Chapter 103

Chu Danqing saw Xiong Zhigang playing coy; he asked no further questions, merely followed him down the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, they soon spotted a middle-aged man with a hawk perched on his arm.

“Grand Coordinator, I’ve been waiting here for some time.” The man bowed upon seeing Xiong Zhigang.

“So it really is you, Wu Hong.” Xiong Zhigang’s expression relaxed: “Did you come alone?”

“Not entirely alone, but I thought Grand Coordinator would pass this way, so I waited here specifically.” Wu Hong said.

“The Crown Prince learned that the Qiutan Faction and the Jishi Factory intend to eliminate Grand Coordinator, but the Fuxiang Prince has tied up his resources—he simply cannot spare any to send aid.”

“With limited manpower, we couldn’t spread out widely, but thankfully we finally found Grand Coordinator.” Wu Hong spoke, then led the way ahead.

Chu Danqing listened to their conversation and pieced together some of the situation.

Xiong Zhigang was a man aligned with the Heir Apparent’s faction—that was why he had been dismissed and later reinstated.

The Emperor feared the Crown Prince’s growing power.

From Wu Hong’s words, it seemed there were thoughts of deposing the eldest and installing the younger.

That was the Fuxiang Prince.

The Qiutan Faction preached order of seniority, yet they supported the Fuxiang Prince.

First, because the Fuxiang Prince and his mother, Consort Zheng, were favored; Emperor Taichang indeed entertained such thoughts.

The second reason was simpler: the Fuxiang Prince’s maternal clan was weak, making him easier for the Qiutan Faction to control.

Upon learning the Qiutan Faction and Jishi Factory intended to kill Xiong Zhigang, the Crown Prince immediately dispatched men to rescue his key general.

If Xiong Zhigang successfully returned to power, his command over troops would mean the Crown Prince held military power.

Having troops or not mattered greatly.

Otherwise, so many would not want Xiong Zhigang dead.

Xiong Zhigang was not irreplaceable, but he represented whether the Heir Apparent’s faction could secure its interests.

After winding through twists and turns, they left the mountain path, and Wu Hong led them to a temporary outpost.

Personnel and carriages had already been prepared there.

But this time they would not travel by land—they would switch to waterways.

And along the way, they flew the Donggong banner.

In just five days, they arrived at the capital.

During this time, Chu Danqing trained continuously, ignoring worldly affairs.

He not only brought the two ordinary-level derived skills, Five Elements Foundation Strengthening Art and Five Elements Nourishing Art, to maximum level, but also completed the formation of the Five Elements Spirit Pearl.

Primarily because the Foundation Strengthening and Nourishing arts complemented each other; practicing them together greatly accelerated their progress.

Added to their low quality and derived nature, how could their progress be slow?

【Five Elements Foundation Strengthening Art (Derived) LV.MAX: HP +10, MP +10; when establishing foundation with Five Elements Spirit Beast Technique, foundation quality increases by 10%】

——

【Five Elements Nourishing Art (Derived) LV.MAX: HP +10, MP +10; when establishing foundation with Five Elements Spirit Beast Technique, difficulty decreases by 10%】

——

【Five Elements Spirit Pearl (Derived) LV.MAX: Each Five Elements Spirit Pearl can store 200 MP; current total stored MP: 1000】

(Note: Five Elements Spirit Pearl effects do not stack)

(Note: Maximum of one set of Five Elements Spirit Pearls may be held)

The Five Elements Spirit Pearls, like the Five Elements Spirit Seal, derive their effects from the Five Elements Spirit Sphere; the level only indicates the number of pearls formed.

When all five—metal, wood, water, fire, earth—are completed, it reaches maximum level.

The effect was highly practical, granting Chu Danqing additional MP reserves.

With the Five Elements Spirit Pearls fully charged, his cultivation became significantly more efficient.

He tested it: each fully charged pearl increased cultivation efficiency by 10%.

If all five were fully charged, efficiency reached 100%.

The extra 50% came from the Five Elements mutual generation bonus, akin to a set effect.

He also noticed a faint connection between the Spirit Seal and the Spirit Pearls.

To fully link them together, he likely needed the remaining three pieces of the set.

But even if Chu Danqing obtained them now, he could not refine them.

After all, his Five Elements Spirit Beast Technique was only at LV2; he had only two permanent Five Elements Spirit Spheres, both already converted into Spirit Seal and Spirit Pearls.

The time required to refine Spirit Pearls was nearly identical to that of the Spirit Seal—he finished one in a single day.

The rapid progress of the Foundation Strengthening and Nourishing derived skills owed much to the Spirit Pearls’ aid.

【Quest Completed, you receive: Paradise Points ×2000, Attribute Points +2】

【Quest Completed, you receive: Paradise Points ×2000, Attribute Points +2】

——

【Trial Quest: Raise your capital’s reputation to “Fame Resounds Far and Wide” within three months】

【Trial Difficulty: C-Rank (Adventure)】

【Trial Reward: Paradise Points ×2000, Attribute Points +2】

【Trial Failure: Paradise Points -4000, Forced Return】

【This is a real-time quest; subsequent quests will form differently based on completion progress and events】

The Paradise prompt arrived immediately, signaling his arrival in the capital.

