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

Before Qin Xiao finished speaking, a cold killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Qingyang Daoist sensed something was wrong and screamed in terror, "Your Majesty, spare me..."

The word "fate" had not yet been uttered.

Qin Xiao pointed his fingers like a sword, and then pointed at the air.

A beam of crimson-gold spiritual light entered Qingyang Daoist's brow.

Qingyang Daoist shuddered, his pupils dilated suddenly, and the look of terror on his face froze.

After a brief soul search, Qingyang Daoist's body fell backward, and blood slowly seeped from his seven orifices.

In the blink of an eye, all breath was gone!

Qin Xiao withdrew his hand, his expression calm, and looked down at Qingyang Daoist, saying, "To be able to cultivate to the third level of Qi Refining within half a year using only a few incomplete manuals is quite talented. It's a pity you can't be used as a furnace for cultivation."

If it were a woman, with such qualities, she would definitely be of great use to be kept by one's side.

But the man...

Although the Hehuan Immortal Scripture does not explicitly state that it is limited to women.

but……

Moreover, this person knows too much and has impure thoughts; keeping him around will only bring trouble.

To cut weeds, you must remove the roots.

Qin Xiao turned around, his gaze sweeping over the alchemy room.

The herbs piled up in the corner were of no value to him.

That bronze alchemy furnace was cast from ordinary iron.

Only those three ancient books...

Qin Xiao took out the animal hide scroll he had just put away and opened it again.

The book "Introduction to Alchemy" records the methods for refining more than ten basic elixirs.

"An Introduction to Formations" explains the arrangement and principles of several simple formations, such as the Spirit Gathering Formation, the Bewildering Formation, and the Protective Formation.

"Introduction to Weapon Forging" contains the most content.

From material identification and purification to shaping the embryo of the ritual implement and engraving runes.

Although the system is rudimentary, it is still quite complete.

"As expected, it's just a very basic introductory text."

Qin Xiao closed the ancient book, pondering, "However, for the current situation, it is a timely help. With these, we have a clear direction for refining pills, setting up formations, and improving our weapon-making skills, and we no longer need to blindly explore."

He put the ancient book away again and examined Qingyang Daoist's corpse once more with his divine sense.

He took a small cloth bag from Qingyang Daoist's bosom.

Inside were three bottles of crude pills.

Clearly, Daoist Qingyang failed to find any spiritual plants, and all the elixirs were made using ordinary medicines instead.

The effects were extremely poor, and there were even side effects.

Qin Xiao destroyed the pills and pondered the information he had obtained from the soul search.

Having confirmed the location of the cave dwelling in the Cloud Mist Mountain, he took one last look at the alchemy room.

With a flash of light, he arrived above the alchemy room.

Then, he raised his hand and waved.

A crimson-gold spiritual light swept out, engulfing the entire alchemy room, along with Qingyang Daoist's corpse, alchemy furnace, and medicinal herbs.

In just a few breaths, everything turned to ashes.

The night wind blew in, scattering the ashes without a trace.

Qin Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the night sky, mentally reviewing the operation.

"It seems that it was too cautious to separate Qin Hong from Daoist Qingyang and have him come to Jiangnan in person."

The strength of Qingyang Daoist was far weaker than he had anticipated.

Not to mention him, even those Daoist partners have the ability to fight him.

"However, it's always better to be cautious."

Qin Xiao composed himself.

After all, they knew nothing about the other cultivators in this realm.

Who can guarantee that there aren't even stronger figures lurking in the shadows?

Moreover, those who passed away in the ancient cultivators' caves must have been at least at the Foundation Establishment stage during their lifetimes, since they left behind these classic texts.

Since there have been Foundation Establishment cultivators in this world, it's hard to guarantee that no legacy has been left behind.

In retrospect, Qingyang Daoist was nothing more than an ant who got lucky.

But next time, it might not be the same.

The path to immortality is fraught with peril at every turn.

Even a lion must exert its full strength to hunt a rabbit.

"It's time to close the net on the King of Wu's side as well."

Qin Xiao's figure flickered, transforming into a streak of light, and he silently left the Wu King's mansion.

