Chapter 249: Chapter 187: Venerable Purple Fate Grid: Celestial Heart Wisdom Eye, an Opportunity for Fate Grid Fusion

Early in the morning.

Qingzhu Hall was brimming with the warmth of spring.

Jade-like bodies and lotus-root arms lay strewn about—a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

Zi Yun and Hong Wan were the first to awaken. As they draped clothes over themselves, their fair skin was tinged with a faint rose-red, and a crystalline, purple-gold luster flowed across it.

This was the nourishing effect of the Blood Glutton Essence.

During their dual cultivation, Lu Mingyuan could use his vigorous vital energy to nourish them in return, achieving the true effect of the practice.

If it were merely a one-sided taking, it wouldn’t be dual cultivation; it would be treating them as nothing more than Tripod Furnaces.

After all, they had been indispensable to him achieving his current cultivation, having helped him as he started from scratch and progressed step by step. He couldn’t mistreat them.

“Your Highness, my cultivation… I’ve broken through!”

After getting up, Zi Yun discovered that the Acupoints in her Flesh Body had opened wide. All 365 of them were filled with Primordial Qi, and she had broken through to become a Sixth Realm Grandmaster.

“Me too!”

Surprise appeared on Hong Wan’s flushed, pretty face. She suddenly realized she had broken through to the Seventh Realm of a Qi Cultivator.

In the center, Qi Muxue and Huo Hongling had also been awake for some time but remained quiet, clearly wanting to linger with Lu Mingyuan a little longer. They saw that both maids had broken through.

Qi Muxue’s face grew pensive.

’It’s just as I thought,’ she mused. ’After being intimate with His Highness, our realms rise.’

’It’s not just us; it’s the same for Zi Yun and Hong Wan. There’s no doubt about this pattern.’

’This is obviously a good thing.’

As for the reason why, Qi Muxue had been pondering it for a long time.

’Is it because of Lu Mingyuan’s special constitution that he can feed cultivation back to us? Or is it because his own strength is so great that he can transfer his Essence to us?’

She had scoured ancient texts and knew of an Immortal Influence in the Central Plains World called Hundred Flowers Valley. It recruited only women, and its ancestral Cultivation Technique was the Hundred Flowers Scripture, a world-renowned Dual Cultivation Technique that could greatly enhance the cultivation of both the man and the women involved.

However, the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley was not a woman, but a man—an incredibly handsome man.

Rumor had it that the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley established the valley specifically to practice the Hundred Flowers Scripture, with the sole purpose of raising his own cultivation.

The core principle of the Hundred Flowers Scripture could be summarized in a single concept.

The fusion of yin and yang, continuously superimposed!

Simply put, the more women there were, the stronger the cultivation of the Master of Hundred Flowers Valley would become!

’Could Lu Mingyuan’s constitution have a similar effect to the Hundred Flowers Scripture?’

She had no intention of asking Lu Mingyuan about his secrets. If he had wanted to tell her, he would have done so on his own. Why should she be the one to ask?

While Qi Muxue was lost in thought, Lu Mingyuan smiled and said, “A breakthrough is a good thing. Grasp this new power well. The Cultivation Technique I practice is rather special, so your cultivation will certainly not be limited to this in the future. There are some things I will naturally tell you all when the time is right, but for now, we can’t let our guard down.”

Ever since he had reached the Ninth Realm Dragon Gate Peak and met the Yuqing Ancestor Master, he now had the confidence to say such things.

The women listened attentively and nodded.

At the same time, Lu Mingyuan’s expression grew serious as he gave the four women a solemn warning:

“I obtained many other Opportunities in the Grotto Heaven, which you will come to know about in the future, so don’t be surprised. But you must keep this a secret.”

The Yuqing Ancestor Master’s warning was still fresh in his mind.

Upon his return to the Great Yan Imperial Capital this time, he would face countless troubles.

With the Second Prince dead, he was the only remaining elder son!

All the crises hidden beneath the surface would emerge one after another.

He had to be ready to face them.

