[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-232":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},1054641,1365,"Chapter 232: 229: Seven Layers","imperial-cultivation-chapter-232",232,"\u003Cp>Chapter 232: Seven Layers\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princely Heir, the Emperor actually conferred eight temporary guards, all Grandmasters, which can be considered a boundless imperial grace!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boundless imperial grace from my Imperial Grandfather.” Chu Zhiyuan sighed, bowing in the direction of the Imperial Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing this number, Chu Zhiyuan immediately understood that the Emperor wanted him to help them form the Four Spirit Array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, why specifically grant eight, and not six or ten?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not believe in coincidences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But was convinced that every action of the Emperor contained deep significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one does not carefully ponder, and fails to grasp its meaning, it shows a lack of diligence and mindfulness, unfit for great duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princely Heir, how should we arrange this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My younger sister is not leaving the mansion, so there’s temporarily no need for additional guards; my father is not going out either, so they should all be given to the Princess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood.” Feng Xi hesitated for a moment, then agreed solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “In addition to these eight, add four more Grandmasters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Feng Xi nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having already added eight Grandmasters, adding four more was no big deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale of guards for the Princess would become quite astounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan thought for a bit, then felt reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With twelve Grandmasters forming the three-layered Four Spirit Array, even the experts from Secret Shadow Sect and Yuding Sect wouldn’t break through immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Princess would be positioned between the Prince Mansion and the Imperial Palace, and once things start, a Great Grandmaster would immediately step in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most crucial phase is the beginning; if they could hold the line for a while, that would be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had an accurate intuition, he still had to guard against the unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have them all come, all twelve, and I’ll teach them the Four Spirit Array.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Feng Xi responded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew the power of the Four Spirit Array, and having the opportunity to learn it was naturally excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was proficient with the Four Spirit Array, able to divide his focus amongst many thoughts, using both his mouth and hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shot small stones one by one to correct their postures and steps, pointing out each mistake in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The originally difficult Four Spirit Array, under his training, was learned with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just one afternoon, they were initiated, progressing at a remarkably rapid pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twelve found it unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was such an array really something they could learn? How did they practice it, seeming to achieve it in a daze?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like just a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan instructed them to consolidate well after returning and to come again the next day; they would almost be able to truly master it then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone returned to the front yard, mystified and couldn’t help but start discussing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They expressed their amazement and disbelief, along with some doubts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the array really be practiced so easily?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t an array supposed to be exceedingly difficult, and they hadn’t heard of any Prince Mansion’s guards mastering an array?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless like Prince Ying Mansion, which directly recruited from the Chasing Wind Cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the eight guards from the Grandmaster Mansion, who never expected to have such an encounter at Prince Qing Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this array, future tasks would be far more efficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be much easier to earn merits, significantly impacting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merit meant cultivation resources, and with abundant resources, one’s cultivation would naturally soar, making it easier to gain more merits, forming a positive cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their fate would be completely changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They understood the preciousness of this Four Spirit Array, so upon returning, they researched and practiced diligently, not daring to relax for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four guards in the Prince Mansion, initially somewhat relaxed, became nervous upon seeing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the situation, Chu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first paid a visit to Duke An Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, he had advised Xiao Ruoling not to visit the Imperial Palace these days to avoid any attack from the Secret Shadow Sect and Yuding Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advise ahead to West Palace Lady Zeng Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master said, rest assured, there would be no trouble for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the two were sitting in a small pavilion atop a rockery, gazing into the distance, relaxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandmaster Song has already started following me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s already started?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master personally requested the Emperor, and Grandmaster Song agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good then.” Chu Zhiyuan felt relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, he proposed for Song Feiqiong to secretly protect her at Yao Yue Palace, but hadn’t asked Song Feiqiong to start immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inviting a Great Grandmaster isn’t something just anyone can do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence, it was a matter of having a good master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also wanted to invite a Grandmaster to protect his mother but knew he couldn’t manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor intended to give one, he wouldn’t have sent the eight Grandmaster guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master found out some unsettling news.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A genius emerged in Yao Yue Palace, suddenly rising up in unrivaled splendor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how talented, isn’t she still at Innate Perfection?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s said she took only a year to go from Postnatal to Innate Perfection, comparable to your speed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She had always remained hidden, and her sudden appearance this time aims at the Holy Daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With such comprehension, her swordsmanship and Qinggong are likely top-notch, quite troublesome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, a formidable opponent?” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Does the Lady feel there’s no chance of winning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is confident, just advised me not to be careless and assume victory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, the one feeling assured of victory was the Lady; he was the one constantly worrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan nodded, “Then let’s train Qinggong; Qinggong still has room for improvement, swordsmanship… perhaps learn another style?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That would be great,” Xiao Ruoling smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan taught her a completely different swordsmanship from the Flower Moon Shadow Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustic and simple, yet astonishingly impactful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an advanced sword skill he retrieved from his mind, possessing tremendous power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling needed to continuously comprehend it, the deeper her understanding, the greater the power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood in stark contrast to the nimble changes of the Flower Moon Shadow Sword, serving as mutual reference and complement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following days, he secluded himself in a valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling he was about to break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of the tenth day, he suddenly let out a long howl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energized, he walked out of the room, laughing loudly in the valley, drawing Chu Mingxuan and others over to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing he had entered the Seventh Layer Heaven, everyone sighed helplessly and regretted asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comparisons are odious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t even reached the Innate Seventh Layer, and he had already stepped into the Seventh Layer Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap kept widening, and the chase felt increasingly hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, “From today, let’s return to Mingwu Hall for practice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Mingxuan and the others, having sensed the peculiar nature of the place, were puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The marvel here was due to unique stones underground, which were about to be moved to Mingwu Hall, making practice there equally effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone shouted in excitement, eager to return to Mingwu Hall for practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the valley was serene, continual threats from Yuding Sect and Secret Shadow Sect loomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they found it scenic, but after two days, it became monotonous and dull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for practice, they would have left long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now with the chance to practice without delay and return to the city, they were impatient to go back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled and agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, he turned around and looked at the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time’s smooth advancement to the Seventh Layer Heaven owed much to the extraordinary stones beneath the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of these stones would be relocated to Mingwu Hall, with some sent to his Prince Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would be laid under the small Martial Arts Training Ground at Mingwu Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, the effect of cultivation in Mingwu Hall would be tenfold compared to elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chu Family would rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Da Jing Royal Family would prosper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, he remembered the Emperor’s reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been waiting for the Emperor’s reward, and those eight Grandmaster guards definitely didn’t count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He eagerly anticipated what the Emperor would bestow.\u003C\u002Fp>",1375,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.105Z","2026-06-14T10:33:17.738Z",1,"novelbin.me","4875d12c697ee73442f51fcea2661e3c092f06a7ec6016b880a5eaa707b33909","imperial-cultivation-chapter-233","imperial-cultivation-chapter-231",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]