From the fake emperor to the concubine

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment.

This matter is indeed risky, but the rewards are also substantial. Obtaining the Heavenly Origin Crystal would greatly aid his cultivation. Moreover, he also needs an opportunity to test his strength.

“Okay, I agree,” Zheng Yi said, “but I have one condition.”

"What conditions?"

"The Heavenly Origin Crystal must belong to me," Zheng Yi said. "The City Lord's Mansion can take the other treasures."

Old Li was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, it will be as you say. The Heavenly Origin Crystal is yours, and the rest belongs to the City Lord's Mansion."

“Then it’s a deal,” Zheng Yi said.

"Alright," Old Li said with a smile, "We'll depart in three days. I'll send someone to pick you up."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left.

After Old Li left, Zheng Bowen and the others gathered around.

"Master, could this be a trap?" Zheng Bowen asked worriedly.

“Possibly,” Zheng Yi said, “but we have no choice now. Staying in the City Lord's Mansion will only lead to us being controlled by them sooner or later. We might as well take this opportunity to go out and see what's going on.”

“Then let’s go together,” Liu Ruyan said.

“No,” Zheng Yi shook his head. “Your strength is too weak; you’ll only be a hindrance. You stay at the City Lord’s Mansion and wait for my news.”

"But."

“No buts.” Zheng Yi interrupted her. “This is an order.”

Liu Ruyan and the others had no choice but to agree.

Three days later, Old Li sent someone to pick up Zheng Yi.

The newcomer was a young man named Chen Feng, the nephew of City Lord Chen Tianyu. His cultivation level was at the mid-stage of the Integration Realm, which, while not exceptionally strong, was still considered outstanding among the younger generation.

"Brother Zheng, I've long admired your name," Chen Feng said, cupping his hands in greeting. "I hope you'll take good care of me on this mission."

"You're too kind," Zheng Yi said. "When do we set off?"

“Let’s go now,” Chen Feng said. “I’ve already gathered more than a dozen skilled fighters, and they’re waiting outside the city.”

Zheng Yi nodded and followed Chen Feng out of the city lord's mansion.

Upon exiting the city gate, Zheng Yi saw a dozen or so men in black waiting there. These men were all at the early stage of the Integration Realm; while not top-tier, they were still considered elite.

"These are all secret guards from the City Lord's Mansion," Chen Feng explained, "specifically responsible for carrying out special missions."

“Not bad.” Zheng Yi nodded.

The group flew through the air, heading towards the abandoned mine.

Along the way, Chen Feng introduced the situation of the mine to Zheng Yi.

"That mine is called the 'Mysterious Iron Mine,' and it used to be one of the city lord's largest assets. Later, it was abandoned because the mine was depleted. Unexpectedly, a treasure has recently appeared there, attracting a large number of cultivators."

"Who are those bandits?" Zheng Yi asked.

"They call themselves 'Black Wind Stronghold,' the largest bandit gang near Qingyun City," Chen Feng said. "The leader is called Black Wind Ancestor, an old monster in the early Mahayana stage. This guy is ruthless and merciless, a thorn in the side of the City Lord's Mansion."

"Since he's a thorn in our side, why didn't we get rid of him sooner?" Zheng Yi asked.

Chen Feng smiled wryly, "It's not that I don't want to get rid of him, it's that I can't. Although Old Ancestor Black Wind's cultivation level isn't high, he's extremely cunning. Every time the City Lord's Mansion sends people to eliminate him, he manages to get wind of it beforehand and escape. Moreover, he's colluding with the people of the Town Guard, so the City Lord's Mansion can't pursue the matter too much."

"Are they colluding with the Town Administration Bureau?" Zheng Yi frowned.

“Yes,” Chen Feng said. “It’s said that Black Wind Stronghold pays tribute to the Town Administration Bureau every year as protection money. So the Town Administration Bureau turns a blind eye to their actions, and sometimes even tipes them off.”

Zheng Yi snorted coldly. The Town Guard was truly omnipresent; even bandits were colluding with them.

"Our mission this time is to capture Black Wind Ancestor in one fell swoop while he's at the mine," Chen Feng said. "The mine's terrain is complex; he has no way to escape."

"I hope so," Zheng Yi said.

After flying for about two hours, a desolate mountain range appeared before them.

The mountain range was barren, covered only in black rocks, and looked extremely desolate. In the center of the mountain range was a huge mine, its entrance pitch black and its bottom unseen.

"This is it," Chen Feng said. "The Xuan Iron Mine."

Zheng Yi probed the mine with his divine sense and discovered numerous auras within. The strongest of them was indeed at the early stage of the Mahayana realm, which should be the Black Wind Ancestor.

