Chapter 10

"Too disappointing." Lou Baiyue said, "A man fears nothing more than lacking ambition. Even in adversity, one must not fall into self-degradation. Heaven will bestow great responsibilities on those who can endure hardships, toil, and hunger. Don't you understand this? If you have the ambition, I, Lou Baiyue, will certainly help you achieve it. I can provide you with the best elixirs and the best martial arts techniques. With the support of the Lou family, you won't be inferior to any prince. But if you lack ambition, even if fate favors you, it will be of no use. Without striving, how can you expect fate to favor you?"

"Heaven's will? That's for other princes, not me. Don't drag me into this." Gu Chensha became increasingly afraid, "I don't need your support. Please don't harm me anymore."

"Are you really going to be a piece of mud that can't be propped up?" Disappointment was evident in Lou Baiyue's eyes. "I know your mother is a princess of the Xian Dynasty, which has many taboos, and this has made you timid and cowardly. The man I, Lou Baiyue, want to marry is a hero who stands tall and firm, even in the midst of thorns. Wasn't the current emperor a bastard twenty years ago? His birth was more humble than yours, and his situation was more difficult, yet he defeated many opponents and established his rule over the land?"

"I don't have the same ambition as Father Emperor." Gu Chensha looked out the window, seemingly distracted.

Seeing his cautious and fearful demeanor, Lou Baiyue felt disheartened. After a moment of thought, her voice grew more forceful, with a hypnotic quality, "Since you are content to fall, I have no choice. Actually, I should tell you that your current situation is far from safe. You can't even live a peaceful life as a wealthy man. You either rise up and fight for glory, or you will be poisoned to death in the future. Do you think you have no chance? I'll tell you, you are of the Xian Dynasty royal bloodline, which contains the power of the Giant Spirit. If I can find a way to awaken the divine power in your blood, your martial arts will improve rapidly! Now, are you willing?"

"What? The bloodline of the Giant Spirit!" Gu Chensha's breathing quickened, seemingly swayed by Lou Baiyue's words. The Xian Dynasty royal family was said to be descended from the Giant Spirit, with divine blood in their veins, but it was difficult to awaken. If it could be awakened by chance, one could become a powerful martial artist in a short time. However, this held no appeal for him. He knew the moment had come, and if he continued to feign madness, it would seem too clever. A plan to turn the tables began to form in his mind, "What should I do, as you suggest?"

A true fool is easily swayed. Now, Lou Baiyue was clearly testing his reaction.

"Oh? So you still have some passion in your heart." Lou Baiyue's face showed satisfaction. Seeing the blood rush to Gu Chensha's face, she knew her words had taken effect.

"How will you help me?" Gu Chensha asked directly.

"These are three gourds of Peiyuan Dan, Guben Dan, and Ximi Dan. They were originally supplied by the royal family, but you were deprived of them. I will make up for it." Lou Baiyue clapped her hands, and a maid brought a tray with three gourds and a small book.

"That small book contains the secret techniques of the Xian Dynasty royal family, the Giant Spirit Technique, a technique between the King and Emperor levels. It is said that after cultivation, one becomes incredibly strong, like an ancient giant. However, only those of the Xian Dynasty bloodline can achieve this with half the effort. This technique was obtained by the Lou family when we conquered the Xian Dynasty capital."

"What do you mean by this?" Gu Chensha was surprised and suspicious, "The Giant Spirit Technique is stored in the royal library. Did you get Father Emperor's approval?"

"Even if you start now, you are far behind the other princes. Only by practicing the Giant Spirit Technique can you make rapid progress and awaken your Xian Dynasty bloodline. Besides, this belongs to you, so it's like returning it to its rightful owner. You don't need to worry; I have already reported this to the Emperor in a secret memorandum, and he has agreed. The Xian Dynasty royal family is said to have the bloodline of the ancient Giant Spirit. If you truly cultivate the Giant Spirit Technique and凝聚 the Giant Spirit's bloodline, you will become a rare expert."

"Alright, I'll take it." Gu Chensha, hearing the mention of the secret memorandum, knew that Lou Baiyue was favored by the Emperor and entrusted with important tasks.

