"Awake?" Zhong Shan asked softly.
"Yes," Bao'er murmured in her sleep.
"You've endured a lot over these years," Zhong Shan said, gently stroking Bao'er's fragrant shoulder.
"No, it's all worth it for you, my lord. I want to turn the Tai Dan Sect into the Tai Hospital of the Great Zheng Dynasty. From now on, the Tai Dan Sect will refine pills for the Great Zheng Dynasty," Bao'er said softly, looking at Zhong Shan.
Looking at Bao'er in his arms, Zhong Shan felt a mix of emotions, ultimately turning into a deep affection as he gazed at her.
"Didn't you say it wouldn't be possible without the consent of the three great elders?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.
"My lord, didn't you teach me before? There's no such thing as an impossible task, only insufficient incentives. I have a way to convince the three great elders. Once they agree, what more could the remaining Tai Dan Sect disciples do? Besides, they've all become too engrossed in pill refining," Bao'er said with a confident smile.
"Really?" Zhong Shan said in surprise.
"Of course. Bao'er has been out for all these years for you," Bao'er said confidently.
"Good," Zhong Shan said, feeling a surge of excitement.
The Tai Dan Sect, according to Bao'er's recent descriptions, had a prestigious history. Once highly revered in the divine land of China, it had only recently fallen to the point of developing on Tianlang Island. Even without its former glory, having such a sect join the Great Zheng Dynasty would significantly boost its development.
Pills, the sacred medicine for cultivation, could cure diseases, heal wounds, increase true essence, and aid in breakthroughs. Bao'er had inherited the legacy of the previous Tai Dan Sect leader and possessed a storage bracelet filled with various elixirs, including the much-desired Ascension Pill.
"It's time to get up. It's almost noon, and we need to meet the three great elders," Zhong Shan said softly.
"Let Bao'er dress you, my lord. It's been many years since I last did this," Bao'er said tenderly.
"Alright," Zhong Shan replied, standing up and allowing Bao'er to dress him piece by piece.
Once they were both dressed, Zhong Shan and Bao'er ate some pastries together. At the dining table, Zhong Shan suddenly took out the Fengshen List.
Seeing the Fengshen List, Bao'er's eyes lit up. She had heard about it from Zhong Shan but had never seen it. Now she wanted to take a good look.
The first row: King, Zhong Shan.
The second row: National Beast, Wolf.
The third row: Crown Prince, Zhong Tian. ..........
The previously fixed words suddenly shifted, and the second row, National Beast, Wolf, moved back. Three more rows of words appeared.
The first row: King, Zhong Shan.
The second row: Queen, Wei Kuier.
The third row: Queen, Gan Bao'er.
The fourth row: Queen, Tian Linger.
The fifth row: National Beast, Wolf. .........
Seeing the newly added rows on the Fengshen List, Bao'er smiled slightly. She felt no jealousy about Wei Kuier being listed first and none towards Queen Tian Linger either. Zhong Shan had explained everything that had happened during her absence, and Bao'er felt more affection and gratitude towards Linger, who had saved Zhong Shan's life.
At the Tai Hospital of the Great Zheng Dynasty, Zhong Shan handed the memory crystal recording the events to the three great elders of the Tai Dan Sect.
Watching the images within the crystal.
"Elder Yao Yu." Elder Yao Yu immediately recognized.
"The Phantom Sect has been destroyed. I assume you have all received the news by now." Zhongshan looked at the three elders with a smile.
"As you say." Elder Yao Yu nodded.
Now, Zhongshan's Great Dong Empire was considered innocent. However, the Tian Di Xuan Huang Cauldron couldn't stay here indefinitely. Being an item of the Tai Dan Sect, it naturally had to return.
"Master, now that everything is clear, we should return the Tian Di Xuan Huang Cauldron to the Tai Dan Sect." Elder Yao Yu immediately stood up.
"Please, allow me to say a few words." Zhongshan suddenly spoke.
Elders Yao Yu, Yao Lu, and Yao Chen all turned their gazes to Zhongshan.
"What do you think of my Great Dong Empire?" Zhongshan stared at the three with a smile.
Hearing this, the three elders frowned slightly, looking at Zhongshan before them with a hint of strangeness. Zhongshan's cultivation was too low, so low that it made them feel dismissive. But over the past few days, the three elders had seen the peculiarities of this low-level empire. In the distance, there was a Wolf God Temple, and astonishingly, it was guarded by a Wolf General.
The Wolf Clan's Supreme Emperor, Xuan Sha, had actually formed an alliance with the Great Dong Empire? And the current Emperor of Great Dong was even the husband of the sect master. This made the three elders ponder deeply.
"What is your intention?" Elder Yao Yu spoke up.
"The Great Dong Empire, though weak now, has a promising future unlike any other dynasty or empire. In the future, the Great Dong Empire will surely be the strongest. I, Zhongshan, earnestly invite you three to join the Great Dong Empire and create a prosperous era together." Zhongshan spoke sincerely.
