The sound of rhythmic tapping echoed through the imperial study. Ying Zheng, seated on a magnificent throne forged from pure gold, lightly drummed his fingers against the armrest.
Before him stood trusted ministers Wang Ben, Han Zhang, and Li Si, heads bowed in silence. Moments ago, Zhao Gao had detailed the events on Wudang Mountainâan account that had left the First Emperor deep in thought.
Not daring to disrupt the emperorâs contemplation, the gathered officials waited with bated breath.
âAhâ¦â
âI have long suspected that other immortal inheritances must exist,â Ying Zheng finally said, breaking the silence.
âBut even I did not anticipate that such a legacy would surface in Ming territory so soon after I acquired the
.â
He sighed, a rare tone of wistfulness slipping into his voice.
âClearly, the ancient world must have been teeming with immortals.â
Since obtaining the
, Ying Zheng had mobilized the full might of the Qin Dynasty to uncover the origins of the mysterious Chiyang Zhenren (赤é³ç人), who had left behind the scripture. Yet despite exhaustive efforts, no trace of the figureâs past could be found.
From this, Ying Zheng concluded that Chiyang Zhenren must have lived thousands of years ago, in an era he now referred to as the ancient times.
Ying Zheng could still recall the inscription on the stone tablet accompanying the sutra. It described the immense sacrifices Chiyang Zhenren had made to obtain the inheritanceâsacrifices that ultimately limited his lifespan to a mere 300 years, despite his mastery of
.
This suggested a world once brimming with immortals, where competition for such legacies was fierce.
âYour Majesty,â Li Si stepped forward cautiously, his expression grave.
âZhang Sanfeng was already a peak Earthly Immortal (
) before his ascension. Now, having embarked on the immortal path, he is capable of injuring an Earthly Immortal with a mere sound. His cultivation must have reached
.â
âAlthough Zhang Sanfeng has historically avoided political entanglements, we cannot ignore the fact that he resides within Ming territory.â
Li Siâs concern was reasonable. Having learned about the vast power of immortal cultivators directly from Ying Zheng, he understood the threat they posed. If Zhang Sanfengâs allegiance leaned even slightly toward the Ming Dynasty, the implications for Qin could be dire.
â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦..
âThere is no need for alarm,â Ying Zheng replied, a faint smile curling his lips.
âMy own cultivation will soon break into the early stage of
. Furthermore, the formations guarding Xianyang have been greatly enhanced. Even if Zhang Sanfeng himself were to march here, I would have little to fear.â
The emperorâs confidence stemmed not only from his personal strength but also from the vast resources at his disposal. The wealth of the Qin Dynasty flowed ceaselessly toward his cultivation, accelerating his progress.
In the past, he had constructed a thunder formation capable of slaying Earthly Immortals. Now, with the cityâs defences further strengthened, Xianyang stood as an impregnable fortress.
âThat matter is settled,â Ying Zheng declared firmly.
âWudang and Ming are no longer our immediate concerns. Instead, focus on stabilizing our own territory.â
His voice grew cold.
âSubdue the remnants of the Six Kingdoms. Leave no loose ends. The age of mercy is over.â
Qinâs unification of the continent had left lingering resentment among the conquered states. Ying Zhengâs earlier leniency had been an attempt to integrate these factions peacefully.
But with the rise of the immortal path, the stakes had changed. Should the remnants of the Six Kingdoms obtain an immortal inheritance, their enmity could become eternal.
Ying Zheng would not allow such a threat to persist.
âSubmit to Qin and thrive; resist, and be eradicated,â he declared.
The emperorâs resolve was unwavering. Those who submitted, like the remnants of the
after Donghuang Taiyiâs death, would be integrated into the empireâs structure. Those who resisted would meet the same fate as the sectâs defiant membersâextermination at the hands of Qinâs unstoppable army.
âYes, Your Majesty!â
Li Si, Zhao Gao, Wang Ben, and the other ministers knelt in unison, their voices resounding with loyalty.