"The people from Black Wind Stronghold are all inside," Zheng Yi said. "There are about thirty or forty of them, mostly at the Nascent Soul stage, and a few at the Integration stage. The Black Wind Ancestor should be deep inside the mine."

"Brother Zheng's spiritual sense is truly powerful," Chen Feng exclaimed in amazement. "He can sense things from this far away."

“Let’s go,” Zheng Yi said. “Before they spot us, let’s take care of the people on the perimeter.”

The group nodded and quietly approached the mine.

Several Black Wind Stronghold sentries guarded the entrance to the mine. These men were all at the Nascent Soul stage, highly vigilant, and constantly aware of their surroundings.

“I’ll take care of them,” Chen Feng said in a low voice.

He flashed forward, appearing behind the sentries like a ghost. With a flick of his dagger, several sentries had their throats slit before they could even raise the alarm.

"Well done," Zheng Yi praised.

The group filed into the mine.

The mine was dark, and the air was filled with a musty smell. Some luminous minerals were embedded in the walls, barely enough to illuminate the way forward.

After walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a huge space appeared ahead.

Twenty or thirty bandits from Black Wind Stronghold were gathered in that space, sitting together drinking and eating meat, completely unsuspecting.

"Move!" Zheng Yi gave the order.

More than a dozen guards attacked simultaneously, unleashing a barrage of spells and supernatural powers upon the bandits.

"Enemy attack!"

The bandits were terrified and rushed to their feet to fight. But they were completely unprepared and no match for the guards' attacks.

In the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea, most of the bandits were wiped out. The remaining few, seeing that things were not going well, turned and ran, intending to report to the Black Wind Ancestor.

"Trying to run? Not so easy." Zheng Yi flashed forward, blocking their path.

With a single, dazzling sword strike, he killed all the bandits.

“Let’s continue exploring,” Zheng Yi said.

The group continued forward along the mine shaft. They encountered several more groups of bandits along the way, but they easily dealt with them all.

Finally, they reached the deepest part of the mine.

There was an even larger space, hundreds of feet in diameter. In the center of the space was a huge crystal, radiating a dazzling light. That light contained a rich spiritual energy, which made people feel refreshed and relaxed upon seeing it.

"That's the Heavenly Origin Crystal!" Chen Feng exclaimed excitedly.

Zheng Yi's gaze fell on the Heavenly Origin Crystal, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. The Heavenly Origin Crystal was larger than he had imagined, more than a meter tall, and its value was immeasurable.

But he quickly averted his gaze and looked at the group of people beside the Heavenly Origin Crystal. There stood more than a dozen experts from the Black Wind Stronghold, led by an old man dressed in black robes. The old man had a withered face, sinister eyes, and exuded a chilling aura.

It was none other than the Black Wind Ancestor.

"Hmph, you came so quickly," Old Ancestor Black Wind sneered. "I thought you were going to dawdle for ages."

"You knew we were coming?" Chen Feng's expression changed.

“Of course I know,” said the Black Wind Ancestor. “I have connections within the Town Commandery; I know everything you do.”

"Damn the Town Commandery!" Chen Feng gritted his teeth.

"But it doesn't matter anyway." A ruthless glint flashed in Old Ancestor Black Wind's eyes. "Since you've delivered yourselves to our doorstep, don't even think about leaving alive. Brothers, kill them all!"

"kill!"

The experts from Black Wind Stronghold attacked in unison, rushing towards Zheng Yi and his group.

"Charge!" Zheng Yi gave the order, and the guards rushed forward.

The two sides clashed fiercely in the mine. The guards were quite strong, but the Black Wind Stronghold had more men, and for a time the battle was evenly matched.

Zheng Yi did not participate in the melee, but walked straight towards the Black Wind Ancestor.

“Black Wind Ancestor, your opponent is me,” Zheng Yi said coldly.

"Oh? Just you, a mere late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?" Old Ancestor Black Wind chuckled contemptuously. "Very well, let this old man teach you what the power of the Great Ascension stage truly is."

He struck out with his palm, and a terrifying force swept over.

Zheng Yi neither dodged nor evaded, but met the attack with his own sword.

boom--

Their attacks collided, unleashing a deafening roar. A powerful shockwave swept outwards, shattering the surrounding rocks.

"Hmm?" Old Ancestor Black Wind's expression changed slightly.

He thought he could knock Zheng Yi back with one palm strike, but he didn't expect the other party to actually take it head-on and seem to be unharmed.

"Interesting," Old Ancestor Black Wind sneered. "It seems you're no ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. But do you think you can contend with me like this? Too naive!"

He attacked again, this time with even greater ferocity. His palm strike transformed into a black dragon, roaring as it charged towards Zheng Yi.

"Space-Time Sword Technique - Rift!"

