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

"Ha ha!"

"Okay, okay!"

After all, Xuan Gu's real purpose in getting involved in this mess was to find his precious disciple. Hearing the news from Song Zhaowen, a huge weight was lifted from his heart.

Song Zhaowen then inquired at the opportune moment, "I didn't know that Miss Chu is Brother Xuangu's..."

Xuan Gu patted his chest, quite proudly saying, "Hahaha, she's my disciple!"

Song Zhaowen glanced at him and exclaimed, "Miss Chu stands out from the crowd with her extraordinary bearing; she's unforgettable. So she's Brother Xuan Gu's disciple! Indeed, a great teacher produces a great student!"

Xuan Gu was completely flattered, his wide grin never stopping: "Brother Song, you flatter me! You flatter me!"

"Brother Song, would you be so kind as to take me to see her?"

"Brother Xuangu, won't you wait for your companions to wake up before going together? I'm sure our lord will send someone to meet you in a few days."

Song Zhaowen had barely finished speaking.

"Xuan Gu!"

A low shout came from the deck.

The next instant, a figure appeared beside them.

The sea breeze made his robes flutter, and Xiao Zheng's face was serious and full of pressure.

The guards around Song Zhaowen stared wide-eyed, their expressions full of vigilance.

Xiao Zheng was not like Xuan Gu, who was content with his lot.

The overwhelming power left a deep impression on him; even a supreme treasure like the Azure Sky Pearl couldn't withstand it for a moment. This time, the world was strangely unpredictable, and an invisible pressure was pressing down on him, as if some great being was watching him.

All of this, so many mysteries... made him uneasy.

His mind was heavy at that moment.

Song Zhaowen stood ramrod straight, his face calm and serene, unperturbed by Xiao Zheng's presence, and asked politely, "Envoy, you've awakened too?"

Xiao Zheng glanced at Song Zhaowen and, sensing his extraordinary talent, bowed respectfully, saying, "I am Xiao Zheng. Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist. I was rude just now; please forgive me."

He was more polite and reserved than Xuan Gu, yet distant, seemingly possessing an inescapable sense of class pride deep within him.

Xuan Gu scoffed, "Heh~ Xiao Zheng, you're not dead?"

This guy only ever says these two sentences over and over again.

I curse him to die every day.

Xiao Zheng glared at him: "Hmph! You brute, don't spout nonsense here!"

Song Zhaowen stood quietly to the side, observing the interaction between Xiao Zhengxuan and Gu, this pair of clueless and unhappy people, taking in all the information.

These two were clearly the leaders of the second wave of cultivators.

One is rugged, sincere, and straightforward. The other is reserved, serious, and cunning.

They didn't get along.

He would deliver this information to His Majesty when someone from the capital arrived.

……

"So this is a spirit stone?"

Inside the palace, Xie Cangrong played with the jade stone in his hand with great interest.

He could also sense the strange energy contained within it.

He shook his head and sighed, "If it weren't for cultivators, I probably would never have seen this thing in my lifetime."

The resources do exist, but only if we can discover them and find a way to utilize them.

Xie Cangrong recognized oil, coal, and countless other important resources unknown to most people in the world, but he did not recognize this thing.

If it weren't for people like Lu Junfeng who came from across the sea and brought about change...

Xie Cangrong will probably never figure it out in his lifetime.

The girl in the wheelchair shook her head, disagreeing: "That's not necessarily true."

Xie Cangrong was reviving advanced knowledge, while Gong Qiao, as a scholar, was moving forward step by step. Essentially, both of them were breaking through their own limitations and broadening their knowledge by starting from scratch.

Therefore, her views differed from Xie Cangrong's.

What exists is reason.

She doesn't think it's impossible.

Even without cultivators, she might eventually figure it out through her own research.

It just means taking more detours and spending more time.

"Hehe~"

Xie Cangrong remained noncommittal, instead asking practically, "Can you use this thing? Do you know how to mine it?"

Gong Qiao's eyes instantly lit up, and she said decisively, "There's great potential!"

This is a brand new discipline. The spirit stones contain energy beyond the ordinary. By exploring their secrets, she can overcome many of the current technical problems of the Great Xia Dynasty, give them new power, and improve many weapons and tools. Many of the near-fantasy ideas that Xie Cangrong once proposed to her may also become a reality.

She wouldn't have left the Ordnance Bureau unless she absolutely had to report to Xie Cangrong.

"Lu Junfeng is holding back and is unwilling to teach me. I need to try a few more times."

Xie Cangrong nodded: "Mm."

He knew how difficult it was to break through technological blockades; every step was hard-won.

"Report to me immediately if successful."

He said somewhat seriously, "This matter is of utmost importance; the spirit mine must be firmly under the control of the imperial court."

The strategic importance of oil in the past is self-evident. It influenced the world situation in every aspect, including the economy, military, politics, and diplomacy.

Now, spirit stones are like a super-enhanced version of oil, and they are definitely a resource that the Immortal Alliance covets. He must firmly control them.

This is the Great Xia's resource, the Great Xia's economy, and the Great Xia's diplomatic bargaining chip. It's even possible that a "Spirit Stone War" could break out.

Gong Qiao also knew the seriousness of the matter and nodded solemnly, "Yes."

Xie Cangrong's gaze was deep, and his voice was low: "You are fully responsible for this matter. If any officials or nobles want to interfere, you don't need to handle it yourself; just report it to me!"

This emperor, who was usually gentle and kind, now had fierce and menacing eyes.

A person who only knows how to laugh will never conquer an empire.

Perhaps this is his truest self.

"yes!"

The atmosphere became somewhat serious.

It's been a long time since I've felt like this.

Gong Qiao looked at Xie Cangrong's face, and the wheelchair moved slowly closer as she pleased.

"What's wrong?"

When Xie Cangrong saw her raise her hand, he followed suit and bent down to look at her.

The girl usually has a cold face, little emotion, and speaks quite sharply.

At this moment, her eyes shone brightly, reflecting Xie Cangrong's face. She gently smoothed his brow with her delicate hand, her voice filled with tenderness: "Are you tired?"

She was well aware of the changes and challenges that the appearance of cultivators would bring to the Great Xia Dynasty.

What will the mining of spirit stones bring to the Great Xia?

Both domestically and internationally, the economy, politics, culture... may all be impacted, and everything that is old may undergo transformation.

She's just a researcher, just a scholar; all she needs to do is her job.

The person before him was the emperor, who possessed a vast empire and held supreme power. But at the same time, he would also bear the weight of heaven and earth, shoulder the greatest responsibility, and face the challenges head-on.

One wrong move and you could fall from a high building and be smashed to pieces.

"Heh~"

Xie Cangrong suddenly sat up straight and laughed heartily, "Others did all the work! Why am I tired?"

"But my Lord Gong, you need to get some rest, you know?"

He squeezed Gong Qiao's shoulder and laughed, "Don't wear out my 'brain'."