Ye Wen took only a few glances to realize that Wei Hong had never truly set aside the martial arts he had been taught. Though Wei Hong was nearly one hundred years old, his steps remained steady as he walked, and his breathing was long and steady, clearly indicating considerable internal energy cultivation.

Considering that he had only learned the Purple Mist Divine Skill and no higher arts, the level Wei Hong had reached was quite surprising to Ye Wen. He had initially expected that managing to keep this emperor apprentice alive and reasonably healthy until this age would be the limit of his achievement; he hadn't anticipated his disciple would surpass his expectations.

Looking at the current situation, it seemed possible that even Liu Muyan had given up his practice, but this Emperor had not!

"Master praises me too highly!"

Wei Hong finally snapped back to reality, realizing he was not at the end of his natural lifespan, nor was the man before him an emissary from the underworld. This realization brought a fresh wave of perplexity: if that wasn't the case, then what was the purpose of his Master suddenly appearing before him?

Having served as Emperor for so many years, his mind was far more complex than that of an ordinary person. He would normally circle every trivial matter several times, dissecting it inside and out, let alone the fact that Ye Wen’s visit today was certainly no small affair.

While he was still pondering, Ye Wen, having already guessed his disciple’s thoughts, spoke first.

"Having been Emperor for decades, you must be quite tired of it by now?"

Wei Hong’s heart lurched. His first thought was that perhaps his Master was dissatisfied with him and intended to eliminate him. The moment this idea struck him, a fresh bead of cold sweat traced down his temples, and another trickle followed down his cheek.

Ye Wen saw it all clearly. Even in the dim light, and despite the distance between them, these details made no difference to him. "You are thinking too much..."

"After Master shattered the void decades ago, I wonder if you..."

Ye Wen smiled faintly. "After your Master shattered the void, I diligently cultivated and searched for decades, finally locating the realm of the Immortals. Later, I found the path back. I have come this time to see how you disciples are faring, and incidentally to..."

He left the 'incidentally' hanging, allowing Wei Hong to draw his own conclusions.

But the matter was laid bare. With Wei Hong's intellect, he needed virtually no time to grasp Ye Wen's purpose in returning: to bring his disciples to that Immortal Realm!

"Are there truly Immortals?"

Ye Wen replied, "Whether there are Immortals or not, even I cannot be certain. But for an ordinary person, have I not become something like an Immortal now? If that's the measure... then yes, there are many!"

In truth, he had no idea how many Immortals existed in the Immortal Realm; he hadn't met a single one in the dozen or so years he had resided there. However, the Immortal Realm was rich in Yuan Qi and possessed a beautiful environment, perfectly suited for cultivation. He couldn't believe that this world lacked cultivators! Moreover, there were countless rumors regarding the Heavenly Court; it stood to reason that the so-called Immortals of common lore certainly existed.

Hearing Ye Wen say this, Wei Hong understood the implication: Ye Wen himself had embarked upon the path of immortality, and if they were willing to accompany him to the Immortal Realm, they too might become beings akin to Immortals.

Eternal life had always been the aspiration of many Emperors. Wei Hong, being nearly a century old, could hardly have avoided contemplating it. Yet, Wei Hong was relatively rational; moreover, practicing Daoist cultivation, he understood that there was no true path to eternal life in this world—at best, it was merely life extension.

But he never imagined that just as he stood on the precipice of the grave, the Master whom he had taken on on a whim would appear before him, saying, "Come with me, and I shall grant you the way to longevity!"

Frankly, Wei Hong suspected he was hallucinating, or perhaps merely dreaming! Of course, he couldn't rule out the possibility of some ill-intentioned person attempting to seize him.

"If I follow Master to the Immortal Realm, can this disciple ever return?"

Ye Wen chuckled. "Reluctant to part with your imperial throne?"

Wei Hong appeared somewhat embarrassed by the remark. Yet, the truth was, he was reluctant to relinquish that position. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be clinging to the throne at nearly a hundred years old, having outlived several of his own sons without passing the crown—now, if he were to abdicate, it would have to be to his grandson; had he held on a little longer, it could have been to his great-grandson.

