Imperial Cultivation

The key to breaking through cultivation realms is a closely guarded secret in the martial world. Each sect treasures it immensely and never transmits it externally.

However, the Bright Martial Hall's bookshelf contains nine books on the subject, but each one shares a similar concept: purification.

Through unique pathways, they purify and sharpen the inner Qi, forcefully chiseling through the three barriers. If one strike fails, they try two, ten, or a hundred times, ultimately breaking through.

The more advanced the breakthrough technique, the purer the inner force becomes, making the breakthrough easier.

However, the Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art takes a completely different approach.

Through a unique route, it can form additional barriers within the meridians, binding the inner Qi within specific meridians, preventing it from moving.

When the time comes to break through, all the bound inner Qi is released simultaneously, surging into the Governor Vessel like a dam bursting in several places. The force is unstoppable, instantly shattering the three barriers.

This Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art is derived from the Dragon Subduing Sect and the Void Sword Sect, both top-tier ancient sects, located on that separate shelf.

Without first practicing this art, several streams of inner force rushing in together would destroy one's meridians before even breaking through.

After mastering the Dragon Transformation Art, one then practices the Qi Cleansing Art of the Void Sword Sect, purifying the inner Qi to near sword-like purity, and finally practices the Dragon Binding Cord.

Dragon Transformation Art -\u003e Qi Cleansing Art -\u003e Dragon Binding Cord = Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art.

He chuckled inwardly.

The Emperor indeed seeks stability in creating this Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art, not innovation, but simply piecing things together. It certainly won't cause any mishaps.

This technique seems redundant to the average person.

They would simply practice the Qi Cleansing Art, as it is already a rare and top-tier breakthrough technique. Why waste time practicing the Dragon Transformation Art and Dragon Binding Cord?

The Dragon Subduing Sect and Void Sword Sect were both top-tier ancient sects with extremely high requirements for aptitude and comprehension, which is the fundamental reason why both sects lost their inheritance.

Even the shortcut methods of the Qi Cleansing Art and Dragon Binding Cord are extremely difficult to master, let alone practicing three arts in one go.

It might even be unnecessary to practice the Qi Cleansing Art. One could simply find another secret breakthrough method, and with the time spent practicing the Qi Cleansing Art, one might have already broken through and entered the Acquired Realm.

However, the profoundness of this Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art lies not only in breaking through these three barriers but also in breaking through the various barriers in later realms.

Such as each floor of the Acquired Twelve Pavilions, and each level of the Grandmaster Nine Heavens, all can be broken through with it.

This can be described as a breakthrough secret method that provides a permanent solution, a miraculous technique among miraculous techniques.

Provided one can master it.

Under normal circumstances, practicing the Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art consumes a great deal of time, requiring a long period of seclusion, inevitably leading to cold shoulders and ridicule.

But it's not without a shortcut.

That is the inheritance of the Taiqing Yuan Sect.

The Taiqing Yuan Sect is also an ancient sect located on that separate shelf, possessing the Celestial Yuan Art, Terrestrial Yuan Art, and Human Yuan Art.

The Celestial Yuan Art gathers the Qi of the sun, moon, and stars, supplementing and even strengthening the spirit.

The Terrestrial Yuan Art gathers the Qi of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, supplementing vital energy.

The Human Yuan Art gathers the Yin and Yang Qi of the human body, supplementing essence and blood.

Mastering the Terrestrial Yuan Art can quickly replenish inner Qi, eliminating the need to circulate the Lesser Purple Yang Art cycle after cycle to recover.

Mastering the Celestial Yuan Art can quickly replenish the spirit.

One is comparable to a Qi Replenishing Pill that restores inner Qi, and the other is comparable to a Spirit Enhancing Pill that restores the spirit.

Moreover, the effects of elixirs will diminish with repeated use, while the effects of the Celestial Yuan Art and Terrestrial Yuan Art will only become stronger.

Therefore, he needs to take a big detour, starting with practicing the Celestial Yuan Art and Terrestrial Yuan Art.

Celestial Yuan Art, Terrestrial Yuan Art -\u003e Dragon Transformation Art -\u003e Qi Cleansing Art -\u003e Dragon Binding Cord = Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art.

If he cannot master the Celestial Yuan Art and Terrestrial Yuan Art, then he should abandon the idea of practicing the Jade Lock Golden Barrier Art and honestly practice the Qi Cleansing Art.

— —

The next morning, when he arrived at the Bright Martial Hall bathed in the morning light, the vast training grounds of the Bright Martial Hall were empty, with only one person standing in the Purple Yang Stance.

This person was burly and sturdy, with handsome features, standing like a small iron tower in the morning light.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fist and smiled, greeting him like an old friend: "Ninth Brother, you're here early."

Chu Zhitong hesitated for a moment, cupped his fist in return: "Fourth Brother is quite early too."

