"Open the remaining two treasure chests," Zhao Feng commanded.
In response:
"Opening a Tier 3 Treasure Chest."
"Acquired: [High-Grade Spirit Vein]."
"Opening a Tier 4 Treasure Chest."
"Acquired: [Fragmented Small World]."
When he saw this when he saw the words Fragmented Small World Zhao Feng was stunned.
A wave of disbelief and anticipation surged through his heart.
"A fragmented small world?"
"Does it mean what I think it does? A whole world?"
"Is this real?" Zhao Feng couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and excitement.
Without hesitation, he extracted it.
Instantly, a glowing sphere appeared in front of him.
At first glance, it seemed like just a ball of light. But when Zhao Feng focused his vision, he saw a vast land within it.
Driven by intense curiosity, Zhao Feng reached out and touched the glowing sphere.
In an instant, the sphere flickered and merged directly into Zhao Feng's body.
The next moment
Inside his dantian, the glowing sphere settled.
A notification from the system appeared.
"Successfully acquired an unowned small world. The host's consciousness can now control the small world."
Zhao Feng focused his mind and directed his consciousness into the sphere.
Suddenly
His awareness was pulled into the glowing sphere.
What unfolded before him was the sight of the fragmented small world.
A thousand miles of barren land.
Cracks spread across the ground.
Scorched earth as far as the eye could see.
Shattered mountains and scattered debris.
Yet, there was a faint, lingering glow of energy.
The entire world was devoid of life completely desolate, without a single drop of water.
It was as if this world had experienced an apocalyptic catastrophe and had barely survived. Only a mere thousand miles remained intact.
"It's really... a world."
"I possess a world now."
Seeing this landscape with his consciousness, Zhao Feng was utterly dazed.
Even though the world was fragmented and lifeless, there was no denying it was a world of its own.
"I wonder if I can enter this world? Can life even exist here?" Zhao Feng questioned internally.
However, despite this thought
He found himself unable to physically enter.
It seemed that while his consciousness could oversee and control everything within the world, his physical body couldn't step inside.
"I can't go in."
"And aside from my consciousness covering the land, there's nothing else remarkable about this world. It has no natural laws, not even a trace of spiritual energy."
Within this fragmented world, Zhao Feng's consciousness was akin to the will of heaven.
However
It lacked any divine authority. This world had already perished once. Its laws had collapsed, and whatever governing force it once had had long since crumbled.
"What use does this world have?"
"But... if I can't enter, maybe I can send other things inside?" Zhao Feng pondered.
With this idea in mind
He immediately took action.
With a thought
BOOM!
A terrifying aura erupted within the great hall.
A monstrous black dragon, nearly ten meters long, materialized in front of Zhao Feng.
Compared to its previous half-human size, the black dragon had now grown into a massive beast, its form resembling the legendary divine dragon.
However, while divine dragons were sacred beasts, this black dragon was a ferocious creature, exuding a far more violent presence.
Had the black dragon not restrained itself, the great hall might have been torn apart in an instant.
But
In front of Zhao Feng, it remained utterly docile.
"Don't resist. I'm sending you somewhere," Zhao Feng said as his consciousness enveloped the massive dragon.
Then, he activated the world sphere.
A ripple of spatial energy emerged.
The black dragon vanished from the great hall.
The next moment
It appeared within the fragmented small world.
Zhao Feng's consciousness immediately followed.
He saw the black dragon floating midair, curiously observing the ruined landscape.
"It can survive here."
"But is that because of its unique physique?"
"Still, this confirms that life can exist in this world, even though it has no natural energy or living beings."
Zhao Feng contemplated.
A Tier 4 treasure chest had granted him this fragmented world. If he couldn't utilize it properly, it would be a waste.
A thousand miles of land!
Back in the Spring and Autumn period, this would have been the size of a small nation.
If Zhao Feng could restore this broken world, filling it with life, he could build his independent kingdom.
More importantly
This world operated under entirely different rules from the Divine Continent.
If Zhao Feng could refine and control these laws
Immortality... would no longer be just a dream.
A world... has its order.
