The Great King's Aptitude is Lacking

"...Good!"

Upon hearing Wen Zhong speak, Di Xin's smile froze on his face, becoming incredibly stiff. His excitement and passion were instantly doused like a burning flame by ice water. After a long silence, he finally uttered this single word.

His profound disappointment was evident on his face.

"Great King..." Wen Zhong began, but trailed off, looking somewhat awkward.

"Heh heh, This King understands, no need to say more. Coincidentally, there are a few points I don't understand that require the Grand Tutor's explanation. Come, come, follow This King!"

King Zhou, clearly looking groggy, nevertheless dragged Wen Zhong to a side hall, took out the silk scroll containing the cultivation technique, and began asking questions one after another.

Seeing how diligently the Great King was studying, Wen Zhong did not hold back and answered each question individually.

After asking over a dozen more questions, Di Xin scanned the lengthy cultivation technique one last time. "That's all the questions for now. If I have more, I'll have to trouble the Grand Tutor again."

He looked like a diligent elementary school student.

Wen Zhong's feelings were complex, but he didn't say much. After leaving the Royal Palace, he didn't return to his residence directly. Instead, he found a direction and soared into the sky on his Ink Qilin.

"Great King, please take care of yourself. Seeing you obsessively study the Dao like this, your consort is truly worried!"

Su Daji welcomed Di Xin back to Shouxian Palace, speaking in a sweet, delicate tone as they walked.

"This King's health is excellent, Beloved Consort, no need to worry."

Di Xin pinched Daji's slender waist and laughed heartily as he returned to his chambers.

Daji stood frozen, her expression subtly shifting. She worried that if the Great King truly cultivated Origin Power one day, and they were intimate, he might sense the demonic energy emanating from her.

Her good days would be over.

The more Daji thought about it, the more worried she became. She was about to follow Di Xin to earnestly persuade the Great King not to indulge in those useless things.

However, the moment her foot moved, an eunuch rushed in from outside.

Instantly displeased, she glared at the eunuch, her face darkening. "How are you becoming so ill-mannered? What's with all this rushing about?"

"Your Highness, I have an important matter to report to the Great King."

The eunuch quickly stopped, replying respectfully.

Di Xin, who had already entered his chambers, now had ears and eyes far more sensitive than before. Although his chambers were not close, he clearly heard their conversation.

"What is it?"

His greatest concern now was any movement from those Daoist Sect members, so he hurried out to inquire.

"Great King, many court officials are outside the palace gates, requesting an audience!"

The eunuch replied urgently.

"So that's it!"

Di Xin's suspended heart immediately relaxed. He wasn't worried about anything else, only that the Daoist Sect members might be causing trouble in Chaoge.

As long as they weren't the ones stirring up trouble, those ministers were easy enough to deal with.

Moreover, the more issues arose, the greater the chance of receiving System rewards.

He had been cultivating in the Ancestral Temple for the past two days, and everything had been peaceful, but there had been no opportunities for System rewards.

He didn't return to his chambers. Instead, under the escort of a troop of Imperial Guards, he headed straight for the palace gates.

Upon arrival, he ordered the heavy palace gates to be opened to allow the ministers in.

Normally, outside of court sessions, the palace guards were extremely strict. Unless they were a few particularly influential ministers, others could not enter without the Emperor's or Empress's decree.

With so many people arriving at once, the on-duty Imperial Guards dared not let them in casually.

"Great King, we request to proceed to Longde Hall, where we have matters to report."

Prime Minister Shang Rong, observing the numerous Imperial Guards around them, formally addressed Di Xin.

Di Xin was indifferent and led everyone directly into Longde Hall. He sat on the dragon throne, as if holding an extra court session at midday.

"What is it? Speak."

Di Xin saw that the attendees were quite complete today. Most of the civil and military officials qualified to attend court were present, indicating that the matter must be significant.

"Great King, we heard that Your Majesty knelt before Grand Tutor Wen within the palace?"

Shang Rong asked directly.

"Ah, this matter!"

Di Xin knew that there were people from the court within the palace, so there were no secrets within the Royal Palace. This was highly unusual, but it had always been this way. Di Xin had been here too short a time to properly discern such things.

Especially since so many Imperial Guards were present at the time, it was difficult to say who had leaked the information.

This matter was of no consequence. Di Xin nodded and admitted, "Indeed. This King wished to take Grand Tutor Wen as his master to learn Daoist arts. Grand Tutor Wen is a veteran of two reigns and a trusted minister entrusted with the late King's heir. Does he not deserve This King's bow?"

Shang Rong stepped forward and said righteously, "Great King, we are not saying Your Majesty should not kneel before Grand Tutor Wen. He is the pillar of Yin Shang and deserves Your Majesty's obeisance. However, we do not approve of Your Majesty learning Daoist arts."

"Why?"

Di Xin found it very strange. Were these ministers overstepping their bounds?

"Great King, allow me to answer Your Majesty."

At this moment, King Wu Cheng of Zhenguo, Huang Feihu, stepped forward from his rank to speak.

"Great King, your subject is a military officer, and my aptitude is passable. However, I once obtained a Daoist cultivation technique, but I never made any progress, wasting a lot of precious time. When I chatted with Grand Tutor Wen before, I also heard him mention the Great King's aptitude, saying it was much worse than mine and that success was impossible. We implore the Great King to dismiss this idea and instead focus on managing state affairs and handling national matters."

"Just because of this?"

Di Xin suddenly laughed.

"The Great King has not attended court for many days, and many state affairs cannot be signed and processed. If Your Majesty continues to waste time cultivating, won't this great nation be ruined? Moreover, knowing it's impossible yet attempting it, we cannot stand idly by."

Huang Feihu said with great distress.

"Heh heh, how do you know my aptitude is poor? Grand Tutor Wen might not be right."

Di Xin found it somewhat amusing. How could his information be so worthless that everyone outside knew his aptitude was poor?

This was, of course, a good thing. He wanted to cultivate in low-key, so he could hide and not attract attention.

However, no matter what others said, it wouldn't make him give up cultivating.

"Great King, we also feel that Grand Tutor Wen might not be entirely accurate, so... we have invited a master with profound Daoist cultivation to examine the Great King's aptitude. If the Great King can truly make progress, we naturally won't obstruct you. If it is as Grand Tutor Wen said, then please listen to our loyal counsel and stop your futile efforts."

At this moment, the Vice Minister, Bi Gan, stepped forward to take over the conversation.

Di Xin looked at the three men standing before him, a playful smile on his face.

It was clear they had made preparations and had contingency plans for his possible reactions.

They had even found a master with profound Daoist cultivation?

Di Xin's first thought was: Could it be that those from the Daoist Sect used some secret method to bewitch these ministers and then check his body?

This matter seemed rather unusual!