Stepping into the main hall, Qin Wudao saw the Emperor of the Qin Dynasty sitting in his chair. He resembled a handsome young man, holding a report in his left hand. After carefully reading it, he dipped his quill in ink with his right hand and began to make annotations.
On the vast imperial desk, several stacks of reports were arranged. Most strikingly, there were even baskets filled with documents by the table's edge.
Is this the life of an emperor? It's too harsh! Qin Wudao muttered to himself, standing by the imperial desk and watching Emperor Qin review the reports.
Perhaps due to his cultivation, Emperor Qin reviewed reports very quickly, finishing one in less than a minute. However, it still took him an hour to process the entire stack before him.
Just when Qin Wudao thought Emperor Qin was about to speak to him, the Emperor started on another stack of reports.
When will this end! Qin Wudao began to feel bored. Glancing around the imperial study, he found several chairs, consciously chose one, sat down, and began to cultivate cross-legged.
Faint Spiritual Energy swirled around him, forming a small vortex.
He was probably the only person, aside from Emperor Qin himself, who dared to cultivate in the imperial study.
This terrified the eunuchs attending to Emperor Qin as he reviewed his reports; they wanted to remind Qin Wudao several times but dared not.
This boy! Emperor Qin glanced up briefly at Qin Wudao, a knowing, triumphant smile touching his lips before he lowered his head and continued reviewing the reports.
To discourage Qin Wudao from competing for the position of Crown Prince, he had schemed meticulously. While the Qin Empire had many reports, the volume was never this exaggerated. Most were reviewed by the court officials, and he only spot-checked a few occasionally.
To extinguish someone's passion for something, one must make them detest that very thing.
He deliberately feigned being overwhelmed with work to make Qin Wudao believe that being an emperor was an arduous task, thereby dissuading him from aspiring to be Crown Prince.
It's been too long since I've reviewed so many reports; my head is throbbing! Rubbing his temples, Emperor Qin continued toiling through the documents with a pained expression. He would rather endure a year of arduous cultivation than sit there scanning the densely packed text.
During this time, Qin Wudao woke up once. It was already six hours later. Seeing Emperor Qin still bent over his desk, writing furiously, he felt something was amiss. Is he still reviewing them? Is he truly this busy?
Eight hours later, Qin Wudao finally sensed someone speaking. Opening his eyes, he saw a eunuch standing nearby.
"Have you awakened?" Emperor Qin asked with a smile. His imperial desk was now empty; clearly, all the documents had been processed.
"Your Majesty has worked hard," Qin Wudao said, standing up and bowing respectfully, his expression carefully neutral, not showing undue familiarity.
From birth until the present, he had only met Emperor Qin a few times. While Emperor Qin had never caused him trouble, neither had he shown him any particular care. Their relationship could only be described as distant.
"When you were unremarkable, I paid you no mind. Now that you have revealed your talent and achieved military merit, I have conferred a title upon your mother consort. Do you think I am too hypocritical, valuing only benefits?" Emperor Qin said softly, a hint of helplessness flickering in his deep eyes.
Qin Wudao did not reply, though a slight displeasure stirred within him.
"The Great Qin has existed for one hundred thousand years. Whether it's the imperial family or the court, a distinct set of rules has long since been established. Even I, the Emperor, cannot break these rules!
"In the Qin Empire, if you wish to gain more, you must be sufficiently outstanding!
"Previously, you concealed your abilities, and I, preoccupied with state affairs, neglected your feelings. However, I never withheld the treatment due to a Prince..." Emperor Qin explained. As the Emperor of Great Qin, he was fated not to let personal emotions dictate his actions; family matters were state matters.
To put it bluntly, he could not favor an ordinary Prince too much, as it would easily incite jealousy. After all, the human heart is unfathomable, and instances of princely conflict leading to rivers of blood were far too numerous.
