Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 379 - A Woman’s Heart is Truly Hard to Guess.

Xu Ming walked out of the North Sea Dragon Empress’s bedchamber, holding the jade token she had given him.

His emotions were complicated—he simply couldn’t figure out what this Dragon Empress was thinking.

Women were already hard to understand.

A woman who had ruled for thousands of years? Even more unfathomable.

The maid, Xiao Lan, led Xu Ming step by step toward the outer palace.

Xu Ming glanced at her back, wanting to ask something but unsure how to begin.

As they reached the outer edge of the Dragon Palace, Xu Ming stopped and cupped his hands in a formal bow. “Miss, you’ve escorted me far enough. I know the way from here.”

Xiao Lan smiled. “Her Majesty instructed me to tell you—if the courtyard at the edge of the palace isn’t to your liking, you’re welcome to move into the inner palace. What do you think, Young Master Xu?”

Xu Ming’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression neutral. “I appreciate Her Majesty’s kindness, but I’ve grown accustomed to the outer courtyard and would rather not move.”

What a joke.

If he moved inside, rumors would spread in no time.

People would definitely start speculating about his relationship with the Dragon Empress.

And if he failed to give a reasonable explanation, even the Wu Emperor would begin to doubt what was going on between him and her.

But speaking of which... what exactly was the Dragon Empress thinking?

“Miss Xiao Lan, I have a question—if I may ask?”

Xu Ming stepped forward and took out a Liu Li Ming Guang Lamp from his storage pouch.

This was a half-immortal grade artifact, one of the few top-tier items he had. He had acquired it through rather unconventional means during his time in the Rootless Secret Realm.

Bribing someone with such a treasure made his heart ache, but there was no choice—Xiao Lan was a Jade Purity Realm cultivator, a level high enough to be considered an ancestor in most sects.

If he offered something of lower quality, she might not even bother looking at it.

Even with this item, he wasn’t sure if she’d accept. But it was the best he had—he didn’t exactly have another half-immortal treasure lying around.

To his surprise, Xiao Lan accepted it without hesitation.

With a practiced, fluid motion, she slipped it into her storage pouch, as if she had done this plenty of times before.

Xu Ming suddenly felt reassured.

“Feel free to ask, my Young Master,” Xiao Lan said with a smile.

Seeing her take the bribe so naturally, Xu Ming knew there was a chance.

“I’d like to know—why did Her Majesty want me to serve as her Qiju Lang (Palace Recorder) ? Could you shed some light on this?”

Xiao Lan’s smile remained. “I do know a little about it. In truth, Her Majesty has no ulterior motives. It really is just because of your immense knowledge and talent.”

Xu Ming didn’t believe it for a second. “That’s really all there is to it?”

Xiao Lan smirked, stepping a little closer. “Well... not entirely.”

“There’s another reason.”

“And that is?”

“Her Majesty wants to establish a deeper connection with you, Young Master Xu.”

“With me?” Xu Ming was even more puzzled.

“That’s right.”

Xiao Lan glanced around cautiously, as if wary of eavesdroppers.

“In our North Sea Dragon Palace, we have an Observatory—it’s similar to the Human Empire’s Skywatch Division.”

“Just yesterday, after you left, the observatory’s seers came to see Her Majesty.

They reported that a young man who walks the dual path of spiritual and martial cultivation would be of great significance to the North Sea Dragon Palace.”

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Xu Ming remained silent, his mind racing.

“You must be aware,” Xiao Lan continued, “that this is an era of upheaval. A time when countless geniuses are rising.

And with such an era... comes a great calamity.”

“This calamity could come in a thousand years.

Or a hundred.

Or even in just a few decades.”

“We of the North Sea Dragon Palace must forge as many alliances as possible—to prepare for what is to come.”

In the face of a great calamity, no one can escape it—we can only confront it.

“Even we don’t fully understand why the Observatory foresaw you, Young Master Xu, but perhaps this is fate. After all, their predictions have always been incredibly accurate.”

Xu Ming fell silent, carefully considering Xiao Lan’s words.

But in truth, he wasn’t convinced.

If the Dragon Palace’s Observatory was really that accurate, they would have already pinpointed the reincarnation of their Empress’s lost lover.

Seeing that Xu Ming didn’t respond, Xiao Lan continued, “Even Her Majesty doesn’t fully understand why you’re so important to the North Sea.

That’s precisely why she wants to observe you up close—to see if you possess any unique qualities.”

“And the position of Qiju Lang—although it places you near Her Majesty—is not an actual position of power. It’s quite idle, really.

If you were to take this post, the North Sea officials wouldn’t object, and it would also serve as a gesture of goodwill toward the Wu Kingdom.

Your nation has risen to become one of the Ten Great Human Dynasties in just three hundred years. Compared to the others, the Wu Kingdom is still young—but, much like yourself, Young Master Xu, it carries endless potential.”

“So, in a way, this is also an opportunity for Her Majesty to show favor to the Wu Kingdom.”

Xiao Lan smiled knowingly. “I understand what you’re worried about—matters of propriety between men and women. But you needn’t concern yourself.

No one in the North Sea Dragon Palace would dare to spread rumors.

Besides, if anyone stands to benefit from this arrangement... it’s you, Young Master Xu.”

Xu Ming: “...”

After Xiao Lan’s explanation, Xu Ming had to admit—it all did make a certain kind of sense.

Everything seemed to add up.

Still, he shook his head. “Ten years is far too long. And after the Four Seas Grand Ceremony, I have many places I need to visit.”

Xiao Lan chuckled. “Ten years may seem long, but to a cultivator, it’s just the blink of an eye.

And besides, Young Master Xu, who says you can’t return to the palace after you’ve completed your other matters?”

Xu Ming: “...”

“That’s all I can say,” Xiao Lan said with a bow. “Young Master Xu may consider it at his own pace.

If you choose not to accept, the North Sea Dragon Palace will not force you.”

With that, she excused herself. “I shall take my leave now.”