Chapter 183: Chapter 151: Prince Jin’s Backup Plan, Assembly of Evils, I Became the Great Protector?

“The Prince Mansion has been far from peaceful lately. It seems some people think I’m on death’s door? Lu Yunwan and Lu Yunqing have both targeted me, wanting me dead. How could I possibly let them have their way?”

A thoughtful expression appeared on Lu Guangjing’s handsome face.

Just then, the other two A-Grade Tributors, the former Nan Zhou official Qin Fangding and the Shadow Scout Luo Ying, walked in from outside.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Qin Fangding and Luo Ying bowed in unison.

Lu Guangjing looked over, smiled, and said, “The Shadow Scout has returned! Tsk, your Cultivation seems to have improved significantly. Have you already reached the Perfection stage of the Eleventh Realm?”

Luo Ying didn’t know how Lu Guangjing had seen through her Cultivation, and she replied with her head lowered.

“Replying to Your Highness, I have indeed reached the Perfection stage of the Yin Spirit Realm.”

Her profile was cold and beautiful, her voice chillingly crisp—as if by nature, she was the same toward everyone.

Lu Guangjing nodded. “I truly envy your talent. To reach such a Realm in just a century… If I hadn’t suffered my… accident, I might have reached the Tenth Realm long ago.”

Luo Ying’s expression remained noncommittal.

’Internally, she was unconvinced.’

Lu Guangjing had reached the threshold of the Ninth Realm time and time again, yet he had never been able to break through the bottleneck.

Each time, he had fallen back—this time included.

Both failures had cost him dearly.

It was as if some curse kept him trapped outside the gate to the Ninth Realm.

With Lu Guangjing’s talent, he should have nurtured a Confucius Temple and generated Literary Qi from a Life Temple long ago. But reality was so dramatic; every time he was on the verge of success, all his efforts would go to waste.

After a pause, Lu Guangjing added, “What are your plans now? Will you continue to push for the Twelfth Realm of Transformation? Or will you stop to consolidate your foundation and cultivate a Primordial Spirit Dharma Aspect?”

For a top-tier Daoist Cultivator, after cultivating their Primordial Spirit to the Eleventh Realm, they indeed faced these two choices.

Each choice had its own advantages and disadvantages.

The first option was to take advantage of one’s youth, abundant energy, and vigorous Blood Qi to charge into the Twelfth Realm in one go, thereby transcending the shackles of the Flesh Body.

One could then survive and continue cultivating through the Primordial Spirit alone.

After all, condensing Essence Qi into a Pill to form the Golden Core, and then using qi to refine the spirit into a Nascent Soul, were all preparations for achieving Primordial Spirit Perfection. After the Yin Spirit stage, the Primordial Spirit body stabilizes, rendering the Flesh Body far less crucial.

Therefore, a celestial chasm existed between the Eleventh and Twelfth Realms.

The Golden Core is the seed of the Primordial Spirit, and the Nascent Soul is its branches and leaves. The Divine Techniques and Magic unleashed by the Primordial Spirit absorb nature’s spiritual energy with every move, their power increasing explosively. It can manifest itself between heaven and earth, possessing boundless might.

Luo Ying did not answer Lu Guangjing’s question. Instead, she said, “Your Highness, I have something important to report.”

Lu Guangjing’s brow furrowed, and he gave Luo Ying a deep look.

On the surface, it was perfectly reasonable for Luo Ying to prioritize reporting an important matter over answering his question.

However, from his superior’s perspective, Lu Guangjing could faintly sense that Luo Ying was seizing the initiative.

Lu Guangjing asked in a calm tone, “What is it?”

Luo Ying said, “Prince Langya was released from prison yesterday. Your Highness’s various businesses have undergone drastic changes. As of yesterday, business has plummeted, and many Cultivators have come looking for trouble. It’s clear that the two Princes have made their move.”

Lu Guangjing’s eyes narrowed. “Lu Yunwan was thrown in prison, yet he managed to get out completely unscathed? Since when did he become so clever and resourceful?”

In his view, even with the Military Saint exposing the Master’s identity, Lu Yunwan’s crimes couldn’t have been dismissed so lightly.

’Could he so easily let go of his resentment toward Lu Yunqing?’

’And Lu Yunqing—was he just going to be magnanimous and let it slide?’

’No matter how you look at it, Lu Yunwan was indirectly responsible for the death of Princess Consort Ning!’

’It’s impossible for them to be so in sync, united against a common foe!’

’Something’s wrong. Something is definitely wrong.’

Lu Guangjing immediately asked, “Do you know specifically who is making a move against Prince Jin’s Mansion?”

Luo Ying said, “It’s the Military Family Cultivators from Prince Chongwen’s Mansion. As for the herbal shops and casinos, their business was stolen by the Yunwan Commerce Association.”

’Lu Guangjing couldn’t understand how the two had joined forces. Could someone have been persuading them from behind the scenes?’

The Shadow Scout said, “Since the two of them have joined forces, something extraordinary must have happened. I believe it’s necessary to report this to the National Preceptor and ask the Master to resolve this matter.”

Lu Guangjing’s eyes shifted slightly, a peculiar glint flashing through them. Then, he smiled. “Tributor Shadow Scout is right; we should indeed report this to the Master. However, the Master is tied up at the moment and doesn’t have time to handle this. Why don’t I leave this matter to you? You can mobilize the staff in the Prince Mansion to move against the two Princes.”

“Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I swear I will not fail this mission.”

After saying this, the Shadow Scout immediately withdrew.

The sword-carrying man watched the Shadow Scout’s retreating back, frowning slightly. He said, “Your Highness, isn’t it too rash to let the Shadow Scout handle such a critical matter?”

The large-framed Qin Fangding also nodded. “The Shadow Scout is still too inexperienced. Though her talent and strength are formidable, it’s hard to say she won’t develop ulterior motives.”

Lu Guangjing smiled with profound meaning. “Right now, the Master is not here, and you all have your own tasks. The Endless Pavilion is in dire need of manpower. We should have her take on more responsibilities, let her gain more experience.”

The sword-carrying man asked no more questions. ’His Highness has been resourceful and cunning since he was a child,’ he thought. ’If he’s doing this, he must have his reasons.’

…

Lu Mingyuan had just transformed into Yang Erlang and woken up in the courtyard of Prince Jin’s Mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep