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

Aptitude! This is the fundamental aptitude that cultivators dream of, determining their future cultivation level! Their original aptitude was considered excellent in the Great Qin Dynasty, but if placed in the Heavenly Star Realm, they would probably barely qualify as outer disciples.

But now, thanks to His Majesty's heaven-defying methods, their aptitude has leaped to the level of "geniuses" that would be considered top-tier in any cultivation world!
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Yaoyue struggled to stand up and bow, her voice hoarse with excitement and weakness. The other women also looked over, their eyes filled with endless gratitude, admiration, and a deeper sense of belonging and fervor.

This blessing is like a second life!
Seeing their excited expressions, Ying Xuan finally revealed a faint, genuine smile.

These women were his important assistants in controlling the harem, balancing the court, and monitoring the world. The stronger their loyalty and power, the more advantageous it was for him.

This investment was worthwhile.

"Alright, the benefits have been given. Go back and consolidate them well, and cultivate diligently. Do not disappoint my expectations."

Ying Xuan waved his hand, indicating that they could leave and rest.

The women struggled to their feet, their legs still a little weak, but they still performed a deep bow with utmost respect. Then, supporting each other, they left the side hall with indescribable excitement.

The hall returned to silence, leaving only the fire-attribute imperial guard who had just caught his breath and was still somewhat bewildered, and the lingering scent of spiritual energy mixed with a faint woman's fragrance in the air.

Ying Xuan ignored the Imperial Guard and his mind raced again.

"Chu Yi".

"Chen is here!"

Chu Yi, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, dressed in black and with an aura as elusive as a shadow, appeared like a ghost in the shadows of the corner of the palace and knelt on one knee.

"Issue my imperial decree. Summon the three Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet, the Ministers of the Six Ministries, the Grand Secretary of the Military Council, the eight Deputy Commanders-in-Chief, Liu Bang, the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, and the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate to the palace for an audience immediately."

Ying Xuan gave the order, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable air.

"Tell them that I have a great benefit to share with my important ministers."

Chu Yi was startled and immediately accepted the order.

"According to the order!"

The figure quietly faded away.

Just as Ying Xuan was in the palace preparing to extend the "spiritual root benefits" to the most core civil and military officials of the Great Qin, more than a dozen disciples of the Tianxing Sect, whose cultivation was between the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages and whose talents were mostly three spiritual roots, disappeared silently without anyone noticing at the temporary base of the Tianxing Sect and its surrounding area, which was far away on the edge of the wilderness and had just begun to disperse.

It was as if they had never existed. The steward in charge of counting the number of people at the camp, in the midst of the chaotic relocation, simply assumed that these disciples had left in advance or were exploring outside and had not yet returned, and did not investigate further, only making a simple record.

Inside another, even more magnificent and solemn palace in the royal palace.

The Qin Dynasty's top officials, who were urgently summoned, included the three Grand Secretaries: Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Li Si, and Zhang Juzheng; the Ministers of the Six Ministries; Wang Jian, the Chief Military Advisor; eight Deputy Commanders including Qi Jiguang; Liu Bang, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department; and the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, totaling more than twenty people, all gathered together.

They didn't know why His Majesty had suddenly summoned them so urgently, but the words "immense benefit" carried great weight coming from Chu Yi, making even these seasoned officials feel a sense of anticipation and curiosity.

Ying Xuan sat high on his throne, without exchanging many pleasantries, and directly raised his hand, pointing at the crowd below.

Hundreds of clusters of spiritual essence light, extracted and purified from the bodies of the second batch of "disappeared" Tianxing Sect disciples, floated above the main hall like a sky full of stars. Then, under Ying Xuan's control and the suppression of the world's power, they split into more than twenty slightly thicker streams of light, which accurately shot towards the foreheads of each important minister!

"His Majesty?!"

Everyone was startled, but out of absolute trust in Ying Xuan and out of a sense of duty as subjects, no one dared to dodge or resist.

The light flowed into their bodies, causing them to experience the same pain that the women had gone through before! Even figures like Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng and Wang Jian, who had been through countless life-and-death ordeals, turned pale instantly in the face of the excruciating pain that originated from the source of their lives. Their muscles tensed, veins bulged on their foreheads, and they clenched their teeth tightly to avoid crying out in pain.

Li Si, Zhang Juzheng, and other civil officials let out a muffled groan, their bodies swaying, and they almost fell over.

Ying Xuan was prepared. The palace once again operated at full capacity, gathering a massive amount of spiritual energy, which was transformed into more than twenty thick pillars of spiritual energy that poured down to support their consumption and repair.

Another hour of agonizing waiting followed.

