85: The road ahead is over

One month later, Xu Sanyan announced to the world that he would ascend the throne as emperor, changing the dynastic title to “Sui” and the era name to Chengping.

His ascension did not face much obstruction; only a few old officials preferred death over surrender, and Xu Sanyan granted their wishes, while also eliminating them root and branch.

Now, he no longer needed to act personally; a single command was enough, and someone would naturally handle it.

However, for those who refused to submit, Xu Sanyan adhered to only one principle:

Kill!

There were those who weren't afraid of death, but more were afraid of death, and many remote areas still didn't know that another emperor had taken the throne, as the recent changes in emperors had been quite frequent.

Xu Sanyan's first imperial decree after ascending the throne was to order all regions to present precious medicinal herbs.

...

Within the imperial palace, in the Chenming Hall, Xu Sanyan, dressed in a Dragon robe, sat casually on the Dragon throne, expressionlessly gazing at the officials below.

Someone held a hu board, stepped forward from the crowd, and loudly declared, “Your Majesty, your subject wishes to impeach Zhao Shengwu!”

“Speak.” Xu Sanyan became slightly interested; everyone knew that Zhao Shengwu was his trusted confidant, who had worked tirelessly and made great contributions for his ascension to the throne, yet someone was impeaching him?

Who was so ignorant of propriety?

Zhao Shengwu turned his head to look at the person, a sneer in his heart, unafraid.

The old official loudly stated, “Zhao Shengwu is a corrupt individual who accepts bribes and sells official positions and titles, valuing money over talent. After officials take office, they only know how to exploit the common people, leading to widespread grievances in many areas. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly.”

Xu Sanyan slowly nodded, looking at Zhao Shengwu, “Is this true?”

Zhao Shengwu prostrated himself on the ground, weeping loudly, “Your Majesty is sagacious; there is absolutely no such thing. All my actions are for Your Majesty to collect precious medicinal herbs. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly!”

“Hmm, I believe you. Make sure to collect the precious medicinal herbs quickly.” Xu Sanyan nodded. He had no intention of governing the country; as long as the precious medicinal herbs were not delayed, that was enough.

“Your Majesty, rest assured, the first batch of precious medicinal herbs will arrive the day after tomorrow.” Zhao Shengwu patted his chest in assurance, his gaze subtly sweeping over the old official.

The old official stared dumbfounded at this scene, feeling utterly desolate in his heart. Just one question and it was over?

This emperor only knew how to indulge in pleasure, ignoring state affairs. Sooner or later, this great nation would be ruined in his hands.

Xu Sanyan glanced at the ministers below, “Alright, court dismissed. Don't come looking for me if there's nothing these next few days. Even if there is something, don't come looking for me; you can handle it yourselves.”

“Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty.”

Xu Sanyan walked towards the sleeping quarters, rubbing his right arm, which still ached a bit, indicating it hadn't fully healed.

Indeed, a hundred days for bone and muscle injuries; even with Xu Sanyan's Physique, it would take over a month to fully recover.

However, the internal injuries he had sustained earlier had already healed first, and his body was filled with Inner Energy, his state recovering to ninety percent of his Peak.

Arriving at the sleeping quarters, the empress was sitting in the courtyard, gazing at the sky, lost in thought.

This empress was still the same empress as before.

“Your Majesty, may you be safe.”

The empress rose and bowed gracefully, her eyes still holding a hint of shyness.

Ever since Xu Sanyan ascended the throne, the empress's treasured dildo had been cast aside to gather dust in a corner.

“Come, accompany me into the room to rest.”

“This...”

The empress looked up at the sky; it was just after morning court, the sun high in the sky, and he already wanted to rest again?

Xu Sanyan didn't care about such things. He scooped her up by the waist, and with a gasp, the two entered the sleeping quarters.

Outside the door, the young eunuchs exchanged glances, their heads bowed low.

...

Two days later, Xu Sanyan was sprawled on the bed, playing with two long swords, one green and one red, in his hands. These were the items left by the Red Sea Twin Immortals.

