Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

"Nowadays, demons are gradually appearing in the world, in other words, the Spirit Essence from Ancient Times is gradually revealing itself in the human world."

"The chrysanthemums I cultivated have thrived on the Spirit Mechanism collected by the Imperial family over the years, thus becoming this extraordinary Spirit Plant, possessing a trace of Spirit Essence."

As Princess Yuzhen finished speaking, the lively atmosphere in the hall gradually turned quiet.

Everyone was processing the information revealed by Princess Yuzhen.

The attendees, all noble family children, were aware of their family's "vegetable city" harvesting demons and refining Demon Cores.

They believed their families, acting discreetly, were ahead of the Imperial family.

Little did they know that the Imperial family had actually kept a massive advantage hidden.

The Demon Cores contained numerous violent impurities, which couldn't compare to the purity of Spirit Essence.

Sitting, Shen Qing observed everyone's reactions and mused to himself: "The intelligence controlled by the Ji family of Great Zhou is significantly more than what others know."

"Xiao Hu once confided in me that their Huangtian Sect was also secretly gathering Spirit Essence, which explains their rapid rise in recent years, even rivaling the Ji family."

Cui Mingxuan, the second son of the Cui Family, quickly responded, "I see, thank you, Your Highness, for clearing up the confusion."

Princess Yuzhen was quite pleased with everyone's reaction, so she laughed quietly, covering her mouth, and said, "Does anyone else have questions? If they are shareable secrets, I am willing to share them with everyone."

Before the words faded, an eager person stepped forward from the crowd, eyes filled with an insatiable desire for cultivation: "Your Highness, you mentioned that in the Ancient Times, Spirit Essence was abundant. So in the current world, how can we effectively cultivate, break through bottlenecks, and explore the mysteries of immortality?"

Princess Yuzhen nodded slightly and replied, "The path of cultivation is long and arduous, with perseverance being key. To break through bottlenecks, one must first cultivate the heart; a clear heart mirrors all things. As for immortality... in the present world, it should not be possible."

The crowd was in an uproar.

To them, reaching the peak of cultivation would allow one to glimpse the mysteries of immortality, which was a consensus among martial artists.

But Princess Yuzhen's words overturned their understanding, causing a storm of turmoil in their hearts that was hard to calm.

Shen Qing pondered for a moment and stood up respectfully, asking, "May I ask, Your Highness, I heard of many celestial martial arts techniques stored in the Imperial Armory. It is said that mastering these techniques deeply can reveal immortality; is this not true?"

His words were startling, "Or are these techniques perhaps fake?"

The other guests in the hall immediately grew unsettled.

They looked at Shen Qing with incredulity.

This was blatant disrespect.

However, Huang Furo, sitting quietly beside him, simply watched Shen Qing without saying a word.

Seeing Shen Qing so composed, her worries eased, her face remaining calm.

When everyone thought Shen Qing would displease Princess Yuzhen, she spoke.

Contrary to expectations, Princess Yuzhen didn't mind and treated him with courtesy, smiling as she said, "Chief Shen has indeed pointed out a key aspect."

"Celestial martial arts techniques mostly originate from Ancient methods. As mentioned earlier, the Ancient Spirit Essence is different from today, and the same principles manifest differently in different places. So, saying celestial martial arts can reveal immortality is both correct and incorrect."

Shen Qing carefully contemplated Princess Yuzhen's words, and with the aid of his "scholarly insight," he grasped the crucial point in an instant.

Exactly.

An unfitting environment would undoubtedly result in different outcomes from the same techniques.

So what Princess Yuzhen knows, Ji Bofan could not be unaware of.

Knowing this, why did he constantly "encourage" me to enter the fifth level of the Imperial Armory?

It must have been to compel me to cultivate!

Connecting the paper, ink, and brushes prepared on the scene, he continuously inquired about my cultivation insights and progress, coupled with the untraceable past practitioners of celestial martial arts, and a clear answer emerged.

Ji Bofan was using him as a test subject for celestial martial arts experiments.

And once cultivated, these unsuitable celestial martial arts would likely lead to undesirable outcomes.

Thinking it through, such an action couldn't be solely orchestrated by Ji Bofan.

Perhaps from the beginning, when Ji Zikong gave him the Cuiying Order, this intention already existed.

Shen Qing inwardly sighed in relief.

Thankfully, he was clever and didn't rashly engage in cultivation, otherwise, it would truly be unmanageable.

He put away these thoughts and sincerely thanked, "Thank you, Your Highness, for enlightening me."

A faint, indifferent smile appeared at the corner of Princess Yuzhen's mouth as she surveyed the surroundings and asked, "Does anyone else have questions?"

Seeing Princess Yuzhen's broad-mindedness, the attendees felt relieved and began asking questions eagerly, exchanging ideas.

"Chief Shen mentioned martial arts techniques earlier. I would like to ask Your Highness, given the multitude of martial arts techniques globally, how should one select the most suitable method for themselves, and how to avoid falling into a wrong path?"

Princess Yuzhen replied, "Choosing a technique is like drinking water, only you know its warmth and coolness. The key is its alignment with one's nature; if it fits, it's a good method. As for wrong paths, they often stem from desire. If the heart is not greedy, all methods are correct."

"I have learned a lot."

"May I ask Your Highness..."

...

Questions kept arising in the hall, making the previously silent atmosphere lively once more.

Huang Furo observed covertly for a while longer, seeing Princess Yuzhen had no intent to trouble Shen Qing, she finally felt relieved.

Once the free discussions concluded, it was time for contests of poetry, verses, and martial prowess.

Shen Qing had no interest in this.

Seeing that today's purpose was mostly fulfilled, he didn't wish to linger.

So, while everyone was engrossed, he quietly stood up to leave when no one was watching.

Huang Furo lowered her voice and asked, "Leaving now?"

Shen Qing nodded slightly.

"Shall we go together then?"

"Alright."

The two left together, trying not to disturb others.

However, their movements caught Su Qiaoqiao's attention, making her displeased.

She had put considerable effort into organizing the gathering and wouldn't tolerate anyone looking down on it.

Adding this to the small incident before the gathering, Shen Qing's "provocation"...

With everything, Su Qiaoqiao wanted to make up for her shortcomings and show herself before Princess Yuzhen.

She excused herself, claiming a need to use the restroom, and left to follow Shen Qing and Huang Furo.

Outside the cabin, the sun was setting in the west.

Radiant glows, like countless fragments of gold foil, scattered across the lake, with magnificent, shimmering golden waves.

Upon exiting the lively hall, Shen Qing and Huang Furo immediately felt their spirits lighten.

They hadn't even had a chance to appreciate the scene when a sharp female voice called out from behind, stopping them.

"Stop!"

Shen Qing turned to see Su Qiaoqiao approaching briskly, full of energy. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

Her long white legs and the ornaments on her skirt clashed, creating a jingling noise.

Her sharp phoenix eyes glanced Shen Qing up and down, speaking unfriendly, "Why are you two leaving without a word? It's improper to come and go as you please, isn't it?"

Shen Qing responded casually, "It's merely that I found the atmosphere too noisy and came out to get some air. Why, is that not allowed?"

His relaxed tone made it seem like all this was trivial.

But such an indifferent attitude ignited a fire in Su Qiaoqiao's heart as if sparks had fallen into a pile of wood.

She lost her usual calmness and composure, seething, "You just offended the Princess, and though the Princess was magnanimous not to reprimand you, I won't let you off."

Before finishing her sentence, Su Qiaoqiao's figure flashed, closing in on Shen Qing, with a formidable energy gathered in her palm, striking fiercely.