Ye Wen said, "If you come with me, you must forsake all this worldly splendor and wealth! The choice is yours. If you find it hard to decide immediately, I shall give you three days. I will return then to ask you again!"

With that, he started to leave. Before he could turn fully, Wei Hong suddenly spoke: "This disciple wishes to follow Master and go!"

It happened in the flash of an instant; Wei Hong had finally made his decision. Having been Emperor for so long, he understood that some opportunities, once missed, never return.

What if his Master saying he would return in three days was merely an excuse? What if the Master took offense at his hesitation and chose never to come back? Wouldn't he have forfeited an immense opportunity?

Although remaining meant continuing to enjoy the status of Emperor, becoming supreme over all others, following Ye Wen meant ascending to Immortality—a monumental chance to transcend the mortal sphere!

Ye Wen paused, turning back to look at Wei Hong. Seeing the look of resolute determination on his face, he knew the disciple had truly decided to leave with him.

"This young apprentice—decisive when required, without any lingering hesitation. No wonder he managed to stabilize the Shang Dynasty amidst internal strife and external threats..."

After a moment's thought, Ye Wen said, "Since that is your decision, I shall remain here while you arrange all your affairs. Then you may depart with me!"

Wei Hong had expected his Master to take him away immediately. He was surprised that he was being given time. "Master is not in a hurry to leave?"

Ye Wen shook his head. "No rush. Your Master has many matters to attend to. It is not too late to leave once those are settled!" He thought to himself, Besides, nothing is settled at Mount Shu yet; that place isn't somewhere one can just walk away from.

With that thought, he suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, after your Senior Brother Liu passed away, do you know where his family went?"

Wei Hong started, then realized his Master hadn't come solely for him; he must have already met with some of his other senior brothers and sisters. Seeing the situation, it seemed Ye Wen likely knew most of what there was to know, which made Wei Hong feel slightly uneasy.

As for that matter, he indeed knew. He replied immediately, "After Senior Brother passed, his family came to the capital with his letter and sought refuge with Steward Zhou. Senior Brother’s wife and one concubine, along with their young daughter, stayed at Steward Zhou's residence! However, now... only the child remains."

Liu Muyan's wife and young concubine? They must have passed away! Although Wei Hong didn't state it explicitly, Ye Wen could infer it.

"Steward Zhou..."

Ye Wen paused, thinking for a moment before remembering. That man had been part of the Imperial Guard back then, though he had no idea what official post he held now.

Then he recalled that Steward Zhou must be at least eighty or ninety years old now, likely unable to hold any office, yet he was still alive. The man’s constitution was quite tough.

"How is Steward Zhou now?"

Wei Hong blinked, suddenly recalling that Zhou was an acquaintance of Ye Wen, and replied, "Since he retired, he has been enjoying his later years at home, occasionally coming to the palace to chat with this disciple. But these past few years, his health has declined considerably. I expect..."

Ye Wen nodded without comment. Although he knew Zhou, he wasn't going to intervene for everyone he knew. Moreover, Zhou had lived to this age and enjoyed all the glory and wealth; he should be content.

Unexpectedly, Wei Hong asked, "Master, could I bring Steward Zhou and my personal attendant eunuch with me?"

"Oh?" Ye Wen was surprised by the suggestion and asked curiously, "Why?"

He had assumed Wei Hong would ask to bring along a couple of familiar faces for company in the Immortal Realm. Furthermore, Zhou and this eunuch had been by his side for years, making them more reliable when giving orders—in reality, Wei Hong felt it would be odd, having been Emperor for decades, not to bring a few trusted people with him.

Ye Wen considered it; it wasn't much of a matter. He was bringing many people along this time; adding one more or one less made no difference. He nodded. "You may bring them, but no others..."

Zhou was known to Ye Wen, so bringing him was fine. As for the eunuch... Mount Shu Sect was not the imperial palace; the eunuch couldn't cause much trouble, at most serving tea and water to his disciple.

