The Heavenly Mystic Continent had three great Holy Lands: Great Void Holy Land, Ancient Inscription Holy Land, and Blazing Sun Holy Land.
They were among the strongest forces in this world. Inside them, 6th stage cultivators could be found everywhere, and 7th stage Void Sovereign Realm cultivators were as common as clouds.
Beyond that, several peak Heavenly Manifestation Realm cultivators also stood guard there. When the Ascension Gate opened once every 10,000 years, they would be able to rise amid glowing clouds and ascend to the upper realm, where they could witness an even broader world.
They did not know how Chu Ning had arrived in the center of the great hall. At this moment, a group of elders and ancestors were discussing future cooperation.
Then, all of a sudden, a person walked in just like that.
Even the ancestor, who stood at the strongest realm in this world, could not sense this person’s aura. He seemed completely like an ordinary mortal without the slightest cultivation.
But were they supposed to believe that a mortal could enter Great Void Holy Land so easily?
The First Elder erupted in fury.
“How dare you trespass into my Great Void Holy Land and even barge into our sect’s great hall! Men…”
“Stop!”
The ancestor immediately shouted back the many cultivators who were preparing to attack.
With the experience he had accumulated over many years, this person was definitely not simple.
After all, even if a Heavenly Manifestation Realm cultivator from another sect descended here, it would not be this effortless, much less someone whose aura he could not detect at all.
All he saw was a man wearing a black-gold python robe, handsome in appearance and extraordinary in bearing.
The ancestor hesitated for a moment. He truly could not see through him. Then he rose to his feet, cupped his hands, and smiled.
“Sir, my sect’s subordinate offended you just now. May I ask what brings you to my Great Void Holy Land?”
Attacking someone the moment they saw him? Was there something wrong with their heads?
What if this was an exiled immortal from the upper realm descending? Great Void Holy Land might be wiped out entirely.
Chu Ning also smiled and returned the greeting. “Everyone, I am looking for a few ingredients. Seeing that there were many people here, I came specifically to ask. Sorry for disturbing you.”
Everyone looked at one another.
The First Elder’s expression turned displeased. Was Great Void Holy Land a place for him to come searching for ingredients? This was one of the strongest Holy Lands under heaven. However, just as he was about to speak, the ancestor stopped him with a stern glare.
It was still the same principle.
Be firm against the weak, yield before the strong, and when facing someone whose strength was unknown, it was better to be cautious.
“Haha! My Great Void Holy Land is famous for being filled with rare treasures. It is also our honor to meet you today, sir. Please feel free to speak!”
Chu Ning was somewhat surprised.
Were people in the cultivation world all this hospitable?
He clearly had not displayed his strength yet. He had originally thought he would need to intimidate them a little.
“Then I will not stand on ceremony. Right now, I need a true dragon at the Heavenly Manifestation Realm and one 9th grade Heavenly Dream Ice Lotus…”
Everyone froze at once, then suddenly turned to look at the ancestor.
The ancestor was wise indeed!
This man was definitely not simple. What normal person would come looking for a true dragon and a 9th grade medicinal herb?
So he was not a mortal. He was definitely a mighty figure of some faction. But…
The ancestor said with some difficulty, “In this lower realm, there are no true dragons. As for that 9th grade medicinal herb, we have never heard of it either…”
Chu Ning asked in confusion, “Lower realm? Then that means there is an upper realm?”
The ancestor smiled calmly. “Sir, please come with me.”
He took one step and broke through the air, arriving outside the hall. A moment later, Chu Ning’s figure followed.
The ancestor also let out a breath of relief.
As expected, he was not simple. Even with his Heavenly Manifestation Realm cultivation, he could not see what method Chu Ning had used.
The ancestor pointed at the sky overhead. “Every 10,000 years, the Ascension Platform will open. The countless spatial currents above the sky will also be replaced by the Ascension Platform. Only then can lower realm cultivators step into the upper realm…”
Chu Ning immediately understood. “So, this world does not have those things, right? I have to go up there?”
“I am not sure about the others, but there are definitely 9th stage true dragons up there…”
Chu Ning understood. He cupped his hands in thanks. “Then thank you, old sir. I am in a bit of a hurry today. I will definitely visit another day!”
Before the ancestor could ask what he needed those things for, he saw Chu Ning rise straight into the air.
In an instant, Chu Ning charged toward the spatial currents above the sky.
“Sir, you must not! Those spatial currents can even tear apart Heavenly Manifestation Realm…”
The next second, he froze where he stood.
Those spatial currents had not torn Chu Ning apart. Instead, Chu Ning had completely shattered the spatial currents.
Then he left just like that…
Was this a joke?
Which mighty figure was he? He had the strength to resist spatial currents, yet he claimed he did not know where to find a true dragon!
Behind him, the elders came forward.
“Ancestor, where is that person? Why did he suddenly disappear?”
The ancestor smiled bitterly and pointed at the sky overhead.
“He ascended right in front of this old man just now…”
“What! He could ascend even though the Ascension Platform has not opened? Does that not mean we just encountered a great figure from the upper realm? How could such a person appear in the lower realm!”
Everyone immediately began discussing Chu Ning’s identity, his purpose, and the sect’s future plans.
Around an hour later, they suddenly saw a gigantic figure falling toward Great Void Holy Land.
Everyone’s faces changed drastically.
“Something is coming down! Activate the sect’s grand formation!”
“No need.”
Chu Ning’s voice came through, and everyone froze again.
After they saw the figure clearly, they realized it was actually a dead true dragon.
Chu Ning casually tossed it down, directly smashing countless mountain peaks apart.
A true dragon at the Heavenly Manifestation Realm, the strongest existence among demonic beasts.
And it had died just like that.
