Keep an Open Mind and Know How to Endure

Chen Feng was not hit by the blast; he used the Cycle of Rebirth in time to dodge.

When he emerged from the Cycle of Rebirth, he saw the crater beneath his feet caused by the explosion, and the crater and its surroundings were charred black.

"Wow." Chen Feng raised an eyebrow.

What is this? Is the missile overloaded?

Was that explosion just now the reaction of burning grass?

Holy crap! Original!?

"It seems that different combinations of Soul Guidance Material and elemental energies will produce different phenomena," Tang San said as he stepped forward.

"That's true, but its essence should still be a reaction between energies. Soul Guidance Material only play a guiding role in this process, transforming the primordial energy of heaven and earth or Soul Power into a certain type of elemental energy," Chen Feng nodded and said.

Tang San recalled the initial explosion and nodded in agreement. "We've gained a basic understanding of the characteristics of Elemental Rune. Next, we need to figure out the other Elemental Rune."

"That will require your attention. By the way, do you have any ideas on the application of these Fire Elemental Rune?" Chen Feng asked.

"Application?" Tang San thought for a moment, "I feel it can be used in metal forging. If we can find a way to stabilize the temperature using Fire Elemental Rune, then the role of charcoal can be replaced. The Soul Guidance System requires a lot of metal, and traditional hand forging certainly cannot meet such demands. We must find a more advanced forging method. What's that word again? Oh right, industrialization."

Having known Chen Feng for so long, he understood some of the concepts his friend had raised and was gradually able to keep up.

"Hmm, that's a good application idea. I also have an idea. The explosion just now seems worth exploring further. If we could use some kind of device to separate the Fire Elemental Rune and the Soul Guidance Material powder, and then make them come into contact with each other by pressing a button or pulling a pin when needed, then that would be a pretty good weapon," Chen Feng said, gesturing to himself.

This was the thought that had crossed his mind when he saw the explosion. As everyone knows, explosions are art, and his previous life had already provided many answers on how to make art shine even brighter.

Gunpowder weapons may have limitations here because fossil fuels such as oil are not yet available, which will greatly affect the development of the chemical industry.

Therefore, we still need to develop a soul-guided weapon system with Douluo characteristics.

However, through this Fire Elemental Rune, Tang San, the Grandmaster Hidden Weapon, saw the development of forging and production, while Chen Feng, the Scholar, immediately thought of applying it to weapons. This can only be described as a reversal of the natural order.

"This is a good idea," Tang San agreed with Chen Feng's idea. "However, Elemental Rune need to be inscribed. How to stably fill the Soul Guidance Material powder into the Rune is a problem that needs to be figured out."

Chen Feng pondered for a moment, then asked, "How about squeezing it with a spring or something?"

"A spring..." Tang San began to conceive a plan based on this idea, and gradually some thoughts emerged. "You mean, like Sleeve Arrow, to shoot Soul Guidance Material powder into the Rune groove?"

"That's somewhat true."

"It seems feasible. I'll try it later."

"Then you'd better be careful not to blow yourself up," Chen Feng warned.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful. Besides, I won't die, I'll just get a little hurt at most," Tang San said confidently.

Chen Feng:

Am I guiding you onto the path of life so you can play like this?

However, upon further reflection, he realized that Tang San and weapons manufacturing seemed to have a strange affinity, at least he wouldn't be easily killed by an explosion.

Just like Deadpool, when he didn't have the ability to heal, he could cut bullets with ease, but after gaining the ability to heal or even become immortal, cutting bullets became a mere formality.

Chen Feng felt that Tang San was showing some of these traits now; as long as he didn't die, he would do things to the point of self-destruction, emphasizing doing whatever he wanted.

However, there's no need to interfere, because it's human nature. If Chen Feng had that kind of powerful self-healing ability, he would probably act recklessly too.

After discussing the Rune issue with Tang San, Chen Feng prepared to find a place to practice his swordsmanship for a while, but at that moment, Ning Rongrong came looking for him from outside.

"Xiao Feng, Xiao San, you're here too." Ning Rongrong waved to the two of them.

"Rongrong, what brings you here?" Chen Feng asked.

"It's all because of the Crown Prince. He's come looking for you again. Ever since you talked to him at that banquet, he's been coming to see you every now and then. If you ask me, you might as well just live in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace," Ning Rongrong said, pouting.

