Imperial Cultivation

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When Chu Zhiyuan woke up the next day, the sky was already bright.

He practiced the Infinite Brightness Scripture once at night, and after falling asleep exhausted, he slept exceptionally deeply.

A night without dreams, and as he opened his eyes, it was already dawn, as if it were only a moment.

He got out of bed and pushed open the door, You Lan, with apricot-shaped eyes and peach-like cheeks, was already waiting outside.

"Your Highness." You Lan directed Xiao Zhu, Xiao Yue, and Xiao Ju to assist Chu Zhiyuan with washing up, saying, "The news has already spread, Your Highness, you have outmatched the Fourth Prince and the Twelfth Prince."

Chu Zhiyuan indifferently washed up, merely replying with an "hmm."

You Lan said no more, directing the maids to serve the meals.

After Chu Zhiyuan washed up and ate, he put on a mink coat and hat, stepped into the faint entrance, and disappeared.

He appeared on Great Bright Peak, where two Imperial Guards were waiting not far away.

"Ninth Prince." The two saluted with clenched fists.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has decreed that the Ninth Prince's cultivation site has been changed to Qingfeng Cliff."

"Qingfeng Cliff?" Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Father's information is quite timely, lead the way."

"Your Highness, please."

The two turned and began walking upwards.

Chu Zhiyuan followed them along the snowy path, then turned south.

Usually, he would turn north here, arriving at Jingsi Cliff.

Now, however, he was heading south.

One north, one south, the status is entirely different.

The north is shaded, never seeing sunlight, cold with the Vigorous Wind howling.

The shade wind on Great Bright Peak is quite fierce.

A couple of days ago, he thought he could withstand the shade wind with the Infinite Brightness Scripture.

Later he realized he was too naive, he couldn't withstand it at all.

Eventually, he donned a mink coat and crane cloak, wearing a mink hat, fully arming himself.

Even so, he still felt his body stiffen, even though the True Yuan gurgled, and the blood surged, it couldn't keep out the shade wind.

But the south of Great Bright Peak is a world apart from the north.

With sunlight and without sunlight, like two different worlds.

He arrived at a cliff protruding from the mountainside, almost identical to Jingsi Cliff, seemingly symmetrical with Great Bright Peak at the center.

He sat on the warm jade cushion on Qingfeng Cliff, the breeze passing through the pines, making a light whistling sound.

The whistle here had a different rhythm and feeling from Jingsi Cliff.

One was mournful, the other gentle.

Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged, looking around proudly with a smile.

He nodded with satisfaction, "Indeed, Qingfeng Cliff lives up to its name!"

The two Imperial Guards stood silently like statues not far away.

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes and began cultivating the Infinite Brightness Scripture.

Moments later, he opened his eyes.

In a few moves, he took off the crane cloak, opened the mink coat, and removed the mink hat.

Only then did he nod with satisfaction.

In the bright sunlight, even the wind became gentle, unable to invade the body.

Wearing a mink coat, mink hat, and crane cloak felt unbearably hot.

Then he closed his eyes again and began cultivating.

——

The sun had set, and darkness enveloped the surroundings.

Chu Zhiyuan got up and left Qingfeng Cliff.

Qingfeng Cliff truly was a good place for cultivation, with spiritual energy three times more abundant.

Cultivating here would progress faster.

Especially when he visualized the entire Great Bright Peak, it was several times the cultivation time and efficiency of others.

The surrounding spiritual energy increased by three times, elevating the cultivation efficiency by multiple times of three.

For him, the enhancement effect was astounding.

He walked slowly and frequently saw people rushing past him.

When they passed, they would smile and nod, some calling him Brother Nine, others Brother Ninth.

Chu Zhiyuan didn't expect his popularity to improve so drastically.

The change was so great.

It seemed in a single day, he went from being hated by all to being adored by everyone.

When he was nearly at the foot of the mountain, a voice called from behind—it was the Seventh Prince, Chu Lieyu.

