Longevity

Su Qing smiled and nodded, then began recounting some of her interesting experiences to the Queen Mother.

Su Qing had no objection to sharing these stories. After all, if the other party wanted to hear them, she would tell them, as long as the Queen Mother didn't find her tales too boring.

However, since the Queen Mother didn't specify what she wanted to hear, Su Qing spoke whatever came to mind. Her stories were varied and not carefully selected; she mostly talked about what she considered to be interesting past events as they occurred to her.

Of course, Su Qing's spontaneous storytelling didn't last long, because the Queen Mother soon began to actively inquire about topics that interested her. So, for the latter part of their conversation, Su Qing spent most of her time answering the Queen Mother's questions.

The Queen Mother's questions mostly revolved around the circulating rumors. She seemed very curious about them.

However, when discussing these rumors with the Queen Mother, Su Qing noticed that the Queen Mother didn't take them as literal truth, nor did she mistake the rumored version of Su Qing for the real one. Instead, she treated them more like amusing anecdotes and was curious if Su Qing was truly as the rumors depicted.

So, her inquiries were primarily for verification, to understand Su Qing's actual situation.

Honestly, Su Qing was very happy with the Queen Mother's approach. After all, she didn't, like others, immediately believe those obviously outlandish rumors. Instead, she sought verification directly from Su Qing.

If others could be like the Queen Mother, Su Qing would have far fewer troubles.

However, Su Qing also knew that some people didn't take the rumors seriously. For instance, Taishang Laojun and Li Shan Lao Mu—rather than believing the rumors, they used them to tease Su Qing.

At this, Su Qing could only feel helpless and speechless. What else could she do? These two were venerable seniors; was she supposed to fight them?

Returning to the Queen Mother.

Su Qing and the Queen Mother chatted for a long time, and Su Qing thoroughly complained about the rumors to her.

Unbeknownst to them, time had already reached noon. At this point, the Queen Mother invited Su Qing to stay for a simple meal.

To Su Qing's surprise, despite the Queen Mother's exalted status, lunch was quite down-to-earth, not always consisting of rare delicacies.

After eating, the Queen Mother still didn't let Su Qing leave. Instead, she continued to chat with Su Qing about other matters.

Su Qing had no objection. After all, she had come to visit today, and if her host wanted to chat more, she would gladly accompany her. There were no urgent matters to attend to that day that required her immediate return.

As they chatted, evening arrived without them realizing it. At this point, Su Qing truly had to leave; she had no intention of staying overnight.

When the Queen Mother learned Su Qing was leaving, she no longer tried to stop her. It was indeed getting late.

"You've kept this old woman company for so long; you can't go back empty-handed," the Queen Mother said. "Is there anything you desire? Feel free to tell me, and if I have it, I'll give you some."

The Queen Mother was quite generous, inviting Su Qing to choose freely. She wasn't worried at all about Su Qing making an exorbitant demand.

However, Su Qing truly wouldn't make such a demand. After all, even if she did, she might not get what she wanted, and she would lose her credibility, which would be a fruitless endeavor. Su Qing wasn't brainless, nor was she that greedy, so she naturally wouldn't do such a thing.

When Su Qing heard the Queen Mother's words, she instinctively wanted to refuse. However, after a moment's thought, she decided to accept and state her desire.

It wasn't because of the saying that a gift from an elder cannot be refused, but because she genuinely had something she needed.

"Since Your Ladyship has offered, this junior will not be modest," Su Qing said.

The Queen Mother glanced at her and said, "Alright, aren't you going back? Then quickly tell me what you need."

Su Qing stopped being overly polite and stated directly, "I would like an item that can extend a lifespan."

"Oh? Specifically, what kind of item?" the Queen Mother asked, looking at her curiously.

"Any kind will do, as long as it can extend a lifespan."

"I don't understand. As a Heavenly Immortal, you shouldn't lack longevity, should you? Why do you need such a longevity-extending item?"

Su Qing smiled and explained, "I'm not asking for myself, but for the Queen of the Women's Kingdom. She is also my wife, so I hope to help her extend her lifespan a bit."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother nodded and said, "I see. That's no problem. If you wanted other things, there might be an issue, but I have plenty of longevity-extending items here. If you want it, I'll give it to you."

Su Qing immediately expressed her gratitude.

Su Qing wasn't sure how many longevity-extending items the Queen Mother possessed, but she knew that as a high-ranking immortal, the Queen Mother surely had some. That's why she chose to ask the Queen Mother for such an item. Of course, if the Queen Mother had said no, Su Qing wouldn't have pressed the issue. After all, whether to give or not was up to her.

Seeing Su Qing so happy, the Queen Mother couldn't help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm to temper it.

She said, "However, though I can give you the longevity-extending item, you cannot give it to her so soon. Mortal rulers are not permitted to achieve immortality, so as long as your wife remains Queen, you cannot give her the item."

Su Qing paused slightly at this but quickly understood the implications. She nodded and said, "This junior understands the stakes involved. Your Ladyship, please rest assured."

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "Good, as long as you understand. I also trust you won't give it to her before she abdicates. Wait here for a moment; I'll have someone fetch the item for you."

"Thank you, Your Ladyship! Your immense kindness, this junior will never forget," Su Qing thanked her again.

"Heh, if you truly mean it, why not come and chat with me more often in the future? It's rare to find a junior like you who can converse with me normally," the Queen Mother shook her head and said.

