World's First Traitor System (427)

Chapter 427 - The Immortal Island

Waves crashed violently against the shore, the wind howled relentlessly. The swells rose several yards high, occasionally swallowing low-flying seabirds in a single, unforgiving gulp.

In the distance, an island loomed.

West of the island, a massive black shape slowly approached.

At first glance, the shape resembled a towering, craggy mountain range. It was imposing and grand. The same waves that effortlessly devoured seabirds seemed to lap insignificantly at its base like a gentle stream at the foot of a mountain.

As it drew nearer, the truth became clear.

The mountain was no mountain at all, but an enormous wooden ship.

The vessel was 154 meters long and 63 meters wide, sporting six massive sails. A tall structure, the ship's castle, rose from the middle of the deck. Only someone with extensive knowledge would be able to name this colossal vessel correctly.

A Treasure Ship!

Also known as a Zheng He Treasure Ship!

This was a true treasure ship. Its hull was constructed from rare spirit wood, impervious to both water and fire. The design incorporated the work of Great Ming's most skilled formation masters and artificers, combining both offensive and defensive capabilities.

The upper deck of the ship was adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, showcasing the grandeur of the imperial family. Three thousand six hundred elite Embroidered Uniform Guards, clad in flying-fish robes and armed with embroidered spring sabers, surpassed even the Imperial Guard in combat prowess!

Finally, the Treasure Ship gently docked, reaching the shore of the mystical island described by the fisherman.

"Your Majesty!"

"The Treasure Ship has docked. Do we have your permission to disembark?"

Inside the towering structure, the beams were intricately carved, and the walls were adorned with gold and brilliant colors. Seated upon the Dragon Throne was none other than the current Emperor of Great Ming, Jiajing.

A stunning beauty was nestled in his embrace, her eyes filled with the blush of spring, her demeanor captivatingly shy. It was Imperial Noble Consort Rou, Xue Susu.

"Your Majesty?" Xue Susu inquired softly.

Although Emperor Jiajing held her close, his eyes remained closed, as if he were meditating, deep in contemplation.

After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes.

A brilliant light flashed in his eyes, revealing a sharpness that indicated Emperor Jiajing was in excellent condition, his combat power at its peak.

"Disembark."

Emperor Jiajing spoke, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger, only the unfathomable majesty of an Emperor.

And so, a grand procession – complete with a yellow silk canopy, drums and flutes, and auspicious dragon banners – emerged from the Zheng He Treasure Ship, stepping onto the shore of the legendary immortal island.

Trees grew on the island; dense foliage providing ample shade. The trees bore flowers and fruit, their strange fragrance intoxicating and mesmerizing.

A hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards knelt before Emperor Jiajing, kowtowed, and then dispersed in different directions into the forest.

About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, these scouts returned.

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

"There are no people on the island, but rare flowers and herbs are abundant, and countless spirit roots and immortal fruits can be found."

"The fisherman's words were true!"

The report was delivered by Lu Lun, the Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a third-rank official.

Besides his position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lu Lun was also a cousin of Lu Bing. His cultivation had reached the fourth rank of the Unity realm, making him quite remarkable, and his loyalty was unquestionable.

Emperor Jiajing remained expressionless.

He glanced at Lu Lun, who knelt on the ground, and after a long silence, finally spoke. "Words were true? Lu Lun, do you also believe this is an immortal island?"

"Uh... Your Majesty... I..."

Lu Lun was bewildered, he only detected a hint of disappointment in Emperor Jiajing's tone.

Was he truly wrong?

The spiritual energy on this island was exceptionally rich, a rarity in the world.

Lu Lun had lived for decades, had searched for treasures and explored secret realms.

Yet, he had never encountered a hidden place as abundant as this island, where precious and rare roots and fruits could be found everywhere!

Beads of cold sweat trickled down Lu Lun's forehead.

When it came to serving the Emperor and discerning his intentions, he was far inferior to his cousin, Lu Bing.

Lacking such finesse, Lu Lun chose honesty.

"Your Majesty, I... do not know."

Xue Susu, standing beside Emperor Jiajing, couldn't help but cast a surprised glance at Lu Lun.

An official daring to answer the Emperor's question with "I do not know"? This Embroidered Uniform Guard commander was the first Xue Susu had ever encountered.