Wei Hong explained, "I have spent decades with these two; they have served me faithfully for decades. I have little else to give them, so I wished for them to enjoy some fortune in the Immortal Realm as well."

"I see."

With the tone set, Ye Wen directly stated, "Then bring them... Wait. Summon Steward Zhou now and have him bring your Senior Brother Liu’s daughter!"

Thinking of this, Ye Wen suddenly wondered, "How old is your Senior Brother Liu's daughter now? Has she learned any of our martial arts?"

Wei Hong replied, "Senior Brother Liu took several wives and concubines, but never had an heir until his late years when he finally had a daughter. She is barely twenty years old now. As for martial arts... this disciple is not clear..."

Ye Wen hummed in acknowledgment and then commanded, "Go and attend to these matters!"

Before the words had fully left his mouth, a high-pitched voice angrily shouted, "Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Imperial Study? Guards! Guards!"

Ye Wen turned to see that the old eunuch had woken up and was standing there shouting furiously. After shouting for a while with no response, the eunuch immediately realized something was wrong, darting in front of Wei Hong protectively. "Your Majesty, be careful..."

Unfortunately, before his display of loyalty was complete, Wei Hong said, "Xiao Shunzi, do not worry. This person is's Master!"

"The Emperor's Master?"

The old eunuch blinked his small eyes, then scrutinized Ye Wen back and forth several times before finally glaring at him. "What sorcery have you cast upon His Majesty?"

Ye Wen sighed inwardly, thinking, It’s a good thing I already used the Purple Qi Heavenly Net to seal off this hall, preventing any sound from escaping, otherwise the entire Imperial Guard would have been summoned!

With a mere thought, he floated into the air, enveloped in a golden radiance (the Golden Dawn Energy). Two Zixiao Swords circled him, and beneath his feet materialized a fully bloomed purple lotus flower (the Heavenly Heart Lotus Ring). After striking a very dashing pose, Ye Wen spoke with theatrical flair: "I am an Immortal from the Upper Realm, come here to continue the master-disciple bond that began long ago with the current Emperor!"

As soon as he struck this pose, the old eunuch fell silent. He was certainly a man of broad experience; he knew that while many masters in the world today could produce somewhat frightening effects through their cultivation, none could stand suspended in mid-air.

Thus, when Ye Wen displayed this technique, the eunuch began to ponder: Could he really be an Immortal? But why does he say he is the Emperor’s Master?

Wei Hong had to explain, "Fifty years ago, I accepted him as my Master. Now, Master has come to ask if I will accompany him to the Immortal Upper Realm..."

The old eunuch immediately understood: the Emperor was blessed with great fortune and had gained an Immortal connection. If his recent shouting had inadvertently offended this Immortal elder and ruined the Emperor's chance, a dozen lives wouldn't be enough to pay the price. He hastily changed his expression to one of appeasement and bowed deeply to Ye Wen. "I did not recognize you just now, I beg the Immortal Elder to forgive my offense!"

In a few short exchanges, the confusion was cleared up. Simultaneously, after Ye Wen revealed his power, Wei Hong, who had harbored some lingering doubts, was finally certain that he was not dreaming and that everything was real. He immediately ordered the old eunuch to summon all his grandsons and dispatched the Imperial Guard with a letter to Lord Zhou's residence to invite him over.

Once the arrangements were made, Ye Wen retired to a side hall to rest, waiting quietly for Steward Zhou's arrival! As for how Wei Hong handled relaying the news of his abdication to the imperial family, Ye Wen paid no mind.

However, being bored while waiting, he overheard snippets, and was utterly shocked by Wei Hong's proclamation: "I am about to ascend to Heaven, thus I shall pass the throne down first..."

While technically true—ascending to the Immortal Realm was akin to ascending to heaven for them—the phrasing sounded dangerously open to misinterpretation. Immediately, a wave of panicked outcry erupted: "Your Majesty, speak carefully! Your Majesty's health is robust; you must not heed slanderous talk..." "Grandfather Emperor is so vigorous, why speak such words?"

