Vol 4 Chapter 118: Snatching Talent
"Overturning an ancient kingdom...
"Could I... really become an empress?" Yu Xun'er murmured to herself.
The first female emperor of Tianyuan Ancient Kingdom.
This grand narrative, even if obtained through questionable means, instantly made her pulse race regarding the imperial bloodline she had previously dismissed.
Returning to the ancient clan would only mean remaining a lowly bloodline with no backing.
She was merely the product of some prince's dalliance with a low-ranking female cultivator, her status far inferior to those noble bloodlines born from proper imperial-family alliances.
But following the Holy Son of the Demon Court, even as a tool, seemed to reveal a different path...
"Hold on," Lin Jing interrupted.
After scanning her with his spiritual sense, Lin Jing's face darkened.
Wasn't her internal monologue a bit too dramatic?
Where had her initial nervous, easily-bullied servant girl persona gone?
Then again, one couldn't expect too much from an orphan who grew up alone.
Without some cunning, survival would've been difficult.
Parentless children with no backing naturally became targets.
But that wasn't the issue - since when did he, the Holy Son of the Demon Court, have nothing better to do than overthrow kingdoms?
He didn't even care about ascending to the immortal realm - why would a mere nation matter?
If Lin Jing's previous obsession with strength was to avoid being eaten as the living "Tang Seng meat," now that his safety was assured, he'd rather immerse himself in researching various cultivation techniques and secret arts.
Ever since creating techniques in Bodhi Heaven, Lin Jing found unprecedented satisfaction in developing and improving spells with unique effects.
Breakthroughs in cultivation, battle victories, resource gains - none excited him as much as creating or refining a new spell.
"Enough with those unsightly thoughts..." Lin Jing cut off Yu Xun'er's fantasies. "I sought you out not because of your ancient clan bloodline."
"Rather, like me, you possess one of the world's rare Longevity Bodies. You're simply too young, untrained, so your physique hasn't manifested yet."
Realizing Lin Jing had seen through her completely, Yu Xun'er paled.
But the next moment, she looked up in shock.
She had a Longevity Body?
"Even an untrained Longevity Body enjoys ten times the lifespan of same-level cultivators. When the physique reaches minor completion, major completion, then perfection, this multiplier becomes truly terrifying."
"The tradeoff? Cultivation speed becomes ten, even dozens of times slower than others. If you cultivate alone in Mystic Wonder Sect..." Lin Jing chuckled darkly. "You'd never form a golden core. Most likely, you'd end up demon food."
Yu Xun'er turned even paler.
Being eaten by demons didn't sound appealing.
"I'll go with you, senior."
"Coming with me..." Lin Jing pondered briefly. "Then I'll first take you from Mystic Wonder Sect to Qingzhou."
Better to settle her quickly and avoid complications. A small delay mattered little.
Lin Jing extended his hand, summoning magic that lifted Yu Xun'er onto a cloud. Under his control, they soared toward Immortal Prison Mountain in Qingzhou.
But before leaving the kingdom's borders, Lin Jing tensed.
A wizened figure astride an illusory dragon descended before them.
Seeing the girl beside Lin Jing, the old man's nose wrinkled in displeasure.
None other than the First Ancient Emperor.
"I knew I'd forgotten something. You bastard moved fast," the emperor grumbled, eyeing the servant girl hiding behind Lin Jing.
"Shouldn't Your Majesty be handling domestic affairs instead of stalking me?" Lin Jing sighed.
"You've discovered her bloodline, haven't you?"
"Indeed. Quite the surprise."
"Then how is taking her away appropriate?" The emperor massaged his temples. An ordinary Longevity Body, even a kingdom citizen or clan branch member, he might have conceded to Lin Jing.
But this servant girl was direct imperial lineage - born qualified to practice true dragon secret arts with perfect compatibility!
And a Longevity Body!
Such combined heritage loose in the world would destabilize the kingdom's future.
"Why not? She doesn't want to return." Lin Jing smiled. "This isn't abduction - I respect her choice."
"Spare me. Name your price, but she's not going to the Demon Court," the emperor insisted.
Lin Jing considered quietly.
"Child, return with me," the emperor addressed Yu Xun'er. "I'm your great-grandfather, the Tianyuan Ancient Kingdom's founder, the First Ancient Emperor! Let me guide your cultivation."
Yu Xun'er's eyes widened in disbelief at the roadblocker's identity.
"Does Your Majesty lack students? If Gao Sheng isn't enough, might I recommend the Third Prince? He has immortal emperor potential," Lin Jing interjected.
"What nonsense is this? Immortal emperor potential?" The emperor blinked - surpassing even the crown prince?
Lin Jing had inadvertently fulfilled another promise by recommending the Third Prince.
"See for yourself upon returning."
"Enough digressions. A compromise then." Powerless against Lin Jing, the emperor conceded: "You seek to pass on your techniques, yes? You know cultivating a Longevity Body requires insane resources. With two already in the Demon Court, can it support a third?"
"If you don't take her there, the ancient clan will fund all her cultivation - provided she remains in the kingdom, contacting no Demon Court beasts except you."
"After you depart for the Origin Realm, I'll personally guide her. Don't trust the clan? Trust me. Besides, my existence remains bound by your turtle."
"Hmm..." Lin Jing found the terms acceptable. He'd considered this approach himself, trusting the emperor's integrity.
"Very well. She'll stay with me temporarily, then be handed over before I leave for the Origin Realm." Lin Jing planned to first take her to Spirit Dao Sect for guidance.
Ages ten to twenty shaped one's worldview. If teaching her, he couldn't abandon her afterward - that'd be raising a rival.
"Fine, fine." The emperor remained confident he could correct even demonic cultivation influences. Blood ties outweighed all.
Meanwhile, Yu Xun'er stared at Lin Jing in awe. Was that old man truly the First Ancient Emperor? The legendary Holy Son conversing as equals with him - unbelievable!