In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

"Father, this is fine wine and a thousand-year-old peach, both of which have the effect of restoring blood and energy and prolonging life."

Gulu!

The new emperor stared in disbelief at the exquisite wine and thousand-year-old peaches before him, then looked at Princess Liyang.

"Royal sister, is this the legendary nectar and the thousand-year-old peaches?"

"What are you thinking? These are all fruit wines and spiritual fruits from the Kunlun Yaochi Immortal Palace, nothing special about them."

However, because they grew in a blessed land, these fruit wines contained considerable spiritual energy, which helped the king cure his chronic illness, prolong his life, and allow him to live to a ripe old age.

Upon hearing this, the new emperor looked at Princess Liyang with envy.

These things are not considered good by the Kunlun Daoist sect; they are just like the imperial wine and fresh fruit they usually drink.

But its effects are just as Princess Liyang described, undoubtedly comparable to those of a celestial fruit.

"Sister, are there many of these things in the Kunlun Daoist sect?"

"Cultivators are not immortals; they also need to eat and drink."

While these resources aren't precious in the Jade Pool Immortal Palace, they aren't endless either; ordinary disciples only receive a fixed share each month.

Indeed, this blessed land of immortals is truly extraordinary.

These precious celestial fruits were merely someone else's 'snacks', and for a moment, he couldn't help but look at Princess Liyang with envy.

"The Emperor Emeritus has arrived!"

At that moment, a sharp, high-pitched shout rang out, and everyone quickly stood up.

Chapter 966 The New Top Scholar Xu Shilin

Once you embark on the path of cultivation, you will ruthlessly sever your ties to the mortal world!

Those who cultivate themselves should avoid worldly affairs and being entangled in fame and fortune.

Therefore, this return to Dali was also to deal with Li Yang's worldly entanglements. This reunion has essentially resolved Li Yang's inner conflicts.

The old emperor lived a long and healthy life, enjoying his remaining years in the Summer Palace, free from illness and disaster.

For the old emperor's safety, Zhang Xiaoshan even enhanced a dragon-shaped jade pendant he carried with him as a protective item.

This is a jade pendant that carries the imperial dragon's aura!

Although the new emperor is inexperienced, as long as he doesn't do anything reckless and has the connection with Li Yang, he should be fine.

If someone courts death, Li Yang naturally won't help them.

This is cause and effect.

As for those close brothers and sisters?

Princess Liyang's residence holds a 15% stake in the Royal Trading Company, which Princess Liyang has distributed entirely. Even a 1% share would amount to hundreds of thousands of gold coins in dividends annually—an enormous sum.

Therefore, Li Yang's ties to the human world gradually broke off with these arrangements.

As the eldest princess, she naturally understood the complexities of relationships within the imperial family very clearly, and these feelings stemmed from her reminiscing about her childhood friendships.

If it were a matter of dealing with the interests of the royal family as adults, she would only be responsible to the old emperor.

Clang! Clang! Clang...

Thump! Thump! Thump...

Zhang Xiaoshan and Li Yang, who had just finished paying respects to Empress Renxuan, made way for the procession of people riding horses through the streets with gongs and drums.

This is the triennial selection of new officials by the Dali Dynasty.

Those who could ride horses through the streets were undoubtedly the top three finishers in the newly crowned champions, full of high spirits, enjoying the sights of Chang'an in a single day.

"Xu Shilin? It's him!"

Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the face of the newly crowned champion and couldn't help but be surprised.

Princess Liyang also heard Zhang Xiaoshan's surprise, and following his gaze, she looked at the newly appointed top scholar with a hint of curiosity and said:

"Does the senior student know the new top scorer?"

"I don't know him, but I do know his father, who is also the White Fairy's savior—Xu Hanwen!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Liyang immediately understood Xu Shilin's identity, and a look of surprise appeared on her beautiful face.

But then the corners of her mouth turned up, revealing a stunningly beautiful smile.

