Chapter 18 The Queen Invites Me to Enter the Curtain
Task Background: The Empress of Songhe Country is suffering from a strange illness, plagued by nightmares, and growing thinner day by day. The Imperial Hospital is helpless.
Task Requirements: Cure her.
Task Reward: Ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones, Three Sect Contribution Points.
Ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones were of no concern to Lu Bai.
But three Sect Contribution Points were different.
In Xuanqing Sect, Sect Contribution Points were hard currency, which could be exchanged for various resources. Some special resources could only be exchanged with Contribution Points; no amount of Spirit Stones would work.
This rule was mainly aimed at annoying rich second-generation Cultivators like Fu Ziming.
The higher one's Contribution Points, the higher their status in the Sect, and the better treatment they received.
And individual Contribution Points accumulated to form Peak Contribution Points. The ranking of the Seventy-Two Peaks was based on this.
Chixiao Peak only had Ji Fuyao completing tasks, so it ranked at the bottom, receiving pitifully few resources during each allocation.
Lu Bai took on the task, firstly for experience, and secondly for the Contribution Points.
From a personal perspective, he needed to accumulate resources to aid his cultivation.
He couldn't always rely on his Master's wife.
And from Chixiao Peak's perspective, he also wanted to contribute.
Regarding this task, Lu Bai analyzed it. The cause of the strange illness was nothing more than two possibilities: physical or mental.
If it was physical, a Medicinal Pill would basically solve it.
But if it was a mental problem, then he would need to find the root cause and then treat it accordingly.
For example, she might have a heart ailment, or have been startled, or perhaps entangled by some unclean things, and so on. The specific type would only be known after investigation.
...
After reporting to his Master's wife, Lu Bai arrived at Sangyu City and contacted You Lianruo using a Magical Artifact for communication.
"Did you receive it?" You Lianruo asked as soon as they met.
"Yes!" Lu Bai nodded.
Then he explained the task situation. You Lianruo was experienced and could help him brainstorm.
Ultimately, what You Lianruo said was similar to his own analysis. It seemed this was just an ordinary task.
Lu Bai felt much more at ease.
The two boarded a Lingzhou (Spirit Boat) and headed towards Songhe Country.
Songhe Country was located at the border of Xuan Province and Yu Province. Xuan Province was the territory dominated by Xuanqing Sect, while Yu Province belonged to Yu Xiang Sect. The Eastern Region had Ten Great Holy Sects, and people divided the ten provinces based on them.
Songhe Country was very small. There were many such small countries in the Eastern Region, and they basically relied on immortal cultivation Sects to survive.
"After we arrive, you go about your business! I can manage on my own," Lu Bai said.
This wasn't a task involving fighting and killing, so it didn't make much difference whether someone looked after him.
"Are you sure?" You Lianruo was still a little worried.
Before her 'Heavenly Profound Charming Bone' fully awakened, she would never allow Lu Bai to get into trouble.
"No problem!" Lu Bai said with a confident expression.
"Besides, didn't you give me a mandarin duck fish? I'll call you if there's danger."
"Songhe Country is only that big. With your cultivation, even if you can't arrive in the blink of an eye, half an incense stick of time is enough. And for half an incense stick, I can still hold on."
"Alright!" You Lianruo no longer insisted.
...
Three days later, the two arrived in Songhe Country.
"After you finish the task, wait for me in the capital. I will come to find you," You Lianruo said.
"Okay!" Lu Bai agreed, then reminded her, "You be careful too."
A strange feeling arose in You Lianruo's heart. So this was what it felt like to be cared for.
After bidding farewell to You Lianruo, Lu Bai flew alone towards the capital of Songhe Country.
In the world of cultivation, Mortal kingdoms would establish a department called the Tongtian Division, specifically for interacting with Cultivators.
Tongtian, as the name implied, meant connecting with heaven.
To Mortals, Cultivators were indeed 'heaven'!
Lu Bai found the Tongtian Division's yamen and, after showing his identity as a Xuanqing Sect Disciple, was immediately given a warm reception.
"Immortal, you have traveled a long way, it must have been arduous! This humble one has prepared some simple wine, and will find a few beautiful concubines. Shall we relax first?" The Tongtian Division official winked.
Lu Bai chuckled inwardly.
It seemed they often used such methods to corrupt the Dao Heart of Cultivators.
"No need," Lu Bai refused.
"Curing the illness is paramount. Let's go see Her Majesty the Empress first!"
"Yes!" The Tongtian Division official dared not insist.
Led by a dedicated attendant, Lu Bai entered the imperial palace and first met the Emperor of Songhe Country.
The Emperor was about forty-something years old and looked to be in poor spirits.
Upon seeing Lu Bai, his eyes lit up. He quickly took a few steps forward and said respectfully and eagerly, "Please, Immortal, save Yun'er's life."
The Yun'er he spoke of was the Empress of Songhe Country, whose surname was Su and given name Su Yun'er.
There was a distinction between immortals and Mortals.
The Emperor of a Mortal country, though high and mighty in the secular world, was insignificant before a Cultivator.
Lu Bai could tell that this Emperor was deeply devoted to his Empress. His emaciated appearance, he wondered if it was due to worry.
"I will do my best!" Lu Bai said calmly.
...
The Empress's bedchamber.
Lu Bai, the Emperor , and a Grand Eunuch walked in together.
Lu Bai suddenly stopped, sniffed, and frowned as he asked, "What is this incense? It's so strong."
"Replying to Immortal, it is Heart of Heaven Incense," the Grand Eunuch immediately replied.
The Emperor then explained, "Yun'er likes strong incense. If Immortal is not accustomed to the smell, I will have it removed immediately."
"Forget it!" Lu Bai waved his hand.
He was just curious.
The three continued deeper, winding through several turns, until they reached the innermost room.
The room was dimly lit but exquisitely furnished. In the center stood a screen, and behind the screen was a cloud bed. Faintly, a figure could be seen lying on it, which must have been Empress Su Yun'er!
Lu Bai looked around and was somewhat surprised that there wasn't a single palace maid in the room.
"Uh!" The Emperor rubbed his hands, hesitating to speak.
Yun'er did not like strangers approaching! The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital always treated her from behind the screen. Now, an Immortal had come, he couldn't ask him to do the same, could he?
The Emperor thought that an Immortal, possessing magical power, should be able to discern things clearly even through the screen, but he dared not say it.
Seeing the Emperor 's troubled expression, Lu Bai asked, "What's wrong?"
The Emperor gritted his teeth and replied, "It's like this."
But just as he began to speak, a delicate voice came from behind the screen: "Immortal, please come in. This humble one is unwell and could not come out to greet you. Please forgive me."
"This..." The Emperor was slightly stunned.
Su Yun'er then continued, "Your Majesty, you two go out first. Do not disturb the Immortal."
The Emperor was even more surprised.
But he quickly recovered, did not linger, and promptly left with the Grand Eunuch.
Only Lu Bai remained, frowning.