Moreover, his diet was affected, and his physical condition gradually declined. Even when Qin Shi Huang engaged in intimate relations with his consorts, he could not reach the climax. In truth, he had long been deeply attracted to the beautiful women of the A Fang Palace. Yet, due to his excessive ambition—he not only wished to possess all the beautiful women across the empire but also sought immortality—he dispatched numerous alchemists to various regions to prepare elixirs of eternal life. Qin Shi Huang was particularly devoted to the Daoist teachings of Laozi, emphasizing the pursuit of immortality through cultivation. As a result, after consuming these so-called "immortal elixirs," his physical vitality steadily diminished, to the point where even the most fundamental acts of intimacy became difficult. The over 10,000 beautiful women of the A Fang Palace, unable to engage in intimate relations, were left alone in their chambers. Even his own exquisite consorts from the Xianyang palace could no longer satisfy him. This progressive decline in his sexual vitality naturally brought Qin Shi Huang great embarrassment. As an emperor who had dominated the world for centuries, he found himself unable to meet his consorts' expectations, and thus, could not hold his own in their presence Of course, Qin Shi Huang was furious and immediately vented his anger on the thirty-six alchemists, killing thirty of them at once, and preparing to execute the remaining few as well. However, his ministers interceded and pleaded for mercy, resulting in only six alchemists being spared. Still, Qin Shi Huang was resolute and authoritative—he would execute all of them if, within seven days, no one could successfully produce a genuine elixir of immortality. As the day of ascending the celestial platform to perform the ritual of heaven-worship and ancestral homage drew near, Qin Shi Huang issued an imperial decree, announcing throughout the land the continued search for outstanding talents to produce the elixir, promising great rewards to those who succeeded. Gao Liang did not begin his alchemical work immediately; instead, he absorbed the experiences and lessons of these thirty-six alchemists. Soon, the six alchemists whose lives were now in jeopardy fully disclosed the step-by-step procedures and methods they had developed. Gao Liang then took their elixirs and conducted laboratory analyses. Highlighted entered his own alchemy laboratory, alone, gazing quietly and calmly. He personally took the immortality pill and swallowed it. Due to his body's ability to absorb and convert energy, he could absorb the elements within the pill—such as iron, halogens, mercury, and others. Unfortunate, however, when Highlight ingested and attempted to convert the pill, he encountered danger. He had assumed the pill would be fully absorbed by his body, yet after practicing and advancing his cultivation for so long, the pill remained unchanged within him—no elements had been absorbed at all. It was no wonder that Qin Shi Huang, upon taking the pill, gradually saw his body weaken. Indeed, such metallic and mineral-based pills were inherently difficult to digest and could not be absorbed by the human body. Though he had already attained divine status and developed an exceptionally strong capacity for absorbing and transforming energy, enabling him to fully absorb and convert many natural substances into what his body required. Yet this perfected elixir proved difficult even to absorb. As a god, himself, he could not absorb it—how could ordinary humans possibly do so? This elixir was utterly unsatisfactory, absolutely unfit—no wonder it had prompted Qin Shi Huang to launch such severe measures. But how exactly could such an elixir of immortality be produced? While Gao Liang was deeply pondering the matter, a sudden visit from Afeng arrived. She carried a bowl of soup and silently placed it before him. "Drink the soup! Hurry! It's the royal nutrient porridge—come, try it!" A voice as melodious as a nightingale reached Gao Liang's ears, instantly invigorating him. He felt refreshed and stretched out his slightly weary limbs, exhaling a stream of breath. Afeng assumed Gao Liang was still sleeping lazily and promptly exclaimed, "Lazybones! Wake up! The sun has already climbed high!" Gao Liang smiled to himself, deliberately yawned, and looked drowsy, saying, "So tired! So tired!" "Afeng immediately lifted the curtain that was draped between the two of them, only to be startled—high light was wearing nothing but a short pants, his entire body drenched in sweat. The strong, well-defined muscles of his powerful frame came into full view, and Afeng's heart raced. "Hurry up and drink! Otherwise, the soup will grow cold!" Afeng said, placing the soup on a table and then preparing to leave. But as she took a step forward, "Ah!"—she tripped—her delicate feet accidentally caught on something on the ground, precisely at her ankle. Lying on the floor, her hands pressed firmly against the injured ankle, she felt so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes. High light, a man who cherished beauty and delicacy, quickly dressed himself and approached, gently massaging Afeng's ankle with both hands. Afeng was somewhat surprised—she had intended to refuse, after all, the custom of gender-based modesty in such matters—yet the way high light's hands caressed her ankle was so tender and soothing, it made her feel incredibly comfortable. A warm current seemed to flow into her injured area. "All right! You can now go!" After massaging her ankle, Gao Huang gestured for her to leave. But where was the girl, Feng, going to go? She really wanted to be massaged by this man a little longer! Hmph! He was going to send her away in just three minutes—she wouldn't budge. Once Feng fell in love with a man, she never let go easily. After all, meeting someone she truly liked in her lifetime wasn't something that happened often. And now, this man before her—intuition told her that the moment had arrived, and she should seize it. Indeed, just as she was about to rise, her hand brushing the ground, she was suddenly stung by a rusted thistle lying there, bleeding profusely. Without hesitation, Gao Huang gently held her fingers with his mouth. As the man earnestly held her fingers, Feng felt her heart pounding like a deer's, her breath quickening. Three minutes later, Gao Liang finally opened up, and Afeng felt much better. When she looked again, wow! The wounds that had been cut were completely healed—absolutely incredible. More effective than any medicinal remedy. "Please lift me up! Please! I've no strength left at all! Please, Liang-gong!" Afeng pouted, being all sweet and coquettish. Hearing her, Gao Liang felt a pleasant warmth in his heart and immediately helped her rise. But Afeng wobbled and fell right into the warm, broad embrace of Gao Liang. This time, it was truly close contact. Afeng's soft, delicate body pressed tightly against Gao Liang's solid frame, and both of them trembled slightly. Afeng's full, lush breasts rested against Gao Liang's broad chest, gently stirring his heart. Feng's fragrance was particularly unique—something high-light had never encountered before. Under the enveloping scent, high-light found himself utterly enchanted. The fragrance of his heavenly-beauty wife, Ying'er, was delicate and celestial, while his primary wife, Zhang Yупing, exuded a soft, lingering aroma. But Feng herself carried a fragrance like that of orchids—fresh, refined, and deeply refreshing. High-light found himself completely captivated. As for Feng, she too was drawn to the strong, masculine presence of high-light—his very essence, now having attained divine status, radiated a special charm that held a compelling power over all the women in the world.