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

Even if some soldiers are injured during the purification process, the losses are within a controllable range and far less than the huge benefits they may bring in the future!

He vanished in a flash and returned to the main hall of the palace.

"Chu Yi!"

Ying Xuan's voice rang out.

"Chen is here!"

Chu Yi's figure appeared in the hall in an instant.

"Issue the imperial decree: Qi Jiguang is ordered to immediately lead one million imperial guards back to the capital at full speed! There must be no delay!"

"Summon Zhang San, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to come see me immediately!"

"Furthermore, issue an order to the palace: all palace guards and maids who have free time may voluntarily go to the Demon Refining Tower in the western suburbs to try to purify their distracting thoughts, temper their souls, and improve their aptitude! Those who are loyal, reliable, and resilient will be given priority!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Chu Yi bowed and accepted the order, his figure flashing away.

The order was passed on quickly.

Soon, hundreds of highly skilled and composed guards and palace maids, under Chu Yi's arrangement, arrived at the summit of Luoxia Peak in the western suburbs, in front of the golden Demon Refining Tower, filled with curiosity and trepidation.

Following the instructions, they stepped into the tower gate and were instantly enveloped in golden light, disappearing from the spot.

Inside the tower, with the addition of this elite force, the already constantly circulating purification power suddenly intensified!

The golden light on the tower became even more dazzling, and the speed at which the runes flowed increased!

A more refined and powerful force of incense and prayer began to emanate from the top of the tower!
On the stone road in Sichuan.

As Qi Jiguang was leading his army forward, he suddenly saw a streak of light fly down from the sky, transforming into a golden command token that hovered in front of him!
It was Ying Xuan's urgent military order!
"The whole army obeys the order!"

Qi Jiguang grabbed the command token, scanned it with his divine sense, his expression turned solemn, and his voice boomed like a bell.

"Halt! Rear guard to front guard! Destination—the capital! Full speed ahead!"

A million-strong army obeyed orders without question and instantly turned!
The clanging of armor and the thunderous sound of hooves propelled them along the wide stone road toward the capital!

The marching speed is several times faster than when we came!
Several days later, outside the capital city.

A million-strong army stood arrayed on the open field, banners obscuring the sun, their killing intent soaring to the heavens! Though weary from their journey, their military might was at its peak!
Chu Yi appeared before the army formation, holding the imperial edict, and spoke loudly.

"By His Majesty's decree! General Qi Jiguang, lead five hundred officers of rank and above into the palace for a banquet immediately! The rest of the soldiers shall set up camp outside the city to rest and recuperate, and shall not disturb the people!"

"The general will obey the order!"

Qi Jiguang clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.

Although he had doubts, he dared not be negligent. He immediately mustered all the officers of the rank of five hundred and above, totaling over a thousand men, and led them into the capital under Chu Yi's guidance.

Upon entering the capital, the generals were all awestruck by the sight before them. The streets were wide and clean, teeming with people, and lined with shops—a far more prosperous scene than ever before!

The air is filled with a rich spiritual energy, and you feel refreshed with every breath!
What surprised them even more was that on the west side of the palace, a giant bronze tower (the Demon Refining Tower), hundreds of meters high, with golden light flowing all over its body and exuding a majestic and sacred aura, stood tall and pierced the sky!

Faint Buddhist chants emanate from the top of the pagoda, inspiring awe in all who behold it.

"What is that?"

One of the lieutenants couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"I don't know... but it feels... sacred, and also... dangerous."

Another general frowned.

"The spiritual energy around the palace is so rich! I feel... even standing still, my internal energy is increasing!"

Someone said in surprise.

The generals discussed amongst themselves, their feelings mixed, as they passed through the palace gates and entered the main hall of the imperial palace.

Inside the main hall, the furnishings were magnificent, and the atmosphere was filled with spiritual energy.

Ying Xuan sat upright on the dragon throne, his aura as deep and unfathomable as the sea.

Below, hundreds of low tables covered with brocade were set out, with fine wine and delicacies prepared on them.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

Led by Qi Jiguang, thousands of generals knelt down in unison, their voices echoing throughout the palace.

"Flat body."

Ying Xuan's voice was calm, yet carried an invisible authority.

"Generals, you have made great contributions in your expedition to the Song Dynasty, protecting the people and the army. I am very pleased."

"This is our duty! We dare not claim credit!"

Qi Jiguang quickly bowed and said.

"Merit is merit, and fault is fault. Military merits and rewards are determined by the military cabinet and the cabinet according to the law, and rewards are given based on merits."

Ying Xuan's gaze swept over the generals.

"This banquet is to reward you all for your triumphant return! Please take your seats!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

The generals responded in unison and took their seats in order of rank.

Soon, groups of beautiful palace maids dressed in palace attire, carrying jade platters, filed in.

What's on the plate is no ordinary item! There's a translucent, icy jade lotus root that exudes a chilling aura.

There are crimson fruits, as red as fire, radiating a spiritual light.

There is a fragrant and spiritually rich monster meat soup.

Furthermore, there was a jade pot filled with mellow spiritual wine!
Every dish contains a pure and exquisite spirit!
Its quality far surpasses that of any restaurant or eatery outside the palace!

