Only after becoming emperor did he realize he was in a fantasy world of immortal cultivation.

On the throne room.

Morning light streamed through the caisson ceiling, which resembled a nine-tiered heaven, casting a muted glow on the coiled dragon-shaped golden pillars.

Lin Ye sat on the dragon throne, wearing a dragon robe with twelve symbols, his crown tassels trembling slightly with his breath, slicing the faces of the assembled officials into mottled phantoms.

Hundreds of civil and military officials stood solemnly in two rows on the left and right according to their rank.

The court assembly began with Chancellor Gao Ren, who, as was customary, recounted the encouraging progress in unifying various aspects, including written language and laws.

Following that were the reports from other officials, which Lin Ye listened to one by one, and immediately gave his approval to those that required it.

The government and the people were all in a state of peace and harmony.

After the state affairs were discussed, the officials prepared to leave the court in high spirits.

But Lin Ye, sitting on the high seat, spoke with a pleasant expression: "My lords, I have another matter to discuss with you today."

Upon hearing this, the court officials couldn't help but exchange glances.

In the past, when Lin Ye made these remarks in court, he always proposed various policies that would benefit the country, thus propelling the Qin state to new heights time and time again.

Therefore, apart from Gao Ren who already knew the truth, everyone present was all smiles and pretended to listen attentively.

"As you all know, my beloved concubine fell seriously ill a few days ago, and I am deeply worried. Therefore, I issued an imperial edict to invite talented and extraordinary people from all over the world, and fortunately, Master Gongsun answered the call."

"The Taoist priest bestowed upon my beloved concubine a miraculous elixir, saving her from the brink of death."

After he finished speaking, the court officials, though unaware of why Lin Ye had brought this up, offered various words of congratulations, repeatedly praising the Emperor's boundless grace and the Empress's divine favor.

Then Lin Ye continued, "Master Gongsun is a highly accomplished Taoist master, and I had a very pleasant conversation with him."

"And I also learned something from the Taoist priest—"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers held their breath and listened intently.

"There is actually an elixir of immortality in this world."

"And the Taoist priest is the one who can refine this elixir."

As he spoke, Lin Ye gave Gao Ren a look.

Prime Minister Gao Ren immediately understood and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty—"

"I believe Your Majesty's achievements are worthy of being called one of the greatest emperors of all time. If the Taoist priest could refine this elixir of immortality, Your Majesty would gain longevity and long life, which would surely bring blessings to all people."

Following the Prime Minister's lead, everyone agreed.

Although some of them did not believe in the existence of the so-called elixir of immortality, such as Zhao Fei, none of them objected to Lin Ye's statement that he was a great emperor of all time.

Furthermore, if the Taoist priest can refine elixirs of immortality, then let him refine them. If he succeeds, it will only prove the Prime Minister's "blessing all people".

Therefore, none of the ministers voiced any objection.

Then, Lin Ye said something that struck like thunder: "The Daoist said that to refine this pill that seizes the creation of heaven and earth, it is not an ordinary place. Therefore, after several nights of calculation, Daoist Gongsun finally confirmed that only Wuya Mountain has the purest and most abundant dragon energy, which is the creation of heaven and earth, and can be used to build the 'Pill Palace' to refine this pill."

"Mount Wuya?!"

These three words were like two icicles, piercing the eardrums of all the court officials, instantly freezing and shattering the peaceful atmosphere!

Wuyashan!

All the officials knew that this was the location of the imperial tomb!

His Majesty is actually going to undertake such a massive construction project in this place, which is of national importance, for that elusive elixir of immortality?

The ministers felt a sudden darkness before their eyes, and a rush of blood to their heads.

However, with the emperor above them, they dared not be the first to act out of consideration for their status.

Not to mention that when Lin Ye mentioned alchemy earlier, they all readily accepted it, but now they are all in a state of unease, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

Even Wu Qing and Zhao Fei exchanged glances. However, since they often accompanied Lin Ye on his campaigns, they knew that His Majesty always acted with utmost care, so they both felt that His Majesty must have other plans.

Fei Ren was the head of all officials, so the play naturally had to start with him.

He stepped out of the train, feigning a somber expression, his voice carrying a solemn tone:

"Your Majesty! Wuya Mountain is the sacred site of the imperial mausoleum of our Great Qin Dynasty. It is the foundation of the dragon vein and destiny of our Great Qin Dynasty. How can we... how can we disturb the imperial mausoleum just because of the words of a Taoist priest? This is an act that shakes the foundation of the country."

"We urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and reconsider!"

The Grand Counselor, his face ashen, stepped forward and exclaimed in an agitated voice:

"Your Majesty! The Wuyashan Dragon Vein is the foundation of our Great Qin Dynasty, the very source of our people's destiny! The imperial mausoleum was chosen here precisely to guard the dragon's lair and ensure the eternal stability of our Great Qin empire! If large-scale construction is undertaken on it, breaking through mountains and rocks to build a noisy palace, it will surely disturb the dragon vein and damage the earth's energy! This is not merely a matter of a mausoleum or a single location; it is a catastrophe that shakes the very foundation of the nation and brings ruin to all living beings! Your Majesty! Absolutely not! I beg Your Majesty to immediately rescind your decree!"

The Minister of Revenue turned ashen-faced upon hearing the words "Mount Wuya" and "Dan Palace." Overwhelmed by the immense fear of the nation's collapse, he immediately spoke:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty is wise!"

"Mount Wuya... a sacred site for the imperial mausoleum, with treacherous terrain, even monkeys cannot climb it! If we follow... if we follow what that Taoist priest said, we should build the 'Dan Palace' on it."

His mind raced as he calculated the expenses, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

"Carving through treacherous peaks, laying sky-reaching plank roads, transporting massive boulders and timbers, conscripting laborers..."

"Your Majesty! That cannot be accomplished by a few thousand laborers! It may require conscription... conscription of tens of thousands of able-bodied men from the entire nation!"

"The required gold and silver... I... I dare to estimate that it will be at least ten million taels of silver!"

"Ten million taels of silver?!" A collective gasp rippled through the court.

The Minister of Revenue's voice continued:

"Your Majesty! Does that Taoist priest really intend to exhaust the entire power of our Great Qin with just a casual remark like 'enriched by dragon energy'?"

He was going all in; he raised his head, his eyes filled with a desperate, resentful indignation.

"Your Majesty! This is not alchemy! This is burning the fuel of our Great Qin to fuel the selfish desires of that evil Taoist! If this continues, the people's strength will be exhausted, resentment will fill the air, and the national treasury will be depleted! The foundation of the mighty Qin will surely collapse in Your Majesty's hands! Your Majesty! Think it over! Think it over again, please!" He prostrated himself on the ground and wept bitterly, as if he were remonstrating with his death.

Below the steps, almost all the court officials knelt on the ground, and cries of grief, kowtows, and tearful remonstrances came like a tidal wave.

The criticism was directed not only at the absurdity of disturbing the imperial tombs, but also at the "heretical Taoist" Gongsun Yan who proposed the idea.

"Your Majesty! The Dan Palace must not be built!"

"Your Majesty! Please prioritize the well-being of the nation and the people!"

"Your Majesty! Slay the evil cultists, protect the imperial tombs, and bring peace to the realm!"

"His Majesty!……"

In an instant, the entire Golden Palace was filled with kneeling figures. Cries of grief, kowtows, and tearful pleas for redress rose and fell, the previous peace and tranquility vanished, leaving only fear, indignation, and despair filling the hall.

Almost all the court officials stood up, and voices of opposition surged towards the emperor on the imperial steps like a tidal wave.

Lin Ye, seated high on the dragon throne, gradually lost his initial pleasure. Looking at the ministers prostrating themselves below, their emotions running high, his gaze beneath his crown became unfathomable, and the smile on his lips slowly faded.

He didn't speak immediately, but simply watched and listened quietly to the desperate cries of "divine retribution," "national destiny," and "ancestral rules." The air in the hall seemed to freeze, with only those sorrowful and indignant voices echoing.

After a long while, when the voices of opposition subsided slightly, only suppressed sobs and the sound of kowtowing remained.

Lin Ye feigned fury on his face.

Then, he slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne!

"Bang--!"