Even if it was a shattered realm, it still followed a different set of laws from the world he was in now.
"Wait a minute."
"A High-Grade Spirit Vein... A spiritual energy mine?"
"If I implant this spirit vein into the fragmented world if I introduce spiritual energy would it start to regain life?"
A bold idea flashed through Zhao Feng's mind.
Thus
His consciousness immediately dove into the small world.
Then, he commanded:
"Extract [High-Grade Spirit Vein]."
In an instant.
A radiant light in the form of a dragon roamed through the void of the small world for a moment before plunging straight into its center.
The moment this dragon-shaped spirit vein descended upon the land, there was no thunderous roar; instead, it merged seamlessly into the earth.
The next moment
A sudden transformation occurred.
As the spirit vein integrated, the previously scorched land began to gradually regain vitality. The charred soil slowly turned into a dark reddish hue, transforming into normal fertile ground.
Moreover, the change rapidly spread outward from the core of the spirit vein.
Ten miles.
Fifty miles.
The transformation continued to expand.
It wouldn't be long before it covered the entire small world.
The scorched earth gradually receded, and for the first time in countless years, the small world was infused with spiritual energy.
Spiritual energy is the essence of life in any world.
A high-grade spirit vein
Although Zhao Feng didn't fully understand its value, he knew that a single high-grade spirit vein could increase the spiritual energy of an area spanning thousands of miles several times.
Ancient mythological sects and sacred lands were certain to possess such high-grade spirit veins, making cultivation significantly more effective.
"What an incredible effect!"
"This spirit vein is actually this powerful?"
"It's reviving this desolate world?"
Seeing the changes brought by the spirit vein to the ruined small world, Zhao Feng laughed in delight.
With spiritual energy, life could now survive in this world.
If Zhao Feng needed to train assassins or build an army in the future, this small world would serve as the perfect haven.
"Roar!"
The black dragon let out a deep growl, seemingly expressing its desire to remain in this world.
"If you wish to stay, then stay."
"I'll make sure to prepare food for you later." Zhao Feng replied casually, not bothering to restrict the dragon.
Perhaps it had felt too confined in the pet space and had grown bored. But now, in this vast thousand-mile expanse, it could finally soar freely.
Zhao Feng then withdrew his consciousness from the small world.
His mind was filled with contemplation.
"A ruined world… If a single spirit vein can revive it to this extent, then it proves that this world still has a chance to recover and grow. Could it possibly evolve into a higher-tier world? Might it even expand in size?"
"If this small world were to grow into a realm as vast as the primordial wilderness, wouldn't I essentially become its heavenly law?"
As Zhao Feng envisioned the possibilities, he couldn't help but dream bigger.
While the idea of transforming this small world into a great world seemed far-fetched, obtaining it had undoubtedly opened a new path and a significant opportunity for him.
Of course
Hoping for a completely ruined world to naturally evolve into a grand world was likely unrealistic.
But using it as a trump card? Feasible.
Snapping back to reality
Zhao Feng let out a deep breath, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Complete attribute breakthrough."
"Total attribute transformation."
"A massive surge in power."
"And rare treasures obtained."
"These three months of seclusion have been immensely rewarding." Zhao Feng thought to himself with a sense of accomplishment before slowly standing up and heading toward the hall's entrance.
The moment he stepped outside
All the guards in attendance turned their eyes toward him.
Then, they all knelt in unison.
"Welcome back, my lord!"
"Why is there such a large gathering?"
Zhao Feng glanced around.
There were now hundreds of elite guards stationed outside the hall far more than before he entered seclusion.
Had something happened during these three months?
Zhang Ming immediately stepped forward.
"My lord, are you unaware of the celestial phenomenon that just occurred?"
"What celestial phenomenon?" Zhao Feng asked, puzzled.
"My lord, just as you broke through in cultivation, a blood mist emerged from within the palace. It then ascended into the sky and transformed into blood-colored clouds, covering the skies over Xianyang." Zhang Ming reported.
Hearing this
Zhao Feng was momentarily taken aback.
"Could it have been caused by the formation of my Divine Ability Domain?" Zhao Feng mused internally.