As the excruciating pain subsided and the pillar of spiritual energy dissipated, all the high-ranking officials in the hall, both civil and military, were covered in cold sweat and their breaths were weak. Many of them collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

But then, when they tried to sense the heavens and earth, everyone's expressions froze. Then, excitement, ecstasy, and disbelief erupted on their faces like a volcano!
The spiritual energy particles of heaven and earth were crystal clear! An unprecedented sense of affinity! The cultivation bottleneck that had troubled them for so long, which they had been unable to break through due to their age and innate limitations, seemed to be loosening at this moment! They could feel that their life essence was being cleansed and elevated, and their future cultivation path was being broadened countless times!
"This...this is..."

As Wang Jian felt the faint resonance between his body and the spiritual energy of the metal and earth elements, this iron-blooded veteran's eyes even welled up with excitement.

He knew all too well the impact of aptitude on cultivation! His breakthroughs on the battlefield were largely due to the trials and tribulations he faced in life and death, but due to his innate limitations, without any extraordinary encounters, the Nascent Soul stage would likely be his final destination.

But now... he saw a glimmer of hope! Not only him, but also his generals who were also older and had been forcibly promoted through battle and willpower, all had new possibilities!

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless! We, your humble servants, are deeply grateful!"

Li Si's voice trembled as he was the first to kneel down. The other high-ranking officials followed suit, their hearts filled with unparalleled gratitude.

This "benefit" is far more precious than bestowing titles or magical treasures! It is the cornerstone to immortality and to a higher level of power!
"Rise, all of you. This matter concerns the core secrets of the Great Qin Dynasty and must not be disclosed."

Ying Xuan said calmly.

"Go back and reflect on this carefully, and do your work diligently. The future of Great Qin still needs your strong support."

"Your Majesty, we obey! We will do our utmost to serve Your Majesty and be loyal to the Great Qin!"

The crowd responded in unison, their voices filled with unprecedented enthusiasm and loyalty.

The high-ranking officials, filled with excitement, respectfully withdrew from the main hall and returned to their respective residences to digest this astonishing event.

However, after everyone left, the First Emperor Ying Zheng did not leave immediately. Instead, he stayed in the hall, his excitement fading and replaced by a complex and incomprehensible eagerness.

Ying Xuan seemed to have expected this. He looked at his nominal father, who was actually the chief minister, and waited for him to speak without saying a word.

The First Emperor took a deep breath, stepped forward, and looked intently at Ying Xuan, his tone carrying a rare earnestness and urgency.

"Your Majesty! I... Your subject has something to ask, but I'm unsure whether I should."

"speak."

Ying Xuan remained expressionless.

"Your Majesty just used a heaven-defying method to change our aptitudes... I wonder if it can be used frequently? Are there... any restrictions?" The First Emperor stared intently at Ying Xuan, his speech unconsciously quickening.

"My brothers and sisters, as well as the princes and princesses in the palace, are mostly of ordinary talent. Although they have received some treasures from Your Majesty over the years, the path of cultivation requires too much talent and perseverance, and they... can hardly make any progress."

In the Great Qin Dynasty today, apart from the soldiers whose strength is directly boosted by His Majesty and the high-ranking officials who frequently enter the palace and receive His Majesty's favor, very few people have truly broken through to the first level of life and cultivated a primordial spirit on their own.

He paused, his voice lowering, carrying a hint of helplessness and expectation as a parent.

"After my breakthrough, I deeply understand that increased strength is not only related to power and influence, but also to longevity. My children are of mediocre talent, and without the right opportunity, I fear... If Your Majesty could use the methods you just described, even if it is only a slight improvement, and allow them to live a few more years and have a peaceful life, I would be eternally grateful!"

Ying Xuan listened quietly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

He certainly understood what the First Emperor meant.

Even after unifying the six kingdoms and establishing an unprecedented centralized empire, this emperor, who was a great ruler throughout history, still had his family values ​​and emphasis on blood ties deeply rooted in his heart.

He wanted to secure this opportunity to "change his fate" for his direct descendants and the core members of the Ying royal family. In his view, this was both his responsibility as an elder and a crucial step in consolidating the royal family's power and ensuring the Ying clan's long-term prosperity.

However, Ying Xuan's thoughts were completely different from his.

"Does Father Emperor know?"

Ying Xuan spoke slowly, his tone calm, yet carrying a subtle hint of aloofness.

"How could the cultivators of the Tianxing Sect so easily hold back the monster that had caused millions of soldiers to fight for over a year on the wasteland?"

The First Emperor was taken aback, not understanding why, but still answered.

"It is because of his profound cultivation and mysterious Taoist techniques, and... he seems to be accustomed to killing and plundering."

"good."

