Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 810: Chapter 806: Five Transformations

Li Chunhou waved his hand, ”There’s still the Demon Clan and the Demon Clan, and Fengtian Palace!”

The Court knew he was adept at hunting down Demon Clan experts; taking down over a hundred in one day was astonishing.

Yet nobody wanted him to act.

Could it be that the Phoenix Dynasty was devoid of capable individuals?

Even though he was now the Prince Consort of the Twelfth Princess, their instinct was still not to rely on him.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”It’s said that Fengtian Palace finds Demon Clan experts at a cost, right?”

”Yes, activating the Candle Nether Mirror is costly, and Fengtian Palace doesn’t have many people.”

”If too many Demon Clan members arrive, I’m afraid...” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Li Chunhou replied, ”Fengtian Palace can handle it.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and shook his head, ”Alright, then it’s up to Fengtian Palace and the Court.”

Li Miaotan stood up, ”Third Brother, let’s act quickly, let’s go.”

”But we haven’t even eaten.”

”Skip it.”

Li Miaotan kept walking out.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fist to Li Chunhou, smiled goodbye, and then left.

Waiting outside, Li Yuzhen, Fu Zheng, Lu Haoyuan, and Chang Xihua followed along.

A group of Guards surrounded them as two left Wenhua Building and returned to the Prince Consort Mansion.

The two went back to Chu Zhiyuan’s courtyard, sitting by the stone table to rest.

Li Miaotan was spirited, showing no signs of tiredness.

She accepted the tea offered by Li Yuchun and sighed lightly, ”Third Brother is indecisive; he may not succeed.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Then let it be.”

”Husband, you don’t want to be an official?”

”An official rank is power, but it’s also a shackle, restricting one’s freedom and hindering cultivation.”

Li Miaotan said, ”We Venerables cultivate by enduring worldly affairs to hone our Mental State; experiencing more is the best cultivation, not just retreating deeply and cultivating, right?”

She was sure that Chu Zhiyuan understood this principle.

The grind of the officialdom on body and mind may not be inferior to the Outer Realm Battlefield.

Chu Zhiyuan, bound by his status, could not enter the Outer Realm Battlefield, so the officialdom was the best place to cultivate his Mental State.

It was also her reason for securing an official post for Chu Zhiyuan.

It was also reciprocation.

Chu Zhiyuan helped her in cultivation, she naturally helped him too. Even as a couple, there should be reciprocity, not one-sided demands.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Retreat and cultivation might be slow, but it’s fine with slow progress.”

Through the memories of the Demon Clan experts within the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror, experiencing each of their lives.

This is better than personally grinding through the Mental State.

Furthermore, besides this avatar, there’s the main body, and more avatars can be condensed.

The avatars can communicate through the soul; what one avatar experiences is what other avatars and the main body experience.

Li Miaotan mused, ”Your perception is good.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled silently.

His perception indeed far exceeded ordinary people, not merely because he merged with the Miao Ling Pearl, but also because of the avatars.

Li Miaotan’s bright eyes glimmered, ”Then all the more reason to become an official!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let nature take its course, don’t be too hard on Third Brother.”

He could see Li Miaotan’s dissatisfaction with the Third Prince.

Li Miaotan gently nodded and sighed, ”I was a bit too impatient.”

”Do you think Third Brother has a chance to become Emperor?”

”...Difficult.”

”Then why keep striving?”

”In the Court, one must advance or face retreat. If you do not strive, you will be abandoned by the ministers, and your position will be hard to maintain, which would be very bleak, especially for the Empress Mother.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, understanding her meaning.

The Third Prince competing for the imperial throne is not genuinely about gaining it, but to express a stance to enhance personal power.

If he doesn’t strive for the throne, the ministers will not rally around him.

As the son of the Empress, without the ministers’ support, the Empress would lack backing and would be powerless in the Harem.

”Which of the Eldest Prince or the Second Prince has more hope?”

”I think it’s the Eldest Brother.”

”I think it should be the Second Prince.”

”Hmm—?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Eldest Prince has high qualifications, impressive Cultivation, and the strongest influence, seemingly the most suitable for Emperor.”

”Exactly, though the Second Brother has a virtuous reputation, he’s too gentle, and Father doesn’t favor him.”

”From my perspective, the Eldest Prince is not the best choice for Emperor. An Emperor should not be entirely rigid, unable to endure grievances and concessions.”

”...”

”The Phoenix Dynasty is already powerful; it does not need a more domineering ruler. It requires a ruler who is gentle and harmonious, balancing strength and gentleness to keep the Dynasty strong and adaptively advancing or retreating.”

”...But Father prefers Eldest Brother.”

After some thought, Li Miaotan gently shook her head, ”He will still choose Eldest Brother for the throne.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”We’ll see... The Second Prince and Third Brother will have no trouble, right?”

”With Father’s restraint, they won’t break ties. Eldest Brother won’t retaliate after ascending the throne. Eldest Brother is noble enough.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He took a slow sip of tea, then smiled, ”Actually, there’s no need to rush; Phoenix Bloodline does not take that long.”

He understood why Li Miaotan was in such a hurry, it’s because of the Phoenix Bloodline.

The Phoenix Bloodline is too crucial, making her anxious, eager to activate it immediately.

This urgency prevents her from calming down.

”I estimate half a year.”

”You haven’t counted my progress.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

As he spoke, his clothing suddenly fluttered as if in a violent wind.

Above the Void, the green dragon rapidly changed, scales covered in strange patterns began to grow larger, thicker, and change color.

Green rapidly turned to blue.

A deep blue as the sea.

An even more tempestuous and pure force rushed downwards, continuously washing his body.

From flesh to spirit, everything was improving.

Chu Zhiyuan’s body brimmed with power as if one punch could tear open the Void.

He suppressed this illusion with great effort, opened his eyes, and the blue in his eyes slowly receded, smiling, ”I have advanced another level, now at the Fifth Transformation.”

This was due to her promotion.

The harmony of Yin and Yang between them brought benefits to both.

Li Miaotan and the Emperor might think she benefited more.

But they did not know he gained even more.

The Phoenix Bloodline can undergo Nirvana and remain Undying; he thought the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline might be similar.

”The Fifth Transformation?” Li Miaotan curiously regarded him.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”It’s thanks to you, Madam.”

”What credit is mine?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Madam’s cultivation method is indeed profound.”

Li Miaotan instantly blushed like drunk, promptly looking away.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”With the Heavenly Dragon Introduction advancing a level, activating the Phoenix Bloodline will be faster.”

Li Miaotan nodded shyly.

”With further cultivation, the Heavenly Dragon Introduction will progress further,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It will get faster and faster, I estimate three or four months should suffice.”

Li Miaotan’s bright eyes glistened.

If it would take three or four months, that’s perfect. With the Phoenix Bloodline activated, she wouldn’t have to struggle half alive, and could fully release herself.

...

In the evening, Chu Zhiyuan was watching Fu Zheng’s sword training in the courtyard when Huang Jin came again with an Imperial Decree.

After the decree was announced, he clasped his hands in congratulation.

Chu Zhiyuan sent him off with a smile, which never faded.

Upon hearing the news, the approaching Li Miaotan wore a solemn expression.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Let it be, Madam; it seems the Emperor truly doesn’t want me to hold office.”

The Imperial Decree had elevated him to a titular post, becoming a Scattered Horse Attendant, granting him a fief of a thousand households.

As such, his stipend increased more than double.

This was a test.

He understood, it seemed that he should not hope for a position in the Phoenix Dynasty’s Court.

The Emperor was determined to sideline him, not granting him any power.