He was truly foolish!

Couldn't he even lie?

Xue Susu had accompanied Emperor Jiajing for many years, she had personally witnessed Yan Song, Yan Shifan, and even Xu Jie, lying to Emperor Jiajing's face.

Deceiving the Emperor was a capital offense.

But since ancient times, had there ever been subjects who didn't lie?

"Good."

To Xue Susu's surprise, Emperor Jiajing's response to Lu Lun's answer was a single word of praise.

Lu Lun was also delighted!

The Emperor's approval echoed in his ears, as melodious as celestial music. Lu Lun was instantly overcome with a sense of blissful elation!

"Lu Lun, what makes you superior to your brother is that you never lie to me."

But Emperor Jiajing's next sentence sent Lu Lun plummeting back to earth.

"Unfortunately, other than not lying, you have no other redeeming qualities."

Lu Lun's face instantly turned pale!

He knelt on the ground, his head touching the earth.

"I... am incompetent."

Lu Lun now understood that reaching the position of third-rank Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was his limit.

In this lifetime, under the Jiajing reign, there would be no further promotions.

"An immortal island?"

Emperor Jiajing murmured, as if to himself. He reached out and, with a gesture of empty grasping, plucked a handful of soil from the ground.

He rubbed the soil in his palm, prompting Xue Susu to cast a sidelong glance.

It was ordinary.

The surface was dry sand, dried by the sun. Beneath it was damp, dark-colored soil. There was even a small, white worm, resembling an earthworm, wriggling frantically between the soil and Emperor Jiajing's palm.

Xue Susu couldn't help but frown. Lu Lun also seemed lost in thought.

An immortal island?

Could the soil of an immortal island possibly nurture such mundane and clumsy creatures?

Realizing this, Lu Lun broke out in a cold sweat!

If it wasn't an immortal island, then where did all these rare flowers and fruits come from?

"Protect His Majesty!!!"

Lu Lun, no longer hesitating, roared towards the sky.

The three thousand six hundred elite Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately formed into various offensive and defensive formations on the beach, including the Two Elements, Three Talents, Four Symbols, and Eight Trigrams formations.

In an instant!

Brilliant light flashed, and spiritual energy surged!

The phenomena triggered by the various formations churned the sky and sea, making it seem as if the very colors were changing.

Lu Lun, grasping his embroidered spring saber, vigilantly scanned his surroundings.

Nothing!

There wasn't a single enemy in sight!

The island was serene and peaceful!

But the more tranquil it was, the more tense Lu Lun became.

"There."

Emperor Jiajing suddenly raised his hand, pointing towards a large tree in the distance.

Atop the tree's crown was a crystal-clear, snow-white, perfectly round fruit, looking exquisitely sweet and delicious.

"Beloved Consort."

"Yes?"

"I wish to taste that fruit. Would you be so kind as to retrieve it for me?"

Xue Susu was slightly taken aback, but she obediently nodded.

"Your subject obeys."

Thus, Imperial Noble Consort Rou Xue Susu, who had entered the Great Ming palace many years ago without ever revealing her cultivation, gracefully leaped into the air, easily ascending to the top of the towering tree, dozens of feet high.

Her movement technique stunned Lu Lun, who only possessed Unity realm cultivation!

But atop the tree, Xue Susu seemed unfazed.

She landed beside the fruit, her voice filled with delight. "Your Majesty, this fruit is abundant in spiritual energy, surpassing even ordinary Heaven-grade elixirs!"

Lu Lun was moved.

Such a wondrous fruit, nearly an immortal treasure, was truly priceless.

He looked at Emperor Jiajing with joy, but discovered that the Emperor remained unmoved, his gaze towards his beloved consort revealing an unfathomable, chilling indifference.

Lu Lun was stunned.

At that moment, Emperor Jiajing slowly spoke. "Such a miraculous fruit, Beloved Consort, do you know its name? Its origin?"

"Your subject knows."

Xue Susu responded with a smile.

Her smile, however, no longer resembled the gentle sweetness of before. Instead, it resembled the practiced, artificial smile of a courtesan.

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

"This fruit is called the Brahma Sound Great Wisdom Fruit, originating from the Brahma Sound Pure Land."

"It flowers once every fifty years, bears fruit once every fifty years, and ripens once every fifty years. It is indeed precious."