Eternal Life as False Emperor

Moreover, even back then, there wouldn’t have been too many people who witnessed it firsthand.

It’s normal for some to have doubts.

"It is indeed true." Zheng Yi nodded slightly, "But shattering the void isn’t as wonderful as you imagine."

"In this world, even the strong must continue to cultivate and climb step by step when they breakthrough to a more powerful realm."

"And I..." Zheng Yi smiled slightly, "am precisely the enemy of the Azure Moon Flame Emperor."

To the ordinary people, Zheng Yi wouldn’t let them know too much.

However, to Zhou Kunshan and Fengg Haitao, Zheng Yi would reveal part of the truth to them.

This was telling them.

You’re already in the same boat with me; I’m the enemy of the Azure Moon Flame Emperor, so don’t harbor any illusions.

Thus, the only path is to follow me and completely overthrow the Zhao Family.

As for the strength of the Azure Moon Flame Emperor, Zheng Yi purposely didn’t mention it.

It’s not about lying, but rather selectively disclosing part of the truth.

Otherwise, it would truly shake their resolve to resist.

After all, Zheng Yi couldn’t tell them that as a small weakling at the Golden Core Stage, he couldn’t withstand even a single move against the Azure Moon Flame Emperor at the Enlightenment Stage, right?

The entire Riverbend Village has been completely brought under Zheng Yi’s control.

Now, apart from the six miners, everyone else must follow Zheng Yi to cultivate together.

Though these people have average aptitude, it doesn’t matter; if aptitude is lacking, a direct pile of resources will suffice.

These abundant Fire Rock Ore are the best cultivation resources.

Although unprocessed, the efficiency is somewhat poor, but quantity compensates for everything.

With Fengg Haitao’s previous experience, Zheng Yi created a universal cultivation technique based on the "Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture."

No matter what attribute suits the cultivation, the Fire Rock Ore can be directly used as cultivation resources.

Of course, cultivating in this way inevitably wastes a lot of Spiritual Qi.

This is a necessary measure; for them now, the priority is whether there are medicines available.

Being able to cultivate and strengthen themselves is their primary concern; waste is not something they need to worry about.

To avoid being discovered, the people of Riverbend Village now act extremely domineeringly towards outsiders.

The entire village occupies a mine exclusively.

Zhao Qing occasionally arranges people from other villages to work in the same mine, but they are always driven away.

"Master, the Green-skin Dog is increasingly dissatisfied with us. Today he told me that if we dare monopolize the mine and prevent others from mining, he will report us to the higher-ups."

Zheng Yi nodded slightly, "Do you think he has discovered anything?"

Zhou Kunshan shook his head dismissively, "Definitely not; he’s never even entered the mine."

"And if the Green-skin Dog truly found something amiss, this old dog would have already reported us instead of merely giving a warning."

"However, Master, I think this can’t continue indefinitely. The Green-skin Dog’s patience will run out eventually."

"It’s okay," Zheng Yi said with a smile, "solving him is simple."

The next day, Zheng Yi sent a message to Zhao Qing, inviting him for a private meeting.

"You sought me out?" Zhao Qing glanced at Zheng Yi skeptically.

Although unaware of the situation in Riverbend Village, Zhao Qing had a hunch that it definitely related to the young man before him.

It was because the boy knew how to curry favor, discreetly gifting him a piece of Fire Rock Ore every so often, that Zhao Qing ignored the issue.

Zheng Yi smiled apologetically, "Steward Qing, I know you’re capable and probably know everything already, just waiting for me to come forward and confess. Please, don’t mock me."

Damn, I know nothing.

Who has time to care about what you mud leggers do every day? Zhao Qing remained expressionless outwardly, but inwardly he was baffled by Zheng Yi.

"Not bad, you do have some acumen. Tell me, what are you planning to do?"

Zheng Yi acted as if his parents had died, "Steward Qing, this method to improve mining efficiency was researched by me. If lucky, mining one more piece of Fire Rock Ore a day isn’t impossible."

"You eat meat, you should at least leave us a sip of soup."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing finally understood what was going on.

No wonder Riverbend Village insisted on occupying a mine pit alone and absolutely refused to let anyone else in during this period.

They feared a crowd would attract attention and allow others to secretly learn their mining secrets.

Soon, Zhao Qing’s face showed a greedy expression. If he could seize this formula and report it, he’d surely be favored by the higher-ups.

At that point, Zhao Qing would be a true steward, not just a hired errand boy.

Don’t be fooled by those calling him Steward Qing; Zhao Qing was clear about his true status.

Since Zheng Yi dared to suggest this, he naturally predicted Zhao Qing’s reaction.

Seeing his gaze drift upwards, imagining the future, Zheng Yi guessed his choice.

"Sure enough, just a petty hooligan’s little cunning."

Zheng Yi didn’t expose Zhao Qing’s thoughts, simply gazed timidly at him, as if surrendering to his whims.

"How dare you!" Engrossed in visions of the future, Zhao Qing sternly pointed at Zheng Yi scolding, "You dare keep a secret method instead of serving the main family; how dare you hide it."

"If you hand over the recipe now, I’ll pretend this never happened. Otherwise, don’t blame me for reporting to the main family. You’ll face their punishment."

Zheng Yi chuckled inwardly, acting as if speaking candidly, quietly saying to Zhao Qing, "Steward Qing, if I were you, I wouldn’t report this.

Zhao Qing sneered, "I, Zhao Qing, am loyal to the Zhao Family, even granted the Zhao surname by the master, something you can’t comprehend."

"Stop rambling, quickly hand over the formula. Or must you suffer before obeying?"

His words were righteous, but if Zhao Qing were truly loyal to the Zhao Family, he’d have reported this long ago.

Urging him to hand over the secret formula merely aimed at claiming the credit for himself.

"Steward Qing, you’ve misunderstood, but I have a few heartfelt things to say," Zheng Yi coaxed gently.

"Steward Qing, the secret method indeed improves mining efficiency."

"But the improvement isn’t much."

"For the Zhao Family, it means more ore; but in one mine, the gain is trivial."

"Submitting this method would grant you promotion, but afterwards, what would you be left with?"

"If I recall correctly, you lack connections higher up, right? So even advancing slightly, you’d reach your limit."

Seeing Zhao Qing’s growing impatience, Zheng Yi seized the chance, "But if you keep our secret, we can give you five Fire Rock Ores daily."

As long as you’re around, this offering won’t be lacking.

"Consider it; whether for personal cultivation, trading, or networking, wouldn’t these benefits outweigh handing over the secret?

Zhao Qing involuntarily swallowed, "Seems... seems reasonable."

The distant gains were uncertain, but Zhao Qing quickly calculated the daily offering—5 pieces a day, 150 pieces a month, 1500 pieces in ten months.

Most importantly, it’s free; he needn’t do anything but pretend ignorance.

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