"Senior brother, since he is the son of an old friend, we should have the servants of the princess's residence invite him to a banquet tonight. This will pave the way for his career."

Entering the imperial court as an official, the difference between having connections and not having connections is enormous.

Although Princess Liyang has 'fallen', even a dead camel is bigger than a horse; with a single call, she could definitely pave a smooth path for Xu Shilin's official career.

"Yes, Fairy Bai is very kind to the Xu family, that's good!"

Soon, before Xu Shilin could even rest after his horse-riding parade, an invitation interrupted everyone's congratulations and attempts to win him over.

"Your Excellency, I am the steward of Princess Liyang's residence."

"By order of the princess, we invite the top scholar to a banquet at Princess Liyang's residence this evening. We humbly request your presence."

what?

Those who don't know the situation might think it's a princess seeking a husband.

After all, the preferential treatment given to the top scholar in the imperial examinations attracted many high-ranking officials and nobles to choose their sons-in-law, and quite a few of them became imperial sons-in-law.

However, knowing that Princess Liyang was a high-ranking official, they looked at the top scholar Xu Shilin in disbelief. They never expected that this seemingly lucky guy from the bottom of society would actually have a connection with Princess Liyang's mansion.

"Shilin obeys!"

Upon hearing that it was Princess Liyang, Xu Shilin was surprised, but then accepted the invitation.

His father was the manager of Kunlun Pharmacy, so he was also familiar with the Royal Merchant Guild. Princess Liyang was one of the shareholders of the Dali Royal Merchant Guild.

Therefore, Xu Shilin had no suspicions about Princess Liyang's invitation.

"In that case, Your Excellency, I shall take my leave."

"Please wait, sir!"

Many people looked at Xu Shilin with envy as they saw the invitation in his hand.

To outsiders, Princess Liyang's residence has been closed to guests for seventeen years, and she has hardly ever invited anyone.

As the eldest princess of the dynasty and a major shareholder of the royal trading company, Princess Liyang is undoubtedly one of the few at the pinnacle of power. Clinging to this powerful figure would guarantee a smooth and successful official career.

The major powers of the royal cities were extremely shocked upon receiving the news.

After all, they knew about Princess Liyang's affairs, so it was impossible for them to have any connection with a mere top scholar in the imperial examinations.

Moreover, this invitation is a signal, telling them:

Xu Shilin's career path in the officialdom was paved by Princess Liyang's mansion; to cause trouble would mean opposing Princess Liyang's mansion.

This made many people look at Xu Shilin with new respect.

Being able to connect with this seemingly impossible connection made them all wary of Xu Shilin, and even the new emperor held Xu Shilin in high regard.

Soon, Xu Shilin arrived at the banquet as promised that evening.

Upon entering the magnificent and opulent princess's residence, he saw that Princess Liyang was not seated at the head of the main hall, but rather a young man who looked about his age, who was looking at him with 'kind' eyes and nodded.

On the other side, a beautiful woman dressed in luxurious red makeup, with her graceful and alluring demeanor, made Xu Shilin momentarily dazed.

Xu Shilin then realized that the woman in red was Princess Liyang.

"I never expected to see my old friend's son pass the imperial examination with flying colors on my return this time. It's truly fate!"

As soon as Zhang Xiaoshan spoke, Xu Shilin immediately sensed a sense of vicissitude.

Immediately, Xu Shilin noticed that the jade pendant at his waist slowly flew up and floated toward Zhang Xiaoshan's raised hand, which greatly alarmed Xu Shilin.

"This is something I gave to your father years ago as a protective charm. I never expected to see it again."

This is a token of the direct lineage of Kunlun disciples.

Although this item was basically useless to Zhang Xiaoshan, it was, after all, his token and a symbol of his status as a direct disciple of Kunlun.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan removed the markings on the Kunlun tokens and carved the words "Pure Yang" on them.

