Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 118: Chapter 116 Destination

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The first light of dawn appeared.

The Tingtao Courtyard of the Prince Qing Mansion was brightly lit, like it was daytime.

Zou Fang was waiting outside.

Inside the main room, Chu Zhiyuan stood in front of a round sandalwood table, holding a small hand warmer in his left hand, standing lazily in place, letting the four women of Mo Yi serve him food and tidy his clothes.

Inside the warmer in his left hand was a Dragon Blood Pearl the size of an infant’s fist.

A pearl of this size was too conspicuous if placed at the waist or in the bosom, so it was placed in a warmer.

Even through the wall of the warmer, the aura of the Dragon Blood Pearl could still penetrate into his palm, merging into the golden light and then into his bone marrow.

In his bosom were the Miao Ling Pearl and the Flying Dragon Ball.

Mo Yi’s soft hands gently smoothed his lapel, flattening every wrinkle, her bright eyes shifting, revealing pearly white teeth, smiling: ”Princely Heir, this Qingyun Armor is indeed extraordinary, so thin.”

”Indeed, not bad, very light.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction.

Like a layer of silk, yet breathable, as if nothing was there.

The Duke Kang Mansion was at its peak, naturally lavish, with unusual treasures.

Qingyun Armor could withstand several blows of Gang Qi, a rare treasure, and the Breaking Gang Divine Weapon required Fifth Grade merit for exchange, while one that could withstand Gang Qi attacks would need even Fourth Grade.

So as soon as Chu Zhiyuan heard it was Qingyun Armor, he readily accepted it.

The cultivation resources of the Prince Qing Mansion were a complete mess, the family background was not thin, but non-existent.

For him, being able to withstand a grandmaster’s blow could save his life.

With five grandmaster experts protecting him, the most dangerous situation he could encounter would be a grandmaster skilled in stealth assassination getting close, delivering a sudden fatal blow.

Even with five grandmasters, it would be too late.

If he could withstand one blow, the four grandmasters within the Four Spirit Array plus Zou Fang would be enough to entangle and hold off, ensuring his safety.

”I’m full.” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Qing He and Bai Lu set down the silver chopsticks, went out to command the maids to come in and clear the dishes and utensils from the sandalwood round table.

Mo Yi smiled and said, ”Leizi, will you come back to have lunch today?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Go to the new house over there.”

”Yes.” Mo Yi agreed, ”I’ll go over with Sister Lv Ju and the others.”

”Mm.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, took the Miao Ling Pearl from his bosom, placed it in the Cold Jade Box, then turned and left.

——

In the Martial Arts Training Ground of Mingwu Hall, Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan had already arrived, and when they saw him coming, they approached to talk.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Eighth Uncle, haven’t decided which camp to go to yet?”

”Planning to go to Tenth Brother’s Chasing Wind Camp.”

”Wise choice.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”With the Chasing Wind Cavalry, it’s the safest, and safety is the most important.”

”This also follows your example.” Chu Mingxuan smiled, ”Would rather find a bit more stability, shouldn’t be too hasty.”

Chu Zhiyuan’s choice changed their impatient thoughts.

He chose the Ministry of Rites for safety, yet his cultivation advanced rapidly, without delay.

It shows that what’s decisive for cultivation progress isn’t where you choose, but your own aptitude.

If aptitude is high enough, you can make rapid progress anywhere; if not, then take it slowly and steadily, there’s no shortcut anywhere.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan: ”Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother?”

Chu Zhitian nodded: ”Old Ten and I have both entered the West Second Hall of the Central Office.”

”West Second Hall... is it Master Huang?”

”Indeed it is her.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows, somewhat amused.

”It’s nothing to do with Master Huang’s beauty.” Chu Zhitian quickly waved his hand, ”Master Huang has a great future, we can bask in her glory too.”

”Haven’t seen Master Huang in a while.” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Thinking of this, he suddenly realized it had been days since he last saw Huang Shiron.

Chu Zhichuan said, ”Master Huang is secluding herself, preparing to break through to become a Grandmaster.”

Chu Zhiyuan again raised his sword-like eyebrows.

The first time he met Huang Shiron, she was already at Innate Perfection, and in just a few days, she was about to break through to Grandmaster.

Indeed a prodigy.

Chu Zhitian sighed, ”If she can break through to Grandmaster, she’d be the first in the history of White Cloud Sword Palace.”

”Master Huang is only twenty-three years old.” Chu Zhichuan admired, ”A twenty-three-year-old Grandmaster would also be the youngest Grandmaster in our Da Jing.”

”A twenty-three-year-old Grandmaster...” Chu Mingxuan looked at Chu Zhiyuan, ”Fourth Brother, you need to step up!”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

Chu Mingxuan said, ”I thought you were the top genius I’d ever seen, but now it seems Master Huang isn’t inferior to you.”

