"Haven't you heard of Princess Sheng Zhao, the Great Xing Dynasty's number one martial arts genius?"
"And haven't you heard the saying, 'The brilliance of the sun and moon cannot compare to Zhen Zhao Princess's splendor'?"
Emperor Yongyuan scrutinized Li Xuan with a look usually reserved for enemy spies, as if he might order Zhao Feng to apprehend him and send him to the Internal Affairs Bureau for interrogation at any moment.
Even when Li Xuan previously didn't know about the founding emperor of the Great Xing Dynasty, Emperor Yongyuan hadn't reacted like this.
"Zhen Zhao Princess, a princess?"
"The second one isn't an Imperial Prince, but an Imperial Princess!?"
Li Xuan leaned back slightly, his expression dazed.
Emperor Yongyuan and Empress Wu had both confidently believed that other Imperial Princes and Princesses posed no threat, yet the one they were referring to was an Imperial Princess.
Moreover, she held the title of the Great Xing Dynasty's number one martial arts genius.
Even that poem sounded quite extraordinary.
"The brilliance of the sun and moon doesn't even compare to Princess Sheng Zhao?"
Seeing Li Xuan's reaction, Emperor Yongyuan shook his head and smiled:
"It seems you really haven't heard of Zhen Zhao Princess's name."
"There's actually someone in Great Xing who doesn't know her."
"Even a Little Cat would have been mentioned a few times by passersby."
Li Xuan rolled his eyes at Emperor Yongyuan, naturally understanding that he was teasing him, his Little Cat.
Chief Steward Shang and Zhao Feng, standing nearby, also breathed a sigh of relief.
At least the atmosphere was much more harmonious than before.
"His Majesty finally has the mood to joke."
Li Xuan didn't pay much attention to Emperor Yongyuan's jokes, but instead asked seriously:
"Among all the Imperial children, you are most optimistic about this Second Princess?"
"Just how much of a genius is she?"
Even though Emperor Yongyuan had previously educated Li Xuan about the Twin Sage Emperors of the Great Xing Dynasty and mentioned that the Great Xing Dynasty had a precedent of female emperors.
But Emperor Yongyuan had also said that later, only men ascended the throne as emperors.
What kind of magic did Princess Sheng Zhao possess to make people break this traditional notion?
"Coincidentally, a letter from Zhen Zhao Princess arrived not long ago."
As he said this, a helpless and bitter smile actually appeared on Emperor Yongyuan's face.
Emperor Yongyuan extended his fingers and gestured a few numbers to Li Xuan.
"Sixteen years old, Fourth-Grade."
Li Xuan stood frozen, losing his ability to react.
Emperor Yongyuan propped his chin, silently appreciating Li Xuan's reaction.
After a long while, Li Xuan stiffly turned to look at Chief Steward Shang, then turned to look at Emperor Yongyuan again.
"That's right, Zhen Zhao Princess successfully broke through in the Thousand Blade Sword Pavilion forbidden area not long ago, becoming a Fourth-Grade master just like Chief Zhao."
"A sixteen-year-old Imperial Princess, with Fourth-Grade strength."
"Plus the support of the Wu Family, who else can compete with her?"
Emperor Yongyuan calmly stated the facts.
Regarding his daughter's excellence, Emperor Yongyuan was helpless.
If Princess Sheng Zhao had not been born to Empress Wu, Emperor Yongyuan would have been overjoyed.
Unfortunately, there are not so many 'ifs' in this world.
Emperor Yongyuan sighed, then continued:
"In recent years, Empress Wu has continuously used her and her family's influence to promote the ascension of the Great Xing Dynasty's second female emperor."
"My earlier willingness to help Ankang become a female emperor actually had many reasons related to this."
"I have to say, Empress Wu's progress has been very smooth; she has cleared many obstacles on the path to a female emperor's ascension."
Li Xuan couldn't help but glance sideways at Emperor Yongyuan, muttering in his heart:
"I knew you were being so generous, you little rascal."
"It turns out you were being generous at others' expense, hoping Ankang would 'pick the peaches' of Empress Wu and Princess Sheng Zhao."
Emperor Yongyuan's face was as thick as a city wall; he pretended not to notice Li Xuan staring at him like that.
However, now was not the time to dwell on these matters; a sixteen-year-old Fourth-Grade was simply too terrifying.
"Even cultivating from the womb wouldn't be this fierce, would it?"
Upon hearing those two numbers, Li Xuan felt a wave of powerlessness.
It was hard enough for others to dare compete with such a monster.
It must be said, the concubines and Imperial Princes and Princesses in the palace truly had maximum stress resistance.
Seeing the Little Cat's face filled with solemnity, Emperor Yongyuan feared that Li Xuan would be scared into retreating, so he quietly added:
"Just now you asked me, what is the meaning of the Imperial Garden competition? And why would some people see Ankang as a threat?"
"Although Empress Wu and the Wu Family's power is great, they don't have absolute certainty in promoting the ascension of a female emperor."
