The atmosphere in the grand hall was incredibly heavy.

Princess Mermaid looked at her father and then at Qin Feiyang, saying, "I can stake my life on it that my father has no intention of rebelling."

Qin Feiyang shook his head. "I only believe what I hear."

Princess Mermaid gritted her teeth. "Alright, I'll tell you the truth. It's not the Emperor who wants to rebel; it's Black Wing and White Wing."

"Oh?" Qin Feiyang raised an eyebrow.

"They don't want to stay in the Sea of Despair anymore. They want to seize a piece of land on the mainland, but they were suppressed by my father."

"If they seize the throne, they will certainly act," Princess Mermaid announced.

"They're digging their own graves then," Qin Feiyang sneered.

Given the strength of the Great Qin Empire, exterminating a Mermaid Clan would be effortless.

"We are well aware that with our abilities, we are not qualified to challenge the Great Qin Empire. That's why my father has been adamantly against passing the throne to them," Princess Mermaid sighed.

After considering for a moment, Qin Feiyang looked at the Mermaid King and asked, "Your strength shouldn't be weak. Why haven't you killed them directly?"

The Mermaid King shook his head. "We can't kill them. If we kill them, all the Black Wing and White Wing guards will rebel. Then my Mermaid Clan will inevitably fall into the misery of war. Besides, their strength is almost on par with mine, and now that my time is near its end, I cannot defeat them."

Qin Feiyang frowned. "If that's the case, why haven't they killed you directly to seize the throne?"

The Mermaid King stated, "They certainly have their concerns. Each generation of Mermaid King has been succeeded by a golden mermaid, as stipulated by our ancestors. If they forcefully seize the throne, firstly, they would be going against ancestral teachings, and secondly, the other mermaids wouldn't recognize them. Not unless I proclaim to the world and personally admit that I will abdicate the throne to them. That's the reason they haven't dared to kill my daughter and me."

Qin Feiyang suddenly understood.

Such was the misfortune of a royal family. If one were just an ordinary person, would there be so much trouble, so many concerns?

Qin Feiyang asked, "You mentioned earlier that the first-generation emperor did your Mermaid Clan a favor. What's the story behind that?"

The Mermaid King said, "Unless you're a descendant of the first-generation emperor, I don't intend to tell you."

Qin Feiyang exhaled, scanned the father and daughter, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I admit it. I am indeed the son of the current emperor."

The Mermaid King trembled and bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

He had no doubts. Acquiring the inheritance of the first-generation emperor and activating the Purple Golden Dragon Soul was the best proof.

Princess Mermaid, standing nearby, was utterly astounded. The person she had brought back was the prince of the Great Qin Empire?

「Meanwhile.」

Inside the ancient castle, Fatty and Lu Hong were also shocked.

They knew Qin Feiyang was important, but they never expected him to be *this* important! No wonder Qin Feiyang knew everything. No wonder he'd mastered so many perfect Martial Arts Techniques. So, he was the son of an emperor!

They both couldn't help but look at the Wolf King.

They saw the Wolf King lying quietly to one side, unaffected, napping peacefully. That creature indeed knew Qin Feiyang's true identity all along.

Fatty suddenly cackled. "Lu Hong, didn't Master Fatty tell you? Following Boss promises a boundless future."

Lu Hong nodded. There was no doubt about this. Moreover, even if Qin Feiyang wasn't the son of an emperor, with his monstrous talent, his future was still limitless.

「Inside the palace.」

Seeing Princess Mermaid still in a daze, the Mermaid King quickly said, "Daughter, what are you still stunned for? Quick, pay your respects to His Highness."

"Let's skip the formalities." Qin Feiyang waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just a down-on-my-luck prince; there's no need to be so formal."

He spoke casually, even seeming somewhat resistant to this identity.

The Mermaid King couldn't help but feel a flicker of puzzlement. But he didn't ask further. Knowing that this young man was a descendant of the first-generation emperor was sufficient.

Qin Feiyang thought for a moment and said, "I hope you can help me keep my identity a secret."

"Keep it a secret?" The Mermaid King paused, stunned for a moment, then said solemnly, "Rest assured, Your Highness. The Mermaid Clan has been isolated from the world; for millennia, we have never revealed ourselves to humans. Furthermore, we live in the deep sea. Even the current emperor, your father, does not know of our existence. We will certainly keep your secret."

Qin Feiyang believed him. Indeed, in the historical records of the Imperial Palace, there was almost no information about the Mermaid Clan.

Qin Feiyang smiled. "Now, tell me about the first-generation emperor."

He had always revered this ancestor and was eager to learn about his deeds.

"This matter dates back ten thousand years..." The Mermaid King recounted everything.

As it turned out, when the first-generation emperor established the Great Qin Empire, the Mermaid Clan already existed. Moreover, their overall strength was very potent.

At that time, the Mermaid Clan also wanted to rule this territory and posed a significant threat to the first emperor.

But the first emperor, whether in strength or strategy, was virtually unparalleled. In just a few years, he crushed the Mermaid Clan.

Originally, the Mermaid Clan thought the first emperor would wipe them out. But surprisingly, he showed mercy at the last moment, allowing their bloodline to continue.

Moreover, the first emperor had erased that chapter of history. That's why there are no records related to the Mermaid race in the annals of the Imperial Palace.

