Imperial Cultivation

"Ninth Brother, now that you can defeat Fourth Brother, among our group of brothers, you are the fourth after Big Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Ninth Brother, do you think now that you've become a martial arts prodigy, Father will regret your marriage to the Twelfth Princess of the Phoenix Dynasty?"

"No."

"If I were Father, I'd definitely regret it," the Seventh Prince laughed. "You're such a martial arts genius, going to the Phoenix Dynasty is too big of a loss."

"As Emperor, Father is as good as his word and won't easily change his mind once he's agreed."

"Alas..." The Seventh Prince shook his head. "Being a Prince Consort in the Phoenix Dynasty sounds troubling. The women there are not like the women here, they're bold and fiery, even more domineering than men."

Chu Zhiyuan snorted.

The Seventh Prince said, "Ninth Brother, you have such a temper, so hot-headed..."

The more he thought about it, the more it troubled him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "At worst, it could become a quarrel, and there are no shortage of estranged couples."

"But it's the Phoenix Dynasty, it's their territory."

"No matter what, I'm still a Prince; surely the Phoenix Dynasty can't just harm me at will?"

"The Phoenix Dynasty isn't monolithic. Some people don't want peace with us, they want to keep fighting. If they kill you, a war between the two dynasties would start again."

"The Ministry of War?" Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Being part of the army, achievements come from expanding territories.

Without wars to fight, the military's status naturally decreases, and there's no merit to earn.

Promotions in the army heavily depend on military merit; without merit, one can only advance slowly by accumulating experience.

So they'd prefer to continue fighting, ideally forever.

"If they really want merit, they should fight the Spirit Guards against the Demon Clan and Demon Clan."

"Don't they want to?... Not just anyone can join the Spirit Guards." The Seventh Prince smirked. "Who wants to join the military if they can enter the Spirit Guards?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "So, I'm destined to die? Father wouldn't send me to my death."

The Seventh Prince said, "Some want to fight, some don't. They'll entangle with each other, but in the end, you can only really rely on yourself."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Father will send top experts to protect me, won't he?"

"Who knows." The Seventh Prince sighed. "There aren't many of such top experts."

To protect someone in the Imperial City of the Phoenix Dynasty, especially when the military wants to assassinate them, an ordinary top expert just can't do it.

"If they want to kill me, let them come!" Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "It's not like I haven't died before, so it's all bonus now."

The Seventh Prince looked at him in surprise and couldn't help but applaud, "No wonder you, Ninth Brother, can practice the Great Brightness Fist to Transforming Intent!"

If it were him, since becoming the Twelfth Princess's Prince Consort of the Phoenix Dynasty, he would always be in constant fear.

Fearful for his safety day and night.

But seeing Ninth Brother, so open and fearless.

This kind of heart and composure is something he can't possess.

Does the Great Brightness Fist require this kind of heart and composure?

Then it's no surprise he couldn't even improve his realm of the Great Brightness Fist.

Chu Zhiyuan's gaze toward him changed, and he secretly smiled.

He could be so open and fearless, not because he wasn't afraid of death, but because it was his Avatar.

Detached, fearless.

This is the fundamental reason the Great Brightness Fist could reach Transforming Intent in a short time.

If it were his true self here, cautious and fearful of death, petty and vindictive, no matter how good his comprehension, he wouldn't be able to practice the Great Brightness Fist to Transforming Intent.

The characteristic of the Great Brightness Fist is easy to learn but hard to master.

It's easy to know what to do, but hard to achieve.

Entering Intent is aligned with a mental state, Transforming Intent is being able to apply a mental state.

As for Divinity, he has yet to comprehend it.

One realm after another, layer by layer upwards, each layer has its own experiential proof, each layer has its own effects.

The two reached the doorway.

As they parted, the Seventh Prince cautioned, "Ninth Brother, Fourth Brother is petty, but he keeps his word. If he says he'll let it go, he probably won't cause more trouble."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "If Fourth Brother isn't afraid of trouble, naturally I'm not either."

"You..." the Seventh Prince smiled, pointing at him and waving his hand, "I'm off."

He stepped through the door and disappeared.

...

Chu Zhiyuan paused, looking up at the Great Bright Peak shrouded in twilight.

He glanced at the two Imperial Guards standing by, nodded slightly, and turned to step through the doorway.

As he was about to enter, he thought to himself.

Was this public display of prowess enough?

The Emperor will surely send someone to ensure his safety in the Phoenix Dynasty.

The strength of the guard sent would depend on the value he represents.

The bond between royal fathers and sons is different from ordinary families.

With so many sons, the affection is more thinly spread, and with the presence of royal power, it becomes even thinner.

The key is interests.

If one's value is high and is a martial arts prodigy, then there's value in protection.

If truly just a useless one, then dead is dead.

No matter which Prince becomes the Twelfth Princess's Prince Consort in the Phoenix Dynasty, it implies being abandoned.

It's both a marriage alliance and being a hostage.

Ultimately an expendable piece.

Changing such a fate, relying solely on oneself is too difficult, external help is needed.

The Emperor's strength is a must to rely on.

If the Emperor doesn't abandon him and sends top experts, even in true danger, they'll protect him to escape.

This Avatar has been very useful, best to maintain it.

——

Once at the small courtyard, he found Chu Zhen, Chu Qiao, and You Lan waiting there.

Xiao Zhu and another pretty maid Xiao Yue took off his crane cloak and hat.

"Your Highness?" You Lan examined him.

Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao also looked over.

While washing his face in the basin brought by Xiao Ju, Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Why didn't you all come to see me showcase my might?"

"They wouldn't let us go over and watch!"

Chu Zhen complained, stamping her foot.

Chu Qiao shook her head, "Though they meant well, yet..."

The Princesses did not practice the Infinite Brightness Scripture, so though they also cultivated at the Great Bright Peak, they weren't with the Princes and Princely Heirs together.

Originally, they wanted to watch the spar, but then the other Princesses said there was nothing to see and advised against it to avoid tears.

The Princesses all knew about the deep affection the two had for Chu Liezhao.

Everyone else disliked and annoyed him, only these two stayed by his side unwavering.

They believed Chu Liezhao was merely putting on a show for attention, inviting humiliation upon himself.

The result of sparring with the Prince would inevitably be a chance for the Prince to teach him a lesson, give him a good beating, and regain face for the Fourth Prince.

Seeing this, the two would likely end up in tears, which would be unnecessary.

Chu Zhiyuan took the towel You Lan handed and wiped his face, smiling, "You all missed a good show, such a pity."

"Big Brother, did you really win?" Chu Zhen asked quickly.

Handing back the towel to You Lan, Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "A complete victory, defeated Twelfth Brother, even beat Fourth Brother."

The two hesitated.

You Lan's eyes sparkled.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Now my name as a cultivation prodigy should be widely known."

Chu Zhen quickly said, "If Big Brother is this formidable, if Mother pleads..."

Chu Qiao nodded hard, "Big Brother might not have to go to the Phoenix Dynasty as a Prince Consort."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "You're dreaming too beautifully, don't let Mother Consort waste her efforts... Hungry, let's eat!"

These two little girls are still too naive.

He entered the house, and the food began to be served.

The two girls sat with him to eat, talking about the events as they did.

As they listened, their brows danced with excitement, planning to go out to the city with Chu Zhiyuan.

Unfortunately, before leaving, the Maid sent by Consort Hui arrived.

Reluctantly, the two could only say goodbye, pouting as they returned to the Imperial Palace.