Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 357: Promotion

Time passed day by day.

The years flowed like water.

In the blink of an eye, almost thirty years had passed.

During those thirty years, life seemed to follow a single, repetitive pattern.

Every day, Xu Lian would sit cross-legged on the altar beneath the “high furnace,” working with Chi Sui and Zhao Ming to refine the Metamorphosis Elixir .

Sometimes it was busy-requiring constant hand seals to maintain the operation of the Pill Furnace. Other times, when the High Furnace reached its maintenance phase, he could rest and spend fulfilling days as a Dao partner with Ning Meixue.

Huangpu Shuyi had practically become a shadow of Ning Meixue and Xu Lian. Her task of tending the medicinal fields alongside Ning Meixue was assigned to her by her master, Chi Sui. However, she followed Xu Lian because she wanted to learn his seemingly miraculous alchemy techniques.

Xu Lian’s alchemy relied entirely on his system of 【Skill】. How could he possibly teach Huangpu Shuyi? He resorted to making up excuses to brush her off.

He had assumed that Huangpu Shuyi would eventually give up, but she turned out to be stubborn. The more Xu Lian refused to teach her, the more determined she became to learn, clinging to him even more persistently.

Unable to endure her persistence, Xu Lian decided to take a page from Zhao Ming’s book. Both openly and subtly, he began expressing interest in becoming her Dao partner, occasionally taking liberties with her to drive her away. He hoped that this would make her back off.

At first, this tactic worked. Huangpu Shuyi became furious and stopped bothering him. But not long after, she returned, still eager to learn his miraculous alchemy techniques.

Xu Lian repeated his earlier strategy, continuing to take liberties with her in the hopes of driving her away. Gradually, however, she grew accustomed to it. No matter how much he teased her or took advantage of her, she refused to leave.

Eventually, Xu Lian lost control and finally consummated their relationship, turning their act into reality. They truly became Dao partners.

Huangpu Shuyi’s emotions were complex, but she quickly rallied and used this newfound leverage to pressure Xu Lian into teaching her his miraculous alchemy techniques.

Xu Lian couldn’t possibly teach her anything meaningful, but since the deed was done, he reluctantly gave her some random pointers.

Huangpu Shuyi believed that she had received the true teachings and was overjoyed. However, instead of improving, her alchemy skills regressed.

Realizing that she had been deceived, Huangpu Shuyi was enraged and harbored resentment toward Xu Lian. She repeatedly threatened him, saying that if he didn’t teach her his miraculous alchemy techniques, she would expose his misdeeds to Prince Rui-or even escalate the matter to the Fifth Prince.

Xu Lian found himself in a headache-inducing situation and tried his best to avoid her.

One day, the moment arrived for the Metamorphosis Elixir to be completed.

According to the usual rules, whenever the elixir was successfully refined, Chi Sui, Zhao Ming, Xu Lian, Ning Meixue, Huangpu Shuyi, hundreds of apprentice alchemists, and tens of thousands of gardeners gathered under the tall furnace. If the refinement was successful, they would all receive rewards and enjoy a holiday. If it failed, they would investigate which step went wrong and impose severe punishments.

Thus, every time the Metamorphosis Elixir was ready, there was always this furnace-opening ceremony.

“Open the furnace!”

At Chi Sui’s command, Zhao Ming cast the spell to open the furnace. The massive lid slowly lifted and a translucent, glowing Metamorphosis Elixir floated out.

Xu Lian nearly reached out to snatch it, but managed to restrain himself at the last moment.

There was a Quasi-Supreme guarding this place. If he went all out, he might be able to seize it.

But doing so would expose his identity, rendering all his careful infiltration and efforts useless.

After all, he hadn’t infiltrated this far just for a single Metamorphosis Elixir . He wanted much more!

So patience was the key. Sacrificing the bigger picture for one elixir was not worth it.

He lowered his head slightly, avoiding looking directly at the Metamorphosis Elixir .

Chi Sui waved his hand, catching the elixir and inspecting it closely. A smile spread across his face. “It has been successfully refined! And this batch of Metamorphosis Elixir is of even higher quality than before!”

As Chi Sui spoke, he couldn’t help but glance at Xu Lian. “This is mainly due to Qin Feng’s extraordinary alchemy skills. His participation in the refining process has significantly improved the quality of this Metamorphosis Elixir . His contribution cannot be overstated.

“I will report this to the imperial court, and Qin Feng will be duly rewarded. Of course, according to tradition, everyone else will also receive their rewards.”

Xu Lian remained unfazed. Ordinary rewards meant nothing to him – he wasn’t about to be given a Metamorphosis Elixir anyway. He bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you, Master.”

Seeing Chi Sui single out Xu Lian for praise, Zhao Ming’s face darkened. Although Qin Feng had participated in the refinement, Zhao Ming had also contributed significantly.

