Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 838 838: Not Playing Anymore
Immortal Qin Calendar Year 529.
The alliance of the Five-Dou Rice Dao, Taiping Dao, and Western Chu broke through key fortresses like Wu Pass and Hangu Pass, directly entering Guanzhong.
Xianyang was conquered, two Nascent Soul Cultivators perished, and the Second Emperor surrendered holding the Imperial Jade Seal. Although Immortal Qin endured for over five centuries, it truly ended with the second generation, seemingly fulfilling the curse once uttered by the Empress.
Immediately after, Xiang Yu declared himself Emperor in Guanzhong, establishing the Yan Han Empire, and issued edicts demanding fealty from the vassals across the land.
...
Upon hearing the news, Liu Ji couldn't help but feel a little dumbfounded: "Yan Han? Yan Han! Damn... Xiang Yu, you're stealing my spotlight! You've established the Han Dynasty, what am I supposed to do now?"
Liu Ji was genuinely taken aback.
Little did he know, Unity True Monarch had initially considered naming it the Second Yan Han Empire or even the Third.
However, they were persuaded otherwise by Nine Spirit Dragon Mother Primordial Monarch, Taiping Guangmiao True Monarch, and others.
After all, only the remnants of Yan Han knew the meaning of the Second Empire, and naming the new dynasty 'Second' was truly unacceptable.
Furthermore, in the vast wilderness, single-character names are considered prestigious.
Shang, Zhou... all are single-character dynasties.
Now Xiang Yu's turn had become 'Yan Han', adding another character felt a bit less significant overall.
Many officials even demanded Emperor Bahuang change the name to 'Yan' or 'Han', but Unity True Monarch flatly refused.
He had already compromised on the 'Second', the name 'Yan Han Empire' was non-negotiable.
Then, upon hearing the news, Liu Ji felt deeply wounded, a bitterness akin to one's spouse eloping with another.
"Master, the realm is now largely pacified, we should surrender to the court!"
Xiao He and Cao Can urged.
They were unaware of the true history, seeing only the convergence of three armies that annihilated Immortal Qin and stabilized the realm.
Moreover, after Xiang Yu took reign, governing the realm and handling affairs with unexpectedly adept and seasoned methods, it left many astounded.
Moreover, after decades of chaos, the people's hearts longed for stability.
Anyone daring to rebel was undoubtedly seen as an enemy of the realm!
Many small force units simply capitulated at the sight, and when Yan Han's court decrees arrived, they easily conquered several counties, sometimes even tens of counties.
"The advantage of time is gone, geographic benefit is absent, and public support is nonexistent…"
Liu Ji looked at his subordinates with various thoughts, smiling bitterly inside.
'I really... am not Liu Bang. No, in this situation, even the real Liu Bang would be at a loss!'
'Furthermore, if I weren't a Nascent Soul Cultivator, the strongest here, perhaps among these people below, someone might dare kill me to curry favor with Yan Han's court.'
"Let me think about it properly…"
Liu Ji sighed, waving his ministers and generals out, transforming into a streak of light and flying aimlessly.
He didn't even know how long or how far he flew until he settled down, realizing he had arrived at a picturesque place.
This was an unknown small mountain, with clear springs, flowing water, moss-covered boulders, lush greenery, vibrantly verdant vegetation...
The chirping of birds only made the mountains quieter, the sound of cicadas only made the forest more secluded.
Liu Ji sat cross-legged on a boulder, his expression suddenly softened: "Enough, enough, it's not like I have to be Emperor... compared to cultivating immortality, what do imperial ambitions and power really mean?"
"Let this realm be left to those folks."
He even felt like he didn't want to go back, wanting to quietly reflect.
"Hmm, maybe building a cottage here wouldn't be bad... once my cultivation is successful, I'll travel the world, and eventually visit the legendary land of The Queen Mother of the West..."
Liu Ji always felt the development trajectory of this world was strange, as if manipulated by a dark hand from behind the scenes.
And the prime suspect was the deity on Kunlun in the Heavenly Realm!
Additionally, he was somewhat excited, as history was so similar, perhaps the deity on Kunlun was an old comrade, a fellow transmigrator!
Unable to return home, they instead played a historical replica game in this world for some nostalgia?
Just as Liu Ji was lost in thought, his expression suddenly changed.
His Nascent Soul level divine senses felt abnormal spiritual energy gathering, seemingly forming a vortex a hundred miles away.
His silhouette flickered, he had already flown to the sky, rushing toward the vortex's center.
In the deep mountain, a small tree that appeared as if it was made entirely of jade stretched its branches, with small green fruits gradually maturing and emitting a red glow.
A fruity aroma had permeated for dozens of miles around, attracting a large number of animals and anomalous beasts, surrounding the jade tree in layers upon layers.
"Is this... the emergence of a heavenly material earthly treasure?"
Liu Ji saw this and was delighted: "I didn't expect that just taking a stroll would lead me to such fortune!"
Roar roar!
At that moment, a dragon's might descended, subjugating all beasts' heads low; it was a black dragon.
"Hmm? Aren't you the black dragon that Zao Fu subdued?"
Liu Ji laughed heartily: "Do you dare come to die again?"
He then no longer concealed his form, revealing himself, and expanded his Nascent Soul Domain.
The black dragon, seeing Liu Ji, immediately startled, swaying and attempting to flee, but was bound by vines, sent into the Demon Refining Gourd.
Soon after, the rich crimson fruits on the ground completely matured, and Liu Ji harvested most of them, leaving some behind for the smaller animals to scramble for, granting them their opportunity.
"Immortal Qin's black dragon, ultimately slain by me!"
Liu Ji landed back at his resting spot, shook the gourd, his expression slightly moved: "This heavenly material earthly treasure has such rich spiritual energy... it's said Kunlun Mountain has Immortal Medicine, known as the progenitor of divine medicines, I wonder how these crimson fruits compare?"
He looked at this mountain, this water, and recalled the process of slaying the dragon and obtaining the fruits, prompting him to begin cultivating.
From the Demon Refining Gourd, spiritual energy surged incessantly, elevating his cultivation.
Above Liu Ji, the skies churned, forming a swirling vortex.
The winds rose with sudden rains, Ming unified four elements...
The hour passed unknowingly, Liu Ji rose to his feet, his inner Primordial Spirit had evolved into a form indistinguishable from normal humans!
"Refining God Realm, broken through!"
Liu Ji exhaled a long breath, suddenly filled with boundless ambition: "Back then, Zao Fu first broke through the Nascent Soul, quelling five rulers, establishing Immortal Qin... Yan Han may have been a step ahead of me but I've broken through first, as long as I go and slay those people, I can immediately establish a new dynasty! This is the advantage of having tremendous power within oneself!"
But he thought for a moment, ultimately he didn't proceed, instead gazing at the sky: "This world is truly interesting... it seems that, in the darkness, fate had been predetermined, laden with coincidence, urging me to compete for supremacy? But I also have my free will... Heaven, I'm telling you now, I'm done playing!"
"A pro gamer can't defeat cheaters, and cheaters can't overpower the GM... but I can choose to stop playing this broken game! What conquering the realm, I won't take part anymore!"
Having figured everything out, Liu Ji laughed heartily, feeling utterly gratified.