"Please rest assured, my lord."
"The information has been contained."
"Only those completely loyal to you were present, and the blood mist dispersed too quickly for anyone to trace it back to the estate." Zhang Ming assured him.
Zhao Feng nodded. "That was unnecessary."
However
A thought lingered in Zhao Feng's mind.
"This breakthrough caused such a major disturbance… If true cultivators exist in this world, they must have noticed by now."
With a commotion of this magnitude, if cultivation practitioners truly existed in the Divine State, they would undoubtedly sense it.
However
Zhao Feng wasn't particularly concerned.
His martial cultivation had now reached the Divine Ability Realm. If cultivators did emerge, he would have nothing to fear.
With his martial arts, divine abilities, and divine weapons
Even those beyond the Divine Ability Realm would not intimidate him.
"Prepare the carriage."
"I am heading to the palace." Zhao Feng instructed Zhang Ming.
"As you command," Zhang Ming promptly responded, making the necessary arrangements.
After three months of seclusion, It was time to pay a visit to the royal court.
To have not attended court in Xianyang for three full months… This was only possible because of Qin Shi Huang's leniency.
If it were any other ruler, such an absence would have been intolerable.
Before long
Inside the Epang Palace.
"What's this?"
"You've finished your seclusion?"
"What new military strategies have you devised this time?"
Seeing Zhao Feng bow in greeting, Ying Zheng teased him with a smile.
"I have learned much."
"In future battles, the enemy will have even more to fear." Zhao Feng responded with a laugh, taking a seat.
"Since you've rested for three months, you'd better not miss court tomorrow."
While reading through memorials, Ying Zheng casually reminded him.
"Now that my seclusion is over, I naturally won't be absent." Zhao Feng replied without hesitation.
After all
He had already skipped court for three months. And it wasn't even because he was off at war this was practically unheard of.
"As long as you understand."
"You've been absent from court for three months, and the censors have been constantly submitting petitions against you." Ying Zheng remarked with a slight hint of exasperation.
"I am but a military official."
"Now that the war has settled, my presence in court serves little purpose." Zhao Feng chuckled, completely unconcerned.
"What about Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling? What have those two little ones been up to?"
"They've only come to the palace two or three times in the past month."
"Why?"
"Did you forbid them from visiting and keeping me company?"
Ying Zheng spoke again with a hint of resentment.
Before Zhao Feng returned, the two little ones would come to the Zhangtai Palace every few days, bringing a lot of joy. But ever since Zhao Feng came back, they seemed to have gotten busy and rarely visited.
"Qi'er and Ling'er are already six years old; it's time for them to start learning things."
"I have found some teachers to educate them," Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"That makes sense."
Hearing this, Ying Zheng nodded in agreement and didn't press further.
"I heard that Your Majesty has appointed Han Fei as the Left Chancellor?" Zhao Feng asked with a smile.
"Why? Do you think Han Fei isn't capable?" Ying Zheng asked, amused.
"No, not at all!"
Zhao Feng shook his head repeatedly. "Among the entire court, Han Fei is the most suitable."
"He is indeed the best choice."
"The court is filled with different factions, and Han Fei belongs to none of them. Making him Chancellor helps balance the court."
"Your recommendation was the right one," Ying Zheng praised.
"Your Majesty," Zhao Feng admitted candidly, "my recommendation of Han Fei was purely out of personal interest he is the one I'm most familiar with."
The so-called court balance was not something Zhao Feng had considered at all.
Of course, Han Fei's appointment as Chancellor was entirely because of Zhao Feng. If Wang Wan hadn't sought his doom, Zhao Feng wouldn't have had to deal with him.
"Take a look at this memorial."
Ying Zheng, not wanting to continue the topic of the Chancellor, handed a memorial to Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng took it and, after reading it, smiled.
"This Cai Ci is quite remarkable."
"He's very capable."
"Yan territory has now been fully annexed. Compared to the Three Jin territories, Yan had a king who betrayed his people. The people of Yan view him as a disgrace, making them more willing to pledge loyalty to Great Qin."
"This is good news, and of course, Cai Ci's ability is worth noting," Zhao Feng said immediately.
