Chapter 1798: Aftermath

“What, Elucidating Jade Marrow!” Zu An had only casually picked it up to attract Zhao Hao's attention, never expecting to find this item.

To recall, Mi Li had listed several materials needed for reshaping her body. For a long time, Zu An had only found the Five-Colored Evergreen Flower. Although he had previously found some Elucidating Jade Marrow in the demon treasury, this substance was the primary material for reconstructing her physical form.

What people referred to as "ice-like skin and jade-like bones" was merely a poetic description. But if Mi Li successfully reshaped her body, it would be a literal truth for her.

A human body, while not enormous, is certainly not small either.

Therefore, the required quantity would be substantial. The amount obtained from the demon treasury would, at most, only be enough to reshape her into the body of a small loli.

While the thought of that image was amusing, Mi Li would obviously never agree to it.

Even with this extra bottle, the quantity might still not be enough. If it caused her figure to shrink, Mi Li definitely wouldn't be satisfied.

He had initially picked it up without much thought, not caring much about the item. But upon realizing it was Elucidating Jade Marrow, he was determined to acquire it no matter what.

Unfortunately, Zhao Hao had already noticed the commotion and craned his neck over. His divine sense was incredibly keen, and he instantly scanned the contents of the bottle, exclaiming, "Oh, it seems to be marrow, but I've never seen it in this form. It appears to emit boundless spiritual energy; it's extremely valuable..."

Zu An immediately interrupted him, "Your Majesty, we just agreed that we'd choose first. You've already obtained the immortal elixir. Surely you wouldn't go back on your word so soon, would you? Would you? Would you?"

Zhao Hao's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected his recently made "flag" to be fulfilled so quickly.

He hesitated but ultimately didn't snatch it. It wasn't time to openly break ties yet, and besides, while the jade marrow was precious, it wasn't particularly useful to him.

Ultimately, he didn't know the origin of the Elucidating Jade Marrow; otherwise, he would never have given it up so easily.

But why was this kid's tone so annoying?

Rage points from Zhao Hao +110 +110 +110...

Zu An placed the Elucidating Jade Marrow into the Glazed Treasure Pearl and secretly asked Mi Li, "Queen Teacher, I've found another portion of Elucidating Jade Marrow so quickly. I'll be able to help you reshape your body soon."

"Yes, I didn't expect it to be so fast," Mi Li's voice trembled slightly. Evidently, this progress was somewhat beyond her expectations. She had originally worried that she would never have hope in this lifetime, yet in just two or three years, two items had been found. It was just that the quantity might cause her body to shrink a little.

"Have you realized you didn't follow the wrong person?" Zu An's face showed a hint of smugness.

"Bah, who's following whom? I'm your teacher, mind your manners!" Having found more Elucidating Jade Marrow, Mi Li was in a good mood and wasn't angry. "That flame in the coffin is quite mysterious. I can't discern its origin, but it should be very useful to Qiu Honglei. You must help her get it."

Zu An was taken aback. "You actually care about another woman's matters?"

Mi Li said proudly, "Of course. I am your teacher. These women will all be my disciples' wives in the future, and they will pour tea for me. Naturally, I must care for them."

Zu An was speechless.

In fact, Mi Li didn't need to suggest it; he had already intended it. So he said, "I've made my choice, Honglei. You haven't chosen yet. Why don't you pick this flame?"

Qiu Honglei's heart stirred with joy. She had actually taken a fancy to that flame long ago. She then formed a hand seal, attempting to subdue it.

Zhao Hao raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Zu An quickly interjected, "Your Majesty just said we could choose first. I've chosen one, and now it's their turn. Your Majesty's word is as good as gold; truly magnanimous. Why don't you both quickly thank His Majesty?"

Qiu Honglei, also possessing a keen mind, smiled faintly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhao Hao's face twitched. He never imagined that one day the Saintess of the Demonic Cult would actually thank him.

But why couldn't he feel happy at all?

He gazed at Jing Teng with a placid expression before finally saying, "No need. Any treasure discovered later will be for me to choose."

He didn't know Zu An's trump card and needed his help later to deal with the Ghost King.

Moreover, Jing Teng was too mysterious. She had intricate connections to this grand tomb and Immortal Lord Baopu. Since he hadn't yet found the 'immortal destiny,' it was better not to offend her for now.

Zu An smiled slightly. "Naturally."

Qiu Honglei's heart leaped. What if the next discovery was immortal destiny or the art of eternal life? Why wasn't Ah Zu worried at all?

Remembering what he had said earlier, she composed herself and continued trying to draw the flame into her hand.

As the Saintess of the Demonic Cult, she lacked neither heritage nor secret techniques. Unfortunately, no matter how she tried, she couldn't take the flame for herself, and she started sweating on her forehead in frustration.

In this regard, Zu An's knowledge was not as extensive as hers, so he couldn't help even if he wanted to.

Just then, Mi Li's voice rang out, "Tell her to use that Everlasting Trust Palace Lantern."

While it was called the Everlasting Trust Palace Lantern, it was actually just a replica made by the Demonic Cult. The genuine article was with Yun Jianyue.