The first Mermaid King, the Black Wing King, and the White Wing King, grateful for the first emperor's mercy in sparing their lives, left with him after ensuring their clan was settled.

After hearing this, Qin Feiyang found it incredible. If he hadn't unintentionally come to the Mermaid Clan, he might have gone an entire lifetime without knowing this part of history.

Qin Feiyang asked, "Do you know where the first emperor and his followers went?"

"No one knows." The Mermaid King shook his head.

He continued, "According to the ancient records of the Mermaid Clan, the first emperor and his entire entourage, including the three patriarchs of the Mermaid Clan, disappeared overnight. It was as if they had evaporated from the earth, leaving behind an eternal mystery."

"This is getting more and more mysterious," Qin Feiyang muttered.

After a moment of contemplation, he forcefully shook his head. These matters were not yet for him to ponder.

"Let's get back to the point. How much time do you have left?" Qin Feiyang asked.

"At most, half a year," the Mermaid King replied.

"Half a year... time is very tight!" Qin Feiyang sighed lightly, then smiled and said, "Wait here. I'll see if there's an Elixir Formula for the Lifespan Extension Pill."

As soon as his words faded, Qin Feiyang vanished from their sight.

The Mermaid King looked around, surprised.

After a long while, the Mermaid King exhaled slowly, then sternly reminded Princess Mermaid, "This young man is not simple! In him, I can even see a reflection of the first emperor. Daughter, what you've heard today, you must keep it buried deep inside, understand?"

"I understand, Father." Princess Mermaid nodded, a strange light shimmering in her eyes.

「Within the ancient castle.」

As soon as Qin Feiyang entered, Fatty stared at him resentfully. "Boss, you're not fair! Such an awesome identity, and you didn't tell us! If you'd told us earlier, Master Fatty could have shown off a bit!"

Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes at him, then looked at Lu Hong and said sternly, "I kept it from you precisely because I was afraid you two would blabber. Even though you know now, you absolutely cannot spread the word."

Fatty frowned. "Why not? You're a prince, after all! Who would dare mess with you?"

"Some things are better left unknown for now." With that, Qin Feiyang turned, walked to the altar, opened the cover of the Elixir Scripture, and then decisively flipped to the first page.

The content of the second page was immediately revealed.

The first thing that came into view was the Battle Intent Pill!

Qin Feiyang immediately leaned closer to take a more detailed look.

Rebirth Pill, Transformation Pill, Heart-Protecting Pill, Life-Taking Pill, Four Symbols Pill, and so on.

All familiar names.

The Wolf King also perked up immediately, ran to Qin Feiyang, and asked, "Are the Transformation Pill and Barrier Breaking Pill recipes here?"

"The Transformation Pill is here, but I haven't seen the Barrier Breaking Pill yet."

Qin Feiyang continued to scan downwards. His gaze suddenly locked onto a particular section, and he nodded with a smile. "The Barrier Breaking Pill is here too."

The Wolf King erupted into frenzied howls of excitement, shouting, "Fatty, hurry up and check if we have the medicinal ingredients for the Transformation Pill and the Barrier Breaking Pill!"

"What's the rush? Can't you see Boss is still looking?" Fatty rolled his eyes.

"Found it!" Qin Feiyang's eyes lit up.

"Found what?" The two humans and one wolf looked at him, puzzled.

Qin Feiyang smiled. "The Lifespan Extension Pill. According to the Elixir Formula, a top-grade Lifespan Extension Pill can extend one's life by two hundred years. If it's a divine pill with Dragon-shaped Elixir Qi, a single pill can extend life by ten thousand years!"

"Really?" The two humans and the wolf leaned over to look where Qin Feiyang was pointing, their eyes instantly brimming with excitement.

This pill with Dragon-shaped Elixir Qi... it's too heaven-defying, isn't it?

The Wolf King asked, "Xiao Qinzi, how can one make a pill with Dragon-shaped Elixir Qi?"

Qin Feiyang shook his head. "The Elixir Scripture doesn't mention it here; perhaps later pages will. But one can imagine it definitely relates to Elixir Fire and spiritual power."

"Then I guess we'll never be able to make a pill with Dragon-shaped Elixir Qi in our lifetime." Fatty looked disappointed.

Because the level of one's spiritual power is innate and cannot be increased like cultivation. For instance, Lu Hong has fifth-level spiritual power, and it will remain fifth-level forever.

"Don't lose heart. Nothing is set in stone. Lu Hong, prepare ink and a pen," Qin Feiyang smiled.

The path of cultivation is endless. Just because there's no way now doesn't mean there won't be one in the future. Who knows, there might actually be a way to increase the strength of spiritual power; they just don't know it yet.

Once Lu Hong had the ink and pen ready, Qin Feiyang copied down the medicinal ingredients for the Lifespan Extension Pill, one by one.

Then, he put down the pen and went to the iron box.

What will the second Divine Art be? Looking at the iron box before him, Qin Feiyang's gaze was full of anticipation.

He bit his finger, and a drop of blood fell onto the iron box.

CLANG!

When the iron box opened, Qin Feiyang turned directly to the second page.

—War!

A single, striking character immediately came into view, like an iron hook or a silver stroke—magnificent and imposing.

Furthermore, this 'War' character seemed to embody a War God. A terrifying Battle Intent roared out, enveloping the entire ancient castle!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.