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

"Rumble..."

The palace trembled slightly, and the celestial light emanating from its surface intensified. Under Ying Xuan's control, the palace's own celestial artifact essence acted like a giant furnace, while the flying palace treasures became the best "nourishment."

More importantly, the almost solidified seven-colored incense energy halo that had gathered around the palace due to Ying Xuan's return now seemed to have found the best way to be consumed, frantically surging into the palace itself, providing an inexhaustible "fuel" and "catalyst" for this fusion!
The power of incense offerings, a culmination of the beliefs of countless people, is most balanced and peaceful, and also possesses the wondrous functions of shaping, purifying, and amplifying. With the unconditional blessing of this massive amount of spiritual power, the fusion process proceeded more smoothly than imagined.

Even those few top-tier palace-type magical artifact embryos, which were of extremely high quality and came from ancient ruins or powerful caves in the world of Shrouding the Heavens, were affected by the combined effects of the vast incense and the essence of immortal artifacts.

Forced to decompose and melt, its most essential materials and Daoist essence were gradually integrated into the walls, foundations, beams, and roof tiles of the Qin Imperial Palace.

Visibly, the overall outline of the Qin Imperial Palace seemed to have become more solid, and the oppressive aura it exuded was also slightly heavier. The patterns on the palace walls and tiles seemed to have naturally given rise to more mysterious designs.

However, Ying Xuan frowned slightly, sensing the changes in the power of the world within the He Shi Bi jade.

"Thousands of high-quality palace-type magical artifacts, including many top-tier items, have all been integrated... This will certainly improve the Qin Imperial Palace, but it seems... the cost-effectiveness is not high?"

He made his own assessment.

"The imperial palace was already a celestial artifact with a solid foundation. To bring about a qualitative change by piling on external materials would require an unimaginable amount of both 'quantity' and 'quality.' This fusion is more of an icing on the cake, making the palace structure more robust and the internal space more stable. It directly increases the power of the world..."

He shook his head.

"Very small, almost negligible."

He felt it wasn't worth it.

These palace-type magical treasures, especially the top-tier ones, if disassembled and bestowed upon meritorious officials or important institutions, might be more quickly integrated into all aspects of the Qin world, accelerating the overall improvement of the world's cultural foundation.

While melting them all into the palace enhanced the palace's "individual strength," it also, to some extent, "wasted" the greater potential that these magical artifact embryos could have generated in the future.

"It seems that we can no longer deal with the remaining magical treasures in this way."

Ying Xuan had a new plan in mind.

"Especially those top-tier embryos, it would be a waste to melt them down as ordinary materials. They must be dispersed so that they can find new masters in the Qin world, take root and sprout, in order to truly accelerate their integration with the Qin world."

With that thought in mind, he no longer hesitated and made hand seals again, this time casting several Maoshan weapon-refining incantations specifically used for screening and guidance.

"Whoosh whoosh..."

Among the hundreds of thousands of "blank" magical treasures, there were about a few hundred treasures whose light was most restrained, but which faintly emitted a heart-palpitating fluctuation—mainly in the form of knives, swords, spears, halberds, bells, and cauldrons.

Among them were those few high-quality, damaged imperial artifact embryos—lifted by an invisible force and slowly rising into the extremely high void above the main hall of the imperial palace.

They did not fully manifest, but under the guidance of Ying Xuan's magic, they gradually disappeared behind the rippling spatial waves, leaving only a blurry area of ​​light and shadow radiating various laws, like a "treasure trove of divine artifacts" suspended at the top of the Great Qin world.

Ying Xuan's voice, aided by the authority of the imperial palace and the He Shi Bi jade, rang out gently and clearly in the ears of every imperial concubine, palace maid, and official near the medicine garden who had just acquired the magic treasure.

"The shimmering light you see above is the most exquisite embryo among the magical treasures we've obtained this time, possessing boundless potential. However, treasures possess spirits, and one must have matching strength and opportunity to wield them. Ordinary magical treasures can be gradually nurtured and improved through your own cultivation and achievements. But these top-tier items..."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of warning and expectation.

"Without the cleansing power of a massive amount of incense and prayers, the refinement of a profound realm, and the harmony with one's own Dao principles, it is difficult to truly awaken its potential and refine it into a true immortal artifact or even a higher level of existence."

Currently, in the Great Qin Dynasty, besides myself, no one possesses sufficient resources to independently complete this task. Therefore, I have temporarily placed it here, drawing upon the faith and resolve of all the people of Qin to nurture and cleanse it day and night, purifying it of its final impurities and solidifying its foundation. In the future, whoever gains the approval of one of them, or achieves unparalleled merit, I will personally assist them in completing the final forging and bestow upon them a divine artifact!

