Taiqing

The secret arts of breaking through tribulations were closely guarded in the martial world, each sect treasuring them above all else, never passing them on to outsiders.

Yet on the bookshelves of Bright Martial Hall, there were nine such manuals, though each followed a largely similar line of thought: purification.

By following a unique route, one could purify and sharpen their internal energy, then forcefully bore through the Three Passes—if one thrust failed, then two, ten, a hundred, until the Three Passes were finally breached.

The more advanced the Breaking Through Tribulation Art, the purer the internal energy refined, and the easier the breakthrough.

The Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique, however, took a completely different approach.

Through a unique route, it could form additional barriers within the meridians, binding the internal energy in specific channels and holding it motionless.

When the time came to break through, all this bound internal energy was released at once, surging into the Governor Vessel like floodwaters bursting from several dams at once—irresistibly powerful, instantly smashing through the Three Passes.

This Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique was derived from the Dragon Subduing Sect and the Void Controlling Sword Sect, both ancient top-tier sects, housed on that single shelf.

Among the Dragon Subduing True Scripture of the ancient Dragon Subduing Sect, there was a heart technique called the Dragon Binding Rope, and also a Dragon Transformation Technique.

The Dragon Binding Rope was a special method, a shortcut to rapid achievement, while the Dragon Transformation Technique was a body-tempering art, transforming the body into a dragon.

The first layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique tempered the meridians, making the Twelve Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians as tough and powerful as a dragon's.

Without first practicing this technique, if several streams of internal energy rushed in together, they would destroy the meridians before even breaking through the passes.

Once the Dragon Transformation Technique was accomplished, one then practiced the Void Controlling Sword Sect's Qi Washing Art, purifying the internal energy until it was as pure as a sword, and finally trained in the Dragon Binding Rope.

Dragon Transformation Technique → Qi Washing Art → Dragon Binding Rope = Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique.

He chuckled to himself.

The Emperor had indeed created the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique with stability in mind—no pursuit of innovation, merely stitching things together. It truly wouldn't go wrong.

To ordinary eyes, this technique was gilding the lily.

Why not just practice the Qi Washing Art directly? It was already a rare, top-tier breakthrough art in the world. Why waste time on the Dragon Transformation Technique and the Dragon Binding Rope?

Both the Dragon Subduing Sect and the Void Controlling Sword Sect were ancient top-tier sects, demanding extremely high talent and comprehension—precisely why their lineages had been severed.

Even the shortcut methods like the Qi Washing Art and the Dragon Binding Rope were extremely difficult to master, let alone training in all three at once.

There wasn't even a need to practice the Qi Washing Art; one could simply find another breakthrough secret art. By the time it took to master the Qi Washing Art, one might have already broken through to the Innate realm.

But the marvel of the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique lay not only in breaking these Three Passes, but also in every subsequent barrier in the higher realms.

Every floor of the Innate Twelve Floors, every heaven of the Grandmaster Nine Heavens—all could be breached.

This could be called a one-and-done breakthrough secret art, truly a miracle among miracles.

The prerequisite was being able to master it.

Under normal circumstances, practicing the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique consumed a vast amount of time, requiring a long period of obscurity, inevitably inviting the cold stares and mockery of others.

But there was also a shortcut method—

That was the inheritance of the Taiqing Yuan Sect.

The Taiqing Yuan Sect was also an ancient top-tier sect on that same shelf, possessing the Heavenly Yuan Art, the Earthly Yuan Art, and the Human Yuan Art.

The Heavenly Yuan Art absorbed the qi of the sun, moon, and stars, replenishing and even strengthening the spirit.

The Earthly Yuan Art absorbed the qi of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, replenishing Primal Qi.

The Human Yuan Art absorbed the yin and yang qi of the human body, replenishing Essence Blood.

Mastering the Earthly Yuan Art allowed one to rapidly replenish internal energy, eliminating the need to cycle through the Lesser Violet Sun Technique one full cycle at a time to recover.

Mastering the Heavenly Yuan Art allowed one to quickly restore the spirit.

One was comparable to a Foundation Cultivation Pill for restoring internal energy, the other to a Spirit Nourishing Pill for restoring the spirit.

And while the effects of spiritual pills diminished with repeated use, the effects of the Heavenly Yuan Art and Earthly Yuan Art only grew stronger.

Therefore, he would have to take a long detour, starting with the Heavenly Yuan Art and the Earthly Yuan Art first.

Heavenly Yuan Art, Earthly Yuan Art → Dragon Transformation Technique → Qi Washing Art → Dragon Binding Rope = Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique.

If he couldn't master the Heavenly Yuan Art and Earthly Yuan Art, then he would abandon all thought of the Jade Lock Golden Pass Technique and honestly just practice the Qi Washing Art.

--

The next morning, as he arrived at Bright Martial Hall under the first rays of dawn, the vast training ground was empty, with only one person standing in the Violet Sun Stance.

This man was powerfully built and sturdy, with handsome features, standing like a small iron pagoda in the morning light.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists and smiled, greeting him like an old friend: "Ninth Brother is here quite early."

