Eternal Life as False Emperor

Zheng Yi didn't hesitate, he directly opened the wooden box placed beside him.

At that time, when he chose the wooden box, he didn't pay much attention and picked the smallest one.

Little did he know, upon opening it, inside was neither a puppet nor a magical artifact.

But rather a... Profound Iron Token?

This token was only the size of a palm, shaped like a rhombus maple leaf, appearing as if made from some kind of red metal.

On it were inscribed two characters, reminiscent of oracle bone script, which Zheng Yi did not recognize.

"Do any of you recognize these two characters?"

Yue Chan was the closest, and saw it in an instant.

"Your Majesty, these two characters read 'Nanke', and I think there are some records in the Nanyue Race's texts."

"Nanke? Nanke Order?"

Noble Consort Cui also asked curiously: "Your Majesty, what is the use of this token? It doesn't seem like a magical artifact at all..."

"Hmm."

Zheng Yi nodded and said: "I guess it might be a form of identification, or perhaps a token for traveling to a certain area."

He picked up the token, and true to his expectation, there was also a piece of paper pressed underneath it.

After careful examination, he soon found the answer.

"The Nanke Immortal Order, rumored to be proof of passage to the Nanke Immortal Mansion."

Zheng Yi spoke oddly: "Nanke Immortal Mansion, does anyone know where this place is?"

"I don't know."

"The servant does not know."

"The old servant has never heard of it."

Zheng Yi shrugged and kept it.

Regardless, since this item was solemnly placed here by the Grand Ancestor, it must have significant use.

"Let's keep it for now. It seems that among the blind boxes this time, the item chosen by Consort Chan remains the most valuable."

Yue Chan said proudly, "Of course, Your Majesty. I have quite the discerning eye!"

"Then, how about rewarding Consort Chan with an evening of companionship?"

Yue Chan's face turned red all of a sudden, glaring at Zheng Yi with both shame and anger.

"I'd rather not have that kind of reward!"

"Humph!"

"Alright, alright, let's take a look at the remaining items now."

"Certainly!"

On the entire platform, there were seven wooden boxes and five jade bottles.

Among them, Zheng Yi himself, Noble Consort Cui, Consort Chan, and Consort Yu each took a wooden box, leaving Chen Liancang as the only one who took a jade bottle.

They opened the Nanke Immortal Mansion Token, Seven Killings Soul-annihilating Needle, Puppet Xuan Ye, Netherworld Soul Summoning Banner, and ten Foundation Establishment Pills.

As for the remaining three wooden boxes and four jade bottles, their contents were unknown.

This time, without delay, all three wooden boxes and four jade bottles were opened.

In the first wooden box was a top-grade magical artifact called the 'Life Flower Pen'.

According to the Grand Ancestor's notes, this pen was refined using the fur of the Tier Three Demon Beast, Howling Moon Night Wolf, increasing the success rate when painting talismans.

It can also be used to paint talismans in the void for attacking enemies, proving highly useful.

Zheng Yi directly gifted this pen to Consort Yu. Among the five, only she knew how to paint talismans and had some talisman heritage.

Spirit Testing Talisman, Divine Movement Talisman, etc., they are all highly useful.

If she could put in more effort and obtain more talisman heritage from Zhao Xizheng, it would be even better.

In the second wooden box were two jade-colored talisman papers.

Initially, the group didn't pay much attention, thinking they were some high-grade talismans.

However, the Grand Ancestor's notes shocked them deeply.

Talisman Treasure: Soul-breaking Spear!

And there were two!

Both were brand new talisman treasures with no signs of usage, capable of being used ten times each.

This means that these two talisman treasures represent twenty full-power strikes of a Golden Core Cultivator!

These items... are incredibly precious!

No wonder...

Years ago, Fire Spirit willingly teamed up with Yang Ni to try and excavate the Imperial Mausoleum.

With so many items, it's not just a late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator who would be drawn to it; even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would be eager to acquire them!

In the third wooden box was yet another top-grade magical artifact.

Yet it was the most precious kind among magical artifacts, a defensive magical artifact!

Purple Sun Treasure Armor!