"That won't do. I wouldn't feel comfortable living in the palace," Chen Feng said with a smile.

The main problem is that it's unsafe.

"What are you two doing here?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously, noticing the mess around them. "Are you sparring?"

"No..." Chen Feng briefly explained Tang San's achievements, but Ning Rongrong only half understood.

Seeing this, Chen Feng said, "I'll go see the Crown Prince. Is he still in the Reception Room?"

"Okay, I'll go with you."

The two arrived together at the school's Reception Room, where an elderly man was already standing at Reception Room door.

Chen Feng was not surprised and greeted him, "Elder Qin, we meet again."

He knew this person was likely one of the two Ci Xie Yu Long and the other, in disguise, but he didn't know which one it was.

"Old Qin" nodded slightly to Chen Feng, "His Your Highness is waiting inside. Mr. Chen, you may go in as usual."

After saying that, "Old Qin" stepped aside.

Chen Feng pushed open the door and walked in, and saw Qian Renxue, dressed as Xue Qinghe, standing by the window with her hands behind her back, looking outside.

"You've arrived," Qian Renxue said without turning her head.

"Yes, I'm here." Chen Feng picked up on the joke instinctively.

But Qian Renxue clearly didn't know the joke and didn't play along. Instead, she said, "Xiao Feng, I have a question."

"I'm willing to answer Brother Xue's questions." Chen Feng found a seat and sat down.

Since that banquet, this has happened several times. Each time Qian Renxue comes over, she asks some questions, some about the situation on the mainland, some about the national policies of the Heaven Dou Empire, and some about the court officials. In short, the topics are all kinds of things.

Clearly, Qian Renxue had already regarded Chen Feng as Consultant or guest.

Chen Feng was happy to help Qian Renxue resolve her doubts, because in doing so, he could also convey his own views and have some influence on Qian Renxue.

However, the question Qian Renxue brought today seems to be more than just a question. After several previous political inquiries, she has finally asked a very crucial question this time.

She took out a pot of tea and two cups, poured a cup for Chen Feng and herself, and said, "Xiao Feng, we talked about the various problems facing the Heaven Dou Empire. Solving them is not something that can be done overnight, but we can't let them drag on. However, Father Emperor has always been inclined to maintain stability, and I disagree with him on this matter. I have tried to persuade him many times, but to no avail. Do you have any advice on this?"

Chen Feng picked up his teacup and gently inhaled the aroma. His gaze deepened; he knew that the previous conversations had been superficial, and today's game was the real show.

On the surface, Qian Renxue seemed to be asking him for advice, but in reality, she was mostly testing him to see whose side he preferred between Qian Renxue and Xue Ye.

Chen Feng did not directly comment on this, but instead said, "His Majesty is advanced in years and infirm, so it is normal for him to act conservatively and cautiously. Brother Xue need not worry about this."

Qian Renxue frowned, not entirely satisfied with the bland answer. She said, "How can I not worry? You said before that the current situation on the continent is one of strength or weakness. If we do nothing, the Heaven Dou Empire will inevitably lose its advantage in the upcoming conflicts."

She had only recently been ignited with ambition and had already begun to win over Chen Feng, a talented individual. She was in the prime of her life, otherwise she wouldn't have visited repeatedly and discussed such sensitive topics.

Therefore, she must get a satisfactory answer from Chen Feng today to confirm that this person can be used by her.

Otherwise, Qian Renxue didn't know if she would do something rash; she seemed unable to accept that Chen Feng was no longer hers.

Chen Feng smiled, seemingly oblivious to Qian Renxue's urgency, and asked in return, "Brother Xue, do you intend to seize power and take over?"

Qian Renxue's expression changed slightly. She stared at Chen Feng's handsome face, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said, "So what if it is? Just as you said, Father is old and conservative in his actions. The Heaven Dou Empire cannot continue like this."

Chen Feng toyed with the teacup in his hand and said, "Brother Xue, it's certainly good that you have such ambitions, but the question is, do you really think that a palace coup can solve everything?"

Qian Renxue frowned slightly. To be honest, that was exactly what she thought. Once the old emperor died, wouldn't it be a natural progression for her, the Crown Prince, to ascend the throne?

Although she looked down on poisoning techniques, she had to admit that it was indeed effective; three princes of the Heaven Dou Royal Family, including Xue Qinghe, had died this way.

