Eternal Life as False Emperor

Zhou Shitou confusedly took over the mining pickaxe modified by Zheng Yi: "Xiaozheng, what are you being so secretive about? It's just a mining pickaxe; could your pickaxe really be better than mine?"

Zhou Shitou habitually injected Spiritual Qi into the mining pickaxe.

After several days of observation and research, Zheng Yi had figured out almost everything about the situation here.

All the cultivation techniques practiced by the miners were specially issued by the Zhao Family, the rulers of the Cangyan Realm.

It's a cultivation technique called the "Fiery Scripture."

This cultivation technique is the most basic entry-level technique for Qi Cultivation.

Only in the Canglan Realm, which is full of Fire Spiritual Qi, could this crude technique be of any use; in his original world, it would likely yield nothing from cultivation.

The reason the Zhao Family openly taught them was certainly not out of goodwill.

It was because only those who had practiced the "Fiery Scripture" could serve the Zhao Family better.

Since arriving in this world, everyone Zheng Yi met was without exception gifted in cultivation.

This isn't because everyone in the Cangyan Realm is incredibly talented.

There's only one reason for this: after the Azure Moon Flame Emperor broke through the void and the Zhao Family took complete control of the Cangyan Realm, those without cultivation talents had long been eliminated under their brutal rule.

"Azure Moon Flame Emperor, oh Azure Moon Flame Emperor, the worst decision you made in your life was dragging me into your Origin World."

Zheng Yi watched as Zhou Shitou swung the mining pickaxe with almost sparks flying off it, and he secretly chuckled.

At first, Zhou Shitou didn't really care.

After Zheng Yi specifically treated this mining pickaxe, it looked no different from an ordinary pickaxe on the outside.

But as soon as one used it, they would know it was hundreds of times more efficient than his pickaxe.

It was like someone used to riding horse-drawn carriages suddenly seeing a train powered by an internal combustion engine, an awe that words cannot describe.

In less than half an hour, Zhou Shitou had almost single-handedly dug out a small tunnel.

Even with random digging, he had already unearthed over a dozen pieces of Fire Rock Ore.

If Zheng Yi hadn't specifically led him to a less populated area to try the pickaxe today,

his actions would certainly have drawn substantial attention.

Seeing Zhou Shitou becoming increasingly excited as he dug, Zheng Yi had to stop him: "Brother Zhou, you should pause for a moment."

Zhou Shitou was reluctantly licking his lips as he unwillingly put down the pickaxe.

His cautious manner made it seem as though it wasn't a pickaxe but a delicate young girl.

"Younger Brother Zheng," Zhou Shitou's eyes reddened, "where exactly did you get this pickaxe?"

Realizing he might have spoken wrongly, Zhou Shitou quickly corrected himself, "I wouldn't ask about something so important; surely, you can't casually tell others where it's from."

"So I won't ask. Since you managed to bring out one piece, you could definitely obtain more, right? We'll buy it, no matter how much you ask, Riverbend Village will not haggle."

One had to admit, although Zhou Shitou looked like a big brute, in fact, he was quite a meticulous person.

From the moment Zheng Yi handed him the pickaxe to test, he realized Zheng Yi's intentions weren't simple.

Thus, even though he desperately wanted the mining pickaxe, he didn't outright ask for it or try to circumvent Zheng Yi to find its source, but suggested buying directly from Zheng Yi.

Implied within his words was an attitude of generosity.

Almost as if he was directly saying to Zheng Yi: I'm just an inexperienced bumpkin, feel free to swindle me.

If not for the observations in these past few days, Zheng Yi guessed he himself could have been fooled by this man's honest appearance.

But Zheng Yi was very aware.

Riverbend Village, though small, consisting of just over thirty households.

The situation within the village is extremely complex.

The Zhao Family treats these people purely as tools, and doesn't care at all about how they live.

As long as they hand over the allotted amount of Fire Rock Ore, the Zhao Family doesn't concern themselves with them.

But if they can't meet the quota, the Zhao Family punishes them without any mercy.

Fail to deliver for a month, and they face ten lashes; fail for a second month, thirty lashes.

As for the third month...

Even if everyone in the Cangyan Realm can practice cultivation, they can't withstand the thirty lashes from genuine cultivators.

If they fail to complete the task for two months, they are essentially dead.

Riverbend Village, with its thirty households, has about twenty real laborers before the mining accident killed four, now only sixteen remain.

Yet, the required amount for distribution hasn't decreased.

Even under such circumstances, they still manage to complete their tasks, and even Elder Chen and Xiaobao somehow survive.

To say this isn't thanks to Zhou Shitou's efforts, Zheng Yi would be the first not to believe it.

To manage such a dire situation smoothly, Zhou Shitou is certainly a buried talent.

Zheng Yi smiled and shook his head, causing Zhou Shitou's expectant gaze to fade instantly.

He sighed bitterly and said, "I was being unreasonably demanding. This thing, even if it doesn't compare to those Spiritual Artifacts used by the noble lords, is still a rare treasure, something we mud-legged folks likely can't afford to use."

Seeing he misunderstood his intentions, Zheng Yi quickly explained: "Brother Zhou, you misunderstood. This isn't some priceless thing; it's just a small creation of mine."

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