[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star":3,"chapter-after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-78":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After Fifteen Years of Secret Cultivation, I Start as a Top-Grade Ultimate Peak!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282186,4464,"Chapter 78: Third Imperial Prince","after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-78",78,"\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Yuanling furrowed her delicate brows, placed her hands on her hips, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She won’t even meet her own younger brother, yet spends all day thinking about a fake imperial prince—what’s she even thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she walked up to Li Muxian, patted her own chest, and declared with firm resolve:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—if your own sister won’t take you in, you still have me, your dry sister. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you’ll become a decent person from now on, and stop stabbing in the back the only sister who’s ever been good to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian chuckled, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he scanned the belongings in the small hall that were his own, nodding in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, remember to make up the gift next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian waved his hand and turned to leave, calling for the Tianjin Guards’ soldiers to accompany him on a stroll through Shangyang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Yuanling’s eyes flickered, and she quickly stepped forward, walking beside him with her hands behind her back, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I grew up in this Shangyang City—I know every place worth visiting. Are you sure you won’t ask for my opinion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? I’d completely forgotten about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian snapped to attention, glanced at her, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re volunteering, then you can show me around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Yuanling rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, as if remembering something, her eyes suddenly lit up with excitement:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know a fascinating place I’ve never had the chance to visit—let’s go see it together today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian eyed her skeptically, stroking his chin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feel like this might not be reliable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuanling frowned, crossed her arms, and narrowed her eyes at him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forgive this princess for speaking plainly—if you can’t trust me, Princess Huarong, who else in the entire imperial capital do you think you can trust?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So confident?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian raised an eyebrow, then clapped his hands:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good—I like confident girls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital of Great Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the central axis of Zhuque Street, near the outer wall of the imperial palace, stood a lavish and imposing mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its vermilion gates stood wide open, its lintel towering, majestic and grand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the open gates, armored soldiers stood sternly on guard, while wandering martial artists chatted loudly among themselves, creating a lively bustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a carriage from the Great Li imperial palace sped from the far end of Zhuque Street and came to a sudden stop before the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, a eunuch with a smooth, beardless face stepped down, glancing up at the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then hurried past the laughing martial artists and approached a guard, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quickly inform Third Imperial Prince—he has urgent news to receive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the surrounding martial artists turned to look, their expressions curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard sized up the eunuch, saw his urgent expression, and immediately dared not delay, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, please wait a moment—I’ll deliver the message at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the rear garden of the Second Imperial Prince’s mansion, between artificial hills, ponds, and lush ornamental trees, stood a vast training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Second Imperial Prince Li Que sat atop a high viewing platform, flanked on either side by armchairs where Third Imperial Prince Li Zhu and a gray-robed old man with white hair sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Que had a refined face, a high nose bridge, but his eyes carried a shadowy gloom—occasional glances revealed sharp, piercing edges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Li Zhu was slightly more robust, broad-shouldered and wide-chested, with a square face and sword-like brows; his purple silk robe stretched taut over his powerful frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fierce tiger-like eyes fixed on the iron-cast training platform below, he said gravely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The martial artists my second brother has gathered today are stronger than ever before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now, that defector from ‘Jinding Pavilion’—his Golden Light Great Cauldron Art held firm against three martial masters for a full incense stick, his qi defense unbroken. Truly an eye-opening display.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Que remained calm, smiling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third brother, you’re in for a treat—I heard from my servants that today’s guest is a martial master whose cultivation is breathtaking. Even Master Zhe came in person to watch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned to the gray-robed old man and bowed slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Zhe, you say this man has reached the Heavenly Human realm—is this true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-robed old man had high cheekbones, sunken eyes, and a face full of wrinkles; he lowered his gaze, appearing sorrowful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly lifted his eyes, bowed to Second Imperial Prince Li Que, his voice like a broken bellows:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I would never deceive Your Highness. That man used only one hand, one move—and Wanbei Kaishan Hand Zhu Wuming, a half-step Heavenly Human, collapsed to his knees on the spot, utterly powerless. Yet none here saw how he struck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only a true Heavenly Human could achieve such effortless mastery—even a half-step Heavenly Human far stronger than Zhu Wuming could not do it so casually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Li Que’s face lit up with delight; he turned to Li Zhu with a smiling gaze:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third brother, did you hear that? My martial retinue may soon gain another Heavenly Human.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I shall offer my congratulations in advance, Second Brother. Now, I must watch closely to see this Heavenly Human’s prowess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhu bowed, laughed heartily, and turned his gaze to the training platform—no one had yet stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flickered, then he changed the subject, turning his head to ask:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think of the Eighth Prince, the one Father has acknowledged?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Second Imperial Prince Li Que narrowed his eyes, waved his hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Eighth Brother lived among commoners for twenty years. His mother, Consort Jing, is dead. He has no roots in the capital. His maternal clan still clings to life in the form of the Guanjun Marquis Mansion—but I don’t consider it a threat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning back, he propped his chin on his hand, his gaze sharp:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only rivals I ever take seriously are my eldest brother, and that fake imperial prince, Li Zhi, still locked in the Celestial Prison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Zhu frowned tightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, I can’t fathom Father’s intentions. He knows Li Zhi is a fraud—so why delay dealing with him? Why leave the Seventh Prince’s position vacant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Que glanced at him, shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third brother, you still don’t understand Father. He does this for a reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhu remained puzzled, bowing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean? Please explain, Second Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Que smiled, gazing deeply toward the imperial palace:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Consider the current state of the world. Great Li has ruled for barely a century, surrounded by rival states. Since inheriting the throne from our grandfather, Father has devoted himself to strengthening the realm, aiming to dominate all under heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To achieve this, the most vital thing is people. The Way of the Emperor is to control men—whether good or evil, if they are useful, if they can serve your purpose, they are worth keeping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Therefore, whether Li Zhi is the true prince or not, I will not kill him—he is a blade sharp enough to carve new lands. Keeping him alive is more valuable than killing him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dear masters, today’s journey only yields one chapter—the other will be added tomorrow. Wishing you all a joyful Lunar New Year!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1226,"2026-06-20T01:43:38.503Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","124433ef91bf77dd6addf592f2f68943107a78608ac6dfc5c80018145a604ccc","after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-79","after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-77",259,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-cover.jpg"]