Imperial Cultivation

I didn't expect to enter a state of immersion so easily.

For me, cultivating in Tianwaitian is even more like a fish in water.

Originating from extrasensory perception, his comprehension was already strong, and with the fusion of the Wonderful Spirit Pearl, it became even more bizarrely powerful.

In this world of Tianwaitian, the role of comprehension is crucial.

The same fist technique, when performed by people with different levels of comprehension, has vastly different power.

The same cultivation method, when practiced by people with different levels of comprehension, has vastly different cultivation speeds.

He glanced at the sky, and dusk was gradually rising, so he turned and walked down the mountain.

Halfway down, he heard the Seventh Prince calling from behind: "Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother."

Chu Zhiyuan stopped and looked at him.

The Seventh Prince, Chu Lieyu, floated closer, cupping his fist and smiling: "How is it, Ninth Brother?"

"How is what?"

"About the quota?" Chu Lieyu smiled and said, "Do you know that the Eldest Brother and the others are also participating?"

"Yes."

"I only found out about it last night. I never expected that the Eldest Brother and the others would also participate in the competition… So, Ninth Brother, do you still want to compete?"

"Doesn't Seventh Brother want to compete?"

"I know my own limitations." The Seventh Prince shook his head: "I won't go and humiliate myself. The Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother must be red-eyed. They will be ruthless and hold a grudge against me."

"But the Eldest Brother is… Never mind!" The Seventh Prince stopped halfway through his sentence.

He seemed to have figured it out.

Even if he said everything, Chu Liezhao was full of confidence and wouldn't listen.

He could only respect each other's choices and watch each other's fate.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Besides, this is also a rare opportunity to learn from each other."

"Ninth Brother, be careful. The Eldest Brother and Second Brother are ruthless and always go all out."

"Okay."

"Shall we go for a drink tonight?"

"Doesn't Seventh Brother need to accompany Seventh Sister-in-law?"

He knew from the original owner's memory that the Seventh Prince had just gotten married not long ago.

It was the honeymoon period, a time of sweetness and intimacy, when they couldn't bear to be apart for a moment.

"What's there to accompany her for!" The Seventh Prince waved his hand casually: "She spends all day having fun with the Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law."

The relationships between the princes varied, some close, some distant, some cold, some warm, but the princes' wives were quite enthusiastic and visited each other frequently.

This was also a major disadvantage for Chu Liezhao.

"Sure." Chu Zhiyuan nodded readily.

It was rare to have someone genuinely close to him. Most of the princes were still watching.

They only knew that he had powerful martial arts talent, but his personality and temperament were still daunting.

—

Chu Zhiyuan ate dinner alone, sitting in his small courtyard pavilion.

The surrounding area was brightly lit.

Youlan and the three girls, Xiaozhu and the others, stood by serving him.

She suddenly whispered, "Your Highness…"

Chu Zhiyuan turned his head and glanced at her: "If Aunt has something to say, just say it. Being hesitant doesn't suit you."

Youlan hesitated for a moment and whispered, "The Twelfth Princess has sent a guard over."

"Guard?" Chu Zhiyuan frowned: "She sent a guard over?"

"Yes." Youlan nodded lightly: "It seems that the Twelfth Princess also knows about Your Highness's situation and has specially sent a master guard to protect you."

Chu Zhiyuan sneered: "Afraid that the Internal Court Guards can't protect me, afraid that I'll die?"

Youlan said: "Only one guard came."

Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "Not here to be a guard, but to be an informant, right?… Could it be that they're going to start controlling me now?"

The status of a駙馬 (imperial consort) is naturally far inferior to that of a princess, especially in the Phoenix Dynasty.

Sending people to control the imperial consort is a common practice among the Phoenix Dynasty's princesses.

He wasn't even married yet, and he was already going to be controlled?

That would be too outrageous.

Youlan quickly said: "The Twelfth Princess is reasonable and shouldn't do that."

"Tell him to get lost!" Chu Zhiyuan snorted and continued eating.

