People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

"The Samadhi True Fire is also known as the Samadhi Divine Fire. The heart is the sovereign fire, also called the divine fire, and its name is Upper Samadhi; the kidneys are the minister fire, also called the essence fire, and its name is Middle Samadhi; the bladder, which is the Qi Sea below the navel, is the people's fire, and its name is Lower Samadhi. This is the Samadhi True Fire."

"This cultivation method uses the spirit of the upper elixir, the qi of the middle elixir, and the essence of the lower elixir as energy to ignite the fire of life."

"Upon mastery, one can burn away the souls of all things in the world."

Cao Ze spoke eloquently, giving a brief explanation of the cultivation method for the Samadhi Fire.

Yan Lingji initially didn't take it seriously, but after casually trying it out and discovering that she could control flames more easily and achieve the same effect as cultivation without deliberate practice, her gaze towards Cao Ze changed.

After awakening her ability to control fire at a young age, she diligently cultivated for many years. Compared to normal people's cultivation, she achieved twice the results with half the effort. To achieve the same cultivation effect as others, she needed to put in at least twice the effort.

In Cao Ze's words, she was a naturally gifted person with great innate strength, but it was not easy for her to cultivate her skills later in life. Unless she found a method that suited her, she could not reach the cultivation speed of ordinary people.

"This……"

Yan Lingji stared blankly at the flame dancing on her fingertips, muttering to herself, "He didn't actually lie to me..."

Cao Ze smiled faintly and said, "How is it?"

Yan Lingji forced herself to remain calm, "Why are you teaching me these things?"

Cao Ze chuckled and said, "This is just to show my sincerity. Once you acknowledge me as your master, I will teach you the rest of the techniques."

Yan Lingji suddenly understood. Cao Ze had only taught her the method of refining essence into qi, cultivating the lower dantian, igniting the essence of the lower dantian, and transforming it into qi in the middle dantian. At most, this would allow her to cultivate to the first-class level, after which her cultivation would stagnate.

"You think I'll give in?"

Cao Ze was momentarily captivated by Yan Lingji's dreamlike and beautiful eyes, and subconsciously said, "Disappointed, I bend forward... well, I mean, submit. It's up to you."

The Fire-Striker Princess didn't understand what a defeated posture was; she stubbornly declared, "I will not give in!"

"Okay, I got it. Goodbye."

Cao Ze left lazily, leaving Fire Girl alone in the courtyard, struggling with her thoughts.

It wasn't until Li Wu limped out that Yan Lingji slowly came to her senses, and then she fell into a dilemma again.

Should she cultivate this Samadhi True Fire? She always felt that Cao Ze had ill intentions.

If I accidentally got on a pirate ship... it seems like I'm already on a pirate ship now...

Yan Lingji was annoyed when she thought about the Hundred Poison King's suspicion of her earlier.

Li Wu was panting. She was a top-notch expert, but now she was out of breath after walking just a few steps. It was really frustrating.

"Fire Fairy, go make me some food, I'm hungry."

Yan Lingji pouted and said, "Sleep and eat, you pig."

"Cough, Jingni..."

"I'll do it!"

Yan Lingji didn't want to face that cold woman; she felt flustered.

Li Wu smiled smugly; she couldn't cure the Fire-Slaying Princess, but someone else could.

……

In an unnamed forest outside the city, there was a gloomy and dark snake den with its doors tightly shut.

This is one of the Poison King's private strongholds, used specifically to cultivate poisonous insects.

Looking at the snake pit that never sees sunlight, the Corpse-Driving Demon said, "King of a Hundred Poisons, is your Crimson King Serpent any good? That one is a grandmaster."

The King of Poisons said in a deep voice, "I don't know."

What? You don't know? The Corpse-Driving Demon shuddered at the thought of that aloof, indifferent, and terrifyingly powerful woman.

The King of Poisons paused and said, "It's better to be prepared. We don't know if the other party is friend or foe, so let's prepare a backup plan first."

If he could, he wouldn't want to confront that woman again.

Once someone reaches the Grandmaster level or above, it's almost impossible to poison them. The Crimson King Serpent would likely be torn apart by the sword energy emanating from the Grandmaster before it could even bite.

……

Chapter 273 King Han: Han Fei, do you want to be the Crown Prince?

Six days later.

Han Fei, who was on a diplomatic mission to the State of Zhao to observe the ceremony, returned to Xinzheng with gifts he had bought for his younger sister.

As soon as he entered the city gate, Han Fei vaguely saw two familiar figures.

He looked closely and saw his younger sister and Cao Ze chatting and laughing as they entered Zilan Pavilion. He almost choked on his breath and nearly died of anger.

You traitor Cao! I will never let you go!

Han Fei dismounted, gripped his greatsword, and charged fiercely at Cao Ze.

……

Honglian looked at Cao Ze, who had suddenly stopped, and asked curiously, "Why aren't you going in?"

She and Zi Nu had agreed to organize the manuscripts of "Dream of the Red Chamber" today, so she left the palace early and met Cao Ze in the city on the way, so they came together.