Zheng Yi unleashed a sword strike, its light dazzling and containing terrifying spatial and temporal power.

The sword light collided with the black dragon, cleaving it in two. Its momentum undiminished, it aimed directly at the Black Wind Ancestor.

Black Wind Ancestor was shocked and hurriedly tried to dodge. But the sword light was too fast, and he couldn't avoid it at all.

puff--

The sword flashed across his shoulder, leaving a deep wound.

"You...you actually managed to injure me?!" Old Ancestor Black Wind stared at his wound in disbelief. "Just who are you?"

"Just a nobody," Zheng Yi said calmly. "But killing you is enough."

He attacked again, his sword flashing repeatedly.

Black Wind Ancestor fought with all his might, but his strength was far inferior to Zheng Yi's. He was injured in every encounter.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Old Ancestor Black Wind was covered in wounds and his aura had weakened to the extreme.

"No, impossible." He stared at Zheng Yi in disbelief. "You're clearly only at the late stage of the Integration Realm, how can you be so strong?"

“Because you are too weak,” Zheng Yi said.

He raised his longsword, preparing to deliver the final blow to the Black Wind Ancestor.

"Wait!" the Black Wind Ancestor cried out in terror, "I surrender! I'll give you all my treasures, just spare my life!"

"Surrender?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Too late."

As the sword light fell, the head of the Black Wind Ancestor flew into the air.

The leader of Black Wind Stronghold, who had wreaked havoc in the area, died by Zheng Yi's sword.

Upon seeing the death of the Black Wind Ancestor, the bandits of Black Wind Stronghold immediately lost their morale and surrendered one after another.

The battle ended in a complete victory for the city lord's mansion.

After the battle, Zheng Yi walked up to the Heavenly Origin Crystal and put it into his storage bag.

"Brother Zheng is truly amazing," Chen Feng said sincerely as he approached. "The Black Wind Ancestor, a cultivator at the early stage of the Mahayana realm, was actually killed by you with such ease; it's simply unbelievable."

“He’s too weak,” Zheng Yi said calmly.

In truth, he knew that it wasn't that Black Wind Ancestor was too weak, but rather that he himself had become stronger. After breaking through to the late stage of the Integration Realm, his strength had undergone a qualitative leap. With the enhancement of the Spacetime Laws, dealing with ordinary early-stage Mahayana cultivators was no longer a problem.

“Let’s go back,” Zheng Yi said. “The matter here has been resolved.”

Chen Feng nodded and led everyone out of the mine.

After returning to Qingyun City, Chen Feng reported the mission's progress to Elder Li.

When Elder Li heard that Zheng Yi had easily killed Black Wind Ancestor, his expression became complicated.

"This Zheng Yi is even stronger than I imagined," Old Li thought to himself.

He had initially thought that although Zheng Yi was exceptionally talented, he was only at the late stage of the Integration Realm and would struggle against an early stage Mahayana cultivator. He hadn't expected Zheng Yi to win so easily, which meant his strength was already comparable to that of an average early Mahayana cultivator.

"It seems we need to reassess his value." Old Li squinted, deep in thought.

He originally planned to use this mission to test Zheng Yi's strength. If Zheng Yi was not up to the task, he would "die unexpectedly" during the mission and then take the opportunity to seize his Hunyuan Jade Pendant.

But now it seems that this plan won't work. Zheng Yi is too strong; to deal with him, we would have to send out a powerhouse at the mid-stage of the Mahayana realm or above.

"But this is for the best," Old Li thought to himself. "The stronger he is, the more helpful he will be to my plans."

A meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Young friend Zheng, you've done a great job," Old Li said with a smile. "The Black Wind Stronghold has been wiped out, and everyone in the City Lord's Mansion is very grateful to you."

"Mr. Li, you're too kind," Zheng Yi said. "This is our agreement; I'm merely fulfilling a promise."

"By the way, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you," said Old Li.

"What's up?"

"It's like this," Elder Li said in a low voice, "I recently discovered the entrance to a secret realm. It's said that this realm contains the inheritance of an ancient powerful being, priceless indeed. However, the realm is protected by restrictions, requiring at least the strength of the early Mahayana stage to enter. I'd like to invite young friend Zheng to explore it together. What do you think?"

A hidden realm? An ancient legacy?
Zheng Yi's eyes lit up.

If he truly possesses an ancient inheritance, it would undoubtedly be of great help to his cultivation. Moreover, he urgently needs to improve his strength to prepare for his future journey to the core region of the Tianyuan Domain.

“Okay,” Zheng Yi nodded. “When do we depart?”

"No rush," Elder Li said. "The entrance to that secret realm hasn't fully opened yet; it will take about a month. During this time, young friend Zheng can rest well and adjust his condition." (End of Chapter)