Qin Shi Huang's Choice
Yun Qingyang, seemingly oblivious to Ma Feifei's expression, nodded and said, "That's right. He learns more slowly, and you're usually quite busy, so he comes to me for guidance. Then we exchange painting techniques and discuss things together."
"Is it just a friendly exchange of painting skills?" Ma Feifei asked quietly.
"Otherwise what?" Yun Qingyang asked in surprise, not understanding why Ma Feifei was acting this way.
"Hmm... it's nothing." Ma Feifei didn't know what to say, but he also felt that he had misunderstood. Putting aside Yun Qingyang's intellectual problems, let's talk about Ba Jiu's age... he's only three months old. What can a three-month-old baby understand? Ma Feifei really felt that he was overthinking things.
"From now on, don't make any private drawing appointments with him. I happen to have some free time recently, so I'll give you guys some extra lessons later, understand?" Ma Feifei acted as if she was doing it for your own good, without revealing any other emotion.
"Oh..." Yun Qingyang didn't object, but she felt the topic had gone a bit off track. Didn't she want to go back? How did the conversation turn to painting? And most importantly, was it even possible to go back?
Ma Feifei realized the topic had gone astray, and just then her eyes lit up when she glanced at the book <Yun Ji Qi Jian>. Ma Feifei turned to Yun Qingyang and said, "Qingyang, aren't you bored... how about I teach you alchemy?"
"Alchemy?" Yun Qingyang looked suspicious. Alchemy was very common in the Azure Dragon Continent. There was a special profession called alchemist. Alchemists used various rare materials to refine them into pills through a pill cauldron. There were all kinds of pills, including healing pills, pills that helped break through cultivation levels, and pills that instantly restored Spiritual Power.
Because alchemists can refine these elixirs that are closely related to cultivators, they are highly respected in the Azure Dragon Continent.
Yun Qingyang understood alchemy, but she didn't know how to refine pills. As a result, Ma Feifei actually offered to teach her alchemy!
"Yes, I'll teach you alchemy." Ma Feifei patted the <Yun Ji Qi Jian> on the table, moved it to the side, flipped to the Golden Core section, and prepared to let Yun Qingyang watch it with him.
"I'm not reading." Yun Qingyang shook her head; she really had no interest in reading.
"How about this, you go prepare a pill-refining furnace and some firewood for me. I'll explain when we're refining the pills, and you can do the work, okay?" Ma Feifei felt that with the help of the system, as long as the steps were followed, there shouldn't be any problems or variables with this Longevity Pill was just a formality; the key was still the <Longevity Manual>, so it didn't need to be so rigorous, like in those novels where you had to control the heat and the amounts of medicinal herbs were all over the place.
"That sounds interesting." Yun Qingyang smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then hurry up and prepare. I'll come find you once I've mastered the alchemy techniques within." Ma Feifei dragged the <Yun Ji Qi Jian> back and began studying the alchemy techniques within.
Yun Qingyang responded and got up to walk towards the backyard to prepare the road.
The Bookstore fell silent. Chang Kong stood guard at the door, Qin Shi Huang sat opposite him reading "The Secret of Immortality," and Ma Feifei was studying "The Yun Ji Qi Jian."
Chang'an Street outside the Bookstore was now completely blocked off, and no unauthorized personnel were allowed to enter. Qin Ziying and Di Heyu stood outside and waited obediently. Even Jing Xing, who had just said he wanted to go in to read, had given up on coming in and stood next to Chang Kong, chatting idly.
Quiet times always pass quickly. What broke the silence was Qin Shi Huang himself. When Ma Feifei heard the noise, he thought that Qin Shi Huang had triggered the Book World and was about to enter. But when he looked up, he found that it was not what he thought. Qin Shi Huang did not enter, and the book did not react. Instead, a look of worry and hesitation appeared on Qin Shi Huang's face, which puzzled Ma Feifei.
Seemingly sensing Ma Feifei's gaze, Qin Shi Huang also turned his gaze towards Ma Feifei.
Their eyes met, Ma Feifei could sense the struggle in Qin Shi Huang's eyes. She couldn't help but ask, "Your First Emperor, what is this...?"
Qin Shi Huang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Shopkeeper, is there no other way?"
Ma Feifei was a little confused, not knowing what Qin Shi Huang meant. She subconsciously glanced at the book "The Longevity Art" on Qin Shi Huang's table and Ma Feifei searched for relevant information about the book from the system.
<The Longevity Art> (Legendary-grade Quality)
Origin: Passed down by the ancient mythological figure, the Su Nü of serene beauty, Bai Shui Su Nu, and written by Guang Chengzi of the Twelve Golden Immortals.
Effects: Absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, Longevity and Immortality. (Note: Cultivators of the <Longevity Art> must not possess any cultivation level.)
Seeing the information provided by the system, Ma Feifei could roughly guess what Qin Shi Huang meant. He must have seen the introduction to the "Longevity Art," which stated that cultivating the "Longevity Art" was a prerequisite for achieving Longevity and Immortality.
Although Qin Shi Huang was not as old as Saint Chu Feng Yiming, he was still over two thousand years old. Needless to say, his cultivation level was at least at the Spirit Saint realm. It was impossible for him to suddenly dissipate with such a high level of cultivation.
However, the Longevity Art clearly states that one cannot cultivate the Longevity Art with any level of cultivation. Regardless of the consequences, it is certain that one will not obtain any of its effects.
"Your First Emperor, there's nothing I can do about this. It's up to you." Ma Feifei shook his head. He couldn't help with this kind of thing either. He himself was still just a mortal, how could he understand such profound things as Longevity and Immortality? Besides, even if Ma Feifei knew, he couldn't possibly tell Qin Shi Huang... Their relationship wasn't good enough for Ma Feifei to give Qin Shi Huang benefits for free.
Qin Shi Huang felt a chill run down his spine after hearing Ma Feifei's words. The secret to Longevity and Immortality was right before his eyes. Although he wasn't sure if it would work, given the many miraculous effects previously revealed by the Divine Bookstore, Qin Shi Huang felt he had to give it a try. However, the first step of the <Longevity Art> required the cultivator to have no cultivation at all. In other words, if he wanted to cultivate the <Longevity Art>, he would have to dissipate all his cultivation, which was at the Spirit Saint realm!
Most importantly, he is already over 2,600 years old this year. The reason he has been able to live until now is entirely due to his own cultivation. If he were to lose his cultivation and become an ordinary person, his age of 2,600 years would be enough for him to die thousands of times over.
What if you die before you even get to read the book? Forget about Longevity and Immortality, you'll have lost your life too. How frustrating would that be?
Ma Feifei was also helpless. He finally understood why the system's Main Quest had a note stating that the quest was completed regardless of whether Qin Shi Huang accepted it or not. It turned out that this was a choice that Qin Shi Huang was gambling with his life!
Leaving aside whether Qin Shi Huang would die after dispersing his cultivation, let's talk about the cultivation technique <Longevity Art>. If Qin Shi Huang did not comprehend the benefits within <Longevity Art>, then Qin Shi Huang would have truly wasted his efforts.
But without his cultivation, would Qin Shi Huang still be the same Qin Shi Huang? Could he still make the other four kingdoms tremble in fear? Could he still activate the national treasure? Nobody knew.
Therefore, Qin Shi Huang's choice could very well determine the fate of the entire Azure Dragon Continent.
This book comes from