Chapter 86: Cultivation Summary and Planning, Reporting in the Imperial Palace.
The previously established goal of researching Soul Power application, i.e., Self-Created Soul Skill, has not made much progress. Clearly, I still underestimated the difficulty of a Self-Created Soul Skill. This goal can be temporarily set aside; it will not be too late to continue after my application and understanding of Soul Power reach a further level in the future.
Excluding the research on Self-Created Soul Skill, my current Cultivation actually consists of two items: one is Soul Power Cultivation and Meridians research, and the other is Internal Martial Arts Cultivation and the development and strengthening of physical fitness.
For the former, the Meridians have currently been opened up to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. At this speed, within a year or two at most, I should be able to incorporate all twelve primary meridians into my Soul Power circulation route; as for the latter, the washing and refining of bones and internal organs will take about another month or two to reach Perfection. This time should be just enough for me to Cultivate Soul Power to level 20 and obtain my second Soul Ring.
After summarizing the gains of this period, Tang Shan began to plan the next stage of Cultivation goals.
First is the exploration of will; I must find the ideology that best fits my own heart, and then transform it into my own will to pave the way for the Breakthrough to Elixir Strength. As for Transforming Strength, I have long since filled my whole body with Dark Strength; what is lacking is only the continuous tempering of the physique. The Breakthrough to Transforming Strength is merely a matter of course.
Before the third Soul Ring, reaching Perfection in Transforming Strength should be a sure thing.
In addition, when breaking through to the second ring, the experiment of will interfering with Soul skills must continue to be pushed forward. It is just unclear whether the Soul skills "Self-Control" can play some special role in it.
Tang Shan raised his head to look at the bright moonlight, his eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze full of contemplation.
He looked down at the carp in the pond. A strand of Soul Power slowly emanated from between his fingers, gently probing into the water, causing ripples.
The carp in the pond were obviously startled by this sudden movement and hurried to swim away.
Tang Shan hooked the corner of his mouth into a smile, withdrew his hand, and as his skin vibrated gently, the attached water droplets were all shaken off, and his palm soon returned to dryness.
Without returning to his room, Tang Shan simply sat cross-legged by the pond and fell into a state of Cultivation.
Pure and condensed Soul Power rose from the Dantian, surged into the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, and then circulated slowly according to the flow order of the major Meridians, transforming the free Soul Power absorbed from heaven and earth into a part of his own Cultivation, steadily settling into the Dantian.
His Cultivation increased steadily bit by bit in this repetitive circulation of Soul Power, and the Soul Power also became more condensed and pure in this continuous flow.
A faint light slowly emanated from Tang Shan, giving his whole person a bit more of a hazy halo.
"Your Majesty, which prince do you favor more?"
Ning Fengzhi put down the teacup in his hand and looked at Emperor Xue Ye, who was sitting opposite him.
"I naturally favor Qinghe. After all, he is the eldest son, and he is humble and gentle in doing things, knowing propriety, and understanding when to advance or retreat."
Emperor Xue Ye put down the memorial in his hand and spoke slowly in response.
"However, the second one is also very good. He is steady and prudent in doing things, making people feel at ease. School Master Ning, if it were you, I wonder how you would choose?"
"I would choose Qinghe."
Hearing Emperor Xue Ye's question, Ning Fengzhi gave his answer without any hesitation.
"Although our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is the second-ranked Sect on the continent, we can ultimately only Cultivate to the seventh ring. Not every era can have strong individuals of the level of the Bone and Sword Douluo serving as Elders. Therefore, if one wants to sit in the position of Sect Master, excellent social skills and a humble attitude are necessary conditions. For us, being smooth and tactful in handling affairs is far more important than being steady and prudent. Moreover, the premise of true steadiness is to be comprehensive in doing things, and people who are too comprehensive are often unable to tolerate existences that exceed their own control."
"So that's how it is?"
Emperor Xue Ye was lost in thought, having already understood the deep meaning in Ning Fengzhi's words.
Xue Qinghe was humble and gentle with others. If he ascended to the throne, his subsequent actions would likely be based on a policy of appeasement. For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, which has no offensive power itself, this is undoubtedly the best choice.