This "Fourth Brother" was called out reluctantly, and the greeting was also forced, as he didn't want to talk to Chu Zhiyuan.

While Chu Zhiyuan was reading in the west side hall, he didn't neglect to understand the situation on the training grounds. In half a day, he had already discerned the personalities of these twelve princes and noble sons.

Chu Zhitong is the son of the Tenth Prince, Prince Ying. He has a sharp appearance that keeps people at a distance. In fact, he is a bit socially awkward, not good at speaking and disliking it. Most of the time, he buries himself in hard practice.

Chu Zhiyuan pretended not to notice his reluctance and continued to strike up a conversation: "Tenth Uncle will be returning to the capital soon, right?"

He was certain that as long as he mentioned the Tenth Prince, Prince Ying, Chu Zhitong would not be able to refuse, as Chu Zhitong extremely admired his father.

"… Father will arrive in the capital in the next few days."

Chu Zhitong didn't want to talk, hesitated for a moment, but still answered.

"That great battle in Crouching Dragon Valley wasn't ruthless enough in dealing with the Great Zhen Dynasty, causing them to remain arrogant."

"… Father said that it was impossible to withdraw troops at that time. The Great Meng Dynasty took advantage of the situation to loot. If we didn't withdraw troops to support them, the city gates would be breached by the Great Meng."

Chu Zhitong shook his head.

"The Great Zhen and Great Meng colluding together is the real trouble." Chu Zhiyuan frowned and said: "Breaking their alliance is extremely important… Fortunately, Tenth Uncle is there. Once Tenth Uncle returns to the capital, Great Zhen is likely to become restless again, and the Northwest will become unstable again… However, Uncle Wang has been guarding the Northwest for ten years, it's been hard on Tenth Aunt and Ninth Brother."

Between men, chatting about women or politics is the easiest way to close the distance.

Especially when it comes to what Chu Zhitong is most proud of.

Chu Zhitong's every answer was reluctant, he didn't want to say it, but he eventually said it. In his hesitation, he had already said a few words to Chu Zhiyuan.

"It's nothing…"

Chu Zhitong pursed his lips tightly.

He felt both pride and sorrow, and his heart was touched.

Once the heart is touched, the emotional distance is greatly reduced, and talking to Chu Zhiyuan is no longer unwilling.

Chu Zhiyuan expressed great concern for the war on the Northwest border, scratching Chu Zhitong's itch, quickly making Chu Zhitong talk endlessly, and the two talked happily.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at Chu Zhitong: "Among Father's generation, I admire Tenth Uncle the most. Hiding his identity, a common soldier forcefully became a great general by military merit. Not to mention his wisdom and talent, just that courage alone makes people feel inferior!"

Chu Zhit霆 forced a smile.

Entering the army incognito as a common soldier, without guards, and in the Northwest frontier, was a near-death experience.

Throughout the generations of the Great Jing royal family, only his father dared to do so, and others lacked the courage and boldness, hence he was named the "Heroic King."

Other princes were named after their fiefs, such as Prince Qing, whose fief was in Qingzhou, Prince Huai, whose fief was in Huaizhou, and Prince Jing, whose fief was in Jingzhou.

Only the Heroic King was not named after his fief.

As the two were talking, a tall and slender young man arrived at the training ground, handsome and extraordinary, with a cold face and indifferent eyes. It was Chu Zhichuan, the heir of Prince Huai, the thirteenth prince.

"Tenth brother," Chu Zhiyuan said with a cupped fist and a smile.

Chu Zhichuan nodded faintly, closed his eyes, and assumed a stance, beginning to practice his skills.

The best time to practice the Lesser Purple Yang Skill is in the morning, when the sun rises, the purple energy comes from the east, and the purple energy of heaven and earth is at its most concentrated, making practice the most efficient.

Chu Zhiyuan didn't mind Chu Zhichuan's indifference. Chu Zhichuan's temperament was different from Chu Zhit霆's.

Chu Zhit霆's aloofness was due to social awkwardness, and his nature was somewhat simple and honest, while Chu Zhichuan's aloofness was due to arrogance, looking down on everything and disdaining worldly affairs, focusing solely on cultivation.

Therefore, there was no need to be close to Chu Zhichuan; maintaining a normal distance was sufficient.

Chu Zhiyuan continued, "After entering the Innate Realm, will Ninth Brother also join the army?"

Chu Zhit霆 shook his head helplessly.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Royal Mother Consort doesn't allow it, does she?"

Chu Zhit霆 nodded with a wry smile.

With one son already heading to the battlefield, his mother couldn't bear the thought of two, and would not agree under any circumstances.

Moreover, if he really joined the army, he would definitely receive care from all sides, with people helping him with everything. How could he make any progress?

He had to be like his father back then, experiencing hardship and adversity to achieve something.

As the two were talking, Chu Zhichuan practiced his skills with his eyes closed and without saying a word. Subsequently, more and more heirs and princes arrived.

