Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 475: Chapter 472: Empress

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Chu Zhiyuan once again operated the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique and immediately felt a difference in the world around him.

A Yin and a Yang, two streams of energy surged respectively from the top of his head and the soles of his feet, converging at the Shan Zhong, transforming into a mysterious energy that spread throughout his body.

The entire body was immersed in this mysterious energy, existing in a state of contradiction.

Both tranquil and dynamic.

Like a fish swimming in the deep sea, peaceful but not dull, lively but not restless.

Chu Zhiyuan found this state quite remarkable.

He tried to practice his martial arts in this state and found it did not obstruct him.

The two streams of Yin and Yang energy did not conflict with the spiritual energy; they operated independently without conscious guidance.

As long as he did not intentionally stop them, they would continue operating smoothly without interruption.

Chu Zhiyuan became increasingly fascinated by the mystery.

He looked towards Cheng Miaozhen, who was close by, her skin as fine as porcelain.

Cheng Miaozhen stepped back two paces and softly asked, ”How is it?”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, ”I have mastered it.”

Cheng Miaozhen smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”What realm can be achieved by practicing this?”

”Returning Void Realm consists of six layers: Body Void, Heart Void, Divine Void, Clear Void, Taixu, and Primordial Void. I am currently at the Heart Void Realm; you are now in the Body Void Realm.”

”Body Void...” Chu Zhiyuan pondered, ”The body becomes lighter?”

”Yes.” Cheng Miaozhen gently nodded, ”It will shed postnatal Yin and impure energies. Heart Void changes the mental state, Divine Void changes the spirit, but what lies beyond, I do not know.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”This technique is indeed profound; at the very least, it can conceal one’s aura.”

”Concealing the aura is indeed a powerful aspect,” Cheng Miaozhen acknowledged.

Except for my aunt and mother, not even my elder brother knew I had cultivation.

They did not discover it themselves; I told them; otherwise, they wouldn’t have known.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands, ”I will practice it and see. Thank you, Your Highness.”

Cheng Miaozhen lightly shook her head, ”As long as you do not blame me.”

She stepped forward, and Chu Zhiyuan continued walking out.

When reaching the gate of the Princess Mansion, Chu Zhiyuan signaled her to stop, not to see him out.

Yet Cheng Miaozhen insisted on escorting him out of the Princess Mansion, watching as he departed surrounded by Guo Chi and the others.

The moon hung obliquely in the sky.

Stars faintly shimmered.

Lanterns were everywhere on the street in front of the Princess Mansion, gradually disappearing in the lights, slowly merging into the distant darkness.

Cheng Miaozhen quietly stood at the steps of the Princess Mansion, watching the direction in which they disappeared.

Suddenly, she felt her whole body relaxed.

Her thoughts flowed smoothly.

The Yin Yang Qi became more lively and agile, unknowingly advancing a level, reaching the Divine Void Realm.

Her spirit suddenly enhanced, her thoughts agile and vibrant as if she suddenly became smarter.

She cast a deep glance into the distance, then turned slowly back to the Princess Mansion.

Shu Fei sat silently by the table in the front hall, watching her return, ”How did it go?”

”He didn’t refuse,” Cheng Miaozhen responded.

”Sigh...” Shu Fei sighed, ”Such talent, yet so magnanimous, truly a phoenix among men.”

”Mother—!”

”Never mind, let it be.” Shu Fei shook her head, ”He is still worth associating with; even if not as husband and wife, you can be friends. Engaging in conversations with him often is greatly beneficial to both the body and mind.”

Cheng Miaozhen said, ”I am just afraid he doesn’t like it.”

”With your looks, so pleasing to the eyes, how could he not like it?” Shu Fei chuckled, ”No matter how capable a man is, he cannot resist a beauty.”

Cheng Miaozhen blushed, ”I am not considered a beauty; Xiao Ruoling is said to be the most beautiful in Yujing.”

”You are not far off,” Shu Fei said, ”As for your elder brother this time...”

She shook her head slightly, ”Emotions are difficult to overcome.”

If it were really so easy to get over, she wouldn’t have been entangled for so many years.