Ying Xuan nodded, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable.

"They take killing for granted, and their strength is formidable, making them indeed useful. But does Father Emperor know that in their eyes, apart from their own cultivation and resources, what difference is there between ordinary people and even low-level cultivators and ants? The world they live in is just like that, a world where the strong prey on the weak, a naked law of the jungle."

The First Emperor frowned slightly, sensing that Ying Xuan's words had a hidden meaning.

Ying Xuan continued, his tone turning cold.

“The cultivators of the Heavenly Star Sect possess ‘spiritual roots’ within their bodies that determine their aptitude and allow them to communicate with heaven and earth. What I just implanted in you was the source of spiritual roots extracted from their bodies.”

The First Emperor's pupils suddenly contracted! Separation? That wouldn't mean...

"good."

Ying Xuan seemed to see through his thoughts, his tone so calm it was almost cruel.

"Just now, hundreds of Tianxing Sect disciples in the palace were reduced to ashes and their souls were scattered."

The First Emperor gasped. Although he had suspected it before, the confirmation still sent a chill down his spine.

Those were hundreds of lives! Even though they weren't of our kind, but…

"Father values ​​the family bloodline and wants to seek the well-being of the Ying clan. This is only human nature, and it has been the tradition of the nobility since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods."

Ying Xuan changed the subject, his tone revealing little emotion.

"But I am different."

He stood up, walked to the palace window, and looked out at the majestic palace and the vast sky.

"I do not need to rely on any particular family to consolidate my rule. Great Qin is my Great Qin, and the world is my world. If any member of the Ying clan truly has talent, they can rise through examinations and military merits, and I will not hesitate to reward them."

If they lack talent, they can enjoy wealth and status without any hardship. But if I am to waste precious resources to forcibly change the fate of some mediocre people, simply because they are surnamed Ying…

Ying Xuan turned around and looked calmly at the First Emperor. Beneath that calmness lay an unwavering resolve.

"In my view, this is not consolidation, but trouble. The royal family should not be a burden to me, much less assume that they can take priority in accessing the empire's most core resources. At least, not when it comes to the aptitude for cultivation."

"The spiritual roots of the Tianxing Sect cultivators are my spoils of war, strategic resources to enhance the core combat power and loyal subjects of the Great Qin. I will consider how to allocate them."

Ying Xuan's words, like cold rain, extinguished the nascent flame of hope in the First Emperor's heart, and made him fully understand Ying Xuan's attitude. In Ying Xuan's mind, the overall interests and absolute control of the empire far outweighed the private interests of any particular family.

For Ying Xuan, the so-called blood ties and kinship held very little weight.

He even felt that if the royal family made excessive demands because of this "closeness," it would be "taking advantage" and "causing trouble."

The First Emperor remained silent.

Looking at his "son," whose temperament had become increasingly profound, whose authority grew ever more imposing, and whose thoughts were increasingly unfathomable, he felt a complex mix of emotions. There was disappointment, there was resentment, but above all, there was a deep sense of powerlessness and clarity.

He realized that times had truly changed. In this new era led by Ying Xuan, which was moving towards individual power and the mysterious and wondrous, the old clan concepts and blood ties were rapidly diminishing in strength. What would determine one's status would be ability, merit, and "usefulness" and "loyalty" to Ying Xuan, the absolute ruler.

"...Your subject understands."

After a long while, the First Emperor slowly bowed, his voice carrying a barely perceptible dryness and fatigue.

"It was I who failed to consider things carefully and made a presumptuous request. Your Majesty will make your own decision on how to allocate resources. I will take my leave."

He no longer referred to himself as "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I, the Imperial Censor"), but reverted to being the respectful subject he once was. He slowly withdrew from the hall, his figure appearing somewhat desolate in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Ying Xuan watched him leave, his eyes unwavering. Some boundaries had to be clearly drawn. Resources had to be used wisely. The warm, caring treatment from his family was, in the eyes of an emperor determined to transcend the world and ascend to eternity, often nothing more than unnecessary "trouble."

Watching the First Emperor's somewhat desolate yet ultimately respectful retreating figure, Ying Xuan felt little emotion, only a faint sigh that even he himself might not have noticed.

He was not heartless; he had experienced the First Emperor's protectiveness towards his children earlier and more deeply than anyone else.

Back then, he was just an "ordinary" prince, "exiled" to Jiujiang County. If it weren't for the First Emperor's tacit approval and even secret indulgence, how could he, under the "following" of the elite Black Ice Guard, have so recklessly expanded his power, implemented policies drastically different from the rest of the Qin Dynasty, and even displayed the arrogant stance of "if someone else succeeds to the throne, I will march north with my troops"? (End of Chapter)