Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Above the North Sea Dragon Palace.

The envoy delegation from the Wu Kingdom had arrived.

For most members of the delegation, this was their first time seeing the ocean. As they gazed upon the vast, boundless sea and the islands scattered across its surface, they couldn’t help but feel how small they truly were.

Xu Ming let out a soft sigh, his eyes fixed on the calm waters.

For many in the envoy, this journey was more of a sightseeing trip than a diplomatic mission. Not only would they witness the splendor of the North Sea Dragon Empress, but they would also get a rare glimpse of the magnificent underwater world. Once they returned home, they would have plenty of stories to boast about.

But for Xu Ming, things were different.

He knew with absolute certainty that the Dragon Empress of the North Sea had her sights set on him.

The only reason the Wu Kingdom had received this invitation was because of him.

Yet, he had no idea what the Dragon Empress’s true intentions were.

“The envoy of the Wu Kingdom has come to pay respects!”

The moment his words fell, the tranquil sea began to stir. Waves surged, growing higher and higher as schools of flying fish leaped above the water’s surface before plunging back down.

The ocean started to collapse inward, forming a massive whirlpool.

Then—whoosh!

The whirlpool suddenly reversed, spiraling upward and piercing straight into the heavens.

Columns of water shot skyward like towering pillars, connecting the sea and sky. The swirling force shattered the clouds above.

Another massive pillar of water burst from the ocean’s surface, seemingly about to smash the flying vessel to pieces.

But just as the raging water was about to make contact, it suddenly dispersed.

The water hovered around the vessel, gathering and thickening, forming a translucent bubble of deep blue.

Then, guided by the water’s pull, the flying vessel was slowly dragged beneath the waves.

It descended into the depths of the sea.

Brilliantly colored fish darted around them, weaving through the water like flowing ribbons.

A massive whale swam toward the vessel, its gaping maw opening wide. Cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the envoys, fearing that the beast would swallow them whole.

But the whale simply turned and swam away, as if they were of no consequence.

The deeper they descended, the larger the sea creatures became. Before long, they even spotted several dragons swimming through the vast underwater expanse.

Not long after, a colossal city came into view.

This was the North Sea Dragon Capital.

The city’s sheer scale rivaled that of an entire province in the Wu Kingdom.

At its very heart stood a vast, majestic palace.

The North Sea Dragon Palace—the legendary Dragon Empress’s residence.

The palace was resplendent, gilded in gold and radiant brilliance. It was so immense that it resembled a small city in itself, with enormous turtles swimming leisurely above its rooftops.

One could clearly see the grand structures within the palace, yet not a single figure was visible inside.

Xu Ming speculated that it was the work of a powerful formation, concealing the palace’s inhabitants.

But he knew that the formation surrounding the Dragon Palace was far more than just an illusionary barrier.

Even from the outside, one could feel the immense power of the grand formation enveloping the palace.

Soon, the Wu Kingdom’s flying vessel arrived at the palace’s outer perimeter.

The watery sphere encasing their vessel dispersed, and countless glimmering blue droplets sank into the heads of the envoys one by one.

Everyone suddenly realized that they could breathe underwater.

“Welcome, esteemed envoys of the Wu Kingdom. I apologize for not greeting you sooner—please forgive the delay.”

An elderly man with a turtle shell on his back emerged, leading a group of over a hundred maids to receive them.

Xu Ming leaped off the flying vessel and stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “I am Xu Ming, the chief envoy of this delegation to the Dragon Palace. It is an honor to meet you, my lord.”

“You’re too polite, Lord Xu.” The old turtle chuckled, scrutinizing Xu Ming for a moment as if sizing him up. “I am the Minister of Rites of the North Sea Dragon Palace. You may simply call me ‘Old Turtle.'”

“How could I dare?” Xu Ming quickly responded, his demeanor full of respect.

Joking aside, just because someone told you to call them ‘Old Turtle’ didn’t mean you should actually do it. What’s next? Calling him ‘Turtle Grandson’?

“Lord Xu, there’s no need to be so formal,” the old turtle said with a warm smile. “We have prepared a banquet to welcome you all. I hope you won’t find it lacking.”

“Then we shall gladly partake,” Xu Ming nodded.

“Please, Lord Xu.”

“After you, Minister Turtle.”

With that, Minister Turtle and Xu Ming entered the Dragon Capital together. Behind them, the three thousand Blood Asura guards and over a hundred officials followed, carrying tribute gifts.

Passing through the formation, they soon arrived before the Dragon Palace. Upon entry, all Blood Asura guards were required to remove their armor.

This was understandable.

Even though three thousand Blood Asura warriors wouldn’t be able to stir up much trouble in the North Sea Dragon Palace—after all, if the Dragon Empress decided to act, she could wipe them all out with a single slap—it was still the core of the North Sea’s power. Allowing an armed force of three thousand to enter just like that would be a blatant disregard for the palace’s authority.

The Blood Asura guards had already anticipated this and cooperated without resistance.

They changed into the attire prepared by the Dragon Palace. Xu Ming and the others were first taken to bathe, with Xu Ming, as the chief envoy, receiving an even more luxurious bathing treatment.

He was given a private bathhouse, attended by a group of pearl maidens.

Xu Ming initially refused their service, but as soon as he did, the pearl maidens immediately knelt before him, their voices trembling, “My lord, have we done something wrong? If so, please allow us to correct our mistakes immediately.”

Only then did Xu Ming realize that if these maidens failed to serve him properly, they would be punished. Worse still, if he dismissed them outright, they would be held responsible regardless of the reason.

Left with no choice, Xu Ming could only allow them to stay and assist with his bath.

Afterward, he changed into a fresh set of clothes and was led to the banquet hall by the palace attendants.

The Dragon Palace had prepared a lavish feast, with every dish being seafood.

Xu Ming found it a bit odd to be eating seafood in the Dragon Palace, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

After all, creatures on land could be demons, so why wouldn’t the same apply underwater? Only beings that had gained sentience were considered kin. Those that hadn’t… were just food.

After the meal, Xu Ming assumed he would finally get the chance to meet the Dragon Empress.

But he didn’t.

In fact, three whole days passed, and he still had yet to see her.