"Others will naturally try every means to obstruct it, gambling on that seemingly ethereal possibility."
"And now, the Imperial Garden competition is interpreted as my attention; whoever can perform a solo New Year's bye in the coming year will receive my support."
"And I only started this Imperial Garden competition when the second one was not present."
Emperor Yongyuan said with a smile:
"This is already enough to make people imagine things."
Li Xuan took one look at Emperor Yongyuan's scheming expression and felt no goodwill.
He guessed that everything was more or less consistent with his suspicions.
Emperor Yongyuan was putting on a monkey show, and everyone else was playing along.
It was simply because the prize Emperor Yongyuan offered was too enticing.
After all, Emperor Yongyuan was the one currently sitting on the dragon throne, and his thoughts were naturally most important for the vacant position of Crown Prince.
But recalling the past few Imperial Garden competitions, Li Xuan already understood that Emperor Yongyuan had long been secretly manipulating the competition.
This was evident from the prizes they received after winning those few competitions, and the subsequent competitions that followed.
Now that he thought about it, the connection between the prizes and the next competition was almost unbelievably deliberate.
As Emperor Yongyuan continued to explain, the situation grew more and more complex, and Li Xuan was already starting to get a headache; it was truly difficult for this guy to worry about such things every day.
Li Xuan didn't want to hear him elaborate further and asked directly:
"So, your current enemy is Empress Wu, right?"
"You don't want Empress Wu to successfully enthrone Princess Sheng Zhao as a female emperor, fearing that the Wu Family's power will further expand and eventually threaten the Royal Family of Li, or even the Daxing Dynasty?"
Empress Wu and the Wu Family behind her, Li Xuan knew without thinking that they wouldn't be minor characters.
But in response to Li Xuan's question, Emperor Yongyuan shook his head slightly:
"There are also more urgent matters to resolve than the Empress."
"Hmm???"
Li Xuan felt a sense of unease, wondering how Emperor Yongyuan, as an emperor, had managed to last until today.
For so many years, Emperor Yongyuan had never been so humiliated, let alone in front of a cat.
He felt that he had already lost enough face today, and immediately prepared to end the day's topic.
As long as they first established a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship, today's mission would be considered successfully completed.
As for other matters, there would be plenty of time to discuss them in detail later.
"Simply put, at the beginning of my reign, I had an Imperial Uncle who served as a regent prince."
"Right now, we need to resolve the issue with this Imperial Uncle more urgently than the Empress."
"The specific details will be communicated to you by the Two Chief Eunuchs."
"Today, let's focus on celebrating the agreement we've reached."
As Emperor Yongyuan spoke, he didn't wait for Li Xuan's agreement, pulling one of his cat paws to touch his own palm, completing a "high-five alliance."
Finally witnessing this crucial moment, the four Grand Eunuchs nearby all breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Xuan, however, looked speechless, silently complaining:
"This is too casual, isn't it?"
..."Li Xuan, you don't know how worried I was for you just now."
"You must be obedient in the future, and more respectful in front of His Majesty."
"It's only because there are just us old servants today; otherwise, if there were others present, where would His Majesty's dignity be placed?"
In a side hall of Ganlu Hall, Zhao Feng was chattering incessantly.
Chief Steward Shang and Elder Ye were also present, though one was smiling and sipping tea, and the other was resting with his eyes closed.
Li Xuan let Zhao Feng's nagging go in one ear and out the other, yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes, utterly lazy.
After Li Xuan and Emperor Yongyuan high-fived to form an alliance, Emperor Yongyuan excused himself, claiming to have matters to attend to, and hastily departed, leaving him with these three old eunuchs.
"So, that's it?"
"You still haven't told me exactly what I need to do?"
Li Xuan tapped his tail, writing in the air, tilting his head with a confused expression.
He had absorbed too much information today; his little brain was already struggling to process it all.
Rather than being told about the complexities of the current situation, Li Xuan wanted to know what Emperor Yongyuan wanted him to do next.
Of course, Li Xuan didn't intend to sacrifice himself for Emperor Yongyuan; if the situation turned bad, he would only be able to prioritize the safety of their Jingyang Palace.
But now they were caught between several forces, like duckweed in the wind, only able to drift with it for now.
Their Three Little Ones didn't yet have the ability to "stir up the wind," so for the time being, they could only borrow Emperor Yongyuan's momentum.
"Li Xuan, your symbolic significance far outweighs your practical significance right now."
"So, all you need to do next is cultivate well."
"Should there be a need for you to appear, Feng'er and I will convey His Majesty's decree immediately."
Chief Steward Shang said gently from the side.
He knew that for Li Xuan, there were too many things to slowly accept today, and he needed a few days to digest them properly.
"Oh, right."
Li Xuan remembered something and turned to look at Elder Ye.
Elder Ye, sensing something, slowly opened a slit of his eyes.