That murderous aura… Cao Ze caught a glimpse of his brother-in-law out of the corner of his eye, who was swinging his arms and striding towards him…

Han Fei charged in with imposing momentum, pointing his sword at Cao Ze, and shouted, "Hey! Monster! Release my sister at once!"

Bah! You're the monster! Honglian and I are a perfect match, what business is it of yours, you monster!

Cao Ze said calmly, "Brother Han, have you also read 'Journey to the West'?"

Honglian exclaimed happily, "Brother, you're back!"

Han Fei said with great distress, "Little sister, you..."

"Oh dear! Brother, you should go back and see Father first. I'll go in first."

Honglian glanced at the bright sunshine and hurriedly pulled Cao Ze into the Purple Orchid Pavilion. It was already quite late, and they couldn't wait any longer.

Cao Ze grinned and gave Han Fei a "I'm sorry" look.

Han Fei was stunned for a moment, then a gust of chilly spring breeze blew by, bringing him back to his senses.

The joy of the secret alliance between Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei was somewhat overshadowed.

Royal Study Room.

The short, stout King An of Han, with a large belly, sat on the throne.

"Han Fei, what were the gains from this ceremony? Did the King of Zhao agree to form an alliance?"

Han Wang An asked impatiently.

The pressure from the Qin state was immense; the thought of becoming the ruler of a fallen kingdom at any moment was incredibly bitter.

Han Fei calmly said, "Father, the King of Zhao has agreed to the alliance, and Lord Longyang of Wei is also interested in forming an alliance, hoping to restore the friendship between the three Jin states."

King Han stood up abruptly, his small eyes wide open.

"Really??"

Han Fei said, "Indeed, Lord Longyang wants to join forces with Lord Xinling and Empress Dowager Leling to persuade the King of Wei. As long as the King of Wei is persuaded, the alliance can be formed."

“Aunt…” King Han An frowned, “Aunt has always been indifferent to the affairs of the Wei court. How can Lord Longyang persuade her?”

He had long ago tried to form an alliance with the State of Wei through his aunt, but was politely refused.

However, the King of Wei at that time was not King Zeng of Wei. Now, with the participation of Lord Longyang and Lord Xinling, it was not impossible for them to succeed.

Han Fei, thinking of his younger sister who had been seduced by Cao Ze, said with a heavy heart, "Grandma has always loved my younger sister. If she can act as a go-between, and Lord Longyang and Lord Xinling can mediate, Grandma, who is always reasonable, will certainly not hesitate to help the state of Han."

King Han clapped his hands and laughed, "This matter can be accomplished."

Han Fei hesitated and said, "Father, there is one more thing."

King Han An's smile froze slightly. Based on his many years of experience as a king, what was about to happen was likely not a good thing.

"explain."

He steadied himself, thinking that as long as the three Jin states reconciled and formed an alliance to jointly resist Qin, how much worse could things get?

Furthermore, Qin is currently tied down by the Zheng Guo Canal. With the Qin king's coronation next year, Han will be safe for at least two years, unless the Qin king runs to Han and dies there, but that's highly unlikely.

Han Fei said, "Prince Dan of Yan also intends to form an alliance with the three Jin states."

Han Wang'an was stunned for a moment, "This is... a good thing!"

Apart from the State of Qi, which had lost its ambition to contend for supremacy, the remaining five states all regarded the ferocious Qin State as a formidable enemy and should therefore guard their territory.

Han Fei said helplessly, "One of the conditions for the alliance between the King of Zhao and Dan of Yan is that Dan of Yan succeeds to the throne as the King of Yan."

To be honest, he didn't want to tell his father about this, as it was too easy for people to overthink things.

“The King of Yan is young and vigorous; how is this any different from a refusal?” King An of Han asked, somewhat puzzled.

Han Fei carefully chose his words, saying, "The King of Zhao lent Prince Dan of Yan three hundred elite warriors and ten thousand gold coins... If necessary, he will also lend Prince Dan of Yan a helping hand on the border between Yan and Zhao..."

Han Wang'an felt a chill run down his spine and exclaimed in shock, "The Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

Every ruler is concerned about the ins and outs of how King Jia of Zhao came to power.

This is also why he agreed to send Han Fei as an envoy to the State of Zhao to observe the ceremony.

The eldest son, a lecherous and shrewish man, was firmly controlled by Ji Wuye.

The fourth brother was shrewd and calculating, keeping a low profile and secretly maintaining a retinue of retainers.

He was not entirely unaware of these things.

If we were to say who would emulate the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the eldest brother, who has Ji Wuye's support, and the fourth brother, who is close to the nobility, would be the most likely candidates.

but now……

Looking at Han Fei, who seemed somewhat uneasy, King Han An asked in a slow voice, "What did you and King Zhao discuss?"

At this moment, he no longer cared whether Yan would join the alliance, but only whether the King of Zhao harbored malicious intentions towards Han.

His throne was obtained illegitimately, so naturally he would not allow his sons to do what he had done.

"King Zhao hopes that at that time, Han will be able to break with Qin."

Han Fei concealed Ya Fei's words of encouragement for him to usurp the throne without revealing his true intentions. He knew his father well; like any incompetent ruler, he was extremely suspicious.