Chapter 743: Eternal Empire

Angry Squid

Throughout the generations, all rulers of the empire were required to study here from birth. Only after mastering the countless knowledge preserved within could they formally inherit the throne.

"And only those with royal blood can enter the Imperial Treasury," Xiao Qing explained.

"But I can't get in now, can I?" Xu Bai shook his head slightly.

"Sense it with your heart, and this invisible barrier will disappear," the Empress stated softly at that moment.

With that, she demonstrated herself, stepping through the barrier and into the Imperial Treasury.

Hearing this, Xu Bai closed his eyes.

Sure enough, an inexplicable feeling surged within him.

In the boundless darkness, he seemed to hear the sound of a beating heart.

It came from all directions.

He recalled seeing earlier that the entire Imperial Palace appeared to be formed from the body of a colossal mythical beast.

Xu Bai immediately had an epiphany.

The Imperial Treasury, perhaps, was this beast's heart.

All the Empire's mythical beasts were cultivated using Xu Ke's secret techniques.

As he possessed Xu Ke's essence blood, this place naturally couldn't bar his entry.

Guided by intuition, Xu Bai stepped forward. As if passing through a transparent membrane, he found himself inside the Imperial Treasury the next moment.

Instead of examining the various objects displayed, he looked at the Empress and Xiao Qing. "I'm in, as expected. But this doesn't prove anything."

"Only those with royal blood can enter..."

"That's just a saying," Xu Bai said, shaking his head slightly.

The Empress smiled. "You needn't be so suspicious. Take a walk around this treasury, and you'll understand."

"These are all invaluable imperial treasures. Aren't you afraid I'll just pocket a few?" Xu Bai asked.

"If you wish, you can clear this place out. But in truth, what's truly valuable here are the memories of the empire's successive monarchs," Xiao Qing said dismissively.

The Empress, meanwhile, gestured for Xu Bai to proceed.

Xu Bai scoffed, then casually flew over to a mythical beast: a two-winged turtle.

"Silent Flying Turtle: lifespan up to three hundred years. Its meat can treat conditions like ADHD and mania. However, note that turtle blood is harmful; consuming it will shorten one's lifespan."

A voice, accompanied by an image, suddenly appeared in Xu Bai's mind.

The figure in the image bore a striking resemblance to Xu Ke.

He was seated at an experimental table, dissecting a Silent Flying Turtle while continuously taking notes.

Simultaneously, a wealth of information about the Silent Flying Turtle flowed into Xu Bai's mind.

Before Xu Bai could fully process it, new images surfaced moments later.

This time, the one recording data was a woman whose appearance still bore some resemblance to Xu Ke.

"New discovery: The Silent Flying Turtle's wings can be used as material for crafting aerial airships. They allow for high-speed flight while minimizing noise."

The images shifted rapidly.

The researchers changed more than ten times, and the study of the Silent Flying Turtle continued to advance.

Eventually, a technology emerged that could rapidly proliferate Silent Flying Turtles, allowing them to complete a full life cycle in just three years and significantly reducing their cultivation time.

The images faded, and Xu Bai, savoring the vast amount of new information in his mind, looked at the Empress.

"What is this?"

"The empire's initial rulers were cultivated by Holy Emperor Xu Ke through sacred blood transformation."

"And the second generation of emperors was cultivated in the same way."

"Passed down from generation to generation."

"In essence, the imperial royal family throughout the generations and Holy Emperor Xu Ke are, in fact, the same person," the Empress replied with a smile.

Although he already knew this, Xu Bai still feigned utter shock. "What kind of dark art is this?"

"How can technology be inherently good or evil?" the Empress said, shaking her head.

"Though we share the same blood and flesh, we possess individual consciousnesses. You may also regard us as distinct individuals."

"However, due to the connection of the sacred blood transformation method, we can achieve synchronous mental resonance."

"What you just experienced was the accumulated research of successive emperors on the Silent Flying Turtle."

"Before their demise, every ruler of the Empire, in addition to undergoing sacred blood transformation, must leave their consciousness within the Imperial Treasury."

"The new successor will then inherit the vast majority of wisdom and experience from all preceding emperors."

"Thus, the Empire's sovereign will grow increasingly powerful."

"Only in this manner can a perpetual empire be established."

The Empress stated calmly, a hint of grandeur subtly evident in her tone.

"A perpetual empire..." Xu Bai scoffed, showing no deference. "Let alone an Immortal Heavenly Venerate, even cultivators who have achieved unity with the Dao—we doubt you could withstand them."

The Empress faltered at his words, her face flushing crimson.

Xu Bai's gaze swept across the Imperial Treasury before he asked, "While there's a wealth of peculiar information here, truly valuable insights are scarce."

"I need to return and report back quickly. Tell me, what are the Empire's most powerful technologies?"

"With sufficient leverage, I might be able to secure more for you within the Alliance," Xu Bai hinted.

The Empress looked toward Xiao Qing, who was beyond the invisible barrier.

Xiao Qing nodded slightly, and only then did the Empress thoughtfully reply, "Your perception of what's valuable might differ from mine."

"From the perspective of the Empire's strategic objectives, the foremost technologies include, first, the methods for cultivating and manipulating rift-world whales."

"Second is void spatial positioning."

"With these two technologies, the Empire can continuously open void passages and remain as far as possible from the Profound Yellow Realm," the Empress stated slowly.

Xu Bai's expression, however, turned to one of mockery. "I've also heard about your laughable plan from a deceased colleague."

"The idea is sound, but..."

"If it were truly so easy to leave the Profound Yellow Realm, then for thousands of years, someone would have surely done so already. Why would it be your turn now?"

"Those cultivators who sought refuge in minor worlds when the great calamity descended—why do they still yearn to return to the Profound Yellow Realm instead of escaping their minor worlds?"

"It's not that they don't want to; it's simply that they can't."

"I advise you to abandon this unrealistic fantasy and join our Myriad Realms Alliance..."

Despite Xu Bai's sarcasm, the Empress's expression remained perfectly calm.

Instead, she interrupted Xu Bai with unwavering resolve: "What if our goal, from the very beginning, wasn't to escape the Profound Yellow Realm?"

This stunned Xu Bai.

"Not escaping the Profound Yellow Realm? Then why all this elaborate effort?"

The Empress smiled slightly. "It's to buy time."

"To get as far away from the Profound Yellow Realm as possible, minimizing the chance of being affected when a calamity strikes it."

"And to wait patiently."

"Sooner or later, a savior-like figure will emerge to rescue the Profound Yellow Realm from its world-ending calamity."