This serves as both explanation and encouragement. It tells everyone how rare top-tier magical treasures are and how difficult it is to forge them, while also indicating the ways to obtain them—either through exceptional talent that earns the treasure's recognition, or by making great contributions to the Qin Dynasty.

After arranging the final resting place for the top-tier magical artifacts, Ying Xuan changed his mind and directly used spatial teleportation to summon the hundreds of high-ranking officials waiting outside.

They were "invited" into the main hall for deliberation.

The officials felt a blur before their eyes and found themselves in the solemn hall from the square outside the palace. They quickly straightened their clothes and bowed respectfully.

"Flat body."

Ying Xuan sat upright on the imperial throne, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces below.

"During my absence from court, have there been any urgent matters concerning state affairs?"

The elderly prime minister, with his white hair but still vigorous spirit, stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, and began to report in a steady and clear voice.

"Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's great blessings, the Great Qin is at peace throughout the land, with efficient governance and harmonious people. Since Your Majesty bestowed the wondrous 'Void Heaven Cauldron' technique, coupled with the continuous flow of various metals transported back from the Goblin World, almost every registered farming household within the Great Qin is now equipped with iron farming tools, greatly improving farming efficiency. Granaries in various regions are full, and this year is sure to be a bumper harvest."

He paused, then continued.

"The main canal connecting the major water systems has been excavated and completed in accordance with the plan approved by His Majesty. Seven or eight tenths of the canal has been completed, and the canal transport has begun to take shape, accelerating the flow of goods between the north and south."

Centered on Xianyang, the main roads radiating in all directions have been paved entirely with a mixture of gravel and mortar, making them solid and flat, impervious to rain and snow. The speed of transmitting government orders and military intelligence is now more than ten times faster than at the beginning of the nation's founding!

Another official in charge of education and culture then added.

"Your Majesty, government-run schools in all counties and villages have been basically established. The number of children learning to read and write has increased by hundreds of thousands every year. Classics from various schools of thought have been compiled and revised, and have been printed and distributed to the county schools for scholars to study. Now, in our Great Qin, government decrees are issued in the morning and delivered in the evening, the people's intelligence is gradually being awakened, and the prosperity of education far surpasses that of previous dynasties!"

As he listened to his ministers' reports, Ying Xuan nodded slightly.

These were the major policies he set before he left, and they seem to be being implemented well. The Great Qin is steadily moving from a "cultivation dynasty" forcibly formed by his personal power towards a "dynasty" with a more complete system, a more solid foundation, and a certain degree of self-development capability.

At this moment, the Grand Commandant, in charge of military affairs and foreign conquests, stepped forward with a solemn expression. "Your Majesty, there is another matter to report. General Wang Jian recently sent an urgent message from the Wilderness Imperial Guard camp, saying that the disturbances deep within the Wilderness have intensified, the void rifts are extremely unstable, and the number and strength of the emerging demons have increased."

Although the Imperial Guards fought bravely and relentlessly day and night, their strength was greatly depleted. General Wang petitioned His Majesty to personally travel to the wilderness, firstly to stabilize morale, and secondly… perhaps to investigate the source of the disturbances and contain them.”

Upon hearing this, Ying Xuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"Strange activity in the wasteland?"

After a moment's thought, combining his previous guesses, he slowly said.

"I understand. This matter should be related to the 'Heavenly Star Sect' cultivators who accompanied me to the world of Shrouding the Heavens."

He looked at the puzzled ministers and explained simply.

"The cultivators of the Celestial Star Sect cultivate the power of stars. Their techniques may have unintentionally triggered some residual laws related to stars or other realms deep within the wasteland, causing instability in the void rift. However..."

His tone softened.

"You need not worry too much. I have already ordered people to sweep through the goblin world, killing a large number of creatures from that realm. The power of that 'being' deep in the wasteland is related to the life force, soul resentment, and other such things of living beings."

The massive slaughter of goblin creatures has generated enough negative energy and karmic consequences for that 'being' to feast upon, and it may even require time to digest. While there are disturbances in the wasteland in the short term, they shouldn't lead to any uncontrollable problems. I will travel to the wasteland later to investigate personally.”

Hearing that His Majesty had made prior arrangements and judged the situation to be under control, the ministers all breathed a sigh of relief.

After finishing his report on government affairs, Ying Xuan smiled.

"Alright, now that the important matters are settled, I have returned with great success. How could I forget you, the pillars of the nation?"

Before the ministers could react, Ying Xuan waved his sleeve!
"Shh!"

