Small-Heaven Realm!

After returning from Prince Mi's Mansion, Zhu Youning immediately sent someone to deliver some money and valuables. Then, unable to wait any longer, he found a secluded place to enter seclusion, preparing to comprehend the mysteries of the Qi Scripture.

As a martial art that only descendants of the Li Tang imperial clan could cultivate, the Qi Scripture was naturally no ordinary thing.

After cultivating the Qi Scripture for merely two hours, Zhu Youning felt that his body had undergone a drastic transformation!

The internal energy within him suddenly began to circulate violently, like overturning rivers and seas.

It swiftly surged through the Ren Vessel's Chengjiang, Tiantu, Shanzhong, Juque, Shenque, and Hui** acupoints; through the Du Vessel's Baihui, Fengfu, Dazhui, Shendao, Zhiyang, Zhongshu, Mingmen, and Changqiang acupoints; and across the Chong Vessel's Youmen, Shangqu, Zhongzhu, Siman, and Henggu acupoints. This internal energy continuously washed through Zhu Youning's meridians, growing stronger without cease.

Finally, after some time, Zhu Youning calmed his mind and regulated his breathing in silence, drawing in and restraining that incomparably vast internal energy.

He opened his eyes. They gleamed with spirit, as though light shone within them.

Small-Heaven Realm!

Zhu Youning had already reached the peak of the Great Star Realm. Entering the Small-Heaven Realm had only been a matter of taking that final step. What the Qi Scripture did was help Zhu Youning take that step.

If Zhu Youning's body were compared to a sovereign emperor, then what the Qi Scripture was doing now was this: gathering the ministers to celebrate their merits and bolstering the emperor's fortune.

All the Qi Scripture did was mobilize the residual medicinal power within Zhu Youning's body that had yet to be fully absorbed and refined, then unite the internal energy throughout his body to help cleanse his meridians.

Thanks to the abundant internal energy within him, Zhu Youning felt refreshed and invigorated. With every breath, his internal energy flowed naturally, and every inhalation and exhalation felt utterly effortless!

The Small-Heaven Realm truly was extraordinary!

Zhu Youning even had the feeling that his current Small-Heaven Realm self could probably defeat ten versions of his former Great Star Realm self!

It was no wonder Zhu Youning thought so. To cross from the Great Star Realm into the Small-Heaven Realm required not only time, but also countless cultivation resources. One had to painstakingly refine one's internal energy, making it ever more dense and powerful, before one could truly enter the Small-Heaven Realm.

Even a martial arts prodigy would need to devote several years of effort to achieve such a breakthrough.

But for the current Zhu Youning, he was already ahead of the rest. With the system and the Qi Scripture, he had entered the Small-Heaven Realm in less than a month.

For the remaining time, Zhu Youning did not rush to leave seclusion. Instead, he planned to test the Qi Scripture's offensive techniques.

The Qi Scripture was not merely a cultivation method for tempering the body and refining qi. It truly possessed offensive methods.

With a thought, Zhu Youning circulated true qi to his palm and condensed it, casually aiming at the wall.

The next moment, a white vapor-like stream erupted from Zhu Youning's palm at bullet-like speed.

Boom!

A tremendous bang rang out. The wall more than ten meters away shook violently before exploding with a bang, leaving behind a round hole two meters in diameter. The surrounding wall cracked over a wide area, while sand and stones flew in all directions amid countless fragments and clouds of dust.

"So this is the Qi Scripture?"

Zhu Youning was somewhat surprised. "This attack method of the Qi Scripture bears a resemblance to the Six Meridian Divine Sword. With the Qi Scripture, perhaps I can put off exchanging for the Six Meridian Divine Sword for now."

A day later, Zhu Youning was summoned by Zhu Wen once again.

Zhu Wen looked somewhat weak at the moment—the weakness of someone who had overworked himself. More precisely, the weakness of depleted kidneys.