Zu An's heart stirred, and he quickly gave a subtle hint. Qiu Honglei's eyes lit up, and she took out the replica Everlasting Trust Palace Lantern. The flame, upon seeing the lantern, instantly brightened a few shades and swiftly darted into it.

The original flame inside the lantern also flared up intensely, as if trying to expel the intruder.

After some entanglement between the two, the few people present noticed that it wasn't just a flame, but a segment of a lampwick.

The lampwick, like a small snake, coiled around the original wick. The fierce struggle gradually subsided, and the two wicks twisted together to form a single, new wick.

Zu An's expression was odd. He wondered if lampwicks had genders. Had they merged?

Qiu Honglei, however, paid no attention to this, because she clearly felt her replica Everlasting Trust Palace Lantern had grown stronger, subtly emitting an aura that she couldn't quite comprehend.

Since they had just merged, it might need some time to stabilize before it could be used. She wasn't yet sure what abilities it possessed.

But having used the palace lantern for so many years, she was certain it had become more powerful.

Zhao Hao was somewhat tempted by the sight. If he weren't more concerned with the so-called 'immortal destiny,' he might have already moved to snatch it.

This segment of lampwick was clearly extraordinary. If he acquired and refined it properly, he might even have a chance to forge a divine artifact.

As Qiu Honglei caressed the Everlasting Trust Palace Lantern, unable to put it down, Zu An walked over to Jing Teng's side. "Miss Jing, you should also pick an item."

While Zhao Hao was still bound by his earlier words, getting one more item was better than none.

To his surprise, Jing Teng shook her head. "No need."

Not just Zu An, but even Zhao Hao was puzzled. Why did this woman appear so indifferent to these treasures? Did she also desire immortal destiny?

Zhao Hao's heart instantly tensed, and he walked closer to her. "Miss Jing, Immortal Lord Baopu's remains are here. Did he truly ascend to immortality?"

"Yes, I'm not sure what happened with these remains," Jing Teng replied.

Zhao Hao frowned. "In that case, did he leave behind any legacy or... immortal destiny?"

Upon hearing the words "immortal destiny," even Qiu Honglei's attention was drawn.

Mi Li's voice echoed in Zu An's mind. "Another one gone mad with the desire for immortality. No matter how brilliant and strategic an emperor was, once their death approaches, they become twisted and extreme."

Zu An frowned. "I don't quite understand. There are countless heroes in the world who don't fear death. These emperors are the outstanding figures of their time, so why are they inferior to some ordinary martial artists in this regard?"

"Can the lives of ordinary people be compared to the lives of emperors? Ordinary people already live very hard lives, so they are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect things they deem worthwhile. But emperors wield the greatest power in the world; with a single word, they can control the lives and deaths of countless people. How could they bear to lose such a life?" Mi Li sneered.

Zu An suddenly understood. In his previous life, those who were leaders and bosses claimed that "996" (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week) was a blessing, bragging about how long and hard they worked. But was the experience of going to work the same for leaders and bosses as it was for ordinary employees?

"That's why Qin Shi Huang sent people everywhere to search for elixirs of immortality, knowing many were fake, yet he never tired of it."

Mi Li suddenly said, "I recovered some memories recently. Actually, my relationship with Ying Zheng isn't what you imagine. We weren't close..."

She seemed to hesitate, as if unsure how to describe it.

Zu An was startled, completely baffled as to why she suddenly brought this up.

Just as he was about to ask, Jing Teng on the other side had already replied, "Since it's called 'immortal destiny,' naturally only those with affinity can obtain it. If I knew, I would have become an immortal back then, why wait until now?"

Zhao Hao frowned. Although he was dissatisfied with her answer, he knew there was some truth to it.

Hmph, for me to arrive here at this moment, I must be the most destined one.

Even if not, at worst, I'll just snatch it from the truly destined person.

With this thought, he felt settled and proceeded to ask another matter of concern, "By the way, Miss, you just mentioned a method to deal with the Ghost King. Now that we are before the Immortal Lord's tomb, what exactly is it?"

Jing Teng shook her head slightly. "I don't know. I just vaguely felt that coming here would provide a way to deal with the Ghost King, but what specifically, I'm not sure."

Zhao Hao frowned. Although he had the Human Emperor Seal for protection and wouldn't have much difficulty defending himself against the Ghost King, such a powerful entity lurking nearby still made him uneasy. If he couldn't find a way to deal with the Ghost King this time, he might not be able to seize the immortal destiny from it later.

Zu An walked over and subtly shielded Jing Teng behind him. "I imagine the Immortal Lord must have left some contingency. Let's look for it."

Feeling his protective intent, Jing Teng's heart warmed, and a faint smile appeared on her otherwise somewhat pale face.

The group then began searching near the coffin. Although there were still some treasures inside, none could compare to the earlier Elucidating Jade Marrow and the strange lampwick. It was genuinely impossible to tell if any of them possessed the power to deal with the Ghost King.

Finally, their gazes all fell upon the remains of Immortal Lord Baopu. If there was truly any method, it was most likely on him.