Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu
Chapter 527: 294: Just Tell Me How Much You Want_2

Chapter 527: Chapter 294: Just Tell Me How Much You Want_2

Chen Qing took a deep look at the Spirit King. Perhaps this was her way of protecting herself; if she needed something, she would have to ask her.

After a fruitless search, Chen Qing and the other two left the Underground Palace with the Spirit King.

Under the Spirit King’s control, the Spirit King Tree began to rise from the ground and merged back into her body.

Returning once more to the edge of the Dead Sea, Chen Qing instructed, “Once Ye Chen completes his challenge to the world with the sword, you should immediately leave the Death Realm.”

The King of Qi cupped his hands in salute, “Yes, master!”

Chen Qing left the Death Realm with Ji Ru and the Spirit King and returned to Wen Country after bidding farewell to Ji Ru.

Upon reaching Prince Wen’s Palace, Chen Qing said, “It’s a bit inappropriate to keep calling you the Spirit King, so I’ll call you Ling Ji.”

“Your Promised Land will still take some time. You should wait for now.”

Ling Ji respectfully replied, “Yes, I await your command. I’ll plant when you instruct me to.”

Chen Qing asked, “Aren’t you afraid that I can’t give you that Promised Land?”

Ling Ji smiled and said, “Your existence is magnificent and supreme. Facing someone like you, I only need to wait patiently.”

Chen Qing said, “You can move freely in Prince Wen’s palace, just don’t cause trouble.”

Ling Ji nodded, extending her hand to Chen Qing.

Chen Qing frowned slightly, “What?”

Ling Ji blinked her bright eyes, “Zero allowance.”

“When we entered the city just now, I smelled the aroma of wine.”

Chen Qing couldn’t help but find it a bit amusing. At this moment, Ling Ji was less like a regal King Gu towering eleven stories and more like a little girl asking an elder for pocket money.

Chen Qing pulled out ten spiritual pearls and placed them in Ling Ji’s hand, “Use them sparingly, and ask me for more when they’re gone.”

After instructing Ying Wugang to have four Dragon Cavalry accompany her, Chen Qing let Ling Ji have her own fun.

Ying Wugang asked, “Who is this Ling Ji, and how should we handle her?”

Chen Qing said, “Treat her as my daughter.”

Ying Wugang’s expression shifted slightly, “Yes, my subordinates understand!”

Chen Qing laughed heartily, “Tell me, isn’t this girl cuter than Chen Dan?”

Ying Wugang felt quite awkward, “Master is, after all, a man. The word ‘cute’ isn’t quite suitable.”

Chen Qing waved his hand, “How dull! Ever since I became Prince Wen, you don’t even dare to joke.”

“Go now; let her do as she pleases, just don’t let anyone bully her!”

It was only three days later during a council meeting that Chen Qing saw Ling Ji again. The courtiers were momentarily stunned as Ling Ji sauntered in.

Su Yi’s words were abruptly cut off.

Ling Ji strode forward on her long legs, “Spent it all, the allowance!”

Chen Qing chuckled and brought out another ten spiritual pearls, “This time, be more frugal. I can only give you ten pearls a month.”

“This time I’ll let it slide; I didn’t tell you before.”

“Also, this is where council meetings are held, and the courtiers are present. What kind of decorum is it to ask me for allowance here?”

“If you run out of money again while I’m in court, go find the queen!”

Ling Ji looked a bit aggrieved, “Oh, Ling Ji understands.”

Ling Ji turned and skipped away to the harem with her long legs.

Chen Qing summoned Ying Wugang, who had been following Ling Ji, and asked, “Where has she been these days?”

Ying Wugang sternly reported, “Lady Ling Ji has mostly been lingering in storytelling teahouses these days. She enjoys listening to stories, especially those about the king, and she tips generously.”

“She also loves to drink spiritual wine, ordering the most expensive spirits in town.”

Chen Qing stroked his chin, “No wonder she spent so fast.”

“Alright, off you go.”

It took just a quarter of an hour to wrap up the meeting when they returned, and Chen Qing asked, “What’s the matter this time?”

Ying Wugang said, “Lady Ling Ji just won the queen’s favor; the queen gave her another twenty spiritual pearls in allowance.”

“Lady Ling Ji says the queen is more generous than the king.”

Chen Qing laughed heartily, “This little girl is quite interesting. Let her be.”

Thus, Prince Wen’s Palace gained a new druken Miss Ling Ji, who cared for nothing but adored listening to books and had storytellers spin various tales for her.

She was extravagant with her tips and adored wine, often getting drunk and sleeping on the tables in the teahouses.