Zheng Yi thought for a while and decided to give this Purple Sun Treasure Armor to Consort Chan.

Consort Chan firmly refused until Zheng Yi mentioned he had another top-grade protective magical artifact, and she reluctantly accepted.

Indeed, Zheng Yi truly has a protective magical artifact.

Thousand Illusions Glazed Painting!

This magical artifact not only has the effects of hallucination and trapping but also serves as personal protection!

However, for some reason, Zheng Yi always felt that the Thousand Illusions Glazed Painting wasn't a top-grade magical artifact.

After handling so many top-grade magical artifacts this time, he felt even more convinced.

Once back, he ought to thoroughly investigate it.

In the next four jade bottles, different elixirs were poured out.

Unfortunately, all of them had lost their medicinal properties and needed to be re-refined.

Seeing this, Zheng Yi recalled the booklet left by the Grand Ancestor.

What exactly is that mysterious thing?

It can absorb the world's Spiritual Qi from thousands of years ago.

Even the Spiritual Qi from Spirit Stones and Elixirs can be slowly absorbed.

Next, the group made another round in the treasure vault. Besides finding ample materials for artifact refining and alchemy, they surprisingly discovered several other treasures.

Twelve storage bags of varying sizes, but unfortunately, they were empty.

Still, the group was thrilled.

Zheng Yi selected two of the largest storage bags, and Noble Consort Cui and the other four each took one.

The remaining six storage bags were left there, awaiting distribution when more cultivators joined later.

Yue Chan discovered another wooden box in a corner.

Upon opening it, it contained five jade scrolls!

These five jade scrolls were directly linked to Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation techniques.

Five jade scrolls corresponding to the five elements, suitable for most cultivators with Five Elements Spirit Roots.

"Sun Shining Technique."

"Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique."

"Thousand Waves Technique."

"Flaming Technique."

"Thick Earth True Gang Technique."

These five jade slips seem to be cultivation techniques specially left by the Grand Ancestor for his descendants.

Unfortunately, Zheng Yi ended up benefiting from all of them.

After collecting them, everyone reluctantly left the place.

Upon exiting, Zheng Yi further ordered to station the Imperial Guard and the New Army Camp around Celestial Longevity Mountain.

To protect the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum, as well as the entire Zheng Family Treasure Vault!

Besides, Zheng Yi also ordered Hu Bafeng and others to continue excavating the mausoleum of Great Yu's second Emperor, Emperor Jingwen.

Rumor has it that over three hundred years ago an immortal came from overseas and was revered as National Preceptor by Emperor Jingwen.

After passing, he took away a significant number of burial items.

Just wondering what treasures might be inside Emperor Jingwen's tomb?

Half a day later, they returned to the Imperial City.

Just entering the palace, a little eunuch hurriedly ran over.

"Your Majesty!"

"Eunuch Liu ordered me to inform Your Majesty, Grand General Xu has waited for you the whole night."

"Xu Mujun?"

Zheng Yi's eyes flashed and said: "Consort, you may return to the palace first, I have some important matters to attend to."

"Understood!"

Soon, Zheng Yi met with Xu Mujun, who had waited overnight.

"Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing Zheng Yi, Xu Mujun immediately knelt down: "Minister, thank Your Majesty for fulfilling!"

Zheng Yi nodded and said: "Xu Qing is loyal to me and to Great Yu, I cannot let you be left behind, Xu Qing."

"We are ruler and minister, but also father-in-law and son-in-law, and thus family."

"I, too, do not wish to see Qingluan sulking all the time."

"Rise, Xu Qing."

"Thank Your Majesty!"

Xu Mujun stood up respectfully and said: "Your Majesty, I have a request, which I hope Your Majesty would consent to."

"Oh? What request does Xu Qing have?"

"I request... to personally eradicate Great Yu's rebels!"

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yi curiously said: "What does the Grand General mean? Black Mountain Pass is still waiting for Xu Qing..."

"Black Mountain Pass is not important!"

Xu Mujun said: "Black Mountain Pass has Prince Xian, Chen Wannian, Chen Hongxiu, and Zhao Tieshan, with these three generals there, as long as the Black Mountain Pass is secured and rock-solid, the Wu Country troops will not be able to break through."

