Chapter 48

After winning ten consecutive matches at the Yellow Rank Combat Palace, Zhang Ruochen finally gathered one million silver coins and delivered them to the Qingxuan Pavilion.

Immediately after, the Qingxuan Pavilion sent people to escort the seventh-rank True Martial Treasure-level forging furnace to the palace.

Zhang Ruochen and the Ninth Princess had just arrived at the palace gate when an old eunuch came forward, kneeling before Zhang Ruochen and the Ninth Princess, his voice high-pitched, saying, "This servant greets the Ninth Prince and the Ninth Princess. The King and Lady Lin are waiting for you in the Xiqi Hall. Please hurry over!"

There was no need to guess what was going on. It was definitely because the news of him becoming a Yellow List Warrior had reached the palace. It would be strange if Prince Yunwu did not summon him.

Zhang Ruochen ordered the palace guards to send the forging furnace back to his residence. Then, he and the Ninth Princess immediately headed to the Xiqi Hall.

As soon as they entered the Xiqi Hall, they heard Prince Yunwu's laughter: "Jiu'er, it's only been a little over a month since the year-end assessment, and you've already broken through two realms, reaching the Great Extreme of the Yellow Apex Realm, and even became a Yellow List Warrior. Father is very pleased."

The Ninth Princess said, "Father, Jiu's strength is truly unpredictable and cannot be judged by his martial realm."

"Oh! Is that so? Father really wants to test his cultivation level today. Haishu, go and spar with the Ninth Prince to see if you can gauge his true strength." Prince Yunwu said.

"Your servant obeys!"

On the left side of the hall, a man in iron-scaled armor knelt and bowed to Prince Yunwu before walking over to Zhang Ruochen, "Ninth Prince, please instruct me!"

Zhang Ruochen knew that Prince Yunwu wanted to see his true strength.

After all, it had only been a little over a month since the year-end assessment. To reach the level of a Yellow List Warrior in such a short time, even Prince Yunwu found it hard to believe.

Lady Lin, sitting beside Prince Yunwu, said, "Chen, Lord Haishu is also a Yellow List Warrior, ranked twenty-third on the list. Sparring with him will let your father know your true strength."

Lady Lin was quite pleased. When the news of Zhang Ruochen becoming a Yellow List Warrior reached the palace, she almost couldn't believe her ears.

Of course, she also hoped that Zhang Ruochen would become increasingly excellent and gain Prince Yunwu's recognition. This was a mother's hope for her son's success!

"Since that's the case, Lord Haishu, let's spar a few moves!"

Zhang Ruochen did not underestimate Haishu. None of the Yellow List Warriors were weak.

"Whoosh!"

The Flash Soul Sword left its sheath. Under the impetus of the true qi in Zhang Ruochen's body, a force rune, two ice runes, and a light rune were simultaneously activated.

As Zhang Ruochen mobilized the true qi in his body, Prince Yunwu let out a light exclamation.

Because he saw that Zhang Ruochen had over twenty meridians in his body. Some of these meridians were peculiar and even he, with his cultivation, could not fully understand them.

At least twenty-three, possibly more.

"Jiu'er, what level of cultivation method have you practiced to open so many meridians?" Prince Yunwu was somewhat surprised.

"Whoosh!"

Zhang Ruochen and Haishu finally began their confrontation.

Zhang Ruochen used a sword, while Haishu used a saber.

Haishu was also a Great Perfection of the Yellow Apex Realm, but his combat power was inferior to Liu Chengfeng and even weaker than Han Fu.

On the fifteenth move, Zhang Ruochen used the Heaven Heart Plum Breaking technique, sending Haishu's saber flying and winning the match.

Haishu's tiger's mouth split, dripping with crimson blood, and his entire arm went numb. "The Ninth Prince is truly a top expert ranked eleventh on the Yellow List. Haishu admits defeat."

After saying this, Haishu picked up his saber from the ground and immediately retreated.

"The Ninth Prince, in just fifteen moves, defeated a Yellow List Warrior. This old servant is truly enlightened today! Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Lady Lin!" the old eunuch beside Prince Yunwu flattered.

Prince Yunwu laughed heartily, "Haishu, you lost deservedly. You have only cultivated the Dao of the saber to the initial stage of spontaneity, while Jiu has cultivated the Dao of the sword to the advanced stage of spontaneity. With such a significant gap, how could you not lose?"

The realm of spontaneity, also known as the realm of the heart, refers to a martial artist's understanding of the martial path.

The realm of spontaneity is divided into three stages: spontaneity, clarity, and unity.

For example, a martial artist who cultivates the Dao of the sword and reaches the spontaneity stage is called "sword follows the heart."

Reaching the clarity stage is called "sword heart clarity."

Reaching the unity stage is called "man and sword as one."

The same applies to those who cultivate saber techniques, spear techniques, palm techniques, fist techniques, and staff techniques. The realm of spontaneity is also divided into these three stages.

Generally, in the Yellow Apex Realm, reaching the initial stage of spontaneity is already considered a genius.

To reach the intermediate stage of spontaneity, one usually needs to be at the Profound Apex Realm.

To reach the advanced stage of spontaneity, one usually needs to be at the Earth Apex Realm.

