Chapter 29 The Governor Is Shocked, Reports to the Imperial Court!

“Governor Liu, some… something major has happened!”

As soon as Cui Yi uttered those words, he collapsed onto the ground. He had exhausted too much energy in a short amount of time, causing a temporary lack of blood flow.

Liu Zheng was startled and quickly ordered a guard to help Cui Yi up. He also took out a spiritual pill and gave it to him. It was a Grade-Two Nourishing Essence Pill, capable of curing most ailments. Just one was worth ten mid-grade spirit stones—extremely precious.

Liu Zheng only had that one pill, which he had specially bought from the Holy Capital before taking office, carrying it like a protective talisman.

Now, in order to quickly uncover the secret behind the black sand grains, he couldn’t afford to be stingy and fed it to Cui Yi without hesitation.

The effects of the Grade-Two Nourishing Essence Pill were powerful. Not long after taking it, Cui Yi’s eyes regained clarity, and his breathing stabilized.

Liu Zheng hurriedly asked, “Elder Cui, are you feeling better now?”

Cui Yi replied in a calm voice, “Many thanks for the Governor’s spiritual pill. I’ve fully recovered.”

“Elder Cui, you just said something major has happened. What exactly is it?”

Seeing that Cui Yi had recovered, Liu Zheng immediately returned to the main topic.

Cui Yi’s expression turned grave in an instant. In a solemn tone, he said, “Lord Liu, the results of the black sand grains you asked me to examine—are in.”

So it was really about that!

Liu Zheng’s breathing quickened.

“What exactly is the origin of those black sand grains?”

Cui Yi said, “These black sand grains are actually just airborne dust, fused together through various complex environmental processes. Their original appearance is no longer discernible, but we can still roughly estimate their age.”

Liu Zheng frowned and asked, “Their age? Don’t tell me these black sand grains are ancient.”

“They’re not just ancient—they’re extremely ancient. The innermost layer of dust can be traced back as far as five hundred thousand years ago!”

Cui Yi enunciated each word clearly.

“Five hundred thousand years ago?”

Liu Zheng murmured in disbelief.

He didn’t react right away and even started counting on his fingers. Something felt off. After a long moment of calculating, Liu Zheng suddenly looked up in shock.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“Elder Cui, you must’ve made a mistake. The entire history of the Xuanxian World is only a bit over two hundred thousand years—where would five hundred thousand years come from?”

Under normal circumstances, Liu Zheng would never question Cui Yi. After all, Cui Yi had a high reputation—he once served as an appraiser in the top-tier auction houses of the Holy Capital, renowned in his prime before retiring to Blackstone City.

But this time, the claim seemed too outrageous—so absurd it was instantly suspect.

Liu Zheng simply couldn’t hold back. Cui Yi calmly took a sip of his fragrant tea and said with composure, “If you include the Mythical Era, it naturally goes back five hundred thousand years.”

Liu Zheng was momentarily stunned, then frowned and said, “Including the Mythical Era? Elder Cui, are you saying that this bronze coffin is a relic from the Mythical Era?”

He was somewhat annoyed, feeling as though Cui Yi was making a fool of him. For a full 250,000 years, the Xuanxian World had shown no trace of the Mythical Era. The notion that the Mythical Era no longer existed had long taken root in people’s minds.

And now, Cui Yi was claiming that this bronze coffin originated from that very era.

Was he being treated like an illiterate?

Cui Yi sighed.

“I understand that it’s hard for you to believe right away, Lord Liu, but those black specks of gravel do not lie. In fact, saying fifty thousand years is a conservative estimate. After all, the black gravel we found is just the outermost layer of residue from the bronze coffin. The inner layers might contain even older sediment.”

Liu Zheng stared intently at Cui Yi. After confirming that he wasn’t joking, he was left speechless. Cui Yi’s implication was clear—the bronze coffin had existed for at least fifty thousand years—likely longer. That meant it must be a relic from the Mythical Era.

It was a long moment before Liu Zheng finally came to his senses. He looked at Cui Yi seriously and said, “Thank you for your analysis, Elder Cui. I have one more request.”

Cui Yi waved his hand and said, “No need to say it, Lord Liu. I know the importance of this matter. I will keep everything about the black gravel strictly confidential.”

“This matter is simply too significant—I’m glad Elder Cui understands,” Liu Zheng sighed in relief.

The gravity of the situation had already exceeded his control. Until the imperial court issued further instructions, the only thing he could do was keep the matter under wraps.

“I’ve spent my life appraising countless treasures, any one of which is worth a hundred times more than these black sand grains,” Cui Yi said with deep emotion, eyes glistening with tears. “But only these black grains have shaken me to the core. To witness the reappearance of the legendary Mythical Era in my twilight years—I could die without regret.”

With that, he stood up and slowly walked out. One could vaguely see his body trembling slightly, as if still lost in the overwhelming shock. Liu Zheng fully understood Cui Yi’s feelings.

The Mythical Era was shrouded in mystery and had long been a source of faith for countless people. Even today, many still believed it would one day return to the world.

Liu Zheng had always been a firm atheist, but now, he was beginning to waver. And the reason lay in these tiny, unassuming grains of black sand in his hand.

Moreover, he was certain that once the truth about these black sand grains was revealed, it would cause a massive upheaval throughout the entire Chixiao Divine Dynasty!

After thinking for a moment, Liu Zheng carefully wrapped up the black sand grains and walked out of the study. He made his way to the deepest part of the inner courtyard, stopping in front of a hidden chamber. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside.

The chamber was empty, save for an ancient mirror standing in the center. Liu Zheng walked up to the mirror, formed a hand seal with one hand, and pressed it against the mirror’s surface, saying in a deep voice.

“Liu Zheng, eldest son of the third branch of the Liu clan, seeks audience with the Patriarch. I have urgent matters to report.”

The head of the Liu family was none other than the Prime Minister of the Chixiao Divine Dynasty!