Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 788: Chapter 784: Taking Action

Could it be because the soul increased, and spiritual power surged a bit?

Enhanced spiritual power can extend cultivation time and increase cultivation efficiency.

This is true for both the Qi Transformation Realm and Transformation Realm, and it remains true in the Divinity Transformation Realm.

He couldn’t be sure that it was due to enhanced spiritual power, because the increase in spiritual power wasn’t substantial.

Yet, the efficiency improvement was immense.

This is somewhat abnormal.

He vaguely felt that the significant increase in cultivation efficiency was related to the enhancement of spiritual power, but it couldn’t be completely attributed to it.

Is there any other reason?

He couldn’t help but think of the previous encounter with the Heavenly Demon memory.

Could this be related as well?

But he hadn’t inherited the Heavenly Demon’s legacy, only experienced the life of the Heavenly Demon once.

Is the increase in cultivation efficiency so high related to this experience?

He couldn’t help but think that the Demon Lord’s cultivation did not rely on diligent practice or hard cultivation.

But on experience.

What is the essence of that experience?

He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced.

Pushed open the door and came to the small courtyard.

The bright sun shone on him, warm and cozy.

He looked up at the sun about to reach its zenith, then at Fu Zheng standing quietly in the courtyard.

Fu Zheng stood by a cluster of green bamboo at the base of the wall.

Her graceful, willowy silhouette moved gently, seamlessly blending with the swaying bamboo.

For a moment, it was almost indistinguishable.

Fu Zheng separated from the bamboo, gracefully approached: ”Your Highness?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

”Quarter of an hour ago, Young Marquis Ming visited, wishing to meet with Your Highness.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded and continued looking up at the sky.

”Sister Li said the Princess asked you to come over for a discussion once you’re free.”

Chu Zhiyuan absentmindedly nodded.

Fu Zheng noticed his lack of interest, clearly without the intention to go.

Though curious, she didn’t persuade Chu Zhiyuan to change his mind.

Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze shifted from the sun to Fu Zheng: ”Has your cultivation advanced?”

Fu Zheng smiled: ”Since entering the Imperial City, my cultivation has advanced considerably, much faster than burying myself in practice alone.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked: ”Where do you think this advancement comes from?”

Fu Zheng pondered: ”Your Highness, I’ve been thinking about this, ... each Venerable has their own path of cultivation, all requiring various experiences and trials to advance.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

The records and legacies he encountered were all the same.

Only saying how to do it, but not why to do it.

Fu Zheng said: ”As for why the trials are necessary, it must be understood personally, not to be explained. My master said that even if understood, it should not be told to outsiders, otherwise it harms rather than helps.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Fu Zheng asked: ”Has Your Highness gained any insight?”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”I have a rough guess, but since it can’t be said, I won’t say it.”

Fu Zheng silently nodded.

Footsteps came from outside; Li Yuzhen’s voice sounded: ”Prince Consort?”

Chu Zhiyuan called out: ”Come in.”

Li Yuzhen entered with a smile: ”Young Marquis Ming and Fan Yuxuan came together and are waiting at the front.”

”To discuss the assassination?”

Li Yuzhen nodded lightly: ”This is a major issue, already making waves in the Court.”

Chu Zhiyuan headed out: ”Assassination of the Marquis, everyone feels at risk.”

”Exactly.” Li Yuzhen agreed: ”Hence the Court will never let it go.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked: ”What about the person?”

”Secretly detained, no one knows.” Li Yuzhen suddenly lowered her voice.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, nodding with satisfaction.

The Twelfth Princess was indeed highly vigilant, with keen intuition.

”Young Marquis Ming, they don’t know yet?”

”Haven’t informed Young Marquis Ming yet.”

”That’s good.”

The three came to Li Miaotan’s courtyard and then her bedroom.

Li Miaotan lay on the couch, side-lying under a brocade quilt, her delicate face pale, eyes slightly closed, looking weak.

Chang Xihua was at the bedside, operating her skill to assist.

Her Healing Miracle Skill was still effective for Li Miaotan.

