NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16 - Envy, Jealousy, and Resentment
Chapter 16: Envy, Jealousy, and Resentment
Inside the Pit.
“Your Majesty!”
Wang Ben glanced nervously at Ying Zheng, who now sat atop the altar.
Moments earlier, the golden scriptures from the Creation Immortal Codex had surged into Ying Zheng’s body, after which he had entered a deep meditative state.
Though Wang Ben understood that the emperor was cultivating, the unprecedented nature of the event filled him with apprehension.
As the ruler of Qin, Ying Zheng was more than a man—he was the cornerstone of the empire.
If anything were to happen to him, the very foundation of Qin might collapse.
“Unbelievable,” Zhao Gao murmured, his eyes burning with desire.
“Four realms of cultivation! Refining Essence into Qi (Liàn Jīng Huà Qì)【1】, Refining Qi into Spirit (Liàn Qì Huà Shén)【2】, Refining Spirit into Void (Liàn Shén Huà Xū)【3】, and Refining Void into Oneness (Liàn Xū Hé Dào)【4】
“Just achieving the first stage grants a lifespan of 200 years. Those at the fourth stage can live nearly 10,000 years【5】. Though not truly immortal, they are practically gods among men!”
Zhao Gao could barely contain his longing.
He had glimpsed the scriptures, and though he couldn’t comprehend the techniques, the sheer promise of longevity was intoxicating.
I must find a way to embark on this path! he thought to himself.
“By the heavens!” Han Zhang exclaimed, his mind reeling.
“The first realm corresponds to the peak of our Tianxiang Grandmaster (Tiānxiàng Dàzōngshī) level【6】. If this is true, then Land Immortals (Lùdì Shénxiān)【7】 are merely in the early stages of the second realm, Refining Qi into Spirit.”
He paused, eyes widening.
“Does this mean that the late stages of Refining Qi into Spirit exceed even the mightiest Land Immortals? What unimaginable power must the third and fourth realms hold?”
If someone at the fourth realm could challenge a kingdom single-handedly, would any empire stand a chance? mused Li Si, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.
As the empire’s chief strategist, he had always believed that the collective strength of a dynasty could overcome any individual threat.
But the powers described in the scriptures shattered this notion.
Could even Qin, with all its might, withstand the wrath of such a cultivator?
“Fear not,” Wang Ben interjected confidently.
“His Majesty now possesses the Creation Immortal Codex. With the resources of Great Qin, His Majesty will undoubtedly ascend to the highest realm!”
Li Si nodded, though his mind wandered.
“Still,” he thought, “it would be foolish to place all our hopes on one man. If there are other immortal legacies out there, I must find them for the good of the empire—and myself.”
Among the Soldiers, there were whispers as well.
“Immortality.”
“This is the true path to longevity.”
“I would give anything to reach even the second realm.”
The murmurs of envy spread among the gathered soldiers.
Despite their loyalty to Ying Zheng, the allure of such power and lifespan was undeniable.
Had anyone but their emperor obtained the codex, chaos might have erupted.
Even now, their loyalty was the only thing keeping their ambitions in check.
In the Void.
System, Bai Chen mused, smirking.
“Alterations to Ying Zheng’s fate have earned me an additional 18,000 Creation Force points. Add to that the contributions from the others, and I’ve just surpassed 20,000 points.”
The gains were substantial, but Bai Chen knew this was only the beginning.
Once Ying Zheng returned to Xianyang, the news of his transformation would spread across the five continents.
Every rumour and revelation about his longevity and cultivation would ripple outward, generating more opportunities for Bai Chen to harvest Creation Force.
“Well then,” Bai Chen said, casting a final glance at the emperor below.
“I’ve set the stage. Now, it’s time to let history unfold.”
With a faint shimmer, Bai Chen vanished from the void, leaving behind a world poised on the brink of transformation.