Fan Wubing nodded, sat down, and said, "I am Fan Wubing, at your service, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty?" Uncle Jing stood up, stretched his body, and said softly, "Actually, as an Immortal Disciple, you don't need to take such mundane titles so seriously."

"Then how should I address you?"

"I heard Xiaoqi made a joke at the Fan Family. She called your father 'Granduncle' when she saw him." He joked, "You can call me like that too."

Fan Wubing smiled awkwardly, "I didn't tell her in advance."

"Indeed. She was quite smart and outgoing as a child, but now she's become introverted and shy." Uncle Jing said with a smile, "Guests from outside usually call me 'Canglang Monarch'. If you find it too formal or difficult to pronounce, just call me 'Uncle Jing'."

Since the other party was so open, Fan Wubing relaxed a bit, "Uncle Jing."

Uncle Jing smiled.

Fan Wubing asked, "Does Uncle Jing usually call Manman 'Xiaoqi'?"

Uncle Jing shook his head, "Canglang Country has always been quite strict with royal etiquette. She is still a minor and has not yet received the title of princess. Even though she is my daughter, she is usually referred to as 'Seventh Princess'. 'Xiaoqi' is just a nickname I personally gave her."

"This..."

Uncle Jing chuckled, "Do you find such rules and the like inhuman?"

"Indeed."

"I think so too. But as the monarch of a country, I have to adhere to them."

Fan Wubing asked, "Does Uncle Jing not want to be the Emperor?"

Uncle Jing chuckled speechlessly, "You really don't treat me like an outsider, do you?"

Fan Wubing laughed, "Because I feel you wouldn't mind."

"Yes. Yes. It's only when talking to a cultivator like you who's not of this mundane world that I can be so relaxed." Uncle Jing's eyes showed some nostalgia, "I used to be like this too. But never mind, let's not talk about the past."

Uncle Jing looked relaxed, "You came to see Xiaoqi, right?"

"Yes, I promised her I would help address her body's issues."

Uncle Jing became serious, "But, her illness, I spent fourteen whole years without finding a solution, and even the Eternal Immortal Sect is powerless. You?"

It was hard not to doubt him, as it indeed was difficult.

Fan Wubing said, "Although it's impossible to completely cure her, there's a way to alleviate her pain."

"Indeed. I heard from the Prime Minister that Xiaoqi only truly relaxes when she's with you." Uncle Jing's eyes had a hint of ambiguity.

"I suppose… yeah." Fan Wubing felt a bit guilty.

Uncle Jing leaned forward slightly, resting his hands gently on the chair, his tone slightly urgent, "Child, is Xiaoqi worth you coming to Canglang Country to visit her personally?"

Fan Wubing paused a moment, "Uncle Jing, there's no such thing as 'worth it or not'. Manman can be considered my life-saving benefactor. No matter her status or situation, I treasure her deeply."

These were his true feelings.

Back then, when Fan Wubing was desperate not knowing how to survive past his first critical five-year threshold, the appearance of Fu Manman changed everything. Although later his father, Fan Qi, risked his life to find a solution, it didn't diminish the preciousness of Fu Manman's help to him.

"Treasure... Is it just treasure?" Uncle Jing felt inexplicably discouraged.

At this moment, he seemed less like a monarch and more like a father concerned about his daughter.

Fan Wubing understood his meaning and said, "Uncle Jing, perhaps you and the Prime Minister have been a bit too hasty?"

"Too hasty?"

"I understand, you want to see me and Manman together. But, I'm just fifteen, and she's only fourteen. We're both in our youth, just entering the Immortal Dao. I dare not say I have a vast future, but I am sure, Manman must have an extraordinary path ahead. For me, for her, shouldn't the Immortal Path come first?"

Uncle Jing looked at Fan Wubing, deeply moved, "You are more sincere than the Prime Minister and I imagined. Yes, I should have realized, primarily you are cultivators, before anything else. It's just, Xiaoqi... Xiaoqi she..."

"What's the matter with her?"

Uncle Jing smiled bitterly, "Blame me for being incapable. A Daoist once said, she won't survive past sixteen. As a father, I naturally refused to believe it. But now, I often dream of these words, dream of a certain day, Xiaoqi being swallowed by a Divine Bird. And Xiaoqi's condition worsens each day, showing no improvement, leaving us helpless."

"So, is that why Uncle Jing is so anxious about everything?"

Uncle Jing said with guilt, "Ever since Xiaoqi went to the Eternal Immortal Sect, I have been keeping an eye on her. Learning that, because of her health, she hardly interacts with others, becoming increasingly withdrawn. My heart aches, and I can't help but wonder, will my daughter have to live so miserably and lonely? So, when I heard about you and her from the Prime Minister, I was overwhelmingly joyful."

"I see..."

Fan Wubing thought, no wonder he felt somewhat overly enthusiastic towards me.

Uncle Jing continued, "After my enthusiasm cooled, I also realized... this is unfair to you. Manman's situation can only be a burden to you."

A burden?

Fan Wubing thought to himself, I wish I could stay by her side every day, absorbing her strength. However, apart from this reason, he indeed had a special feeling towards Fu Manman. It was not love, but a kind of cherishing of life, considering her as his life-saving benefactor.

Offering himself to her felt awkward to him, considering they were not yet adults...

But finding a way to solve her body's issues was something he was determined to do.

Fan Wubing spoke earnestly, "Uncle Jing may be overthinking. Actually, as far as I'm concerned, there's only one thing, Manman is my friend, and I treasure her. I don't want to see someone I treasure suffering, it's only human nature. As for the Daoist's words about not surviving past sixteen..." He laughed, "They used to say I wouldn't survive past five, but now, I'm fifteen. Fate determines the beginning, man determines the end."

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