Chu Zhiting hesitated for a moment, then returned the clasped fist: "Fourth Brother is also quite early."

This "Fourth Brother" was forced out, the greeting reluctant, showing no desire to speak with Chu Zhiyuan.

While Chu Zhiyuan read in the West Side Hall, he didn't miss what was happening on the training ground. By midday, he had already thoroughly discerned the temperaments of the twelve princes and the Heir Apparent.

Chu Zhiting was the Heir Apparent of the Tenth Prince, King Ying. His outward demeanor was sharp and kept people at a distance, but in truth, he was somewhat socially anxious, not good with words and disliking conversation. Most of his time was spent in silent, hard training.

Chu Zhiyuan pretended not to notice his reluctance and continued the conversation: "Tenth Uncle should be returning to the capital soon, right?"

He was certain that as long as he brought up the Tenth Prince, King Ying, Chu Zhiting couldn't refuse to respond—Chu Zhiting deeply admired his own father.

"...Father King will arrive in the capital within these few days."

Chu Zhiting didn't want to speak, but after a moment's hesitation, he still answered.

"That battle at Crouching Dragon Valley—we weren't ruthless enough in dealing with the Great Zhen Dynasty. That's why they still refuse to curb their arrogance."

"...Father King said there was no choice but to withdraw then. The Great Meng Dynasty was taking advantage of the chaos to loot; if we hadn't pulled back to reinforce, they would have breached our city gates."

Chu Zhiting shook his head.

"The Great Zhen and Great Meng colluding together—that's the real trouble." Chu Zhiyuan frowned. "Breaking their alliance is crucial... Thank heavens for Tenth Uncle. Now that he's returning to the capital, the Great Zhen will likely stir again, and the northwest will grow unstable again... But Uncle King has held the northwest for ten years. It's been hard on Tenth Aunt and Ninth Brother."

Between men, talking about women or politics is the fastest way to close the distance.

Especially when it touched on what Chu Zhiting was most proud of.

Every answer Chu Zhiting gave was reluctant, unwilling to speak, yet in the end he said it—caught in his own conflict, he had already exchanged a few words with Chu Zhiyuan.

"It's nothing much..."

Chu Zhiting pressed his lips tight.

He felt both pride and bitterness; his heart had been stirred.

Once his heart was touched, the emotional gap shrank sharply, and speaking with Chu Zhiyuan no longer felt so grudging.

Chu Zhiyuan showed immense interest in the northwest border wars, scratching exactly where Chu Zhiting itched, and soon had him talking a mile a minute. The two chatted with great enthusiasm.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at Chu Zhiting. "Among Father King's generation, the one I admire most is Tenth Uncle. Hiding his name and identity, starting as a common soldier and earning his way to general through sheer military merit—setting aside his wisdom and talent, even that courage alone makes one feel ashamed!"

Chu Zhiting barely suppressed his smile.

To hide his name and enter the army as a common soldier, with no guards, and on the northwest border at that—it was a gamble with nine deaths out of ten.

In all the generations of the Great Jing Imperial Clan, only Father King had dared to do such a thing. No one else had that boldness or resolve, which was why he was enfeoffed as King Ying.

The other princes were titled after their fiefs—Prince Qing, enfeoffed in Qing Prefecture; Prince Huai, enfeoffed in Huai Prefecture; Prince Jing, enfeoffed in Jing Prefecture.

Only King Ying was not named after his fief.

As the two were speaking, a slender young man arrived at the training grounds. He was strikingly handsome, with an icy expression and indifferent eyes. It was the Thirteenth Prince, the Heir Apparent of Prince Huai—Chu Zhichuan.

"Tenth Brother." Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands and smiled.

Chu Zhichuan nodded faintly, closed his eyes, and assumed his stance to begin training.

The best time to cultivate the Lesser Violet Sun Technique was this early morning period—when the sun rose in the east, the purple qi came from the east, and the world's purple qi was at its densest. Training efficiency was highest then.

Chu Zhiyuan paid no mind to Chu Zhichuan's coldness. This Chu Zhichuan's temperament was different from Chu Zhiting's.

Chu Zhiting's aloofness came from social anxiety; his nature was somewhat simple and honest. But Chu Zhichuan's aloofness came from arrogance—he looked down on the mundane, disdained worldly affairs, and focused solely on cultivation.

So there was no need to get close to Chu Zhichuan; keeping a normal distance was fine.

Chu Zhiyuan continued, "After stepping into the Xiantian realm, Ninth Brother will also join the military?"

Chu Zhiting shook his head helplessly.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "King's Aunt won't allow it?"

Chu Zhiting nodded with a wry smile.

One person in the family already charging onto the battlefield—if there were two, his mother couldn't bear it. No matter what, she wouldn't agree.

Besides, if he really entered the army, he'd be looked after from every side, with people helping him at every turn. How could he make any real progress?

He'd have to go through hardship and suffering like Father King did back then to achieve anything.

