Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

Throughout the entire process, there was no smoke or dust, no earth-shaking, only the low hum of the melting rocks and the subtle "sizzling" sound of them cooling and solidifying.

In the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the entire palace's architectural structure has been thoroughly reinforced and optimized, becoming a seamless whole without any hidden dangers.

After doing all this, Ying Xuan did not stop.

He formed hand seals again, and this time, countless mysterious runes with a pale golden light surged from his palms, rapidly spreading out and covering every inch of the entire palace and even the back mountain.

These runes blended into the air, into the bricks and stones, and into the grass and trees.

An indescribable aura of peace, tranquility, and serenity quietly spread, dispelling the remaining malevolence and bloodshed caused by the giant python's appearance, and cleansing the gloom and oppression that should have existed in the deep palace.

Being there, whether they were concubines, guards, or palace servants, everyone felt at peace, free from distracting thoughts, and even their breathing seemed to become much easier.

Immediately afterwards, Ying Xuan's eyes shone brightly, and he pressed his hands down sharply, uttering a soft shout.

"Refining!"

A more powerful and refined surge of magical energy swept across the entire palace!

This time, the material itself has been changed.

The bricks and stones of the palace walls, the beams and pillars of the palace, the stone slabs on the ground, and even the artificial rocks in the imperial garden—all the materials that make up the imperial palace underwent a fundamental transformation at this moment.

They become denser and tougher, with a warm and understated luster on their surface.

If an ordinary sword or knife were to slash at it, it probably wouldn't even leave a white mark.

At the same time, the entire palace seemed to become a huge spirit-gathering array, spontaneously and slowly absorbing the sparse energy floating in the world, making the air inside the palace exceptionally fresh.

Living here long-term can have a subtle but profound effect on improving the physical condition of ordinary people.

Thus, the new imperial palace, built at great expense and with the mobilization of countless laborers, finally became, under Ying Xuan's skillful manipulation, an impregnable, spiritually vibrant, peaceful, and tranquil imperial residence.

"All right."

Ying Xuan withdrew his magic power, his aura returning to normal, as if his earth-shattering actions were merely casual.

He turned to the concubines and palace servants behind him who were still in shock.

"Disperse, everyone. Go back to your palaces and rest. Chu Yi, keep a close eye on the python meat soup matter."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Everyone seemed to wake from a dream and hurriedly bowed in response.

With complex and indescribable feelings—awe of the supernatural powers, anticipation of the python meat, and hope for the future—the concubines, surrounded by palace maids, returned to their temporary quarters.

As night deepened, the newly completed palace stood quietly, illuminated by the stars, moon, and palace lanterns, exuding an aura of restraint and majesty that was completely different from that of the daytime.

The next day, the sky was clear and the air was clear.

The huge square in front of the new palace was already bustling with people.

Almost all the nobles and relatives of the Qin dynasty, as well as the civil and military officials in the capital, were present, and they all brought their female relatives and nephews.

Everyone's face was beaming with joy, dressed in festive attire, exchanging greetings and clasping hands in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Today is the auspicious day of the new emperor moving to his new palace, and it is also a perfect opportunity for these ministers to express their congratulations to the emperor and the empresses in the harem.

On one side of the square, under a temporary awning, dozens of eunuchs were busy registering and receiving congratulatory gifts from various families.

Gold, silver, pearls, jade, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, rare medicinal herbs, and exotic treasures from overseas were displayed in abundance, piled up like mountains, all of which demonstrated the identity and sentiment of the presenter.

The guards of the Eastern Depot, on the other hand, maintained order and guided the flow of people with smiles on their faces, their attitude much gentler than usual.

"Oh, Lord Wang, you've arrived too!"

"Minister Li, congratulations! The completion of His Majesty's new palace is a blessing for our Great Qin!"

"Judging by the grandeur of this palace, it is indeed extraordinary! There even seemed to be auspicious light surrounding it last night!"

"I heard that the Imperial Kitchen received some rare and precious ingredients as a gift from His Majesty last night. We're in for a treat at today's banquet!"

The crowd was buzzing with discussion and eagerly awaiting the outcome.

When Ying Xuan, dressed in casual clothes and surrounded by Chu Yi, Cao Zhengchun, and several close attendants, appeared on the high steps of the palace gate, the thousands of people in the square fell silent instantly, as if a mute button had been pressed.

Immediately afterwards, everyone knelt down in unison, and their congratulations resounded through the sky:

"Your Majesty, we offer our congratulations on moving to your new palace! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Ying Xuan calmly swept his gaze across the dark crowd below and slightly raised his hand.

