As expected of a royal treasure, the Cloud-Chasing Boat flies fast and steadily, with almost no turbulence felt.
A semi-transparent spiritual energy shield surrounded the deck, completely isolating it from the fierce winds from high above.
The interior of the boat was much larger than it appeared from the outside, divided into several rooms, and decorated extremely luxuriously, making it almost like a moving palace.
Ling Xueyao and the man in black robes each went into a room, seemingly to rest with their eyes closed.
Chu Yunfei also entered a room.
The effects of his night of dual cultivation with Lin Wanyin far exceeded his expectations.
That woman was, after all, Daughter of Heavenly Mandate, possessing pure and boundless energy within her. After being transformed by the Dragon and Phoenix Dao Yellow Scripture, this energy not only helped her break through two levels in succession, but also allowed Chu Yunfei's cultivation to directly step from the Eighth Level of the Spirit Martial Realm into the ninth level.
At this moment, he was fully circulating the Boundless Creation Scripture, repeatedly sorting out and consolidating the spiritual power within his body.
At the Ninth Level of the Spirit Martial Realm, one is only one step away from the next major realm, the Heavenly Origin Realm.
But this step was like an insurmountable chasm.
For an ordinary martial artist to break through from the Spirit Martial Realm to the Heavenly Origin Realm, they need to continuously compress and purify the gaseous spiritual energy in their dantian until it is finally condensed into a liquid state.
This process requires not only a massive amount of Spiritual Qi energy, but also extremely precise control over one's own power.
The slightest carelessness could lead to a runaway of spiritual energy, causing damage to the dantian at best, and even death by exploding on the spot at worst.
For Chu Yunfei, this process was more than ten times more difficult than that of an ordinary martial artist.
Because of the Boundless Creation Scripture he cultivated, the capacity of his dantian and qi sea far exceeded that of others of the same level.
This means that the amount of Spiritual Qi he needs to break through is astronomical.
However, he wasn't in a hurry.
The stronger the foundation, the farther one can go in the future.
He channeled the immense energy he gained from dual cultivation into his meridians and bones, continuously strengthening his foundation at the Ninth Level of the Spirit Martial Realm.
"You brat, don't just focus on consolidating your cultivation. Your movement techniques and martial arts are as clumsy as a dog's crawl. If you encounter a real master, you won't even be able to escape."
Deep within his consciousness, Xiaoxiao Dragon's voice, tinged with disdain, suddenly rang out.
Chu Yunfei didn't even lift his eyelids, replying in his mind, "Of course I know, but I feel that my current minor mastery of the Divine Movement Art is barely enough."
"Enough?" Xiaoxiao Dragon scoffed. "A movement technique at the Lesser Completion level is only enough for you to show off in a rural place like Qingyang City. Once you get to the Imperial City, there are Heavenly Origin Realm cultivators everywhere, and even old monsters at the Divine Sea Realm. What can you do with that speed? Become a sitting duck?"
Chu Yunfei raised an eyebrow.
This female dragon still speaks in such an unpleasant way.
However, what she said was indeed the truth.
With his own attack methods including the perfected Heaven-Severing Slash, his physical strength being strong enough, and the divine weapon Abyss-Devouring Sword, he wouldn't be afraid to face a Fourth Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm opponent head-on.
Its only weakness is its movement technique.
Although the Divine Movement Art is only a low-grade Xuan-level martial skill, its advantage lies in its flexibility and versatility, and its consumption of spiritual energy is extremely low. If one can cultivate it to the perfect level, one's speed and survival ability will surely undergo a qualitative leap.
With that in mind, Chu Yunfei no longer hesitated.
He took out the jade slip containing the secret manual of the Divine Movement Art from his storage ring, immersed his divine sense into it, and carefully studied it once again.
The jade slip was originally supposed to be returned to the Azure Mystic Sect Sect's library, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he kept it.
Inside the jade slip, intricate diagrams of spiritual energy circulation flowed through his mind like the trajectories of stars.
For other martial artists with better talent, it would be impossible to cultivate a Xuan-level movement technique from minor to major without months or even years of hard work, let alone reach the perfect level.
But Chu Yunfei was different.
He possesses the martial arts experience and vision from his previous life, and his understanding and control of spiritual power are far beyond what martial artists in this world can match.
Many obstacles that others find obscure and difficult to understand are, in his eyes, a smooth road.
He stood up, first guiding the spiritual energy within his body to flow through the meridians of his legs, and then began practicing in the spacious cabin.
At first, his movements were somewhat sluggish, and every turn and acceleration seemed a bit deliberate.
But as time went on, his movements became more and more fluid and natural.
His footsteps were unpredictable, sometimes as elusive as a ghost, sometimes as swift and powerful as a thunderclap.
One day later.
The Divine Movement Art has been mastered!
His speed was three times faster than before.
But he didn't stop.
"Not enough!"
Chu Yunfei closed his eyes tightly, frantically analyzing every detail of the Divine Movement Art in his mind, trying to optimize it and push it to an unprecedented extreme.
The Boundless Creation Scripture within his body was operating wildly, continuously channeling pure spiritual energy to his limbs and bones.
