So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

A thousand miles away, in the Wu King's Palace in Jiangnan.

Qingyang Daoist was meditating with his eyes closed in the alchemy room.

Before them stood a bronze alchemy furnace, about half a person's height, with a blazing charcoal fire beneath it, the furnace body faintly glowing red, and a mixed medicinal fragrance permeating the air.

There were some dried herbs and minerals piled up around him.

There were also several ancient books in animal hides, laid out open.

It is the three volumes: "An Introduction to Alchemy", "An Introduction to Formations", and "An Introduction to Weapon Forging".

As for the "Qi-Inducing Technique," he had memorized it thoroughly and kept it in a secret place.

Suddenly, he sensed something and abruptly opened his eyes!

A strange chill crept into my heart.

It was as if it were being locked onto by some extremely terrifying being from afar!

"What happened?"

Qingyang Daoist suddenly stood up, his face filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Although he was only at the third level of Qi Refining, his spiritual roots were mixed and his cultivation was weak.

But having stepped into the realm of cultivation, they possess an instinctive intuition for danger.

This feeling of palpitation is unlike anything I've ever experienced before!

He walked quickly to the window, opened it, and looked outside.

The palace was quiet under the cover of night, with only the occasional sound of patrolling guards' footsteps.

Business as usual.

But that unease grew stronger and stronger.

"wrong……"

Qingyang Daoist frowned and tried to calculate with his fingers, but because his cultivation level was too low, he couldn't figure anything out.

After hesitating for a moment, he turned and walked towards the alchemy furnace, taking out a palm-sized black array plate from a hidden compartment next to the furnace.

This is a "warning formation" that he barely managed to make based on the records in "An Introduction to Formations".

Its range can only cover the Prince's Mansion, but its advantage lies in its sensitivity.

Something has come in...

Qingyang Daoist's pupils suddenly contracted!

The vibrations of the warning array were weak but continuous.

What is it?

Could there be other cultivators?

Thinking of this, Qingyang Daoist felt a chill run down his spine!

Is it...

Are they from the imperial court?

No, it's impossible.

According to the King of Wu, the current emperor Qin Xiao is nothing but a good-for-nothing who is addicted to wine and women. How could he possibly be involved in cultivating immortality?

Just as his mind was racing...

"Buzz!"

A blinding red light suddenly flashed in the center of the warning array!

Then, with a soft "crack," a crack appeared on the surface!

Qingyang Daoist's expression changed drastically. Without thinking, he turned around and rushed towards the back wall of the alchemy room!

There was a secret door he had prepared long ago, leading to a secret passage outside the Prince's mansion!

However, his body froze in mid-air as soon as he moved.

An oppressive aura descended from nowhere, enveloping the entire alchemy room!

Qingyang Daoist remained in a forward-leaning posture, unable to move, not even his eyes could move.

Only the cold sweat beading on his forehead slid down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground.

"despair."

The faint sound of dripping water was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent alchemy room.

"So you are Daoist Qingyang?"

A calm male voice sounded behind him.

Qingyang Daoist wanted to answer, but he couldn't even move his lips.

The oppressive aura subsided slightly the next moment.

"thump!"

He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his body drenched in cold sweat.

Looking back with difficulty.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance of the alchemy room.

The man was dressed in a black casual suit, with a tall and upright posture and a handsome face.

He looked to be no more than twenty years old, standing with his hands behind his back, calmly looking down at him.

There was no spiritual energy leaking out of his body.

But Qingyang Daoist felt as if he were looking up at a towering mountain!

Unfathomable!

"Who...who are you?!"

Qingyang Daoist's voice was hoarse and trembling.

To prevent someone with only Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation from even having the thought of resistance, they must be at least Foundation Establishment level?!

How could such a thing possibly exist in this world?!

Qin Xiao did not answer, his gaze sweeping across the alchemy room and landing on the three ancient books in animal hides in the corner.

"An Introduction to Alchemy," "An Introduction to Formations," "An Introduction to Weapon Forging," and so on.