Youlan said: "It's a young woman."

Chu Zhiyuan sneered: "I guessed it, didn't I? Not a guard at all!"

Youlan whispered: "Your Highness, although this person is young, her cultivation is extremely powerful. It is said that she is from the Spirit Guard."

"Oh—?" Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows.

The threshold for the Spirit Guard is the Transformation God Realm cultivation, with at least one martial art that has entered the spirit.

To reach such standards at a young age is truly a rare talent.

Such a person should be training on the extraterritorial battlefield, striving for a higher realm and obtaining opportunities?

Fifteenth Uncle was injured and had no choice but to return to recuperate. Could this young woman also be injured?

"Invite her in to meet me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

…

Under Chu Zhiyuan's gaze, a slender, graceful, and swaying young woman came gracefully.

She wore a long sword at her slender waist, and her white robe was as white as snow, spotless. She cupped her fist and saluted: "This subordinate, Li Yuzhen, greets the Imperial Consort."

Chu Zhiyuan stared at her carefully.

Li Yuzhen had a delicate and straight nose and was a beautiful young woman.

Her face, carved like mutton-fat jade, was indifferent and calm. Her slightly lowered eyes were like a sword returning to its sheath.

Not revealing its sharpness, yet displaying a straight and upright posture.

Chu Zhiyuan looked her up and down, his gaze unrestrained, from her smooth forehead to her arched eyebrows, bright phoenix eyes, straight nose, to her full red lips, and then down to her elegant snow-white neck, full peaks, slender waist, and then below was hidden by her wide robe.

His gaze returned to her face and said lightly: "Why did you leave the Spirit Guard?"

Li Yuzhen said indifferently: "This subordinate was ordered to transfer and come to protect the Imperial Consort."

"Specially here to protect me?"

"Yes."

"… I'm truly flattered." Chu Zhiyuan gave a "chih" laugh: "If I die, it will hinder the Phoenix Dynasty's grand plan?"

Li Yuzhen was silent, her eyes always lowered.

"I didn't expect that one day I could become an important figure." Chu Zhiyuan squinted at her: "You also have the responsibility to monitor me, right?"

"Reporting to the Imperial Consort, this subordinate does not have this responsibility."

"Just purely protecting me and not interfering in my business?"

"This subordinate is ordered to protect the Imperial Consort and will not interfere in anything else."

"Hmm… Rare." Chu Zhiyuan said: "Since you say that, I'm reluctant to chase you away."

"If the Imperial Consort chases me away, there will be other guards coming until the Imperial Consort agrees."

"Did the princess designate you?"

"… Yes."

"What is your relationship with the princess?"

"My mother is the princess's wet nurse."

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood: "So, she is the closest confidante… No wonder."

He understood why the Twelfth Princess wanted to send a guard. She was afraid that he would be assassinated.

Clearly, she knew that someone within the Phoenix Dynasty wanted to kill him.

This guard had to be absolutely reliable, otherwise, not only would she not be able to protect him, but she would also put him in a more dangerous situation.

The wet nurse's daughter was undoubtedly a close and trusted confidante who would never betray him.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "Raise your head! What are you doing keeping your head down all the time!"

"Yes." Li Yuzhen slowly raised her eyes and looked straight ahead.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Do you think I'm not worthy of the Twelfth Princess?"

Li Yuzhen's eyes held contempt and condescension.

This was not the look of a subordinate, but the look of looking down on a subordinate.

At first glance, Li Yuzhen was respectful and gentle, but in reality, she was proud and disdainful of this Imperial Consort.

Li Yuzhen lowered her eyelids again and said softly: "I wouldn't dare."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her lazily and chuckled: "What? You dare to kill demons and devils, but you don't dare to tell the truth?"

Li Yuzhen said: "Every time the Imperial Consort leaves the mansion, I will follow secretly."

"Following secretly?" Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Is this to save us some face?"

"The Imperial Consort's face is the Princess's face."

"That's right." Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "Alright, you can follow me then."