We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 4: Practicing Until the Body Resembles a Crane's Form

By the moment Xiao Mo's awareness pulled away from the Book of a Hundred Lives, the clock had already struck six the next morning.

Xiao Mo lingered inside the Book of a Hundred Lives for close to two months.

Even with the time inside the Book of a Hundred Lives surging forward 100 times quicker than outside, the book's safeguards let Xiao Mo adjust rapidly to the real world's tempo.

On top of that, as Xiao Mo lived through his trials in the Book of a Hundred Lives, his physical stamina fully recovered.

Yet, a deep frown creased Xiao Mo's face because, despite reaching Nascent Soul realm as a sword cultivator in the Book of a Hundred Lives and mastering the Grass Character Sword Formula, everything vanished from his mind after he awoke—no matter how desperately he tried, he couldn't recall a single detail.

He had hoped to train in the Grass Character Sword Formula back in reality, but that dream now lay shattered.

For now, he'd just have to check out the upcoming reward allocation.

After finishing his morning meal, Xiao Mo stayed in bed recovering since his condition hadn't improved; thus, he skipped paying respects to the Empress Dowager and dodged morning court altogether.

To Xiao Mo, morning court felt pointless regardless, seeing as the court brimmed with Yan Shan'ao's loyalists.

He had turned eighteen, but the Empress Dowager clung to her curtain-bound rule without a shred of shame.

With Wang Can demoted and banished from the capital, none dared to test Yan Shan'ao's wrath.

"Wei Xun," Xiao Mo summoned.

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Wei rushed over to Xiao Mo's side.

"Fetch some Daoist classics for me, and inform the Prime Minister and Empress Dowager that while I'm away, they must shoulder more for the Zhou Kingdom."

"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this..."

Xiao Mo rose and paced the sleeping palace, hands clasped behind his back:

"Practicing until the body resembles a crane's form, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees. I come to ask about the Way with nothing left to say, clouds in the blue sky, water in the bottle."

Xiao Mo halted, gazing at Wei Xun, "Starting today, I will pursue immortality through cultivation!"

"Practicing until the body resembles a crane's form, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees. I come to ask about the Dao with nothing left to say, clouds in the blue sky, water in the bottle."

Yan Shan'ao murmured Xiao Mo's freshly penned verse, nodding in approval, "His Majesty possesses remarkable literary flair."

Wei Xun bowed his head low, silent.

Only moments earlier, Wei Xun arrived at Lingxin Palace to relay His Majesty's decree.

Empress Dowager Yan perched high on her throne, sipping tea with utter detachment.

Though past forty, Empress Dowager Yan retained her stunning allure, radiating a ripe seductiveness; each move blended imperial poise with irresistible charm.

Yan Shan'ao eyed Wei Xun sharply, "Did His Majesty truly utter those words?"

"Answering the Prime Minister, indeed. His Majesty declared his intent to cultivate immortality and urged you and the Empress Dowager to handle court duties with greater zeal."

"Since antiquity, emperors draw on the qi fortune of land and rivers—how could they cultivate? Rulers obsessed with immortality always meet tragic fates." Yan Shan'ao sighed deeply.

"I'll visit later to urge His Majesty toward state matters."

Wei Xun's brows flickered at Yan Shan'ao's hypocrisy, outshining even a eunuch's own cunning.

Encourage His Majesty to mind court affairs?

You likely wish he'd immerse in cultivation all day, ignoring governance entirely.

"Still, this verse shines brilliantly. Wei Xun, circulate it widely so officials can admire His Majesty's genius."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Yan Shan'ao approached Wei Xun, clapping his shoulder firmly, "Report His Majesty's every move to me at once. Rewards await loyalty, but disloyalty... you know the price."

"Fear not, Prime Minister!" Wei Xun dropped to his knees swiftly, "This servant pledges sole allegiance to you and the Empress Dowager!"

Yan Shan'ao dismissed him with a wave, "Leave. Palace maids will arrive soon—escort them to His Majesty."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Wei Xun mopped cold sweat from his brow, departing Lingxin Palace on shaky legs.

Once Wei Xun vanished, Yan Shan'ao spun toward his sister, eyes gleaming, "Sister, with His Majesty fixated on immortality, your thoughts?"

"Practicing until the body resembles a crane's form, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees. I come to ask about the Dao with nothing left to say, clouds in the blue sky, water in the bottle. Hehehehe..."

Empress Dowager Yan let out a chilling laugh.

"Our Majesty lacks any drive, forever timid—that's why we picked him as heir.

When Wang Can confronted him last time, your demotion terrified him senseless, sparking his illness.

Clearly, he's surrendered completely now."

Empress Dowager Yan lifted her gaze to her brother, "Leaking this poem via Wei Xun was masterful. A few court holdouts still favor the Xiao lineage, but with His Majesty chasing cultivation, what fight remains in them?"

"At least Xiao Mo preserved his neck."

A savage spark ignited in Yan Shan'ao's stare.

"He owes his throne to us alone, yet dared secret talks with Wang Can! Should he grow restless, heh... we'll crown another!"

Empress Dowager Yan shot Wei Xun a glance—wait, no, her brother: "Minimize troubles, not multiply them. Handle Wang Can quietly, no traces left. Censor officials sniff like hounds—they love to savage."

"Understood, Sister." Yan Shan'ao nodded, resuming his seat for a sip of wine, "In a backwater like Lingnan, staging a 'sudden illness' death is child's play."

Empress Dowager Yan lounged on the divan; a maid hastened to knead her legs and shoulders tenderly, "By the way, updates on Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

"Elder Huang arrives in the capital in three months. I've pinpointed his tastes and exchanged letters already. Barring surprises, Ten Thousand Swords Sect becomes our shield."

Empress Dowager Yan nodded, trusting her brother's prowess.

"With Ten Thousand Swords Sect's ship boarded as patron, paths smooth out. Grant their every wish.

Parade Elder Huang through Yan estates often. Their disciple standards are ironclad, but any spark of interest in our youths boosts the Yan clan immensely."

"Hahaha, imagine a Yan youth under Sword Immortal Jiang Qingyi—Zhou Kingdom falls fully ours. No more whispers from those relics. Sister, you could claim empress's throne!"

Empress Dowager Yan eyed her brother coolly, "Jiang Qingyi accepts no pupils despite fame. Drop such fantasies; focus on duties. Also, select Yan ladies for the palace soon. The next crown prince bears Yan blood."

Yan Shan'ao bowed deeply, "As you command, Sister."