Even his complexion looked less lively than Zhang Zhenniang's beside him, but Zhu Wen seemed not to care about that.

At this moment, Zhu Wen's expression clearly showed that he was overjoyed.

And when he was happy, he became much more talkative.

"Good, good. Nephew, the medicine you presented to Us is simply divine medicine! We shall bestow upon you greater rank and title! Now that Wang Shifan has surrendered, the position in Qingzhou remains vacant. We shall grant you the post of Pinglu Jiedushi. Furthermore, We shall appoint you Acting Minister of Works of the court."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity."

Zhu Youning cupped his fists and stood there with his head slightly lowered. Naturally, he would not refuse. Turning down an official post would make him a fool. Then, seizing the right moment, Zhu Youning said, "Your Majesty, this minister has another matter to discuss during today's audience."

"What is it?"

"This minister heard that Your Majesty intends to execute Wang Shifan?"

"There is such a matter." Zhu Wen held Zhang Zhenniang at his side, clearly in high spirits. Drinking as he laughed heartily, he said, "That Wang Shifan nearly got you killed. First, We give you his position as Pinglu Jiedushi, then wipe out his entire clan and vent your anger for you. Isn't that a good thing?"

Zhu Youning cupped his fists. "This minister thanks Your Majesty, but I have one more thing to say. I do not know whether I should speak."

The moment Zhu Youning finished speaking, Zhu Wen's voice rang out.

"Nephew, there are no outsiders here. No need to be so formal. Say whatever you wish."

Naturally, Zhu Youning would not speak carelessly. After organizing his thoughts, he said, "Your Majesty, this minister believes Wang Shifan cannot be killed."

"Why not? Wouldn't killing him to avenge you be a good thing?"

"Your Majesty, killing Wang Shifan would indeed make this minister feel better, but it would harm Your Majesty's imperial reputation for wisdom and virtue!"

"Oh?" Zhu Wen glanced at Zhu Youning, his smile gradually fading. He then pondered for a while.

"What you say does make some sense, Nephew."

As Zhu Wen spoke, his expression grew slightly serious.

"Nephew, quickly explain why Wang Shifan cannot be killed. If you can make a convincing case, We will spare him."

As he spoke, Zhu Wen let out a drunken belch, then added, "Right, keep it short. We are feeling somewhat tired."

Knowing Zhu Wen's temperament, Zhu Youning immediately said, "First, Wang Shifan has only just surrendered. If Your Majesty kills him now, it will harm Great Liang's reputation and make it more difficult to reorganize the troops of Pinglu Garrison.

Second, Wang Shifan's reputation is renowned throughout the realm. Sparing him would help win over scholars and literati.

Third, Wang Shifan once rebelled against the Tang and pursued Emperor Zhaozong's Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, Zhongwu Military Governor Cui Anqian. Now that he has changed allegiances several times and returned to Great Liang, he will never rebel again for the sake of his reputation."

Fourth, Wang Shifan was skilled in civil administration. If his military authority were stripped and he were sent to serve in the provinces, he would surely bring great order to the region!"

"That makes some sense." Zhu Wen's eyes shifted slightly, and he patted Zhang Zhenniang in his arms again. "Beauty, what do you think?"

Zhang Zhenniang hurriedly shook her head and flattered him, "This concubine is merely a woman. How could my insight compare to Your Majesty's?"

Zhu Wen immediately burst into wild laughter. "Hahaha, you're right! I am supremely intelligent—when it comes to insight, you naturally cannot compare to me!"

After laughing, he looked at Zhu Youning. "Nephew, I won't kill Wang Shifan, but neither will I employ him again. However, you must go placate him and ensure that he does nothing detrimental to Great Liang. In my view, only you, the aggrieved party, can make him behave himself. Oh, and you must hurry. Ten days from now is an auspicious day for killing. The Xuanming Cult has already received my orders and set out for Luoyang to kill him. You must reach Luoyang within ten days."

"This subject obeys the imperial decree."