Elderly Prince: My Spirit Increases by 1 Point Daily

What’s more, Xia Wuyang used his Companion Talent, the Mental Force Field, to discover that she was a First Grade Middle Stage Grandmaster. She was far more powerful than he had anticipated, greatly surpassing the Third Prince Xia Wuchen’s previous Ghost Shadow Guard.

Across the vast Imperial Palace, you could count the number of Princes and Princesses with a First Grade Grandmaster in their service on one hand. He had no idea which of them this old Palace Maid served.

He observed her carefully. Recalling she had once claimed to greatly admire him, he figured she must have seen him often in the past.

As Xia Wuyang slowly used his Mental Force Field to observe her true face, he perceived something, and a look of shock gradually spread across his features.

’Li Wan’Er!’

’Could this old Palace Maid be Li Wan’Er? The Second Princess, Princess Jinping’s, most trusted aide? She’s been with Princess Jinping for decades.’

He activated his improved Soul Capturing Technique to probe her surface thoughts. To his surprise, Li Wan’Er’s Spiritual Power was also extremely strong, and her Willpower was so firm that he could barely detect anything.

She had very few surface thoughts, making it incredibly difficult to probe.

"Crown Prince, I’ve come to see you again."

Li Wan’Er’s voice was aged and hoarse, a stark contrast to her true Cultivation and appearance. It was clearly an act.

Xia Wuyang didn’t strike. He wasn’t completely confident he could take her down in one blow, and he worried that if he failed, her screams would expose his true condition.

’Besides, if a Palace Maid sent to inspect me is this powerful, just how powerful is Princess Jinping herself?’

’I can’t let anything happen to Li Wan’Er yet. I’ll just have to endure this for a little longer. Besides, she’s not ugly, and she seems to have a thing for me.’

Xia Wuyang wasn’t ruthless enough to strike down a stunning beauty who admired him.

With a sigh, Li Wan’Er began to examine Xia Wuyang’s body. All the while, Xia Wuyang kept his Soul Capturing Technique active, reading her surface thoughts.

"The Crown Prince is the same as ever. It’s a shame I’ll never see his heroic figure again." Li Wan’Er sighed as she conducted her examination. "I remember how refined and handsome the Crown Prince was in his prime. Alas, fate was not on his side."

Beyond that, Xia Wuyang picked up on a few of her other surface thoughts.

’Should I sleep with the Crown Prince just once? I was so infatuated with him back then. Even though he’s like this now... if I don’t, I feel like I’ll always regret it.’

’He’s going to die soon. Once he passes away from old age, the chance will be gone forever. Am I supposed to remain a virgin for the rest of my life?’

’But giving my first time to him like this... it feels a bit like settling. If only the Crown Prince were still in his prime.’

...

Xia Wuyang’s expression darkened. He was at a loss for words. Fortunately, Li Wan’Er’s thoughts soon drifted elsewhere.

’Her Highness the Princess has remained Hidden for so many years. I wonder when she’ll finally make her move.’

’None of the other Princes and Princesses in the palace can compare to Her Highness.’

...

These fragmented surface thoughts gave Xia Wuyang a better understanding of Princess Jinping.

Princess Jinping was the Second Princess, and she had been on good terms with him in the past. She later married a general, but he died on the battlefield not long after.

Unwilling to remarry, Princess Jinping returned to the palace. She had lived in seclusion ever since, spending her days chanting sutras in her prayer hall and giving off the impression of someone detached from worldly affairs.

On the surface, she had never formed cliques or cultivated any power base of her own. He never imagined it was all a Disguise.

Her personal Palace Maid was a First Grade Middle Stage Grandmaster, and one who seemed utterly loyal to her at that.

Among all the Princes and Princesses, who else could command such reverence from a First Grade Middle Stage Grandmaster?

Even the Third Prince Xia Wuchen had not dared to act presumptuously around Zhao Wuji, since Zhao Wuji controlled many of his forces and assets.

Li Wan’Er’s examination was meticulous. She checked him from head to toe, inside and out, not missing a single detail.

If Xia Wuyang’s Dragon Storage Skill and Stealth Technique hadn’t both been cultivated to Perfection and subsequently improved, he likely would not have been able to deceive her.

During the process, Li Wan’Er’s fingers lingered on his body multiple times, as if by accident. The sensation felt strange to Xia Wuyang; she was clearly taking advantage of him.

Thankfully, his current body was decrepit and withered; otherwise, Li Wan’Er might have actually taken him to bed.

Although she was quite beautiful, a woman who could topple cities, Xia Wuyang did not enjoy being in such a passive position.

"He really doesn’t have more than a few months left."

After half an hour, Li Wan’Er withdrew her hand. A complex mix of emotions flashed in her eyes: disappointment, faint pity, and a strange sort of fondness.

Once she was certain there were no issues, Li Wan’Er turned and left. After a moment’s hesitation, Xia Wuyang slipped into his Practice Room. He put on a Disguise and then stealthily made his way toward Ciping Palace.

The night’s discovery completely upended his perception of Princess Jinping. This seemingly detached Second Princess had not only secretly nurtured a First Grade Middle Stage Grandmaster as her confidante, but had also been continuously monitoring him, the deposed Crown Prince. Her intentions were clearly malicious.

’Burning incense, praying to Buddha... detached from worldly affairs... What a Second Princess, what a Princess Jinping. You’ve hidden yourself deep indeed!’

A cold sneer touched Xia Wuyang’s lips. ’No wonder the widowed Princess Jinping has been able to live so peacefully in the palace all these years. With such a Grandmaster secretly protecting her, how many could possibly lay a hand on her?’

The seemingly tranquil Deep Palace was, in reality, roiling with hidden currents. Everyone wore a thick mask.

’Jinping... so you have your eyes on the Crown Prince’s throne as well. And the Emperor’s, too.’

’I wonder if you were among those who plotted against the Eastern Palace all these years.’

’You’ve hidden yourself so well. If not for a stroke of luck, I never would have found you out.’

...

The overt and covert struggles within the Deep Palace grew ever more complex. As his own Power increased, his Hidden enemies were gradually emerging from the shadows—or rather, he was finally discovering them.

He wondered who in this Deep Palace would have the last laugh.

Following Li Wan’Er, Xia Wuyang slipped into Ciping Palace, Princess Jinping’s residence.

Li Wan’Er took a deliberately roundabout path, trying to shake off any potential tails, but her little tricks were useless against Xia Wuyang.

With his Mental Force Field deployed, everything within a radius of more than 170 meters was under his complete control. No matter how many detours Li Wan’Er took, she could not escape his senses.

Ciping Palace appeared quite plain, just like the impression Princess Jinping gave to others. It exuded an air of simplicity and tranquility, with no trace of luxury. At first glance, it seemed less impressive than the manors of some wealthy Nobility.

The grounds were filled with Cyan Bamboo, and the scent of sandalwood drifted from a prayer hall. The outside world believed this was the home of a Princess detached from worldly struggles.

Like a falling leaf, Xia Wuyang drifted down onto the roof of the prayer hall. He deployed his Mental Force Field, and the scene within was laid bare before him, clear down to the finest detail.