A flash of cold light struck.
The iron hammer in Feng Zexuan’s hand fell with pinpoint precision.
With a crisp crack, Tongtian’s gleaming golden tooth split apart.
A finely crafted folding key slid out from inside.
The key was entirely golden, with dragon patterns flowing across its surface. When unfolded, it measured about three inches long.
【System, this key is really well made!】
【Host, it’s forged from thousand-year cold iron. Extremely valuable.】
Feng Zexuan leapt into the deep pit and inserted the key into the lock at the center of the stone slab.
“Click—BOOM—”
The heavy stone door slowly opened to both sides, and an ancient fragrance mixed with sandalwood rushed out.
Beyond it was a pitch-black shaft, so deep the bottom couldn’t be seen.
Before she could steady herself, the ground beneath her suddenly gave way—and she fell straight down!
【Host, don’t be afraid! There’s soft mud below!】
Feng Zexuan circulated her inner energy, adjusting her posture mid-air, landing steadily five meters underground.
Looking up, she saw a spacious underground passage—three meters high and two meters wide.
Every meter along the granite walls was embedded with a large luminous pearl.
【This design is surprisingly considerate.】
【Host, the imperial family of the former former dynasty was extravagant—but very thoughtful!】
After walking about fifty meters, three massive stone doors appeared ahead.
Each door was three meters tall, engraved with different patterns.
Golden plaques above them read:
“Hall of Supreme Beauty,” “Hall of Supreme Wealth,” and “Hall of Supreme Secrets.”
The first door had an especially eye-catching couplet:
“Beauty surpasses jade, unmatched under heaven; peerless charm shakes the ages.”
【Host, let’s start with the Beauty Hall. This one has the simplest mechanism!】
Feng Zexuan stepped before the “Hall of Supreme Beauty” door.
Two palm-sized buttons were embedded on it—one yellow, one green.
Below them was a line of text:
“Is Zhu Xi the most handsome emperor in history?”
Both buttons were labeled with the same word: “Yes.”
She almost burst out laughing.
【What kind of ridiculous question is this? It’s obviously forcing flattery!】
【Host, this is the question left by Emperor Zhu Xi, posthumously titled Emperor Xiyan!】
【Xiyan Emperor? That name already sounds narcissistic!】
【Exactly! He was an extremely self-loving handsome man who spent an hour every day admiring himself in the mirror.】
【He even established a “Mirror Bureau” responsible for cleaning mirrors, a “Beauty Bureau” for image management, and a “Praise Bureau” dedicated to complimenting his looks!】
【There’s even a Praise Bureau? Didn’t he feel embarrassed?】
Feng Zexuan pressed the yellow button.
The stone door rumbled open.
Golden text appeared:
“Congratulations! Your answer is correct! Reward: 100,000 taels of silver! Your discerning eye proves you are my kindred spirit!”
A large wooden chest lay on the ground, engraved with the face of the Xiyan Emperor.
Inside were neatly stacked piles of silver, shining white.
Under the luminous pearls, they dazzled so brightly it was almost blinding.
【Even though he’s narcissistic, this emperor is quite generous!】
【Host, there are still two more doors—the rewards will only get richer!】
Feng Zexuan stored the silver into her spatial storage and observed the 30-square-meter chamber.
The walls were covered with portraits of the Xiyan Emperor, from palm-sized to life-sized.
The man in the paintings was indeed extraordinarily handsome—sharp brows, bright eyes, rosy lips, and perfect features.
But the captions were absurd:
“My beauty makes the sun and moon lose their light.”
“With one smile I topple cities, with another I topple nations, with a third I rule the world.”
“Countless handsome men exist, yet none compare to even a thousandth of me.”
【I’ve seen narcissistic people before, but never one this extreme! His ego is thicker than city walls!】
【But to be fair… he really is quite handsome.】
The second door’s question was even more outrageous:
“How would you rate my beauty?”
Options ranged from 90 to 100 points.
Each number was embedded with different colored gemstones.
【The minimum is 90? Not even giving a modest option?】
Feng Zexuan decisively pressed the 100-point ruby.
Golden text appeared again:
“Excellent judgment! Reward: 300,000 taels of silver and the ‘World’s Number One Beauty’ golden plaque!”
This chamber was even larger—about fifty square meters.
Everywhere were portraits and sculptures of the Xiyan Emperor.
All poses imaginable:
profile shots, smiling over the shoulder, intense gazes, domineering aura, gentle expression, cold aloofness…
Even bathing, sleeping, and eating scenes were included.
【Just how narcissistic was this emperor?! He turned his treasure vault into his personal museum!】
【Host, he hired the best artists in the nation and spent one-third of the imperial treasury on these works!】
【No wonder the dynasty fell! All the money went into admiring his face!】
Feng Zexuan continued to silently complain while admiring the “beautiful man.”
The third door’s question was the most outrageous yet:
“If I were born in your era, what level of handsome man would I be?”
The options included:
“National husband,” “Top celebrity,” “Universe’s number one handsome man,” “Galaxy-level face,” “Multiverse beauty king.”
【Is this Xiyan Emperor a time traveler? How does he know modern slang?】
【Host, even I don’t know.】
Feng Zexuan chose “Multiverse beauty king,” figuring it was safest to go with the most exaggerated praise.
“I finally found someone who truly understands me! Reward: 500,000 taels of gold! Plus my personally crafted beauty formula set!”
The third chamber was a full 100 square meters.
At the center stood a three-meter-tall bookshelf filled with gold-edged volumes.
All of them were the Xiyan Emperor’s “Beauty Secrets”:
- Xiyan Emperor’s Beauty Insights
- Imperial Skincare Compendium
- Ancient Makeup Techniques
- Thousand Beauty Recipes
Feng Zexuan randomly opened Imperial Skincare Compendium.
Inside were detailed ancient skincare methods, neatly written with illustrations:
“Wash face at dawn with dew water, mix with pearl powder for a facial mask…”
“Drink bird’s nest and white fungus soup three times daily for jade-like skin…”
“Rose petal baths not only smell pleasant but also nourish the skin…”
Each method included precise proportions, steps, and even before-and-after comparison diagrams.
【System, are these methods reliable?】
【Host, analysis shows most of them are scientifically valid! Although narcissistic, the Xiyan Emperor was indeed an expert in skincare.】
Suddenly, Feng Zexuan found a special booklet hidden deep on the shelf—The Xiyan Emperor’s Forbidden Beauty Technique.
On the first page, she almost choked.
“I studied beauty techniques for thirty years and finally discovered the ultimate secret—confidence!”
“No skincare product is better than inner confidence!”
“I compliment myself in the mirror a hundred times daily, and my skin naturally glows!”
【…This counts as a beauty secret?】
【Host, don’t underestimate psychological suggestion. Modern science confirms positive mindset can improve health and appearance!】
Just then—
Feng Zexuan heard two heavy thud sounds echoing in the distance.
Discussion
Comments
0 comments so far.
Sign in to join the conversation and keep your activity tied to this account.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.