As the generals looked at the dazzling array of spiritual delicacies before them, and smelled the enticing aromas and spiritual energy, their throats bobbed and their eyes gleamed!
They knew all too well that such a rare and precious item was priceless in the outside world!
His Majesty's banquet was of such high standard and showed such great favor that it far exceeded our expectations!
"Generals, there is no need for formalities."

Ying Xuan raised his jade cup.

"This wine is brewed with century-old medicinal herbs; it can strengthen muscles and bones, and invigorate the blood and qi. Drink it!"

"Cheers!"

The generals excitedly raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp!

The spirit wine entered my throat and transformed into a warm current that instantly flowed through my limbs and bones!

The fatigue vanished instantly, and my spirits lifted! My internal energy even began to stir!
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Ying Xuan put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over the generals once more. His voice remained calm, yet carried a hidden meaning.

"Today's banquet is to reward the generals, that's one reason. Secondly, I have a matter that I need your help with."

Upon hearing this, the generals immediately put down their wine cups, sat up straight, and held their breath in concentration.

Ying Xuan raised his hand and pointed to the towering golden pagoda that reached into the clouds on the west side of the hall.

"This tower is named 'Demon Refining.' It is a national treasure that I forged. Inside the tower, the incense and impure thoughts of the people gather. They must be purified with unwavering will before they can be transformed into pure willpower to nourish the nation's fortune and stabilize the world."

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning.

"Your soldiers are all battle-hardened elites, with wills of steel far surpassing those of ordinary people! I wish to borrow your million-strong army to enter the tower and purify your distracting thoughts!"
This process, though fraught with danger, if successful, will not only greatly enhance the power of the Demon Refining Tower, but also temper the souls of you warriors, elevate your aptitude and potential, and broaden your future path in martial arts!

"Enter the tower?!"

The generals were shocked! They looked at each other in disbelief!
Although they knew that the tower was extraordinary, they never expected that His Majesty would send a million-strong army into it!

Purifying distracting thoughts? Tempering the soul? This sounds...like a myth!
Qi Jiguang stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty! This humble general dares to ask, is there any danger to our lives if we enter the tower for purification? Soldiers..."

"Have."

Ying Xuan spoke frankly.

"Those who lack willpower and have an unstable mind will suffer mental damage at best, and at worst their souls will disintegrate, turning them into walking corpses."

A deathly silence fell over the hall! The generals' expressions all changed! "Indeed!"

Ying Xuan abruptly changed the subject, his voice rising sharply, carrying an air of dominance over the world.

"Qin soldiers, survivors of countless battles, what fear do you have of mere distractions?! This is a supreme opportunity to hone your will and refine your spirit! It is also a golden chance to serve your country and achieve great deeds! I trust the soldiers you have led!"

He stared intently at Qi Jiguang.

"General Qi, your million-strong army has protected a million soldiers and civilians during the final days of the Song Dynasty, and your unwavering will is unparalleled in the entire army! This heavy responsibility is bestowed upon you alone! You... dare to accept the order?!"

Qi Jiguang's body trembled! Meeting Ying Xuan's trusting and expectant gaze, a surge of passion instantly welled up in his heart!

He thought of the gloomy sky over the Song Dynasty, the hardships and dangers during the retreat, and the oath his soldiers swore to live and die together!

"This humble general..."

Qi Jiguang suddenly knelt on one knee, his voice as firm and resolute as iron.

"I am willing to lead my million soldiers into the tower to purify my mind! To share His Majesty's burdens! To die for the Great Qin! I will brave mountains of knives and seas of fire, even unto death!"

"I am willing to share Your Majesty's burdens! I will serve the Great Qin with my life!"

Generals such as Han Xin and Lü Ze also rose to their feet, knelt on one knee, and roared in unison! The sound was like thunder, making the hall vibrate!

In the main hall of the palace, the banquet was nearing its end.

The palace maids cleared away the leftovers and served tea instead.

Ying Xuan's gaze swept over the generals below, whose blood and energy were abundant and who were full of vitality due to the spiritual wine and food. He raised his hand and pressed down, and the hall instantly fell silent.

"Generals, you have endured hardship on this long campaign. I hereby bestow upon you a small gift."

Ying Xuan's voice was calm, yet carried an air of authority.

With a slight thought, the He Shi Bi jade seal flashed!
Crash-!
In the open space in the center of the main hall, a small mountain made of huge blocks of ice appeared out of nowhere!
Inside the iceberg, frozen were the corpses of dozens of giant pythons, each as thick as a water bucket and several meters long, their bodies covered with dark golden scales!

Although the corpse was frozen, it still exuded a chillingly fierce aura and a powerful life energy!
It was the essence of the giant python that Ying Xuan brought back from another world!

"This is the flesh of a ferocious beast from another world, containing pure blood and energy, which is very beneficial for strengthening muscles and bones and increasing internal strength."

Ying Xuan said calmly.

“Each person may take ten catties and distribute them to the meritorious soldiers under his command so that they may share this item.”

A collective gasp filled the hall!