"Imperial Father, I understand your reasoning." After hearing these words, Qin Wudao's displeasure lessened considerably. Upon reflection, his entitled treatment had indeed never been curtailed; living in a thatched hut had been his own choice.
Compared to the imperial families of other nations, Emperor Qin had acted with relative fairness.
Moreover, in his fifteen years of life, he had never been bullied by the other Princes. This, he reckoned, was likely also partly due to Emperor Qin's influence.
"It is good that you understand." A smile touched Emperor Qin's face. He had said so much precisely to bridge the estrangement between father and son. Changing the subject, he continued, "Your performance this time was excellent; I am very pleased!
"With your talent, your future is limitless. You are now qualified to learn some of the Empire's secrets!"
BOOM!
A black barrier of light spread out from the chair, enveloping both Emperor Qin and Qin Wudao, completely isolating them from external sounds and sights.
Qin Wudao's expression turned solemn, and a flicker of anticipation sparked within him.
It was common knowledge that the Qin Empire had only two Martial Artists who had Reached the Holy Realm. Yet, in Ye City, Bai Qi had revealed a Reaching the Holy Realm cultivation.
Furthermore, Meng Tian, Sima Cuo, Li Xin, Ren Xiao, and other veteran Generals had all reached the late-stage Heavenly Realm. This was by no means the level of strength an ordinary empire should possess.
"The Six Major Sects and the Six Major Empires each possess one Mustard Seed World. However, the Mustard Seed Worlds of the Six Major Sects are of a higher level," Emperor Qin mused for a moment before continuing.
"Imperial Father, Mustard Seed Worlds are also graded by level?" Qin Wudao asked curiously. He was unaware of such confidential matters.
"My son, do not be hasty. Listen as Imperial Father explains slowly." Unperturbed by the interruption, Emperor Qin smiled and said, "Mustard Seed Worlds are divided into nine levels. The higher the level, the greater its efficacy in aiding cultivation!
"The Six Major Empires control Level One Mustard Seed Worlds, while the Six Major Sects control Level Two Mustard Seed Worlds!
"The Qin Empire, however, controls one Level Two Mustard Seed World and one Level Three Mustard Seed World!
"It is precisely because of these two Mustard Seed Worlds that the Qin Empire, in a mere one hundred thousand years, has managed to accumulate the strength to stand unafraid of the sects!"
Qin Wudao was slightly startled, gaining a preliminary understanding of the significance of Mustard Seed Worlds.
"I have received intelligence that the Six Sects and the Five Kingdoms have formed an alliance and will soon attack the Qin Empire. Once this national war is over, I will allow you to go to a Mustard Seed World to cultivate," Emperor Qin continued.
Qin Wudao's eyes lit up. If he could cultivate in a Mustard Seed World, he was certain he could break through to the Nirvana Realm.
"Many thanks, Imperial Father!" Qin Wudao hurriedly saluted. After a moment's hesitation, he clasped his hands and asked, "Imperial Father, I wish to personally lead the grand army to attack the Six Sects and the other Five Kingdoms!"
The system had issued a mission: occupying a faction would grant a check-in reward.
He had a profound understanding of the system's power and speculated that the next reward might even be a high-level Mustard Seed World. Therefore, he was unwilling to forgo any opportunity.
"Permitted." Emperor Qin fell silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
The Qin Empire needed a legendary figure to emerge.
Most crucially, when Qin Wudao expanded the borders and reclaimed territory, he would gain the blessing of the Fortune associated with the conquered lands.
Although Fortune was elusive and intangible, it was of immense importance to a Martial Artist.
"Many thanks, Imperial Father!" Qin Wudao was overjoyed. With Emperor Qin's support, conquering the Five Kingdoms and Six Sects was merely a matter of time. He would then be able to obtain eleven system rewards.
Afterward, the two conversed for another hour before Emperor Qin permitted Qin Wudao to depart.
Exiting the imperial study, Qin Wudao, his heart pounding with excitement, headed towards the rear palace. His destination was clear: the Phoenix Luan Hall!