shock, "You, are you Liu Ruoling?"
"You called 'Ling'er' earlier!" Liu Ruoling's gaze was as sharp as a sword, "I don't care about anything else, but whatever she has, I can't be left out. You will stay with here for half a month."
"Do everything you did with her, with ."
"……"
At that mont, Wang Shouzhe gazed lancholically at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, suddenly wanting to call out True Lord of the Mysterious Pill and ask if he had a recipe for a "Life-Saving Pill."
……
So ti later.
Stay Immortal Residence.
Under the canopy of green, rich life spirit energy mingled with wisps of immortal spirit energy, drifting like mist, illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating an almost fairyland-like scene.
Inside the first small building of Stay Immortal Residence.
With the demonic poison gradually being purged from his body, the Chaoyang King, looking more vigorous, seed to have rediscovered the joy of life, dominating the mahjong table with ease and flair.
As for the Chaoyang King's husband, Yao Yuangang, he sat quietly beside the Chaoyang King, occasionally making a small bet or catching a fish, thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Longchang, your luck has been good lately?" Although the Chaoyang King had lost quite a bit, he remained composed, playing with ease.
"Of course." Emperor Longchang glanced at the pile of chips in front of him, his face creased with laughter, "I've always said that Shouzhe is my nesis. Every ti I see him, my luck plumts. Yet that kid is so annoying, always trying to make his presence felt."
"You shouldn't be so superstitious." Jiang Zhencang said, "If it weren't for Shouzhe occasionally supporting you financially, you would have gone bankrupt countless tis."
"That's a separate matter. Haven't you noticed that as soon as that kid isn't around, I start winning?" Emperor Longchang laughed heartily, "It wasn't in vain that I ca up with a plan to send him and Ruolan on a vacation. I did it for his own good, after all. If he doesn't contribute to the rise of the human race while he's young, when will he?"
"That's true." The Chaoyang King also smiled like a grandmother, agreeing, "Both he and his wife are Purple Mansion Realm cultivators with highly awakened bloodlines. Under such circumstances, the chance of success is extrely low. They have to work hard."
"Hehe, but speaking of which, Shouzhe has been quite resilient this ti, hasn't he? He's been missing for a month, hasn't he? I bet when he cos back, he'll have dark circles under his eyes and wobbly legs, hahaha~" Emperor Longchang laughed triumphantly.
Suddenly.
A cold voice sounded behind him, "Your Majesty, do you think you're too idle?"
"……"
Emperor Longchang turned around to see Wang Shouzhe standing in Stay Immortal Residence, having appeared without making a sound.
He put on a fake smile, "Haha, I was just joking with you."
"Alright, since Your Majesty is so free, why not take a trip to the outer region battlefield and protect the young talents of the Great Qian?" Wang Shouzhe said with a cold smile.
"Why should I go? I don't want to go; I want to play mahjong. You can send Qinghuang." Longchang was imdiately displeased.
The outer region battlefield was a harsh place with nothing to offer, unlike the comfort of playing mahjong here.
"Senior Qinghuang has other important matters." Wang Shouzhe looked at him, smiling faintly, "Your Majesty really doesn't want to go?"
Emperor Longchang felt a bit guilty under Shouzhe's gaze.
However, seeing the pile of chips in front of him, he regained his confidence.
As long as he didn't need to borrow money from Shouzhe for now, what was there to fear?
He raised his head arrogantly, "I said I won't go. I need to stay at Changning Garrison to protect the land and people, especially to keep an eye on you, Shouzhe, in case you try to rebel."
"Alright." Wang Shouzhe sneered, then turned to Jiang Zhencang, "Senior Jiang, may I join you for a few rounds?"
"Of course, just as I was getting tired, please, Master Wang Shouzhe." Jiang Zhencang understood the hint and was ready to give up his seat to Wang Shouzhe.
"No, no! Every ti I see Shouzhe, my luck turns bad, and I've never won against him." Emperor Longchang shook his head like a rattle, "Shouzhe, don't think I don't know. You want to take all my money so I'll have to work off my debt at the outer region battlefield. I'm not stupid; why should I play cards with you?"
"Not playing cards is fine, then let's settle it with a ga of chess." Wang Shouzhe smiled calmly, "Let's use the chips on Your Majesty's table as the stakes, one ga to decide the winner."
"What?" Emperor Longchang was shocked, "Is the sun rising from the west? Shouzhe, you're actually offering to give money?"
"If Your Majesty is unwilling, then forget it." Wang Shouzhe turned to leave.
"Willing, willing! If you're giving money, why wouldn't I be willing?" Emperor Longchang gathered his chips and chased after him, "Let's go to my room."
As they spoke, he instructed his fellow players, "Give half an hour, and watch as I defeat Shouzhe and return to play mahjong."
With that, the two of them entered the second small building of Stay Immortal Residence, happily starting a ga of chess.
Half an hour later.
Emperor Longchang's incredulous roar echoed from the second small building, "How is this possible? Shouzhe, how did you, a lousy chess player, beat ?"
"Your Majesty, a bet is a bet. Shouzhe takes his leave."
Wang Shouzhe gathered the chips and was about to leave when Emperor Longchang grabbed him.
"Wait! Let's have a second ga, with the sa stakes. You made several mistakes in the last ga and only won by half a point. It was my carelessness that let you succeed. Let's play again, and I'll definitely win this ti."
"Your Majesty, you're out of chips."
"I can write an IOU."
"Alright, I'll give Your Majesty another chance."
Another half hour passed, and Emperor Longchang's shocked voice rang out again, "How is this possible? You won by half a point again."
"Your Majesty, Shouzhe takes his leave."
"Wait, I'll write another IOU, and this ti I'll win back double. Your chess strategy and tactics clearly had flaws, it was just luck."
"Alright, let's have a third ga."
Half an hour later, Wang Shouzhe won by half a point again.
Emperor Longchang's eyes bulged in disbelief, "Wang Shouzhe, you big liar! You've been deceiving for over a hundred years! Why aren't you pretending anymore, why are you revealing your true strength now? Keep pretending!"
Winning three gas against Longchang by half a point each ti, what unfathomable chess skills! This was clearly toying with him!
For a mont, Emperor Longchang was on the verge of tears, clutching his chest and swaying.
This ti, he had lost miserably.
Wang Shouzhe, you big liar! You said you were a lousy chess player! You've been pretending all these years!
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