"What does that mean?" Qin Feiyang and Fatty were confused.
The Prefecture Lord is the highest authority in the Nine States. The prosperity and flourishing of the Nine States can be largely attributed to their efforts.
Technically, once they have honorably retired from their duties, they should be able to live out their years in the Imperial Capital.
But why did the old woman say that wanting to stay in the Imperial Capital long-term was an impossibility?
"Let’s talk as we walk."
The ugly old woman pondered for a moment, then looked up at them and spoke. She then turned and started walking slowly toward the exit along the passage.
Qin Feiyang and Fatty exchanged a look and silently followed.
The Wolf King and the Black Dragon Snake were also unusually docile, remaining quiet the entire way.
After walking for some time, the ugly old woman finally spoke, "Actually, there is another way to enter the Imperial Capital."
"What way?" Qin Feiyang asked, surprised.
"To cultivate a batch of talents," the ugly old woman continued. "Simply put, whether we old folks guarding the altar can enter the Imperial Capital depends on you, the younger generation.
"If your younger generation can achieve victory in the War of the Nine States, then we too can enter the Imperial Capital, either to enjoy our old age or to secure an official post.
"But in the hundred-odd years before you, almost no one successfully completed the War of the Nine States.
"There were even several occasions where our people from Spirit State were completely annihilated in the Netherworld. I truly cannot wait any longer.
"So, this time, I had to use the Black Fiendish Poison to force you to achieve victory."
"So that’s how it is," Qin Feiyang murmured. He then asked, "So, Elder, does this mean you can enter the Imperial Capital now?"
"Yes," the ugly old woman nodded, smiling. "So, I must thank you properly."
Fatty’s eyes lit up. "How will you thank us?"
The ugly old woman mused for a moment, then said, "The medicinal herbs outside are yours for the picking."
"This..." Qin Feiyang and Fatty looked at each other.
Immediately, their eyes began to blaze with fervor.
The Wolf King, perched on Qin Feiyang’s shoulder, was practically drooling.
After all, the medicinal herbs in Butterfly Valley were innumerable, and most were exceptionally rare.
It could be said that this was a great treasure trove!
The Black Dragon Snake coiled around Fatty’s wrist, looking at them with puzzlement. What kind of medicinal herbs could make these three so excited?
Seeing Qin Feiyang’s expression, the ugly old woman couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle. "Although I said you can pick freely, you must know when to stop. Leave some for old man Ren."
Qin Feiyang was taken aback. "What does this have to do with Elder Ren?" he asked, puzzled.
"Of course, it has something to do with him," the ugly old woman said with a smile. "Once I enter the Imperial Capital, the great responsibility of guarding the altar will fall upon him. In other words, this place will become his territory."
Qin Feiyang frowned. "Elder, do you mean that Elder Ren also has to step down from his position?"
"That’s right," the ugly old woman affirmed. "The person guarding the altar must possess great strength, and the Prefecture Lord is undoubtedly the strongest in the Nine States.
"You don’t need to feel it’s unfair to Elder Ren, because this is the rule set by the Emperor.
"Moreover, Elder Ren himself has been wanting to retire for a long time.
"You might think that being a Prefecture Lord, wielding great power, is glamorous and respectable, but it’s actually exhausting.
"In addition, Elder Ren also wishes to retire to the Imperial Capital to live out his remaining years.
"If he doesn’t step down and become the Guardian of the altar, this wish of his will never be fulfilled.
"This is the tragedy of being born in the Nine States.
"The Nine States inherently belong to the Great Qin Empire, and we are all its subjects. Yet, wanting to enter the Imperial Capital is as difficult as ascending to the heavens." She sighed deeply, her tone carrying a clear hint of dissatisfaction.
Fatty transmitted his voice to Qin Feiyang, "Boss, I think the system of the Great Qin Empire really needs to be changed. It’s too unfair to us people of the Nine States."
"Indeed," the Wolf King nodded in agreement.
"Change it?" Qin Feiyang shook his head with a smile and transmitted his voice back, "It’s not as easy as you say. These systems are established by each generation of Emperors. Apart from the Emperor, no one is qualified to change them."
Fatty chuckled. "Then wait until you become Emperor and change them."
"Don’t talk nonsense!" Qin Feiyang warned him sharply via voice transmission. "That’s treason! If such words reach the ears of those with malicious intent, it could bring a fatal disaster!"
"What’s there to be afraid of?" Fatty pouted dismissively. "It’s bound to happen sooner or later anyway."
Qin Feiyang shot him a helpless glare, then looked at the ugly old woman and asked skeptically, "After Elder Ren steps down, who will take over as Prefecture Lord?"
"I imagine old man Ren already has a suitable candidate in mind," the ugly old woman said. "However, he can only recommend them to the Emperor. Whether they ultimately succeed or not is still up to the Emperor to decide."
Qin Feiyang nodded, lowering his head in contemplation.
Who could be the person Elder Ren had in mind? Wang Hong? Considering strength and character, Wang Hong is the most likely candidate.
Unconsciously, the three humans and two beasts left the passage and arrived outside the small wooden building.
At that moment, several auras entered Qin Feiyang’s perception.
He looked up and saw Lu Xingchen and the others standing high in the sky, whispering among themselves.
Wang Hong and Jiang Qianqing were among them, both beaming with smiles.
The ugly old woman said, "Wang Hong, Jiang Qianqing, you two may leave first. I still have something for Qin Feiyang and Fatty to do."
