In Order to Live as an Immortal, I changed a martial artist world to a xianxia world

Chapter 17: Ying Zheng Breaks Through, the Path of Immortality Begins!

Inside the Pit

“It’s been two days already!”

“Why hasn’t His Majesty awakened yet?”

“What are you panicking for? Can’t you feel it? His Majesty’s aura is stronger than ever!”

“That’s not just any aura—it’s not even that of a Tianxiang Grandmaster (Tiānxiàng Dàzōngshī, 天象大宗师) anymore. This is the peak of Refining Essence into Qi (Liàn Jīng Huà Qì, 炼精化气)!”

Over a hundred soldiers of Qin, including Wang Ben, Zhao Gao, and others, remained within the pit. For the past two days, they could clearly sense Ying Zheng’s aura intensifying.

Such rapid progress filled their hearts with admiration—and envy.

“His Majesty was only barely at the Zhixuan Grandmaster (Zhǐxuán Zōngshī, 指玄宗师) level before,” Wang Ben murmured with excitement.

“Now, he rivals us—and perhaps even surpasses us due to the power of the immortal path!”

Wang Ben’s face lit up with joy. Ying Zheng, though brilliant in governance, had never been a particularly strong cultivator. Now, Wang Ben could feel the faint pressure of death from standing near him—a testament to his newfound might.

Zhao Gao, ever the keen observer, added:

“Not just strength! Look at His Majesty’s appearance!”

“Refining Essence into Qi practitioners can live up to two centuries【1】. At just forty-nine, His Majesty is still in his youth by those standards!”

Before the eastern patrol, Ying Zheng, though middle-aged, had looked like a man in his sixties. The Heavenly Yuan Pill (Tiānyuán Dān, 天元丹)【2】 had rejuvenated him to his forties.

But now, as his cultivation advanced, he looked like he did at twenty.

This transformation sparked a fierce desire within Zhao Gao: he had to find his own path to immortality, for only then could he remain by Ying Zheng’s side and wield power for as long as the emperor ruled.

Li Si, ever the strategist, lamented:

“Such rejuvenation… How many emperors across history have dreamed of such power?”

“With His Majesty’s extended lifespan, the succession debate in Xianyang is meaningless now. None of the princes can expect to ascend to the throne in their lifetimes.”

Even as he admired Ying Zheng’s transformation, Li Si felt a pang of despair. His loyalty to Qin was unwavering, but the gap between mere mortals and a ruler on the immortal path was now unbridgeable.

Suddenly, Ying Zheng stirred.

His aura stabilized, and the oppressive energy emanating from him dissipated as his eyes opened.

A smile spread across his face as he assessed his newfound strength.

“Peak of Refining Essence into Qi,” Ying Zheng murmured to himself. “I have 113 years remaining in my lifespan.”

Through the Creation Immortal Codex (Zàohuà Xiānjīng, 造化仙经)【3】, Ying Zheng had not only transformed his martial energy into spiritual immortal essence (Xiānyuán, 仙元) but also gained an unparalleled understanding of cultivation.

Each realm in the immortal path granted a theoretical lifespan limit, but only through extraordinary means—such as elixirs—could one achieve that maximum.

Ying Zheng, despite being at the peak of the first realm, could only naturally live up to 170 years. However, with the right pills, he could extend his life to 200 years.

This knowledge deepened his gratitude toward the long-dead Chiyang Zhenren, whose residual power within the altar had expedited Ying Zheng’s progress. Without it, this breakthrough would have taken years, not days.

“Chiyang Zhenren,” Ying Zheng thought, standing tall, “I owe you a great debt.”

As Ying Zheng rose, his soldiers knelt in unison, their voices resounding through the pit.

“Long live His Majesty! Congratulations on achieving the immortal path!”