Chapter 975: Chapter 811: Only This One Pill

Tianji Taoist Master appeared confident, causing the Emperor’s heart to waver once more.

Going by that logic, if the elixir can enhance the body’s functions and make one appear five years younger, wouldn’t that mean extending life by five years?

He carefully observed Tianji Taoist Master in front of him and unexpectedly found that the other’s complexion was indeed rosier than before.

Even two fine lines at the corners of his eyes had been reduced to one.

The Emperor understood the situation in this manner and found the elixir’s purported effects not entirely absurd.

"Then I would like to try it!" The Emperor uncorked the bottle and poured out the elixir inside the porcelain bottle.

This elixir was unlike the small black pills he had taken before; it was entirely blood-red, emitting a refreshing medicinal aroma, appearing quite enticing.

It was indeed the size of a soybean, and if one were to scrape off some of the medicinal powder, it might cause significant loss of efficacy.

"Emperor! You mustn’t!" De’an saw the Emperor about to take the elixir and hurriedly stopped him.

How could the Emperor take an elixir that hadn’t been confirmed by the Imperial Physician?

The Emperor was about to swallow the pill in one swift motion, but De’an’s voice interrupted him, causing some irritation.

"Emperor! Though this main ingredient is rare, surely there isn’t only one such plant in the entire world! With some effort and resources, we can find it. Please have the Imperial Physician verify it before taking it! I believe that is more prudent. Moreover, even if scraping off some powder affects its efficacy, it should support you until we find the main ingredient, don’t you think?"

De’an glanced at Tianji Taoist Master, suspecting that the Taoist Master was urging the Emperor for some ulterior motive.

If any mishap occurred from the Emperor taking this pill, even nine lives wouldn’t be enough to save him.

De’an couldn’t bear to see the Emperor fall into trouble because of this pill; otherwise, neither the Crown Prince nor the Princes would spare him, nor would the ministers.

The Emperor, hearing De’an’s words, felt his resolve weaken again. After careful consideration, he found De’an’s words logical.

It was safer to take precautions, as the pill hadn’t been tested on anyone. Besides, Tianji Taoist Master claimed he took one the moment it was produced, but who knows if that’s true or false.

After all, he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, had he? Moreover, there were only two pills, and the other one shouldn’t have been consumed by Tianji Taoist Master on the spot.

"Go to the Imperial Hospital and summon Director Zhang!"

The Emperor eventually placed the fragrant pill back into the porcelain bottle; his earlier tense expression revealed that his palms were already sweaty.

"Grandmaster! Although I have faith in the elixir you’ve developed, this matter is of great importance and cannot be handled recklessly!"

The Emperor glanced at Tianji Taoist Master, offering a brief explanation.

"It is only right for the Emperor to act cautiously. Although I have confidence in the elixir I’ve developed, your majesty’s life is connected to the lives of all living beings; therefore, it should be treated with the utmost care."

Tianji Taoist Master smiled slightly and showed no irritation at the Emperor’s lack of trust.

The Emperor, seeing this attitude, couldn’t help but nod.

Perhaps he had been overly apprehensive before, but since he already called for Director Zhang, he would wait for his arrival before making any decisions.

De’an led the way ahead, walking swiftly. He was worried that in his absence, Tianji Taoist Master might incite the Emperor to swallow the pill.

"Oh, Mr. Zhang, you must hurry!" De’an glanced back at Director Zhang behind him, noticing the distance between them had increased.

He quickly stopped and urged urgently.

"Aiya! Chief Chen, you know I’m elderly, with old joints, how can I walk fast!"

Director Zhang, nearing sixty, had been planning to retire. However, the Emperor, admiring his medical skills, was unwilling to let him leave.

De’an sneered; old joints? Director Zhang wasn’t much older than him, yet he could walk briskly. How could Director Zhang not be able to keep up?

Director Zhang had learned from De’an of the Emperor’s reason for summoning him.

To be honest, he did not hold much hope for this so-called Longevity Pill. Having practiced medicine for decades, he was always accompanied by medicinal materials and medical books.

Neither historical records nor ancestral medical texts mentioned anything about a Longevity Pill.

At most, there were suggestions for daily health preservation that over a long period might show some efficacy.

Such pills from Tianji Taoist Master, he had never heard of them. Taking just one could supposedly extend life by five years?

Director Zhang scoffed. If there truly were such miraculous medicines, developing the elixir of immortality wouldn’t be impossible.

This Tianji Taoist Master had been in the palace for over a decade. The Emperor trusted him greatly and even claimed his elixirs had miraculous effects.

Yet, he found the Taoist Master’s background mysterious and his intentions impure.

However, thus far he hadn’t discovered any issues with those elixirs, and the Emperor’s health indeed showed improvement after consumption.

Despite his lingering doubts, the Emperor wouldn’t heed his advice, leaving him helpless.

However, in the past two years, the Emperor aged swiftly, and his body grew weaker than before. Director Zhang always felt this was related to Tianji Taoist Master’s elixirs.

So recently, the Emperor’s Peaceful Pulse was always taken by him personally.

Director Zhang walked slowly, contemplating countermeasures. Who knows what scheme Tianji Taoist Master was plotting this time?

This time, he vowed to uncover any flaws in the so-called Longevity Pill.

With that in mind, Director Zhang’s pace quickened significantly.

"Reporting to the Emperor! Director Zhang requests an audience!" De’an entered the hall and reported to the Emperor.

At this time, Tianji Taoist Master and the Emperor were in a lively conversation, and looking at the Emperor, his face did seem more radiant than before.

De’an’s heart missed a beat; had he arrived too late? Had the Emperor already taken the pill?

He shifted his gaze to the table, noticing that the cork on the porcelain bottle was still there. He anxiously wondered whether the Emperor had indeed taken the elixir.

"Grandmaster, after you passed on your Qi to me, I actually feel much better; my body is much lighter. Even my breathing is not as heavy as before. You indeed are a grandmaster, truly remarkable!"

The Emperor smiled broadly, speaking kindly to Tianji Taoist Master.

"Your Majesty is too generous. As the Grandmaster of the Dan Sect, I’ve practiced longevity skills since childhood. Unfortunately, this skill is too potent; your majesty’s body can’t bear more, or it could hinder your lifespan."

Tianji Taoist Master waved it off, displaying a demeanor of not seeking gratitude for great favor.

"Still, having it affect your lifespan makes me uneasy."

De’an’s brow twitched upon hearing this. Had Tianji Taoist Master transferred his Qi to the Emperor, affecting his lifespan?

De’an looked towards Tianji Taoist Master, noting that he indeed seemed a bit more haggard than before.

"To be of service to the Emperor, it is a blessing. After all, only with your healthy body can the people live in peace and prosperity!"

Hearing this, the Emperor was very pleased, "It seems the Grandmaster is also a man with the world in his heart!"