Su Liumeng took a deep breath, and the air in her lungs was instantly replaced.
She had already adjusted her emotions.
“Come out.”
As Su Liumeng descended to the ground, a man dressed in black appeared, kneeling before her.
This was the direct force she had just cultivated. This man was the leader of her underground organization. She had named him Black One, and he was responsible for intelligence investigations and assassinations. He was a super powerhouse in the Self Realm, with combat power no less than that of the lowest Source Grade.
“Put out a reward for the recipe of the Beauty Retaining Pill.”
“No matter the price, you must find that recipe within three years.”
“In addition, put out a high reward for any method that can extend one’s lifespan.”
Su Liumeng issued her orders with a serious expression.
Black One had never seen the Great Elder with such a look before, and he immediately adopted the highest-level protocol to respond.
“As you command.”
Black One quickly departed, leaving Su Liumeng to pace around the courtyard.
In today’s cultivation world, various pill recipes had long been lost due to the exhaustion of spiritual herbs. Originally, during ancient times, Beauty Retaining Pills could be found everywhere. Now, however, the recipe had become a rare treasure that was incredibly difficult to find.
Methods for life extension were even more demanding.
If there were a way to extend one’s life, those great experts whose lifespans were nearing their end would be more frenzied than anyone else. Who wouldn’t want to live a few years longer?
In the current cultivation world, the most common methods could only extend a person’s life by a few months at most. Even then, those methods were often priced beyond reach or simply unavailable on the market. Without sufficient opportunity and capital, there was simply no chance of obtaining even one.
The latter required long-term planning. The former, however, was infinitely easier.
Because many great sects and ancient families had not lost their inheritances, and while the Su Family was not the oldest, they were one of the most powerful. Consequently, they did not have many precious ancient recipes passed down to them.
Although the recipe for the Beauty Retaining Pill was rare, some sects were bound to have preserved it. As long as she was willing to pay the price to search, she would eventually find a lead.
The latter was much harder.
To some extent, extending one’s life was an act that defied the natural order. Su Liumeng had heard that a 1,000-year spiritual herb could naturally extend a life, but she had never seen a single spiritual herb capable of growing for 1,000 years.
Suddenly, Su Liumeng’s brows furrowed as she thought of the ancient tree she had just encountered.
No matter how ordinary a tree was, once it produced intelligence and possessed cultivation, even if its original form was just a common tree found everywhere, it should still possess certain characteristics of a spiritual herb.
‘Should I try to capture it?’
Once the thought appeared in Su Liumeng’s mind, she could no longer suppress it.
She wasn’t in a hurry regarding the life extension for the time being. The most important thing now was to find the Beauty Retaining Pill. If she could find the recipe and refine it, Xinyan would surely be very happy.
She understood too well what Xinyan was thinking. Although she said she didn’t care, she actually cared very much about her appearance. What woman would want to see her face age continuously, especially when compared to her lover, who would never age?
Su Liumeng issued another order toward the shadows.
A different man in black flickered into existence. “Great Elder.”
A fierce glint flashed through Su Liumeng’s eyes. “Go and capture the ancient tree deep in the mountains. You must give it your all and must not fail. Otherwise, bring me your head.”
“As you command.”
—
Inside the main hall of Tianxin Hall, a strange fragrance filled the air. Even from a great distance, one could smell the scent of corn.
Su Liumeng had not eaten for a long time. After experiencing such intense emotional fluctuations, she still had no desire for food. Only one thought remained in her mind.
‘I — I cannot let Xinyan leave me.’
‘I definitely won’t.’
Su Liumeng repeated this to herself with a firm tone. No matter the cost, she was willing.
Su Liumeng organized her emotions and made sure everything she needed to order had been handled. Only then did she put on a calm front and walk into the palace.
The pressure on Xinyan was already immense. She had to act naturally to avoid adding any more stress to her.
Su Liumeng’s gaze locked with Xi Zhiruo’s. In an instant, their consciousnesses exchanged information, and they sensed each other’s relevant intel.
Xi Zhiruo’s expression didn’t change, but a light flickered in her eyes.
‘Not bad. The bad woman is actually somewhat useful.’
‘At least, I never considered the Beauty Retaining Pill.’
She would follow Su Liumeng’s suggestion for now. When they found the Beauty Retaining Pill, she would give her mother a huge surprise. Xi Zhiruo could already not wait to see Si Xinyan’s joyful expression upon learning about the pill.
Xi Zhiruo signaled Su Liumeng with her eyes.
[Hurry up, don’t waste time.]
Su Liumeng replied, [I’m already doing my best.]
I bit into my sweet and fragrant corn, and when I looked up, I happened to see the strange looks they were giving each other.
“What are you two doing, making eyes at each other?”
I hadn’t caught any specific secret, but I had an intuitive feeling. These two were definitely doing something behind my back again. The reason I used “again” was because there was a previous record.
In short, it was suspicious.
Xi Zhiruo answered honestly, “We’re discussing things regarding Mama. We’re planning to give Mama a big surprise.”
I noticed a trace of exhaustion in Su Liumeng’s eyes and observed her silence since she entered. I knew the truth of everything. The pressure on her must be immense as well.
Su Liumeng suddenly walked over and pulled me into a hug. “Baby, I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t fulfill my duty as your Dao companion, leaving you to bear such heavy pressure alone.”
“From now on, let me handle it alone.”
“I, Su Liumeng, do not respect heaven or earth, but I swear to you and our daughter that even if I have to give my life, I will not let you leave me and this world.”
My brows furrowed, and I reached out a small hand to cover Su Liumeng’s mouth.
“Stop talking about dying. Don’t say such depressing things.”
“It’s bad luck.”
“I still need you to live and help me take care of my daughter.”
I looked at Su Liumeng with a gentle smile. It was a light smile, like a wind chime, but it weighed heavily on the heart.
“Do you remember? I once asked you to promise me one thing. That thing was to take care of my daughter after I die.”
Since the issue had been brought up, I had nothing to worry about. It was better to clarify everything at once.
Su Liumeng was stunned. She finally understood the meaning behind those words.
She realized in hindsight why Xinyan had sacrificed her cultivation to her. Was it because she had already foreseen her future end? Was that why she had desperately placed all her chips on Su Liumeng, hoping that she would take care of her daughter in the future?
At this moment, the shock in Su Liumeng’s heart was beyond words.
Si Xinyan’s never-spoken maternal love had never been loudly proclaimed, but it had long been everywhere, like a silent spring rain. It was even more intense and heart-shaking than she had imagined.
The little girl’s eyes also looked a bit blank. She stared at her mother in a daze. A thousand words weren’t as touching as seeing it with her own eyes.
‘So Mother had already considered what would happen 100 years later?’
She had never forgotten to make arrangements for her. Even if her life didn’t have much time left, she was thinking about who would personally take care of her daughter after she left the world.
Xi Zhiruo was the first to break down. Tears streamed down her face as she suddenly lunged into Si Xinyan’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Waaaah.”
“I don’t want to — ”
“Zhizhi doesn’t want anyone else to take care of her.”
‘You’re not allowed to not want me…’
“I want you to be my mama for a lifetime.”
“Did you hear me? I’m the baby you gave birth to. You’re not allowed to find me another mother!”