All Things Are Contracts

The three influential Spirit God Realm experts stood like clay statues. Despite their vast experience, they had never seen such a turn of events. One moment they were arguing about Baizhi’s marriage, the next she had transformed into the Thousand Charms Empire’s only princess. Gu Changfeng glared angrily at the Golden Pill Cultivator, blaming him for involving him in this mess. If offending the princess led to offending the Empress, his future days might not be pleasant.

Few had seen the Empress, and even fewer had seen her in action. But there was a legend that when three imperial-level fierce beasts from the Soul-Breaking Mountain Range caused trouble in the outer regions, disrupting important routes between the Thousand Charms Empire and the outside world, the Empress single-handedly went to the mountain range, slaughtered the three beasts, and warned the others. Since then, only the powerful beasts dared to stay in the depths of the range, while weaker ones remained in the outer areas. This cemented the Empress’s reputation as the nation’s top expert, as she easily killed three terrifyingly powerful beasts.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Gu Changfeng was the first to recover and bow to Baizhi.

“You… I…” Baizhi’s face was a picture of emotions, still not fully grasping that she had become the Empress’s adopted daughter and a princess. Was the powerful backer Zhanyue mentioned actually the Empress? How did he manage this?

Baizhi gave Zhanyue a reproachful look. This guy, keeping such a big matter secret, calling it a surprise – he nearly scared her to death.

“Gre-greetings, Your Highness,” Bai Yulou also recovered. With the deputy city lord present and Gong Xiaoyun personally delivering the edict, this couldn’t be fake. He knew Baizhi didn’t have such means, so all this must be Zhanyue’s doing. Recalling his earlier attitude towards Zhanyue, he felt a chill down his spine. Zhanyue had said he had no background, but wasn’t that nonsense? Could he be the Empress’s illegitimate son? Bai Yulou dared to think, but only think. Adopting Baizhi as a daughter and making Zhanyue the prince consort would be like half a son to the Empress, legitimizing him. The more Bai Yulou thought, the more plausible it seemed, as he couldn’t understand the Empress’s intentions otherwise.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” The Golden Pill Cultivator was truly pale-faced now, the prize slipping through his fingers. Baizhi’s status change had made him look like a clown. He didn’t have the courage to propose in the imperial capital now.

The happiest person present was Cheng Lingxin. She gave Zhanyue a deep, thoughtful look. Earlier, when her granddaughter said he had a solution, Cheng Lingxin thought the young man was just comforting Baizhi. She never imagined Zhanyue would so easily rescue Baizhi from her predicament.

“You two, Her Majesty wishes to see you. When you’re ready, let me know, and I’ll take you back to the imperial capital,” Gong Xiaoyun observed everyone’s reactions without saying more.

“I… I need to speak with my grandmother,” Baizhi was still a bit dazed.

“If Her Majesty wants to see you, you should go directly. Don’t keep Her Majesty waiting. As for me, I have nothing to worry about now,” Cheng Lingxin told Baizhi.

“Second Granduncle, please take care of my grandmother these days. I’ll go to the imperial capital to see Her Majesty and return in a few days,” Baizhi turned to Bai Yulou, more as a warning.

Bai Yulou smiled awkwardly, “Of course, Sister-in-law will be very safe in the Bai mansion. You can go without worry.”

At this moment, Cheng Lingxin walked up to Zhanyue. It was her first time meeting him, but her eyes couldn’t hide her appreciation and fondness.

“Good lad, very good indeed. From now on, please take care of my granddaughter,” Cheng Lingxin said to Zhanyue.

Zhanyue nodded. Did this mean he had gained Baizhi’s family’s approval?

“I’ve lived here for so many years, what could happen to me? You should go quickly with this official. Don’t keep Her Majesty waiting,” Cheng Lingxin urged again.

“Alright, we’ll be going then,” Zhanyue led Baizhi out of the hall, where they saw Gong Xiaoyun using her abilities to conjure a white cloud beneath her feet.

“Come up, I’ll take you. We’ll reach Myriad Purple City by nightfall,” Gong Xiaoyun said, maintaining her smile.

“Yes,” the two curiously jumped onto the white cloud, feeling as if they were stepping on cotton. Then Gong Xiaoyun urged the cloud to fly away, truly riding the clouds and mist.

Gu Changfeng drew in a sharp breath, “The rumors are true. Lady Gong is a Water Contractor. When she advances to the Spirit God Realm, she’ll surely pass the Lord Hall’s test and officially become a Water Lord.” Not all Spirit God Realm experts qualified as Lords; they needed to pass the Lord Hall’s test. Even someone as strong as Gu Changfeng couldn’t obtain the Lord title. Spirit Contractors were inherently powerful, and obtaining the Lord title after advancing to Spirit God Realm was as easy as reaching into a pocket for them, like the Wind Lord and Thunder Lord.

