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

"His Majesty!"

Yaoyue's voice, filled with stubbornness, pierced through the palace gates.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, request an audience!"

The palace doors opened silently.

Ying Xuan sat cross-legged on the futon, looking at them calmly.

"His Majesty!"

Inviting the moon to take the lead, she looked directly at Yingxuan.

"The Demon Refining Tower tempers the soul, a supreme opportunity! Why does His Majesty allow the inner guards, palace maids, and even court officials to enter, but forbid us, the concubines and palace maids, from doing so? Could it be... that His Majesty has grown tired of us and does not wish for us to improve our strength and follow him?"

Her voice was clear and sharp, carrying a questioning tone, yet also revealing a barely perceptible sense of grievance and fear.

Ying Xuan looked at them, his gaze deep.

He spoke slowly, his voice calm and even.

"The dangers within the tower are far beyond your current capabilities. The incense offerings and distracting thoughts directly target the deepest desires of the human heart; a single misstep could lead to utter ruin. I do not wish for you to take such risks."

"But how were they allowed to go?!"

Lianxing couldn't help but point in the direction of the tower.

"Their cultivation level is not as high as ours!"

"They are soldiers, they are pawns."

Ying Xuan said calmly.

"Soldiers should be tempered on the battlefield, breaking through the barriers of life and death. And you..."

His gaze swept over the women, gentle and warm.

"They are my close associates. Your path is not to fight for your lives in the tower, but to cultivate quietly under the Jianmu tree. The Primordial Limitless Body is the foundation of the Great Dao. If your foundation is not solid, entering the tower rashly will bring more disaster than fortune."

He paused, his tone authoritative.

"Refining within the tower is a quick method, but it inevitably leads to a weak foundation. You, on the other hand, cultivate the techniques personally passed down by me, which provide a solid foundation and limitless potential."

Once the Jianmu tree is nourished by spiritual energy and its foundation is solid, its future achievements will far surpass those of those who achieve rapid progress within the tower. Impatience and haste will only damage your foundation. Focus on cultivation, and your own destiny will unfold.

The women exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this. His Majesty's words seemed to make sense.

They had heard that the tower was dangerous.

While the tempering of the soul is tempting, attempting it rashly without a solid foundation carries immense risk.

His Majesty's refusal to let them go seems... to be for their protection?

"But……"

Biyao wanted to say something more.

"No buts."

Ying Xuan interrupted her, her tone softening.

"At the summit of the giant tree, the spiritual energy is unparalleled in the world. You may cultivate here in peace, and I will personally guide you. Once you have achieved a minor success in the Primordial Limitless Body and your foundation is solid, I will make further arrangements. Do not waste this uniquely blessed environment."

He waved.

"Go. Focus on your cultivation and don't overthink things."

As the women looked into Ying Xuan's calm and profound eyes, their dissatisfaction and anxiety were gradually replaced by a strange sense of peace.

Your Majesty... in the end, you were thinking of them.

They bowed silently, left the main hall, and walked towards the towering Jianmu tree.

The hustle and bustle and golden light outside the tower seemed less dazzling.

Ying Xuan's gaze swept over the group of imperial concubines and palace maids, including Yao Yue, Lian Xing, and Bi Yao, whose faces were filled with grievance. The desire for power and the resentment towards "injustice" in their eyes were clearly visible.

He spoke calmly and in a steady voice.

"The Demon Refining Tower is filled with the most primal desires, fears, greed, and obsessions of hundreds of millions of people, which are transformed into incense-filled distractions. Those who enter the tower must use their own will as a furnace and their mind as an anvil to directly confront the erosion and interrogation of these distractions."

He paused slightly, his gaze sharpening.

"This process is extremely dangerous. If one's will falters even slightly, or one's mind wavers even slightly, one will be corrupted by distracting thoughts. At best, one's spirit will be damaged and one's foundation for cultivation destroyed. At worst, one's mind will be lost, one's soul will disintegrate, and one will become a madman who only knows how to talk nonsense, or even... die on the spot and one's cultivation will be destroyed!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Zhi's face turned pale instantly. She suddenly remembered that her brother Lü Ze had also entered the tower, and said urgently.

"Your Majesty! If it's so dangerous, then what about my brother and the others..."

Ying Xuan raised his hand, interrupting her.

"I have informed all those who enter the tower of the risks involved; it is their own choice. Fighting for one's life on the battlefield is one thing, and tempering one's mind in the tower is another. To gain extraordinary power, one must endure extraordinary pain and take extraordinary risks. This is the natural order of things."

Lianxing and Biyao were shocked by the words "soul disintegration" and "instant death." Although they knew there were risks, they did not expect it to come to this! Lianxing's voice trembled slightly.

"Your Majesty, what is the exact mortality rate in the tower?"

"To date, more than one million people have entered the tower, of whom thousands have completely fallen into its mortal state, their souls and spirits utterly destroyed."

Ying Xuan's tone was calm, yet heavy.

"And as the mission progresses, distractions become stronger, dangers increase, and more people will perish."

