Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Open your mouth.”@@novelbin@@

“Your Highness, this doesn’t seem appropriate…”

“What’s inappropriate about it? And now you’re getting all coy with me? Hurry up, open your mouth!”

“Alright… ah.”

In the Princess’ residence within the capital of Wu Kingdom, Xu Ming lay on the bed wrapped up like a mummy, with only his mouth left uncovered. Wu Yanhan held a bowl of medicine, scooping up a spoonful to feed Xu Ming.

To be honest, having a princess of Wu Kingdom personally serve him medicine made Xu Ming feel a bit guilty.

He figured he must be the only person in the entire kingdom to enjoy such treatment.

But then again, considering he and Wu Yanhan had been through life and death together, this wasn’t a big deal. Plus, since they were in the Princess’ residence with no one else around, there was no need to worry about gossip—not that anyone would dare speak ill of them anyway.

Xu Ming opened his mouth, letting Wu Yanhan feed him the medicine.

He trusted Wu Yanhan not to harm him, just as he trusted his own mother.

But still, the medicine was really bitter. Xu Ming felt like his tongue had gone numb.

“Shengsheng, wipe your Brother Xu’s mouth,” Wu Yanhan said as she stood up with the bowl.

“Got it!” Shen Shengsheng happily trotted over, holding a handkerchief, and carefully wiped Xu Ming’s mouth as though she were completing some grand project.

“Alright, Shengsheng, let your Brother Xu rest well. I’ll take you to practice boxing,” Wu Yanhan said as she tidied up the tray.

“Okay!” Shen Shengsheng nodded eagerly, then turned to Xu Ming and reminded him, “Brother Xu, make sure to rest properly! Shengsheng will come see you again after practicing boxing!”

Xu Ming chuckled, “Go on, go on.”

“Mhm!”

Shen Shengsheng grabbed Xu Ming’s hand, rubbed it gently against her head, then carefully placed it back down before following Sister Yanhan out to practice.

As the door closed, leaving Xu Ming alone in the room, a familiar voice echoed in his mind—it was the system.

[Congratulations to the host for surviving the Tenfold Lightning Tribulation! Lightning Resistance +500, Physical Self-Healing Ability +100, Spiritual Energy Recovery Rate +100, Martial Qi Recovery Rate +100, Physical Durability +200, Sword Intent Comprehension +100, Spiritual Energy Density +100, Dao Comprehension +50, Skin Toughness…]

The system continued to list attributes, granting over twenty upgrades in total, with none of the boosts below 50 points.

In general, the greater the challenge Xu Ming faced, the more generous the system’s rewards.

Clearly, this lightning tribulation had been an immense ordeal.

Xu Ming even suspected that if the system were sentient, it probably wouldn’t have expected him to make it through alive!

But where there’s great risk, there’s also great reward. Having survived, he was naturally reaping the benefits.

After finishing the long list of attribute bonuses, the system wasn’t done yet—it also had tangible rewards for him.

[Host has achieved the “Unprecedented Lightning Survivor” milestone. Reward: Tenfold Lightning Heart Technique.]

[Tenfold Lightning Heart Technique: Can suppress demons, repel evil, slay ghosts, and vanquish wickedness. Once mastered, it allows the wielder to channel the power of heavenly lightning into their sword and martial arts, enhancing their power with added lightning attributes. If an opponent is struck by the lightning ten times, they will enter a state of “Lightning Paralysis,” experiencing paralysis for 1 second to 1 minute depending on their cultivation level.] ṚἈℕó𝐁Ёs

[Detected that the host survived a near-death experience during this tribulation. Reward: Two Thunder Fortune Beads.]

[Thunder Fortune Beads: Contain the fortune of the Heavenly Dao. When worn, they provide a certain degree of Heavenly Dao fortune, enhancing cultivation efficiency for both cultivators and martial artists.]

As the system’s voice faded, the Tenfold Lightning Heart Technique appeared in Xu Ming’s mind.

Xu Ming’s spiritual sense condensed into the form of a small figure, tirelessly practicing the Tenfold Lightning Heart Technique. He quickly felt himself comprehending its content at an astonishing pace.

In truth, Xu Ming found the Tenfold Lightning Heart Technique to be an extremely esoteric and challenging method to master. Without the system’s assistance, relying solely on himself to fully grasp it would likely take years.

But with the system’s help, it only took the time of two incense sticks burning for Xu Ming to completely master the technique.

Unfortunately, with his body covered in injuries, Xu Ming couldn’t immediately test the effects of the technique.

