Previously on Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield...
The ministers gathered for a morning discussion where the Crown Prince Zhao Feng and Emperor Ying Zheng revealed a new cultivation method called "Casting Minister's Responsibility." This technique allows ministers to cultivate their Divine Soul by drawing upon Qin's National Fortune, granting them longevity as long as the state endures. Meanwhile, an incident involving the Tu'an State attacking Qin's soldiers escorting their princess has provided Zhao Feng and Ying Zheng with the justification to order the complete annihilation of Tu'an, with General Li Mu leading the charge.
Upon hearing Zhao Feng’s words, the assembled courtiers wore contemplative expressions. For the civil officials, and indeed for many of the elder statesmen, it presented a choice, yet it felt as though no true alternative existed. “Your Majesty, Crown Prince,” Lv Buwei declared loudly, “I, your old minister, choose [Cast Minister’s Responsibility].” Many ministers rose in unison. “I choose the same.” “Cultivation Technique, I shall bestow,” Zhao Feng proclaimed. “All subjects of Qin may obtain cultivation technique inheritances commensurate with their official rank through the Tian Xuan Mirror.” “Martial Arts, [Cast Minister’s Responsibility]. All Qin officials may select this path.” “However,” Zhao Feng’s tone turned grave, “the future of Qin has irrevocably changed. The cultivation techniques granted by the Tian Xuan Mirror, without the blessing of Qin’s National Fortune, cannot be cultivated. Those who attempt to cultivate will surely be consumed by inner demons, perishing violently.” As his solemn warning concluded, Zhao Feng looked to Ying Zheng. “Father.” “Indeed,” Ying Zheng nodded, his gaze sharpening. “By Holy Decree: The martial arts technique bestowed by the Daqin Tianxuan Mirror, without the blessing of Qin’s National Fortune, if cultivated shall surely lead to one being consumed by inner demons and perishing.” Ying Zheng channeled the National Fortune, and above the void, the holy decree, as dictated by him, materialized. The decree was drafted from thin air. In the next moment, the Imperial Jade Seal ascended before Ying Zheng, exuding a pressure of National Fortune and absolute authority. It descended upon the decree scripted in mid-air, bearing the inscription: “Mandated by Heaven, May It Live and Flourish Forever.” The holy decree was complete, etched into eternity by the National Fortune. “Drafting a decree from thin air!” “The Jade Seal sealing it from mid-air!” “Your Majesty’s methods are truly akin to Immortals and Gods!” The courtiers watched in utter awe. “Your Majesty’s brilliance!” “Crown Prince’s brilliance!” Suppressing their astonishment, the courtiers shouted in unison. The court assembly then dispersed. “Now that Qin is stable and the people are united,” Ying Zheng mused, “we can finally expand outwards. However, those rats lurking in the shadows remain a persistent nuisance.” “Those individuals are now universally reviled, like vermin,” Zhao Feng replied. “With the implementation of the Tianxuan Mirror, their future path will undoubtedly become more arduous. But…” Zhao Feng’s expression grew thoughtful. “But what?” Ying Zheng inquired. “Perhaps Qin’s act of gathering the National Fortune has already drawn the attention of others,” Zhao Feng stated gravely. “You mean… Immortals?” Ying Zheng immediately grasped the implication of Zhao Feng’s words. “Father, the territory beyond Shenzhou is indeed vast, but it is far more complex than you might imagine. To put it plainly, beyond Shenzhou, the mortal world, and even the Earth Immortal Realm, are all interconnected. In the future, Qin may have to contend with enemies from all corners of existence – Immortals, Gods, and Buddhas.” Zhao Feng spoke with utmost seriousness. “Is there some forbidden action within Shenzhou that has displeased the Immortals and Gods?” Ying Zheng frowned. “Perhaps at its core, it is simply the law of survival of the fittest,” Zhao Feng chuckled lightly. “Father, rest assured. Now, with Shenzhou’s fortune flourishing and Qin also consolidating the National Fortune, Shenzhou itself will remain stable for the time being, and Immortals cannot easily intrude.” Zhao Feng reassured Ying Zheng with a smile. Ying Zheng nodded, his face etched with contemplation. “From what you say, these Immortals and Gods might act against the Qin Divine Land. To counter them, we must accelerate the growth of Qin’s National Fortune and hasten the dissemination of martial cultivation.” “We shall begin by spreading basic martial cultivation at the Academic Palace, selecting those with martial talent for enhanced training,” Zhao Feng suggested. “After annihilating Baiyue, Tu An, and Goguryeo, we will proceed to spread the method of basic cultivation to all the people across the land.” “Indeed,” Ying Zheng nodded. “That is feasible.” “Additionally, Spiritual Grain can now be implemented throughout the entirety of Qin.” Ying Zheng declared with a laugh. “The National Fortune has condensed; you may encase it with chains at any time. Spiritual Grain cannot grow outside the Shenzhou realm, thus Qin need not worry about any leakage anymore,” Zhao Feng smiled. Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng did not hesitate. “Announce my decree.”
"Let the high-yield Spiritual Valley Rice be widely planted throughout the land, but only citizens within the Qin Divine Land shall be permitted to cultivate it; beyond Qin's National Fortune, the Spiritual Valley Rice will wither and perish, further tainting the soil."
"My decree is thus established by the National Fortune."
With an authoritative voice, Ying Zheng proclaimed his command.
He conjured the decree from the void, golden characters shimmering in the air.
Subsequently.
The National Treasure descended from above, its seals affixed, completing the decree.
Even beyond the confines of Xianyang,
And at various outposts throughout Yanting, within the fields of Spiritual Valley Rice, an unseen power of the Human Dao's Rules manifested, imposing its will upon all the spiritual grains.
They were forbidden from surviving outside Shenzhou, from thriving beyond the reach of Qin's National Fortune.
Ying Zheng, having mastered the Art of National Fortune and the Emperor's Way, now wielded the National Fortune to enforce his decrees, channeling the authority of the Human Dao.
It could be said.
Qin's accumulation of National Fortune had already given the Human Dao its nascent form, with the power of its Rules beginning to take shape.
"With these binding chains,"
"The Spiritual Grain shall be exclusive to Qin, and henceforth, Qin shall never again know the hardship of famine."
"All the people will have sustenance."
"In the future, as Qin's dominion expands, and its National Fortune blankets the land, the seeds of Spiritual Valley Rice will be sown far and wide within Qin's borders," Ying Zheng declared, a hearty laugh escaping him.
He seemed to envision a future era of unparalleled prosperity.
"The Art of National Fortune possesses boundless applications, intrinsically linked to the Human Dao."
"This shall become Qin's shield in the times to come, our bulwark against the Immortals and Gods," Zhao Feng chimed in with a smile.
"Indeed," Ying Zheng concurred with a nod.
"Issue my decree."
"All subjects of Qin, irrespective of their official standing or the distinction between civil and military roles, as long as they serve Qin, shall receive the boon of National Fortune, aiding their cultivation path. The higher one's official rank, the greater the blessing from the National Fortune; the more devoted one's loyalty to Qin, the deeper the National Fortune's embrace."
"Now."
"With the Qin Divine Land firmly established, the populace shall commence their spring planting. Qin has, for a long time, cultivated the high-yield Spiritual Valley Rice seeds, capable of producing fifty piculs per mu. With the Tian Xuan Mirror serving as the central conduit, these Spiritual Valley Rice seeds shall be distributed to every state, provincial city, county, and village chief."