"Rise, my lords. This is a family banquet; there is no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone then stood up, their smiles growing even wider.

Ying Xuan's gaze moved slowly through the crowd, as if searching for something.

Soon, his brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

With his eyesight and divine sense, he instantly confirmed that almost all the members of the imperial family, nobles, civil and military officials, and their families were present, except for one person who was absent.

Prince Huhai.

The youngest son of the First Emperor, Ying Xuan's half-brother, did not appear at this grand occasion.

Standing slightly behind Ying Xuan, Li Si keenly caught the fleeting pause in the emperor's gaze.

He took a small half-step forward, lowered his voice, and reported in a volume that only the two of them could hear.

"Your Majesty, Prince Huhai... is unable to come and congratulate Your Majesty on your housewarming due to a recurrence of an old injury that makes him unable to walk."

He felt deeply ashamed and specially ordered his chief secretary to present congratulatory gifts on his behalf, along with a memorial to apologize.

As he spoke, Li Si took out a silk scroll from his sleeve and respectfully presented it with both hands.

Ying Xuan did not take the memorial, but simply asked a question.

"How is his leg?"

Li Si's voice was even lower, tinged with caution.

"Your Majesty, according to the Imperial Physician, the young master's leg bones are completely shattered, an irreversible and severe injury. Although he has received the best possible treatment and his life is no longer in danger, he may never be able to stand or walk again."

Ying Xuan remained silent for a moment.

He naturally knew where this "old wound" came from.

That was interrupted by the First Emperor himself in a fit of rage after learning that Huhai had been involved in framing him.

The Emperor's wrath was the most severe punishment for Hu Hai.

"Ah."

Ying Xuan responded with a sound that revealed neither joy nor anger.

"Since he is unable to walk, let him rest peacefully in his residence. Issue my decree to exempt him from all future court assemblies and celebratory ceremonies. As for his fiefdom..."

Ying Xuan paused, then looked into the distance.

"We'll decide after the cabinet approves the new system. Perhaps it's time to take it back." Li Si's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed.

"Sir, obey the order."

He understood that His Majesty's few casual words had almost determined Hu Hai's fate for the rest of his life—imprisonment in his residence, rendering him practically useless, and even the possibility of losing his last fiefdom and estate.

This is more thorough than any public punishment.

He carefully put away Hu Hai's memorial of apology, took a step back, and said no more.

The atmosphere in the square remained lively. Officials, accompanied by their families, began to pass through the palace gates in an orderly fashion, preparing to enter the palace where the banquet would be held.

The women, filled with excitement and trepidation, eagerly awaited their audience with the imperial concubines.

No one noticed the brief conversation on the high platform, and no one knew that the once illustrious prince Huhai had completely disappeared from the power map of the empire.

The completion of the new palace marked the beginning of a brand new era for the Qin Empire, one that was completely dominated by Emperor Ying Xuan.

Ying Xuan's gaze slowly swept over the noble officials and their families in the square, who were beaming with joy and bowing respectfully.

These people, whether sincere or not, have gathered here to celebrate his move to the new palace.

The Qin dynasty was originally passed down to Ying Xuan by his father, the emperor; this was a matter of course.

As for that twentieth prince? Ying Xuan's mind was filled with indifference.

He had read through many history books from around the world, but had never seen that name leave the slightest trace in the succession to the throne.

Now, Ying Xuan's throne is as stable as Mount Tai, and his prestige in the hearts of his subjects has long surpassed that of his father in the past, and no one can shake it in the slightest.

Looking at these officials, some with white hair and others with their families, who had traveled from afar, Ying Xuan felt a strange sense of unease.

Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss and waste money just to congratulate him on moving?

Although he was the emperor, he felt that it was a bit of an overreaction.

This subtle emotion began to subtly influence his behavior after the banquet officially started.

Inside the grand palace, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, accompanied by graceful dances. Long tables were laden with delicacies and exquisite wines.

Ying Xuan sat in the main seat, accepting round after round of toasts and compliments from his ministers.

He maintained an imperial demeanor, but his chopsticks moved faster than usual, as if he wanted to swallow his nameless frustration along with the food.

Just then, a group of eunuchs carefully carried a huge tray covered with bright yellow brocade and walked steadily down to the foot of the imperial steps.

The head eunuch, Cao Zhengchun, personally stepped forward, unveiled the brocade, and an indescribable fragrance instantly filled the air, overpowering all the aromas of wine and meat in the hall.