At the same time, a wisp of pure Yang magic power was injected into it.

"This jade pendant was originally a token of the Kunlun Taoist sect."

Your father suffered karmic consequences back then, though the cause was good, the result was bad. Therefore, I gave him this token for protection, to break free from this karmic calamity.

Now I will erase the Kunlun Daoist mark above, and (Qian Nuo's) inscription of the two characters 'Pure Yang' will represent my identity."

With that, Zhang Xiaoshan tossed the brand-new jade pendant over.

Xu Shilin took the jade pendant and looked at the brand-new pendant. The original "Kunlun" seal script on it had been changed to the "Chunyang" ancient seal script.

Moreover, the original white jade has turned into a beautiful golden-red jade.

Although they appear to be two completely different jade pendants, Xu Shilin has worn them for sixteen years. The familiar feel of them makes him feel that the jade pendants have not been switched and are still the same jade pendants he used to own.

This change happened in the blink of an eye, leaving him astonished by Zhang Xiaoshan's masterful skill.

They were also shocked by Zhang Xiaoshan's identity.

The seemingly ordinary young man turned out to be the owner of Kunlun Pharmacy back then.

His father had personally instructed him on the function of this jade pendant; it was a celestial treasure bestowed upon him by a sage long ago. Not only could it bring good fortune, but it would also warn of demons and protect their safety.

Chapter 967 The Young Girl, Fu Qingfeng, Son of an Old Friend

"Xu Shilin pays respects to the Immortal Master and Her Highness the Princess!"

This is Princess Liyang's residence.

According to legend, a certain immortal had a very good relationship with Princess Liyang, and Princess Liyang suddenly secluded herself in her boudoir because of that immortal.

If they really wanted to harm him, they wouldn't need to resort to such a switcheroo tactic.

Moreover, the jade pendant had never left his sight since it left his body.

Even if Zhang Xiaoshan could turn the white jade into yellow jade with a flick of his finger, part of the jade pendant would still be exposed; the red string binding the jade was tied by his mother herself, and even a ghost couldn't have stolen it from him.

"No need for formalities. Your passing the imperial examination today is a joyous occasion."

I had intended to give you a paperweight and a jade pen, but in the end I decided to give you a gentleman's sword instead!

This sword can be used for self-defense, as well as for upholding righteousness and warding off evil.

"From now on, when you serve as an official, this sword will be the embodiment of your pride. I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Thank you for bestowing the sword, Immortal Master!"

Xu Shilin took the ancient sword that was slowly falling, originally thinking it was a standard three-foot-long sword.

But after receiving it, I realized that it was a jade-fitted sword.

The pommel, hilt, scabbard, and end of the sword are all inlaid with dull, unremarkable ancient jade, which blends seamlessly with the ancient sword, making it seem like a single piece. That's why I didn't realize it was a jade-fitted sword.

This is a gentleman's sword, popular only among nobles.

890 A gentleman wears jade and carries a sword; jade represents literary virtue, and the sword represents martial prowess.

choke!

The longsword was drawn from its sheath; its seemingly blunt blade concealed a mysterious gleam.

"This is a divine weapon in the mortal realm, just like the jade pendant at your waist, possessing magical power."

Therefore, if you use this sword to uphold righteousness, using your noble spirit as the blade, then you can unleash incredible power. It can cut through iron like mud, slice through gold and jade, and even ordinary demons will be annihilated by this sword.

If you use it for evil, the blade will remain hidden; it will simply be an ordinary iron ruler.

Upon hearing this, Xu Shilin looked at the Gentleman's Sword in his hand in disbelief.

Although he was somewhat skeptical of Zhang Xiaoshan's words, if Zhang Xiaoshan really was some legendary immortal, then this sword might indeed have such miraculous effects.

"Shilin will certainly live up to the Immortal's expectations!"

"Alright, this isn't the place for reminiscing. A feast has been prepared in the backyard."