Chapter 427: Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pill

"Yingying, please keep it a secret for now that Fourth Brother has become Prince Pingrong."

Zhao Zheng instructed, "Wait until the Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle is over, lest the Rong tribe spies target me ahead of time."

Zhao Yingying: "Don't worry, Fourth Brother, my lips are always sealed!"

She chatted with Zhao Zheng for a while longer, then said she was going to the Four Directions Lodge to see the Eldest Princess, and left with Lady Wang.

The moment she was gone, Zhao Zheng looked at Yang Ling with a grave expression.

"Yang Ling, do you know why I became Prince Pingrong?"

Yang Ling thought for a moment, "Should this subordinate know?"

Zhao Zheng laughed, "It's because of this case in Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital. Originally, Father Emperor planned to first enfeoff Third Brother as a prince.

After all, the civil officials were quite favorable toward Third Brother.

But because of this case, Father Emperor overruled all objections, deliberated properly with the Grand Secretaries, and bestowed upon me the title of Prince Pingrong."

Yang Ling's expression shifted slightly, as if something was beginning to click.

Because of the Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital case?

That case had already implicated Zhao Fu, the Third Prince, and even the Star Observation Academy.

In the end, it was suppressed, and with Wangzhi dead, the matter was hastily closed.

"So the civil official faction resolved this case in this manner, and the price was letting the Fourth Prince obtain the title of Prince Pingrong?"

Yang Ling felt this was a blessing within misfortune. He had previously been secretly displeased, thinking Zhao Fu hadn't suffered significant losses from this.

Now that Zhao Zheng had gained benefits, it indirectly meant Zhao Fu had suffered a crushing defeat.

"Although this title of Prince Pingrong is merely an honorary one, and I can't be assigned a fief anytime soon,"

"Prince Pingrong differs from many other titles. Among all the princely titles granted throughout the dynasties, it belongs to the absolute top tier."

The more Zhao Zheng spoke, the more excited he became, joy overflowing from his eyes—a stark contrast to the calm composure he had shown when facing Zhao Yingying.

"The Top-Tier Internal Technique I cultivate, the Imperial Pole Celestial Classic, is itself extremely special. It was created by Zhao Chongxu, the founding Sacred Emperor of our Zhao State."

"Only members of the Zhao Royal Family can cultivate it. Upon reaching Flawless Proficiency, without being granted a princely title, breaking through becomes nearly impossible."

"The princely title is intimately tied to this technique. Had I received an ordinary princely designation, perhaps I would only be at Lower Sixth-Rank today, at most Mid Sixth-Rank."

"But Father Emperor gave me Prince Pingrong! The most supreme among all historical princely titles!"

"Only then was I able to surge forward in cultivation within a short span of time, ascending to Upper Sixth-Rank peak!"

"Now I'm only half a step away from breaking through to Fifth-Rank and becoming a Lesser Master rarely seen in this world."

Zhao Zheng suddenly placed both hands on Yang Ling's shoulders, his gaze burning:

"Yang Ling, you are this Prince's lucky star. Ever since the Water Qilin Cave, you have been bringing me good fortune.

This time, I obtained the title of Prince Pingrong—you are the number one contributor!"

Yang Ling said seriously, "Prince Pingrong is mistaken. This subordinate merely did what he ought to do.

All of this is what Prince Pingrong himself deserves!"

"This Prince deserves it?"

"This Prince deserves it..."

Zhao Zheng murmured to himself, his eyes growing brighter and brighter, until he couldn't help but laugh:

"Stop with the flattery. Had I not had this Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital case, I would have been doomed to wait until my thirties or forties before the civil officials would nod and grant me some third-rate princely title, one without any fief."

"By then, the furthest I could ever go on the martial path would be Fifth-Rank at most, with Fourth-Rank being as difficult as reaching the heavens."

"What you did this time is truly the greatest merit. I called you over specifically to reward you, my number one contributor. If you refuse, that's also fine..."

Yang Ling took two steps back and performed a cupped fist salute:

"Prince Pingrong, this subordinate IS the number one contributor!"

