1133 True Love

Wang Wei's brow furrowed as he looked at his guest. He waved his hand to prevent the latter from bowing.

"Do you want me to call you master or sect master?

"

"I wouldn't dare,

" Ye Lao quickly said.

"No matter the circumstances, you were once my master and treated me well. So, if you want, I can give you the honor, status, and wealth worthy of that title.

"

Ya Lao paused briefly,

"I appreciate your kindness and broadmindedness, but I will decline.

"

"Can I ask why?

"

"I don't think I can bear the karma of being your master,

" Ye Lao replied seriously.

"That's fair,

" Wang Wei nodded, deciding to stop pursuing the subject.

"So, why are you here?

"

"I'm here to bring my foolish disciple's greetings and gratitude.

"

"Why didn't he come himself?

"

"He...well, there were some complications due to how he proved the Dao, so he sent me instead. He hoped to hive his regard with this formula.

"

Wang Wei calmly looked at the talisman in Ya Lao's hand but did not take it.

"He's an Eternal Powerhouse now and should act like it. Tell him to come see me if he wants to give me his regards.

"

"That...

"

"Cuddling him won't help,

" added Wang Wei.

"Such a weak Dao Heart is probably one of the reasons why he couldn't become a true eternal. Go tell him what he said, and I won't accept any more excuses.

"

"As you wish,

" Ye Lao nodded with a deep sigh. He bowed - and Wang Wei did not stop him this time ⌜€“ before walking out. A few minutes later, Lou Cheng walked into the room with his wife, Lan Ling. They immediately bowed while saying:

"Salutation to his majesty, the Heavenly Emperor.

" (2x)

"At ease,

" nodded Wang Wei calmly. Lou Cheng glanced at his wife, and after she nodded innocuously, he continued:

"I came bringing gifts to show my gratitude.

"

"Gratitude? If it's about your Innate Talent, I don't think you need to thank me.

"

"No, it's...not about that,

" explained Lou Cheng.

"As you know, I received an inheritance from the Flame Emperor.

"

"Yes, the Dao Proving Pill.

"

Lou Cheng's body paused, but then he realized it was normal for the man before him to know by now.

"Yes, that. I would never have been able to find the materials for the recipe if not for all your achievements in expanding the resource pool of the world.

"

"Oh, I see.

" Wang Wei understood why this man was thankful. The formula for that pill must display extreme skills in herbology or the understanding and combination of spiritual herbs. Without the resources from a third of the lower dimension, Lou Cheng would definitely spend most of his lifetime hunting down the materials for the pill.

"I came to offer this recipe to show my sincerity,

" continued Lou Cheng, handing up a talisman with the Dao Proving Pill. Wang Wei calmly looked at him. He knew Lou Cheng was not this out of the kindness of his heart. A method like the Do Proving Pill - similar to the Merit Method ⌜€“ cannot be kept by a faction like the Dao Origin Pill. No one would do anything now under Wang Wei's reign, or maybe in the next few generations, but sooner or later, someone will be interested.

Although the Origin Pill Dao Sect had just cultivated its sixth Emperor, it was a pill-refining sect not known for its strength. So, the best action was to hand it over to the Dao Opening Sect for their protection.

'Of course, the main driving force behind Lou Cheng's action is not the preservation of his sect but to protect himself. He seems to still fear me.'

"What's with that strange mentality you have toward me?

"

"Pardon me?

" asked Lou Cheng.

"It seems you have this innate low self-esteem that everything you've accomplished so far was due to me, despite countless proofs otherwise. You even have this fear that I will come and take away your life, returning you to the state you were before I took over your fate.

"

The room became quiet as Lou Cheng lowered his head while his hands were still raised in the position of handing over the talisman.

"Well, say something.

"

"Ra...rationally, I know you have nothing to do with my success. However, internally, I cannot help it.

"

"The Flame Emperor gave you his inheritance, not me. Shouldn't that tell you something?

"

"That tells me that I was a pawn that was easier to manipulate.

"

"I guess you're not as stupid as you look,

" Wang Wei declared.

"However, in this vast universe, everyone is a pawn of someone else - and that goes for me as well.