As for the second prince, Xue Shan, his conduct seemed steady, but Ning Fengzhi saw through the strong desire for control hidden beneath this steadiness.
Otherwise, a truly steady and prudent person would never have established his own prestige in the army so quickly. Being so eager to seize power would instead easily arouse the suspicion of the current Emperor.
If Xue Shan sat in that position, as a monarch of a country, how could he allow a powerful force like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to exist under his command? At that time, it would inevitably be gradually eroded, controlled, or even forced to either submit or head towards opposition.
Although with the current strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the possibility of being destroyed is extremely small, it would definitely lead to an unhealable rift between the Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Let us wait for Qinghe to return and see his gains from this trip."
Emperor Xue Ye did not say anything more, but in his heart, he had already subconsciously lowered the possibility of Xue Shan inheriting the position of Crown Prince or even the throne. After all, he knew very well that the reason why the Heaven Dou Empire's throne had been stable until now was largely because successive emperors were good at socializing and maintaining excellent relationships with various kingdoms, duchies, and even Soul Master forces.
Otherwise, the Imperial family had no truly top-tier Martial Soul, and the highest level of the Imperial family's retainers, cultivated with great difficulty, was only a Spirit Douluo; it would be impossible to stand firm for long.
Not to mention the external threats from the Star Luo Empire, I am afraid that the various forces within the Empire would have long ago carved up the fat meat that was the Imperial family.
"Your Majesty, the eldest prince requests an audience."
A maid knocked gently on the door and respectfully reported to Emperor Xue Ye.
"Let him come in."
Emperor Xue Ye ordered in a deep voice.
Soon, Xue Qinghe walked into the study with his own approachable smile, bowed, and paid his respects to the two people in the room.
"Greetings, Father, greetings, School Master Ning."
Looking at Xue Qinghe, who was spirited and had a bit more agility and sharpness in his temperament, a glimmer of light flashed in Emperor Xue Ye's eyes.
"Qinghe, it seems that your trip to Iron Wall City has truly yielded significant gains."
Xue Qinghe did not pretend to be humble but responded with a solemn expression: "I have indeed understood some principles and insights regarding how to conduct oneself in society."
Looking at such an outstanding son, Emperor Xue Ye nodded with a smile: "Have you finished writing the report for this trip? If you haven't finished, it doesn't matter if you present it later. You have been running around for a day, so go and rest early."
The smile on Xue Qinghe's face converged a bit, and his expression became somewhat serious. He took out the memorial he had finished writing with Tang Shan's cooperation from his spirit tool, handed it to Emperor Xue Ye with both hands, and said at the same time: "Reporting to Father, your son has already finished writing, but some of the content may be slightly biased. I ask for Father's forgiveness."
Emperor Xue Ye was immediately interested.
What exactly was written in the memorial that made Xue Qinghe take the initiative to mention that the content was biased? And since he knew it was biased, why record it truthfully?
This was exactly the idea given by Tang Shan: first appropriately raise expectations, and later, when Emperor Xue Ye sees some of the "Second Prince's" operations, he can be mentally prepared in advance and more easily accept subsequent arrangements.
At that time, after Xue Qinghe heard Tang Shan's idea, he could not help but be amazed. Regarding this, Tang Shan could only helplessly take the credit.
He could not explain to Xue Qinghe that this was like wanting to open a window in a room; first, you have to deliberately say you want to take the roof off, and then taking a step back to propose opening a window makes it easier to be accepted.
"Alright, you may withdraw first and go back to rest early."
Emperor Xue Ye did not rush to look at the memorial. Seeing the undeniable fatigue in Xue Qinghe's eyes, he considerately let him withdraw first.
"Your son takes his leave."
Xue Qinghe bowed and turned to leave the study, walking out of the Imperial Palace all the way.
He stood outside the palace gate, looked back at the layered, magnificent palace complex, and a flame named ambition burned in his eyes.
His slender palm was slowly raised to his eyes, and his five fingers curled slightly, as if he wanted to grasp the entire Imperial Palace firmly in his palm.
"Sooner or later, everything here will be mine."
