"You're insane!" Shen Qiang exclaimed in shock, immediately followed by rage.
The breathtaking Empress fixed her gaze firmly on Shen Qiang and angrily said, "I am insane, for the reigning Empress of Huaxia, to actually believe you could save Huaxia!"
Shen Qiang fell silent for a moment, then shouted in anger, "Then why kill her!"
Tears suddenly streamed down the face of the breathtaking Empress, her eyes reddened as she said fiercely, "Without Cutting Immortal Roots, Breaking Immortal Fate, Soul Transfer, did you think she could reach your side?"
Shen Qiang was stunned.
At this moment, the tearful Empress, with even redder eyes, shouted fiercely, "Shen Qiang! I don't understand your character, or know your world, but I want you to understand, you are our last hope."
"Today, not only does Qingxuan need to Break Immortal Fate, but the remaining hundred strong people of Huaxia also need to sacrifice their lives to death, just to barely crack open a seal, to bring you the Medical Saint's inheritance!"
Shen Qiang was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the furious Empress with reddened eyes.
Then he shifted his gaze towards the others in the plaza.
Only then did he notice that at this moment, a hundred strong people had already encircled him.
"A mere mortal body, for the sake of Huaxia's legacy, to die is to die."
"Hahaha, in eighteen years, another hero will arise."
"To die for Huaxia, I would have died a worthy death."
"Your Majesty, why bother with more words? As long as Huaxia has a chance to pass on, as long as our descendants can exist in this world, even in death, we are willing to make the sacrifice."
"Your Majesty, give the order!"
Shen Qiang stood there dumbfounded, watching them, his heart filled with doubt, and yet there was a faint sense of déjà vu, a touch of emotion.
"Seal!" the Empress commanded, forming a hand seal with one hand.
A bright light rose from Qingxuan's beautiful head.
Then, the breathtaking Empress opened two boxes.
She placed a Jade Scroll, a seed resembling an olive, and the bright light condensed from Qingxuan's head, in front of Shen Qiang.
Afterwards, she slowly backed away.
Shen Qiang kept his eyes on her, and saw that apart from tears, and sadness, what was more abundant in her eyes was determination.
"Begin!"
The breathtaking Empress, now standing back, ordered.
Around the square, a great number of people knelt down simultaneously, whether they were palace maids or soldiers clad in armor.
"Farewell to the generals!"
In a moment of sorrowful shouting, a commanding voice arose once again.
But this time.
Shen Qiang clearly saw, at the outskirts of the plaza, many ordinary-dressed citizens also kneeling on the ground.
A seven- or eight-year-old boy, with a runny nose, was bawling, shouting something toward this direction.
Women with tears flooding their eyes, praying to the heavens.
All of it, in this moment, seemed incredibly real, causing Shen Qiang, who had always believed he was dreaming, to go blank.
"Brothers, what are we waiting for? Come, let's send General Qingxuan and Shen Qiang back to where they belong!"
"Right!"
"Charge!"
With a roar.
In just a blink, Shen Qiang felt the earth and sky spin and shake.
And almost at the same time.
Shen Qiang also saw one after another, the burly strong people burst and faded away.
"Shen Qiang! Don't forget the agreement you have with me!"
Hearing the voice, Shen Qiang turned his head sharply, and caught sight of the breathtaking Empress; her eyes reddened, sparkling tears twirling in her eye sockets, but she stubbornly tried not to let them fall.
"Of course, I will remember."
Boom!
In an instant, the world was plunged into darkness.
I had no idea how much time had passed.
In Shen Qiang's mind rang Qingxuan's crisp, efficient, yet somewhat cold and haughty voice, "Master, master?"
Shen Qiang slowly came to his senses, immediately visualizing Qingxuan kneeling before him, her figure that could be considered perfect.
"You're not dead!"
Shen Qiang was shocked.
At that moment, Qingxuan lifted her head to reveal a face that could be described as perfect, yet it did not show the slightest hint of emotional fluctuation.
"Qingxuan has undergone Soldier Disintegration, leaving only the soul to reside in the master's Sea of Consciousness, ready to obey the master's commands at any time."
Shen Qiang was a bit confused and subconsciously responded with an "oh."
But at this time, Qingxuan suddenly frowned and said, "The master has never practiced cultivation, and the energy channels have already set. If you rely on self-cultivation, I'm afraid there will be no progress within ten years. Qingxuan will now cleanse your marrow and open up your governor and conception vessels for you."
Shen Qiang didn't understand the first part, but he did understand the part about opening the governor and conception vessels and couldn't help but exclaim with joy, "Go ahead, I've always wanted to become a master."
"Very well, please wait, master."
And with that said,
Shen Qiang felt lightness in his body.
Then, to his astonishment, he could clearly see the enchanting and graceful figure of Qingxuan, as though shrunken, moving about within his own body.
Arms, upper body, lower body, thighs.
Under her traversal,
Shen Qiang did not feel the kind of tearing pain in the energy channels as described in novels, only feeling a warm current flowing throughout his body, which was even more comfortable than taking a sauna.
Furthermore,
With the surging of the warm current, Shen Qiang could feel even more clearly that not only did his body feel warm, but all the pores in his body seemed to open up like blossoming flowers.
The comfort radiating from inside out was simply ineffable.
This state continued for an indeterminate period.
With a jolt in his mind, Shen Qiang ceased all movement.
"Master, your governor and conception vessels are now open. Due to the great loss of strength caused by Soldier Disintegration, Qingxuan no longer has the power to assist the master in Foundation Establishment," she explained.
Gazing at Qingxuan in his mind, her face flushed red and her nose slightly sweaty, Shen Qiang excitedly said, "Thank you for your efforts."
Qingxuan was startled, bowing her head and replying, "To serve the master is this servant's duty."
"This title as a 'servant' is not good," frowned Shen Qiang.
Qingxuan looked up, her expression one of astonishment as she said, "Master, Qingxuan, having Broken Immortal Fate and severed the Immortal Slaying Root, has come after undergoing Soldier Disintegration and is bound to be your servant forever. If the master does not want Qingxuan, then I have no choice but to meet death."
Shen Qiang was stunned, "Isn't that a bit much? To be a servant for all eternity is so tragic?"
Qingxuan was equally astonished, "Master has inherited the Medical Saint Inheritance and holds a lofty status. Even the Empress Yong Zhen must treat you with respect. To be able to serve you is a blessing Qingxuan has cultivated over many lifetimes."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qiang laughed, "Really? Being my servant is a blessing?"
Qingxuan earnestly responded, "Of course, if Qingxuan were not exceptional, I might not even have the qualifications to follow you, even if I desired it."
This left Shen Qiang stunned for a moment, but thinking of that disappointed and envious buxom girl, he eventually came to terms with it.
At that moment, the somewhat weary Qingxuan spoke respectfully, "Master, having undergone Soldier Disintegration, my strength is greatly reduced. After opening up your governor and conception vessels, I urgently need to rest. After I have rested for a while, the master can command Qingxuan to do anything."
"You would do anything I command?" Shen Qiang's eyes lit up.
Qingxuan nodded, "As the master commands, this servant shall not refuse."
With eyes sparkling, Shen Qiang immediately ordered, "Alright then, take off your clothes."
Qingxuan's face flushed crimson, her skin fair and figure graceful, but after taking a deep breath, though she was shy to the point of barely being able to maintain her composure, she still used her fair and slender jade hands to slowly remove her clothing.