The ministers felt the surrounding scenery change in an instant! They were no longer in the solemn and majestic council hall, but in an endless void, with countless magical treasures floating in all directions, shimmering with pure light of various colors!
Swords, spears, halberds, bells, tripods, pagodas, seals... hundreds of thousands of magical treasures surrounded them like stars. The vast spiritual pressure and precious light almost made these seasoned officials' hearts stop beating and left them dazzled!
Ying Xuan's grand and majestic voice echoed throughout this sea of ​​magical treasures.

"The magical treasures here have all been cleansed of their past and are now unclaimed. You are the backbone of the Great Qin, and have rendered great service. Today, I grant you special permission to open your minds and use your own aura to sense and choose one that best suits you! These magical treasures possess spirits and will respond accordingly. After obtaining them, you should carefully refine and polish them, for they will become part of the foundation of our Great Qin!"

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

The overwhelming joy instantly shattered all composure. Hundreds of ministers were so excited that their voices trembled. Without hesitation, they bowed and thanked the ministers. They then immediately composed themselves and eagerly released their aura and divine sense, cautiously probing the endless magical treasures and stars around them.

In an instant, the virtual magical artifact space was filled with flashing lights and clear ringing sounds.

A heavy, illusory image of a mountain and river seal resonated with an old, dignified minister in charge of civil affairs, and slowly fell into his hands.

A bronze sword with its sharp edge was chosen by the upright official in charge of criminal law.

An ancient mirror, capable of reflecting the true nature of people, flew towards a censor renowned for his keen insight...

Each minister was intently sensing, searching for that mysterious opportunity. To them, this was not merely a powerful weapon bestowed by His Majesty, but potentially a lifelong companion that would complement their own path—a truly momentous opportunity!

Ying Xuan watched quietly, sensing the subtle connection that was being established between each magical artifact and the destiny of the Qin world as it found a new master.

This was exactly the effect he wanted—to disperse the magical artifacts and accelerate their fusion.

After all the ministers had chosen their magical treasures, Ying Xuan waved his sleeve again, sending everyone, along with their newly acquired treasures, back to the real-world council hall. He then dismissed them to familiarize themselves with their new treasures.

The main hall was now empty again. Only Ying Xuan remained, along with the large group of magical artifacts that still hovered in mid-air, though fewer in number.

Ying Xuan's divine sense spread out like mercury, focusing on the vast medicinal garden behind the palace, which had expanded several times over.

The scene before him moved him slightly.

Within the herb garden, countless spiritual roots and herbs of various shapes and sizes were not still.

They resemble miniature vortexes of spiritual energy, autonomously and efficiently transforming the pure blood and qi power and special spiritual power they contain from the world of Shrouding the Heavens into "spiritual energy" that is more adapted to the laws of heaven and earth in the Great Qin world, and releasing it into the surrounding environment.

However, the speed of this transformation seems unable to keep up with their own growth and the need to modify the environment! Even more astonishing is that these spiritual herbs have an absurdly strong ability to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth!

At this moment, the entire Qin Imperial Palace is like the core of a super spirit-gathering array. Under Ying Xuan's will and the immortal artifact characteristics of the palace itself, it is continuously absorbing the "half-energy" that has been initially transformed by the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Array from outside the world barrier, as well as the spiritual energy generated by the Qin world's own cycle.

And through the "earth vein channel" connected to the earth's dragon vein beneath the palace, it is poured into the spirit field of the medicine garden like a high-pressure water pump.

The energy surging into the earth's vein channels was like a torrent! However, as soon as this massive energy torrent entered the spirit field, it was almost instantly devoured by the spirit herbs scattered throughout! Above the herb garden, due to the excessive absorption by the spirit herbs, even tiny spiritual energy vacuum vortices formed!
"This absorption speed... is astonishing!"

Ying Xuan keenly noticed this.

"At this rate, the spiritual energy of the entire palace area will be drained by these spiritual herbs! Not to mention others, even if I were to cultivate here, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to continue. These spiritual herbs have now become gluttons 'competing' with the palace and with me for food."

He saw the imperial concubines and some palace maids skilled in pharmacology carefully moving through the medicinal herb fields, meticulously distinguishing the types, properties, and growth stages of different medicinal herbs, and diligently recording their observations. The daily management of the herb garden had always been their responsibility.

"No, the elixirs cannot all be concentrated in the palace."

Ying Xuan immediately made a judgment.

"They contain the essence of the blood and spiritual power of the world of Shrouding the Heavens. They need to be slowly transformed and released in the world of Qin in order to truly integrate with the spiritual energy cycle of Qin and give back to the world."

Now that everything is piled up in the palace, while the efficiency of conversion and release is high, the excessive concentration has created localized 'spiritual energy black holes,' hindering the normal operation of the palace itself and the cultivation environment. (End of Chapter)