Chu Zhiyuan greeted them one by one.

"Eleventh brother," "Thirteenth brother," "Eighteenth brother," "Eighteenth uncle," "Nineteenth uncle," "Twentieth uncle."

The others responded in turn.

Chu Zhiyuan seemed not to notice their reluctance and unnaturalness, knowing that in two or three days, they would become familiar and accustomed to it.

...

After Chu Qingfeng arrived, Chu Zhiyuan continued to read in the west side hall, browsing through various martial arts manuals, miscellaneous martial arts notes, and martial arts theories.

The library contained many martial arts notes from the Grandmaster's Mansion and the Great Grandmaster's Mansion.

Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters could exchange these martial arts notes for merits.

These martial arts notes did not involve any specific mental cultivation methods, but rather spoke in general terms, including understanding of heaven and earth, understanding of martial arts, understanding of worldly affairs, and understanding of the human body, which greatly shocked him.

This world's understanding of martial arts and the world was extremely profound and subtle.

It was like the contention of a hundred schools of thought during the Warring States period in his previous life, or like the science of his previous life.

Innovating and updating on the basis of the previous generation, accumulating generation after generation, one could imagine how brilliant and splendid it would be.

After reading these notes, his understanding advanced a great deal.

He suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment.

He finally understood why the princes and heirs of the Bright Martial Hall had to enter the palace so early and start practicing before sunrise.

It was because of the Lesser Purple Yang Skill, the Innate Skill Great Purple Yang Skill, and the Grandmaster Skill Purple Yang True Scripture.

To experience the Purple Yang Realm.

To observe the Purple Yang every morning and imprint it into the mind and soul.

The Grandmaster enters the heart, and the Great Grandmaster enters the spirit.

This Purple Yang Realm is both the gateway to entering the Grandmaster Realm and the artistic conception pursued by the Great Grandmaster.

When he became dizzy from reading too much, he would use the Heavenly Origin Skill.

Strands of cool air descended from the sky, entering through the Baihui acupoint.

The brain was like soaking in a cold spring, refreshing and cold, and for a moment, the mind was clear, the thinking was agile, and sparks of inspiration burst out from time to time.

The Heavenly Origin Skill and the Earthly Origin Skill had too high requirements for aptitude, and it was difficult to find people in the world who met the endowments.

The basis of cultivation was to sense the existence of Origin Qi and absorb it.

If one could not sense Origin Qi, it was like a blind man searching for a needle in the sea, and no matter how hard one practiced, it would be in vain. If one could sense Origin Qi, it would be like taking something out of a bag, and one would succeed as soon as one practiced.

As the Origin Qi of heaven and earth mutated, no one could practice the Taiqing Yuan Sect's skills anymore, and they eventually became extinct.

Because of his super-sensing ability, he practiced the Heavenly Origin Skill and the Earthly Origin Skill as easily as drinking water, succeeding as soon as he practiced, and becoming proficient as soon as he succeeded. He had mastered them all overnight.

For him, the Heavenly Origin Skill and the Earthly Origin Skill were countless times easier than the Lesser Purple Yang Skill.

Chu Qingfeng, who was standing with his hands behind his back next to the training ground, suddenly turned his head to look at the west side hall, raised his head to look at the sky, and seemed to be lost in thought.

The eighteenth prince, Chu Mingxuan, saw his strangeness, grinned with his fat face, and chuckled, "Thirteenth uncle, fourth brother hides inside reading all day long, doesn't he practice?"

"Mind your own business!"

"Thirteenth uncle, we haven't sparred for a while, let's have a match. It's too boring to just practice all the time."

"You want to see fourth brother's embarrassment, don't you?"

"Thirteenth uncle, you're wronging me! I just want to open my eyes and see how powerful fourth brother is."

How strong is fourth brother, who is regarded highly by thirteenth uncle?

Don't tell me it's just a show?

"If you put this thought into practicing, you would have entered the Innate Realm long ago!"

"Hehe, thirteenth uncle, it's been almost two months since we sparred, right? Everyone is bored with practicing."

The Bright Martial Hall has a match every two months to stimulate everyone and make them practice harder.

"You're offering a prize?"

"No problem, I'll offer it!"

"I heard you recently obtained a precious sword."

"It was dug out from a cave in the fief. Then let's use it as a prize."

Chu Qingfeng shook his head: "You're really going all out just to watch a show!"

He had heard the news. It wasn't an ordinary sword, and its origin was a mystery. It was definitely not an ordinary object.

If it weren't in his fief, it would have probably caused a bloody storm long ago.

To take out such a sword as a prize, one can only say that the eighteenth prince is bored enough.

Chu Mingxuan didn't care: "If fourth brother can really win, it can be regarded as a greeting gift to him. I, as his royal uncle, can't be too stingy, right?"