[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-293":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},1054950,1365,"Chapter 293: 290: Rules","imperial-cultivation-chapter-293",293,"\u003Cp>Chapter 293: Rules\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the early morning, Chu Zhiyuan arrived at Mingwu Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Qingfeng was already standing with hands behind his back in the morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan approached, clasped his hands, and said with a smile, “Uncle Grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Martial Arts Hall is getting more and more lively, causing quite a stir in the Court.” Chu Qingfeng sighed and said, “The Emperor has already agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, “This can be considered fair, at least it adds another bargaining chip for military merits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He initially set the rules: the Martial Arts Hall would have a cycle of ten days, with ten people each session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to admit into the Martial Arts Hall was also determined by rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original ten people were selected based on the order of registration, considering a balance among the Four Great Sects within the Military Suppression Department and military experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, this rule has changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order of entry will be determined by military merits, ignoring the balance of the Four Great Sects and military experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever has more military merits will enter the Martial Arts Hall first, and those with fewer will wait their turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Military merits are not just for exchanging resources for cultivation from the Heavenly Treasure Department and promotions; now the Martial Arts Hall is added to the criteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, military merits have gained another layer of value, making them even more precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Chu Zhiyuan proposed this rule, the Emperor was slow to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Chu Minghou, the Emperor brought this rule to the Court for discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan understood the key issues involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it involves military merits, making arbitrary decisions is inappropriate; it’s most steady to have discussions throughout the Court, balancing all sides before making a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This process is both a game of power and a form of dissemination, embedding the rule deeply into the hearts of the people and winning their approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be cautious,” Chu Qingfeng said. “Originally, I wanted you to go out for a shift, such as announcing a decree, but now I dare not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed and said, “Afraid Da Zhen and Da Meng might play dirty tricks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Qingfeng said, “It’s to be expected they will be unwilling to let it go and will surely find ways to deal with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “I will soon visit Yao Yue Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling is about to conclude her visit to the other three Great Sects and return to Yao Yue Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After not seeing her for a month, naturally, he longed to rekindle their bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, you should have at least two Great Grandmasters accompany you,” Chu Qingfeng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With two Great Grandmasters, no matter how dangerous, escape is assured, making it worry-free and secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan made an appearance at the Ministry of Rites, quickly went through a few dossiers, and then returned to Prince Qing Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his way back, he saw three women amidst the bustling crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron, dressed in apricot yellow, remained as beautiful and graceful as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu, still dressed in snow-white, accompanied Huang Shiron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan approached with a smile and said, “Is the matter with the White Cloud Sword Palace settled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron nodded gently and said, “Finally, it’s temporarily settled, … the Martial Arts Hall of the Princely Heir is very lively right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Court is like a large sieve; the discussion about the Martial Arts Hall rules has already spread widely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it has spread throughout all of Yujing, with taverns and teahouses abuzz with discussion everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some say it’s exaggerated, some are half-convinced and half-doubted, some are extremely excited, and some are deeply regretful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are others who deeply envy the Military Suppression Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Military Suppression Department was already enviable enough, and now, even more so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personnel in the Military Suppression Department come from two sources: disciples of the Four Great Sects or retired military experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threshold for the disciples of the Four Great Sects is very high, not anyone can enter, but the military does not have such a high threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, the number of people wanting to join the military increased significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some still doubt whether the Martial Arts Hall is as miraculous, whether the Fourth Prince is really that remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can someone truly break through to the Grandmaster realm from Innate Perfection in just ten days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a claim seems a bit far-fetched. Could it be a case of exaggeration through rumor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, after two batches of people achieving Innate Perfection and becoming Grandmasters, such doubts seem futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The public holds a general consensus: the Fourth Prince has extraordinary insight and has mastered the key to stepping into the Grandmaster realm; this is undoubtedly true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “All this fuss, a tangled mess, does the White Cloud Sword Palace have any objections to these rules?