"Yes!" Wang Hong and Jiang Qianqing responded respectfully.
Then, Wang Hong looked at Qin Feiyang and transmitted his voice, "Kid, once you’re done here, go see the Prefecture Lord immediately."
"Alright," Qin Feiyang acknowledged quietly.
Subsequently, Wang Hong opened a portal, and he, along with Lu Xingchen and the others, departed swiftly.
"Strange," Fatty said, his brow furrowed as he looked at the portal.
"What’s strange?" Qin Feiyang asked, curious.
Fatty stated, "Weren’t Wang Hong and Jiang Qianqing also in the Netherworld? How did they get out?"
The ugly old woman explained, "They were merely escorting you in. Once you had left, the Rule Power of the Netherworld would have automatically expelled them."
Qin Feiyang asked, "Elder, have you also participated in the War of the Nine States?"
"Of course," the ugly old woman replied, a little awkwardly. "Every Prefecture Lord is selected from among those who participated in the War of the Nine States. But they are all failures. Because the successful ones all went to the Imperial Capital."
"So, you were a loser back then too?" Fatty suddenly burst into laughter. "Haha... Turns out you were so lame!"
The ugly old woman’s face darkened. "Do you believe I won’t cripple you?" she said icily.
Fatty, frightened, shrank back and immediately clamped his mouth shut, his face flushing red.
"You have a loose tongue," Qin Feiyang said, rolling his eyes at Fatty. He sighed, "The successful ones enter the Imperial Capital. The ones who failed become Prefecture Lords or Commanders. Actually, when you think about it, as long as one can come out alive, their future achievements won’t be too low. It’s just that the price is too high."
"Indeed!" The ugly old woman sighed deeply. "Countless people have flocked to the Netherworld, one wave falling after another, yet how many actually managed to survive? But what can be done? We can only blame this world for being too cruel." She then shook her head and smiled, "Enough talk. Go and gather the medicinal herbs!"
"Aye, aye!" Upon hearing ’medicinal herbs,’ Qin Feiyang, Fatty, and the Wolf King became extremely excited.
But just as he flew into the air, Qin Feiyang suddenly remembered something. He looked down at the old woman and asked, "Elder, you told Wang Hong and Jiang Qianqing earlier that you had something for Fatty and me to do. What was it?"
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"Fool," the ugly old woman shot Qin Feiyang a look, then turned and walked back into the small wooden building without a backward glance.
"What does she mean?" Fatty scratched his head, looking completely bewildered.
Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment before realization dawned. "I understand. She said that just to send Lu Xingchen and the others away."
"Send them away?" Fatty was startled.
"Think about it!" Qin Feiyang chuckled. "Like us, Lu Xingchen and his group were also victorious in the War of the Nine States. If she only allowed us to pick the medicinal herbs and not them, wouldn’t they accuse her of favoritism later?"
"Haha..." Fatty paused, then laughed heartily. "I didn’t expect this old witch to be so crafty."
Dark lines appeared on Qin Feiyang’s forehead as he retorted angrily, "That’s enough from you! If your disrespect angers her and she forbids us from picking the medicinal herbs, I won’t let you off!"
"Hehe..." Fatty snickered. "Relax, she can’t hear us."
But his words had barely faded when the ugly old woman’s cold voice drifted out from the small wooden building.
"I may be old, but my hearing is still excellent. You’d better watch yourself, Fatty!"
Hearing this, Fatty’s expression changed, and he quickly put on an apologetic smile.
"You heard her. Be careful," Qin Feiyang glanced at Fatty with schadenfreude before flying towards the sea of flowers.
"Tch!" Fatty scoffed contemptuously and hurried after him.
In the sea of flowers, countless blossoms bloomed in unison, their fragrance intoxicating.
Each medicinal herb stood gracefully like a maiden, swaying in the wind, exuding a radiant glow.
The moment Qin Feiyang entered the sea of flowers, he also called out Lu Hong and the Mountain Beast.
The Black Dragon Snake was dumbfounded when it saw these medicinal herbs.
How could there be so many medicinal herbs? No wonder Qin Feiyang and the others were so excited.
Instantly, the three humans—Qin Feiyang, Fatty, and Lu Hong—and the three beasts—the Wolf King, Black Dragon Snake, and Mountain Beast—began frantically gathering medicinal herbs in the sea of flowers.
Suddenly, Fatty’s surprised voice called out, "Boss, come over here and look! What kind of medicinal herb is this?"
Qin Feiyang walked over and looked down at the medicinal herb in Fatty’s hand. His eyes immediately lit up.
The herb was about a finger’s height, entirely emerald green and crystalline. It had three cloud-shaped leaves that emitted a hazy luminescence.
Fatty urged impatiently, "What is it? Tell me!"
Qin Feiyang swallowed. "This is Spirit Cloud Grass, one of the main ingredients for concocting Spiritual Sea Pills."
"Damn!" Fatty’s eyes sparkled as he stared at the Spirit Cloud Grass.
Spiritual Sea Pills can mend a shattered Qi Sea; as a main ingredient, Spirit Cloud Grass must be priceless!
Just then, Lu Hong also called out from another side, "Qin Feiyang, I’ve also found a type of fruit I’ve never seen before!"
Qin Feiyang quickly ran over. When he looked down, the excitement on his face was unconcealed.
In front of Lu Hong grew a small, palm-high tree. On it hung three bright red fruits. The miraculous thing was that these three fruits were shaped like three divine dragons.

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