A few days later.

Zheng Yi looked at the two jade scrolls sent by Zhao Suling, his eyes full of delight.

"This item is..."

"Your Majesty,"

Zhao Suling said, "This item is the alchemy methods and talismanic methods collected by my master during his decades-long travels across Great Yu, the overseas Cultivation Realm, and several other countries."

"Master, to express gratitude for the five Purple Spirit Ginsengs gifted by Your Majesty, specially presented this to Your Majesty."

"Junior Sister Yuheng also received the complete content of the 'Vitality Purple Mist Technique' from Master."

Zheng Yi joyfully said, "The Elder Celestial Master is truly too courteous!"

"By the way, Your Majesty, there is one more thing."

Zhao Suling said, "My younger sect brother has already entered the world for training. Master wants him to investigate the sudden increase of spiritual medicine in the Capital Region, and hopes that the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Shadow Guard can provide some convenience to avoid conflicts."

"Your sect brother? What's his name? Why send him... Could it be that he is that never-before-seen true disciple of the Elder Celestial Master?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Suling said, "The disciple of the elder, named 'Zhao Suzhen,' has been in quiet cultivation with Master since he was eight years old, and it's already been sixteen years now."

"Regarding his cultivation, I am not very clear. I heard him mention in the past that he has already stepped into the Late-stage Qi Cultivation."

"As for which layer it is, that I do not know."

"Late-stage Qi Cultivation..."

Zheng Yi's eyes flashed as he asked, "Celestial Master Zhao, what is your younger sect brother's temperament like?"

"Junior Brother Suzhen has been in quiet cultivation on the mountain since he was young, pure in nature, and not very familiar with matters of the Martial World. That's why the elder asked Junior Brother Suzhen to go down the mountain for training."

Zhao Suling said, "Junior Brother Suzhen is most adept at the Thunder Skill, his strength is beyond doubt, even I am not his match."

"Now the world is in chaos, I fear that Junior Brother Suzhen might get into trouble or meet with an accident, so I secretly sought Your Majesty to look out for him."

"Thunder Skill?"

Zheng Yi said, "This is simple, I will give you a Martial Arts Department token, the same as yours, to Junior Brother Zhao Suzhen."

"With this token, Junior Brother Zhao Suzhen can freely mobilize the Imperial Guard, Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Shadow Guard, and can freely inspect those protected spirit grass."

"The old way obeys the decree!"

Zhao Suling replied respectfully, but then hesitated a bit and still said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Suzhen is actually Junior Sister Yuheng's senior brother, so logically speaking, you should address Zhao Suzhen as Senior Brother."

Zheng Yi was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Hahaha, Zhao Suling, you are quite… well, I understand."

"Hahahaha..."

Zhao Suling awkwardly said, "Your Majesty, it's the old way's mistake."

"We are brothers under the same master, also monarch and minister, it was presumptuous of the old way..."

"It's fine, it's fine, what's with all the formalities between us as monarch and minister?"

Zheng Yi laughed again: "In the Cultivation Realm, the one who has reached the heights is the master, it's only right for me to call him Senior Brother!"

Zhao Suling hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding. If there's nothing else, the old way will take his leave first."

"Alright!"

Zheng Yi said, "I will have Chen Liancang deliver the token to you, wait outside the hall for now."

"The old way obeys the decree!"

Zhao Suling turned and left, while Zheng Yi called for Chen Liancang.

"Elder Chen, what do you think of this Zhao Suzhen?"

Chen Liancang hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, this old slave has never met Zhao Suzhen, so it is difficult to comment."

"Forget it, since he's from Taiyii Dao, he's probably not an enemy."

Zheng Yi said, "Go to the Martial Arts Department and retrieve a jade token for Zhao Suling, I will first study these two jade scrolls."

"The old slave obeys the decree!"

Chen Liancang left, and Zheng Yi went to the quiet room to carefully examine the 'Detailed Introduction to Basic Alchemy' jade scroll.

He held his breath, calmed his mind, and focused, and the content in the jade scroll slowly appeared.

"Elixirs are the essence of creation, the quintessence of spiritual objects, combined through various means, assisted by ministers and rulers, forming pills that embody different energies of heaven and earth..."

"In refining elixirs, besides spirit grass, different spiritual objects can be added based on their medicinal properties, including spiritual medicine, demon beast cores, and even minerals, among others..."

"During alchemy, one must be in closed meditation, undisturbed by anyone, and constantly nourish the ingredients with spiritual qi..."

