Another morning dawned.
A knock on the door, followed by Qin Mian's voice, "Master Wen, it's me."
"Come in."
Qin Mian entered and saw Gu Wen having breakfast.
He handed over a letter with both hands.
"This is a letter from Manager Jiang."
Gu Wen took the letter, but instead of reading its contents immediately, he checked if the paper had any special folds.
'The letter has been tampered with.'
He was certain of this, as his influence was limited to Longqiao in Bianjing, not extensive enough to ensure complete secrecy in information transmission.
Moreover, the letter passed through official channels and relay stations.
Gu Wen wasn't worried about arousing suspicion from the Zhao family.
His actions outside were traceable and had sufficient reasons to support them.
This was just another attempt to test the Zhao family before Zhao Feng emerged from the palace.
Based on the Zhao family's perception of him, their reactions would vary.
Upon reading the letter, it seemed Jiang Fugui had settled in Nanshui and inquired when Gu Wen would visit.
Gu Wen had no intention of replying and casually placed the letter on the shelf.
If Jiang Fugui returned now, he would only be a burden.
It was better for him to stay in Nanshui for now and wait for a bigger opportunity before heading there.
As the main rear area of Dagian, the military strength arranged by the Zhao family there was practically nonexistent.
Frequent outbreaks of banditry, beyond the control of local forces, required central forces to suppress them, allowing the court to maintain control.
Otherwise, despite having resources, being far from Bianjing made it a rebellious region.
"I also heard that the Ninth Prince is now residing in the Eastern Palace."
Qin Mian lowered his voice slightly, "This news has already spread within the palace. It is said that the Court of Ceremonial is preparing for the enthronement ceremony."
The Eastern Palace, the residence of the Crown Prince.
Was he going to be appointed as the Crown Prince?
Gu Wen was only slightly surprised.
Previously, He Huan mentioned that all the princes in the world had died, so it was logical for Zhao Feng to become the Crown Prince.
- Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Apart from hosting a banquet on the first day, Gu Wen did not go out at all, spending very little time even outside his room.
Rumors were rife outside, and the new guards were also strange.
They even suspected Gu Wen of digging tunnels and forcibly entered his room to inspect.
They were stopped by Qin Mian, and the mansion guards split into two factions.
One was the old members of the Wang Family, familiar with Gu Wen and willing to support him.
The other was the palace guards, acting as if they were the emperor's right-hand men.
Gu Wen allowed their conflict and confirmed that the Zhao family still saw him as an ordinary person.
As Gu Wen approached the Triple Perfection of Dao Foundation, once he reached it, the old eunuch would no longer be his match.
Outside the palace, within Bianjing, he would have no rivals.
The Zhao family remained oblivious at this moment.
At night, the last traces of medicinal effects were refined.
Gu Wen observed his Qi Sea internally, where the water pool had turned into a pond.
His spiritual energy was no longer lacking, enough to perform hundreds of martial techniques.
He no longer needed to be cautious like in the previous battle at Longqiao, ensuring that each technique was effective, or risk retreating due to energy depletion.
Techniques like the Jade Clear Sword Intent, which required sufficient energy to kill enemies, could now be executed without worrying about consumption.
This was the combat power that cultivation should possess; previously, Gu Wen was too impoverished, needing to carefully manage every bit of energy.
"While not limitless, this energy is enough to support high-intensity combat for twelve hours."
Based on his previous battle at Longqiao, Gu Wen estimated the effectiveness of his current energy.
High-intensity combat for half a day was equivalent to a mortal soldier in heavy armor continuously fighting for half a day.
Mortals couldn't sustain such bursts, but Gu Wen could.
Even with numerical suppression, mortals couldn't surround and kill a cultivator.
Gu Wen realized that at the peak of the Second Level of Dao Foundation, with complete techniques and almost perfect cultivation, it was challenging for even an army to kill him.
Even in the midst of a million troops, only a dozen or so individuals, or even dozens, could truly confront him.
They would be exhausted after standing armed for half a day.
Gu Wen slowly opened his eyes.
The sack in the corner was now empty.
After seven days, he had finally consumed all fifty pounds of medicinal fruits.
Twenty-nine years of Tianzui.
"The most talented, the most gifted, from this day forth."
Entering his Qi Sea, gazing at the vast destiny like the universe, the Fire Star was abundant, revolving and circulating, covering the sky with flames.
Gu Wen stepped into the realm of Triple Perfection of Dao Foundation, with the Five Divine Concealments observing him, wanting him to kowtow one hundred and eighty thousand times to refine himself.
Each kowtow required the expenditure of a Great Circulation of energy to nourish the Five Divine Concealments.
Gu Wen could currently kowtow a maximum of one hundred times at once, but recovering energy was extremely time-consuming and resource-intensive.
It would take him ten years to achieve Triple Perfection of Dao Foundation solely on his own.
His talent qualified him to cultivate the true Jade Clear Immortal Technique, enough to compete with the Three Clear Daoists.
But Gu Wen was just a weed in the gutter, no matter how high his talent was, he couldn't compare to those of noble birth.
