Chapter 5

Avaling from the stone hall, King Zhuangxiang returned to Zhao Ji and told her about leaving Zhao Huaizhong to cultivate in the "Ancestral Temple." His face was filled with joy.

Zhao Ji, however, could not help but worry, "From what the king has said in the past, the path of cultivation is fraught with danger. This is Huai'er's first time being exposed to it. What if he encounters danger while left alone?"

King Zhuangxiang laughed and said, "The initial sections of the Immortal Platform chapter have been thoroughly studied by our ancestors. There's no need for the queen to worry. Even if Huai'er's cultivation methods are not perfect, they won't harm him."

Zhao Ji felt somewhat reassured.

King Zhuangxiang's enthusiasm remained undiminished: "I believe Huai'er is someone who enjoys cultivation. Although his foundation is damaged, making it difficult for him to achieve great success, the Immortal Platform chapter contains boundless mysteries. Even a small success will strengthen his foundation and greatly benefit his health."

Zhao Ji, thinking of her son's damaged foundation, felt a deep sadness.

...

In the stone hall.

Inside Zhao Huaizhong's body, a vital energy surged and circulated continuously.

The injuries and hidden ailments he had suffered as a hostage in the State of Zhao were gradually healing under the cleansing of this energy.

From an external perspective, it seemed as if a crystalline light was flowing over his skin.

In his dantian, the Immortal-Demon Spring grew increasingly powerful, its energy extending outward and connecting to the first vertebra.

At this moment, it was as if Zhao Huaizhong had bridged heaven and earth. A thread of black energy condensed and rose from his tailbone to the back of his head, eventually emerging from his third eye and circling around his body.

The energy overflow and precise control marked the second level of the Immortal Platform chapter.

For a period afterward, the energy from the Immortal-Demon Spring continued to rise, nourishing his spine. It quickly ascended to the second vertebra, then the third, and finally the fourth, where it slowed and temporarily halted.

From an internal perspective, the first four vertebrae below Zhao Huaizhong's spine were connected to his dantian by a stream-like flow of Immortal-Demon energy, resembling a young dragon with its tail on the ground, raising its head within his body.

"The energy has risen to the fourth vertebra, climbing the Immortal Platform.

Is this the simultaneous breakthrough of the five levels of the Immortal Platform chapter—Spiritualization, Lesser Mountain Pass, and the five levels of Demon Devouring?"

After stopping his cultivation, Zhao Huaizhong rose from his seated position.

It was hard to describe his current mood. Breaking through five levels in one cultivation session.

This was no longer a matter of talent; even novels wouldn't dare write such a plot.

Cultivation was progressing too fast, like a tornado.

At this moment, he could still feel that with each breath, his 108,000 pores seemed to be absorbing and expelling the free-floating energy in the air.

"Each breath enhances my cultivation. This is probably not just due to its amplification, but also the talent bestowed by the soul's journey through time and space?"

Zhao Huaizhong speculated with delight.

If he were in a different position, he might feel a mix of joy and worry about his astonishing talent. Being too outstanding could easily invite jealousy, and he might choose to develop discreetly to avoid becoming a source of trouble.

But in his current position, he didn't need to have too many reservations.

As the heir to the most powerful nation in the world, there were few who had the right to envy him, and factors that could harm him were greatly reduced.

Zhao Huaizhong was suddenly drawn to the changing light before him.

Following the light, he saw that the part of the giant stone pillar near the ground, which recorded the original text of the Immortal Platform chapter, was emitting a faint glow, like intersecting waves.

Crack!

A faint sound was heard.

The base of the pillar, about five feet high, slowly slid out to form a stone platform.

Zhao Huaizhong saw that five light spots appeared on the platform, seemingly corresponding to his breakthrough to the fifth level of the Immortal Platform chapter.

"Could it be that breaking through five levels at once triggered the pillar's response, causing the platform to slide out?

Does my adoptive father know about this?"

Zhao Huaizhong approached the platform.

The surface of the platform was bathed in a faint yellow glow, heavy and ancient, circular, with a diameter of over ten feet, and had the natural texture of stone.

Characters were carved all around, emitting a faint light, as if conveying some message.

Unfortunately, they were not in ancient script, and Zhao Huaizhong couldn't recognize a single character.

"I wonder how long this stone hall has existed, and despite being incomplete, it still functions normally... What drives it?"

"My adoptive father mentioned that the pillar was once a ritual object for worshipping immortals... Could this platform be an ancient altar?"

Zhao Huaizhong's eyes gleamed, wondering if he should offer something on the platform to see what would happen.

He took a hairpin from his head and placed it on the platform.

As the heir, he had received many valuable gifts from King Zhuangxiang after returning to Qin, and everything he carried was of great value.

This hairpin, which appeared green and jade-like, was actually made from a rare animal bone, making it extremely precious.

The moment he placed the hairpin on the platform, a suction force immediately pulled it in, and it vanished without a trace.

"Damn, what the hell is this?"

"Did it really take the item?"

"Where does this platform lead?"

Zhao Huaizhong asked three questions in quick succession, looking bewildered and somewhat wary.

He still had a modern mindset and wasn't used to the unscientific nature of this world.

After the platform calmed down, Zhao Huaizhong observed it closely but found no other changes, so he approached it again.

"Is this really an ancient altar that can accept offerings?"

He tried throwing a few more items on the platform, but it remained unresponsive, as if it were asleep.

"This altar is quite picky, only accepting certain items?

Or perhaps there's a time limit, allowing it to function only once a day or each time someone enters... I'll have to try more carefully."

Zhao Huaizhong muttered, knowing he wouldn't have any more results today, so he turned to leave.

As he walked out, the platform quietly slid back into the wall, as if it had never appeared.

"I can't tell the truth about breaking through five levels, but I don't need to hide everything. Revealing some information can demonstrate my value, which isn't a bad thing."

Zhao Huaizhong left the stone hall and looked at the sky, which was nearing dusk.

This cultivation session had taken about seven or eight hours.

As he emerged, a palace official approached and bowed, saying, "The king has instructed me to wait for you here."

"Where is my father now?"

"The chancellor has come to see the king and is currently in the main hall of Xianyang Palace," the official replied.

"Chancellor? Is it Lü Buwei?" Zhao Huaizhong's expression was slightly odd.

The official nodded, "Yes, Chancellor Lü."

Indeed, the people were the same, but the world had changed.

Seeing it was late, Zhao Huaizhong said, "Back to my quarters."

The official hurriedly bowed and led the way.

Zhao Huaizhong walked while pondering whether the historical events he knew would still occur in this world. He couldn't be sure and could only observe carefully.

Soon, he returned to his quarters.

After returning to Qin, King Zhuangxiang had assigned him a palace complex in Xianyang Palace as his residence.

As the heir to the nation, he had to have a grand residence.

His quarters were tall and majestic, with interconnected pavilions and deep courtyards, adorned with gardens and streams, making it a truly beautiful place.

The servants in his quarters were numerous, and the entire place exuded a luxurious and decadent atmosphere.

Even late at night, young maidservants were waiting for him, not daring to be negligent.

Seeing him return, the entire residence bustled with activity as the maidservants asked whether he wanted to bathe and change or eat first.

Zhao Huaizhong waved them off and walked into his study, standing before a bronze mirror.

During his cultivation, he had felt some changes in himself.

In the mirror, a slightly pale but handsome face with high cheekbones, a sharp nose, and narrow, piercing eyes appeared.

"Not bad, after all, genetics play a role. Just a bit cold. Hmm, seems like I've grown a bit taller," Zhao Huaizhong muttered.

His continuous breakthroughs had made him slightly taller, not noticeably, but it was easy to spot upon closer inspection.

As Zhao Huaizhong admired himself in the mirror, a black shadow silently appeared on his shoulder. It was "it" again.