In truth, Zhao Ming’s hatred for Xu Lian had only deepened over these thirty-plus years. On one hand, Chi Sui’s increasing favoritism toward Xu Lian filled him with jealousy, twisting his emotions. On the other hand, Huangpu Shuyi’s constant attachment to Xu Lian and Ning Meixue left him no opportunity to pursue her. In his eyes, this was clearly a deliberate opposition, and how could he not hate Xu Lian?

Ning Meixue smiled and said, “My junior brother’s alchemy skills are truly divine. His participation in the refinement of the Metamorphosis Elixir has elevated its quality. If my junior brother were to refine it entirely on his own, the quality of the elixir might even double—one elixir could be equivalent to two!”

These words left Zhao Ming completely stunned. What did she mean? Was she implying that his presence was unnecessary?

Huangpu Shuyi discreetly pinched Xu Lian’s lower back, clearly threatening him. If he didn’t teach her such advanced alchemy techniques, she wouldn’t let him off so easily.

At that moment, the Quasi-Supreme who had been meditating in the stone room appeared, took the Metamorphosis Elixir , and escorted it to the imperial capital.

Chi Sui announced, “My disciples will have three months of vacation, while the rest will have half a month. The corresponding rewards can be claimed from the Ministry of Revenue.”

The hundreds of alchemist apprentices and tens of thousands of gardeners erupted in cheers-it was undoubtedly the happiest moment for them.

Just then, Chi Sui retrieved the insignia of the Minister of Agriculture from his storage pouch and received a telepathic message: “The emperor has died. All officials must return to the Imperial Capital immediately to attend to the late Emperor’s affairs.

Chi Sui’s expression shifted slightly, and he quickly responded, “Yes.”

The others heard the message as well. They exchanged glances, then knelt on one knee in the direction of the Imperial City and mourned aloud, “Your Majesty.

Chi Sui hurriedly led his four disciples through space, heading for the imperial capital.

Soon, they arrived at the imperial capital. Each returned home to reunite with their families before heading to the palace together. 

Since all five of them belonged to noble families, each household had multiple members serving in the imperial court.

Xu Lian returned to the residence of Marquis Qin. At the entrance, he saw a carriage drawn by an exotic heavenly horse. Marquis Qin and Qin Song were waiting for him.

When Xu Lian arrived, Marquis Qin waved to the servants. A servant tied a white cloth around Xu Lian’s left arm.

Once it was secured, Marquis Qin gestured to Xu Lian. “Let’s go.”

Xu Lian boarded the carriage. The old steward drove the carriage, carrying the three of them to the palace.

When they arrived at the palace gates, they found the area packed with people. Numerous nobles and officials had already gathered.

Everyone remained silent and lined up according to their ranks to enter the palace.

They proceeded to the great hall where the late Emperor’s body lay. Outside the hall, everyone stood in silence, maintaining the solemnity and mourning. Inside, the emperor’s sons, daughters, grandchildren, and some high-ranking concubines wailed loudly, their cries echoing through the air.

This went on for three days.

A Quasi-Supreme from the royal family arrived to read out the late emperor’s accomplishments during his reign. Then the princes, princesses, grandchildren, concubines, nobles, and officials walked together to escort the late emperor’s body.

The procession began at the palace and made its way to the imperial mausoleum outside the capital. Once the dragon-slaying stone of the mausoleum fell into place, the funeral was complete. That was the way of the world-everything was kept simple.

The next day, the coronation ceremony for the Fifth Prince was held.

The royal family, nobles, and officials gathered in the Great Qian Hall.

Dressed in the dragon robe, the Fifth Prince entered through the main gate. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he ascended to the Dragon Throne step by step.

Marquis Zhao, Marquis Qin, Marquis Ning, and other nobles who had supported the Fifth Prince were overjoyed, anticipating the rewards they would receive.

However, the nobles and officials who had supported other princes wore somber expressions, knowing that they would not be rewarded. If they avoided being punished, it would be a blessing.

“Long live His Majesty…”

Everyone knelt on one knee and shouted in unison.

The Fifth Prince, brimming with confidence and smiling broadly, raised his hand slightly. “Rise, my beloved subjects.”

As expected, the next order of business was the distribution of rewards.

First, the Crown Princess was promoted to Empress.

Next was Prince Rui, the uncle of the Fifth Prince. As a prince, he already held the highest rank of nobility and could not ascend further without becoming emperor. Thus, the Fifth Prince appointed him as Regent King, meaning that he would assist in governing the Empire – a position second only to the Emperor himself, the highest honor possible.

Then came Chi Sui, the Master Alchemist, who was bestowed the title of Alchemical Sage Master and Honorary Minister of Revenue.

Marquis Qin, Marquis Zhao, Marquis Ning, and other noble ministers followed. Without exception, those who had supported the Fifth Prince were rewarded to varying degrees.

Xu Lian, Zhao Ming, and Ning Meixue were promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture.

Huangpu Shuyi was also rewarded. She was promoted from County Princess to Prefecture Princess and given the official title of Grand Minister of Agriculture.