Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 184: Chapter 182 Compensation

At noon, during lunch, Bai Ningshuang hurried back.

She came and went like the wind, quickly removing all her gold hairpins and jade accessories, and sat down with a sigh of relief.

Chu Yi quickly approached to massage her waist and said with a smile, "Mother, you must be tired. Why didn’t you eat at the Lady’s place since you came back so late?"

Bai Ningshuang glanced at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Yi immediately smiled and asked, "What did it have to do with big brother?" _{𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒}

"Isn’t it still because of Ruoling?"

"What happened with Sister Xiao?"

"In the morning, the West Palace Lady summoned me."

"Mother, you finally met the West Palace Lady. Was it because of Sister Xiao?"

"Ruoling was also there." Bai Ningshuang said helplessly, "The West Palace Lady apologized to me for delaying your big brother’s marriage."

"And what else?" Chu Yi laughed and said, "Surely it can’t just be a few words? Big Brother is not like those officials."

Big Brother is the Princely Heir, with the surname Chu.

"They’re preparing to promote your big brother, a promotion of two levels."

"Big Brother is going to be promoted to Left Vice Minister? Haha, wouldn’t that make him like Duke An? Then what about Duke An?"

"Going to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs as Left Vice Minister."

"Wow, everyone is getting promoted." Chu Yi said with surprise, "Is this compensation for Sister Xiao or for Big Brother?"

When Chu Zhiyuan initially entered the Ministry of Rites, she had already carefully studied everything.

She was familiar with the court positions and knew them all.

Above Junior Minister is doctor, and above doctor are the Vice Ministers.

"This is unavoidable." Bai Ningshuang said, "We can’t let your big brother be equal to his father-in-law, can we?"

"Big Brother is equivalent to taking over his father-in-law’s position, haha, interesting." Chu Yi said with a chuckle, "Congratulations to Big Brother, a leap of two levels!"

Reaching the level of Junior Minister, getting promoted by even one level is not easy, requiring a great accumulation of merit, and many people never advance in their lifetime.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

This can also be considered the Emperor’s compensation.

He was not originally so keen on the imperial throne.

He desired the throne mainly because the Emperor’s Sword was powerful; he wanted to control the Emperor’s Sword to master his own fate.

But he also knew that power comes with responsibility.

The Emperor’s Sword is strong, but its power affects the governance and chaos of the world.

In times of great chaos, when the people’s hearts are scattered and their loyalty gone, the power of the Emperor’s Sword is nullified.

So, once possessing the Emperor’s Sword, one must put effort into governing well, ensuring the people live in peace and contentment, and win their hearts.

Upon controlling the Emperor’s Sword, one can no longer cultivate wholeheartedly.

But now, he suddenly changed his mind.

Look at the Emperor’s bearing; one word could mobilize a Great Grandmaster, one word could make everyone rush.

If living this way does not contradict immortality, why not possess both? Wouldn’t it be more perfect?

Moreover, if he controlled powerful cultivation resources, he might already be at Grandmaster Perfection by now.

Why bother, painstakingly running for merit?

He not only aimed to become a Great Grandmaster but also to achieve immortality, requiring mastery of more powerful resources; securing resources for the entire Da Jing would more easily lead to success.

"Big Brother, aren’t you happy after the promotion?" Chu Yi teased, "Otherwise, should we not have Sister Xiao compete for the Holy Daughter of Yao Yue Palace?"

Chu Zhiyuan coughed lightly, saying, "From Junior Minister to Left Vice Minister, there’s more work and less time for cultivation."

Chu Yi tilted her head playfully, "Then maybe resign from Left Vice Minister and continue as a Junior Minister?"

"No need for that." Chu Zhiyuan coughed lightly, "Just find a capable subordinate... What else was said?"

"It’s obvious the West Palace Lady likes Ruoling a lot, sigh... Ruoling is both smart and well-behaved; who wouldn’t like her!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and asked, "Is the Lady young?"

"Standing next to Ruoling, they look like sisters." Bai Ningshuang couldn’t help but touch her own face.

In these thirty years, staying in the mansion with no worries, untouched by the elements, the traces of time were light.

But after all, she was a mother of two, and her children were so grown up, how could she not show any signs of aging?

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Probably took some Spirit Pill or miraculous medicine."

