With this thought, Zhao Feng grew eager with anticipation.
Fixing his gaze on the Heavenly Profound Mirror before him, he began the process of refining it.
As a divine treasure obtained from the treasure chest, refining it was relatively simple for Zhao Feng, with no major obstacles.
This was a postnatal high-grade spiritual treasure.
It contained thirty-nine layers of postnatal restrictions.
Among all the divine weapons and treasures Zhao Feng had acquired, this was the one with the most restrictions and was by far the most powerful.
Time passed unknowingly.
The sky gradually turned from dark to light.
"As expected of a top-tier spiritual treasure."
"I originally thought refining it would be as easy as refining the divine weapons I've had before."
"But after an entire night, I've only managed to refine fifteen layers of its postnatal restrictions."
Zhao Feng opened his eyes, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face.
However, this was expected, considering it came from a treasure chest. If he had to refine a treasure of this caliber on his own with his current cultivation level, it would have taken at least ten to fifteen days.
"Let's give it a try."
Zhao Feng focused on the Heavenly Profound Mirror before him. "Open the cultivation space."
In an instant
A stream of light flowed out from the Heavenly Profound Mirror, enveloping Zhao Feng. In the next moment, he vanished from the palace hall and entered the internal space of the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Profound Mirror hovered silently in the hall.
"This is interesting. The spiritual energy here seems to be a hundred times denser than the outside world."
"Could it be that the Heavenly Profound Mirror is automatically gathering the energy of heaven and earth?"
"This is great."
"My cultivation speed can now increase significantly. Within this space, my daily attribute gains should at least double."
"But how exactly does the cultivation acceleration function work?" Zhao Feng wondered.
"Master, you may exchange spirit stones for cultivation acceleration. By focusing entirely on cultivation within this space, one can avoid inner demons and accelerate progress."
A prompt appeared from the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
"An artifact spirit?"
Zhao Feng was taken aback.
Although he owned numerous celestial-tier divine weapons and treasures, this was the first time he had encountered one with an artifact spirit.
"How do I create sub-mirrors? How many can be created?" Zhao Feng asked.
"As long as the master wills it, the Heavenly Profound Mirror can create an unlimited number of sub-mirrors. However, the holders of these sub-mirrors must provide energy to sustain them. If a holder perishes, the sub-mirror's power will return to the main mirror." The artifact spirit responded.
"Then how do the sub-mirror cultivation spaces and mutual communication functions work?" Zhao Feng inquired further.
"As long as the master grants authorization, the recipients can open a sub-mirror cultivation space. The sub-mirror spaces are connected to the main mirror, and through the main mirror, all sub-mirror spaces can be linked. The sub-mirrors allow communication, item exchange, and mutual trade," the artifact spirit explained.
"I see."
Zhao Feng nodded in understanding.
"The Heavenly Profound Mirror..."
"For a nation, this is undoubtedly an unparalleled treasure."
"Instant communication, regardless of distance, and cultivation assistance so long as one is within the space."
"As expected of a high-grade postnatal spiritual treasure. And this is just its current state. If I accumulate enough fortune in the future and upgrade this treasure to an innate spiritual treasure, I can't even imagine how powerful it would become."
At this moment
Zhao Feng had thoroughly grasped the functions of the Heavenly Profound Mirror.
"Can I create a new type of currency within the Heavenly Profound Mirror's space? One that people can use to unlock cultivation acceleration or facilitate transactions?" Zhao Feng suddenly conceived a bold idea.
If this were possible
The Heavenly Profound Mirror could become the lifeline of Great Qin, and even all of Shenzhou.
In the future, it could extend beyond Shenzhou as well.
With the Heavenly Profound Mirror, it might be possible to gather an endless stream of resources not just from within Great Qin, but also from the common people and beyond.
This treasure had limitless potential.
"The Heavenly Profound Mirror does not understand what the master means," the artifact spirit replied with confusion.
As an artifact spirit, it did not comprehend the concept of currency.
"I want to create a value system within the Heavenly Profound Mirror something that can be accumulated. Holders of the sub-mirrors can exchange spirit stones, medicinal herbs, and treasures for this value. This value can then be used to unlock cultivation acceleration or conduct trades within the system..."
Zhao Feng outlined his vision of the artifact spirit.
"The master's request can be implemented," the artifact spirit responded.
"Good."
Zhao Feng was very satisfied. He then exited the Heavenly Profound Mirror's cultivation space.