Two days later.
After continuous, sleepless practice, the results were remarkable.
At this moment, after Chu Yunfei unleashed his Divine Movement Art, his figure left a series of afterimages in the room.
From one, to three, and then to seven or eight...
Finally, it seemed as if dozens of Chu Yunfei appeared simultaneously in the room, dazzling the eye and making it impossible to distinguish which was real and which was fake.
"Buzz~"
After circulating the last bit of spiritual energy along a completely new route for one cycle, he suddenly opened his eyes.
It's done.
The Divine Movement Art, perfected!
Chu Yunfei felt an unprecedented lightness within his body, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up.
If he were to unleash his full power in his movement techniques now, he was confident that any martial artist below the Seventh Level of the Heavenly Origin Realm would not be able to easily touch the hem of his clothes unless he wanted to.
Of course, this is on the premise that the other party has not practiced movement techniques.
"Hmph, it's alright." Xiaoxiao Dragon's voice rang out again, still carrying a hint of arrogance, but clearly with a touch of approval.
Chu Yunfei suppressed his aura and exhaled a long breath.
Two consecutive days of arduous training left him feeling somewhat suffocated.
He pushed open the cabin door of the airship, preparing to go to the deck for some fresh air.
As soon as he came out, Chu Yunfei smelled a faint, refreshing fragrance. He followed the scent and saw Ling Xueyao standing at the bow of the boat, her yellow dress fluttering slightly in the night breeze, outlining her graceful curves.
She wasn't wearing a veil, and her flawless profile looked almost unreal in the night.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Ling Xueyao did not turn around.
"Finished your cultivation?" A cool voice drifted on the wind.
"Yeah, I came out for some fresh air." Chu Yunfei walked to her side, put his hands behind his back, and looked down at the surging sea of clouds.
From this angle, although obscured by clouds, one can still vaguely see that the mountains here are steep and precipitous, barren of vegetation, and the black rocks gleam with a cold, eerie luster under the moonlight. The entire mountain range is permeated with an atmosphere of death and desolation.
This is the Black Wind Mountain Range, one of the most notorious forbidden areas in the Eastern Continent. It is shrouded in fierce winds year-round and teems with demonic beasts. It is said that even experts at the Divine Sea Realm dare not venture too deep into its depths.
Information about this place surfaced in Chu Yunfei's mind.
"Your Highness, is something troubling you so late at night?" Chu Yunfei asked casually.
"I can't sleep." Ling Xueyao shook her head, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.
Chu Yunfei glanced at her sideways. In the moonlight, her flawless profile appeared even more aloof, yet also revealed a hint of fragility she didn't usually possess.
"Are you worried about things in the capital?"
Ling Xueyao remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "The imperial city is far more complex than you imagine."
"Oh? I'd like to hear more." Chu Yunfei became interested.
Ling Xueyao seemed to need someone to confide in. Gazing at the distant starry sky, she said softly, "My father had three sons, who are my three elder brothers."
"The eldest prince has the deepest influence in the court. He appears kind and generous, but in reality, he is very ambitious. After the emperor went into seclusion, he took control of all the affairs of the court."
"The second prince is hot-tempered, admires martial prowess, and has always wanted to prove himself through strength. He also has his eyes on the throne."
"As for the Third Prince..." Ling Xueyao paused, "He usually appears indifferent to worldly affairs, spending his days indulging in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. He's the least noticeable of the three princes. But... I always feel that he's the most dangerous one."
Chu Yunfei listened quietly without interrupting.
Royal power struggles have always been the bloodiest and most ruthless.
"My father was poisoned and fell into a coma, and I forcibly suppressed the news, only announcing to the outside world that he was in seclusion, trying to break through to a higher realm." Ling Xueyao's voice grew lower and lower, "But the truth can't be hidden forever. The First Prince and the Second Prince have probably already become suspicious and have planted countless spies in the palace, constantly trying to test me."
"In the past, when I went out, I was ambushed and killed by unknown forces. Their purpose was probably not only to prevent me from seeking medical treatment, but also to use my death to force my father to 'come out of seclusion'."
Chu Yunfei understood.
If the emperor were truly in seclusion, the murder of his daughter would surely enrage him, causing him to burst out of seclusion.
But if the emperor doesn't come out, then it proves the rumors are true, and something has happened to the emperor.
At that time, the entire royal family will have no more scruples, and a bloody drama of vying for the throne will immediately unfold.
"Wouldn't it be even more dangerous for you to take me back this time?" Chu Yunfei stroked his chin. "My status as the imperial son-in-law will likely make me a target of public criticism."
"What, is Young Master Chu afraid?" Ling Xueyao turned her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling in the moonlight, and looked directly into Chu Yunfei's eyes.
Chu Yunfei smiled.
Afraid?
He was the reincarnation of a powerful figure, and he had faced countless life-or-death crises in the past, but he never backed down.
A few mere princes, do they think they're worthy of his fear?
"I'm not afraid."
Chu Yunfei's lips curled into a frivolous smile, but his eyes were deep and sharp.
"But... it'll cost extra!"
Ling Xueyao: "..."