"Elder Ye, I have finished practicing those two cultivation methods, but I don't have the next ones yet."
Li Xuan had already completed his Sixth-Grade Qi Sensing Realm cultivation, and now needed a Fifth-Grade cultivation method to continue.
And now, there was still some time until their next trip to the Thousand Stars Pavilion; if this window was only used to consolidate his cultivation, Li Xuan felt it would be a bit wasteful.
Coincidentally, Elder Ye was also here today, so he wanted Elder Ye to take him to the Thousand Stars Pavilion to select a suitable cultivation method.
"His Majesty summoned me today precisely for this matter."
As Elder Ye spoke, a black-covered cultivation manual suddenly appeared in his hand, but there were no words on it.
Moreover, the cover of this cultivation manual was somewhat special, with a unique glow flowing over it, clearly indicating an unusual material.
"I've brought the Fifth-Grade cultivation method suitable for you. Read it here, then return it to me."
"I know you have an eidetic memory, so read the book."
After Elder Ye finished speaking, he placed the secret manual on the table and closed his eyes again, but then he uttered another sentence.
"The Fifth-Grade is called Qi Control Realm; condensing True Qi, manifesting Qi into form, and exerting it externally will allow you to achieve this realm."
After saying this, Elder Ye closed his eyes again to rest, no longer speaking.
Chief Steward Shang and Zhao Feng, looking at the black secret manual on the table, their eyes narrowed.
Clearly, they also recognized this item, but they didn't say much, just silently watched and waited from the side.
Li Xuan didn't delay and eagerly opened the pages of the cultivation method.
[Yin-Yang True Extremity Art]
Opening the first page, the name of the cultivation method was prominently displayed.
"The name of the cultivation method is quite domineering."
Li Xuan nodded in satisfaction and continued to read.
Although he had the blessing of his talent, it still took him a full quarter of an hour to reach the last page of the cultivation method.
Li Xuan closed his eyes and concentrated, and a piece of information appeared in his mind.
[Yin-Yang True Extremity Art: 1%]
Having successfully recorded the cultivation method, Li Xuan was in a great mood.
"It's a good cultivation method, but why are there no moves?"
The content of the Yin-Yang True Extremity Art primarily involved absorbing the Five Elements of heaven and earth to nourish the Yin Yang True Qi within the body, along with various control methods.
But as for specific moves, Li Xuan searched through the entire secret manual and couldn't find a single one.
"This cultivation method only increases attributes, but doesn't grant skills?"
Li Xuan rolled up the cultivation method with his tail and presented it to Elder Ye.
Elder Ye reopened his eyes, reached out to take the secret manual, and the next moment, the manual disappeared.
"Elder Ye, why does this cultivation method have no moves?"
"And are there any other Fifth-Grade cultivation methods for me to consider?"
Li Xuan still wanted to pick the most suitable one for himself from a selection of cultivation methods, just like before.
However, Elder Ye actually shook his head and said calmly:
"There is only one Fifth-Grade cultivation method with Yin-Yang attributes."
Li Xuan was stunned, thinking he had misheard.
With so many secret manuals in the Thousand Stars Pavilion, there was only one Fifth-Grade cultivation method with Yin-Yang attributes?
According to his original thinking, the Thousand Stars Pavilion should have gathered most of the cultivation methods from the entire Great Xing Dynasty.
Could it be that Yin-Yang attribute cultivation methods were really that rare?
At this moment, Elder Ye continued to explain:
"If the Great Xing Dynasty Royal Family weren't descendants of the Twin Sage Emperors, you wouldn't even have this one to practice."
Elder Ye glanced at Li Xuan, as if saying that Li Xuan was in clover but didn't know it.
"This cultivation method was created by the Twin Sage Emperors. After you master it, you can learn all cultivation methods in the world, without any restrictions."
Elder Ye paused for a moment after saying this, then continued:
"But as for the specifics, you'll have to comprehend them yourself."
"After all, I've only read the secret manual; I've never practiced it."
Chief Steward Shang heard the regret in Elder Ye's voice and took over the conversation at the opportune moment.
"Li Xuan, according to ancient records, every martial artist with Yin Yang True Qi has a very different way of advancing."
"It seems their cultivation transcends that of ordinary martial artists, making it extraordinary."
"I've heard that every owner of Yin Yang True Qi has forged their own unique path."
"The book you just read is a cultivation method passed down by the Twin Sage Emperors. Perhaps it has reference value for you at this stage, but I believe that in the future, you will also forge your own different path."
After listening to Chief Steward Shang, Li Xuan was somewhat half-understanding.
It sounded like owners of Yin Yang True Qi would have very different cultivation paths from ordinary martial artists in the future.
"Forge my own unique path, huh?"
But Li Xuan was already accustomed to using his talent to constantly push progress, and suddenly being told to find a path of his own, he currently had no clue.
"Never mind!"
"I'll just rapidly advance my progress for now; it won't be too late to think about these things when I run out of cultivation methods to practice later."