With Ying Wugang bringing along four Dragon Cavalry to guard her, no one dared to entertain any other ideas.

After court adjourned, Su Yi hurried over to Xuan Mang and asked, “Xuan Mang, what’s the background of this girl?”

Xuan Mang shook his head.

Su Yi replied, “That shouldn’t be the case. She resides in the palace; if she’s a relative of the queen, you should know her. What did the queen say?”

Xuan Mang replied, “Ling Ji entered Prince Wen’s Palace two days ago. I then requested an audience with the queen.”

“Do you know what the queen told me?”

Su Yi curiously asked, “I’m counting on you to give me a sure answer. She dared to strut into the court meeting, and Prince Wen wasn’t angry, which shows she’s very favored!”

Xuan Mang said, “The city’s priciest Drunken Immortal Tower will host me for a month!”

Su Yi angrily retorted, “You’re really choosing the most expensive, even Ling Ji wouldn’t dare to eat like that!”

“Half a month!”

Xuan Mang chuckled, “Deal.”

Su Yi clapped his hands, “I overbid!”

“Hurry and tell me.”

Xuan Mang said, “The reason I know about this master is because something happened on the Sumeru City side.”

Su Yi asked, “What happened?”

Xuan Mang said, “When Chen Dan woke up, he saw those long legs swaying before him.”

“Ling Ji pressed down on Chen Dan’s head and asked him to call her sister.”

“Chen Dan refused, calling for Senior Dan Yangzi.”

“As a result, Senior Dan Yangzi couldn’t suppress her.”

Su Yi exclaimed in amazement, “Are you saying Ling Ji is a Daoist Lord?”

“That’s incredible!”

Xuan Mang continued, “When I sought an audience with the queen, she only said it was a good thing for Chen Dan.”

“Furthermore, she told me not to pry into things better left unknown.”

“Alright, today I want to eat dragon liver with phoenix meat accompanied by the best Drunken Immortal Brew.”

“Hurry, don’t let Ting Yun hear it.”

“You know, the girl Ao Yu returns tomorrow, so I won’t be going then. Remember first.”

…

Regarding Ling Ji’s presence, many courtiers were quite curious. How could they not be intrigued when a striking woman of national beauty suddenly appeared in the palace, and she wasn’t from Sword Travel Palace?

Moreover, judging by her attire, it was quite ancient-looking and rather peculiar.

But strangely, both Chen Qing and the queen seemed to be quite fond of her, treating her as their daughter.

If she were only favored by Chen Qing, that would be one thing; but the queen was also fond of her, allowing her to bully Chen Dan daily. This could only mean that her identity was genuinely esteemed.

Many courtiers, upon returning home, warned their children not to provoke Ling Ji.

On this particular day, Chen Dan had just awoken when he felt something pressing on his legs. He awoke to see Ling Ji sitting on his lap, her long legs swaying continuously.

“The allowance the queen gave me is gone. Lend me yours.”

Chen Dan seemed to realize something, fetching his spirit stone bag, “This is all I have.”

Ling Ji opened it and remarked, “Only twenty mid-grade spirit stones? Where did you spend your money?”

Chen Dan explained, “Yesterday was a brother from Feather King Army’s father’s memorial day, so I took them to the Drunken Immortal Tower.”

Ling Ji exclaimed, “Such a good deed and you didn’t invite me?”

Chen Dan put a finger to his lips, whispering softly, “Keep it down. You call this a good deed?”

Ling Ji said, “There was wine, meat, and pretty girls dancing. How is it not a good deed?”

Chen Dan inquired, “Wait a minute, how do you know about the dancing?”

Ling Ji said, “After you all got drunk, I ordered a few more jugs. It was so good!”

“And those girls’ hands were really soft.”

“When you all were out cold, I slipped away. After all, I had no money to pay the bill.”

Chen Dan said, “No wonder I noticed an extra bill for spirit stones. I asked the innkeeper, and he dared not say.”

Ling Ji said, “I heard there’s a Water Country to the south, and I want to visit. You take me there.”

Chen Dan replied, “I’m currently preparing for my Gu to ascend. I truly can’t spare the time. Master mentioned it urgently needs my King Gu to ascend.”

“We currently lack Innate Wood Essence; I honestly don’t know where to find it. Master suggested checking with Nine Profound Temple to see if they have any left in stock.”

“It’ll probably be another hefty expense, requiring many elixirs for trade.”

Ling Ji seemed indifferent, “Innate Wood Essence?”

“Just tell me how much you need!”

Chen Dan: ???