The Queen Mother's majesty was such that most juniors facing her were trembling with apprehension, unable to communicate properly. Juniors like Su Qing, who could quickly adapt to conversing with her, were truly few and far between. That's why she hoped Su Qing would come and chat with her more often. After all, she was extremely bored on a daily basis.

Upon hearing this, Su Qing naturally dared not refuse and quickly agreed with a smile.

Seeing Su Qing agree, the Queen Mother nodded, then formed a hand seal, releasing a paper crane to instruct her attendants.

The paper crane and the attendant were both swift. Su Qing didn't wait long before a fairy floated over with a small box. Upon reaching them, the fairy presented the box to the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother took the box and dismissed the attendant. Once the attendant had left, the Queen Mother took out the item from inside the box.

It was a pill the size of a thumb. The moment the pill was taken out, a rich medicinal fragrance permeated the surrounding air, exuding vibrant life force. Even the wooden chairs they had been sitting on began to sprout new shoots. This showed just how potent the item was.

"This is a Spirit Pill that can extend a lifespan by about a thousand years. You can give this to your wife then," the Queen Mother said after showing it to Su Qing, then placed the item back in the box. "The medicinal potency of this Spirit Pill is quite gentle; even a mortal won't experience any discomfort after consuming it. It's perfectly suited for your wife."

Su Qing repeatedly expressed her thanks. Although she knew the Queen Mother would give her a longevity pill, she hadn't expected such a precious item. For a moment, Su Qing felt a little embarrassed to accept it, as she had only accompanied the Queen Mother for a chat. How could she possibly be worthy of such a fine treasure?

However, Su Qing ultimately accepted it. Because she truly needed it, and because her skin was indeed thick enough.

The Queen Mother shook her head at this, saying, "I told you, there's no need to thank me so much. Just remember what you promised. Also, don't misunderstand, this item is not that precious to me; it's just a very ordinary longevity pill."

The Queen Mother's words were not tsundere remarks; she was simply stating the truth. Because this item was indeed not that precious.

Although it seemed very powerful, to the Queen Mother, it was merely a secondary product. After all, this pill could only extend a lifespan by a thousand years. The reason she kept such a secondary product was simply that its medicinal potency was gentle enough for mortals to consume.

Anything that could be consumed by mortals was, to some extent, still useful. And now, wasn't it proving its use?

Su Qing didn't overthink or say much after hearing the Queen Mother's words. She felt that, given the Queen Mother's capabilities, her words were likely true, so there was no need to say more. However, regardless, the kindness still needed to be remembered, as this item was indeed important to her.

Su Qing smiled and said, "Senior, rest assured, this junior will certainly not forget what I promised."

The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the setting sun and said, "It's good that you won't forget. Alright, aren't you going back? Then hurry back! It's getting late."

Now that everything that needed to be said had been said, the Queen Mother naturally had to see her guest off.

Su Qing quickly said, "Then this junior will take my leave. Farewell, Senior."

The Queen Mother remained silent, merely nodding and saying, "Mm, go back."

Su Qing said no more, simply leaving the Jade Pool, walking out of the palace, and finally riding her Somersault Cloud away from Kunlun Mountain.

After Su Qing left, the Queen Mother turned and sat back in her chair. The branches that had sprouted earlier were long gone, cleared away at some unknown time.

"She's gone, so stop hiding and come out," the Queen Mother said, raising her teacup and speaking to the air.

As soon as the Queen Mother finished speaking, someone emerged from the corner. It was none other than Taishang Laojun.

"You kept her here for lunch on purpose to torment me, didn't you?" Taishang Laojun said to the Queen Mother with a dissatisfied expression after stepping out. "If she didn't leave, I couldn't show myself and would have to keep hiding."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother didn't hide anything and nodded, saying, "That's right, I did it to torment you. Anyway, only a clone of yours is here, so what's the harm in a little torment?"

Taishang Laojun's mouth twitched at her words, momentarily speechless. However, he had no intention of arguing with the Queen Mother, nor did he expect an apology. He had known the Queen Mother for so many years; he understood her temperament perfectly. Thus, he wouldn't do anything so pointless.

Taishang Laojun merely gave her a speechless look, then took a clean teacup and poured himself some tea.

The Queen Mother didn't mock him, simply saying, "Tell me, will Su Qing create an Incarnation Deity in the future?"

"How would I know?" Taishang Laojun glanced at her and replied casually.

The Queen Mother said, "Aren't you quite familiar with her?"

"Familiar, yes, but that doesn't mean I know everything she thinks. Perhaps she says she doesn't want to now, but she might later? Who knows?" Taishang Laojun said resignedly. "I'm not a worm in her belly; how would I know so much about her?"

The Queen Mother was a little speechless. However, Taishang Laojun's words were indeed true.

"Never mind, if we don't know, we don't know. We'll just watch the show," the Queen Mother decided not to dwell on the matter, then turned the conversation back to Su Qing. "That girl, though, she truly is quite interesting."

Taishang Laojun merely pursed his lips upon hearing this and said, "That girl is indeed quite interesting. What, are you interested in her too?"

"I am interested, but I don't intend to snatch Patriarch Bodhi's disciple. It's enough to just call her over for a chat occasionally," the Queen Mother said calmly. "Also, I have something I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

"About the rumors concerning that girl."

"…"

On this side, Taishang Laojun and the Queen Mother were deep in an enthusiastic conversation. Meanwhile, Su Qing, riding her Somersault Cloud, was nearing the Great Emperor Zhenwu's monastery.