Looking at the mirror in his hand, he willed it into his dantian for nourishment.
Opening the doors of his palace, he glanced at the sky outside.
"Is everything ready?"
Zhao Feng turned to Zhang Ming, who stood outside the hall.
"Master, everything is prepared. We are ready to depart at your command," Zhang Ming reported.
"Then let's set out." Zhao Feng nodded.
"As you command." Zhang Ming immediately left to make arrangements.
"Using myself as bait should be enough to lure some people out."
"If you don't take advantage of this opportunity I'm giving you, you'll have no one but yourselves to blame." Zhao Feng smirked coldly.
With his current status
Even though this was an obvious trap, many would still take the risk.
Furthermore
Many influential figures in Xianyang could monitor the movements of the imperial guards and the city garrison. If Zhao Feng truly left the city with only five hundred personal guards, it would be an even greater temptation for those plotting against him.
In Xianyang City
The sky was still dim, not yet fully bright.
Outside Zhao Manor
Five hundred elite cavalry troops had gathered.
At Zhao Feng's command, the troops rode out of the city.
"Zhao Feng is leaving the city. Report to the master immediately!"
"Understood!"
"Continue monitoring Zhao Feng's movements."
In the shadows
Numerous spies observed Zhao Manor's activity. The moment they saw Zhao Feng depart, they rushed to report to their superiors.
However
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Unbeknownst to them, another group was secretly watching them.
"Record every mansion these spies visit and everyone they meet with."
"When the master returns, these people will be dealt with." Ying Bu ordered coldly.
"Yes!"
The shadow guards of Yan Court swiftly dispersed to carry out their orders.
It was obvious
The figures in Xianyang were all cunning old foxes. Even if they planned an assassination attempt, they would only use expendable pawns, ensuring no direct ties to themselves.
Zhao Feng had anticipated this long ago. When he decided to use himself as bait, he had already ordered Yan Court's shadow guards to monitor the city's ministers closely. Anyone who had suspicious contacts or visitors would be thoroughly recorded for later reckoning.
Simply put
The moment they made a move, they had already fallen into Zhao Feng's trap.
Three Days Later
In the blink of an eye
Zhao Feng and his five hundred cavalry had left Xianyang far behind.
They had arrived in a desolate mountain forest.
The nearest county town was more than twenty miles away.
Rather than galloping at full speed, Zhao Feng's troops advanced slowly, almost as if they were on a stroll.
"Master."
"If anyone wants to make a move against you, this would be the ideal ambush site."
"This place is over ten miles away from both sides' nearest county towns. Even if reinforcements were called, they wouldn't arrive in time," Zhang Ming remarked with a smile.
"They're already waiting ahead." Zhao Feng chuckled.
Under his divine sense.
Many figures were hidden beneath the barren hills and forests ahead.
There were also ambushes scattered in multiple directions, clearly waiting for Zhao Feng to step into their trap before launching a full-scale attack.
"In that case, let's force them out." Zhao Feng said coldly.
"Yes, my lord!"
Zhang Ming gave a loud command.
"Brothers!"
"Prepare crossbows!"
At his order, the five hundred elite guards immediately spread out, surrounding Zhao Feng at the center.
Then, they each drew their crossbows.
"Fire!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
Five hundred crossbow bolts shot out simultaneously, piercing into the hills ahead.
Under the rain of arrows, many assassins who had been hiding behind the hills were instantly struck and killed.
"Not good!"
"Zhao Feng's elite guards have discovered us!"
"Since we've been exposed, there's no need to hide anymore!"
"Charge out and finish Zhao Feng!"
"We've already confirmed that Zhao Feng only has five hundred personal guards with him on this journey!"
"Killing him would be an unparalleled achievement!"
"For wealth and glory kill!"
In the shadows, the assassins realized they had been discovered. Without hesitation, they abandoned stealth and revealed themselves.
One by one, they raised their bows and crossbows, firing a volley toward Zhao Feng's troops.
"Kill Zhao Feng!"
"Kill!"
Shouts of slaughter rang out from multiple directions, as arrows whistled through the air toward Zhao Feng's guards.
"Quite a number of them."
"Nearly three thousand in total."
"Remnants of the Six Kingdoms hired death soldiers of the nobility in Xianyang."
"Interesting."
Zhao Feng remained utterly calm as he observed the battlefield.
It was clear that his enemies had expended a great deal of effort in this assassination attempt.
However.
They had gravely underestimated him.
