Dressed in the python robe of a fourth-rank chief eunuch and carrying a black-sheathed longsword, Xiao Wuchen entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the most central power center of the Great Qian Dynasty.
The hall was brightly lit and filled with the aroma of sandalwood incense. High on the dragon throne sat the Emperor, the current ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty. He had a majestic expression and every movement exuded an aura of supreme authority.
"Your subject, Xiao Wuchen, pays his respects to Your Majesty," he said, kneeling and bowing with perfect respect.
"Rise." The emperor's voice was calm yet possessed a penetrating power.
"I heard that you brought great honor to the inner court of the Great Qian Dynasty at the Martial Saint Hall. By ascending the Heavenly Ranking and defeating the old monster, you have proven your excellence."
The Emperor did not immediately mention power or responsibility, but first bestowed favor.
"I have ordered the Inner Palace Secretariat to prepare rewards for you."
The Grand Eunuch standing nearby bowed and presented the decree. The rewards were generous:
A box of top-grade Xuanbing jade that, after refining, can nourish yin and yang true qi, greatly benefiting those in the mid-stage of meridian establishment.
A golden-threaded python robe. It symbolizes a higher status and glory within the inner court.
A marquisate of ten thousand households: Although it has no real power, it is the highest honorary title coveted by all civil and military officials.
Xiao Wuchen knelt again in gratitude. "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty. I am willing to serve you with my life."
After bestowing the rewards, the emperor's gentle demeanor vanished. His gaze sharpened as he stared directly at Xiao Wuchen.
"Wuchen, your martial arts talent is unparalleled and a true blessing to the Great Qian Dynasty. But remember, the higher your swordsmanship, the steadier your resolve must be."
"The martial world values freedom and its 'Dao,' but my 'Dao' is the stability of the realm and the dynasty's eternal foundation."
The emperor leaned forward slightly, his tone deepening. "Your sword will ultimately serve me. You are now a master of the Heavenly Ranking, and I trust you. I am promoting you to the fourth rank. I demand your loyalty to the court and to me."
These words were a blatant warning and implication. The emperor did not want a minister at the pinnacle of martial arts to be preoccupied with the martial world. Nor did he want Xiao Wuchen to neglect the constraints of imperial power because of his mastery of martial arts.
Xiao Wuchen immediately understood the emperor's meaning. He knew this was a stance he had to take.
"Your Majesty, you are wise. Though I reside within the inner court, the 'vitality' I have comprehended through swordsmanship is my way of safeguarding your 'Way of the World.' My sword will never point toward the Great Qian, and I will never betray your trust."
He didn't directly state his loyalty to the Emperor, but he cleverly linked the concept of "vitality" in martial arts with "safeguarding the Great Qian," expressing loyalty while subtly preserving the independence of his martial arts beliefs.
The emperor silently observed him for a few moments, then smiled with satisfaction.
"Good. I believe in your understanding."
This audience solidified Xiao Wuchen's position within the power structure.
Although he received generous rewards and immense power, he also deeply felt the pressure of imperial authority. The emperor trusted him because he could control him. If Xiao Wuchen showed any intention of breaking free from imperial control, the emperor would swiftly and decisively punish him.
At the same time, the emperor hinted to him, "I know of your grievances with the Xuan Yin Sect. The inner court needs someone who can solve the transcendental problem. I give you the power to cleanse those hidden cancers in the shadows."
The instruction was clear: in the name of the court, Xiao Wuchen would utilize the inner court's resources and power to continue his mission of eliminating the cult and confronting Elder Xuanji.
Xiao Wuchen knew this was exactly what he wanted—to act in an official capacity, acquire resources, and pave the way for his cultivation journey.After being summoned by the emperor, Xiao Wuchen was escorted out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the grand eunuch. Shrouded in night, the palace exuded a chilling, murderous aura amidst its majesty.
Throughout the journey, the Grand Eunuch maintained a kind smile, but his voice was low and held a sharp edge that only the high-ranking officials of the inner court understood.
"Wu Chen, His Majesty has high hopes for you. However, no matter how skilled you are in martial arts, you cannot surpass the red walls and green tiles of this palace."
The Grand Eunuch stopped, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "I'll remind you of two things. First, you've recently risen to the Heavenly Ranking, and your brilliance is too dazzling. The civil officials in the outer court are wary of the inner court's martial artists' power. As the deputy commander of the imperial guards, they will undoubtedly try to trip you up by framing you for colluding with martial arts forces. You must deal with them cleanly."
Xiao Wu Chen's heart skipped a beat. He knew this was a "reminder" from the most powerful figure in the Inner Court—a veiled form of pressure.
"Your Majesty understands. My sword will not leave any opening for anyone to use against me."
The Grand Eunuch nodded in satisfaction. Then, he lowered his voice and his tone became even more enigmatic. "Secondly, the Imperial Advisor of the Alchemy Institute has recently been gathering information about you. That old man is obsessed with 'elixirs' and 'the Dao,' and he is extremely possessive of anyone with extraordinary potential. He won't be satisfied with you being just an Inner Court guard. He wants to bring you into the Alchemy Institute as a research subject."
"The power of the Alchemy Institute is beyond your imagination. They can bypass the Inner Palace Secretariat and speak directly to His Majesty. If you don't want to become a catalyst in his experiments with longevity pills, you must always demonstrate your 'value,' not your 'researchability.'"
Xiao Wuchen's heart skipped a beat. The Grand Eunuch's words confirmed his suspicions about the Imperial Advisor. While this warning was intended to protect the power of the Inner Palace Secretariat, it also revealed to Xiao Wuchen a deeper, more terrifying force beneath imperial power: the Alchemy Institute, the manifestation of cultivation power within the court.Back at his residence, Xiao Wuchen immediately started thinking of countermeasures. In order to counter the Alchemy Academy's possessiveness, he had to maintain his lead in martial arts and make his life force even more difficult to refine. He opened the system panel again and looked at his remaining merit points. He had already exchanged them for the Minor Heavenly Cycle Guiding Technique — Fragment 1, which provided the foundation for the cultivation technique, "Qi Induction." However, the Grand Eunuch's warning made him realize that he needed to do more. He had to strengthen his divine soul, the foundation of a cultivator's power and the most difficult aspect to control. He turned his gaze to another exchange option: Exchange Area Description Price (Merit Points):
Cultivation Auxiliary:
[Divine Soul Strengthening Technique - Fragment]: Strengthens the origin of the divine soul, increasing resistance to bewitching and refining techniques. 100,000 points.
"Exchange for the Divine Soul Strengthening Technique Fragment!" As the merit points were deducted, a new stream of information flooded into Xiao Wuchen's mind. He immediately began trying to cultivate this secret technique. A gentle yet resilient power began to nourish his divine consciousness. He felt his soul become more solid and stable, as if he were wearing invisible armor. This was the most important preparation he had made to save his life and fight against the shadow of imperial power and the Alchemy Academy.