A secret memorandum is a privilege granted to favored ministers, allowing them to report on matters of all sizes without recording them in official archives or publicizing them.

He didn't expect Lou Baiyue to have the authority to submit secret memorandums.

This authority was not even granted to some high-ranking officials.

He had his adopted son take the three gourds of elixirs and the small book, "I cannot refuse the Emperor's gift. Since you insist, I will accept it."

"That's good. Your current situation is your own doing. If you had worked hard to cultivate, you would have reached the Master level, gained the Emperor's favor, earned merit, and established your own household. Why would you be in this situation?" Lou Baiyue seemed to be trying to persuade him.

"Alright, no problem." Gu Chensha nodded without hesitation.

"Then it's settled." Lou Baiyue said, "Bring in the feast."

"There's no need for a feast. I will return to practice martial arts and prepare to achieve great things." Gu Chensha seemed genuinely moved and eager.

"That's good. It's a good thing for a man to have such ambition." Lou Baiyue gave a meaningful look, "I see that you are short on funds. Here is ten thousand gold. Take it back and use it. When the Emperor grants you a residence in a few months, you can settle in."

The maid brought another tray with a stack of paper money in the center.

The paper money was golden, with beautiful cloud patterns and a faint aura of sanctity.

This was the currency issued by the imperial court, using the technology of the Heavenly Engineering Academy, which no one could counterfeit.

Gu Chensha didn't hesitate, had his adopted son take it, and immediately left the boat, boarding a small boat to shore and quietly departed.

Watching his departing figure, the maid said, "Miss, it seems that the Nineteenth Prince is not stupid. He is truly biding his time."

"No, his behavior shows that he is truly foolish. If he were smart, he would understand the gap between him and the other princes, which no elixir or cultivation can bridge, especially the Giant Spirit Technique. Even the direct descendants of the Xian Dynasty royal family found it difficult to cultivate. If he were truly smart, he would have refused my gifts and left." Lou Baiyue shook her head, "If he had done that, I would have looked at him differently. Now, his feigned madness is just a small trick. When faced with benefits, he loses his true self, and disaster is not far off."

"Alas, I wonder what the Emperor is thinking. He clearly wants to use you, yet he gives you such a huge challenge. The Nineteenth Prince will surely be executed in the future, and it will implicate you and even the Lou family." The maid was uncertain about the future.

"Perhaps this is the Emperor's test. If I can't handle this, how can I handle the affairs of the state?" Lou Baiyue said, "After the Nineteenth Prince receives my gifts, he will surely practice martial arts diligently. However, he will not be tolerated by the other princes. If he is killed, it will save a lot of trouble. If he can survive, it will prove his capabilities."

"If he really masters the Giant Spirit Technique, he might secure a place for himself." The maid, with her beautiful features and sharp mind, was also a skilled martial artist, "The Emperor is broad-minded and can tolerate the Nineteenth Prince."

"To master the Giant Spirit Technique, one must awaken the bloodline of the ancient Giant Spirit. The Xian Dynasty produced many talents, but none in a hundred years could awaken it, or they would not have been overthrown by our dynasty. Once the Giant Spirit bloodline is awakened, one can communicate with the Giant Spirit through sacrifice, gaining incomparable divine power. If the Xian Dynasty had this protection, it would not have been destroyed." Lou Baiyue looked at the boats on the river, "However, the Emperor's cultivation is likely at an inconceivable level. Once he obtains the heavenly mandate, he can act as the Son of Heaven, abolishing the true gods. Even if the Giant Spirit is a revered ancient deity, it cannot break through the barrier of the world to manifest its power or receive sacrifices. At that time, it will be eliminated by the Emperor."

"Miss, what are you saying? I don't understand." The maid was confused by Lou Baiyue's words.

"These are things you cannot understand." Lou Baiyue waved her hand, "I estimate that our meeting with the Nineteenth Prince will not go unnoticed by the other princes. Afterward, their people will come to inquire. Send them away and say I am in seclusion."

"Yes."

On the shore.