Zhao Zheng laughed and cursed, "The reward has been prepared for you. Originally, I intended to consume it myself."

With that, he handed Yang Ling a brocade box:

"Inside is a Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pill."

"Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pill?"

Yang Ling was slightly taken aback, then immediately received the brocade box with both hands.

Zhao Zheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes carrying a hint of pride:

"This pill is one that only our Zhao family has the right to refine. It's the only one of its kind in the entire world."

"Prince Pingrong, you are far too generous!"

Yang Ling tucked the brocade box behind his waist, but in reality, he tossed it into the Green Dragon Ring.

That way, even if the other party suddenly changed his mind, he would never find this brocade box or the Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pill inside it.

"This Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pill uses several types of rare exotic herbs and flowers, requiring a full uninterrupted year of refining before it can be completed."

"During that year, even skilled alchemists would need to rotate through more than a dozen of them, all requiring exquisite coordination."

Zhao Zheng added, "Among those rare exotic herbs and flowers is the Water Bodhi seed."

"Water Bodhi seed!?"

Yang Ling's body jolted: "Your Highness, wouldn't using one of the Twelve Sacred Martial Medicines to refine a pill be too wasteful..."

"The Water Bodhi seed can only be consumed by one person, but refining it into Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pills yields enough for ten people. It's a bit of a loss, but it's the only way."

Zhao Zheng said with slight helplessness, "Although the potency of a single pill is far inferior to the Water Bodhi seed itself, ten pills come out in one batch. Calculated that way, it's quite cost-effective."

Yang Ling asked curiously, "Your Highness, what are the effects of this pill..."

"The effects of this pill are no less than the Devour Heaven Great Rejuvenation Pill the Eldest Princess bestowed upon you."

Zhao Zheng smiled, "What the Eldest Princess can reward you with, this Prince can also reward you with. You handled the Four Directions Lodge matter this time, and it brought honor to this Prince's face."

Just like the Devour Heaven Great Rejuvenation Pill!?

Then wouldn't that mean...

"I can break through my Vajra Bright King Technique to Skilled level today!?"

A flicker of excitement crossed Yang Ling's eyes.

If he could raise his Vital Qi to perfection, he could begin the process of advancing to Fifth-Rank Lesser Master!

"Although we might depart for Fire Flood Dragon Island tomorrow, I can break through inside a dungeon once I'm on the island."

Yang Ling's mind stirred. Xu Wenjun had said Fifth-Rank and Fourth-Rank experts don't go to Fire Flood Dragon Island because it suppresses their recovery abilities—mainly because they're afraid of dying.

As long as he confirmed that the real reason Fourth and Fifth-Rank experts don't go to the island is simply fear of death, he could safely break through in the dungeon.

"Your Highness, regarding the Fire Flood Dragon Island we're heading to this time, I heard some details from Director Xu Wenjun."

"He said Fourth and Fifth-Rank Masters don't go to the island because it suppresses their recovery abilities..."

"Xu Wenjun? He only knows the surface."

Zhao Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly:

"Back when the Water Qilin Cave was explored, quite a few experts died before its patterns were figured out. It's the same with Fire Flood Dragon Island.

Our Zhao State and the Rong tribe both lost numerous Masters and Lesser Masters before finally determining that their presence on the island summons a certain danger.

As for what that danger is, no one knows—everyone who encountered it died."

"But you need not worry. Sixth-Rank experts on Fire Flood Dragon Island won't encounter this danger. Otherwise, this Prince wouldn't be going to the island either."

Zhao Zheng's tone was firm and confident.

Yang Ling felt a slight chill in his heart. Sure enough, the information from Xu Wenjun's side wasn't one hundred percent accurate. There were other reasons why Masters and Lesser Masters would not set foot on Fire Flood Dragon Island.

He stayed at Zhao Zheng's place for a meal, then took his leave and returned to the Ironclad Department.

The moment he was back in his room, he couldn't wait to take out the brocade box and open it for a look.

A cold-white pill came into view.

"Qilin Mystic Ginseng Pill, can increase any Internal Technique experience by 10,000 points."