As the generals looked at the giant python's corpse and felt the fierce aura and intense energy emanating from it, their hearts pounded wildly!
Such a divine object is priceless in the outside world!

His Majesty is so generous, bestowing ten catties upon each person?! This is no small gift, it is an immense blessing!
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The generals were so excited that their faces turned red, and they all rose from their seats to kowtow, their voices trembling uncontrollably!
"Rise. After you have taken the meat, you may all withdraw. The army outside the city must be properly appeased."

Ying Xuan waved his hand.

"Your Majesty, we obey your decree! Thank you!"

The generals kowtowed in gratitude again, and then, guided by the eunuchs, they stepped forward in an orderly fashion to receive the giant python meat. Each of them handled it with utmost care, as if it were a priceless treasure, and then left the main hall with great excitement.

After the generals left, Ying Xuan stood up and addressed the remaining dozen or so core ministers in the hall, including Wang Wan, Wang Jian, Li Si, and Liu Bang.

"Come with me."

He led the way to the rear hall, passed through the corridor, and arrived at a back garden filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, imbued with spiritual energy.

The garden features pavilions, waterside terraces, artificial hills, and flowing water, all exquisitely arranged. It is also adorned with rare and exotic flowers and plants that exude a spiritual glow, clearly making it no ordinary place.

The ministers followed closely behind, their doubts growing. His Majesty had deliberately kept them behind; there must be something important on his mind.

Ying Xuan stopped in front of a pavilion, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked towards the towering Demon Refining Tower in the west, which was shimmering with golden light.

"This tower is named 'Demon Refiner'."

Ying Xuan's voice broke the tranquility of the garden.

"When I first created it, my original intention was to imprison serious criminals, purify the impure thoughts in the incense offerings, and suppress any demons or monsters that might appear in the future."

He paused, turned around, and glanced at the assembled officials with a strange look in his eyes.

"However, I have recently discovered that prisoners in the tower who can complete the 'tasks' formed by the incense and prayers within the tower can not only purify their distracting thoughts, but their souls... will also be tempered and strengthened! Their aptitude and potential will also be enhanced! Those who were once mediocre have become cultivation geniuses after entering the tower!"

"what?!"

"Soul enhancement? Aptitude improvement?!"

"This...how is this possible?!"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers were horrified! Wang Jian's eyes widened and his breathing became rapid!

As the chief minister of the military cabinet, he knew all too well what an army composed of "cultivation geniuses" meant! It was an invincible force that could sweep across the heavens and was unstoppable!

"Your Majesty! Is this true?!"

Wang Jian's voice was filled with excitement and urgency.

"If that is truly the case, I... I am willing to lead the elite troops of the Imperial Guard into the tower to test our strength! To forge an invincible iron army for my Great Qin!"

"General Wang, please calm down."

Ying Xuan raised his hand to stop him.

"The tower is dangerous; those without a strong will will die if they enter. Moreover, its effects are only beginning to show and still need to be verified."

"His Majesty!"

Liu Bang, the Chief of the Imperial Household Department, rolled his eyes, stepped forward, and bowed.

"I have a plan! Since some prisoners in the tower have been successfully purified and their souls strengthened, why not release some of them and question them in detail? Firstly, this would verify what Your Majesty said."

Secondly, it allows one to understand the dangers, time commitment, and gains and losses of the 'missions' within the tower.

Thirdly, these prisoners possess powerful souls that could potentially be of use to me, which is far better than wasting their lives locking them up in the tower!

"Lord Liu is absolutely right!"

Li Si immediately echoed this.

"This is a prudent approach! We should test it on a small scale first, and then plan a large-scale operation!"

Wang Wan and the others nodded in agreement.

Ying Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Good. Let's proceed with this plan."

With a slight thought, a divine thought instantly entered Chu Yi's mind, who was standing at a distance.

"Summon Zhang San, with my token, to the Demon Refining Tower immediately to escort... three hundred prisoners who have successfully completed ten tasks and undergone soul enhancement out of the tower! Bring them here!"

"Yes!"

Chu Yi accepted the order and vanished instantly.

"Qi Jiguang".

Ying Xuan then looked at Qi Jiguang, who was standing to the side.

"You may return to the army first and inform the soldiers of the opportunities and dangers within the tower. Any soldier who is willing to enter the tower with the goal of tempering their soul and improving their aptitude may sign up! I am giving them a chance to fight to the death!"

"The general will obey the order!"

A glint flashed in Qi Jiguang's eyes. He clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, turned around, and strode away.

He knew this would be a crucial step in transforming the million-strong Imperial Guard!
Beneath the Demon Refining Tower.

Holding a gleaming gold token inscribed with "As if the Emperor were here in person," Zhang San arrived at the tower, surrounded by more than a dozen agents from the Eastern Depot and elite members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Wang Wan, Wang Jian, Li Si, Liu Bang and other important officials, under the protection of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, followed closely behind and watched from a distance.

"By order of His Majesty! Open the tower to retrieve the people!"

Zhang San raised his token high, facing the golden, shimmering tower, and shouted loudly! (End of Chapter)