Lu Mingkong's five-bearer sedan chair traveled all the way past the vermilion palace walls.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, it finally stopped before a grand residence. He hurried inside alone.
Deep within a long, arched corridor, beneath a lakeside pavilion.
A youth in a dark Python Robe, his profile strikingly handsome and his complexion fair, stood by a carved wooden railing, tossing fish food into the lake. In the water, red and green carp all gathered together, feasting happily.
"How did it go?"
The handsome youth stared intently at the fish in the lake, asking without turning his head.
Lu Mingkong's anger hadn't subsided, but in front of this person, he could only hold his temper.
Because the person before him was his elder brother.
He was also the Second Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty, Lu Guangjing.
He was calm and shrewd, with masterful methods, and Lu Mingkong felt ashamed of his own inferiority.
Lu Mingkong replied, "Second Brother, Lu Mingyuan has indeed been thrown into the Cold Palace. He's living a miserable life now, confined within the Three Academies and two halls of the Harem."
"I only asked you to find out what was going on. I didn't expect you to do more."
At this, Lu Guangjing glanced at Lu Mingkong, his impossibly handsome eyes turning profound. He saw right through him and said lightly,
"You had an argument."
"Yes."
Lu Mingkong froze for a second before admitting it honestly.
"You brought men with you to pick a fight, and you still lost?"
Lu Mingkong gritted his teeth. He was unwilling to admit it, but his expression was one of reluctant resignation.
"Yes..."
"Heh..."
Lu Guangjing let out a few soft chuckles and said mockingly, "Sixth Brother is a mad dog right now; he'll bite anyone he sees. Who told you to go provoke him? I just asked you to test if the Holy Decree was real, not to do anything else."
Lu Mingkong gritted his teeth and said, refusing to concede, "Sixth Brother and I have a grudge. With such a good opportunity, wouldn't it be a shame not to kick him while he's down? I really want to send someone to kill him."
Lu Guangjing continued tossing fish food, his voice light and carefree. "No need. That would be an unnecessary move. Security in the Imperial Palace has been tightened significantly since the last incident. He's just a mad dog thrown in the Cold Palace, not worth the trouble. For now, let's focus on other matters."
"Second Brother, are you talking about the Eldest Prince?"
Lu Mingkong asked tentatively.
Lu Guangjing put away the fish food, handed it to a black-clothed maid at his side, and elegantly wiped his hands. "General Pei captured the Demoness of the Demon Kingdom alive. This has greatly boosted the morale of the Eldest Prince's faction and earned him much favor with our Father Emperor. Do you know what this means?"
Lu Mingkong immediately understood. "The Eldest Prince's chances of securing the throne have increased. Right now, our biggest threat is still the Eldest Prince."
"When would be a good time to make a move?"
Lu Guangjing stretched lazily, draped a cotton overcoat brought by a nearby maid over his shoulders, and said, "No rush. Father Emperor is currently purging the Imperial Guard in the palace. It's better to lay low for a bit."
With that, he headed toward the warmth of the room inside.
"Second Brother, what about our people in the palace?"
Lu Mingkong quickly asked another question, only to hear a reply fading into the distance.
"If they're dead, they're dead."
...
「Three days later, in Qingzhu Hall.」
Steam billowed in the Cold Palace. The table was set with a bowl and chopsticks, and a Purple Gauze Palace Maid waited on him.
Lu Mingyuan drank the hot soup in his bowl in one gulp and quickly glanced at the interface before him.
[Life Master: Lu Mingyuan]
[Cultivation: None]
[Cultivation Technique: Blood Glutton Celestial Fall Scripture - Abnormal Eating Chapter (First Floor: 500/500)]
The instant the points maxed out.
HUMMM!
Lu Mingyuan felt the qi and blood in his Dantian suddenly begin to boil uncontrollably.
RUMBLE!
His blood erupted like a long-dormant volcano as the scalding liquid in his Dantian began to surge through his limbs and into every corner of his body.
A pleasant warmth spread through his entire body, as if he were soaking in a hot spring. Every pore and every cell seemed to thrum with joy.
'So comfortable!'
Lu Mingyuan was so comfortable he almost cried out.
This process lasted for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, then slowly subsided.
Upon careful inspection, he found a faint, ethereal wisp of energy in his Dantian. He knew exactly what it was: Martial Arts Qi.
This was the most significant sign of transitioning from a mortal to a martial artist.
Nourished by the Martial Arts Qi, Lu Mingyuan felt his whole body fill with strength. His five senses were all magnified. He could hear the sound of his blood flowing and see the texture on the distant leaves.
The ceaseless flow of scalding blood within him provided energy for his Elixir Field Strength.
'I can't believe it. It took several days less than the seven I expected. I've broken through to the Outer Strength Realm ahead of schedule.'
Lu Mingyuan couldn't help but clench his fists in excitement, but he also knew full well that if it weren't for his mother, even this bowl of hot soup would have been a luxury.
If Wang Zhaoyan had not been arranging his daily accommodations, his life certainly wouldn't be this comfortable.
Although he had devoured everything on the table, his stomach didn't feel the slightest bit full. Instead, the warm current in his Dantian grew increasingly hotter.
If the past few days had been a mere flickering flame, then today, the burning Powerful Qi in his Dantian could surge forth, powerful enough to sweep away the gloom from his heart.
No wonder it is said that those who practice the Martial Dao are different in both appearance and their Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
This was the benefit of stepping into the First Realm of Martial Arts. Lu Mingyuan even felt that a good amount of his overly depleted Yang Energy had been replenished.
He activated the Turtle Shell again to check his status.
[Life Master: Lu Mingyuan]
[Cultivation: First Realm of Martial Arts (External Force)]
[Cultivation Technique: Blood Glutton Celestial Fall Scripture - Abnormal Eating Chapter (Second Floor: 0/1000)]
[Fate Grid: Trapped Dragon in the Abyss (Refinement Level 5%)]
[Life Chart Traits: Dragon Raising Its Head (Basic Level)]
[Opportunity: None]
'The changes are pretty significant. First, I now have a Cultivation and have successfully entered the Outer Strength Realm. Also, the Abnormal Eating Chapter has gone from the First Floor to the Second Floor.'
'It seems I'll need a lot more food to reach the Second Realm.'