These two swords were exceptionally sharp and very tough. Xu Sanyan knew they were treasures but didn't know how to use them.

The Red Sea Twin Immortals could use the precious swords to set up a barrier in front of them, which had strong defensive capabilities. Xu Sanyan, even with all his might, couldn't break through it. It would be great if he could learn how to use them.

The same went for that whisk; it could easily trap the Blood Demon, rendering it immobile, but Xu Sanyan had researched it for a long time and still hadn't figured out how to use it.

Neither infusing Inner Energy into it nor dripping blood to recognize it as his master had any effect, so for now, he could only put it aside.

At this moment, news came from outside, “Your Majesty, General Zhao has brought the precious medicinal herbs.”

Xu Sanyan's heart rejoiced. He patted the empress, “I'm going out for a bit.”

“Yes.”

The first batch of precious medicinal herbs was delivered to the imperial palace. Xu Sanyan looked at the mountains of wooden boxes piled before him, his heart filled with excitement. Conservatively estimated, there were at least two hundred precious medicinal herbs!

Xu Sanyan estimated that a little over a hundred “Qi” should be enough.

As he consumed one precious medicinal herb after another, the “Qi” on his panel also increased, finally settling at two hundred and thirty-one.

Xu Sanyan curled his lips; the plus sign behind his Realm had already appeared.

Immediately, without hesitation, he moved his thoughts and clicked on the plus sign. A large portion of the “Qi” instantly evaporated, leaving only eighty-one.

This upgrade consumed exactly one hundred and fifty points!

Xu Sanyan couldn't help but feel relieved; it was still within his acceptable range.

As his Realm improved, the “Qi” required also increased each time.

Xu Sanyan slowly closed his eyes, and immediately, a surge of violent Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi drilled into his pores, rushing along his Meridians.

Xu Sanyan frowned tightly, urgently circulating his Cultivation Technique to refine the Spiritual Qi pouring in from outside, transforming it into Inner Energy he could contain, and then returning it one by one to his Qi Sea.

As time slowly passed, a day quickly went by, and the young eunuchs standing outside had already quietly changed shifts twice.

Moonrise and sunset, night fell, and the imperial palace was like a silent tomb, with only occasional bird chirps.

Xu Sanyan slowly opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face.

“Foundation Establishment Completion...”

After the Realm Breakthrough, the biggest change was in his Qi Sea. The Inner Energy it contained had grown from an initial stream to a vast lake, increasing exponentially.

Now, if he were to fight the Red Sea Twin Immortals again, he was confident he could easily defeat them, without such difficulty.

Moreover, after the Breakthrough, the strength of his Physical Body also increased, though the increase was not very noticeable, barely better than nothing.

With a thought, the panel appeared in his vision.

[Xu Sanyan]

[Age — 19 / 360]

[Realm — Foundation Establishment Stage (Perfection)]

[Cultivation Technique — “The Supreme Truth and Serenity Scripture of Eliminating Illusion and Attaining Reality” (Intermediate)]

[Techniques — “Blood Demon Corpse Refining Method” (Basic). “Life Coffin Technique” (Beginner)]

[Skills — Perfect Stance (Perfection). Three Tigers Subduing Dragon Saber (Perfection). Horse Appraisal Technique (Perfection). Excavator Repair and Maintenance (Basic)...]

[Qi — 81]

After the Breakthrough, his lifespan increased again, but unfortunately, the increase from minor Realm Breakthroughs was not significant.

Xu Sanyan's eyes held a hint of melancholy, “It's the end of the line...”

The Cultivation Technique he possessed could only be cultivated to Foundation Establishment Perfection. Without subsequent Cultivation Techniques, even with his cheat, he was helpless; this panel could only enhance his existing Cultivation Techniques, not create them out of thin air.

Xu Sanyan lowered his gaze in thought. He planned to accumulate some “Qi” and then set off for Zhongzhou.