The Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill’s progress was steady, having reached 61% at the Tier Four Masterful level. By allocating points normally, he should be able to reach Tier Five within the year. When that happened, his lifespan would increase dramatically—something Yang Chan eagerly anticipated.
His Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method had also reached 65% at Tier Four Masterful. It had improved significantly after he finished tempering his third internal organ, a benefit he owed to the Power of Origin National Fate.
All he could say about that was that the petals of the Origin of the National Fate Golden Lotus tasted quite nice.
The only Tier Five cultivation technique in his arsenal was the Wind-Stepping Technique. It was a measure he had prepared before leaving the Cyan Yuan Sect, a means of self-preservation. Reaching Tier Five Outstanding in this technique had allowed him to comprehend the Wind Realm.
When he traveled, he strode upon the wind, accompanied by a gentle breeze that allowed him to depart at incredible speed. This was the power of the Wind Realm, and it had enabled him to quickly flee the border battlefield without getting caught in the aftermath.
This created more distance, preventing the Taiyin Saintess from sensing his aura. He later upgraded his Meditation and Breath Holding Technique to Tier Four Masterful, concealing his Qi and Blood and Essence Qi, completely eliminating any chance of the Taiyin Saintess detecting him.
His other cultivation techniques had improved as well, all thanks to his daily efforts, though the results weren’t as pronounced as when he spent his Potential Points.
The Yuanzhen Mutual Sensing Technique, in particular, was progressing even more slowly. Advancing this cultivation technique required a partner, such as Han Bingyu.
He had practiced the Yuanzhen Mutual Sensing Technique earlier, and his persistent efforts had increased its proficiency by a small amount. This, however, had left Han Bingyu completely drained of strength, even now.
Cultivating the Yuanzhen Mutual Sensing Technique also provided a slight boost to his Martial Arts Cultivation, though the effect wasn’t nearly as pronounced as the first time the Taiyin Saintess had helped him. Still, as a supplementary cultivation technique, it could be used to increase his power even in the middle of a fight, which was a decent benefit.
It was a way to make full use of his time.
After spending all his Potential Points, Yang Chan could feel his power surge. The state of Inner Refinement Perfection was now closer than ever.
Once he was done allocating his points, Yang Chan emerged from his secret chamber. Having just returned to the Cyan Yuan Sect, he had no intention of spending his first night back pulling an all-nighter.
He left the secret chamber and slipped into the warm bed. Holding her full, heavy form, he peacefully drifted off to sleep.
He hadn’t slept in a warm bed for a long time, let alone one so soft. He could inhale her intoxicatingly fresh scent, and it was incredibly comfortable.
’A ripe fruit has such a rich fragrance, perfect for caressing.’
’Peel away the skin, and the flesh within is crystal clear. The taste is exquisite!’
There in the warm bed, Yang Chan sank into a deep sleep.
Free from the constant fear and anxiety of the outside world, he felt a natural and profound sense of comfort.
...
"Here’s the antidote. It’s enough to last you a month."
When Princess Lan Yue came to see him, Yang Chan took out a bottle of medicine. It was the antidote for the Three Flower Insect Divine Pill; the previous batch he had given her was nearly gone.
Princess Lan Yue took the antidote he offered.
"Pharmacist Yang, is it true that the Grand Ancestor of the Great Zhou Imperial Family is dying?"
Princess Lan Yue asked.
She had heard many rumors but had no channels to obtain more accurate information, so she couldn’t confirm if they were true.
"From what I’ve heard, his time is nearly up."
"He didn’t have much of his lifespan left to begin with, and then he fought a life-or-death battle against Ouyang Qingtian, a newly ascended Martial Saint. They say he was bleeding the entire way back to White Jade City. He likely won’t last much longer."
"However, the old Emperor of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, Yang Yu, has broken through to the National Guardian Martial Saint Realm. I expect the dynasty will be relatively stable for the time being."
Yang Chan glanced at her, then slowly relayed the information he had.
Many people had witnessed the Great Zhou’s Grand Ancestor being gravely injured and near death. By the time he reached White Jade City, his life was said to be hanging by a thread, and he could pass away at any moment.
Although there had been no official news yet, it was surely just a matter of time.
"A new Saint for Great Zhou..."
Princess Lan Yue murmured to herself, then fell into a long silence.
She hadn’t expected the old Emperor, Yang Yu, to actually break through to the Martial Saint Realm. He was now a National Guardian for the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. Under normal circumstances, he would have become the next Grand Ancestor.
"The old Emperor, Yang Yu, borrowed the Power of Origin National Fate from the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty to achieve his breakthrough. Although he has reached the Martial Saint Realm, he is now bound to the National Fate. If the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty falls, he will perish along with it!"
Yang Chan said pointedly.
He was well aware of the deep-seated grudge between Princess Lan Yue and the old Emperor, Yang Yu, so it was only natural to reveal such a weakness to her.
It might not be useful now, but it could prove valuable later on.
He held no fondness for this old Emperor. In fact, most people from the major sects harbored great malice toward him. After all, he was a man who had reached the Martial Saint Realm by stepping on the corpses of their fellow sect members.
His Martial Saint Realm was built upon a mountain of corpses, not only of sect members but also countless ordinary citizens of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty.
The major sects still had the power to resist, but the common people had none. Even if they knew the truth, even if their hearts burned with endless fury, even if they hated the Great Zhou Imperial Family so much they wanted to devour them whole, they could only endure it.
Anyone who couldn’t endure, who dared to show their anger and vent it, would be met with utter annihilation.
In this age, strength was everything. It was the only means to control one’s own destiny.
Without strength, one could only drift with the tide, eventually to have their neck seized by fate, completely at its mercy.
"A National Fate Martial Saint..."
Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Princess Lan Yue’s eyes before quickly fading back into calm.
For some people, a mere glimmer of hope is all the motivation they need to persevere.
Princess Lan Yue bore many burdens, and achieving her goal was an incredibly difficult task.
After the old Emperor broke through to the National Guardian Martial Saint Realm, that task had become even more difficult. But Yang Chan’s words had just shown her a glimmer of hope.
"The expert who killed the Jin Meng Empire’s Martial Saint was a Dragon Slayer. He slew the Jin Meng Empire’s Destiny Golden Dragon, which caused their Martial Saint Ancestor’s cultivation to fall from the Martial Saint Realm. Only then was the Dragon Slayer able to kill him!"
"The old Emperor’s breakthrough is the same type. If the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s Destiny Golden Dragon is slain, Emperor Yang Yu will die instantly. Of course, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty would also fall, to be replaced by a new one."
Yang Chan continued, revealing more secret information.
Or perhaps, this information had once been top secret, but after the incident at the border, it was no longer so hidden. Many people now knew, and the major powers had already investigated the implications.
And naturally, Yang Chan knew as well.
"Slay the Destiny Golden Dragon, and the Martial Saint dies instantly..."
Princess Lan Yue murmured, repeating Yang Chan’s words as the light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
She could now see another path to her revenge. It was an equally difficult path, but it was one where she could see hope.
The old Emperor, Yang Yu, was now a Martial Saint, meaning his lifespan would be incredibly long. But she had time on her side. The journey to the Merak Sacred Land was now something she had to be a part of. First, she needed to increase her own strength.