Biyao gasped, exchanging a glance with Lianxing, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

They had only seen the power of Wang Li and the others after they left the tower, but they never imagined that behind that power lay such cruel elimination and sacrifice!
"His Majesty!"

Biyao couldn't help but say.

"Knowing how dangerous it is, why not stop it immediately? Summon the people in the tower, especially... especially the important officials and generals in the army! Their safety is crucial to the stability of the empire!"

Ying Xuan looked at her and shook his head.

“It’s too late. I made it clear from the beginning that this was a voluntary journey, and their lives were left to fate. Now that they are deep inside the tower, entangled with distracting thoughts, forcibly stopping them will only cause a more severe backlash, resulting in greater casualties. Moreover…”

He glanced at the women.

"They chose to enter the tower in search of a chance to break through. If I were to forcibly intervene at this moment, it would be tantamount to cutting off their path. This is not the behavior of a benevolent ruler, and it would also chill the hearts of the soldiers and officials."

He softened his tone and looked at the women.

"I do not allow you to enter the tower not because I am stingy with opportunities, but because I do not wish you to take on such perilous journeys. You have a solid foundation and a bright future by cultivating the Primordial Limitless Body technique that I personally taught you."

Beneath this Jianmu spiritual root, bathed in spiritual rain, they cultivate in quiet contemplation. Though their progress is somewhat slow, it is safe and secure, with no danger to their lives. I... hope you will all be safe.”

He raised his hand and pointed to the towering Jianmu tree, and the pure and peaceful spiritual mist that permeated beneath it. "Moreover, I will also guide a portion of the pure incense and vows generated by the Demon Refining Tower in purifying impure thoughts and channel them into this place to aid your cultivation. Although it is not as direct as the tempering within the tower, it can still nourish your soul and enhance your cultivation, without any risk whatsoever."

Upon hearing this, the women froze in place.

The initial dissatisfaction and grievances have now been replaced by lingering fear, relief, and complex gratitude.

They finally understood that His Majesty was not belittling them, but rather paving the way for them in a more secure and caring way.

Just then, Ying Xuan frowned slightly, sensing the unusual activity within the Demon Refining Tower with his divine sense.

With a thought, the tower gate opened, and dozens of figures were sent out by a gentle force.

The leaders were Zhang San, Chu Yi, and a group of elites from the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After they landed, each of them had clear and sharp eyes, a refined aura, and their soul fluctuations were more than twice as strong as before they entered the tower!
However, their bodies trembled slightly, and their faces were flushed, as if they were "too weak to be nourished".

Zhang San was the first to come to his senses. After a brief moment of sensing himself, he was overjoyed. Then, feeling the "sluggishness" in his body, he quickly knelt on one knee facing the direction of the palace and excitedly said...

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! This servant... this servant feels a surge in soul power, and my mind has become several times sharper. The obscure and difficult parts of the cultivation methods that were previously difficult to understand are now crystal clear! My cultivation speed far exceeds that of the past!"

Chu Yi and the others also knelt down, experiencing the various mysterious sensations brought about by the enhancement of their souls, and kowtowed in unison to express their gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor!"

Ying Xuan nodded slightly.

"Your souls have grown stronger, but your bodies and meridians have not yet adapted. You need time to adjust and consolidate. From this moment on, you will withdraw from the subsequent training in the tower and meditate in the palace to stabilize your realm."

"The slave obeys the order!"

Zhang San and the others responded respectfully, their faces beaming with barely suppressed joy.

Taking this opportunity, Ying Xuan spread his voice throughout the tower and beyond.

"Effective immediately, the Demon Refining Tower has a new rule: Anyone who undergoes tempering within the tower and doubles their original soul strength will be automatically expelled from the tower, regardless of how many tasks they complete, and will not be allowed to re-enter! This is to protect your lives and prevent the disaster of soul overload and physical collapse!"

This rule was immediately imprinted into the operating principles of the Demon Refining Tower.

After dealing with this matter, Ying Xuan looked at Yao Yue, Lian Xing, and the other women again.

"Now, do you understand my intention? Zhang San and the others' souls have doubled in strength, so they need to withdraw to consolidate them. But the 'Primordial Limitless Body' that I have prepared for you is the supreme foundation-building method. It is gradual and solid, and its future potential may not be inferior to those who risk their lives in the tower."

The spiritual rain within this palace, the vitality emanating from the Jianmu tree, and the pure willpower that will soon be guided... these are all unparalleled resources, hard to find in the outside world. Focus on your cultivation here; do not covet the perilous paths within the tower.”

The women were now completely convinced and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed! I will diligently cultivate and live up to Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Ying Xuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over them before falling upon the seven immortal artifacts floating in the air, radiating a vast aura, and the eight newly forged Bagua longswords.

"The power of incense originates from the thoughts of all living beings. It is vast yet domineering, containing endless distracting thoughts and desires."

He spoke slowly, as if explaining, yet also as if talking to himself.

"Even gods and Buddhas need to use their supernatural powers, golden bodies, and long years to transform and purify the offerings before they dare to slowly absorb them."

