[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-143":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Imperial Cultivation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1054806,1365,"Chapter 143 - 143 141 Despair","imperial-cultivation-chapter-143",143,"\u003Cp>143: Chapter 141: Despair 143: Chapter 141: Despair The news of a martial arts duel between Chu Zhiyuan, the fourth prince of Da Jing, and Li Hongzhao, the ninth princess of Da Meng, quickly spread throughout Yujing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the taverns and tea houses of Yujing City, and even on the bustling streets, almost everyone was discussing this duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People naturally became very concerned about the two contenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One side was the princely heir of Prince Qing, a rare genius of the Da Jing royal family who broke through to the Innate Realm at the age of twenty, and within a few months, transcended the Innate, stepping into the Grandmaster Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a genius was unheard of and unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only those legendary figures could compare, but accounts of those figures are often too exaggerated, more like myths, lacking in authenticity and leaving people skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this genius, the fourth prince, was here in Yujing, right in the Prince Qing Mansion, visible to all eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tangible legend intrigued them even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, this prince had also defeated Cheng Tianfeng, the first heir of Da Zhen, at a nighttime banquet in the Imperial Palace, achieving an indisputable and exhilarating victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Prince Zhiyuan was not only a genius in cultivation but also a formidable genius in actual combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side was Li Hongzhao, the ninth princess of Da Meng, also a legendary figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a young age, she entered the Phoenix Sword Sect and became a true disciple, early stepping into the Grandmaster Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Huang Shiron of the White Cloud Sword Palace stepped into the Grandmaster, Li Hongzhao was the youngest Grandmaster in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the two were about to have a martial duel outside Qitian Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although everyone dearly hoped for Chu Zhiyuan to win, Chu Zhiyuan had just entered the Grandmaster, while Li Hongzhao was already a Grandmaster for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realm absolutely crushed Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every level in the Grandmaster Realm represents a vast difference in power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They analyzed, Li Hongzhao was at least at the Second Layer Heaven, while Chu Zhiyuan was likely only at the First Layer Heaven, making victory almost impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was nearly a certain defeat in the duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Chu Zhiyuan agreed, he probably didn’t stand a complete chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning, a phoenix’s cry startled the entire Yujing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news that Li Hongzhao broke through to the Third Layer Heaven in the Grandmaster Realm swiftly swept through Yujing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, people’s hopes for Chu Zhiyuan vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap of two realms meant there was almost no possibility of victory, not even a sliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequent rumors of another military defeat in the Northern Territory of Da Jing spread through the grapevine, with news that Da Jing had lost a military stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Jing and Da Meng had an expanse of grassland between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortresses were built on the grassland, with walls connecting each city, and military towns between the cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forts were established in key locations, while less strategic sites had military towns, forming a massive wall to block Da Meng’s troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Jing defended by holding the forts, restraining Da Meng’s cavalry’s might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with a military town breached, it was as if a door had opened in this wall, allowing the enemy entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Meng could now invade through the breached town, rendering the Northern Territory useless and allowing for wanton plundering and destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a major blow to the Northern Territory’s defenses and significantly impacted the war stance between Da Jing and Da Meng, with far-reaching consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This great defeat was tough for the citizens of Yujing, the court, and the nobility and wealthy to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had increased Da Jing’s desperation for Chu Zhiyuan’s victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, at this critical moment, Li Hongzhao made another breakthrough, further securing her victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One couldn’t help but sigh, could this be the decree of fate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Da Meng truly invincible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the wise and courageous Da Meng Emperor consolidated the army, rapidly raising the combat effectiveness of Da Meng’s Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry, then came Li Hongzhao from the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the divine decree favoring Da Meng?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Sister, Big Sister!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoyu, invited by the young Duke Bai Yangqing, was dining at an outside tavern when he heard the news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rushed back hurriedly without finishing his meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling was calmly practicing, making rapid progress, her True Qi becoming more supple and dynamic, yet its impact on the Jade Tower was growing stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt as if she was about to break through this layer of the Jade Tower and step into the Eighth Layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sense of constant advancement was particularly fulfilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed richly, and days became flavorful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This feeling was a subtle change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know whether it was due to a change in mentality since meeting Chu Zhiyuan, or because of the enhancement of her True Qi since Chu Zhiyuan assisted her cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the voice, she slowly opened her bright eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were calm and serene as she looked at the approaching Xiao Ruoyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoyu hastily said, “Big Sister, something major has happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the matter?” Xiao Ruoling gently shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look how flustered you are, where’s the dignity of the young lord?