A lengthy explanation of thousands of words, all centered around the topic of alchemy.

It includes explanations, detailed introductions of common spiritual medicine, alchemy tools, alchemy time, alchemy techniques, and spirit fire selection.

Moreover, at the end of the jade scroll, there are recipes for four different elixirs.

Yellow Dragon Pill, which can enhance a cultivator's cultivation.

Qi Recovery Pill, which can quickly replenish a cultivator's magical power.

Rejuvenating Pill, which can quickly heal a cultivator's internal injuries.

And... Fasting Pill!

These four kinds of elixirs almost encompass all the elixirs needed by Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators.

The materials for refining, techniques for refining, timing for refining, etc., are all annotated within.

As Zheng Yi carefully examined and continuously simulated the refining processes of these elixirs in his mind, he became engrossed.

Ten days later!

Zheng Yi was again awakened by the commotion outside the main hall, and as he stepped out, he saw Liu Cheng'en waiting respectfully outside.

"What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Chan is about to give birth."

"Oh? Yue Chan?"

Zheng Yi immediately said, "Proceed to Mingyue Palace!"

The palanquin quickly headed towards Mingyue Palace, and Zheng Yi noticed Liu Cheng'en's hesitant expression, directly asking, "Cheng'en, is there any problem?"

Liu Cheng'en hesitated for a moment but then said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Court's army was defeated in Xuzhou..."

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yi's pupils suddenly contracted; how could the Imperial Court's army be defeated!

Putting aside the fact that Xu Mujun, who broke through to the Innate Realm and stepped into the Spirit Communication Realm, is not someone easy to deal with, there's also the twenty thousand or so new troops not to be underestimated.

Who else in this world could defeat those twenty thousand new troops equipped with muskets and cannons?

"How could the Imperial Court's army possibly be defeated? How could Xu Mujun possibly lose?"

Liu Cheng'en hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Grand General Xu did not lose; it was General Meng Guang's navy that was defeated!"

"Meng Guang?"

Zheng Yi finally let out a breath of relief and curiously asked, "Even Meng Guang's navy, equipped with over a thousand cannons, was defeated?"

"Exactly what happened, tell me quickly."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Liu Cheng'en quickly said, "In February of the 11th Year of Zhengyong, General Meng Guang led a hundred thousand navy troops from Jinggzhou's waterways, entering Yunmeng Marsh to find traces of the Tuoba Clan."

"Initially, everything went smoothly, but who would have thought that a dense fog would suddenly cover Yunmeng Marsh, obstructing the navy's vision."

"At this moment, towering waves rose within Yunmeng Marsh, scattering General Meng Guang's naval formation amidst the roars of the sea."

"And then the rebels seized this opportune moment to attack..."

"Say no more, I understand."

Zheng Yi waved his hand to stop Liu Cheng'en, having already guessed most of what happened in this incident.

It must be the Tuoba Clan within Yunmeng Marsh who intervened.

Using the means of a cultivator, giant waves were stirred up within Yunmeng Marsh, breaking the navy's formation.

Other rebels then seized the opportunity to attack; Meng Guang's navy was no match for the Tuoba Clan in Yunmeng Marsh!

Such a failure was also within reason.

"Your Majesty~"

While Zheng Yi was deep in thought, Liu Cheng'en spoke softly again: "General Meng Guang has submitted a plea for forgiveness, what do you think..."

"What are the naval casualties?"

"According to preliminary statistics, casualties exceed thirty thousand, and there are over six thousand missing..."

"The casualty rate is nearly half!"

Zheng Yi felt a bit distressed; the North Sea Navy was his trump card, and in the future, he planned to rely on the navy to deal with the Mayfly Tower of Yur Country and explore the overseas Cultivation Realm.

Who would have thought that in Yunmeng Marsh, almost half would be lost!

It seems... an army composed of ordinary people is difficult to pose a threat to cultivators in special environments.

Unless...

Suddenly, Zheng Yi had a thought: what if the navy was equipped with a large number of cultivators?

Liu Cheng'en's voice continued: "Your Majesty, although General Meng Guang suffered a great defeat in Yunmeng Marsh, he quickly regrouped the defeated forces and occupied an island within Yunmeng Marsh to confront the rebels."

"He also sent out many scouts to map the interior of Yunmeng Marsh, ensuring the safety of the left flank of the Xuzhou army."

"It seems that Meng Guang is still somewhat useful."

