[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-3":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},1054798,1365,"Chapter 3 - 3 3 Illusions","imperial-cultivation-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>3: Chapter 3 Illusions 3: Chapter 3 Illusions “`html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princes and princely heirs are not fools; each one is a worldly-wise individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do they not know that the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill can attract the Emperor’s attention, serving as a shortcut to winning the imperial favor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why have they abandoned this shortcut?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the princes and princely heirs, there are also martial arts geniuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None choose this path, proving it’s an unworkable shortcut, hence the abandonment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there’s no need to explain this to Bai Ningshuang, who doesn’t understand martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s agree for now and decide after checking the mental method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly, “Mother, no one visiting is just the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s watching and waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must remain calm and steady, shouldn’t act rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang snorted, “I’d like to stay calm, but I’m so angry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then visit your Imperial Grandmother more often and learn from her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Alright.” Bai Ningshuang nodded helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Imperial Grandmother’s side is also lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor thing, now that we’re unblocked, we can accompany her more and have someone to talk to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before daylight, the Prince Qing Mansion was already bustling with activity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Listening Wave Courtyard was the bedroom of the princely heir, where the candles burned brightly like daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the outer room of the bedroom stood a purple sandalwood chi pattern round table, with eight dishes and four bowls of soup on it, shining enticingly under the candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan stood before the table, arms outstretched, as two maids in red attended to his dressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two other maids in white tended to his meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four maids were as beautiful as flowers, graceful and elegant, easily mistaken for noble young ladies from wealthy families when seen outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two maids in red carefully adjusted his bright yellow combat uniform, delicately positioning the crane-shaped belt tag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore no other accessories, save for this crane-shaped silver belt tag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “That’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two maids in white put away the silver chopsticks and spoons, signaling with elegant hand gestures for a group of maids outside to come in and clear the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Chu Zhiyuan dropped his arms, he lightly caressed the cheeks of the two red-clad maids, who playfully pouted and glanced at him as he left the Listening Wave Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang, dressed in a blue robe with a White Jade Dust Brush at his waist, holding a lantern, waited outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him emerge, he quietly led the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the brightly lit main hall, King Qing Chu Minghou was seated, while Princess Bai Ningshuang paced back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lovely, graceful girl also sat by the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Minghou, slender and frail, exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled and said, “Madam, don’t worry too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan’er can handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sit down and rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang stopped and looked askance at him, “Master, Yuan’er has no experience dealing with these people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan’er has been confined to the mansion for twenty years, having seen no outsiders, while those princes and princely heirs constantly gather, honing their wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can one not worry about Yuan’er, who goes to Mingwu Hall like a lamb among wolves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Experience doesn’t matter; Yuan’er’s wisdom far surpasses that of ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He won’t suffer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…” Bai Ningshuang sighed worriedly, sitting beside him with a graceful motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Minghou shook his head with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Chu Zhiyuan lifted the curtain and entered, his bright yellow combat uniform illuminating the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The graceful young girl laughed, stepped forward, and took his arm, “Big Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Finally willing to leave Wanqing Courtyard, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, you can finally enter Mingwu Hall!” The girl Chu Yi chuckled gleefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She showed no concern, only joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her heart, her big brother was omnipotent and all-knowing, and the Mingwu Hall was just full of youths, hardly worth mentioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuan’er,” Bai Ningshuang stepped forward to straighten his attire, “when you get there, don’t be timid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t provoke them, but don’t be afraid of them either!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled and agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His feelings were the exact opposite, filled with longing and eagerness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly, Big Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t hold back against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hit them until they cry for their parents!” Chu Yi clapped her hands in support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, “Little sister, you shouldn’t always tend to those flowers and plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go out more, see the world, and interact with people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lively little sister was a bit of a recluse, accustomed to the life within the Prince Mansion, never stepping outside even after the mansion was opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She preferred plants over people, finding them more interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too lazy to go out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s so dull and filthy,” Chu Yi pouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Minghou stroked his three strands of beard with his left hand, speaking slowly, “Yuan’er, you’re also the Emperor’s grandson, no different from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just act freely and decisively!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, I understand.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held great respect for his father, Chu Minghou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though weak and unable to practice martial arts, he didn’t despair after being confined to the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he focused on calligraphy and painting, achieving a high level, worthy of being called a master in both arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ningshuang hurriedly said, “Yuan’er, be respectful to the princely heirs, but show some reverence to your thirteenth Imperial Uncle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, I understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s getting late, I’m off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Chu Zhiyuan stepped out of the Prince Qing Mansion, the first light of dawn had just appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Qing Street was shrouded in thin mist and cold air, with lanterns swaying in the cold wind on either side of the street, creating dappled shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guards in dark robes moved in groups of five among the shifting shadows, exuding a menacing aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Chi and eight Innate Masters escorted him a hundred meters to the South Palace Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The South Palace Gate is the first entrance to the Imperial Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A line of officials in crimson robes and wide belts, wearing official hats, formed two ten-meter-long queues, one with bird motifs, the other with beast motifs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve Forbidden Palace Guards stood solemnly, sternly inspecting every waist tag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan didn’t queue at the back, but went directly to the front of the two lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his crane-shaped waist tag and Zou Fang, he passed through the palace gate unimpeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Chi and the eight guards couldn’t enter, staying outside the palace gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the South Palace Gate, he encountered an expansive square, where officials in crimson robes and hats were already waiting to go to court, forming a dense, solemn mass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a bright yellow combat uniform, anyone could recognize him as a member of the Imperial Family, prompting the court officials to give way and cast glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan walked on as though no one else was present, calm-faced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, he recalled the two stalkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They concealed their presence, with dimmed aura—a highly skilled stealth technique that even Guo Chi and Zou Fang could not detect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained uncertain was whether Feng Xi, hidden in the shadows, could find them and identify their origins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xi, as the head of the mansion, practiced the top mental methods of the Forbidden Palace Eunuch, being stealthy and silent, swift as a ghost, and in the Grandmaster Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two grandmasters were among the South Palace Gate Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the heads of both, there were phantoms three feet high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a flying crane, two feet tall, standing on one leg in the void, with its neck bent and head hidden under its wing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was a white tiger, three feet long, lying in the void, also resting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grandmaster Realm is divided into nine heavens, with Guo Chi and Zou Fang at the third heaven, and Feng Xi at the fifth heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only his Super Sense could see these phantoms, and after summarizing patterns, he found that each foot of the phantom represented one heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crossed the square, passed another palace gate, walked another hundred meters, and crossed another palace gate, each gate guarded by grandmaster guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, he arrived at a wide martial arts training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved at Zou Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang bowed, “Princely Heir, this servant will wait outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang withdrew through the palace gate, waiting outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the north of the martial arts training ground stood a grand hall, with the plaque bearing the words “Mingwu Hall” in gold shining faintly in the morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with the annexes on the east sides, the three halls resembled three giant beasts perched in the dawn, exuding an inexplicable sense of oppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground of the martial arts training ground was a kind of dark green soil, both soft and resilient, akin to the rubber tracks of his previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve young men in bright yellow combat uniforms were frozen in peculiar poses in the morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear to him that they were practicing the Little Purple Sun Skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twelve turned their heads towards the sound of footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could clearly sense everyone’s emotions: curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed it twice more, confirming their emotions were indeed curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found it strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected coldness, even disdain, or even sarcasm, not the lack of malice, only curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the children of the imperial family and the Emperor’s family be innately kind-hearted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their friendliness was likely influenced by their parents, indicating that his father’s reputation among the princes was quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense; being unable to practice martial arts, his father’s gentle, magnanimous nature, valuing emotions and righteousness, made him a beloved brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached the emaciated, short old man at the side of the field, clasped his fists in salute, “Junior Chu Zhiyuan greets Thirteenth Great Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hairs on his neck stood up, warning him to stay away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of him was an old man with crane-white hair and a childlike face, frail and short, seemingly easily knocked away with a punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he extended his Super Sense, his vision suddenly blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that blur, he felt as if he stood atop a mountain peak among towering mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the layering dark clouds, two sections of towering peaks separated, with a wide river winding into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the river, a rising sun just pierced the skyline, casting a vast golden light, half veiled by thick clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden rays turning the clouds purple, the river into a golden dragon, and the surrounding peaks into golden mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snapped back to clarity, withdrawing his Super Sense, immediately returning to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if it were all an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before him was still the frail, short, seemingly a wind’s blow away old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the Great Grandmaster!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An innate glow for one layer of light, the Grandmaster Realm shows external manifestations of mental methods, what is this Great Grandmaster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The son of Old Third Minghou, Chu Zhiyuan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frail, short old man’s eyes were bright and lively, showing no signs of aging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, my grandnephew,” Chu Zhiyuan said, pale-faced, struggling to suppress his body’s slight trembling, forcing a smile, “Father has asked me to bring greetings to Thirteenth Great Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is Minghou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father says he wishes not to cause trouble for others or the mansion, so he might as well stay within the mansion, so everyone fares better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This child—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Qingfeng paused for a moment, shaking his head with a soft sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then deftly extended a hand to grasp Chu Zhiyuan’s wrist, sending a thin stream of energy that swiftly swept through his meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan found himself immobilized before he could react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Releasing his wrist, Chu Qingfeng nodded approvingly, “Good, very good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other princely heirs and princes grew even more curious, eager to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As their teacher, Chu Qingfeng was known for being stern, prone to reprimands and sardonic remarks, rarely giving praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this an act of love extends from another?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A round-faced, burly young man called out, “Thirteenth Uncle, what’s Old Fourth’s realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was ranked fourth among the Prince’s generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Focus on your practice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Postnatal is already perfect, much better than your Uncle Eighteenth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The round-faced, burly young man grinned, “Postnatal perfection isn’t much, Uncle Ninth and Uncle Tenth are also postnatal perfect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eighteenth Prince, you are an uncle, yet your cultivation is no better than that of a nephew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you really have the nerve to speak?” Chu Qingfeng glared at him, “Shut your mouth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eighteenth Prince Chu Mingxuan sulkily snorted, closed his mouth, and, eyes shut, feigned concentration on his practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, worse words would follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come over here to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two left the martial arts training ground and entered the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`\u003C\u002Fp>",2118,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.104Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.531Z",1,"novelbin.me","6ec2411079eafbf84f9966e41ddd7da5bdc15a885fe97b2053f6540d7d730018","imperial-cultivation-chapter-137","imperial-cultivation-chapter-136",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]