Imperial Cultivation

On his way down the mountain, he encountered the Seventh Prince again.

The Seventh Prince looked around and lowered his voice, "It seems like Big Brother has also practiced the Forget Sorrow Divine Finger."

Chu Zhiyuan turned his head to glance around, "Could it be a smokescreen by Big Brother?"

"The one responsible for records at the Diwu Academy is Third Grandpa. I heard it from him."

"Third Grandpa..." Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

"Third Grandpa has always been indifferent to everything except cultivation," Chu Lieyu laughed, "He wouldn't lend a hand in creating a smokescreen for Big Brother."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Chu Lieyu chuckled, "You must take a look at the Heavenly Person Peak..."

"Uncle Fifteen told me about Heavenly Person Peak. It's indeed a great opportunity."

"If you can obtain the Void Secret Treasure, everything would change!... Father would change his mind and not let you marry into the Phoenix Dynasty as a Prince Consort."

"Ha ha, Seventh Brother, you're dreaming. No matter what, I'm destined to be the Prince Consort!"

"With your talent and the Void Secret Treasure, you'd be the number one among our princes. How could you still be the Prince Consort!"

"But Father keeps his word, and once he has promised, he will undoubtedly not go back on it."

"Isn't that simple? Just claim that you, Ninth Brother, suddenly went insane and are in life-threatening danger."

"I nearly died this time, and the Phoenix Dynasty has already sent people to verify the truth. Such a trick wouldn't fool them."

"...Then we'll change the strategy. We can always come up with a way."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Alright, then I'll take your good words as a blessing, Seventh Brother."

In his heart, however, he understood that it was almost impossible for the Emperor to change his mind.

The better his talent, the less likely the Phoenix Dynasty would allow a change of person.

After all, the higher his value, the heavier his weight as a hostage, the more he could restrain the Jade Dynasty.

The Emperor clearly didn't favor him, wishing to toss him aside out of sight, out of mind.

Once a fixed impression and feeling are formed, they are difficult to change.

Even obtaining the Void Secret Treasure or having outstanding talent would be of no use.

——

Upon returning to the small courtyard, You Lan, along with Xiao Zhu and two other maidservants, greeted him softly, "Your Highness, the Eldest Prince has sent an invitation."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, "Big Brother?"

"He invites Your Highness to a banquet at the Commandery Prince Mansion."

"Who else is invited?"

"It is said that all the princes are invited."

"...Heh, such grandeur, what's he up to?" Chu Zhiyuan sneered.

Inviting all the princes to a banquet was something only the Emperor or the Crown Prince could do.

The Eldest Prince isn't yet the Crown Prince. Does he consider himself as such?

Could it be that he has received definite news that he will become the Crown Prince?

You Lan spoke softly, "The Eldest Prince has always had great prestige, it's estimated all the princes will go."

Chu Zhiyuan remained silent.

You Lan quietly observed him, while Xiao Zhu and the other two maidservants busied themselves helping him remove his crane cloak.

He no longer wore a Mink Coat; at Qingfeng Cliff it was warm and comfortable, a world different from Jingsi Cliff, so there was no need for such heavy clothing.

You Lan, seeing the silent demeanor of Chu Zhiyuan, felt a faint unfamiliarity.

Ever since His Highness experienced a near-death revival, such deep and profound air often emerged.

Chu Zhiyuan finally shook his head, "I won't go."

You Lan was slightly taken aback, "Your Highness won't go?"

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "Since I'll definitely offend him, there's no need to pretend."

The Eldest Prince is being so shameless, brazenly fighting for the quota to enter Yujing Cave Heaven.

He clearly treats this quota as if it's already in his pocket; taking it from him would certainly offend him.

After losing such face, even with a broad mind, he couldn't bear it.

If that's the case, then there's no need to attend his banquet lest a banquet without good intent ends up in a setup.

For the Void Secret Treasure, he's shameless; he may deploy other means.

"Yes." You Lan gently nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan smilingly looked at You Lan, "Aunt won't advise me?"

You Lan smiled, "Your Highness is no longer who you once were, it's better for Your Highness to make these decisions."

When he was not sensible, to prevent him from falling into a worse situation, advice was necessary.

Now he was different, thorough in thought, and steady in action.

So, she didn't need to say more.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "In any case, I'll be heading to the Phoenix Dynasty in the future, no need to worry too much."

"Your Highness is right."

——

To avoid being persuaded, after dinner, Chu Zhiyuan went straight out to stroll the streets.

He wandered through the Imperial City.

The nightlife in the Imperial City was extremely lively; the restaurants not only had music and dance but also martial arts competitions.

In the city, thirty-two martial arts schools had established a competition for martial friendship.

The thirty-two schools jointly founded Tianya Institute, holding a competition every ten days.

There were a total of one hundred and eight martial arts schools participating.

Initially, there was a round-robin competition.

The winner received a point, and the loser received none, eventually forming the top thirty-six.

The thirty-six paired up for competition, and the winners advanced to the top eighteen.

Then the top eighteen paired up again, round by round until the martial champion was determined.

Every ten days, Tianya Institute was packed, and Chu Zhiyuan squeezed in to watch the bustling scene.

By the time all twelve matches ended, it was already late at night.

He returned to his Prince Mansion and found the Seventh Prince waiting.

Bringing the Seventh Prince into his small courtyard, they sat in a small gazebo, drinking and talking.

"Ninth Brother, why didn't you come?"

"I would certainly offend Big Brother, so why go? ...What's Big Brother up to?"

"He's apologizing to everyone." Chu Lieyu shook his head and sighed, "No wonder it's Big Brother, flawless."

He promised to hand over any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures he obtained to the Office of Ancestral Principal, sharing them among all the princes.

He also personally apologized to the princes.

Both efforts left people speechless, instead eliciting admiration for his demeanor.

Though his manners were terrible, in the end, everyone had to praise him.

Ordinary princes didn't have such skill.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Indeed, no wonder it's Big Brother, quite the skill."

Chu Lieyu shook his head, "Your absence made everyone upset."

"Going there would only dampen their spirits." Chu Zhiyuan said, "Not going is better, giving them freedom to talk about me."

Chu Lieyu gave a wry smile.

That was entirely true.

When everyone gathered, the opening topic often involved talking about Ninth Brother.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Didn't Big Brother say anything?"

"Big Brother said that's just how you are, no need to take offense."

"Such a magnanimous Big Brother." Chu Zhiyuan laughed and shook his head, "Just not sure if he can be this way if I snatch the quota."

Chu Lieyu sighed, "Ninth Brother, if Big Brother really gets his quota taken by you, it would indeed be a joke, he likely couldn't show his face in the Imperial City anymore."

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, a disdainful smile, "Seventh Brother, you underestimate Big Brother; no matter how embarrassing, he can still hold his own... First offending Fourth Brother, then Big Brother, if not me for the Prince Consort, then who?"

"Sigh..." Chu Lieyu was helpless.

"Seventh Brother, don't let them see you coming over lest you get isolated too."

Chu Lieyu said, "At least Fifth Brother and Eighth Brother are there."

He hung around with the Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince, not fighting alone, so he wasn't afraid of isolation.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to stay close to Chu Zhiyuan.

"Fourth Brother reminded Big Brother, saying you, Ninth Brother, are not what you used to be and shouldn't be underestimated."

"Did Big Brother take it to heart?"

"Big Brother is extremely careful and cautious in actions, he definitely took it to heart, likely looking for ways to test, you'd better be cautious."

"Mm, understood." Chu Zhiyuan gravely nodded.

He knew this was the real purpose of the Seventh Prince, warning him to be truly careful of Big Brother.