Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 201: Chapter 199: Great Victory

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When Chu Zhiyuan was guiding Xiao Ruoling in sword training, he continually reflected on himself, contemplating the mystical power contained within the Sky-reaching Grass.

The unusual power that blocked his insight.

This power should have been absorbed by him without any sensation, yet the range of his insight expanded once again, increasing by thirty meters.

When had he absorbed this power?

Why was there no abnormality?

Upon thinking it through, it should have been obliterated and devoured by the Dragon Transformation Technique.

His Divine Dragon’s Thought should be able to suppress this power.

Unfortunately, he was not yet a Great Grandmaster, unable to freely harness the Divine Dragon’s Thought, and could only rely on the martial arts of the Dragon Subduing Sect to strengthen the power of the Dragon Subduing Scripture.

This would make the power of the Great Heavenly Dragon Fist even more astonishing and enhance the Dragon Transformation Technique’s might.

While pondering, he guided Xiao Ruoling in swordsmanship, seeing through the unresolved areas, clearing the fog before her, leading her to deeper and more exquisite places.

Bit by bit, dripping water wears through stone.

The subtlety of the Flower Moon Shadow Sword revealed itself piece by piece, allowing her to constantly improve, grasping its wonders, and ultimately integrating completely with it, becoming one with the sword.

The power at that time would be extremely astonishing.

Crushing a group of prodigies with the Flower Moon Shadow Sword would be enough to win people’s hearts.

Xiao Ruoling’s progress was gratifying, which gave both Zeng Yuan and him great confidence.

——

Returning to the Prince Qing Mansion’s Listening Waves Courtyard, he sat on the couch.

In one continuous motion, he broke through the fourth layer of the copper tower and naturally stepped into the Grandmaster’s Fifth Layer Heaven.

He was all smiles.

The Sky-reaching Grass was indeed formidable.

I wonder about the Transcendence Pill? Could it help me further advance into the Sixth Layer Heaven?

He felt that progressing further would be harder, with a sense of having insufficient momentum and finding it hard to sustain.

Going from frugal to extravagant is easy, but from extravagant to frugal is hard; earning fast money makes it difficult to return to making slow money.

Everyone’s heart is like this.

Thinking that he could only rely on painstaking effort, he couldn’t help but feel a headache.

Progress was stagnant, extremely slow, and he had no idea how to pass the time between the then fulfilling and motivated present and the future that might feel like just muddling through, less happy.

He scrutinized himself closely.

In the Fifth Layer Heaven, his Gang Qi was both abundant and pure, a world of difference from the first three layers, where knives and swords could no longer harm him.

The first three layers could still be hurt by divine weapons.

At the fifth layer, one was no longer afraid of divine weapons; no matter how sharp the weapons, they could not break through the barrier of Gang Qi, only the Breaking Gang Divine Weapon could.

Even at the Ninth Layer Heaven, a Breaking Gang Divine Weapon could still penetrate Gang Qi.

At the Fifth Layer Heaven, he finally felt like a true grandmaster, fundamentally different from the Innate Realm.

...

Yujing City grew increasingly lively.

Thirty-six experts summoned by the order rushed to Yujing.

At the Ministry of Rites, Chu Zhiyuan had not been around these days, leaving everything to Gao Lingfeng, who was busy beyond measure.

Gao Lingfeng was enjoying it immensely.

The power of the Left Vice Minister was worlds apart from that of a Junior Minister.

All matters of the Sect Martial Department were decided by the Left Vice Minister, with Chu Zhiyuan having entrusted everything to him.

He exercised the power of the Left Vice Minister.

There was no one to hinder matters of the Sect Martial Department.

He began to enforce strict laws and harsh punishment.

Any martial arts experts violating rules in Yujing City were punished severely and swiftly, only needing to be recorded without the need for the Sect Martial Department to review and then act.

This delegated over half of the Sect Martial Department’s power to the Military Suppression Department.

The Military Suppression Department was hectically busy yet felt utterly unfazed, with everyone full of energy, seemingly tireless.

