A journey through immortal realms begins with a phantom tale.

The Prince of Yan dared not disobey Luo Cheng's words.

After finishing their business, the seventeenth princess affectionately took Lin Chen's arm, her tone slightly coquettish: "Sister Chenchen, why don't you stay at my house?"

"Okay!" Lin Chen readily agreed.

Lin Chen's whereabouts are still unknown, and it's uncertain whether she's still on Hongwu Star. She can only wait for the time being. While sending people to search for her, she also spreads the word, hoping that Lin Mengdie will come looking for her after hearing the news.

The Prince of Yan's lips curled into a slight smile, secretly delighted. The arrival of a powerful figure in the Prince of Yan's residence was an immense boon to the royal family.

Soon, all factions learned that a powerful figure had moved into the Prince of Yan's residence, and Tongfu Inn also received the news immediately.

"It was him?"

Even more shockingly, it turns out that the Prince of Yan, who had always been considered mentally challenged, was not truly stupid. Of course, there were also rumors that a powerful being had cured the Prince of Yan.

Immediately afterwards, an even more astonishing piece of news spread like wildfire—someone said that the powerful figure living in the Prince of Yan's mansion was Lin Mengdie's elder brother.

On Hongwu Star, the name Lin Mengdie is taboo.

Back when she first arrived at Hongwu Star, several fools offended her, only to be killed by her with a single move, and their respective sects were also wiped out.

After that, Lin Mengdie successively killed Mahayana cultivators and annihilated demons from the upper realm. These events all demonstrate that Lin Mengdie is a powerful and formidable person who should not be provoked.

As time went by, carriages and horses streamed in and out of the Prince of Yan's mansion, all coming to visit Luo City, eager to catch a glimpse of the great man. However, most were turned away by the Prince of Yan at the gates, and only a very few were allowed to enter and pay their respects.

The atmosphere inside the Prince Qi's residence was heavy.

King Qi, Queen Qi, advisors and retainers of the royal court gathered together.

"Gentlemen, tell me, is my dear brother truly stupid, or has he been cured?" King Qi asked first.

"The chances of being cured are greater."

"If he continues to play dumb... then the Prince of Yan's temperament and forbearance are too terrifying."

"In your opinion, does the Prince of Yan intend to vie for the throne?"

After much discussion, the group failed to reach a definitive conclusion. However, one thing was certain: if the Prince of Yan harbored ambitions to seize the throne, he would undoubtedly become a formidable rival to the Prince of Qi in his quest for succession.

After all the retainers and advisors had left, King Qi sighed softly, "I never imagined that I had misjudged my fourteenth brother."

Princess Qi gently comforted him, "Your Highness, perhaps the Prince of Yan has no intention of seizing the throne."

"I hope so!"

"Your Highness, I think we should broaden our horizons and focus on the path to immortality."

"To become an immortal..." King Qi's face showed bitterness. How could he not want to?

The royal family possesses abundant resources and top-tier cultivation techniques; however, throughout history, only a handful of members of the royal family have achieved immortality.

Because the path to immortality is arduous, and the royal children live a life of luxury, they indulge in pleasure.

Princess Qi remained silent. As a princess, she came from a prestigious family and received the best upbringing from a young age. She never lacked cultivation techniques or resources, yet she still couldn't break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

After a long silence, Princess Qi said softly, "Your Highness, perhaps... that person is a glimmer of hope?"

A glint of light flashed in King Qi's eyes, then dimmed again. Queen Qi sensed her husband's emotional fluctuations and understood his concerns—such a being was not easily encountered.

King Qi pondered for a moment and said, "Little Seventeen is getting very close to that female immortal."

"Yes." Princess Qi understood and smiled. "Your Highness, I haven't seen Little Seventeen for a long time. Let's go see her another day."

"Yes, bring her some novelties; she loves those."

"it is good."

During this time, although Lin Chen did not find any trace of Lin Mengdie, many people kept her company, which gradually calmed her anxious heart.

On this day, the old emperor, accompanied only by a personal eunuch, quietly left the palace and arrived at the Prince of Yan's residence.

Upon seeing his father, the Emperor, arrive in person, the Prince of Yan was slightly startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Greetings, Father!"

"My son, I have wronged you all these years!"

The Prince of Yan secretly curled his lip; this old fellow was playing the emotional card right from the start. He naturally understood the old emperor's intentions, and since the other party wanted to put on an act, he would play along.

This left the old emperor somewhat helpless, thinking, "I'm not here to chat idly with you." The Prince of Yan, observing his expression, sneered inwardly, "Let's see how long you can hold out."

The old emperor chatted with the Prince of Yan for a while and finally realized a fact—he had underestimated his son. He was certain that the Prince of Yan had been feigning ignorance.

The old emperor solemnly said, "My son, it seems that you are the most suitable candidate to inherit the throne."

"Father, I'll be honest with you, I'm not interested in that position."

If it were the former Prince of Yan, he would never have dared to speak so frankly. But now? The original owner might not interfere, but his Daoist partner and Little Seventeen were like sisters! That was his confidence. If the old emperor dared to make things difficult for him, he would dare to complain to his "sister."

The old emperor knew the reason behind it and smiled bitterly to himself.

The Prince of Yan then asked, "Father, look, since the founding emperor, how many emperors throughout history have become immortals?"

"I understand!"

The old emperor lamented bitterly, "I want to let go, but having sat here for so long, I dare not."

"Father, if you are unwilling, you will never take that step."