Chu Ning appeared before everyone again.
“Thank you all for providing me with information. Today, I only needed the dragon marrow from this true dragon. The other materials are useless to me. This thing seems quite extraordinary, so consider it payment.”
“See you another day. I still have matters to attend to.”
Everyone stared blankly at the dead true dragon, their faces filled with shock, disbelief, and wild joy.
This person could not only travel between the upper and lower realms as he pleased, but he could also casually kill a true dragon.
That was a living being that did not even exist in this world.
“It is actually a true dragon!”
“This is a great opportunity bestowed upon our Great Void Holy Land by heaven! And the dragon pearl and dragon horns are still there. The body is almost completely intact too!”
“I would not trade this even for 100 years of resources, hahaha!”
“Thank you, Divine One, for bestowing this opportunity upon the Great Void Holy Land! Thank you, Divine One!”
…
Outside the palace of the Great Qian Empire.
Two women secretly concealed their identities and left the palace.
Every word and action of the Emperor would affect the direction of the entire court, and even the world.
The physicians inside the palace could not be trusted easily. If the news leaked, the trouble would be enormous.
After leaving the palace, the two women also disguised their faces and changed their appearances before they dared to seek a consultation.
“Your Majesty, Mr. Chu said his cooking skills are very good. He wants to be responsible for your daily meals from now on.”
Ye Qinglian snorted lightly. “A mortal with no cultivation has probably never even seen those ingredients. What use is it for him to be good at cooking? The palace meals are still passable for now. We can discuss it later.”
However, after saying this, Ye Qinglian asked with some doubt, “Why did he suddenly bring this up?”
Xiao Bing smiled and said, “When I delivered the food, he asked whether Your Majesty had eaten and whether the royal kitchen had prepared meals to nourish pregnancy and strengthen your health. I said not for now, and he immediately became anxious…”
Hearing this, Ye Qinglian felt a slight warmth in her heart, but she still shook her head.
“Forget it. Have the royal kitchen add more dishes, and We will choose what to eat. Now that spicy food must be avoided, the flavor should be a little lighter. It is best not to let him fuss over it.”
She accepted Chu Ning’s sincerity, but he had probably never even seen her royal meals before, let alone made anything better.
Even if it was for nourishing pregnancy and strengthening her health, she could judge for herself. After all, the children were not only Chu Ning’s, but also hers.
Before long, the two of them arrived at the medical clinic.
They had come once yesterday, but at the time, they had only confirmed her condition before rushing back to the palace. Today, Ye Qinglian wanted to ask for some prescriptions, also for the sake of her children.
Inside the medical clinic, an old woman with superb medical skills congratulated her again.
“This lady’s pregnancy pulse is steady, and her body is in good condition. However, her mind is troubled, and her Qi and blood are disordered. Clearly, she has been overworked.”
“In the future, she still needs to rest and recuperate quietly. It would be best to pair that with some gentle medicinal herbs.”
Xiao Bing quickly nodded. “Then we will trouble you, physician. The medicine must be the best. We absolutely will not short you on silver.”
The old woman also smiled and nodded, then looked at Ye Qinglian.
“Actually, there is one more matter. It is also happy news.”
Both of them looked over curiously.
“What is it?”
The old woman narrowed her eyes. “Although this lady’s body is very healthy, she needs even more careful nourishment because of that. Right now, this lady is carrying children from the same womb. Double joy has arrived!”
“Please rest assured, madam. The medicine I prescribe will use the best 5th grade medicinal herbs, which are difficult to find anywhere in the Empire. They all have remarkable effects for nourishing the fetus!”
Xiao Bing’s eyes instantly widened. “Madam! They are twins. Madam, you really can give birth… Ahem, congratulations, madam!”
Both of them were overjoyed. Xiao Bing was sincerely happy for Ye Qinglian, but she suddenly noticed that Ye Qinglian’s expression was not right.
“Madam, what is wrong?”
Ye Qinglian shook her head solemnly and did not say anything.
She had only thought of what Chu Ning had said today when he had been frivolous with her.
Twins…
There really were two?
The person before her was the most famous physician in the Great Qian Empire and possessed 5th stage cultivation.
But Chu Ning was merely a mortal. How had he seen it at a glance?
After all, even she could not sense it right now…
“Madam, the medicine has been prescribed. Decoction for oral use, twice a day, once in the morning and once at night…”
After leaving the medical clinic, on the road back to the palace, Ye Qinglian felt that this was utterly unbelievable.
Could it really be just a coincidence?
Could Chu Ning also know medicine? Could he have sensed it just by pressing against her lower abdomen?
When they entered the palace, Ye Qinglian planned to return to her palace and rest.
However, just as she reached the door, she discovered that the palace door was slightly ajar.
The ever-cautious Ye Qinglian immediately noticed something wrong.
Whenever she left the palace, she never left the door half-open.
Someone had entered this place.
A sharp sword appeared in Ye Qinglian’s hand, and killing intent filled her eyes.
“If you dare assassinate Us, then you had better be prepared!”
The next moment, Ye Qinglian carefully walked toward the palace door and looked through the gap.
A man was lying on the table, and beside him was a covered clay pot.
“This assassin is truly bold. He actually dares to sleep inside Our palace…”
She approached without a sound and suddenly raised her sword.
“Hm? Wife?”
Ye Qinglian’s eyes instantly widened, and she abruptly threw away the sword in her hand.
“Chu Ning, why is it you!”
“Did We not say you cannot see Us without a summons!”
At this moment, Chu Ning rubbed his eyes. Hearing the sword fall beside him, he looked over, then looked back at Ye Qinglian. His eyes gradually widened.
“You… were trying to murder your own husband!”
“No matter what, I am still the children’s father. How could you do this!”