"But the situation inside Great Yu is different!"

"There are too many rebels within Great Yu, and they are entrenched in various states and counties, among noble families and sects."

"These noble families and sects have long received royal favor but have betrayed the Imperial Court and launched rebellions, truly deserving of death!"

"I request to personally lead the army to annihilate Great Yu's rebels and restore peace to the world!"

Looking at Xu Mujun, Zheng Yi's heart stirred.

His original plan was to use the new army and firearms to dominate the Six Northern States and areas like Shuzhou, watching the rebels fight each other and deplete their strength.

But now that Xu Mujun volunteered for battle, it's time to change strategies.

"Since Xu Qing requests so earnestly, I shall naturally agree."

Zheng Yi immediately said: "Liu Cheng'en, draft the decree."

"Understood!"

"Appoint Xu Mujun as Grand Marshal of the World, holding the authority of command, leading all Great Yu troops except the Imperial Guard, to eliminate the rebels. Any Imperial court troops are to follow his orders without error."

"Minister, thank Your Majesty!"

Xu Mujun respectfully said: "Additionally, I have another request that I hope Your Majesty will approve."

"What is it?"

"I request to command all Celestial Prison and Imperial Prison death row prisoners in the Capital Region, to form a punitive army, to accompany the military expedition!"

"Death Row Camp?"

Zheng Yi muttered: "Sure."

"Thank Your Majesty!"

Xu Mujun said: "Military action ought to be swift; I will prepare immediately to depart within three days."

"Grand General Xu, wait a moment, I have something to give to you."

Zheng Yi stopped Xu Mujun, went back to his own chambers, and took out a book.

The content of this book is simple, a martial arts cultivation technique secret manual that Zheng Yi transcribed from memory from the 'Spirit Pool World'!

"Bull Demon Strong Fist!"

"Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist!"

And... "Dragon Elephant Pure Yang Skill!"

These three techniques are the gifts Zheng Yi gave to Xu Mujun.

Also gifts to the Great Yu military!

"Xu Qing."

Zheng Yi handed this over to Xu Mujun and said: "Here are three secret manuals, donated by an abnormal being, best suited for cultivation in the military."

"Mastering 'Bull Demon Strong Fist' and 'Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist' can reach the First-grade Realm, enough to enhance the strength of our Great Yu military several times over!"

"And this 'Dragon Elephant Pure Yang Skill' is a martial arts cultivation technique capable of breaking through the Innate Realm!"

"A martial arts technique to break through the Innate Realm?"

Xu Mujun questioned: "Is there such a technique?"

"Indeed."

Zheng Yi said solemnly: "The ultimate in martial arts is to refine the spirit and break the Dao, martial arts can communicate with the divine!"

"Above the Innate Realm, there is also the Spirit Communication Realm and the Martial God Realm!"

"Upon reaching this realm, one can communicate with spirits with the heart, and command the heavens with the divine, regarded as a Martial God!"

"Of course, this 'Dragon Elephant Pure Yang Skill' does record the cultivation technique of the Spirit Communication Realm."

"But, as for the Martial God Realm, it does not; it's merely that abnormal being's speculation. Whether you can reach the Martial God Realm depends on your own insight, Xu Qing."

"I too have no experience."

Nevertheless, Xu Mujun was deeply moved.

Holding the three manuals in hand, he solemnly knelt down, bowed and said: "Minister, on behalf of Great Yu's million soldiers, thank Your Majesty for granting the techniques!"

Zheng Yi personally helped him up: "Xu Qing, I'm waiting for your triumphant return!"

"Minister, will not disappoint!"

Xu Mujun left alone, his silhouette sparse, evoking a sense of icy winds over easy waters.

Chen Liancang's figure slowly walked over: "Your Majesty, Grand General Xu has resolved to die."

"One must have pursuits."

Zheng Yi said calmly: "Xu Qing seeks something I cannot give, he must strive for it himself."

"I believe in Xu Qing."

Chen Liancang was silent, then said: "Your Majesty, there is another matter this old servant wishes to report."

"Oh, what matter?"