"If there really were miraculous medicines, the palace would have spread the word long ago!... It must be the martial arts of Yao Yue Palace. It’s said that none of the disciples of Yao Yue Palace show signs of aging, but the West Palace Lady is the youngest, likely trained better." Bai Ningshuang said.

She looked at Chu Zhiyuan and said, "It would be good if Ruoling could get in, at least she wouldn’t show signs of aging. When you reach my age, you’ll know how precious it is, nothing can bring back youth."

"Maybe Yao Yue Palace has such a Spirit Pill." Chu Yi’s eyes sparkled immediately, "In the future, let Sister Xiao give me some."

"Don’t worry, if there’s such a Spirit Pill, you won’t miss out." Chu Zhiyuan said.

——

The setting sun dipped in the west.

The remnant sunlight shrouded Yujing, dyeing it rose-red.

Chu Zhiyuan sat on the bed in the new residence, his expression solemn, his sword-like brows furrowed.

What he feared the most had happened.

The first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique was perfected once again.

Dragon Fat Fragrance could no longer cause changes in the meridians.

Its essence, once penetrating the meridians, no longer produced a burning sensation; it was numb, unable to further strengthen the meridians.

The Blood Purification Technique damaged the meridians, the Dragon Transformation Technique repaired them, and Dragon Fat Fragrance assimilated in the process, yet could not further strengthen the meridians.

It merely restored them to their original state.

Dragon Fat Fragrance’s sole utility was in accelerating recovery.

For mere recovery, Dragon Fat Fragrance wasn’t needed—the Emperor Earth Scripture could achieve it.

Chu Zhiyuan shifted the Dragon Transformation Technique to the fifth layer of refining membrane once more; driven by the Flying Dragon Ball, the refining membrane continued, vibrating the five viscera, and strengthening the body.

He opened the window.

The unique scent of the evening surged into the house, infiltrating his nostrils.

It was a unique blend of fragrant grass and cooking smoke, a distinctive worldly aroma.

His expression was solemn as he pondered strategies.

Should he switch to a stronger Meridian Refining Technique?

In the vast world, was there yet a sect with a Meridian Refining Technique surpassing the Dragon Transformation Technique and the Dragon Subduing Sect’s?

The Yu Xu Sword Sect’s Blood Purification Technique was already the top meridian method under heaven, yet it slightly paled compared to the first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique.

He scavenged through records in the Tongtian Pavilion and Mingwu Hall, finding no mental method stronger for training meridians than the first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique.

Since a better mental method wasn’t available, how could he further enhance his meridians?

Unable to withstand fourteen Binding Dragon Ropes, it was still not strong enough.

It’s a pity there was no Miracle Pill like the Wind-Riding Pill capable of breaking through the constraints of the meridians and advancing beyond the limits.

If he could find such a Spirit Pill, he could continue refining the first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique and keep utilizing Dragon Fat Fragrance.

Thinking of this, he rose from the bed to prepare for a trip to the Heavenly Treasure Department.

The Heavenly Treasure Department was beside the Tongtian Pavilion, two streets away from the new residence.

Just after leaving the new residence, amidst the bustling crowd on Phoenix Avenue, he hadn’t walked far when he saw Li Hongzhao.

Li Hongzhao, dressed in a dark green robe, was different from her usual red.

The wide dark green robe concealed her graceful figure; her posture was tall and upright, gliding like smoke as she walked, exuding brilliance.

With several Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry surrounding her, she leisurely strolled down the street.

Upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, she suddenly squinted her phoenix eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced over at her.

In the gap in the crowd, their gazes collided, with sparks seemingly flying.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly broke into a smile, stepping forward to come closer to her.

Four Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry barred the way in front.

Guo Chi and the others stepped forward.

The Four Spirit Array, under their diligent practice, became increasingly exquisite.

Though it appeared they were charging forward with force, it was actually a lateral push.

Unprepared, the four Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry took a few staggering steps back, clearing a path.

Chu Zhiyuan arrived before Li Hongzhao, clasping his fists with a smile, "Your Highness, your charm surpasses the past; it seems the fine wine of Linglong Bookstore is quite nourishing."

"The wine at Linglong Bookstore is indeed excellent, as are the beauties," Li Hongzhao chuckled, looking askance at him, "Alas, some are unable to partake."