Qin Xiao slowly raised his hand, took them all into his grasp, and casually flipped through them.

The paper is old and the ink is dark brown.

The content is indeed basic miscellaneous knowledge about cultivating immortality.

Although it is rudimentary, the system is complete, which is exactly what he urgently needs right now.

"As expected, it's here."

Qin Xiao nodded and put away the three ancient books.

Qingyang Daoist watched helplessly as his greatest reliance was taken away, his heart bleeding, yet he dared not make the slightest move.

"S-senpai..."

He struggled to his feet, then knelt on the ground, pleading, "This junior was blind and ignorant, offending a senior like myself, and deserves to die! I wish to offer these ancient books to you, senior, but I beg you to spare my life!"

Qin Xiao then turned his gaze back to him. "Half a year ago, you obtained a fortuitous opportunity in the mountains and embarked on the path of immortality?"

"Yes...yes..."

"Having obtained four ancient texts, and through self-study, cultivated to the third level of Qi Refining?"

"Your wisdom is profound..."

"Using a rudimentary method of invigorating qi to the crown of the head, he harmed the remnant of the previous dynasty, nearly destroying his meridians?"

Qingyang Daoist's body stiffened, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

"This junior...this junior only wanted to take on a disciple, but I was too hasty and my methods were inappropriate..."

"Inappropriate method?"

Qin Xiao chuckled lightly, "Then your methods in advising the King of Wu on plotting a rebellion were also inappropriate?"

Qingyang Daoist was completely panicked.

This person not only possessed profound cultivation, but also knew everything about his conspiracy with the King of Wu!

Is it...

He suddenly realized that the King of Wu had gone to Jinyang Prefecture today for a secret meeting with the "King of Jin"...

"The King of Wu..."

"He has been captured by me."

Qin Xiao said calmly.

I?!

Daoist Qingyang was struck dumb, and he looked up abruptly, "You...you are...the current emperor?!"

"Otherwise what?"

Qin Xiao looked down at him. "Do you think you're the only cultivator in the world?"

Qingyang Daoist's mind was buzzing, and his worldview completely collapsed.

He always believed that he was the only "fated immortal" in this world, the chosen one.

The King of Wu revered him as a god, and he himself became proud of this.

They even secretly plotted to use their worldly power to collect resources.

To forge a path to immortality in this world where spiritual energy is depleted.

But now...

The current emperor is actually a cultivator!

Moreover, his cultivation level is far superior to his!

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Qingyang Daoist, having lost all hope, kowtowed to the ground, "This junior knows his mistake! I beg Your Majesty to spare my life! This junior is willing to serve Your Majesty like a dog or a horse. This junior has some knowledge of alchemy, formations, and weapon forging, and will certainly be able to share Your Majesty's burdens!"

Qin Xiao looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and said, "You do know how to be pragmatic."

"This junior only asks to live!"

Daoist Qingyang quickly replied, "This junior is willing to offer all my insights, including the location of that ancient cultivator's cave! There might still be opportunities there that I haven't discovered yet!"

"An ancient cultivator's cave dwelling?"

Qin Xiao became interested. "Tell me in detail."

"yes!"

Qingyang Daoist dared not hide anything and quickly recounted his experience from six months ago.

It turns out that he was originally a down-on-his-luck Taoist priest who accidentally fell into a secluded valley while collecting herbs in the deep mountains of Jiangnan.

There is a simple cave in the valley, which seems to be the place where an ancient cultivator passed away.

Besides these four ancient books, there were also several remnants of magical artifacts whose spiritual power had long since dissipated, as well as a skeleton that had passed away peacefully.

After months of trial and error, he managed to draw qi into his body and enter the Qi Refining stage, relying on the incomplete scroll of the "Qi Induction Technique" and his own mixed spiritual roots.

"Where is that cave dwelling?"

Qin Xiao asked.

"It's located deep within the Cloud Mist Mountain. I can personally guide you to its exact location!"

Qingyang Daoist hurriedly said.

Qin Xiao's eyes hardened: "No need for that!"