Chu Zhiyuan stopped and looked back at him.

"Brother Seven?"

"Brother Ninth, wait for me."

"What is it, Brother Seven?" Chu Zhiyuan watched as he hurried over.

"A big matter." The Seventh Prince said, "Have you heard of the competition for a spot in the Grotto Heaven?"

"What Grotto Heaven spot?" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

He had never heard of this matter.

"Jade Scene Cave Heaven opens once every century." The Seventh Prince said, "Each time, three people can enter."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Three people... Father decides these three, right?"

He didn't ask what Jade Scene Cave Heaven was.

He knew from the original owner's memory that Jade Scene Cave Heaven was the first grotto heaven of the dynasty.

It was because of the discovery of this grotto heaven that the subsequent Thirty-Six Cave Heavens came into existence.

The Jade Dynasty got its name from this Jade Scene Cave Heaven.

"Father split these three spots, one for us princes, the second for Prince Heirs, and the third for Spirit Guards."

"No problem giving one to Spirit Guards, but even Prince Heirs get one?"

"Can't be too biased; Prince Heirs are also the direct bloodline of the Chu Family."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"It's us princes competing for a spot."

"How's the competition?"

"A sparring competition," the Seventh Prince smiled, "like the Great Brightness Fist."

"Only the Great Brightness Fist?"

The Seventh Prince nodded, "The Great Brightness Fist is our fundamental fist technique, complementing the Infinite Brightness Scripture, becoming more important as one progresses."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded thoughtfully.

The original owner knew nothing of these matters.

At Great Bright Peak, there was a master instructing the princes in cultivation, but the original owner had already lost this qualification.

So many things were unknown.

The Seventh Prince continued, "Ten days from now, at the Diwu Academy, don't miss it, Brother Ninth."

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly cupped his fists, "Thank you, Brother Seven."

"We're brothers; no need for thanks," the Seventh Prince waved his hand, "see you."

He said and stepped into the portal, disappearing.

Chu Zhiyuan followed him in and then appeared in his courtyard.

You Lan and Xiao Zhu were already waiting by the side.

Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao were also beside, watching him excitedly.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Zhen'er, Qiao'er, why so happy?"

Chu Zhen excitedly said, "Hehe, big brother, you wouldn't believe their looks."

While undressing with the help of Xiao Zhu and the others, leaving only his inner garments, washing up, Chu Zhiyuan listened to Chu Zhen chattering incessantly.

It was nothing but the princesses' extreme surprise, endless admiration, and praise for them not choosing wrongly.

In short, their attitude towards Chu Liezhao completely changed.

This change made them immediately satisfied, more excited than winning themselves.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed and ate with them, chatting about the princes' changing attitudes.

While eating, Consort Hui arrived.

She was still dressed in a Flowing Cloud Silk Palace Dress, her gold hairpin vibrating gently, her jade-like face glowing, beautiful and exquisite, like a fairy consort.

Chu Zhiyuan rose to salute, asking if she'd eaten dinner.

Consort Hui waved her jade-like hand, "I've eaten, you go on with yours."

Chu Zhiyuan didn't stand on ceremony, sat down to continue eating, while asking about the Jade Scene Cave Heaven.

"I was just about to tell you about this," Consort Hui said, "The competition for spots in Jade Scene Cave Heaven this time will be very fierce. You'd better not compete."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned as he looked at her.

"Those three at the front insist on entering; they've dropped all decorum for it," Consort Hui's face turned cold as she waved her jade-like hand, "You won't win against them."

"Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother? They're all in the Transformation Realm, right?"

"The First Prince is already at the Eighth Transition of the Transformation Realm. How can you compete?" Consort Hui sneered, "And they don't even feel ashamed!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Isn't it only for those in the Qi Transformation Realm?"

"Originally, it was only for those of you in the Qi Transformation Realm, but this time, they've all shamelessly joined in." Consort Hui's face showed ridicule, sneering repeatedly.

Chu Zhiyuan's expression turned solemn.

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