Or else, a chorus of voices frantically called for the imperial physicians! The Imperial Study had devolved into chaos. Ye Wen, in the side hall, 'watched' the excitement while quietly awaiting Steward Zhou.

The commotion didn't last long. Wei Hong's ability to hold the throne for so many years was indeed due to his considerable skill. In moments, he quieted the clamoring study and began announcing his decisions one by one.

Aside from passing the throne to his third grandson, Ye Wen paid no attention to anything else. He only noted the third grandson's identity because the designation was rather amusing; otherwise, he had no interest.

While still bored, a young eunuch led an old man to the outer entrance of the hall, after which the young eunuch announced, "His Majesty has ordered that the respected elder may enter alone!"

Immediately following, a soft, gentle female voice added, "Uncle Zhou, please go in; your niece will wait outside..."

A deep, aged voice then interrupted the woman: "Since His Majesty ordered me to bring you, you will enter with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the great door of the side hall was pushed open, and two figures entered. The young eunuch outside promptly closed the door.

Ye Wen now clearly saw the two who had entered. The foremost was a man with white hair and a white beard, his face a roadmap of deep wrinkles, yet his features retained a trace of his former self. It was undoubtedly Steward Zhou. Following him was a woman dressed in a pale lavender silk robe, her long black hair flowing like water down her back. She moved with the grace of a gentle lady from a prominent family.

Ye Wen observed the young woman's appearance closely. He couldn't discern much resemblance to Liu Muyan, perhaps only a faint spark of his spirit in her eyes. In terms of features, however, there was none of Liu Muyan’s look.

This woman, could she be like Muyan—soft on the outside, yet strong within? he mused.

While thinking, he lifted his tea cup and took a sip. Just then, Steward Zhou arrived before Ye Wen—in fact, as Zhou entered, he noticed a young man sitting there, and his first thought was, Perhaps the Emperor intends to arrange a marriage for Miss Liu?

This seemed the most likely scenario in his mind; otherwise, why would he be asked to bring the girl? But someone who could command the Emperor's involvement in a matchmaking affair must have an important background. The seated figure looked familiar, but with his advanced age and failing eyesight, he couldn't immediately place which young master it was.

When he saw the young man calmly sipping tea, seemingly ignoring him, the old man felt a slight surge of annoyance. He walked closer, intending to see exactly who this person was.

But as he neared, Steward Zhou was instantly stunned!

"This... How is this possible?"

Zhou remembered Ye Wen's appearance vividly; he felt he would never forget it in his life. Although he had only met Ye Wen a few times, Ye Wen's deeds were too astonishing. Having been fortunate enough to see his true face, he naturally had to force himself to remember it, lest he regret it immensely.

He believed he would never see Ye Wen again, yet here, nearing the end of his days, in the depths of the Imperial Palace, he encountered the exact same young man!

That was his conviction! Until Ye Wen spoke.

"Brother Zhou, it has truly been a long time since we met!"

Setting down his tea cup, Ye Wen looked Zhou up and down, noting that his spirit and energy had waned by more than half. He knew the old man was likely nearing his end if he hadn't appeared now.

"You... you... Who exactly are you?"

Zhou still refused to believe what he was seeing, as the situation was utterly unbelievable.

Ye Wen understood this skepticism and was unconcerned. "Hasn't Brother Zhou already seen clearly?"

Steward Zhou felt a wave of dizziness. He was fortunate that the young lady from the Liu family, standing beside him, caught him before he fell to the ground. But in that instant, he suddenly understood why the Emperor had asked him to bring the Liu girl to the palace: if the person before them truly was Ye Wen.

"You... are here for her?"

Ye Wen nodded, then turned to the young woman, who was staring at him curiously and appearing somewhat bewildered, and asked, "What is your name?"

The young woman glanced at Steward Zhou. Seeing the man who cared for her so dearly nod at her, she answered, "Liu Mengli..."

Book recommendation: Title: Super Mechanical Civilization Book ID Synopsis: The journey from a bicycle to an R-class battleship, the life story from an unknown soldier to a conqueror of the universe. RA