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the Court has set these rules, naturally, we will follow them to the letter,” Huang Shiron said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron seemed somewhat reluctantly, showing signs of having something to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron lightly coughed and said, “Elder Guo, he…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop right there,” Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand and said, “Do you want to owe me another favor? Let’s forget it; Elder Guo already owes me enough favors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron said, “Elder Guo’s favor is still worth a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and said, “Besides the White Cloud Sword House and the White Cloud Sword Stele, what else does the White Cloud Sword Palace have to offer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Guo is a Great Grandmaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “He has to guard the White Cloud Sword Palace, he can’t leave the Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Huang Shiron fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement hit the nail on the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Guo should also understand that rules cannot be broken, otherwise, there will be endless trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…There are a few disciples in the sect who haven’t entered the Military Suppression Department.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, then there’s nothing to be done,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shiron sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For these disciples to start entering the Military Suppression Department now is already too late, following the merit order, who knows when their turn will come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Let them enter the Military Suppression Department and strive for more merits; there’s no other way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Four Great Sects, there are always people like himself who are unwilling to take risks with the Military Suppression Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hope to achieve a higher realm through cultivation, willing to avoid relying on external factors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This group is divided into two kinds, those with exceptionally high aptitude and those whose aptitude isn’t that high; the former will receive the sect’s support and secret assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under current circumstances, it poses some challenges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bidding farewell to Huang Shiron, Chu Zhiyuan just returned to the Prince Mansion when Feng Xi came to report that the Ninth Princess of Da Meng had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two met in the front hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not seeing each other for a while, Li Hongzhao had become even more radiant, three times more beautiful than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cultivation had surprisingly advanced another realm, reaching the Fifth Layer Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This rapid advancement is also astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like brows, clapped his hands, and said with a smile, “Congratulations, Your Highness, on advancing another realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder there had been no activity these past few days; she had been in secluded cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao, in a peach-colored palace dress, had skin like white jade, glossy black hair, and bright eyes sparkling with brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sparkling eyes appraised Chu Zhiyuan up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan sat stably in the Taishi Chair in the front hall, sipping tea leisurely without moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “I really didn’t expect you to have such skills!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon first emerging from seclusion, she was quite pleased with herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inspired by Chu Zhiyuan’s challenge and pressure, her cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and “Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique” progressed even faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more pressure she felt, the faster her cultivation progressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was smug, thinking that no matter how strong Chu Zhiyuan was, he would eventually be surpassed by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing such incredible news, her smugness immediately vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt as if a shadow was over her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood the tremendous impact this would have on Da Meng and might even affect the entire world’s dynamics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she also knew she could not stop Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing she could do was figure out how it was done, what the secret was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could get this secret, Da Meng could also emulate it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew it would be incredibly difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how hard, it had to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely this perseverance and relentless determination that led her cultivation to advance rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with a smile, “Panicking, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to panic about!” Li Hongzhao snorted, “Martial Arts experts are of no significant use on the battlefield, no matter how many there are, they cannot change the overall situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “What’s so funny!… Martial Arts experts, no matter how many, are no match against armies; they are just a heap of scattered sand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan took a serene sip of tea, appearing at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How can you help them reach the Grandmaster realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao bit her red lips in resentment, although her face bore a captivating smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Chu Zhiyuan smiled without speaking, and took another leisurely sip of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao bit her lips harder and smiled more brightly, “What are the conditions, tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Chu Zhiyuan still smiled without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan set down his teacup and lightly chuckled, “Can Da Meng withdraw its troops?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After obtaining the secret, Da Meng will tear up the agreement and send troops again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible,” Li Hongzhao said, “My Da Meng has always honored its promises and never breaks a vow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>",1686,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.105Z","2026-06-14T10:33:19.101Z",1,"novelbin.me","119083439cf0fd259418697ef718af72a9d7ab58cf92ab548b91daf4e00d400a","imperial-cultivation-chapter-294","imperial-cultivation-chapter-292",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]