Imperial Cultivation

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Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Uncle, ever since I had a brush with death, my luck has really improved."

"Who among those who can enter the Jade Scene Cave Heaven doesn't have good luck? And how many can truly obtain the Void Secret Treasure?"

"Uncle, just wait for my good news."

"You... talk less big talk," Chu Honglin shook his head, "Be a bit more humble, and everyone will trust you more."

Saying something before achieving it and achieving it before saying — there's a big difference between the two.

Chu Zhiyuan, boasting like this, always gives an unreliable impression, even though he is a rare martial arts prodigy, people remain unconvinced.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "This isn't big talk, it's the truth, can't I even speak the truth?"

"Alright, alright, it's the truth. Then I'll wait for your good news!"

"Uncle still doesn't believe me," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Isn't it true that only those in the Qi Transformation Realm can enter the Jade Scene Cave Heaven, and the Spirit Guards over there..."

"The descendants of the Spirit Guards are competing for a spot."

"Descendants with meritorious service... Do they have the nerve to compete with us? Wouldn't they be restrained inside?"

"Once inside, there's no need to compete, whoever finds something first gets it. After all, there's plenty of good stuff."

"But there's nothing to enhance one's insight."

"...Right, nothing to enhance insight, but there is something to enhance cultivation."

Chu Zhiyuan's spirits were immediately lifted.

His insight is extraordinary now, practicing martial arts and martial skills comes easily, and his cultivation speed is also extremely fast.

But latecomers have a disadvantage that takes time to overcome, and if he can enhance his cultivation, that would be ideal.

Seeing him in high spirits, Chu Honglin cheerfully said, "Tempted, aren't you?"

"Is it true there are things to enhance cultivation?"

"But don't think you can soar to the skies instantly; beyond the Qi Transformation Realm, these strange flowers and exotic fruits become useless."

"That's already quite remarkable," Chu Zhiyuan's eyes lit up, "Uncle, is there a catalogue of these strange flowers and exotic fruits?"

"If you truly want to fight for a spot, you'll naturally receive information from the Cave Heaven before you enter."

"I can't wait to compete."

"Just as well, it was originally scheduled for ten days from now, but it's been moved up. The competition is in three days."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

He said he couldn't wait, but he didn't really want it too soon. He was hoping to train for a few more days for perhaps greater gains.

With a huff, he said, "The schedule moving up, is it another idea of Big Brother's and the others?"

Chu Honglin nodded gently.

Chu Zhiyuan responded, "Those in the Transformation Realm insisting on joining in is already outrageous, and now they move the competition up. Is Father really indulging them this much?"

"They promised to turn over all gains to the Zongzheng Mansion for all the princes to enjoy."

"How generous," Chu Zhiyuan snorted.

"They're aiming for Heavenly Person Peak, willing to give up all strange flowers and exotic fruits."

"...Nothing to say," Chu Zhiyuan said with a snort, "Father's actions are indeed unfair."

This benefits all the princes since they can all receive these strange flowers and fruits.

But it's unfair to those princes who can secure a spot.

Even if they can't consume all the strange flowers and fruits, they could be kept to reward subordinates or given to their descendants.

Harming one to distribute to other princes.

Before this individual wins a spot, others gain the benefits, so naturally, no one complains.

"Yes, it's indeed unfair," Chu Honglin nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "I didn't expect you would dare to say such a thing, Uncle."

"If our elder brother can do it, why can't people say it?" Chu Honglin chuckled softly.

His scholarly demeanor exuded a touch of free spirit and nonchalance.

Only then did Chu Zhiyuan see the inherent grandeur of the former Fifteenth Prince's natural talent.

"Father still favors Big Brother," Chu Zhiyuan said with a snort.

Among the competition of the Eldest Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince, the Eldest Prince has the greatest odds of winning.

"There's nothing to be done," Chu Honglin shook his head, "Our elder brother is the Eldest Prince."

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "The favoritism is too obvious, aren't other brothers discontent?"

"If they're discontent, they should surpass the eldest. If they can't, there's nothing to be done, for he was born first."

"Let's see Big Brother's prowess this time!" Chu Zhiyuan displayed a disdainful look.

"Don't think just because your Great Brightness Fist reached Spirit Level you can easily defeat your big brother. Your big brother is very solid."

"Scheming and calculating, he's steadier in doing things than I am, but his martial arts isn't up to par!" Chu Zhiyuan showed a look of disdain.

Chu Honglin helplessly shook his head.

The braggadocious trait of the Ninth Prince seems unchanged even after a brush with death.

"Uncle, has Big Brother's Great Brightness Fist also reached Spirit Level?"

"I don't know," Chu Honglin said, "I just returned, and I'm teaching martial arts at Diwu Academy. The Eldest Prince doesn't come here."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "So you have no news at all, Uncle?"

With a touch of exasperation, Chu Honglin said, "You rascal, trying to make me your informant?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Big Brother is certainly gathering intel too, so would you keep it from him, Uncle?"

"Of course, I'll keep it from him," Chu Honglin responded.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Uncle, there's no need to offend Big Brother for my sake."

Right now, Big Brother seems to be in the strongest position, with the highest cultivation and outstanding talent, conducting affairs with stable and heroic demeanor.

Moreover, he is the Eldest Imperial Prince.

And he has the Emperor's favor.

All signs indicate he's more likely to inherit the imperial throne and become the next Emperor.

While I'm just a dispensable prince, who has also become the Prince Consort of the Phoenix Dynasty, considered a disgrace to the Jade Dynasty.

Helping me or helping Big Brother doesn't even require choosing; the answer is obvious.

"Aren't you afraid of the Eldest Prince's underhanded tactics?"

"Let him try!" Chu Zhiyuan scornfully said, "What do I have to fear, as an exiled prince?"

"...True," Chu Honglin nodded.

He's going to the Imperial City of the Phoenix Dynasty, with slim chances of returning.

If the two dynasties remain peaceful, his role as a hostage and Prince Consort can be secure.

If the two dynasties go to war again, his future as a hostage is unpredictable, unlikely to be any good.

Thinking of this, Chu Honglin shook his head and said, "Considering your talent and insight, you might find a way out."

If he can achieve Venerable, even if the two dynasties go to war, he will have the power to retreat unharmed.

Given his talent and insight, he will surely become Venerable.

The current key is time.

He must achieve Venerable status and reach the Divinity Transformation Realm before the two dynasties reignite the war.

Then, he could even join the Spirit Guard and shed his identity as a hostage.

Therefore, the Jade Scene Cave Heaven is a must for him; it's the most effective way to shorten the time.

Thinking of this, Chu Honglin solemnly said, "As far as I know, the Eldest Prince hasn't reached Spirit Level with his Great Brightness Fist."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Chu Honglin added, "But the Eldest Prince is very likely practicing another Miracle Technique."

"What Miracle Technique?"

"I do not know," Chu Honglin said, "With thousands of Miracle Techniques at Diwu Academy, each prince can choose the one that suits him best; I don't know which one the Eldest Prince chose."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned in thought.

Chu Honglin concluded, "With the Spirit Level Great Brightness Fist, you should be able to overcome any non-spirit-level martial arts."

After all, the Great Brightness Fist is a First-Grade Martial Art, a spirit level First-Grade, enough to surpass any martial art not at the spirit level.

If nothing unexpected happens, this spot will be Chu Zhiyuan's.

"I'll keep the news quiet, and you don't divulge anything either."

"Of course," Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Currently, only four guards and Li Yuzhen know that his Great Brightness Fist has reached the Spirit Level.

It should remain confidential.

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