Late July, inside the Eastern Palace.
Though it stood at the heart of the Jade Capital, the imperial palace was vast, and government offices surrounded it. Even in broad daylight, it was quiet here. The city's clamor could not pass through Chang'an Gate; it faded into the air.
A man in splendid robes sat cross-legged on a Meditation Cushion.
Before him lay another nearly useless Auxiliary Potion, an Eighth-Tier Otherworldly Beast Core, and a bottle containing a single Essence-Returning Pill.
Beside him stood a kindly old man, a tall woman wearing a metal mask, and a young man in Former Dynasty attire whose looks were impossible to place as male or female.
"Your Highness, you may begin."
The kindly old man raised his eyes and looked calmly at the man. "For the past several decades, I have overseen every member of the Royal Family who has advanced to High Tier. You can rest assured."
"Thank you, Lord Liu."
"You honor me."
"If I..."
"Rest assured, Your Highness. I am a professional."
"Very well."
The Group Leader nodded.
The old man specialized in assisting royal descendants with their breakthroughs. Royal families throughout the dynasties had placed great importance on their descendants' cultivation and their privacy during breakthroughs, establishing dedicated offices and positions for the purpose. Great Yi had continued the practice, and it remained in place to this day. The Group Leader trusted him.
But still...
The Group Leader turned to his younger brother. "Ziyang, you should leave."
"Hm? What about Wu Eiwei?"
"Wu Eiwei will attempt to reach the Seventh Tier in a few days. Let her stay and watch. It will give her some experience," the Group Leader said calmly.
"I'll be advancing to the Sixth Tier soon myself. Let me stay too, so I can gain some experience