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

The token echoes the runes on the tower!
At the bottom of the Demon Refining Tower, the once seamless tower wall silently cracked open, revealing a massive portal three zhang high! Golden light surged from within the portal, illuminating the open space in front of the tower!

Immediately afterwards, a series of heavy and orderly footsteps came from inside the tower!

Hundreds of figures, lined up in neat rows, marched out of the golden light with steady steps!

When they saw what these people looked like, everyone outside the tower, including the well-informed high-ranking officials, was dumbfounded and gasped in shock!
These three hundred-odd men were all tall and strong, with broad shoulders and thick waists! Their muscles were so bulging that their originally loose prison uniforms were stretched taut!
His skin had a healthy bronze glow, his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, he was full of energy, and his breathing was steady!
Where was even a trace of the dejection and listlessness of prisoners? They were even more ferocious than the most elite Imperial Guards!
What's even more astonishing is that the soul fluctuations emanating from them are condensed and powerful, far exceeding those of ordinary people!

It is even stronger than some martial artists who have cultivated for many years!
The leader, standing nine feet tall with broad shoulders and a burly build, was none other than Wang Li!

His gaze swept over the crowd outside the tower, finally landing on Zhang San, who held the token. He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, his voice booming.

"Prisoner Wang Li, leading 317 fellow prisoners from within the tower, has been ordered to leave the tower! Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Behind him, more than three hundred people clasped their hands and bowed in unison.

"See my lord!"

Their movements were perfectly synchronized and their momentum was overwhelming!
An invisible sense of oppression swept over me!

Suppressing his shock, Zhang Sanqiang asked in a deep voice.

"Wang Li! What's the situation inside the tower? Have you all... suffered?"

Wang Li raised his head, his eyes filled with a complex light that quickly turned into determination.

"Reporting to Your Excellency! The tower... is not a place of suffering, but... a place to refine the mind! We in the tower must complete ten 'tasks' formed from incense and distracting thoughts."

The tasks are varied and bizarre, some fulfilling others' dreams, some resolving inner obsessions, and some facing life-or-death choices... The process... is painful and agonizing, like being in purgatory! Yet, with each task completed, one feels a little clearer in mind and a little stronger in will! After completing ten tasks, the soul... is reborn!
Past sins seem like fleeting smoke, leaving only gratitude and a desire for atonement in my heart!

He paused, his voice filled with emotion.

"As for the body... the spiritual energy in the tower is abundant, and there is a daily supply of spiritual food. Although there is no freedom, it is... hundreds of times better than many places outside!"

Looking at the group of transformed and powerful "former prisoners" before him, Wang Jian's eyes flashed with a terrifying light!

He took a sudden step forward and stared at Wang Li.

"You... dare to take a single blow from me?!"

Wang Li showed no fear and stood up straight.

"General please!"

Without wasting words, Wang Jian lightly struck out with his right palm, without any trace of firepower, yet containing a terrifying palm force that had been condensed to the extreme!
Wang Li let out a low shout, neither dodging nor avoiding, and met the attack with his own palm!
boom!
A muffled thud! A shockwave rippled through the air! Wang Li staggered, taking three steps back, his face slightly flushed, but he managed to stand firm!
In contrast, Wang Jian remained motionless, but his eyes were filled with disbelief and horror!
"Excellent! Such powerful soul force! Such unwavering will!"

Wang Jian couldn't help but exclaim in admiration!
Although he didn't use his full strength, his palm strike was enough to make an ordinary innate master cough up blood and suffer serious injuries!

Wang Li, relying solely on his enhanced will and instinctive reactions, was able to withstand a single blow without falling!
The effects of this Demon Refining Tower... are simply incredible!

A glint of light flashed in Liu Bang's eyes, as if he had discovered a rare treasure.

Li Si frowned, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

Wang Wan stroked his beard, seemingly lost in thought.

Zhang San suppressed the turmoil in his heart and addressed Wang Li and the others.

"Come with me, His Majesty wishes to see you."

He turned around, nodded slightly to the high-ranking officials watching from afar, and then led the more than three hundred spirited and powerful "former prisoners" into the depths of the palace under the complex and unspoken gazes of the crowd.

The gates of the Demon Refining Tower slowly closed, the golden light still shining.

Standing before the Demon Refining Tower, Zhang San sharply scrutinized the group of transformed "former prisoners" before him.

Wang Li, who was in the lead, had a calm demeanor and sharp eyes, showing no trace of the dejection of a prisoner.

“Wang Li,” Zhang San asked in a deep voice.

"How do I trigger the quests within the tower? Are there any options?"

Wang Li clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming.

"Reporting to Your Excellency! Once inside the tower, you only need to calm your mind and focus your thoughts; that is the direction of your mission! If you seek wealth, you will encounter greed."

If you seek lust, you will encounter lewd thoughts. If you seek peace, you will encounter fear… Distracting thoughts surge like a tide, arising with every thought! Only by upholding your true self and resolving your attachments can you break free from this predicament!

"Wishing for everything... yet every step is fraught with danger..."