While I am not afraid, I do not wish for myself or those around me to easily risk directly absorbing this power. Using it to refine magical artifacts and strengthen national treasures is the proper way.

Although the eight Bagua longswords were newly forged, with the infusion of a massive amount of pure willpower and chaotic energy, they were now shining brightly and radiating sword energy, reaching the pinnacle of top-tier magic weapons!

The eight swords, their energy linked together, formed a profound sword formation, and the power they emitted was faintly comparable to that of the immortal artifacts beside them!

The original seven immortal artifacts—the Demon Refining Tower, the Demon Slaying Sword, the Demon Suppressing Bell, the Bagua Mirror, the Breaking Army Halberd, the Demon Binding Rope, and the Soul Fixing Pearl—have become even more profound and terrifying after this nourishment, surrounded by immortal charm, suppressing the four extremes and eight wastelands of the Great Qin world!
Together with the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation and the Dragon Qi of the Imperial Palace, they form an unparalleled bulwark protecting the Great Qin!

Under the protection and feedback of this powerful force, the world is thriving and continues to grow.

Finally, Ying Xuan raised his hand and placed the He Shi Bi, the supreme treasure that carried the fate of the nation and connected the origin of the world, onto the altar at the highest point of the palace.

The He Shi Bi jade shone brightly, its gentle yet majestic light spreading outwards, quickly enveloping the entire capital and extending to more distant counties.

It is like an efficient and benevolent hub, gently absorbing the incense offerings and thoughts from hundreds of millions of people of the Great Qin, and giving back streams of pure, peaceful, and comforting light to all corners of the world.

Bathed in this soft light, the common people felt at peace, cultivators felt their inner demons subsiding, and all things seemed to grow in greater harmony and order. The Great Qin Empire was enveloped in an atmosphere of peace and hope.

Ying Xuan sat quietly atop the palace, his gaze piercing through layers of clouds and landing on the He Shi Bi jade, which floated above the altar and shone with a warm luster.

This precious treasure, which carries the destiny of the Qin Dynasty and connects with the origin of the world, is now gently emitting jade light, absorbing and transforming the incense offerings and thoughts from hundreds of millions of people, and then nourishing heaven and earth with its pure and gentle light.

In Ying Xuan's eyes, this was far from enough.

The Great Qin needs a stronger foundation, and it needs a true national treasure that belongs to the empire and will endure with the nation!

"The He Shi Bi jade..."

Ying Xuan whispered, his eyes shining brightly.

"Let us follow the Great Qin and together prove immortality!"

A thought struck him: he was no longer satisfied with the He Shi Bi jade merely serving as a transformation hub.

He intends to refine it completely and elevate it into a supreme immortal artifact whose fate is inextricably linked to that of the Great Qin Empire!

Deep within the imperial palace, the incense offerings and prayers, condensed from the purest and most sincere faith and wishes of hundreds of millions of people for the empire and His Majesty the Emperor, are distinct from the "turbid current" of desires and distractions within the Demon Refining Tower.

This is a vast, pure, golden torrent imbued with sincere faith!
Driven by Ying Xuan's primordial spirit, this vast and pure power of incense and vows rose from all parts of the palace, converging into a dazzling golden pillar of light, which then poured into the He Shi Bi jade on the altar!

The He Shi Bi trembled violently, emitting a clear and long hum, and its warm jade light instantly became extremely intense!

On the surface of the jade disc, the original ancient patterns seem to come alive, with the phantom images of mountains, rivers, and the common people flowing and coalescing within them.

An unprecedented, powerful aura, connected to the very bloodline of the entire Qin world, erupted from the He Shi Bi jade!

It greedily absorbs this pure imperial will power, its own spirituality is growing rapidly, and its material is undergoing a mysterious transformation, moving towards a higher level!
At that moment, Ying Xuan's mind stirred again.

The void around him rippled slightly, and seven streams of light, each with a different shape but exuding a terrifying immortal aura, suddenly appeared!

The Demon-Slaying Sword hung above his head, its blade gleaming coldly as it tore through the void.

The Demon-Suppressing Bell stands on the left shoulder, with Sanskrit characters flowing across its surface, purifying evil spirits.

The Bagua mirror hangs on his right shoulder, its light flashing like lightning, penetrating even the darkest depths.

The halberd pointed diagonally forward, its sharp edge gleaming coldly, its fighting spirit soaring to the heavens.

The Demon-Binding Rope coiled around his waist like a serpent, its shadows overlapping, imprisoning all directions.

The Soul-Stabilizing Pearl hangs in front of the chest, its warm luster stabilizing the soul.

Although the Demon Refining Tower was enormous in its original form, it had now transformed into a delicate phantom tower, hovering above Ying Xuan's palm. Golden light flowed around the tower, suppressing everything!
The seven magical treasures he had personally crafted and which had been upgraded to immortal artifacts were now fully revealed!
They surrounded Ying Xuan's primordial spirit, intertwining with immortal light, layer upon layer, forming seven indestructible and mysterious protective light shields!

Each layer of the light shield contained the ultimate power of its corresponding magical treasure, firmly protecting Ying Xuan within. (End of Chapter)