Saving a Life

Immortal-energy escape light streaked across the sky, traversing a thousand miles in an instant.

In less than half a day, Dustin had already carried everyone across the boundless sea, returning to the Central Plains.

He did not stop in any coastal province or county, heading straight toward the heart of the Dragon Nation — Stonia.

Beneath the clouds, mountains and rivers blurred past, cities and villages lined up like patterned tiles. The familiar scent of the mortal world rushed toward them, so different from Penglai Island’s mixture of immortal splendor and demonic eeriness — it felt like a lifetime ago.

Margaret clutched the jade box holding the Immortal Essence Pill tightly, her fingertips pale from the force. Her heart swelled with both excitement at returning home and deep worry about her father’s illness.

Though Dustin had stated clearly that this pill could extend life for ten years, without seeing her father recover with her own eyes, her heart couldn’t rest.

The three princes remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

Their gazes occasionally drifted toward the jade box in Margaret’s hands, complex and unreadable.

A world-shaking merit and ten years of life were within reach, yet they had missed it entirely. That feeling was hard to swallow.

Especially knowing that Margaret would return this time with an “immortal pill” and “immortal fortune,” her standing in their father’s heart was certain to rise significantly. For them, this was an unexpected shift in the struggle for the throne.

…

Forbidden City, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The once solemn and majestic hall was now shrouded in heavy medicinal scent and an oppressive aura of decay.

The palace attendants held their breath as they moved silently, unable to conceal their anxious expressions.

The ruler of the Dragon Nation — Emperor Li Weimin — had been bedridden for a long time. The Imperial Medical Bureau was helpless; only a few legendary doctors used secret needles and rare medicines to barely keep his breath going.

On the dragon bed, Li Weimin’s face was waxen and gaunt, his eyes sunken deep. His breathing was shallow and rapid, like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.

Several elderly imperial physicians with white beards surrounded him, brows furrowed as they whispered to one another, each sighing helplessly.

“Father!”

A cry tore through the deathly silence.

Margaret rushed inside without regard for etiquette, lifting her dress hem as she stumbled to the dragon bed.

Seeing her father so fragile and emaciated, tears burst from her eyes instantly.

Li Wenxing, Li Guanglong, and Li Juntang followed close behind. Upon seeing their father’s state, sorrow filled their faces as they knelt to offer their respects.

Li Weimin struggled to open his clouded eyes. When he saw his beloved daughter return, a faint light flickered within the dull gaze. His lips moved, but no clear sound came out.

“Father! I found medicine that can save you! You’re going to be saved!”

Choking with sobs, Margaret quickly opened the jade box.

A graceful, serene fragrance of pure immortal essence spread instantly, sweeping away the heavy medicinal odor in the hall and refreshing everyone’s spirit!

The imperial physicians who had been drowning in despair trembled violently upon smelling the pill’s fragrance. Their eyes widened as they stared at the milky-white, radiant Immortal Essence Pill within the jade box, brimming with natural Dao aura.

“T-this… what kind of pill is this? Such pure, overwhelming vitality?!”
The leading Imperial Judge, Physician Wang, cried in shock.

He had practiced medicine all his life, seen countless rare herbs, refined countless miraculous pills — yet he had never felt such gentle and utterly pure life force.

This pill could not be of the mortal world!

“This is the Immortal Essence Pill. It can cure Father!” Margaret said quickly.

After receiving Li Weimin’s nearly imperceptible nod, she carefully fed him the pill.

The Immortal Essence Pill melted instantly, not turning into scorching power, but into a warm, springlike current flowing through Li Weimin’s withered body.

Wherever the pill’s energy passed, chronic ailments of many years and exhausted life essence were nourished and restored as if parched fields received long-awaited rain.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the emperor.

Li Weimin’s waxen complexion regained color at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His sunken eyes slowly filled out, and the murky gaze cleared.

His weak and intermittent breathing grew stable and strong!

More shockingly, a few strands of his graying hair turned black. The wrinkles on his skin smoothed slightly — he looked at least ten years younger.

In the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Li Weimin pushed himself up by the bed edge and sat upright.

Feeling the long-lost, surging strength within his body and the rejuvenated vitality filling him, disbelief and joy lit his face.

“I feel… so much better! Better than ever!”

Though still somewhat hoarse, his voice carried energy and strength — far from the frailty of moments ago.

“Your Majesty is blessed beyond compare! Heaven itself protects you!”

Physician Wang burst into tears of joy, dropping to his knees along with the other imperial doctors, bowing repeatedly.

In their entire lives, they had never witnessed such a miracle — this surpassed medicine entirely. This was the work of immortals.

“Father!”
Margaret sobbed with relief.

All her worries, fears, hardships, and sacrifices along the journey melted into boundless joy in that moment. - Marinien