Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

On the morning of Zhu Cici’s third day at the Dragon Palace—the second morning after meeting Xu Ming—the soft morning sunlight filtered through her hair.

She slowly sat up in bed, her drowsy mind gradually clearing.

As she recalled last night’s conversation with Xu Ming while they wandered through the palace, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

The moment she had finished her last sentence, she had bolted away, leaving Xu Ming standing there alone, as if afraid he might say anything more.

Zhu Cici admitted that her words last night had been a little... unreserved.

Especially when she had outright declared that she would never be friends with him.

She didn’t want to be his friend, but she still wanted to be close to him.

Then what else could she be?

The more she thought about it, the redder her face became.

She hadn’t expected herself to be so bold last night, to actually say something like that out loud.

But she didn’t regret it.

Xu Ming might think he had changed, but in Zhu Cici’s eyes, he was still the same as before.

The same little boy she had liked.

He hadn’t changed at all.

If there was one difference, it was that there were now two other women in his heart.

But that didn’t matter!

She wouldn’t give up!

“I won’t lose!”

Zhu Cici clenched her small fists, determinedly cheering herself on.

“Cici... Cici!”

Just as she was gathering her resolve to reclaim her place in his heart, Ling Bisheng’s voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

“Hold on, I just woke up,” she called back.

She got out of bed, changed her clothes, and freshened up.

The whole process took less than half an incense stick’s time.

After all, she was naturally beautiful and didn’t need much makeup—just a neat hairstyle was enough.

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When she opened the door, she found Yu Wenxi, Fang Yu, and the others all standing outside.

Zhu Cici looked at them in confusion.

“What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Seeing them all gathered outside her courtyard, she wondered if there was something urgent that required her attention.

“Nothing happened,” Yu Wenxi said with a smile.

“The Four Seas Grand Ceremony is starting tomorrow, right? Once it begins, we probably won’t have much free time. So we were thinking... why not go out for a bit and have some fun?”

While that was part of it, the real reason was that they were worried about Zhu Cici’s state of mind.

After all, yesterday had been a lot for her to process.

She had waited for so many years for one man, only for him to say something so hurtful.

They were afraid she might be too disheartened.

So they thought they’d take her out to lift her spirits.

Of course, in Ling Bisheng’s mind, there was also another thought—perhaps, while Zhu Cici was feeling down, he might have a chance to leave a deeper impression in her heart.

“Alright, let’s go out then,” Zhu Cici said with a smile, nodding.

“Huh? Really?” Yu Wenxi was momentarily stunned.

The others were also surprised.

They had fully prepared themselves for her to refuse, even thinking of ways to persuade her.

But unexpectedly, she had agreed so readily.

This was not what they had anticipated.

Zhu Cici chuckled.

“You were the ones who invited me, yet now that I’ve agreed, you’re asking if I’m serious. Were you even serious about inviting me out in the first place?”

The group: “...”

Although Zhu Cici had said that, logically, one would expect her to refuse the invitation outright due to her bad mood.

But, looking at her now, it seemed like there was no trace of sadness on her face. It was as though she had come to terms with everything, as if she had let go of all the burdens. This sudden shift made Ling Bisheng feel a glimmer of hope rise in his chest.

Could it be that Cici has already let go of Xu Ming? If that’s the case... doesn’t that mean I have a chance?

“No, no, Cici, it’s a good thing that you agreed! Let’s go then. I heard the Dragon Palace has a beautiful coral sea. Let’s go see it together,” Ling Bisheng quickly said.

“Let’s go then,” Zhu Cici said, smiling and nodding.

As she smiled so gently, the group of them couldn’t help but be momentarily dazed.

Although, aside from Ling Bisheng, most of them merely admired Zhu Cici, you couldn’t deny that when such a beautiful girl smiled at you, it made everyone feel a little unsteady.

They made their way towards the coral sea.

Yu Wenxi glanced at Miao Feng, his eyes seemed to ask, “What’s going on? Does Cici no longer like Brother Xu? She’s letting go of him way too quickly, isn’t she?”

Miao Feng shrugged, a look of confusion in his eyes. “What do you want me to do? I don’t know either.”

Meanwhile, at the official residence of the Minister of Rituals in the Dragon Palace, Xu Ming had once again arrived at Lord Turtle’s residence.

This time, Lord Turtle wasn’t out at the brothel but instead was waiting politely in the main hall to receive Xu Ming.

“Hahaha, please forgive me, Lord Xu,” Lord Turtle said with a laugh, “Yesterday I had to go to East Street to oversee some work. I’m afraid I made Lord Xu come all this way for nothing.”

“Lord Turtle, you’re too kind. I was visiting your residence on a whim, so it’s perfectly understandable. I’m just glad you didn’t take offense,” Xu Ming said with a smile, handing over a neatly wrapped gift. “Just a small token, I hope Lord Turtle doesn’t mind.”

“Oh no, Lord Xu, you shouldn’t have. You’ve already come all the way here, and now you’re bringing gifts? It’s too much, please take it back,” Lord Turtle politely declined.

“Lord Turtle is too modest. When one visits someone’s house, it’s customary to bring a small gift. Please, I insist,” Xu Ming urged, pushing the gift forward again.

“Well then,” Lord Turtle sighed with a smile, “Since Lord Xu insists, I’ll reluctantly accept.” He took the gift, though he didn’t look reluctant at all.

Lord Turtle had to admit, this young man was very tactful. He didn’t have the sharpness that some young people often displayed, but was rather smooth and very understanding of the way things worked.

“May I ask, Lord Xu, what brings you here today? Is there something I can help with?” Lord Turtle asked.

Since the young man was so respectful, Lord Turtle certainly didn’t want to seem dismissive.

“Well, actually,” Xu Ming said with a smile, “I was hoping to inquire about the Northern Sea Abyss.”