"Hmph, are you suggesting that the Tai Dan Sect should become vassals of your Great Dong Empire? Dissolve the Tai Dan Sect?" Elder Yao Yu's eyes narrowed.
Yao Yu's eyes narrowed, and Yao Lu and Yao Chen also stared at Zhongshan.
"No, the Tai Dan Sect remains the Tai Dan Sect, still a unified entity. It's just a nominal attachment to the Great Dong Empire." Zhongshan said with a smile. Indeed, this couldn't be achieved overnight; it needed to be accumulated slowly. Besides, he had Bao'er on his side; it was only a matter of time.
"Yes, I have agreed." Bao'er spoke at the right moment.
"Master." Yao Chen suddenly glared at Bao'er.
At this moment, the three elders were extremely angry. Although they were devoted to alchemy, they could still discern a hint of conspiracy from Zhongshan's words. And yet, the sect master completely sided with Zhongshan. This... meant selling off the Tai Dan Sect. Despite the setbacks in this generation, the ancestral foundation couldn't be surrendered like this.
"You are unworthy of being the sect master of the Tai Dan Sect. Have you honored the legacy of the old sect master?" Elder Yao Chen immediately vented his anger.
"Hehe, Elder Yao Chen, I hope you understand your position. I am the sect master of the Tai Dan Sect. Have you forgotten the Tai Dan Sect's ancestral rules? In the Tai Dan Sect, the sect master holds the highest authority. Even if I were to dissolve the Tai Dan Sect now, no one could object." Bao'er suddenly said.
"You..." Elder Yao Chen suddenly found himself at a loss for words, his chest heaving as he glared at Bao'er.
All three elders felt the same. Unlike other sects, the Tai Dan Sect's rules dictated that each generation's sect master had the ultimate authority, to the extent of being able to destroy the Tai Dan Sect at any time, because the Tai Dan Sect's cultivation was different from other sects.
Helplessly, the three elders could only watch as the ancestral foundation that had lasted for ages was annexed by the Great Dong Empire before their eyes, feeling an incomparable sense of fury.
"Elders, please don't be angry, allow me to explain." Bao'er's tone suddenly softened. It seemed the previous firm stance had worked; now it was time for the carrot.
She slowly helped the three elders to sit down.
But the chests of the three elders still heaved with fury as they continued to glare at their sect master.
"Bao'er has been favored by our master. How could I let down the ancestral foundation of the Tai Dan Sect? I also have my considerations. The Tai Dan Sect is no longer the glorious sect of the past; it has fallen to the lowest rank among the immortal sects. Bao'er wants to revive it in my generation, but can we achieve this with just us alchemists?" Bao'er spoke softly.
Indeed, upon hearing Bao'er's gentle words, everyone felt somewhat relieved, though they still frowned at her, hoping for a satisfactory explanation.
"In the vast land of China, the Great Luo Dynasty, the Great Li Dynasty, and the Great Tai Sui Dynasty, each of their dynasties has an alchemy sect attached. Look at them. Even though they have a celestial dynasty above them, how do they compare to our Tai Dan Sect? How were they before? These obscure alchemy sects, under the protection of the celestial dynasty, have thrived. Now, do we still have the qualifications to ridicule them? They have received the most comprehensive nourishment. How strong have they become now? The Tai Dan Sect also needs external support, a springboard for prosperity, and that is the Great Dong Empire." Bao'er said gently.
Bao'er's words made sense, but the three elders still frowned.
"Seeking the protection of a dynasty, we shouldn't settle for a minor empire. Even if we can't join the celestial dynasty, there are plenty of empires and dynasties in China." Elder Yao Chen said.
"Hehe, are you finding fault with the size of the Great Dong Empire?" Bao'er smiled slightly. Because of Elder Yao Chen's words, it meant the elders' beliefs were wavering.
"Yes," Elder Yao Chen said straightforwardly.
Bao'er smiled faintly, "Elders, I am now the queen of the Great Dong Empire. Tell me, where will the Tai Dan Sect receive more attention, in the Great Dong Empire or in other dynasties?"
Upon hearing Bao'er's words, the three elders frowned. It was obvious here, but the Great Dong Empire, like Zhongshan, had low cultivation.
"The Great Dong Empire has gained the recognition of Emperor Xuan Sha. Its future is boundless. The imperial dynasty? It's just a matter of time. If the Tai Dan Sect lends a hand, joining the celestial dynasty is not impossible. As long as there is time, which is just a matter of time, and considering the limited time the three elders have, I will give each of you double the lifespan. How about it?" Bao'er suddenly smiled brightly.
"Whooo—" The three elders suddenly stood up, their eyes wide with excitement and longing.
"You, are you talking about the Heavenly Origin Divine Pill?" Elder Yao Yu stared at Bao'er, his tone urgent, his breathing becoming uneven.
"Yes, it's indeed my Tai Dan Sect's 'Heavenly Origin Divine Pill.' According to the rules of the Tai Dan Sect, only the sect master is qualified to take it. As long as the three elders are willing, I will decide, and three out of the remaining five pills will be given to you. How about it?" Bao'er said confidently, as if she wasn't afraid of their refusal at all.