Chu Zhiyuan formed a sealing gesture with his hands, reciting a strange spell, performing the Dragon Curse.

As the sweet rain descended, Li Miaotan opened her bright eyes and smiled at him.

Her pallor quickly faded, a rosy flush rising, her Spiritual restored at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Like a wilted flower rapidly recovering.

Chang Xihua marveled at the power of the Dragon Curse every time she saw it.

Li Miaotan’s bright eyes turned clear, gently pushing away Li Yuzhen’s support, gracefully rising from the bed.

In a simple white gauze robe, her graceful silhouette faintly visible.

Peerless elegance, movements graceful.

She sighed softly.

The injury showed little improvement, merely sustained by the Dragon Curse.

Find the Spirit Venerable or use the last resort.

Chu Zhiyuan asked: ”Found out that person’s background?”

Li Miaotan gently shook her head: ”He knows nothing, only obeys orders.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Such an assassination is beyond ordinary participation.”

Li Miaotan said: ”Seems he’s not telling the truth.”

”Be careful of his suicide.” Chu Zhiyuan warned.

Li Miaotan nodded slightly, looking at Li Yuzhen: ”Yuzhen, please invite experts from Fengtian Palace.”

”Yes, Your Highness.” Li Yuzhen nodded solemnly.

Requesting experts from Fengtian Palace, using strange means to read thoughts directly.

The experts combined Strange Treasure and Miracle Technique to achieve this.

Li Yuzhen turned and left.

Li Miaotan said: ”Yuchun, please invite Young Marquis Ming and Yuxuan here.”

”Yes.”

Li Miaotan and Chu Zhiyuan walked out together and sat opposite each other in the small pavilion.

Li Miaotan casually asked about his experience at the time.

Chu Zhiyuan recounted it once.

...

”Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Consort.”

Fan Yaohui and Fan Yuxuan came together, cupping their fists as a salutation in the small pavilion.

Li Miaotan raised her jade-like hand.

”Sorry to face the Prince Consort.” Fan Yaohui looked ashamed: ”That assassin was silenced.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Luckily Marquis is unharmed.”

”They only used poison; if it were martial arts, they couldn’t kill me!” Fan Yaohui sneered.

Confident in his Immovable Ming King Skill, unfazed by assassination.

But he couldn’t counter that strange poison.

Recalling it still sent shivers.

Fan Yaohui said: ”This matter seems odd to me, something feels off, so I came to discuss it with Your Highness.”

”What’s wrong?” Li Miaotan asked.

Fan Yaohui said: ”The news of my assassination has spread, during court, an Imperial Censor accused it as retaliation by the Jade Dynasty.”

Chu Zhiyuan arched an eyebrow.

Fan Yuxuan looked to Chu Zhiyuan: ”My brother argued strongly, saying Prince Consort helped save his life, preventing successful assassination, keeping this quiet too, ... someone intends to sabotage Your Highness’s marriage with the Prince Consort!”

”Their sinister motives persist.” Li Miaotan snorted lightly.

Her bright eyes rested on Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Not only sabotaging the marriage but also targeting the Jade ... it’s the Yuanzhen Dynasty? They hate the Jade most.”

”Your Highness,” Fan Yuxuan said: ”That Imperial Censor is under the Eldest Highness.”

”Eldest Brother?” Li Miaotan frowned: ”What’s he up to again!”

Chu Zhiyuan’s face turned grave.

Things were getting complicated.

Fan Yuxuan said: ”After the Eldest Highness, another courtier insisted on finding the real mastermind, confirming if indeed the Jade Dynasty, ensuring no repeat of the Marquis’s assassination.”

She gently shook her head: ”This courtier is under the Second Highness.”

”Second Brother...” Li Miaotan scoffed: ”Is it just coincidental?”

Fan Yaohui and Fan Yuxuan shook their heads in unison.

Li Miaotan frowned in contemplation.

She looked toward Chu Zhiyuan, seeing him serene and calm, as if unconcerned.

She couldn’t help but ask: ”What do you think?”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”It seems both Highnesses don’t want the marriage to proceed smoothly.”