They experienced an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

Doing things became smooth and pleasant, without being constrained.

Chu Zhiyuan was aware of these changes but didn’t hastily veto them.

In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are taken.

At this critical moment with the siege of the Yuding Sect, he turned a blind eye.

Everything would be addressed after besieging the Yuding Sect, no need to rush.

...

"Great victory in the Northern Territory!"

"Prince Ying has reclaimed Fuyuan Town, solidifying the Northern Territory defense line again!"

"Prince Ying trained a new formation to achieve a miracle, launching a surprise attack on the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry, slashing two chiliarchs of their Iron Cavalry—Fuyuan Great Victory!"

Chu Zhiyuan, dining with Xiao Ruoling at the Leisure Cloud Tower, overheard the discussions outside.

Today’s performance on the high stage of the Leisure Cloud Tower’s atrium was once again by the two veiled women, captivating him along with Xiao Ruoling.

The sharper one is, the more deeply moved by their singing.

Ordinary people just found it pleasant, more so than typical singers.

Upon hearing the outside discussions, Xiao Ruoling looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "It’s as expected; Tenth Uncle was confident in reclaiming Fuyuan Town."

"I didn’t expect such a great victory," Xiao Ruoling marveled, "the people of Da Jing will be overjoyed."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Not only in Yujing City, but the people all over Da Jing loved to discuss politics.

Their discussions could be lengthy and detailed, everyone had their insights.

They especially valued military achievements, keeping a close eye on the outcomes at the borders.

A single campaign could be talked about for months, even years, with endless insights.

The last fall of Fuyuan Town had a terrible impact, shaking the entire nation.

"By the way, that General Li..." Xiao Ruoling’s brows slightly knitted, realizing she had almost forgotten about Li Haoyuan, the general.

His handling seemed completely forgotten.

Suddenly hearing the news reminded her of the general’s existence.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "It still depends on this great victory; without it, Li Haoyuan’s sin would be great, but with it, it’s not too grave."

"Is that possible..." Xiao Ruoling was puzzled, "merit is merit, fault is fault. How can the Court be so muddleheaded?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Ruoling, you need to ponder the intricacies of this; it will greatly benefit you in managing Yao Yue Palace in the future."

Xiao Ruoling slowly nodded, musing, "Merit can’t offset fault, but it also can’t completely remain unoffset?"

"Merit and fault do not offset each other logically, but emotionally they do," Chu Zhiyuan explained, "absolute fairness is absolute injustice; emotions and logic are like two legs. Sometimes you step with the left, sometimes with the right, but you can’t walk on one leg, or you’ll fall, and not quickly at that."

"Hmm..." Xiao Ruoling pondered the subtle complexities, "it’s really not easy to handle, it’s better to be a bit muddled."

As they talked, Chu Zhiyuan suddenly smiled.

Xiao Ruoling followed his gaze and saw Li Hongzhao entering Leisure Cloud Tower with a solemn face.

Li Hongzhao had changed into a dark green robe, covering her graceful curves, her beautiful face cold as ice, with a chill radiating from several steps away.

Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling sat inside an elegant room on the third floor.

He suddenly leaned out to wave.

Using Sound Transmission into Secret, he sent his voice directly to Li Hongzhao’s ear: "Ninth Prince, over here."

Li Hongzhao looked up, spotting Chu Zhiyuan at the window.

Her face grew grimmer, her gaze shifting aside as she prepared to walk out.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

She wasn’t planning to come over, avoiding him to escape his taunting.

"Ninth Prince, are you scared?" Chu Zhiyuan transmitted again with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Li Hongzhao stopped mid-step, thought a moment, and decisively turned toward the third floor.

Then, she stood outside Chu Zhiyuan’s room.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Ruoling, let’s welcome Ninth Prince."

Xiao Ruoling smiled with pressed lips, rose, and opened the door to find Li Hongzhao standing outside.

Li Hongzhao’s somber expression vanished, replaced by a radiant smile, dazzling everyone with her striking charm.

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