Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

In his previous life, Chen Mo had never practiced calligraphy.

Although he was taught when he entered the palace, he wasn’t required to write very well. As long as he could recognize the characters and write them, it was enough.

At that time, his rank was low, and he wasn’t a chief eunuch who needed to draft documents and announcements for the master. What he wrote only needed to be passable.

Let alone the art of painting and calligraphy.

Yi Yao, who was grinding ink nearby, widened her eyes: ”Sir, is this poem... yours?”

Chen Mo shook his head, ”Yaoyao, how is this poem?”

Upon learning that it wasn’t Chen Mo’s work, Yi Yao sighed in relief and said, ”It’s good, but sir, this poem is rebellious. If Your Majesty learns about it...”

Yi Yao didn’t continue.

Chen Mo smiled, picking it up, and with a thought, a golden flame rose from his palm, reducing the rebellious poem written on the paper to ashes.

Yi Yao spread out another sheet for him.

Chen Mo dipped his brush in ink and began to write again.

Kill a man every ten steps, without pausing for a thousand miles.

...

Killing Intent forms clouds for three hours, a cold sound echoes through the night.

Originally, Chen Mo was just bored and wanted to practice his calligraphy, but as he wrote, he became engrossed in it. His heart resonated, and a chilling Killing Intent emanated from within him.

Looking at these verses, Yi Yao also felt an image of chill and Killing Intent—a military camp, frontier, and strategic formations—leap into her mind.

Recalling the previous rebellious poem.

Yi Yao felt a tremor in her heart.

”Is this the master’s ambition?”

...

Before dark.

The news of Xiao Yunqi coughing up blood and fainting quietly spread in Bianliang.

When Chen Mo went to Shenxiao Temple after dinner.

Bianliang City had already shifted in the winds.

Letters detailing the crimes of Xiao Yunqi, Chen Hong, Xiao Teng, and others were sent to the Ministry of Justice and Taihe Palace.

The listed crimes were innumerable.

A group of Golden Armor Imperial Guards entirely surrounded a residence in the west of the city.

After dealing with the resisting guards outside, the Imperial Guards intruded, kicked open the main gate, led by the Commander of the Palace Guard, Gao Qiu.

”Who is Duan Shi?”

After gathering everyone in the mansion, an Imperial Guard asked.

From the crowd, a middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance stood up and said with dignity, ”The Grand Commandant broke into my residence at night, damaged property, and insulted my family. I will report to Your Majesty.”

Duan Shi was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, aligned with Xiao Yunqi.

Gao Qiu smiled coldly, saying: ”The suspect Duan Shi, forming factions and deceiving the emperor...”

With every step Gao Qiu took, he reeled off another crime of Duan Shi. As he approached Duan Shi, he kicked, forcing Duan Shi to kneel immediately.

”Duan Shi, you’ve committed offenses. Seize him!”

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Revenue, and others recommended by Xiao Yunqi but not in significant positions were all investigated, dismissed, and their residences sealed by the Imperial Guards.

More spies were assigned to watch over the Chen Mansion, but they did not act rashly.

For a while, the entire Bianliang was abuzz with discussions.

Chen Mo had foreseen this in the simulation, so he wasn’t particularly worried.

At this moment, he was discreetly inquiring about Lin Su Ya’s realm.

To reach Foundation Establishment, one’s Martial Arts Realm must first reach its peak.

Moreover, the Mental Realm must achieve Heavenly Perfection.

Afterwards comes the Celestial Tribulation.

Once the Celestial Tribulation is overcome, the mortal form sheds, and one enters Foundation Establishment, reaching the fasting realm.

However, crossing the Celestial Tribulation is extremely perilous.

Those with weak will or too many distractions are prone to failure, which can result in severe deviation or unhealed ”roots of illness,” making future attempts impossibly difficult.

Before leaving, Lin Su Ya meaningfully said: ”Before crossing the Celestial Tribulation, it’s best to resolve all pending matters to remove any concerns and distractions. The success rate will increase significantly.”

Chen Mo asked, ”Master, are you about to cross your Celestial Tribulation?”

Chen Mo noticed that Lin Su Ya had few worries. In previous simulations, even when he and Zhao Fujin were in danger, Lin Su Ya didn’t intervene. Most matters seemed insignificant to her.

Lin Su Ya smiled and waved her duster as she left.

”Junior fellow, are you... about to undergo the Celestial Tribulation?” Zhao Fujin widened her eyes.

Chen Mo shook his head, ”Not yet.”

His Martial Arts Realm is in perfection now.

But the Mental Realm is not.

Zhao Fujin breathed a sigh of relief, ”That’s good. Junior fellow, you promised to wait for me.”

Chen Mo kissed her forehead, ”Don’t worry, I’ll keep my word.”

The Immortal Cultivation Realm is still unknown to him, and although he has aspirations, he cherishes the comforts of the Canglan Continent more.

Going alone to the Immortal Cultivation Realm is not something he can do.

Once his Mental Realm reaches perfection, he will stop, not attempting the Celestial Tribulation.

Hearing this, Zhao Fujin threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly, as if he were the last safe harbor she could cling to. She looked pitiably and said: ”Junior fellow, Father... he wants to marry me off to Wu Chang’an.

I don’t like him at all. My heart belongs only to you, but Father has already decided. I went to plead with Mother, but she couldn’t help, and she believes being with Wu Chang’an is best for me...”

Zhao Fujin’s eyes were red as she poured out her grievances in Chen Mo’s embrace. Finally, she even suggested: ”Junior fellow, why don’t we elope, leave Bianliang, and find a quiet place for ourselves.”

Chen Mo frowned, sensing the pressure Zhao Fujin was under, and he felt glad she only had eyes for him. Stroking Zhao Fujin’s hair, he said, ”Senior sister, don’t worry, I will find a way...”

Chen Mo thought that once Zhao Ji was under house arrest, the arranged marriage would naturally be nullified.

But Zhao Fujin suddenly asked, ”Junior fellow, don’t you want to elope with me?”

Zhao Fujin looked earnestly at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo: ⊙﹏⊙|||

”...Of course not, it’s just that eloping means abandoning everything we have. Can you leave your father, mother, and elder sister?” Chen Mo quickly explained to dispel Zhao Fujin’s thoughts of elopement.

Zhao Fujin fell silent.

The idea to elope had indeed been an impulsive one.

But if Chen Mo agreed, she would have gone through with it, regardless of what happened afterward.

Now that Chen Mo had spoken, she said no more.

However, mentioning her mother, Zhao Fujin recalled something, ”Junior fellow, I suspect my mother might have been placed under house arrest by Father...”

”What?!”