Simultaneously, a new temporary stat appeared, similar to faction contribution in the previous trial world.

【Reputation: Unknown (99/100)】

Chu Danqing glanced at it and paid no further attention to the trial quest.

For others, it might be challenging, but for Chu Danqing, it was effortless.

Xiong Zhigang’s arrival alive in the capital would trigger a political storm; even its ripples would rocket Chu Danqing’s reputation.

“Master Chu, we have reached the capital.” Xiong Zhigang knocked on the door and said: “I shall first pay respects to the Emperor. Master Chu, please accompany Wu Hong to Donggong to rest for now.”

Chu Danqing opened the door, understanding Xiong Zhigang’s intent: he wanted to bind him to the Crown Prince’s faction.

He had no objection to joining a faction—it was temporary anyway; once the quest was done, he would leave.

As for possible restrictions? Power and obligation were bound together.

With his strength, Chu Danqing could not enjoy power without fulfilling obligations.

Without invincible strength, one must rely on background and faction when walking the world.

The principle of sheltering beneath a great tree never grows outdated.

Would this move anger the Qiutan Faction, the Jishi Factory, even Emperor Taichang?

Joining any side would anger the others; playing both sides requires no conflicting interests.

Otherwise, even if you wish it, others within the faction won’t allow it.

Being a neutral outsider is fine, but without sufficient strength, one either never reaches high levels or remains a rootless driftwood.

“Very well, thank you for your trouble.” Chu Danqing agreed, then asked: “Where are Zhao Ming and Miss Yuan?”

“They have old friends in the capital, so they won’t go to Donggong,” Xiong Zhigang said. “And they won’t stay long—they’ll return soon.”

Meaning they had been invited before, but declined.

“Understood,” Chu Danqing said, then disembarked with them.

On the shore, he saw Zhao Mingqian and Yuan Shanhu; they got along well.

Zhao Mingqian carried a faint air of resignation; Chu Danqing said nothing, only offered: “If you encounter trouble, find me.”

They would remain in the capital for a while, though they didn’t say where—yet clearly indicated they had a place to go, and Chu Danqing needn’t worry.

They, in turn, warned Chu Danqing to be careful: Donggong was no benevolent place.

The current Crown Prince was no good man.

Chu Danqing took note, then boarded the carriage and departed.

After two more hours in the carriage, they finally arrived at Donggong.

The capital, as the nation’s heart, could hardly be small.

Upon arrival, a eunuch guided Chu Danqing to meet the Crown Prince.

Given Xiong Zhigang’s recommendation, the Crown Prince would not neglect him.

Chu Danqing took one look—the Crown Prince was middle-aged; if he kept enduring, he might outlive the aging Emperor.

“Master Chu, you’ve endured long travel—please sit.” The Crown Prince rose to greet him, then said: “I’ve heard how you slew the tiger on Mount Nanshan and cleverly quelled bandits across a prefecture.”

“Truly, you are a pillar of Taichang.” He personally poured tea for Chu Danqing.

These two remarks carried Chu Danqing’s background from his previous trial world.

Without that background, the Crown Prince would not neglect him—but neither would he value him much; at most, a brief meeting, then dismissal to Xiong Zhigang.

As he finished speaking, a palace maid emerged carrying a precious casket.

“I hear Master Chu excels in the Five Elements path; this item suits you perfectly.” The Crown Prince spoke, and the maid opened the casket.

Inside lay a five-colored flower carved from a jade that shimmered with white, blue, black, red, and yellow hues.

“This is a five-colored jade offered by Feiluo Kingdom. I had a master carver fashion it into this flower, and gave it the poetic name ‘Valley Orchid’ to appear refined.” The Crown Prince lifted the five-colored jade flower and handed it personally to Chu Danqing.

Chu Danqing reached out to receive it, and corresponding data appeared.

【Valley Orchid】

【Type: Cultivation Item】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Effect: Can gather 10 points of Five Elements Qi daily, maximum capacity 100 points; current Five Elements Qi: 100】

When Chu Danqing saw this item, he felt as if he’d seen a ghost.

No wonder the imperial family can find anything.

“Thank you, Crown Prince. I pledge my service to you!” Chu Danqing immediately accepted it, his expression that of a loyal employee who’d just been paid well.

Working is working—why not serve the Donggong too, as long as it doesn’t violate heaven or harm mortals, and the wages aren’t withheld?

From this attitude alone, it was clear the Crown Prince’s position was far from secure; otherwise, he wouldn’t have so readily offered such a valuable gift to win him over.

Even with the advantages he’d amassed from Xiong Zhigang, he shouldn’t have to treat others with such deference.

A smile appeared on the Crown Prince’s face—he had finally achieved his goal.

With Chu Danqing’s pledge, the rest of their conversation flowed much more smoothly.

The Crown Prince did not grow haughty after Chu Danqing pledged his service; he remained unchanged.

As they spoke, a commotion arose outside, causing the Crown Prince to frown.

“Go find out what’s causing the noise outside,” the Crown Prince ordered his attendant.

He had been enjoying his conversation with Chu Danqing, finding his insights profound and his speech exceptional.

His own policies and strategies had been met with revelations from Chu Danqing that opened his mind.

(End of Chapter)