Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Zhu Youzhen listened blankly to this grand discourse, which sounded like the resounding toll of a great bell, feeling as if the blood in his body was boiling and burning wildly.

The vast universe, a colossal galaxy, a new continent.

These words, like giant axes, cleaved through his narrow imperial mindset, revealing before him an unprecedented and glorious map of the Ming Empire.

Yes.

Since this power has already been given to all people.

Then let us lead these people to conquer even more distant worlds!

May the glory of the Ming Dynasty no longer be confined to this corner of China, but shine upon the ends of the vast ocean!

"Grand Tutor..."

Zhu Youzhen let out a long breath.

That old face radiated a youthful vitality.

He stepped back and solemnly bowed deeply to the upright onlooker in the blue robe.

"I have learned a great deal. The Grand Tutor's words are like the sun breaking through the clouds, opening up a broad and prosperous road for me and for the Ming Dynasty that will last for ten thousand generations."

"With the Grand Tutor here, it is truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty and for all its people."

Li Changqing turned slightly to the side and accepted the half-bow.

"Your Majesty flatters me. I am merely a leisurely observer who enjoys watching plays from the sidelines. Ultimately, this grand performance must be staged by Your Majesty yourself."

"I only hope to see the dragon flag of the Ming Dynasty planted at the ends of the earth."

Zhu Youzhen straightened up, his eyes filled with determination and resolve.

"Grand Tutor, please remain seated here in peace. I will now return to the palace to summon the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of War to draft the regulations for the Imperial Academy of Immortal Cultivation, as well as the grand plan for ocean exploration."

"I want the world to know that the Ming Dynasty's conquest has only just begun!"

Having said that, this reborn, iron-blooded emperor, filled with pride and ambition, strode out of the courtyard and disappeared into the continuous spring rain.

The courtyard has returned to tranquility.

Only the rustling sound of raindrops hitting banana leaves continues to softly sing the song of the passing years.

Li Changqing stood quietly under the eaves, watching the direction Zhu Youzhen had left in.

He reached out and caught a drop of spring rain that slid down from the eaves.

The icy water droplets in his palm seemed to transform into the surging torrent of the Ming Dynasty.

In this ancient land, the civilization of cultivating immortality is no longer a withered tree hiding deep in the mountains and forests, admiring its own beauty in solitude.

Instead, he forcefully grafted it into this mundane world, transforming it into a towering tree rooted in the flesh and blood of millions of people, soon to reach the heavens and block out the sun.

"The world is vast, and the stars are boundless."

Li Changqing withdrew his hand, walked to the desk, and picked up the carving knife that was covered with a few wood shavings.

He did not go to see the unfinished wooden sculpture of a farmer again.

Instead, they chose a piece of harder, more deeply textured sandalwood.

The blade moved across the block of wood; this time, he was no longer carving farmers with their heads bowed in labor.

Instead, it was a massive ship that broke through the raging waves and sailed proudly into the unknown fog.

"In these long years, one must find some magnificent scenery to see. Otherwise, immortality would be too lonely."

His lips curled into that ever-present, nonchalant smile.

Spring rain drizzles, and the mortal world is like a play.

……

Early summer in the capital always arrives a few minutes later than in the Jiangnan region.

The weeping willows on both sides of the moat have already sprouted dense green shade. When the breeze blows, the willow catkins fall like snowflakes onto the bluestone streets.

The vendor selling sour plum juice on the street corner had set up his awning early in the morning. The sweet and sour juice, chilled in a porcelain jar, exuded a refreshing coolness that dispelled the heat.

Ever since the imperial edict establishing the "Imperial Academy for Immortal Cultivation" was issued from the Forbidden City.

The entire Shuntian Prefecture, and even the thirteen provincial administrations of the Ming Dynasty, seemed to have been ignited overnight by a raging fire that could not be seen in the flames.

The notice board outside the right gate of Chang'an, which used to only be crowded with people when the results of the imperial examinations were announced, is now packed with people for months on end.

The yellow silk notice stamped with the imperial seal was made into countless copies and spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Anyone who has gained some insight into rune formations and spiritual energy breathing techniques can participate in the entrance examination.

Once promoted, they would be granted the title of Imperial Academy Student, supported by the imperial court, and study the secret cultivation methods collected from overseas immortal islands, in preparation for going to sea with the Ming Dynasty navy to expand territory.

This imperial decree thoroughly stirred the minds of scholars and artisans throughout the land.

In the outer city, inside Xuanwu Gate, lies a dilapidated and cramped alley.

Inside a low-rise house, there was a strong smell of pine resin and wood shavings.

A scholar wearing a patched blue robe was hunched over a broken square table with one leg missing, propped up with bricks.

The scholar's name was Shen You, and he was originally a poor scholar who failed the provincial examination in Shuntian Prefecture.

He came from a poor family and his parents died early. He barely made a living by writing letters for others and making paper umbrellas.

However, Shen You disliked those rigid, formulaic essays and instead developed a deep passion for carpentry and mechanical engineering from a young age.

Ever since the imperial court distributed "The First Chapter of Body Tempering and Breathing in the Great Ming Dynasty" and some basic immortal array patterns to the world, he has been completely engrossed in it.

At this moment, Shen You's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at a palm-sized wooden gear on the table.

The gear was carved from ordinary jujube wood, with several crooked lines engraved on it, which were the fragments of the "Gathering Water Formation" passed down from Qintiange.

Shen You took a deep breath and, following the method in the "First Chapter," mobilized the faint, almost negligible trace of energy within his body, carefully injecting it into the patterns of the wooden gear through the carving knife in his hand.

"Buzz..."

A faint blue light shone through the grain of the wooden gear.

A flicker of wild joy flashed across Shen You's pale face, but before the smile on his lips could fully bloom...

"Snap!"

With a crisp sound, a deep crack appeared in the jujube wood gear, the wood grain broke, and the wisp of moisture that had been painstakingly gathered vanished without a trace.

"Another defeat..."

Shen You dejectedly dropped the carving knife in his hand and slumped onto the broken bench behind him, clutching his head in anguish.

This is the thirty-seventh gear he has destroyed this month.

He wanted to build a wooden waterwheel that could operate automatically using a "water-gathering array" without the need for human or animal power, as a stepping stone to participate in the grand examination of the Imperial Academy of Immortal Cultivation next month.

But ordinary wood is still just ordinary wood.

Once those celestial formations draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the force of the impact is something ordinary wood simply cannot withstand.

Without top-quality spirit wood or spirit-patterned refined steel crafted by the Qintian Pavilion, this formation would be like water without a source, impossible to carve.

"Does this mean that those from poor families who cannot afford spiritual materials are destined to be unable to enter the Imperial Academy of Cultivation?"

Shen You's eyes reddened as he gazed at the sunlit roof tiles and murmured to himself.

A rumbling sound came from my stomach.

Shen You sighed and touched his empty money pouch.

There were only three pitiful copper coins left inside, not even enough to buy a decent piece of poplar wood.