And they had also underestimated his guards.
Even if Zhao Feng were alone, he could massacre these assassins with ease.
And with his five hundred elite guards?
This battle would be nothing more than a one-sided slaughter.
Even if the assassins' numbers were doubled, it would make no difference.
As the arrows rained down from all directions, Zhao Feng's guards remained composed.
Their spears whirled through the air, swatting away incoming arrows.
Even the arrows that did slip through were unable to pierce their armor.
Against armored warriors, only powerful bows and crossbows stood a chance of penetration.
"Leave no one alive!"
Zhang Ming bellowed.
"Kill!"
The five hundred guards shouted in unison.
They spurred their warhorses forward, spreading out as they raised their spears, beginning their ruthless slaughter.
The so-called elite assassins were nothing more than insects before the personal guards, easily trampled underfoot.
It was a complete massacre.
Even with their overwhelming numerical advantage, the assassins were no match.
"Don't panic! Kill Zhao Feng!"
"Kill him!"
Amid the carnage, some assassins still fixated on Zhao Feng, determined to cut their way through to him.
However.
Not a single assassin could get close to Zhao Feng, no matter how hard they tried.
And what they didn't know was that Zhao Feng was the most terrifying one of all.
"No need to hold back."
"Use your true energy."
Zhao Feng said calmly.
Upon hearing this, the five hundred elite guards responded as if receiving a divine decree, completely unleashing their power.
Previously, they had only been using their raw physical strength, wielding their spears with immense force but without infusing them with true energy.
But now.
They held back no longer.
Their true energy surged.
The battlefield was instantly filled with flashing spears and sword auras slicing through the air.
Each of Zhao Feng's guards had followed him for years, training under his command. All of them had reached the Xiantian Realm, possessing the ability to wield true energy.
With each strike, arcs of true energy lashed out, cutting through the assassins before they could even react.
With a single swing.
Multiple assassins were instantly bisected by sword qi.
"Ghosts!"
"They're demons!"
"They're not human!"
"They're monsters!"
Faced with such an overwhelming display of power, the assassins were terrified.
They were being slain from a distance by invisible energy.
To them, it was like facing supernatural entities.
Fear took hold of them.
The three thousand assassins who had arrived with such grand ambition, determined to slay Zhao Feng
W.ere now nothing more than corpses littering the battlefield.
The once barren mountain forest was now soaked in blood, bodies strewn everywhere.
Every corpse bore a horrifying fate crushed into pulp by sheer force, or shredded into pieces by energy slashes.
The scene was utterly gruesome.
"My lord."
"All enemy assassins have been annihilated." Zhang Ming reported as he approached Zhao Feng.
"Send orders to lock down Xianyang City. Without permission from me or my royal father, no one is to enter or leave." Zhao Feng commanded.
"Understood!" Zhang Ming immediately nodded.
The assassination attempt had failed.
Inside Xianyang, the masterminds behind it would surely act to cover their tracks perhaps even eliminating key figures.
Zhao Feng would not give them that chance.
"My lord, what should we do with the bodies of these assassins? Should we bury them here, or have the county soldiers handle the aftermath?" Zhang Ming asked, looking at the sea of corpses.
Zhao Feng swept his gaze over the battlefield.
He drew his Dragon Spring Sword.
With a single slash toward the open ground ahead
A hundred-zhang-long sword light cleaved through the earth.
A deafening boom echoed.
A deep trench, a hundred zhang long and over ten zhang wide, was carved into the ground.
"My lord's divine might!"
The surrounding guards immediately bowed with reverence.
"Throw all the bodies inside and bury them."
Zhao Feng stated flatly.
At this point.
He no longer saw a need to conceal his martial prowess.
After all.
With Great Qin evolving, and his plans for a martial empire advancing, he had greater ambitions to fulfill such as gathering national destiny and establishing a Holy Court.
When the transformation of Great Qin and the Divine Continent was complete, he would set his sights beyond this land.
And now, with the Heavenly Profound Mirror in his hands, his grand vision could truly take shape.
.....
Xianyang!
Inside Zhangtai Palace.
"Your Majesty, the First Emperor,"
"The Crown Prince has just sent back an order, commanding the city guards to seal off the entire capital. No one is allowed to enter or leave," Ren Xiao reported respectfully to Ying Zheng.
"Feng'er is quite fast," Ying Zheng chuckled. Then he asked, "What was the outcome?"