It was like obtaining a new item in a game—you’d naturally want to test its power right away. Otherwise, it felt incomplete.

However, he would have to wait. At least another half month of recovery was needed.

Even though the lightning tribulation had tempered his body and healed most of his injuries, with his flesh and blood regenerating, his body was still in a recovery state. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been sent to the Princess’ residence, wrapped up like a mummy.

Under those bandages was a special ointment called Black Jade Healing Balm, which had been personally prepared by a healer cultivator invited by the Wu Emperor. It greatly accelerated Xu Ming’s recovery.

To be fair, the Wu Emperor treated Xu Ming exceptionally well.

The Black Jade Healing Balm required numerous rare spiritual herbs and treasures, many of which were considered invaluable even in the Four Sacred Lands. Creating the balm had likely tapped into the national treasury of Wu Kingdom.

The Wu Emperor had truly spared no expense for Xu Ming.

Of course, Xu Ming wasn’t naive—he understood that the emperor’s kindness came with ulterior motives.

Having survived the unprecedented Tenfold Lightning Tribulation, Xu Ming’s future was undeniably bright as long as he developed properly.

Even though the Wu Emperor likely knew he wouldn’t be able to keep Xu Ming in Wu Kingdom forever, it was only logical to foster a good relationship with him.

After all, no matter how far Xu Ming rose, he was still a native of Wu Kingdom and would always have a connection to his homeland.

If he truly grew strong in the future, he could protect Wu Kingdom for thousands of years.

While each of the Ten Great Human Dynasties boasted an Ascension Realm cultivator as a protector, these figures were more like nuclear deterrents—rarely mobilized. And even if they were forced to act, who knew how much they’d actually contribute?

After all, their relationships with the dynasties were built on mutual benefits, not loyalty.

Xu Ming had even heard that these Ascension Realm protectors only agreed to assist their dynasties three times. After that, they were no longer obliged to help. And securing their help for those three instances required a dynasty to provide an astronomical amount of resources.

Therefore, no matter how you looked at it, having an Ascension Realm cultivator raised within one’s own dynasty was far more reliable.

“Forget it, this works out just fine,” Xu Ming muttered to himself, closing his eyes again to nurture his soul.

The Wu Emperor had treated him generously. Protecting him, providing him resources—if Xu Ming, as a native of Wu Kingdom, grew strong in the future, it would only be right to repay the favor by protecting the kingdom.

And then there was Yanhan. She might very well become the next Empress of Wu Kingdom. Xu Ming would never allow anything to happen to Wu Kingdom—or to her.

In other words, he would never let anything happen to Wu Yanhan.

Three days passed. Xu Ming remained bedridden.

In truth, he could have returned to the Xu Residence to recuperate.

But in his current state, if his mother were to see him, she’d probably be so worried she wouldn’t sleep a wink.

So Xu Ming simply asked Wu Yanhan to visit the Xu Residence and deliver some good news—tell them he was safe and sound, just in closed-door cultivation, and that he’d return in half a month.

During this time, Wu Yanhan and Shengsheng prepared medicine for Xu Ming every single day. Many times, when they came into the room with a bowl of medicine, Xu Ming could smell the faint scent of herbs and charcoal lingering on them.

There were even moments when a smudge of ash could be seen on Yanhan’s fair cheeks.

Xu Ming was genuinely moved.

Setting aside Yanhan’s status as a princess, here was a young woman, expecting nothing in return, caring for him in his weakest moments. She brewed medicine, fed him, and stayed by his bedside throughout.

This was devotion—what more could one ask for in a wife?

If this were on Blue Star, a girl as beautiful and virtuous as Yanhan would be exceedingly rare, if not outright impossible to find.

As for Shengsheng, her feelings were simpler—purely the affection of a little sister for her older brother.

On the thirteenth day, the healer cultivator—an expert at the Immortal Realm—returned to the Princess’ residence to examine Xu Ming. After a thorough check, he declared that Xu Ming could finally remove the bandages.

Xu Ming unwrapped the bindings and treated himself to a much-needed bath.

Even though he had reached the Dragon Gate Realm, and his body had been further purified by the tempering of Celestial Thunder Essence, Xu Ming still felt uncomfortable with the lingering stickiness of the ointment.

He had grown used to regular bathing, and going without for so long, even if he wasn’t technically dirty, made him feel unclean.

After bathing, Xu Ming donned fresh clothes and stepped out of the bathroom.

Wu Yanhan and Shengsheng were already waiting at the door.