A glint of light flashed in Zhang San's eyes, and he instantly grasped the key point!
This Demon Refining Tower can actually sense the thoughts of those who enter the tower and generate corresponding trials!

Such profound mystery is simply unheard of!

"Wang Li!"

Zhang San's voice suddenly rose.

"Your souls are resilient, your will extraordinary, far surpassing that of ordinary soldiers! Would you be willing to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard, return to the tower, and explore more mission paths for His Majesty and for the Great Qin, drawing the 'Map of Thoughts' within the tower?!"

Wang Li's body trembled, and his eyes shone with an unprecedented light!
The Embroidered Uniform Guard! They were the emperor's personal guard, holding an extremely prestigious position! They were also the supreme honor of washing away sins and being reborn!

He suddenly knelt on one knee, his voice filled with excitement and determination.

"Wang Li, a convicted criminal, is willing to die for His Majesty! To pave the way for Great Qin! I would gladly die ten thousand times over!"

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

Behind him, more than three hundred strong men roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens!
They knew this was an opportunity to change their destiny!

Zhang San nodded in satisfaction.

"Very well! Follow me into the tower immediately! Draw up the diagrams, making sure they are detailed!"

Meanwhile, at the military camp outside the capital city.

Generals such as Qi Jiguang, Han Xin, and Lü Ze truthfully informed their soldiers about the opportunities and dangers of the Demon Refining Tower.

"Entering the tower purifies the mind and tempers the soul, potentially making one a cultivation genius! However, those with weak willpower may become mentally impaired or even lose their lives! This is a life-or-death opportunity! Those who wish to go, sign up! Those who do not wish to stay in the military camp are also welcome to do so!"

Qi Jiguang's voice resounded throughout the training ground.

After a brief silence, the drill ground erupted in cheers!

"I go!"

"Count me in!"

"Damn it! I crawled out of piles of corpses on the battlefield, what am I afraid of?!"

"Let's take a gamble! From bicycle to motorcycle! Let's do it!"

Countless soldiers waved their fists and shouted excitedly!

Veterans who have survived countless battles have no shortage of courage and fighting spirit!

The allure of becoming a cultivation genius is enough to make them disregard life and death!
Ultimately, the statistics were astonishing—of the million-strong Imperial Guard, more than 900,000 soldiers volunteered to enter the tower!

In the imperial palace's rear garden, Wang Wan, Wang Jian, Li Si, Liu Bang, and other important officials sat in a circle, solemnly reviewing the "Demon Refining Tower Mind Map," a preliminary drawing by Wang Li and others, which had been sent by Zhang San.

The map is densely marked with various task types, corresponding thoughts, levels of danger, duration, and estimated soul enhancement effects.

"Those who seek wealth are easily trapped in the illusion of greed, which can take anywhere from a few days to several months. The strengthening of the soul focuses on the perseverance of will..."

"Those who seek lust are drowning in a sea of ​​desire, facing extreme danger and easily losing their true selves. However, those who succeed have clear souls and greatly increased potential..."

"Those who seek peace must confront their fears with great courage..."

"Those who seek fame..."

"the Avengers……"

The missions are varied and diverse, with both danger and opportunity.

"This... is simply a microcosm of all aspects of human life!"

Li Si sighed.

"Your Majesty's words are true! This tower speaks directly to the human heart! If used wisely, it is truly a peerless treasure for tempering the mind and selecting talent!"

Wang Jian's eyes burned with fighting spirit.

"However, the dangers should not be underestimated."

Wang Wan frowned slightly.

"A detailed plan needs to be developed, and investments should be made in batches and at different levels, step by step."

Ying Xuan stood in the pavilion, his divine sense sweeping over the map and also over the scene of the army camp where people were shouting and clamoring to enroll.

He understood perfectly well that the people of Qin sought nothing more than a few things: wealth, sex, food, peace, fame, and offspring—simple and direct desires.

This Demon-Refining Tower inadvertently aligned with the ancient method used by gods and Buddhas to deal with the distractions of incense offerings—using the power of vows to resolve calamities, saving others as well as oneself!

"It's a pity... the world of Jade Dynasty is filled with countless incense offerings and distracting thoughts..."

A sense of regret swept through Ying Xuan's heart.

If we had known this method earlier, those distracting thoughts would have been invaluable resources for forging a million-strong army! However, it's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost!
"deliver an imperial order!"

Yingxuan's voice echoed throughout the garden.

"Anyone who voluntarily enters the tower, whether a soldier, imperial guard, palace maid, or even a high-ranking official, member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or member of the Eastern Depot, may enter! Use the diagrams drawn by Wang Li as a reference and act according to your abilities! During your time in the tower, your deputy will temporarily handle military and political affairs!"

"I will obey your orders!"

The ministers responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with eager anticipation!
The order was issued, and the entire capital city was in an uproar!
A million imperial guards set off in batches, surging towards the Demon Refining Tower!
Palace guards, maids, and even many low-ranking officials also signed up!
Wang Jian, Liu Bang, and other important officials were among the first to step through the tower gate!
The elite guards of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot followed closely behind!
Ying Xuan's divine sense, like an invisible net, enveloped the entire Demon Refining Tower.

