Imperial Cultivation

He knew that the Empress’s words might not be true. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

But there may also be some truth in them.

Li Miaotan is indeed the most beloved Princess by the Phoenix Emperor.

From a young age, she was showered with favor, and even all the princes and princesses together couldn’t rival the love she received.

She was talented, and with the added blessings of many treasures and spiritual objects, she stepped into the Divinity Transformation Realm at a young age.

More importantly, she possessed the Phoenix Bloodline.

Such a Bright Pearl being married off to another man certainly caused discontent.

That’s why they definitely didn’t look favorably upon him.

As for his identity as the Ninth Prince, it probably wasn’t regarded highly by the Emperor.

After all, he was only the Ninth Prince of the Jade Dynasty.

It wasn’t until arriving at the Phoenix Dynasty that he discovered their true feelings toward the Jade Dynasty and the Yuanzhen Dynasty.

The Phoenix Dynasty from top to bottom didn’t take the two dynasties seriously, as they had never posed a threat to the Phoenix Dynasty.

The title of prince was useful to ordinary citizens and officials, but not much use at higher levels.

Of course, it did have some use, as the Eldest Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince treated him as one of their own without looking down on him too much.

And that was its only utility.

The Empress said with a smile, "That’s right, don’t meet him, lest he dampens the mood."

Li Miaotan said, "It’s been a while since I last saw Father, I miss him quite a bit. I’ll go see him."

The Empress waved her jade hand: "Then you go, I’ll talk with Zhao’er."

Li Miaotan glanced at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Lady, do go and see the Emperor then."

This is what a good daughter does; she shouldn’t forget her father after having a husband.

Otherwise, it would deeply hurt the Emperor’s feelings.

Li Miaotan gracefully left.

The Empress scrutinized Chu Zhiyuan, her gentle gaze seemed as if she wanted to see through him.

She remained silent, merely observing.

Chu Zhiyuan maintained a calm smile.

If it weren’t for his exceptional character, he would have been feeling restless by now.

Being scrutinized by such a beauty could unbalance one’s mental state.

Ning Suzhen smiled from the side, also secretly assessing Chu Zhiyuan.

The entire palace had keen interest in the Prince Consort of the Twelfth Princess.

Most hoped he would have flaws, that there’d be discord with Li Miaotan, that he’d be a heartbreaker.

Few wished him well, hoping he’d be a suitable match for Li Miaotan, living in harmony as husband and wife.

Ning Suzhen had watched Li Miaotan grow up, taking on much of the maternal responsibility.

She naturally deeply cared for Li Miaotan and had concerns about Chu Zhiyuan.

Seeing the couple in such harmony eased her worries significantly.

At least it started off on the right foot, and if they could endure for a few years, they could live happily ever after, allowing her to fully set her mind at ease.

The Empress, after watching him for a while, lazily picked up a jade cup: "Don’t just sit there, have a drink."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan followed her lead, downing the drink in one go.

She said slowly, "Once Tan’er’s Phoenix Bloodline is activated, you will become a sinner of the Jade Dynasty, have you made preparations?"

Chu Zhiyuan showed a hint of helplessness.

The Empress said, "They won’t care whether it was intentional or driven by circumstances; they only see the result that you activated the Phoenix Bloodline."

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "There’s nothing to be done. Hopefully, they’ll understand."

The Empress said, "It’s not that they don’t understand, but they need a target for their anger, and you’re the perfect one."

Chu Zhiyuan gently nodded.

The Empress said, "I have a plan to help you avoid this predicament."

"Please advise, Mother."

"Later, have Tan’er take the Ice Soul Purple Ganoderma here, then activate her bloodline directly."

"Nothing could be better." Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded.

He vaguely felt that things wouldn’t be so simple.

"But there’s a difficulty." The Empress lightly shook her head, "Activating the bloodline with the Ice Soul Purple Ganoderma right away requires a price."

"What price?"

The Empress said, "It requires a gush of cultivation."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her, puzzled.

"Under a torrent of cultivation, fully unleash the power of the Ice Soul Purple Ganoderma to activate the Phoenix Bloodline."

"What kind of torrent of cultivation?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Does it require the help of many people?"

"An amalgamated force won’t do; it must be the cultivation of an individual, and the most origin power at that."

"What is the most origin power?"

"The so-called origin power is the strength that supports your Cultivation Realm, rather than your current True Yuan."

"...Origin power." Chu Zhiyuan pondered, "Using this power, would cultivation drop? Will I regress from the Divinity Transformation Realm to the Transformation Realm, or even the Qi Transformation Realm?"

"Smart, you understood immediately." The Empress smiled pleasantly.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered slightly, then said slowly, "Alright, I will lend her a hand."

His spirit was strong, his spiritual energy vortex vast, making it easy for him to recover his cultivation.

Moreover, this should be considered the second test.

There was no need to back down.

"You might drop back to the Qi Transformation Realm instantly and have to start cultivating from scratch."

"...There’s no choice." Chu Zhiyuan said, "This is something only I can do."

The Empress smiled, "With lower cultivation, your future days will be harder."

Chu Zhiyuan remained calm: "I believe I can quickly recover; reaching this realm didn’t take me long before."

"Yes, that’s true. After you enlightened, you progressed swiftly." The Empress nodded.

Chu Liezhao had suddenly found enlightenment after a close brush with death and advanced to Venerable.

This near-death experience was his greatest fortune.

With this experience, his mental state and character had been reshaped, allowing rapid advancements.

Even if he lost all his cultivation and had to start anew, with this mental state, he would quickly recover.

Perhaps even faster than before.

"You’ve truly decided?" The Empress asked, "Don’t tell Tan’er about this, she wouldn’t agree."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly, "Let’s awaken the lady’s Phoenix Bloodline here in the palace."

The Empress’s eyes twinkled, her gaze flowing over him as if trying to see into his heart: "You really want the Phoenix Bloodline to awaken, allowing Tan’er to soar?"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

"Aren’t you afraid she will despise you for your low cultivation?"

"Not to mention, she isn’t that kind of person, even if she were, I wouldn’t give her the chance." Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "The Phoenix Bloodline is strong, but my aptitude isn’t weak either."

"Hehe..."

The Empress’s laughter was sweet and melodious, echoing from high atop the platform.

Chu Zhiyuan helplessly asked, "Mother, you don’t believe me?"

"Your ambition is commendable, but you’re bound to face setbacks," the Empress laughed, shaking her head, "No matter how good your aptitude is, it can’t surpass the Phoenix Bloodline."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled but said nothing.

"You’ll concede in the future." The Empress said, "Tan’er indeed wouldn’t act that way, but you need to strive harder, otherwise, you’ll feel stifled."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

The Empress then inquired about mundane matters concerning him, as well as his interactions with the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince.

"The first and second are good kids, with decent character, interact with them sincerely, no need to distance because of Hou’er."

Chu Zhiyuan was surprised.

"Hou’er is just forcing himself; he’s not cut out for it." The Empress sighed, "Yet as the Third Prince, he has to strive; in this world, standing still means decline. Without striving, he’ll have no place in the future."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

While they were speaking, Li Miaotan approached gracefully, a smile on her face.

The Empress asked, "How is your father?"

"Father is losing his temper," Li Miaotan smiled, "scolding my elder brother for his antics."

"The eldest is never at ease for a moment,... Tan’er, take the Purple Ganoderma here to activate your bloodline today."

"Here?"

"Activating it here leaves the Jade Dynasty with nothing to say."

"...Alright." Li Miaotan looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at her: "Then let’s begin."