"How could I not know?"

The Prince of Yan said no more. The old emperor had reigned for over a century; what didn't he understand? What couldn't he see through? But he had no way out! If he abdicated now, there would only be one path left. Now, the old emperor finally saw a glimmer of hope.

"My son, I truly wish to pass the throne to you."

"Forget it!" Prince Yan refused decisively, then added, "Does Father know the background of this senior?"

"What's your background?"

"He is the Lord of the Primal Realm!"

"The Primal Realm?" The old emperor had never heard of the Primal Realm.

"The Original Realm is another immortal realm."

The old emperor suddenly realized the truth, his heart filled with immense shock. Compared to the original owner of the throne, his own throne was worlds apart.

"Father, the original owner of this body once said that he hoped I would take up a post in the Heavenly Court."

"Boom!" The old emperor was shocked, his eyes filled with envy and longing.

"It seems that my vision is too narrow."

"Therefore, I won't take that position."

"But this is the land our ancestors built..."

"Father, I think Fourth Brother is very suitable." Fourth Brother is none other than Prince Qi.

"He...is ambitious and capable, but lacks vision." This was also Luo Cheng's assessment of the Prince of Qi.

"The Ming Empire only needs a ruler who can maintain the status quo."

"I will consider it."

At this point, the Prince of Yan stopped pressuring the old emperor and said frankly, "Father, I can inquire for you, but whether or not to see him depends on the original owner's wishes."

"Understood, understood." Having learned Luo Cheng's identity, the old emperor had already accepted his place. In comparison, he was merely a mortal emperor, while that one was the ruler of the Heavenly Court!

When the Prince of Yan arrived at the small courtyard where he was staying in Luocheng, he first met the Seventeenth Princess and Lin Chen chatting.

"Fourteenth Brother, you've arrived."

"Seventeenth Sister, what are you talking about that makes you so happy?"

"Sister Chenchen is telling me a story."

"Oh?" The Prince of Yan exchanged a few pleasantries, then bowed respectfully to Lin Chen, "Greetings, Immortal."

"You royals have so many rules," Lin Chen chuckled.

The seventeenth princess smiled and said, "Fourteenth brother, there's no need to be so formal. Sister Chenchen is a very nice person."

The Prince of Yan thought to himself, "That's for you! Your brother is under immense pressure facing them." However, he also felt grateful for his sister's good fortune.

Lin Chen could understand that this was the norm for subordinates when facing superiors.

Putting aside others, she herself didn't like being around immortals; it was too oppressive. She knew that those immortals, out of respect for Luo Cheng, wouldn't make things difficult for her, wouldn't even unleash their oppressive aura, and would even deliberately try to please her. But Lin Chen still felt uncomfortable.

Lin Chen said, "Go ask Brother Cheng, he's fishing over there."

"Yes." The Prince of Yan bowed respectfully and turned to find Luo Cheng.

The seventeenth princess looked at her brother's retreating figure and smiled gently: "I still think the silly fourteenth brother is more interesting."

The Prince of Yan walked to the pond and saw Luo Cheng fishing. He quickly bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, original master."

"I already know why you've come."

"The original owner..."

I will not interfere in matters of the mortal realm.

"This humble servant takes his leave." The Prince of Yan bowed again and slowly retreated. Only after he had retreated a considerable distance did he let out a long sigh of relief. Being with the original owner of this body had been too much pressure.

Born into an imperial family, the Prince of Yan knew all too well what it meant to be an emperor. Because of this, he understood better than most just how terrifying the power the original owner of the body truly was.

As the Prince of Yan passed by the Seventeenth Princess, she asked, "Didn't Brother Luo agree?"

The address "Brother Luo" made the Prince of Yan's heart skip a beat. After the initial shock came overwhelming joy. He thought to himself, "This is it, I can become an immortal now." He said in a gentle tone, "Seventeenth Sister, you two chat. I'll go and report to Father."

"Father is here?" Although the seventeenth princess didn't have much affection for the old emperor, she was still connected by blood.

Observing his sister's expression, the Prince of Yan had a sudden inspiration and sighed softly, "Seventeenth Sister, Father... doesn't have much time left."

"Ah!" The seventeenth princess was saddened by this. She turned to look at Lin Chen but ultimately did not ask for anything. She took out a jade bottle and handed it to the Prince of Yan: "This is a drop of ethereal water. Take it to your father."

The Prince of Yan accepted the jade bottle and said gratefully, "Thank you, Seventeenth Sister."

"He is, after all, our father."

"Would Seventeenth Sister like to come with me to see Father Emperor?"

"Alright." After bidding farewell to Lin Chen, the Seventeenth Princess followed the Prince of Yan to meet the old emperor.

When the seventeenth princess saw the aged and haggard old emperor, her heart ached. She hadn't expected her father to be so old.

When the old emperor saw the seventeenth princess, a smile appeared on his face: "Is this little seventeen? You've grown so much."

"Father..."

The Prince of Yan presented him with the Water of Lightness: "This is a gift from my seventeenth sister; it is the Water of Lightness."

Upon hearing this, the old emperor trembled slightly. He knew this was a celestial treasure, something extremely rare and precious. He took the jade bottle and poured the ethereal water into his mouth. The spiritual liquid cleansed his body, and the old emperor immediately felt much more refreshed.

The old emperor understood that the seventeenth princess was a potential breakthrough. So he once again appealed to her emotions: "Little seventeenth, your father has been so busy with state affairs that I owe you so much..."