As the two talked, Chu Zhichuan trained in silence with his eyes closed. More and more heirs and princes arrived.

Chu Zhiyuan greeted each one in turn.

"Eleventh Brother," "Thirteenth Brother," "Eighteenth Brother," "Eighteenth Uncle," "Nineteenth Uncle," "Twentieth Uncle."

Everyone responded in kind.

Chu Zhiyuan pretended not to see their reluctance and awkwardness, knowing that in two or three days they'd grow familiar and it would become routine.

After Chu Qingfeng arrived, Chu Zhiyuan went back into the West Side Hall to read, flipping through various martial arts manuals, miscellaneous notes on martial arts, and martial theory.

The collection included many martial arts notes from the Grandmaster's Mansion and the Grandmaster's Mansion.

With these notes, grandmasters and great grandmasters could exchange them for merits.

These notes didn't cover any specific internal techniques—they were general discussions, including understandings of heaven and earth, martial arts, worldly affairs, and the human body. They deeply shook him.

This world's understanding of martial arts and the universe was both profound and subtle.

It was like the Hundred Schools of Thought during the Warring States period in his past life, or like science in that former life.

Building on the foundation of the previous generation, advancing step by step, accumulating generation after generation—just thinking about it, one could imagine how brilliant and splendid it was.

After reading these notes, his understanding suddenly surged forward.

A feeling of sudden enlightenment washed over him.

He instantly understood why the princes and heirs in the Bright Martial Hall had to enter the palace so early, arriving before sunrise to begin training.

It was because of the Lesser Violet Sun Technique, the Xiantian-level Greater Violet Sun Technique, and the Grandmaster-level Violet Sun True Scripture.

Experience the Violet Sun Realm.

Every morning, he observed the violet sun, imprinting it into his heart and soul.

A Master enters the heart; a Grandmaster enters the spirit.

This Violet Sun Realm was both the gateway to becoming a Master and the artistic conception pursued by a Grandmaster.

When he read too much and his head grew dizzy and swollen, he would execute the Heavenly Yuan Art.

Threads of cool, refreshing energy descended from the heavens, drilling in through his Baihui Acupoint.

His brain felt as if it were soaking in a Cold Spring—crisp and biting. In an instant, his mind became clear, his thoughts agile, and sparks of inspiration burst forth from time to time.

The Heavenly Yuan Art and the Earthly Yuan Art demanded too much of one's innate talent; it was rare in this world to find someone with the requisite disposition.

The foundation of cultivation was to sense the existence of Primal Qi and then harvest it.

If one could not sense Primal Qi, it was like a blind man searching for a needle in the ocean—no matter how hard one trained, it was futile. But if one could sense it, it was as easy as reaching into one's own pocket—practice would yield immediate results.

As the Primal Qi of heaven and earth mutated, no one in the Taiqing Yuan Sect could ever master their techniques again, and they eventually became lost arts.

Because of his Super Sensation, practicing the Heavenly Yuan Art and the Earthly Yuan Art was as effortless for him as drinking water. He succeeded the moment he tried, and once he succeeded, he was already proficient. In a single night, he had fully mastered them.

To him, the Heavenly Yuan Art and the Earthly Yuan Art were countless times easier than the Lesser Violet Sun Technique.

Chu Qingfeng, who had been standing by the training grounds with his hands behind his back, suddenly turned his head to look at the West Side Hall. He lifted his gaze to the sky, lost in thought.

The Eighteenth Prince, Chu Mingxuan, noticed his unusual behavior. His chubby face split into a grin as he chuckled, "Thirteenth Uncle, is Fourth Son hiding in there all day reading and not training?"

"Mind your own business!"

"Thirteenth Uncle, it's been a while since we sparred. Let's have a match—training dryly all the time is way too boring."

"You just want to see Fourth Son make a fool of himself, don't you?"

"Thirteenth Uncle, you're wronging me! I just want to feast my eyes and see how impressive Fourth Son really is."

Just how strong was Fourth Son, who had earned Thirteenth Uncle's special regard?

Was he all flash and no substance?

"If you put this much thought into your training, you'd have broken through to Xiantian by now!"

"Hehe, Thirteenth Uncle, hasn't it been almost two months since our last spar? Everyone's getting bored with training."

The Bright Martial Hall held a competition every two months to stir things up and keep everyone motivated.

"Are you putting up a prize?"

"No problem, I'll put one up!"

"I heard you recently acquired a fine sword."

"It was dug up from a cave dwelling on my fief. I'll use it as the prize."

Chu Qingfeng shook his head. "Just to watch a bit of excitement, you're really going all out!"

He had heard the news—this was no ordinary sword. Its origins were a mystery, and it was definitely no common item.

If it weren't on his fief, it would have already stirred up a storm of bloodshed.

To offer such a sword as a prize could only mean that Eighteenth Son was bored enough.

Chu Mingxuan didn't care in the slightest. "If Fourth Son really does take the top spot, consider it a gift for him. As his imperial uncle, I can't be too stingy, can I?"