" Lou Cheng was shocked by these words and did not know how to process such a piece of information; his body even instinctively stood straight.

"Tell me, do you think your senior sister would abandon you to get with someone better, Let's say ⌜€“ me?

"

"Of course not,

" Lou Chen replied without hesitation.

"Really? Then, why do I feel like you feel like she deserves better than someone like you.

"

"Husband, is this really how you feel?

"

"No, I⌜€“

"

"Don't lie.

"

Lou Cheng paused briefly,

"I think someone as kind and beautiful as you deserve the whole world and more. Unfortunately, only someone...someone like his majesty can give it to you.

"

"But I don't want the whole world - I want you,

" Lan Ling declared boldly, unlike her usual soft demeanor.

"But⌜€“

"

"No, buts. In this life, I will belong to you.

" Lan Ling held his hands, her eyes firmer than ever before.

"I⌜€“

"

"You seem to still hesitate, so let me help you,

" Wang Wei added. He raised his hand to condense a golden contract.

"This is the highest form of contract, backed by the mighty Grand Dao itself.

"Lan Ling, if you sign this, you will be my woman and have the world.

"You love alchemy? I will gather all the recipes of the lower dimensions, from past, present, and future, to give you. I will build the world's greatest spiritual gardens, full of ancient and lost herbs for you. I will ensure you not only prove the Dao and attain eternal life but also walk the path of eternity.

"Not enough? We will have the greatest Dao Companion ceremony that the world has ever seen. Emperors and great beings from all over the lower dimension will come to attend. I will summon the sages and wise men across space-time to eulogize our harmonious ceremony.

"We will ride real Phoenixes and Dragons to arrive at our ceremony. I will have the sun and the moon sing praises of our union for 33 years straight, and their voices will echo throughout the Void. Better yet, I will have sounds of the Grand Dao receiving us and all the attending guests.

"I will build you a palace that is so opulent that its very presence can raise the Qi Luck of any Heaven Will by 20%, a palace in which Immortals can only serve as guards and servants.

"So, what say you? You only need to sign your name, and I'll have no choice but to keep my word.

"

"I refuse.

" Lan Ling did not hesitate a single bit, which shocked Lou Cheng. He was a man but even he was momentarily tempted. He did not think any woman would reject such an offer so easily.

ƈοm

"I don't think you need more proof of her love?

"

"I don't.

" If he had any more hesitation after this, Lou Cheng believed he would be the greatest fool in this world.

"Good. You have a great woman that any man would die for. Don't live your life in my shadow and make her regret choosing you,

" advised Wang Wei.

"I won't.

"

Wang Wei nodded before waving his hand, and the talisman flew from Lou Cheng's arm.

"Your gift is too precious, so I won't take it in vain.

" A black and white crystal materialized before him.

"This crystal contained enough Yin-Yang Energy to elevate your Yin-Yang Love Flower to Emperor Tier. More importantly, it's tailored specifically to increase Lan Ling's probability of reaching the same level of strength as you.

"

An Emperor Tier Yin-Yang Love Flower would allow Lan Ling to prove the Dao, but it did not guarantee she would reach the same level as Lou Cheng. And according to its restrictions, she could not become more powerful than him.

"Thank you,

" said Lou Cheng, and he immediately absorbed it - without a hint of hesitation. Their love was genuine, so they condensed the Yin-Yang Love Flower, but it would be another battle to cultivate it for Emperor Tier. This could take too long, and he was worried about his senior sister's longevity and safety.

"I will also give you some merit points to use,

" added Wang Wei.

"Isn't that a little too much?

" Lou Cheng asked.

"No, it's fair, given the value of the formula,

" Wang Wei explained.

"On top of everything else, the Dao Opening Sect will guarantee your sect's safety and right to continue using this method.

"

"Thank you, your majesty.

"

"No problem.

"

"Do you have any plans for the future?

"

Lou Cheng hesitated briefly:

"I will ascend as soon as I've dealt with a few things here.

"

"So soon? You're not running away from me, aren't you?

"

"Maybe at first, but not now,

" he replied, slightly embarrassed.

"So why?

"

"I have a feeling that a new destiny awaits me in the upper dimension.

"