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Sister, I can’t mind my dignity now!” Xiao Ruoyu hurriedly said, “It’s Li Hongzhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Word is that Li Hongzhao has progressed to another level, stepping into the Third Layer Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling lightly knitted her delicate brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoyu said, “It’s spreading like wildfire outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phoenix cry this morning was when Li Hongzhao broke through to the Third Layer Heaven, practicing the Phoenix Sword Sect’s supreme martial art, the long-lost Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling mused, “Third Layer Heaven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The prince is only at the First Layer, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He just stepped into the Grandmaster, he should be at the First Layer Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Facing a Second Layer Heaven was already hard, and now against a Third Layer Heaven, he’s truly finished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless the martial skill was strong enough to overcome realms, but this had its prerequisites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One required a significant difference in martial skills, one being a top technique with profound mastery, and the other rudimentary with shallow control, to bridge the gap between realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realm gap shouldn’t be excessive; one layer was the limit, and two layers were nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao trained in the Phoenix Sword Sect, using top-tier martial skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brother-in-law’s martial skills might not compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, Li Hongzhao practiced the supreme martial art of the Phoenix Sword Sect, the Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, her brother-in-law was unlikely to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just a duel.” Xiao Ruoling gently shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One victory or defeat isn’t that important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it affects our Da Jing’s morale, face, and public sentiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can it not be important?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if he loses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no real danger, and he’ll surpass Li Hongzhao in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The future is the future, and now is now!” Xiao Ruoyu was unwilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It would be great if her brother-in-law could also break through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think breakthroughs in the Grandmaster Realm are like the Postnatal Realm!” Xiao Ruoling chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoyu said, “It might be possible for her brother-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say breakthroughs in the Innate Realm are difficult, much harder than the Postnatal, yet it didn’t seem that hard for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than a year, he reached Innate Perfection in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said the path to Grandmaster was hard to find, with ninety-nine out of a hundred getting stuck, and even those who didn’t get stuck needed to cultivate for years or decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he just suddenly stepped into the Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These cultivation rules didn’t apply to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no use thinking more about it; just go to Qitian Palace tomorrow to spectate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sigh, alright.” Xiao Ruoyu saw her calmness, but he grew even more anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He almost didn’t dare go to Qitian Palace tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling turned her head towards the direction of Prince Qing Mansion, her misty eyes gleaming brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saying goes, care leads to chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke generously but couldn’t help worrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she knew worry was useless, her mind stayed unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was in the small courtyard of his new residence, standing in the Dragon Subduing Stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Infinite power surged within his body, his body’s membrane resembling a giant web, lightly trembling, vibrating through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the membrane vibrated, his flesh and blood grew stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he couldn’t break through, then he’d practice martial skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While refining the membrane, he pondered over the Great Heavenly Dragon Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Heavenly Dragon Fist had nine punches, blending speed, power, and intricate moves, considered the pinnacle of fist techniques, its power remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Super Sense, he couldn’t grasp all the secrets at once; the deeper he delved, the more he realized how little he knew, with endless intricacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By perceiving the subtle changes in his body during practice, his comprehension of the fist’s essence was far deeper than average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper the understanding, the more significant its power, and the more useful its application.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight miscalculation could result in a significant blunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same punch, used at different times, yielded drastically different effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same punch, with slight variations in movement, had vastly different speed and power, with its mighty effect worlds apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang softly reported from outside, “Your Highness, the Princess has arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1585,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.104Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.813Z",1,"novelbin.me","3ea849a5b0d6209e4afe6caa785c645e32998e2183ba09d36c7be182637901ab","imperial-cultivation-chapter-5","imperial-cultivation-chapter-142",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]