The adopted son, holding the package, looked puzzled, "Master, why did you accept Lou Baiyue's gifts? According to your character, you should have been patient."

"There are three reasons. First, if I had been patient and not moved by the benefits, I would have been suspected. Lou Baiyue is very clever and would have seen through me. By appearing greedy and forgetting my true intentions, I appear truly foolish. This is called blending in. Second, I have already mastered other martial arts, but I cannot reveal them now. Accepting Lou Baiyue's gifts allows me to practice openly without being accused. This is called turning the tables. Third, I want to see Lou Baiyue's and Father Emperor's intentions in having me practice the Giant Spirit Technique." Gu Chensha thought deeply.

"Master is truly far-sighted." The adopted son was genuinely impressed, "What should we do with the elixirs and money?"

"With this money, we will be more financially comfortable. Ten thousand gold is a significant amount, even a Duke's annual salary is not more." The imperial paper money was very valuable, with one unit equivalent to one tael of silver, and its purchasing power was strong, "As for the elixirs, I no longer need them. I will give them to you to strengthen your foundation. There are some matters I cannot handle personally, and I will rely on you. The higher your martial arts, the better. I will read the book carefully, and if it has value, you can practice it."

Gu Chensha had already learned the "Sun and Moon Refinement" from the "Emperor's Divine Technique," and he no longer needed to learn any divine techniques. However, martial arts can be broad and profound, and he could observe many techniques and specialize in one. The "Giant Spirit Technique" was said to be created by an ancient giant, a guardian of the ancient emperors, and might have some connection with the "Emperor's Divine Technique."

Back in the palace courtyard, Gu Chensha opened the "Giant Spirit Technique" and saw a vivid giant, with muscles bulging, a tight fist, broad shoulders, and seemingly boundless energy.

On the giant's body, the acupuncture points and meridians were densely packed, with diagrams of energy flow. There were also small notes explaining cultivation methods.

This cultivation was not about martial arts techniques but about meditation, mental training, and willpower.

Gu Chensha's martial arts foundation was deep, and after practicing the "Emperor's Divine Technique," his mind became sharp and wise. Now, reading the "Giant Spirit Technique" was like looking down from a high place, with no deep mysteries.

He did not practice but quietly pondered and reflected, thinking deeply.

The martial arts knowledge repeatedly hammered and settled in his mind, distilling the essence, illuminating his body with clarity. The martial arts spirit permeated his being, like the flickering light of a star.

After a long time, he opened his eyes, and as the energy in his body surged, he landed outside the window.

His left hand held the sun, and his right hand held the moon, the ultimate technique of the "Sun and Moon Refinement."

His movements were graceful, sometimes like a falling leaf, sometimes like a surging river, sometimes like a rocket, and sometimes like a falling comet.

His mastery of the soft and hard techniques had reached the pinnacle, and his spirit was pure and clear.

After prolonged practice, he felt a cold and hot energy rising in his body, colliding like ice and fire in a furnace. This was the critical point in the "Sun and Moon Refinement" of the "Emperor's Divine Technique."

He was in a trance, his spirit wandering, and his body and soul separated. He seemed to see the world as a great furnace, where all things were refined. Those who transcended were the essence, while many others became impurities, sinking into eternal darkness.

"The world is a furnace, creation is the craftsman, yin and yang are the charcoal, and all things are the copper!" He suddenly understood the key phrases of the "Emperor's Divine Technique."

Everyone endures suffering and pain. Those who can endure will stand out and become the essence of the world.

Bang!

His body was filled with a series of energy explosions, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

His hundred acupoints exchanged energy, subtly drawing in the essence of heaven and earth.

This was the sign of touching the "Dao Realm."

Of course, this was just touching it, having a "qi sense." To truly reach the Dao Realm, where one can live on the essence of heaven and earth without food, is still a long way off.

Once one reaches this level, they are no longer a mortal.

Mortals are preoccupied with daily trivialities, ultimately striving for three meals a day. Even the affairs of the state are ultimately about feeding the people.

But in the Dao Realm, one can draw on the essence of heaven and earth at any time, free from many worries.