When Xiao Mo's consciousness separated from the Book of a Hundred Lives, it was already six o'clock the next morning.

In the Book of a Hundred Lives, Xiao Mo had stayed for nearly two months.

Although the time flow in the Book of a Hundred Lives was 100 times faster than reality, due to the book's protective mechanism, Xiao Mo quickly adapted to the real world's flow of time.

Moreover, when Xiao Mo experienced life in the Book of a Hundred Lives, his body's energy was also restored.

However, what made Xiao Mo frown was that even though he was clearly a Nascent Soul realm sword cultivator in the Book of a Hundred Lives and clearly knew the Grass Character Sword Formula but after waking up, Xiao Mo had completely forgotten all of these things and couldn't remember them no matter how hard he tried.

Xiao Mo had been thinking about practicing the Grass Character Sword Formula in reality but now it seemed impossible.

He could only see what the reward distribution was about.

After having breakfast, Xiao Mo continued lying in bed to rest because Xiao Mo's illness hadn't recovered yet, he didn't need to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, nor did he need to attend morning court.

Actually, in Xiao Mo's view, attending morning court was useless anyway, as most people in the court were Yan Shan'ao's people.

He was already eighteen years old, yet the Empress Dowager was still ruling from behind the curtain. She had completely abandoned all shame.

After Wang Can was demoted and sent out of the capital, no one else dared to provoke Yan Shan'ao's bad luck.

"Wei Xun," Xiao Mo called out.

"Your Majesty," Eunuch Wei hurriedly walked to Xiao Mo's side.

"Go and have some Daoist classics brought over, then tell the Prime Minister and Empress Dowager that during my absence, the Zhou Kingdom needs them to put in extra effort."

"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this..."

Xiao Mo stood up and walked around the sleeping palace with his hands behind his back:

"Practicing until the body resembles a crane's form, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees. I come to ask about the Way with nothing left to say, clouds in the blue sky, water in the bottle."

Xiao Mo stopped and looked at Wei Xun, "From today forth, I shall cultivate immortality!"

"Practicing until the body resembles a crane's form, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees. I come to ask about the Way with nothing left to say, clouds in the blue sky, water in the bottle."

Yan Shan'ao recited the poem Xiao Mo had composed and couldn't help but nod, "His Majesty truly has excellent literary talent."

Wei Xun kept his head down, not daring to speak.

Just moments ago, Wei Xun had come to Lingxin Palace to convey His Majesty's intentions.

Empress Dowager Yan sat on her high seat, calmly drinking tea as if everything had nothing to do with her.

Although Empress Dowager Yan was already over forty, her beauty hadn't diminished at all. She even carried a mature charm, and her every gesture carried not only the dignity of an empress dowager but also a natural allure.

Yan Shan'ao turned to look at Wei Xun, "Did His Majesty really say that?"

"In reply to the Prime Minister, yes. His Majesty said he wants to cultivate immortality and asks you and the Empress Dowager to put extra effort into court affairs."

"Since ancient times, emperors are influenced by the qi fortune of mountains and rivers. How could they possibly cultivate? Emperors who single-mindedly seek immortality never come to good ends." Yan Shan'ao sighed.

"Later I'll go advise His Majesty to pay more attention to court affairs."

Hearing Yan Shan'ao's words, Wei Xun's eyebrows twitched, thinking how this person was even more shameless than himself, a eunuch.

Do you want His Majesty to care about court affairs?

You probably hope His Majesty spends all day cultivating immortality and doesn't ask about court matters.

"However, this poem is indeed quite good. Wei Xun, spread this poem around and let the court ministers appreciate His Majesty's literary talent."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Yan Shan'ao stood up and walked to Wei Xun's side, patting his shoulder, "If there's anything happening with His Majesty, tell me promptly. There will be benefits for you, but if you have other thoughts, you know what the consequences will be."

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister!" Wei Xun quickly knelt down, "This old minister has no other loyalties besides the Prime Minister and Empress Dowager!"

Yan Shan'ao waved his hand, "Go. Later there will be several palace maids sent to the palace. Take them to His Majesty."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Wei Xun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and left Lingxin Palace trembling.

After Wei Xun left, Yan Shan'ao turned around and looked at his sister with joy, "Sister, now that His Majesty is single-mindedly seeking immortality, what do you think?"

"Practicing until the body resembles a crane's form, two volumes of scriptures beneath a thousand pine trees. I come to ask about the Dao with nothing left to say, clouds in the blue sky, water in the bottle. Hehehehe..."

Empress Dowager Yan laughed coldly.

"Our Majesty has never had any ambition and has always been timid. Otherwise, we wouldn't have chosen him for adoption.

Last time when Wang Can went to find him, you demoted Wang Can. I'm afraid His Majesty was already scared out of his wits, otherwise he wouldn't have been frightened into illness.

Now it seems he has completely given up."

Empress Dowager Yan raised her eyes to look at her brother, "Having Wei Xun leak this poem was very well done. Now in the court, there are still a few people whose hearts turn toward the Xiao imperial family. Now that His Majesty is single-mindedly cultivating immortality, what reason do they have to persist?"

"However, Xiao Mo can be considered to have saved his own life."

A fierce glint flashed in Yan Shan'ao's eyes.

"He can sit in today's position entirely because of us. I didn't expect he would still meet with Wang Can! If he doesn't remain stable and sensible, hehehe... we can choose another emperor!"

Empress Dowager Yan glanced at Wei Xun, "It's better to have fewer problems than more. As for Wang Can's side, find a way to eliminate him, but do it cleanly without leaving any evidence. Do you understand? Censoring officials are like dogs, they're best at biting people."

"I understand, Sister." Yan Shan'ao nodded and sat back down to drink some wine, "In a poor and remote place like Lingnan, making someone 'die of illness' is far too easy."

Empress Dowager Yan reclined on the soft couch. Seeing this, a maid quickly stepped forward to gently massage the Empress Dowager's legs and pound her shoulders, "Speaking of which, how are things with Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"

"Elder Huang from Ten Thousand Swords Sect will come to our imperial capital in three months. I've already figured out Elder Huang's preferences, and I've had correspondence with Elder Huang before. As long as nothing unexpected happens, we can connect with Ten Thousand Swords Sect as our backing."

Empress Dowager Yan nodded. She was confident in her brother's work.

"If we can board the ship of Ten Thousand Swords Sect and have them as our backing, everything will be much easier to handle. Whatever Ten Thousand Swords Sect requests, just try to accommodate them.

Also, take Elder Huang to visit our Yan family more. I know Ten Thousand Swords Sect is strict in selecting disciples but if any disciples barely catch Elder Huang's eye, it would be extremely beneficial for our Yan family."

"Hahaha, if our Yan family's younger generation could become disciples of that Jiang Qingyi, then the entire Zhou Kingdom would truly be completely under our control. Those old fools wouldn't dare curse us behind our backs anymore. By then, Sister, you might even become Zhou Kingdom's first empress!"

Empress Dowager Yan glanced at her brother indifferently, "Sword Immortal Jiang has never taken a single disciple since becoming famous. Don't think about such things. Just do your own work well. Besides, it's about time to select a few Yan family women to enter the palace. The future crown prince must be from our Yan family."

Yan Shan'ao bowed respectfully, "Yes, Sister."