Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 225: Chapter 225 The Retired Emperor of the Northern Desolate Country

Even Pavilion Master Zhang’s breathing grew rapid. He nodded emphatically, then led the members of the Qingyun Sect to follow Princess Cai Yunji toward the imperial palace.

This was Ye Qingchen’s first time visiting the imperial palace, and he was captivated by the magnificent, golden architecture within.

Previously, Li Zongrui would have undoubtedly met the sight with mockery and sarcasm. Now, however, his attitude toward Ye Qingchen had drastically changed. Furthermore, he was completely immersed in the awe of his sect’s promotion to two-star status and was unable to extricate himself, leaving him no time for ridicule.

Finally, upon reaching a majestic palace, Princess Cai Yunji stopped. With a hint of apology, she said to Pavilion Master Zhang, ”Pavilion Master Zhang, please forgive me. My father, the Emperor, has instructed that only you and Ye Qingchen are to be summoned this time. The other masters are requested to wait in the side hall for a short while.”

There were rules in the imperial palace. Although the Qingyun Sect’s status was extraordinary, they would not overstep their bounds. Thus, apart from Pavilion Master Zhang and Ye Qingchen, the others were led by the palace guards into the side hall.

Ye Qingchen was also curious. Why would the Emperor want to summon me? With my status, I’m hardly important enough to merit his attention, am I?

However, since he was already here, he decided to go with the flow and not overthink it, following Pavilion Master Zhang into the palace.

Ye Qingchen had assumed that if the Emperor were summoning him, it would surely be in the place where state affairs were typically handled. But upon entering the palace, he realized that it felt more like someone’s private residence.

Even Pavilion Master Zhang, despite his many visits to the imperial palace, couldn’t help but feel puzzled, as this was his first time here as well. Why had the Emperor chosen this place to meet with him and Ye Qingchen?

Leading the way, Princess Cai Yunji knew the two must be confused, so she began to explain, ”Pavilion Master Zhang, to be frank, my grandfather, the Retired Emperor, has fallen severely ill and has long been bedridden. The theme for the Alchemy Dao Competition, the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill, was actually chosen to treat his illness. This is his bedchamber, and my father, the Emperor, was worried. He wanted to ask you to be present when my grandfather takes the Spirit Pill, just to prevent any mishaps.”

Pavilion Master Zhang nodded in understanding. A seventh-grade Spirit Pill, though precious, possessed incredibly potent medicinal power. The presence of an alchemist would aid in refining the pill’s power more effectively.

Ye Qingchen also finally understood why the royal family had been willing to pay such a great price to have the ten major sects concoct the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill. The ingredients for ten seventh-grade Spirit Pills were no small sum.

Yet, he still didn’t understand why he had been summoned as well. If it’s merely to assist in refining the medicine’s power, Pavilion Master Zhang alone is more than capable. What’s more, Deputy Pavilion Master Liu, a fifth-grade Pill King, wasn’t even brought in, so why was I summoned?

As they spoke, the three of them arrived deeper inside the palace.

Princess Cai Yunji knocked gently on the door. From inside came a voice that was both authoritative and kind, ”Yun Ji, is that you? Come in.”

Only then did Princess Cai Yunji open the door, inviting Pavilion Master Zhang and Ye Qingchen inside.

Seeing the three of them enter, Cai Wentao rose to his feet and cupped his fists in salute to Pavilion Master Zhang. ”Pavilion Master Zhang,” he began, ”first, allow me to congratulate you on successfully defending your title. As for the reason I’ve summoned you here, I presume Yun Ji has already explained it?”

Pavilion Master Zhang nodded and replied, ”I am more than willing to do what little I can for the Retired Emperor.”

Cai Wentao nodded and led Pavilion Master Zhang into the inner chamber, leaving only Princess Cai Yunji and Ye Qingchen outside in the main room.

Although it was his first time in the imperial palace and in the presence of the princess, Ye Qingchen showed not the slightest bit of inhibition. He asked Princess Cai Yunji, ”Your Highness, the Princess Royal, may I ask for what reason His Majesty has summoned me?”

Princess Cai Yunji looked at Ye Qingchen with an enigmatic smile. After inviting him to sit, she said, ”My father didn’t summon you. It was I who wished to see you.”

Ye Qingchen was taken aback, his heart filled with even more confusion. What on earth is this princess up to? Why would she want to see me? Could it be that she’s taken a fancy to me?

Cai Yunji watched the surprise flicker across Ye Qingchen’s face, and her mood for teasing him faded. ”It’s nothing serious,” she said. ”I’m just a bit curious about you! I pride myself on being an excellent judge of character, but I have misjudged you several times. That’s why I wanted to talk with you.”

Ye Qingchen shook his head with a wry smile. ”I’m just a person from a small place. What could Your Highness possibly find curious about me?”

”I’m curious about your experiences, of course. And your disposition, which doesn’t match your age at all!”

Thereafter, Cai Yunji asked a few more questions, but Ye Qingchen skillfully deflected them all, revealing no useful information. This simultaneously angered Cai Yunji and made her even more intrigued by him.

Meanwhile, in the inner chamber, Cai Wentao had taken out the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill. After receiving a nod from Pavilion Master Zhang, he administered it to the Retired Emperor.

At that moment, the Retired Emperor was at death’s door from the torment of his illness. In Pavilion Master Zhang’s opinion, without the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill, the old man would likely not survive the winter. Such a frail body could not easily withstand the tyrannical power of a seventh-grade Spirit Pill. Therefore, as soon as the Retired Emperor swallowed the pill, Pavilion Master Zhang hurried to the bedside and began to circulate his Soul Power, assisting the Retired Emperor in refining the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill.

After an hour, color began to return to the Retired Emperor’s face. An hour after that, he had absorbed most of the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill’s medicinal power!

A short while later, Pavilion Master Zhang stopped circulating his Soul Power and nodded to Cai Wentao. The two men then returned to the outer room.

”Thank you, Pavilion Master Zhang, for your assistance,” Cai Wentao said.

Although he was a sovereign, Cai Wentao was also a man of great filial piety. Pavilion Master Zhang had not only concocted the Heavenly Origin True Soul Pill but had also helped his father refine its power. It was only right for him to express his gratitude.

Pavilion Master Zhang did not dare act presumptuously and quickly returned the gesture of respect. ”The potency of a seventh-grade Spirit Pill is indeed quite tyrannical. However, the Retired Emperor has already recovered a great deal. I believe it won’t be long before he awakens. Afterward, with his own strength, the Retired Emperor will be able to refine the remaining medicinal power on his own. He should be fully recovered in less than a week!”

Cai Wentao nodded. After inviting Pavilion Master Zhang to take a seat, his gaze fell upon Ye Qingchen. He was profoundly impressed by this young man who had repeatedly performed miracles. He was especially stunned by the sight of Ye Qingchen disregarding his own safety to swallow the Ancient Jade Spiritual Fire.

Now, seeing Ye Qingchen in person, Cai Wentao did not hold back his praise and lauded the young man greatly.

The group chatted idly for a few more moments before a hearty laugh echoed from the inner chamber.

Cai Wentao was overjoyed; that was his father’s voice.

A moment later, the Retired Emperor emerged from the inner chamber and appeared before them.

”Father, you’re finally awake!”