Zheng Yi murmured: "With casualty rates near half, other forces would have long been in chaos and defeat. Since Meng Guang managed to regroup the defeated forces and occupy an island in Yunmeng Marsh, it can be considered as mending the pens after the sheep are lost."

"Issue a decree for Meng Guang to continue serving as the naval commander, to firmly guard the northern part of Yunmeng Marsh, and strive to pin the Tuoba Clan rebels in Yunmeng Marsh without releasing a soldier from the Tuoba Clan out of Yunmeng Marsh!"

"By your command!"

"And..."

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Yi said: "How is the Xuzhou army?"

"To report to Your Majesty, currently both the Imperial Court's forces and the rebels are deploying troops, and no major battle has occurred, but small-scale skirmishes occur daily."

Liu Cheng'en said: "Overall, it appears that our forces have the upper hand due to the assistance of the New Army."

"Additionally, Your Majesty, several cabinet ministers wish to see you, what do you think..."

"Not seeing them for now."

Zheng Yi shook his head and said: "I still have important matters to attend to. After I finish, I will summon the cabinet ministers."

"By your command!"

As they spoke, the palanquin had arrived at Mingyue Palace.

The Empress and other consorts were also waiting here.

"Your humble consorts greet Your Majesty!"

Several consorts saluted, and Zheng Yi said: "No need for formalities, how is Consort Chan?"

"Your Majesty."

Lu Lin'er rose and said: "The child has already been born, and Consort Chan is doing well, both mother and son are safe."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, many congratulations, Consort Chan has given birth to another prince for you!"

"Really?"

Zheng Yi also feigned surprise, although he had long known that the child born to Consort Chan would definitely be a prince.

"Nanny, quickly bring the child for His Majesty to see."

A plump nanny approached, carrying the child, and Zheng Yi also picked him up for a look.

With a round head and face, bright eyes, and fair skin, extremely adorable.

"Very good, palace attendants of Mingyue Palace, reward!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After teasing the child a little, Zheng Yi handed him back to the nanny.

"I will go and see Consort Chan; you may return to rest."

"As you command!"

Entering the sleeping quarters, Yue Chan's eyes lit up upon seeing Zheng Yi.

"Your Majesty, you've arrived~"

"Chan'er, you have worked hard."

Zheng Yi said: "You have given birth to a prince for me, I am very fond of him."

"Do you have any wishes? As long as they're not too extravagant, I can grant them."

"Really, Your Majesty!"

Yue Chan's eyes brightened sharply and said: "I haven't returned home for several years; could you allow me to visit my father and mother?"

Zheng Yi hesitated and said: "This... is somewhat difficult."

"Currently, there are rebellions in the south, and the place is filled with rebel refugees. It's not appropriate to go out now."

"Once I have quelled the southern rebellion, how about I personally accompany you to Nanyue County?"

Nanyue County has cultivators; he had long wanted to visit there.

Having Yue Chan, a native, lead the way would undoubtedly make things much easier.

Yue Chan was pleasantly surprised and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"By the way, Your Majesty, have you decided on a name for our child?"

"It's already been decided."

Zheng Yi said: "I've prepared two characters and was thinking of discussing them with you, Chan'er."

"You were born in Nanyue County, and Nanyue County is an inseparable part of our Great Yu, so I want to name our child with 'Nan' or 'Yue'."

"Nan, which signifies direction, generally referring to the south."

"Yue refers to a country, like Three Thousand Yue Warriors could devour Wu!"

"Moreover, the character 'Yue' also resonates with 'Yue', complementing your name beautifully."

"Which do you prefer, my love?"

Yue Chan tilted her head in thought and said: "I am called Yue Chan, and we Nanyue Race hold the moon in high esteem, so why not name him Yue? Your Majesty, what do you think?"

"That works."

Zheng Yi nodded and said: "Then our child shall be named Zheng Chengyue."

"Zheng Chengyue, Zheng Chengyue, Yue'er."

Yue Chan was delighted and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the name!"

Just then, a little eunuch hurriedly came in, knelt down, and said: "Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to report."

Shadow Guard?

Zheng Yi inquired: "What is the matter?"

"Noble Consort Cui ordered me to inform you that the cultivator in the dungeon has only the last layer of ice remaining, the release is imminent."

"Oh? Xuan Jizi?"

Yue Chan said: "Your Majesty has urgent business to handle, please proceed, I am fine here."

"Very well."

Zheng Yi stroked Yue Chan's hair and said: "Rest well, my love; I will come to see you again after I finish my tasks."

"Your humble consort wishes Your Majesty farewell!"