Zhang Ruochen, at sixteen years old and the Yellow Apex Realm, had reached the advanced stage of spontaneity, which was truly extraordinary. He could easily defeat martial artists of the same realm with a single sword strike.

"At the same age, I have only reached the initial stage of spontaneity, while he has reached the advanced stage. He's really a freak." The Ninth Princess muttered under her breath.

Prince Yunwu said, "Everyone, leave. There are some things I want to discuss with the Ninth Prince alone."

A moment later, including the Ninth Princess and Lady Lin, everyone left.

In the Xiqi Hall, only Zhang Ruochen and Prince Yunwu remained.

Prince Yunwu stood up from his throne, walked to the center of the hall, and stood opposite Zhang Ruochen, solemnly saying, "Tell me, how many meridians have you opened?"

Zhang Ruochen did not hide it, saying, "Twenty-seven meridians!"

In fact, there was no need to hide it. Once he mobilized his true qi, the meridians in his body would become visible, and he couldn't hide them from Prince Yunwu's eyes.

"Really that many!"

Prince Yunwu drew in a sharp breath, more than he had expected.

His expression became even more serious, "During the last year-end assessment, I knew you had a great encounter and must have cultivated a powerful cultivation method. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask. But you need to learn to hide."

"During the year-end assessment, why didn't you wear the Icefire Qilin Armor I bestowed upon you? Don't you know that the Icefire Qilin Armor can conceal some of your meridians, making it hard for others to see the number of meridians in your body?"

"Hmm?"

Zhang Ruochen was slightly taken aback, never having thought that the Icefire Qilin Armor bestowed by Prince Yunwu had this additional purpose.

"In the future, when you engage in combat, I will wear the Icefire Qilin Armor," Zhang Ruochen said.

Prince Yunwu nodded, "In the Yellow Rank Combat Palace, the only person who can see the number of meridians in your body is Liu Chuan. I will personally go and speak to him, asking him to keep it a secret."

Zhang Ruochen had opened too many meridians. Opening so many meridians must mean he had cultivated an extraordinary cultivation method.

Any martial artist would want to obtain such an extraordinary cultivation method!

If he were to be targeted by a powerful martial artist, it would be very disadvantageous for Zhang Ruochen.

Prince Yunwu took out a purple-golden box from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "This is a fourth-grade body-refining pill called the Qilin Pill, made from the fresh blood and inner core of a qilin. It should be of great help to you."

A fourth-grade pill, each worth hundreds of thousands of silver coins, is very difficult for even a Heaven Apex Realm martial artist to obtain.

Clearly, Prince Yunwu also knew that Zhang Ruochen had boundless potential, so he bestowed this fourth-grade pill to help him solidify his foundation.

Prince Yunwu said, "With your current cultivation, if you take the Qilin Pill directly, you won't be able to refine it and will die from an explosion of energy. So, wait until you enter the Savage God Pool for cultivation, then take the Qilin Pill, using the blood essence in the Savage God Pool to refine it."

"Your cultivation has just reached the Great Extreme, right?"

Zhang Ruochen nodded.

Prince Yunwu said, "First, cultivate the true qi in your qi pool to perfection, reaching the peak of the Great Extreme, then go to the Savage God Pool for cultivation. That will be more beneficial for you."

"Understood!" Zhang Ruochen nodded.

"You may leave!" Prince Yunwu stared deeply at Zhang Ruochen, then gently waved his hand.

Zhang Ruochen bowed to Prince Yunwu and walked out of the hall.

Suddenly, Prince Yunwu's voice came from behind, "Jiu'er, being born into the imperial family is like being born into the jungle. Even if your father is the king of the jungle, he cannot always protect you. If you are not excellent, you will be eliminated. If you are excellent, you can stand out in the fierce competition. Survival of the fittest, everyone has their own destiny."

Zhang Ruochen paused slightly, not turning around, and said, "I understand!"

After saying this, he walked out of the hall.

How could Zhang Ruochen not understand?

The imperial family has too many children, and it's impossible to take care of each one.

Only the excellent ones can gain the emperor's attention. The less excellent ones will fade from the emperor's sight.

If Zhang Ruochen were still the same as before, without showing any outstanding cultivation talent, he would gradually fade from Prince Yunwu's sight. Now, the situation is different. As long as he is excellent, the cultivation resources he will receive will only increase, and his status will rise.

...

In another part of the palace.

"Bang!"

The queen threw a teacup to the ground, shattering it, and said coldly, "What a fine Ninth Prince, becoming a Yellow List Warrior so quickly! If he grows up, what will become of it?"

"What does Your Majesty mean?" A beautiful maid with a red mole on her forehead, standing behind the queen, asked with a sharp gaze.

The queen took a deep breath and said, "Has Qingluo's cultivation already broken through to the Profound Apex Realm?"

"Two days ago, Sister Qingluo just broke through to the Profound Apex Realm," the maid replied.

The queen said, "Have her act quickly. No matter the cost, she must eliminate the Ninth Prince. Within a month, I must see the Ninth Prince's head."

"What if the Ninth Prince doesn't leave the palace within a month?" the maid asked.

The queen's eyes turned even more ruthless, "I said, no matter the cost."

"Understood!"

The maid immediately retreated to convey the queen's order to Han Qingluo.

...

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