The aroma carries a faint sweet and fishy scent, yet it also contains a powerful sensation that invigorates the spirit and subtly stirs the blood.

On the tray, slices of meat, translucent and as thin as cicada wings, are neatly arranged.

The slices of meat had a strange pale golden color, with slightly curled edges, as if they contained some kind of flowing luster, making them look particularly tempting under the brilliant lights of the hall.

"Your Majesty, this is 'Golden Scales and Jade Slices,' carefully prepared by the Imperial Kitchen. Please enjoy it."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and reported.

Ying Xuan nodded slightly.

He naturally knew what it was.

He extended his jade chopsticks, casually picked up a piece of the pale golden python meat, and put it in his mouth.

The slices of meat melted in my mouth, without any of the expected fishy smell. Instead, they had an indescribable sweet and refreshing taste, like the purest mountain spring.

Just as the sweetness melted away, a violent and scorching torrent suddenly exploded in his abdomen!

This heat, like surging magma, instantly rushed into every part of my body!

Ying Xuan felt his meridians suddenly swell, and the basic internal energy that was originally flowing slowly in his dantian and sea of ​​qi instantly boiled and expanded!

An overwhelming sense of power filled my entire body, and every cell cheered and greedily absorbed this extremely pure energy.

The effect... Ying Xuan was slightly shocked. It far surpassed his months of arduous training!

The spiritual energy contained in the flesh and blood of this otherworldly giant python is incredibly beneficial to mortal martial artists!
This force came too swiftly and overwhelmingly.

After just one piece of meat, the burning sensation filled my entire body, bringing a strong feeling of fullness, as if my body would burst if I ate one more bite.

Ying Xuan immediately put down his jade chopsticks, closed his eyes, concentrated, and circulated his inner energy, guiding the heat to slowly flow through his meridians, refining and absorbing it.

He opened his eyes and looked down.

There was silence in the hall.

Everyone was drawn to the strange aroma of the meat, their eyes fixed intently on the small dish of pale golden meat slices—about two or three pieces—that the eunuch had just distributed to them on their desks.

Many people's Adam's apples bobbed and their eyes were fixed on the food, clearly aroused by the unprecedented delicacy.

But when they eagerly picked up a piece and put it in their mouths, their reaction was almost identical to Ying Xuan's.

First, he was intoxicated by the indescribable deliciousness, then his face suddenly turned red, the veins on his forehead throbbed, and his eyes showed a look of shock and disbelief!
Immediately following was a forced, suppressed gasp and the action of putting down the chopsticks.

"What... what kind of meat is this? One slice is equivalent to half a month of my hard training!"

A military officer exclaimed in a low voice, his voice trembling.

"Such potent medicine! My blood and qi are surging, and my internal energy is stirring!"

Another elderly man, who looked like a civil official, couldn't help but whisper. He felt that the bottleneck in his internal energy, which had been stagnant for many years, seemed to have loosened.

"I can't take another slice..."

Many others patted their bellies, their faces showing a mixture of satisfaction and regret.

Ying Xuan saw it clearly.

The vast majority of people, including those military generals who usually had enormous appetites, looked uncomfortable after eating one piece and forced themselves not to eat a second one.

Only a very few people, either with special physical constitutions or truly profound internal strength, managed to swallow the second piece, but they immediately stopped eating, closed their eyes to regulate their breathing, and dared not touch the third piece.

What's even more interesting is that almost everyone, after realizing they couldn't eat anymore, subconsciously made the same gesture.

They quickly and casually tucked the remaining slices of meat from the plate into their pockets or pockets, concealing them with a handkerchief or even their sleeves.

Their movements were swift, and their eyes were alert, as if they were guarding some priceless treasure.

Ying Xuan's gaze swept across the crowd, paying particular attention to those who, faced with immense temptation, could restrain their greed, eat only one piece before decisively stopping, and quickly hiding the remaining pieces of meat.

These people have clear eyes, steady movements, know how to assess the situation, and understand the principle of slow and steady progress.

He memorized each of these faces. The ability to remain clear-headed and restrained in the face of temptation—that's true talent.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the plate of meat on his desk, which had also only been partially touched, and a very subtle smile suddenly appeared on his lips, carrying a hint of self-mockery.

If his father were still alive, seeing him so "generously" distribute such rare and precious spiritual meat to his ministers, he would probably be furious and call him a "spendthrift son."

The thought flashed through his mind, but Ying Xuan composed himself and cleared his throat. (End of Chapter)