He did not enter the tower, but sat quietly atop the palace, intently observing every change inside and outside the tower.

Millions of lives entered the tower! The complexity of their thoughts and the surge of their desires instantly ignited the accumulated distracting thoughts and desires within the tower!

The entire Demon Refining Tower burst forth with golden light, like a burning sun! The tower trembled violently, emitting a deafening hum!

Under the suppression of the "Seven Star Demon Suppression Formation" constructed by the seven magical treasures (Demon Refining Tower, Demon Slaying Sword, Demon Suppression Bell, Bagua Mirror, Breaking Army Halberd, Demon Binding Rope, and Soul Fixing Pearl), the raging torrent of distracting thoughts was forcibly restrained and diverted!
Transforming into countless fine streams, they precisely flowed into the sea of ​​consciousness of each person entering the tower!

Inside the tower, millions of lives were like millions of furnaces!
They used their own will as fire and their souls as cauldrons to frantically temper and purify the influx of incense-filled distracting thoughts!
Painful growls, resolute shouts, and confused murmurs... countless sounds intertwined, yet they revealed a resolute determination forged in fire!

A massive amount of pure incense offerings and prayers, like a golden waterfall, gushed forth from the top of the tower!

The seven magical treasures, bathed in a torrent of pure incense, emitted a joyful hum!

The runes on the tower became even more dazzling and profound, the sword's edge gleamed with cold light, the bell resounded with chanting, the mirror's light pierced through the netherworld, the halberd's edge tore through the void, the shadowy rope imprisoned all directions, and the pearly light stabilized the soul...

Their aura is surging at a visible speed! The material is transforming, and their spirituality is awakening!

An ethereal, otherworldly aura began to emanate from them!
The entire Qin world trembled violently once again! The earth stretched out, and the sky rose higher!
Outside the world's membranes, chaotic energy surged in like a flood bursting its banks!
This expansion is more rapid and more ferocious than before!
Under the suppression of seven magical treasures exuding a faint immortal aura, the expansion, though rapid, remained as stable as a rock!
The world's power is skyrocketing!
"A celestial artifact! It's complete!"

Ying Xuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light!

After absorbing a massive amount of pure incense and chaotic energy, the seven magical treasures finally broke through their shackles and ascended to become true immortal artifacts!

They are like seven pillars that stabilize the sea, firmly suppressing the foundation of the Qin world!
Inside the tower, of the millions who entered, thousands perished and turned into skeletons due to a breakdown of will or the backlash of inner demons, but the vast majority of people gritted their teeth and persevered!

Especially those high-ranking officials and generals with steely wills, such as Wang Jian and Liu Bang, as well as those battle-hardened elites, reaped enormous benefits! Their souls were repeatedly tempered, becoming crystal clear and possessing boundless potential!

They will become the true backbone of the Qin Dynasty's future!
"good!"

Ying Xuan felt much more at ease.

He raised his hand and a long sword with Bagua runes flowing across its surface and an ancient aura fell into his grasp.

It was the Bagua sword he had forged earlier.

He flicked his finger, and the Bagua Sword transformed into a stream of light, entering the Seven Star Array surrounding the Demon Refining Tower!

Once the Bagua Sword entered the formation, it connected with the energy of the other seven immortal artifacts!
A stream of pure incense smoke, purified within the tower, instantly separated and flowed into the sword!

At the same time, Ying Xuan had a thought and poured all the huge amount of incense-related distractions that had accumulated in the palace into the Demon Refining Tower!

Under the dual impact of pure incense and a torrent of distracting thoughts, the Bagua Sword trembled violently and its light surged!
Its rank is rising at an astonishing rate!
In a short while, a faint aura of immortality emanated from the sword! Another immortal artifact was born!

Not everyone is happy about this.

Deep within the palace, imperial concubines such as Yaoyue, Lianxing, Biyao, and Jin Ping'er, along with palace maids like Lü Zhi and Qu Ruo who had failed to enter the tower, were gathered in the Imperial Garden, each with a displeased expression.

Why won't His Majesty allow us to enter the tower?

Inviting the Moon's voice was cold and tinged with dissatisfaction.

"Why are we the only ones excluded from the opportunity to temper our souls and improve our aptitude within the tower?"

"Yes!"

Lianxing also pouted.

"If those guards and palace maids can go, why can't we? Does His Majesty think we lack willpower?"

"Aunt You has gone..."

Biyao's eyes were filled with resentment.

"No matter how talented we are, if we cannot be promoted, how will we follow in His Majesty's footsteps in the future?"

"Perhaps His Majesty... finds us in the way?"

Jin Ping'er spoke in a low, self-deprecating tone.

The women chattered amongst themselves, their feelings of grievance, dissatisfaction, and anxiety spreading.

As they gazed at the soaring golden light from the tower and felt the immense energy fluctuations, their hearts were filled with resentment.

They longed to become stronger, to not be left behind, and to... stand by that man's side forever!
Finally, led by Yaoyue, the women mustered their courage and arrived outside the palace where Ying Xuan was sitting in meditation. (End of Chapter)