Tang Shan withdrew from the state of Cultivation and felt refreshed. He raised his hand to touch his shoulder but found that his clothes were a little damp.
The morning dew had already dampened his clothes.
Simply put, Tang Shan took off his top and practiced Internal Martial Arts in the yard with his upper body bare. The starting Move was to sink the shoulders and drop the elbows, using the waist and back to drive the limbs. The fist wind carried the roar of blood and Qi. Every punch that fell seemed to have thunderous undercurrents. The blue bricks under his feet were slightly numbed by the vibration, and fine cracks spread quietly. Rolling blood and Qi surged in the Meridians like a tide, and the warm airflow moved along the Meridians throughout the body. Wherever it passed, the muscles and bones stretched out. The morning chill was instantly dispelled, and his skin flushed with a healthy red.
Straight punches, cross punches, and sweeping legs were connected smoothly. The Moves were fierce and sharp without losing their structure. Dark Strength was hidden under the fist edge. Where the fist touched, the air seemed to be compressed, causing faint ripples of air waves.
The yard was filled with thin mist. The mist touched Tang Shan's warm skin and instantly turned into a layer of fine water vapor, sliding down along the smooth muscle lines and quickly floating upwards. In the hazy mist, Tang Shan's figure seemed to be shrouded in a dreamlike smoke. The muscles rose and fell with the Moves, outlining tough lines. The fist Moves were fierce and domineering, yet revealed a bit of elegant agility that could be retracted at will. Every breath perfectly matched the Moves, and the breathing induced the weak Soul Power between heaven and earth, echoing with the blood and Qi in the body.
The sun gradually rose into the sky. Just after Tang Shan finished his morning exercise and walked into the room to tidy up, there was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.
"Coming."
Tang Shan walked to the door curiously and opened the courtyard door, only to see Xue Qinghe standing outside with a row of maids following behind.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Seeing that Xue Qinghe was followed by servants, Tang Shan hurriedly put away his casual posture and put on a respectful look to salute.
"It's alright, no need to be so polite with me." Xue Qinghe waved his hand, then turned to the maids behind him and ordered: "Move everything in."
Under Tang Shan's gaze, four maids worked together to carry a huge stone table into the courtyard. Judging from the weak Soul Power fluctuations emanating from them, they obviously possessed a certain amount of Innate Soul Power, but they likely only had half a level like Yu Xiaogang, capable at most of slightly enhancing their physical fitness with Soul Power.
"Your Highness, this is?"
Looking at the stone table that appeared abruptly in front of him, Tang Shan was a little confused and asked suspiciously.
"I want to ask you more about the Cultivation method of Internal Martial Arts. In the future, I should come to practice morning exercises with you in the morning, and have a meal together after practicing. What do you think?"
"Naturally, you are welcome."
Facing Xue Qinghe's request, Tang Shan naturally had no reason to refuse. It was just right that he could slowly reverse Xue Qinghe's previous slackness towards Cultivation through his own insistence on morning exercises.
Clap, clap!
Xue Qinghe raised his hand and clapped twice. A maid, each carrying a small basket, walked into the courtyard in turn, opened the baskets, and placed the exquisite breakfast inside one by one on the stone table.
By the time all the maids had taken out the food from the baskets, the stone table, which was three or four square meters in size, was already full. A variety of breakfast items were dazzling, and the aroma was overflowing.
"Let's eat first, and afterwards I will tell you about the information on Soul Beasts suitable for your second ring that I have collected these days."
Hearing that Xue Qinghe had already found many suitable Soul Beasts, Tang Shan felt happy and no longer stood on ceremony with Xue Qinghe, sitting directly by the stone table and eating heartily.
Obviously, Xue Qinghe had put his heart into this breakfast. Having spent these days together, he had long since figured out Tang Shan's appetite. Today's breakfast was not only exquisite and delicious, but the portion was also very sufficient, fitting Tang Shan's appetite after Cultivation perfectly.
"This is porridge made with earth beef and pearl rice, and this one is steamed snow eggs with century-old lotus seeds. This is a bun made from golden wheat ground into powder and wrapped with antelope meat — —"
Xue Qinghe introduced the breakfast on the table while picking up tableware to dine with Tang Shan.
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