“Brother Xu~~~” Shengsheng ran up to him excitedly as soon as she saw him.

Wu Yanhan’s eyes also lit up when she saw him.

Xu Ming scooped Shengsheng into his arms, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Brother Xu, you still smell like medicine, but you look even better than before!”

Xu Ming chuckled, ruffling Shengsheng’s head. “After being marinated in that ointment for over ten days, I guess I’ve absorbed some flavor.”

“Do I really look better than before?” he asked half-jokingly, glancing at Wu Yanhan.

Children didn’t lie, so if Shengsheng said he looked better, it must be true.

“Just a little,” Wu Yanhan huffed, turning her head with a flick of her sleeve. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks faintly pink.

To be honest, Wu Yanhan hadn’t expected it either, but after surviving the lightning tribulation, Xu Ming did look noticeably better.

Of course, it was only a little.

“How’s your body feeling?” Wu Yanhan asked.

Xu Ming nodded. “Not bad, I’m about seventy to eighty percent recovered.”

He didn’t mention the one lingering issue—after his breakthrough, the martial qi and spiritual energy within him had begun clashing again.

It seemed the problem wasn’t fully resolved. If he wanted a solution, he’d likely need to head to the Western Regions and have a proper discussion with Mo Zhuer about how she planned to help him resolve it completely.

If the price was too steep, he might have to abandon one path altogether.

“If you’re feeling alright, come to the palace with me,” Wu Yanhan said.

“The emperor summoned me?” Xu Ming asked.

Wu Yanhan nodded. “Father knows you’re fine now, and since you’ve just survived the Tenfold Lightning Tribulation, he definitely wants to see you. He’ll probably reward you again.”

As she spoke, a trace of guilt flashed in her expression. “I’m sorry… news of you surviving the lightning tribulation has spread throughout the capital, and now it’s quickly spreading across the world.”

“It’s fine. It’s understandable.” Xu Ming didn’t seem to mind at all.

Xu Ming naturally understood that the rapid spread of news was no accident—it was the handiwork of the Wu Emperor behind the scenes.

The Emperor’s goal was obvious: to use this opportunity to bring glory to Wu Kingdom.

Compared to the other nine great human dynasties, Wu Kingdom’s history was far too brief. It desperately needed to establish a reputation on the international stage and solidify its footing.

Otherwise, the average citizen would only know that someone had undergone a tribulation that day, causing numerous thunderstrikes, but who would know who it was?

Still, even if the Emperor hadn’t spread the news, Xu Ming’s survival of the Tenfold Lightning Tribulation would eventually become common knowledge.

The commotion was simply too grand—probably visible for a thousand miles around.

Other dynasties would inevitably investigate and deduce that it was Xu Ming.

If someone wanted to kill him and eliminate the threat he posed while still in its cradle, the Emperor’s silence wouldn’t matter. Those people would find out regardless.

On the contrary, the Emperor’s high-profile announcement was a bold statement: “Anyone who dares touch Wu Kingdom’s future is an enemy of Wu Kingdom itself.”

Though Wu Kingdom didn’t have the best reputation—in the eyes of the other dynasties, it was often seen as a “barbarian state”—its people were known for their ferocity. If provoked, they wouldn’t waste time talking; they’d fight with everything they had.

“Why don’t you go home and visit Aunt Chen first?” Wu Yanhan suggested. “I can talk to my father, so there’s no need to rush to the palace.”

“It’s fine,” Xu Ming shook his head. “Since your father summoned me, I should go. Otherwise, he might think I’m disrespecting him. If the court officials criticize me for it later, I could end up being accused of disregarding the monarch.”

Wu Yanhan chuckled. “You’re already a cultivator, practically a celestial being. Do you really care about that?”

Xu Ming nodded. “Of course. As long as you’re in Wu Kingdom, I’ll care.”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Wu Yanhan stepped forward and gave him a light kick before turning away. “If we’re going, then let’s go!”

“This girl… acting all shy now,” Xu Ming muttered with a smile as he followed her.

Meanwhile, in the palace, the Wu Emperor had already arranged a feast.

Dishes were neatly set on the table, the aroma filling the air.

The Emperor sat at the head of the table, waiting for Xu Ming and his daughter to arrive.

“Your Majesty.” Wei Xun approached the Emperor, carrying several small packets of powdered herbs. “The Spring Breeze Pills have been ground into powder.”

The Emperor nodded. “Mix them into the wine.”

Wei Xun replied respectfully, “Understood.”