News of Xiao Wuchen's ascent to the Heavenly Ranking spread like a thunderclap from the Martial Saint Hall back to the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty. However, the initial uproar didn't occur in the martial arts world, but rather within the heavily guarded inner court.
As a high-ranking eunuch, his connection to the martial arts world was supposed to be kept secret. However, his open ascent to the Heavenly Ranking — symbolizing the pinnacle of mortal martial arts — amplified his status and value within the empire to an unprecedented degree.
In his commentary on the list, Bai Xiaosheng ranked Xiao Wuchen as a "rising star in the martial arts world with perfectly balanced swordsmanship. His sword intent contains the principles of life and death, transcending the ordinary. He will surely reach the top ten of the Heavenly Ranking in the future!"
This commentary reached the palace and was immediately copied and presented to the emperor and the head of the Inner Palace Secretariat.
The Inner Palace Secretariat's reaction: The Grand Eunuch, the most powerful person in the inner court, was both furious and delighted. He was furious because Xiao Wuchen's brilliance violated the rule that inner court masters should remain hidden behind the scenes. However, he was also delighted because the inner court had produced such a young Heavenly Ranking master. This greatly enhanced the Inner Palace Secretariat's bargaining power in the court and the outer court.
The outer court's reaction: The civil officials and military leaders all took notice. They knew that an eunuch's placement on the Heavenly Ranking signified the Emperor's "confidants'" terrifying level of power. This filled the outer court with apprehension about the inner court's growing power.
Deep within the imperial city, in the mysterious Alchemy Institute, an otherworldly-looking, white-haired Imperial Advisor examined a secret report intently.
"The Sword Intent of Vitality? To grasp the concept of 'birth and death' at the Foundation Establishment stage... this young man's talent surpasses that of ordinary martial artists." A glint of light flashed in the advisor's eyes.
The advisor oversaw the court's research and control of "extraordinary powers." The court needed loyal martial artists as well as exceptionally talented and highly promising "experimental subjects" or "collaborators."
The Imperial Advisor immediately ordered, "Monitor Xiao Wuchen's whereabouts closely. He must become a research subject for the Alchemy Institute!"
The Imperial Advisor of the Alchemy Institute had begun to take notice of Xiao Wuchen.
Xiao Wuchen had returned to the capital and was recuperating in a quiet room in the Inner Palace Secretariat. With his ascent to the Heavenly Ranking, he clearly felt that he had been drawn into the vortex of power struggles.
He checked his system panel.
He had gained a massive amount of merit points.
The system shop had unlocked the "Cultivation Fragment" exchange option.
He exchanged for the Minor Heavenly Cycle Guiding Technique — Fragment 1 and began practicing, experiencing the difference between his martial arts and those of ordinary people.
Meanwhile, the Inner Palace Secretariat swiftly announced Xiao Wuchen's promotion:
"Xiao Wuchen is promoted to Fourth-Rank Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace Secretariat and will concurrently serve as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards."
This increase in power paved the way for the power struggles that would unfold in Volume Four.
It was not merely a leap in rank, but a substantial increase in power. He had become an undeniable force within the inner court, holding some authority over the emperor's close attendants and the imperial city guards. He could already feel the scrutiny, jealousy, and intense killing intent emanating from the outer court and other factions within the Inner Palace Secretariat.After obtaining the positions of fourth-rank chief eunuch and deputy commander of the imperial guards, Xiao Wuchen did not immediately take up his posts. Instead, he temporarily stayed in the meditation room, citing the need to consolidate his cultivation level. He knew this brief tranquility was just a reprieve before the storm.
During his recuperation, high-ranking officials from the Inner Palace Secretariat repeatedly came to "visit," but their true intentions were to test him and win him over.
The Grand Eunuch sent rare tonics and encouraging words, but his eyes betrayed his deep suspicion that Xiao Wuchen's "sword intent wasn't upright enough." Xiao Wuchen understood that the Grand Eunuch feared he might threaten his absolute position within the inner court.
Meanwhile, some eunuchs affiliated with outer court forces began secretly spreading rumors about his methods for ascending to the Heavenly Ranking. They even implied that he had ties to the heretical Xuan Yin Sect due to the subtle, effeminate nature of his swordsmanship.
Xiao Wuchen sneered inwardly. The world of power was far more insidious and complex than the martial world. He knew that, to gain a foothold in this power structure, he needed martial prowess and the emperor's trust.
After taking two Foundation Building and Spirit Nourishing Pills to solidify his mid-stage Meridian Building realm, Xiao Wuchen devoted all his energy to cultivating the Small Heavenly Circuit Guiding Technique — Fragment 1.
Typically, martial artists can only circulate true qi within their meridians. However, this fragment is a method for guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper the soul.
As he practiced the technique, a cool sensation beyond true qi swept through his sea of consciousness. His divine sense began to be tempered and strengthened at an unprecedented speed.
System Notification: Host's soul strength has increased, and sensitivity to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has improved!
This greatly enhanced his perception and refined his control over the "Sword Intent of Vitality." He began to believe that cultivation was the ultimate path for martial arts.
Three days later, the imperial decree officially summoned him.
Xiao Wuchen had finished his training. He knew that this summons would be a pivotal moment in his martial arts career. He needed to demonstrate his value and loyalty to the emperor while carefully balancing imperial power and freedom.
He changed into the robe of a fourth-rank eunuch and put a long sword with a black sheath at his waist. His demeanor had changed; he was no longer a simple swordsman but a powerful eunuch with peak martial arts skills.
Would he gain more resources and power, or would he become a tool of imperial power? The answer would be revealed within the palace walls tonight.