"Just as the Crown Prince predicted, the assassins made their move in the desolate mountains on the outskirts of Yong City,"
"Their numbers were no fewer than three thousand,"
"They were all exterminated by the Crown Prince's elite troops there were no survivors," Ren Xiao replied.
"Three thousand death-sworn assassins gathered in the heart of my Qin Empire?"
"Impressive,"
A cold smile appeared on Ying Zheng's face.
Three thousand men might not seem like much, but if such a force were to stir up trouble within Qin, it could still cause significant chaos.
"What are Your Majesty's further instructions?" Ren Xiao asked respectfully.
"Do everything according to the Crown Prince's plans,"
"Since he has sealed off the city, he must have gathered sufficient evidence. Anyone involved in this matter must already be in his grasp,"
"This is the Crown Prince's move in this game of chess. I shall simply watch," Ying Zheng said.
"I understand," Ren Xiao acknowledged with a bow.
"Any casualties among the Crown Prince's troops?" Ying Zheng inquired.
"I have received no reports of any losses," Ren Xiao replied.
"It seems that Feng'er's guard has fully stepped into the path of martial cultivation," Ying Zheng mused.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to achieve such a victory defeating a force four times their size without a single casualty.
Even the most battle-hardened army would not have been able to accomplish that.
"The Crown Prince's troops are truly formidable, eradicating three thousand assassins without a single loss,"
"I wonder what kind of training method they use," Ren Xiao remarked in admiration.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng smiled.
"In time, you will understand just how remarkable the Crown Prince truly is."
Ren Xiao nodded, not pressing the matter further.
Kui Mansion.
"My lord,"
"The city guards have sealed Xianyang. No one is allowed to enter or leave,"
A subordinate hurriedly reported to Kui Zhuang.
"No one is allowed in or out?" Kui Zhuang frowned, deep in thought.
"Prime Minister Kui, could it be that something has happened to the Crown Prince?" the subordinate probed cautiously.
"Have there been any updates from outside the city?" Kui Zhuang asked, his voice tense.
"The city has been completely sealed. No information has come through yet," the subordinate shook his head.
"A full lockdown."
"Either Zhao Feng is dead,"
"Or Zhao Feng is alive and sealing the city to gather evidence,"
"Both scenarios could justify sealing off the capital," Kui Zhuang muttered, a sense of unease creeping in.
After all, this operation carried the risk of extermination if exposed, and he had yet to receive any news.
That uncertainty made Kui Zhuang anxious.
And he was not the only one.
The Residence of Prince Huhai.
"My prince,"
"The city guards have sealed off the capital,"
A subordinate rushed to report to Hu Hai.
"The city is sealed? What has happened?"
"I need to know Zhao Feng's fate," Hu Hai demanded impatiently.
"My prince, a citywide lockdown means something significant has occurred,"
"Perhaps… Zhao Feng is truly dead," the subordinate speculated excitedly.
"Why do you say that?" Hu Hai's eyes lit up.
"The Crown Prince is the heir to the empire. If he were to die, the city would certainly be sealed off. However, if he were alive, there would be no need for such drastic measures," the subordinate explained.
"That's right!"
Hu Hai's eyes sparkled with excitement.
It had to be said though he was the son of the First Emperor, Hu Hai had inherited none of his father's intelligence.
Time passed!
Xianyang had been under lockdown for thirteen days.
Outside the imperial court's main hall, ministers and officials gathered.
Despite the lockdown, the affairs of the state appeared to continue without disruption.
However, the prolonged citywide restriction had left many officials unsettled.
The longer it lasted, the more uneasy they became.
Since the lockdown began, court sessions have been suspended.
Until today.
The imperial court was convening.
"The First Emperor arrives!"
A loud proclamation echoed.
The doors of the main hall swung open.
The officials were just about to enter the session when
Ying Zheng himself stepped out.
Seeing the First Emperor emerge, the court officials were filled with confusion.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
The ministers all bowed in unison.
"Today's court session shall not be held inside the hall,"
"It shall take place right here,"
"After all, the Crown Prince has matters to settle," Ying Zheng announced.
As soon as he spoke, many officials turned pale.
"This can't be…"
"Zhao Feng is alive?"
"Then why was the city locked down for nearly two weeks?"
"This is bad,"
"Could it be that Zhao Feng has uncovered our involvement? Was the lockdown meant to prevent our escape?"
"Impossible! Zhao Feng is formidable, but he couldn't have found any evidence. Everything was taken care of…"
-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 375+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader