Imperial Cultivation

Chu Zhiyuan sat on a warm jade mat and began to operate the Infinite Brightness Scripture.

He simultaneously gazed at the Great Bright Peak, while gaining insight into himself and his surroundings.

Above his head in the void, there was a Yin Yang Fish formed by Spiritual Energy, with a diameter of several feet. It started to rotate slowly, drawing Spiritual Energy from the void above.

ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽

And the breath of the Yin Yang Fish then flowed into the Xiao White Snake at his Shan Zhong.

The Xiao White Snake coiled endlessly, beginning to emit a radiant glow.

Chu Zhiyuan saw wisps of energy wafting from the Karma Stone and entering the Xiao White Snake.

After the Xiao White Snake absorbed this energy, its spinning sped up abruptly.

This energy surprisingly made the Xiao White Snake gradually gain a faint green aura.

This faint green aura made the Xiao White Snake move faster, becoming more agile.

Curiously observing the Xiao White Snake, Chu Zhiyuan also looked at the Karma Stone, carefully experiencing this Light Ode.

Uncertain about the source of the Light Ode’s power, he could see the output of power but not its input.

Time passed unnoticed, using the Great Bright Peak for visualization, consuming very little spirit.

He practiced until evening, when the sunset on the Great Bright Peak was about to fall, and stood up.

He evaluated.

Practicing here for one day is equivalent to ten days outside.

That means, a year here equals ten years for others; it truly is miraculous.

The Court has the Heavenly Intent Pavilion and the True Martial Institute. As a Prince, it is natural to far surpass his peers.

On his way out, he encountered Chu Honglin.

Chu Honglin walked alongside him.

"Uncle, how is the Court handling this matter?"

"They are discussing it, planning to set an ambush as you suggested."

"What’s up with that guy?"

"A peak Venerable used a Miracle Technique to seal power within him, which would erupt in danger. You were lucky to capture him."

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow: "Can it be like that? Doesn’t that mean the Demon Clan can’t be killed?"

"This person carries a heavy responsibility, hence they used such sealing power on him. The cost is not small, it can’t be used lightly. You managed due to the Great Demon Suppressing Seal."

If danger arose, he could fully ignite his power to escape.

The Great Demon Suppressing Seal gave him no time to react. Otherwise, even for him, he might not have been caught.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then, should we notify the other two dynasties?"

"Hehe..." Chu Honglin laughed: "You’re too naive."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If we don’t say anything, we can weaken the other dynasties, but it would strengthen the Demon Clan. I think we should notify them."

"Your breadth of mind is indeed unusual," Chu Honglin said, "but there is no rush now."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

His sense of mind wasn’t truly broad, just more transcendent.

He understood the Court’s intention.

A notice will be given, but they will wait, letting the other two dynasties suffer a bit first.

"Then if I inform the Twelfth Princess..."

"No worries," Chu Honglin said, "it was your discovery anyway. Besides, even if the Twelfth Princess knows, she may not believe it, and even if she does, she won’t act immediately."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled: "Uncle, I really am naive."

He was aware of this.

He hoped the Twelfth Princess wouldn’t believe his information, so when the Phoenix Dynasty suffered, they would regret it and no longer ignore his words.

People are like that; they don’t learn without misfortune.

——

Prince Nine’s Mansion

Chu Zhiyuan sat in a small pavilion, watching as the tall and elegant, gracefully poised yet lightweight Li Yuzhen approached.

"Greetings, Prince Consort." Li Yuzhen solemnly clasped her fists.

Chu Zhiyuan regarded her.

Li Yuzhen’s gaze was lowered, not looking at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Guard Li, how have you been lately?"

"Everything is fine, thank you, Prince Consort." Li Yuzhen replied rigidly and methodically.

Chu Zhiyuan assessed her, glancing at her slender jade hands and then at the longsword at her slender waist.

Li Yuzhen slightly lowered her eyelids, her expression calm and indifferent.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "You’re aware of my recent movements, aren’t you?"

"Congratulations to the Prince Consort," Li Yuzhen said.

She hadn’t expected Chu Zhiyuan to actually secure this position; it was truly unexpected to everyone.

She believed this matter caught even the entire mansion of the Twelfth Prince off guard.

The Twelfth Prince was born with extraordinary talent, shockingly brilliant, and felt that the Ninth Prince of the Shangyujing Dynasty had been wronged by becoming the Prince Consort.

After hearing about the Ninth Prince’s feats, they increasingly felt this way and were extremely resentful of the Ninth Prince.

But at the same time, they were always monitoring every move of this Ninth Prince.

Even when she reported what she saw, the news from the mansion still carried disbelief.

It seemed she was deceived and deluded, needing to open her eyes and see clearly.

But this matter won’t be false due to her being deluded or deceived.

This is a true and undeniable fact.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Help me deliver a gift to Your Highness, a gift from the Yujing Cave Heaven."

"Your Highness is already at the Ninth Transitions of Transformation Intent, about to Divinity Transformation, she doesn’t need these."

"Whether Your Highness needs it or I give it are two different matters."

"...Understood."

"Besides, I have another message," Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly, "a message from the Yujing Cave Heaven... concerning a Demon Clan plot."

He then recounted the story and the outcome of the interrogation.

Li Yuzhen’s face turned grave, her long-lowered eyes rising to stare directly at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "This matter is of no small consequence. It’s still a secret, but I believe Your Highness should be informed."

"Prince Consort, this is no small matter and must not be treated lightly."

"Do you think I’m toying with you?" Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "Do you think I could make up this information? Who would imagine this?"

Li Yuzhen’s eyes sparkled like jewels rotating in the sunlight.

As a Spirit Guard, she deeply hated the Demon Clan; all Spirit Guards had profound hatred for the Demon Clan and the Demon Clan.

This matter involved a Demon Clan plot. If the Demon Clan succeeded, it would quickly strengthen them while weakening the three great dynasties.

This rise and fall would result in heavy losses for the Spirit Guards.

Thinking of this, she could no longer remain calm, solemnly clasping her fists: "I am deeply grateful!"

She judged the matter to be true.

The matter was too incredible and beyond imagination, too far-fetched to be fabricated.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Hopefully Your Highness won’t think I’m talking nonsense."

"Prince Consort, I wish to personally return and report directly to Your Highness."

"Mmm, go ahead," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Be careful on the road."

"Understood." Li Yuzhen clasped her fists, turned, and left, clean and neat.

Chu Zhiyuan watched her disappearing figure and shook his head.

He knew that Li Yuzhen was destined to be disappointed on this trip, as the Twelfth Princess would not believe.

No matter how earnestly she spoke, the Twelfth Princess wouldn’t believe it.

After all, the original reputation is too poor; how could she trust such a person?

It’s hard to say how the Twelfth Princess would react when the case proved true.

Whether she would be angry and take it out on him or reflect on herself.

That would reveal her character.

His heart was cold, his expression calm.

You Lan watched from the side, silent, only feeling that Chu Zhiyuan’s actions were growing increasingly unpredictable.

In her understanding, the Ninth Prince would never do such a thing.

After all, it seemed like showing weakness.

And the Ninth Prince had always harbored intense hatred for the Twelfth Princess of the Phoenix Dynasty.

This event seemed more like setting a trap for the Twelfth Princess.

The risk was too great, truly offending the Twelfth Princess would lead to tough days ahead.

Could it be... If the Twelfth Princess was demoted or even degraded, this would mean he couldn’t continue to be the Prince Consort?