Chu Zhitian asked, ”In three years... Fourth Brother, can you become a Grandmaster?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Pretty much more or less.”

Not necessary to reach Innate Perfection in a month, with Super Sense, plus the Miao Ling Pearl, finding the path to Grandmaster isn’t so difficult, not even needing a year.

Chu Mingxuan said, ”It’s up to you, Fourth Brother, can’t let Huang Shiron steal all the limelight.”

Huang Shiron is a True Disciple of White Cloud Sword Palace, if she becomes a Grandmaster at twenty-three, the reputation of the palace will soar, perhaps becoming the first of the Four Great Sects.

Even surpassing the Court’s prestige.

”Eighth Uncle, I’ll do my best.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Chu Mingxuan’s face darkened, and he said coldly: ”Fourth Brother, has that bastard Song Tianhai not come to your mansion to apologize yet?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”Duke Kang came, sent eight paintings and a Qingyun Armor, I accepted them.”

”This is them not respecting us princes!” Chu Mingxuan sneered.

Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan also had somber expressions.

Just then, Chu Zhiyao came over.

Having overheard their conversation from afar, he sighed helplessly as he approached: ”Fourth Brother, Song Tianhai is about to return to the army.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Didn’t he already retire from the army? He can go back? Just like that?”

Chu Zhiyao said: ”Duke Kang says sending him to the army for strict discipline, staying in Yujing would only make him a wastrel.”

”As expected of Duke Kang,” Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”sending him to the army keeps him from loitering around us, avoiding getting thrashed... people are forgetful, after a year or so, it will all be forgotten.”

”Duke Kang has always been cunning!” Chu Mingxuan snorted, ”Old Three, don’t take it badly.”

Chu Zhiyao smiled bitterly, ”Eighth Uncle, of course, I’m on Fourth Brother’s side.”

”Third Brother and Song Tianhai have never gotten along.” Chu Zhitian said, ”From my point of view, Third Brother, this is your fault.”

Chu Zhiyao was taken aback.

Chu Zhitian, under the gaze of everyone, glared discontentedly at Chu Zhiyao: ”Third Brother, you’re too soft-hearted with romantic feelings, if you’d dealt with him harshly when he opposed you, slapped him in the face on the spot, he would’ve straightened out, and nothing else would have happened!”

”...Yes, yes, blame Third Brother.” Princes and princely heirs slowly gathered around, agreeing with smiles.

They were indeed annoyed with Song Tianhai, but it was only verbal disputes and not real fights, and certainly not life-threatening.

Because Song Tianhai dared to scold a princely heir, they were united against a common foe, yet feeling relaxed.

In their eyes, dealing with Song Tianhai was actually simple, they couldn’t understand why Chu Zhiyuan was so cautious.

Even less so with Chu Zhiyao’s hesitations, holding back.

Chu Zhiyao smiled bitterly, ”Alright, alright, it’s my fault.”

He always thought that after being betrothed with Duke Kang’s family, they were like family, brother-in-law having a disagreement with brother-in-law was normal, just family squabbles.

Now that Song Tianhai dared to act drunk and crazed in front of Chu Zhiyuan, he just realized how arrogant Song Tianhai was, indeed it was himself who gave him the misconception: the princely heir was just like that.

...

The dawn retreated, the purple light disappeared.

As Chu Zhiyuan prepared to leave Mingwu Hall for the Ministry of Rites’ government office for the roll call, Chu Mingxuan and the others also came over to leave together.

They were also busy.

As the four of them walked into the area managed by the West Second Hall of Phoenix Avenue, Chu Zhiyuan saw two young women in pure white like snow amidst the crowd.

Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu.

Upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, they stepped forward and cupped their hands in salute.

Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan also cupped their hands and addressed them as Dean Wen and Dean Xu; the two women were deans of four sub-courtyards under the West Second Hall.

Chu Zhiyuan found the two women’s behavior unusual.

Their impression of him wasn’t so good, and even when saluting alongside Huang Shiron, they were somewhat perfunctory and reluctant.

But now they took the initiative to come up.

He casually asked if Huang Shiron had emerged from seclusion, and they replied she had done so at midnight last night, entering the Grandmaster Realm.

The corners of their snow-white, delicate lips couldn’t help curving upwards.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, realizing they came forward to salute so eagerly just to show off.

Chu Mingxuan and the others looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as usual, ”Congratulations to Master Huang, where is Master Huang?”

”Senior sister went back to the sect for a visit.” Xu Mengyu said, ”To see the master and practice a more advanced mental method.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”That makes sense, when will she return?”

”About three days, I suppose.” Xu Mengyu said.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, cupped his hands in farewell.

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