But now it seems that doing so is not quite appropriate?

"I'd like to hear the details," Qian Renxue said, wanting to hear what different perspectives Chen Feng might have.

"Brother Xue, where do you think the Heaven Dou Royal Family's power comes from?"

Qian Renxue thought for a moment, "Passed down from generation to generation?"

"So where did the initial power come from?"

"This..."

Chen Feng gave the answer directly, "The founding emperor of Heaven Dou brought stability to this land and the hearts of its people. It was with the support of the people that the Heaven Dou Empire came into being."

Qian Renxue suddenly realized something, as if she had understood something.

"Therefore, imperial power originates from the hearts of the people. If the people do not support you, even if you sit on the throne, you will not be able to hold it securely," Chen Feng said in a deep voice.

Qian Renxue's substitution of one person for another is essentially a coup d'état by force. However, this approach usually leads to a problem: political instability, or what is commonly referred to as an illegitimate acquisition of power.

A regime that gains power illegitimately rarely lasts long and healthy; most of them perish within a few generations. After all, if you can usurp power, someone else can too, and internal power struggles are difficult to stabilize from the very beginning.

Internal instability can also affect external conquests, so even if a country can last for several generations, it will still appear impoverished and weak, as seen in the Jin and Song dynasties.

Some might mention Li Shimin, but while he appears to have usurped the throne, he actually conquered most of the empire. One could even say that without Li Shimin, there would be no Great Tang.

Therefore, he could seize power through a single palace coup, with minimal disruption and no future troubles, a feat that others could not replicate.

If Qian Renxue were truly Xue Family, the consequences of her usurpation would be somewhat less severe, but she is not.

She wasn't even a minister of the Heaven Dou Empire. Even ministers who usurped the throne faced significant consequences, let alone someone like her who was a complete outsider.

If even the slightest information leaks out, or even if it's just a rumor, the Heaven Dou Empire will be in turmoil.

Chen Feng could easily come up with countless reasons to rebel, such as "the Crown Prince is not a son of the Xue family," "to favor the Xue family," and "to purge the court of corrupt officials." Since he was going to cooperate with Qian Renxue, he couldn't let her walk a path full of future troubles.

Otherwise, he might as well switch to the Star Luo Empire, where at least the succession to the throne wouldn't be a problem.

Therefore, wasn't Qian Renxue's test today also a test from Chen Feng?

If Qian Renxue really insists on using her terrible plan, then Chen Feng should seriously consider running away.

Fortunately, Qian Renxue's respect for talent was genuine; she would listen to the opinions of those she approved of. She asked, "So, Xiao Feng, what's your plan?"

"Let His Majesty personally hand the throne to you," Chen Feng said without hesitation.

Qian Renxue frowned, feeling somewhat disappointed. This strategy wasn't entirely ineffective, but it was clearly unsuitable for her because of her problematic identity.

If Xue Ye were to personally relinquish the throne, the situation would become much more unpredictable.

"I'm afraid... that won't work." Qian Renxue slowly shook her head.

"What are your concerns, Brother Xue?" Chen Feng asked with a smile.

Qian Renxue opened her mouth, unsure how to explain, and could only vaguely say, "I'm worried that Father Emperor's attachment to that position might make him wary of me."

Chen Feng chuckled and said, "Brother Xue, have you forgotten what I just said?"

"Hmm?" Qian Renxue looked puzzled.

"Imperial power originates from the hearts of the people. If one day you can win the hearts of the empire, then that throne, even if not yours, will be yours. Until then, Brother Xue, you must be open-minded and patient."

"So, I'm going to continue trying to win over those ministers and Nobles?" Qian Renxue asked.

"Ministers and Nobles need to be won over, but you can't just win them over. You need to look down to the Commoners people and the talented Soul Master who emerge from Commoners them. They are the true foundation of your rule. So what you need to do is go deep among them and build your own team. Being aloof is not advisable," Chen Feng said with a smile.

Qian Renxue was somewhat surprised, "I thought that with your background, Xiao Feng, you would..."

"Will they place greater emphasis on ministers and Nobles?"

"That's right."

"Actually, it's a matter of gains and losses. Those people are mostly high-ranking officials in the empire, and they are either rich or noble. Even if you do them a favor, Brother Xue, how much can you give in return? But it's different for the others."

"I see." Qian Renxue understood.