Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

Chu Xiangyun said with a smile, "I'll go too! I also know a little about rainmaking. If we all work together, we can bring rain without using spirit stones! What do you say?"

The future is uncertain, but this carefree guy has a good attitude.

Everyone else is on a business trip, but this guy looks like he's on vacation.

After Chu Xiangyun's interruption, Lu Junfeng lost interest in explaining anything to Shi Yu.

"well……"

Leading a team is tough...

He sighed softly, "We're setting off tomorrow, so all of you junior brothers and sisters should go and rest."

"Yes!" The crowd responded and withdrew.

Rest time is actually free time.

Some people were meditating with their eyes closed, some were polishing their magical artifacts, and others were chatting in small groups.

"Senior sister, what are you holding in your hand?"

Several junior sisters who were on good terms with Chu Xiangyun gathered around her and asked with some curiosity.

Chu Xiangyun has been wandering around aimlessly these past few days, much freer than others, and she often brings back trinkets from the Great Xia Dynasty. The things she brought back today don't look like things you can just get on the street.

Chu Xiangyun waved the strange object in her hand and said with a smile, "This was a gift from a new friend of mine. We don't have this where I'm from! It's really interesting..."

It was a peculiar weapon. The body was made of dark metal with a deep, dark hole at the front. The handle was inlaid with mahogany and exquisitely carved with a phoenix with outstretched wings. It was extremely delicate.

"Look!"

Chu Xiangyun skillfully loaded the ammunition, gripped the handle, pointed it at a tree in the yard, and pulled the trigger.

"Bang!"

Flames and thick smoke suddenly erupted, and the pungent smell of sulfur instantly filled the air. A bullet, carrying primal and violent force, hurtled out and slammed into the tree trunk, carving a deep crater.

What Chu Xiangyun didn't know was that this little toy was a restricted weapon of the Great Xia Dynasty, and it wasn't something that just anyone could give away casually.

"this……"

The junior sister stared blankly at the scene for a moment.

There's no magical energy fluctuation here! How can it fire a projectile containing such energy?

"Isn't it interesting!" Chu Xiangyun's eyes sparkled as she played with the musket with great interest. "This thing must compress the flame to the extreme and then release it instantly to propel the projectile at high speed."

Thinking of the extraordinary person she had met the other day, she couldn't help but sigh, "The person who created this thing is a genius!"

"Let me think... If we add an energy-gathering array and a fire-igniting rune here, it will definitely greatly enhance the power of the projectile."

"Hmm... the materials used to make this magic weapon are quite ordinary. We can strengthen it with black iron."

"Oh right~ I can also add an elemental gathering magic circle to this gun muzzle, so I can fire ice bullets, earth bullets..."

"Hmph, once I've finished all this, I'll give it to him. It'll definitely give him a shock!"

Senior Sister Chu seems to have forgotten that they are now on an unfamiliar continent and haven't even found their way home yet...

Seeing Chu Xiangyun's enthusiastic desire to modify the magical artifact, the junior sisters twitched their lips: "Senior sister, you haven't been tricked, have you?"

"Huh? What are you lying about?"

Chu Xiangyun toyed with the musket in her hand, then looked up, her eyes seemingly filled with doubt: "Who could possibly deceive me, Chu Xiangyun?!"

"I ran out of money when I went out, and this friend of mine paid for everything! We hit it off immediately, just chatted, would he lie to me? I didn't reveal any sect secrets, and I even got this gift for free, what could he possibly be lying about?"

His questions didn't involve sect secrets or untold techniques. They were all common sense: the customs and traditions of the Immortal Alliance, the power dynamics of different sects… These weren't things that couldn't be discussed, so what could she possibly be fooled into?

She glanced at Lu Junfeng's room and whispered to them, "Don't always follow your senior brother's example. Don't always think about deceiving others. If you learn too much, you'll become dark yourself!"

Everyone: "..."

……

"Your Majesty," the woman's voice was clear and cold, yet tinged with a hint of reproach, "I hope... next time something like this comes up, could you please call me first? It's always the servants who run the errands; you don't need to do it yourself. It's not like you're going to lose your teeth by just asking, is it?"

Xie Cangrong's rare extravagance and grand banquet seemed to have no impact on the Great Xia Dynasty. The next day, the sun rose as usual, and all the officials went about their duties.

In the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, a gentle breeze stirred a few strands of hair.

Two people sat facing each other in the pavilion.

The man was exceptionally handsome, dressed in a dragon robe, and was the supreme emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty.

The woman was also beautiful and delicate, with long, flowing hair and skin as smooth as jade. However, compared to ordinary gentle women, her narrow eyebrows were slightly upturned, carrying an indescribable air of arrogance and sharpness... But unfortunately, although she was beautiful, she seemed to have a leg ailment and was sitting in a rather exquisitely designed wheelchair.

In this elegant setting, the two lovers should be discussing romance and deep affection. Yet, at this moment, their gazes are as clear as mirrors, and their conversation revolves entirely around official matters between ruler and subject.

The woman spoke with great respect, but unlike ordinary ministers, her gaze toward Xie Cangrong held little reverence, and her tone carried a hint of resentment.

"Minister Gong is very busy. I'm just worried that you might tire out our skilled craftsmen."

"Your Majesty was worried that I would get tired, so you broke the things first and then gave them to me~"

Xie Cangrong, however, remained unperturbed, his expression as gentle as ever, and asked in return, "Is Lord Gong complaining about me?"

"How dare I!"

Upon hearing this, the woman raised an eyebrow, her usually cold expression suddenly becoming lively. Her voice softened, almost fawningly flattering, "Your Majesty is the Emperor of our Great Xia, a supreme ruler throughout history, commanding thousands of troops and governing vast lands. How could I possibly dare to complain against Your Majesty!"

Xie Cangrong seemed completely oblivious to the other party's sarcastic tone, and said with a smile, "That's good, that's good! I thought it was Minister Gong who was angry with me."

Gong Qiao: ...

In the third year of Jingyu, the world was at peace. The new emperor, a man of great talent and ambition, established new rules, implemented benevolent policies, and brought blessings to the people. The people of Great Xia held this wise ruler, who had quelled the rebellion and restored order, in almost blind reverence. The world praised his virtue, believing His Majesty to be as benevolent as the sea and as gentle and kind as a benevolent ruler.

But what is the reality?

Can good people conquer the world?

Only those more wicked than the most wicked, those with the deepest and most cunning schemes, can win in chaotic times. What kind of virtuous person could someone like Ning Boxin be?

They've known each other for almost twenty years, and she's never won an argument against him.

When you develop a new cannon, fire it at this thing's face first. Only if it can inflict some damage will it be considered合格 (qualified/acceptable).

Xie Cangrong had no idea what Gong Qiao was thinking.

It's lonely at the top, so it's actually a good thing to have someone make a sarcastic joke.

After a few playful exchanges, Xie Cangrong's smile faded, and he got down to business: "What can you possibly research about that thing?"