“Well, let’s all disperse. What a show this has been,” Cheng Lingxin smiled and left first. She no longer needed to forcefully break through, so she wouldn’t die. Things had developed much better than she had imagined.

“Hmph, Your Eminence, you’ve really put me in a spot this time. I hope Her Majesty won’t implicate me,” Gu Changfeng sighed deeply before striding away.

The Golden Pill Cultivator frowned but said nothing.

“What… what are your plans?” Bai Yulou asked.

“Even if Her Majesty doesn’t pursue the matter, that boy doesn’t seem easy to deal with. I can’t stay in Alchemy Capital anymore. Brother Bai, let’s part ways here. I’ll go lay low for a while,” the Golden Pill Cultivator said. He hadn’t broken any laws, so the Empress had no reason to punish him, but he worried that Zhanyue might cause him trouble. Although he was a Spirit God Realm expert and didn’t fear Zhanyue, it was better to avoid unnecessary problems. In these troubled times, it was best to hide for a while. After some time, people might forget about this incident.

“Don’t worry, I won’t spread this matter. It won’t affect your reputation,” Bai Yulou said tactfully.

After seeing off the Golden Pill Cultivator, Bai Yulou smashed an expensive teacup to pieces! The guest elder plan had failed, the eighth-grade pill formula was lost, and the mysterious technique was gone too. Baizhi had completely escaped his control.

Just then, a steward walked in. “Congratulations, master! Felicitations, master!”

Bai Yulou looked displeased, “What congratulations?”

The steward was confused. Why wasn’t the master happy? Didn’t he know?

“Just now, the news of Her Majesty conferring the title of Pill Saint Princess on the young miss has spread. Many Alchemists have come to sign up, wanting to contribute to our Bai family. The queue is endless,” the steward said.

This news was naturally spread by the deputy city lord, who was very sensible and knew what shouldn’t be said and what should be widely publicized.

Bai Yulou’s expression was strange. He sighed inwardly, thinking that if he hadn’t offended Baizhi earlier, perhaps he would be happy now. Baizhi becoming a princess naturally benefited the Bai family the most.

In the sky, Baizhi nervously clung to Zhanyue’s arm.

“What should I do? I’m so nervous,” Baizhi had never met the Empress but was directly conferred the title of princess. About to have an audience, she was afraid the Empress might not like her. How could she not be nervous?

Gong Xiaoyun, standing at the front steering the cloud, smiled reassuringly, “Don’t be afraid. Her Majesty isn’t some man-eating monster. With your beauty and talent, you’ll likely exceed Her Majesty’s expectations. No wonder Young Master Zhan is so devoted to you.”

Baizhi’s pretty face reddened, and she asked, “Lady… Lady Gong, why did Her Majesty confer the title of princess on me?”

“Your Highness, please don’t call me Lady. I don’t deserve it. You can call me Gong Xiaoyun directly, or Sister Gong if you prefer,” Gong Xiaoyun said.

“Alright… Sister Gong,” Baizhi hadn’t yet adjusted to her princess identity.

“It’s because Young Master Zhan greatly helped Her Majesty. I’ve never seen Her Majesty look so relaxed, as if a huge stone had been lifted from her heart. Her Majesty has always been fair in rewards and punishments. Such a great service naturally deserves more than ordinary rewards. Her Majesty heard about your situation and knew Young Master Zhan wanted to secure your freedom without completely breaking ties with the Bai family or being constrained by them. That’s why she conferred the princess title on you,” Gong Xiaoyun explained.

Baizhi’s eyes were full of love as she hugged Zhanyue tighter. “What did you do?”

Zhanyue smiled, “I just offered an eighth-grade pill formula and an eighth-grade pill. Her Majesty happened to need them.”

“Eighth-grade pill formula? But you didn’t exchange for one on Ghost Island,” Baizhi was confused.

“Silly girl, who said eighth-grade formulas are only on Ghost Island? I had one before going to Ghost Island. I, Zhanyue, never lie. When I said I’d give you freedom, I meant it,” Zhanyue pinched Baizhi’s nose affectionately.

“Never lie? So you really have an eighth-grade Alchemist teacher? You really met the illumination Goddess? And you’re really close with the Holy Light Maiden?” Baizhi couldn’t help but tease. This Zhanyue, full of tall tales, always claimed to be honest.

At the front, Gong Xiaoyun’s beautiful eyes sparkled. While getting her fill of their lovey-dovey behavior, she also became more curious about Zhanyue. This guy was truly mysterious.

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