"He does have some talent and may be of great use in the future," Ying Zheng agreed with a smile.
Then, shifting his gaze, he continued, "That Xiao He is also quite impressive."
"After Han Fei became Left Chancellor, his previous duties were assigned to Xiao He. Compared to Han Fei, he seems even more suited for the role of Minister of Granaries."
"Shangqiu County truly produces outstanding talents."
"First, there was Yan Bing, who was quite competent, and now this Xiao He."
"Of course, the most important one is you," Ying Zheng said with a laugh, bringing up Xiao He.
Three months ago, Zhao Feng had mentioned Xiao He's abilities to Han Fei, suggesting that Han Fei keep an eye on him. Surprisingly, in such a short time, Xiao He had already become Han Fei's deputy.
This was a position far beyond the historical Xiao He.
Historically, Xiao He was merely a county assistant, but now he had risen to the deputy of the Nine Ministers.
In the future, once Han Fei fully took control as Left Chancellor, Xiao He might even advance further to officially become the Minister of Granaries, joining the ranks of the Nine Ministers.
This would also benefit Zhao Feng greatly in the long run.
"That is all thanks to Your Majesty's governance, a land of outstanding talents."
"As the unification of Shenzhou approaches, more and more talents will gather under Your Majesty's rule," Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"Unification of Shenzhou…"
Ying Zheng murmured the words, his eyes flashing with determination. "It is indeed time to begin."
"In your opinion," he continued, "now that only the states of Qi and Chu remain, which should we conquer first?"
Without hesitation, Zhao Feng replied, "Chu."
"Why?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Between Qi and Chu, Chu has the stronger national power. Since ancient times, even when Zhou was at its peak, Chu maintained its barbaric nature, neither respecting the Zhou Son of Heaven nor its royal lineage. It has always relied on military might to survive."
"If we attack Qi first, Chu will certainly mobilize against Qin. But if we attack Chu first, Qi would not dare to strike at Qin. Even if they had the intent, a single army stationed at the border would be enough to deter them."
"The King of Qi is not a ruler of great ambition, merely a mediocre monarch."
"Therefore, we should eliminate Chu first. Once Qi is isolated, taking them down will be effortless," Zhao Feng said firmly.
"Well said!"
Ying Zheng burst into laughter, clearly pleased with Zhao Feng's reasoning.
Perhaps this was exactly what Ying Zheng had in mind as well.
"However…"
"The territory of Chu is vast. In terms of national strength, they are not inferior to the former Zhao state. However, unlike Zhao, Chu is ruled by three major noble families, and all resources are divided among them."
"Chu has an army of 700,000, but most of the military power lies with these three families. Even the King of Chu no, even the Prime Minister Li Yuan can only command less than half of the state's forces."
"If we want to conquer Chu, there may be an even better opportunity," Zhao Feng suggested after some thought.
"Back when Chu sought to assist Wei, we set a trap that led to the death of Huang Xie, allowing Li Yuan to rise to power. That strategy can be repeated."
"Because of Li Yuan, the three major families of Chu have suffered significant losses in power," Ying Zheng said coldly.
"It seems Your Majesty has already set things in motion," Zhao Feng noted with a smile.
Since Ying Zheng had already brought it up, there was no need to say more.
It was clear that he had already ordered the Black Ice Platform to take action.
"You always manage to see through my plans."
"If only you were my son then I could entrust Great Qin to you with complete confidence," Ying Zheng suddenly said with a laugh, his gaze filled with amusement as he looked at Zhao Feng.
Naturally, these words carried a mix of jest and sincerity.
The sincerity was that if Zhao Feng truly were his son, it would be a great fortune.
The jest was simply a playful remark, meant to gauge Zhao Feng's reaction.
"Your Majesty jests," Zhao Feng responded with a chuckle, playing along with the joke.
"Alright."
"You should go and rest."
"Make sure you don't miss tomorrow's court session," Ying Zheng waved his hand dismissively.
"Your subject takes his leave."
Zhao Feng didn't linger and, after bowing respectfully, exited the Zhangtai Palace.
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