Without Yu Hua, how could he practice the techniques and cultivate with elixirs?
Currently, Gu Wen had far too many flaws compared to the geniuses of major sects.
Being a genius alone was not enough; one had to surpass common sense to stand tall as an unparalleled figure that everyone looked up to.
Perhaps even that was not enough; one should transcend the heavens, the earth, and all beings, including the Divine Concealments before him.
Gu Wen took a step forward, holding the Heavenly Decree in his mouth, "It is you who should kowtow."
The universe trembled, and the Fire Star descended.
The Five Divine Concealments.
The First Concealment, the Lung Divine, with the Qi of Duì, the essence of Metal, its color white, revealing the White Tiger Divine Concealment.
The Second Concealment, the Heart Divine, with the Qi of Lí, the essence of Fire, its color red, revealing the Vermilion Bird Divine Concealment.
The Third Concealment, the Liver Divine, with the Qi of Zhèn, the essence of Wood, its color green, revealing the Azure Dragon Divine Concealment.
The Fourth Concealment, the Spleen Divine, with the Qi of Kūn, the essence of Earth, its color yellow, revealing the Yellow Dragon Divine Concealment.
The Fifth Concealment, the Kidney Divine, with the Yin essence, the Qi of Kǎn, its color black, revealing the Black Tortoise Divine Concealment.
The Jade Clear Heart Technique states, refine essence into Qi to shed mortal form, refine Qi into spirit to condense elixirs, refine spirit to return to emptiness and condense forms.
The Divine Concealments are the embryos, nurtured to become techniques, representing the heavens and the earth.
The Divine Concealments are the breakthrough conditions for refining spirit to return to emptiness, while the techniques are the standards for refining spirit to return to emptiness.
After an unknown period, the first purple energy arrived from the sky, shining on Gu Wen's face.
He opened his eyes in a daze, radiating a boundless spiritual charm.
The Five Spirits manifested, Triple Perfection of Dao Foundation achieved!
The Third Level of Jade Clear Dao Foundation, Divine Concealments revealed, initial techniques formed.
Four years of Tianzui.
Gu Wen felt as if he had boundless power within him.
He clenched his right fist, and the White Tiger rose, striking fiercely with a punch, causing the bed curtains to flutter.
He then closed his eyes again, knowing that true techniques belonged to him.
They existed, hence they were real.
At this moment, while most outsiders were at the Second or Third Level, Gu Wen had already reached the Third Level of Dao Foundation, achieving Triple Perfection.
What had happened in the past was now transformed; from now on, offense and defense had changed!
- At the crowded Longqiao intersection, officials on a high platform were beating drums and gongs, attracting gazes from all directions.
Usually, such actions in Bianjing were to announce imperial edicts, proclaiming the emperor's will to the world.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!"
"The virtuous ruler continues the dynasty, ensuring lasting peace and prosperity, establishing the Crown Prince to strengthen the foundation of the country, bringing joy to the ancestors and fulfilling the people's hopes. The Prince Xuanfeng, known for his virtue, praised by officials and sought by the people. I now appoint him as the Crown Prince, with the initial ceremony on the ninth day, bringing great fortune to the realm."
A stone caused a thousand ripples, and the long-awaited position of the Crown Prince finally descended.
The news spread throughout Bianjing, stirring countless forces into action.
Gu Wen soon heard the news as well.
Qin Mian temporarily took Jiang Fugui's place and brought the news to Gu Wen.
With a smile, he said, "The Crown Prince is appointed. If he ascends the throne in the future, Master Wen will surely be greatly valued."
In his view, within the Wang Family, Gu Wen was already above ten thousand people, especially after the eunuch by Zhao Feng's side died, making Gu Wen the only dragon minister.
With such a status, he would undoubtedly be highly valued in the future.
As a temporary favorite by Gu Wen's side, Qin Mian might even get a chance to become a front-line general.
This was not wishful thinking on Qin Mian's part; it had been the case throughout the ages, with each generation of emperor having their own loyal ministers.
Seeing Gu Wen's delayed response and lack of emotion, Qin Mian thought he was so overjoyed that he had lost his senses.
Calling out, he said, "Master Wen."
Unexpectedly, Gu Wen took a sip of tea, and with a pointed tone, he asked, "When will Zhao Feng be appointed?"
"Eh?"
Qin Mian was slightly taken aback, feeling a bit confused.
It seemed like Gu Wen had said something wrong, but at the same time, everything seemed fine.
The unfamiliarity emanating from Gu Wen at this moment was palpable.
Having shed the facade of living in fear of the 'God of Etiquette,' Gu Wen never revered imperial authority and scoffed at everything related to Dagian.
If Zhao Feng came to find him today, he would kill him if he stepped in with his right foot first, and even if he stepped too wide with his left foot, the punishment would be decided based on the situation.
He reiterated, "When will Zhao Feng be appointed?"
A mountain-like pressure descended, and Qin Mian stammered in response, "The initial ceremony will be held in the palace on the ninth day, followed by a visit to the ancestral temple..."
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish what you have.