——

Chu Zhiyuan returned to Tingtao Courtyard and continued to practice the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique, finding it incredibly marvelous.

The more he practiced, the lighter his body felt as if he became the Yin Yang Qi.

He suddenly wondered if by practicing this technique, could he break the shackles of the Great Grandmaster?

Would the killing aura affect his body still if he defeated a Great Grandmaster?

He felt restless but didn’t rush to act; he first needed to practice the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique more profoundly, awaiting the opportunity.

A Great Grandmaster is forbidden to kill, but as a member of the Martial Arts, how could one possibly never feel the urge to kill? It is not only the demonic people of the Evil Sect who deserve death.

——

As the lights began to illuminate, at the Prince Mansion of Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhiyuan arrived outside the mansion, greeted by Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan, ushering him inside.

The four sat around the table, delicious food already laid out, a jar of medicinal wine prepared.

The four began to eat and drink.

Since Chu Zhiyuan became a Great Grandmaster, this was not the first time they gathered.

The four gathering for food, drinks, and casual chats had become a regular occurrence.

While eating and drinking, they chatted about court affairs, mentioning Da Meng.

”Fourth Brother, have you heard the news?”

Chu Zhiyuan put down his cup, ”Eighteenth Uncle, what news?”

”The imperial throne of Da Meng has been passed to the Ninth Princess.”

”Hmm—?” Chu Zhiyuan was taken aback and quickly asked, ”Passed to whom?”

”Unexpected, isn’t it?” Chu Mingxuan laughed, ”It’s the Ninth Princess who dueled with you, Li Hongzhao.”

”...Passed the throne to her? Impossible!”

Chu Zhitian and Chu Zhichuan adamantly rejected.

This was the first time they had heard of it as well.

Chu Mingxuan said, ”I just found out, the news should be accurate, and it will probably spread in the next few days.”

”It seems unlikely.” Chu Zhichuan frowned, ”How could it be passed to her? To a woman? It seems Da Meng never had a female emperor before?”

This defied people’s imagination.

Not to mention Da Meng, it is impossible in Da Zhen or Da Jing for a woman to be an Empress.

Especially in the martial and strong Da Meng.

Is the Emperor senile, or has he been bewitched by Li Hongzhao?

”Impossible,” Chu Zhitian shook his head, ”It should be a rumor.”

”You two!” Chu Mingxuan said impatiently, ”It is absolutely not a rumor!”

Chu Zhitian said defiantly, ”Then Eighteenth Uncle, do you think it’s possible? It sounds impossible.”

Chu Zhichuan said, ”Is someone deliberately spreading this? Is Da Meng fighting for the throne?”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered silently.

The three noticed his musing, looking at him.

Chu Mingxuan asked, ”Fourth Brother, do you think it’s possible? Is it possible for the Ninth Princess to become the Emperor?”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, ”Not necessarily impossible.”

At the time, the three Great Grandmasters might have been escorting Li Hongzhao, but they could also have been protecting her.

If they were escorting, there was actually no need for three Great Grandmasters; two would suffice.

If they were protecting Li Hongzhao, three would not be too many.

The Emperor’s secret edict for her to return quickly might not have been to deal with her but to pass the throne to her.

If not for hearing the edict from Su Qiuyan, hearing this news would have been hard to believe.

But having heard Su Qiuyan’s Imperial Decree, this matter no longer seemed so incredible.

”An Empress...” Chu Mingxuan mused, ”This courage is truly extraordinary, worthy of the Da Meng Emperor!”

”It might be an act of desperation,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

He believed that if the Da Meng Emperor had any other choice, he would not choose this path.

The emergence of a female Emperor in Da Meng is too great a shock, possibly endangering the stability of the kingdom.

Chu Zhichuan asked, ”But, can the Emperor’s Sword really recognize a master?”

”It absolutely can,” Chu Mingxuan insisted, ”My information is reliable!”

Chu Zhiyuan did not ask where the information came from, as it was a secret not to be probed lightly.

It seemed the news was true; Li Hongzhao had indeed become the Emperor!

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