In the night sky, a crimson streak of light pierced the horizon, heading straight towards Jinyang Prefecture.

……

Jinyang Prefecture, Mountain Villa Dungeon.

Qin Hong was locked in a narrow stone chamber, his hands and feet shackled.

He slumped to the ground, his face ashen, his eyes filled with despair.

It’s over.

It's all over.

The evidence is conclusive that they plotted a rebellion and colluded with evil Taoist priests.

Given Qin Xiao's personality, there's no way he'd let him off the hook.

"Why, why did this happen..."

Qin Hong muttered to himself, unable to understand it at all.

The plan was meticulously crafted, and the Prince of Jin's reply was flawless.

Daoist Qingyang made a solemn promise...

and many more!

Qingyang Daoist!

Qin Hong suddenly looked up, a faint glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

Qingyang Daoist is a cultivator with supernatural abilities!

If he could sense something was wrong and come to the rescue...

Just then, the door to the stone chamber was pushed open.

A figure walked in.

Qin Hong looked up and his expression changed drastically.

It wasn't Daoist Qingyang who came.

It was Qin Xiao!

"Sixth, Your Majesty..."

Qin Hong's voice trembled as he struggled to kneel, but the shackles restrained him, leaving him only able to lie sprawled on the ground in a sorry state.

Qin Xiao stood before him, looking down at him with an indifferent expression. "Fifth Prince, I gave you a chance."

Qin Hong trembled violently: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I beg Your Majesty for mercy! I am willing to relinquish my military power, forever guard Jiangnan, and never set foot in the capital again!"

"It's too late to say all this now."

Qin Xiao shook his head. "You should have thought of this day when you wrote that secret letter and colluded with Qingyang Daoist."

Qin Hong's face turned pale, and he wanted to plead again.

Qin Xiao had already turned around. "Rest in peace. I will send people to take over Jiangnan."

After saying that, he stepped out of the stone chamber.

"No!"

Qin Hong let out a desperate roar.

Two guards entered through the door, carrying a tray with a cup of wine and a white silk ribbon on it.

"Your Highness, please choose one."

……

The main hall of the villa.

Qin Xiao sat in the main seat and gave orders to his guards:

"A secret order was sent to officials in all prefectures and counties south of the Yangtze River, stating that the King of Wu's rebellion had been exposed and that he should commit suicide to atone for his sins."

"The military and political affairs of Jiangnan will be temporarily managed by the governor, pending the arrival of newly appointed officials from the imperial court."

"The Prince of Wu's residence has been sealed off, and all his confidants and advisors have been detained pending trial."

"yes!"

The guards acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Qin Xiao slowly got up and walked out of the hall.

The Jiangnan region is prosperous, a land of fish and rice, and a major source of tax revenue.

King Wu had cultivated his power for many years, and his influence was deeply entrenched.

By eliminating him under the pretext of treason, they could thoroughly cleanse the officialdom of Jiangnan and replace him with someone loyal to them.

It was a pleasant surprise.

Originally, it was only for Qingyang Daoist and those few ancient books.

Now that this hidden danger in Jiangnan has been resolved incidentally, it's a win-win situation.

However, these mundane power struggles no longer hold much significance for him.

The real focus is still on the path of cultivating immortality.

"Cloud and Mist Mountain..."

Qin Xiao narrowed his eyes.

The ancient cultivator's cave dwelling mentioned by Daoist Qingyang is located deep within the Cloud Mist Mountain.

This mountain range stretches for thousands of miles, shrouded in clouds and mist year-round, and rarely visited by humans.

It would be suitable for seclusion and spiritual cultivation.

"It seems I'll have to go there myself."

Qin Xiao had already made up his mind.

What if there are other discoveries in the cave?

The jade slip of Bibo Sanren mentions "breaking through the boundaries to seek the true path of immortality".

Perhaps there are some clues in that ancient cultivator's cave.

"However, some preparations need to be made before going."

Qin Xiao stepped out of the main hall, his figure blurred, and he transformed into a beam of light, soaring into the sky.