He couldn’t possibly reveal all his trump cards, but as his people, Qi Muxue and the others would inevitably face danger later on. He would have to reveal his abilities to them sooner or later, so it was better to give them a heads-up now.

Attributing all the changes to his journey into the Little World’s Grotto Heaven would make everything seem reasonable and logical.

“Don’t worry, we will be as silent as the grave.”

Zi Yun and Hong Wan nodded in unison.

Qi Muxue asked with great concern, “My lord, you said that while two months passed for us in the Imperial Capital, only seven days passed inside the Grotto Heaven. You must have gone through a lot during those seven days.”

Curiosity also filled Zi Yun’s eyes as she nodded her pretty head. “Yes, I heard that Prince Jin and King Chu both died inside, yet Your Highness walked out of the Grotto Heaven completely unscathed. That’s incredible!”

Lu Mingyuan looked at the women, all propped up on their elbows with messy hair, their large, curious eyes blinking as they waited for him to tell his story. He couldn’t help but smile.

“I did go through a lot, but ultimately, I was lucky. With Elder Sui’s protection, I was mostly fine.”

In the time that followed.

Lu Mingyuan recounted his journey through the Grotto Heaven from the perspective of an observer, skipping over the parts where he took action himself. He described the dangers within the Grotto Heaven, the terror of the Demon Kings, the wonder of the Opportunities, and the various changes in the terrain. The most exciting part was the spectacular scene during the great war between the Human Race and the Demon Race, when top human experts arrived and joined the fray.

Among them, Zi Yun’s expressions were the most animated. When she heard about the dangers Lu Mingyuan faced, her heart ached with worry, and when she heard about His Highness obtaining an Opportunity, she would clap her hands and jump for joy.

When the story was over, the women were still savoring it.

Qi Muxue sighed with emotion. “I never would have thought that the Great Sui Dragon Seal, which carries the National Fortune of the Great Sui, was actually with that Old Eunuch by the Crown Prince of Great Sui’s side. That man is hailed as the number one expert of the Great Sui, having served three generations of Emperors and witnessed their growth. He’s lived for over a hundred years.”

Huo Hongling was also lost in thought, a look of longing in her eyes. “The Immortal Sword Li Huang and the Southern Ming Lihuo Armor from the Nanli Dynasty are two supreme treasures. Li Huang is one of the Seven Great Immortal Swords of our time. I can’t believe it was in the hands of the Nanli Sword Saint. He became famous in his youth, dominating Nanli for sixty years with his Invincible Swordsmanship. He’s a rare Martial Artist Sword Cultivator.”

“The Seven Great Immortal Swords?”

Since Lu Mingyuan didn’t use a sword, he naturally knew nothing about them.

“That’s right.” Huo Hongling flicked her hair with a jade-like hand and explained, “The Nanli Dynasty’s Li Huang, the Golden Crow Dynasty’s Sword Tomb’s Jin Yu, the Dao Alliance Vice Alliance Leader Five-Thunder Upper Immortal’s Thunder Pool, and the Fuyao Sword Palace’s heirloom Cold Waterfall are the four known Immortal Swords of our time. The other three have been lost for nearly a hundred years and have not reappeared.”

Lu Mingyuan silently nodded, committing this information to memory.

Zi Yun scratched her head, stuck out her pink tongue, and said sheepishly, “Am I the only one who thinks those Great Demons are terrifying? A Mountain-moving Ape as tall as a mountain peak—I can’t even imagine it. And those half-human, half-insect creatures… just thinking about them gives me the creeps.”

Hong Wan chuckled lightly. “No matter how terrifying a Demon is, it’s not invincible. Didn’t they still die at the hands of human experts? The enmity between humans and demons runs deep. The Great Yan Dynasty spent ten years resolving its internal strife, ten years dealing with the scourge of the Demon Race, and then another thirty years stationing troops to face the Great Nether Sacred Country. Compared to the Demon Race, the northern Demon Country is the true threat to the heart of Great Yan.”

Zi Yun said with great admiration, “Hong Wan, you know so much. You truly were the daughter of a prominent family. I’ve never managed to read through all these histories.”

“Speaking of the Demon Country, what’s the situation at the Border Pass lately?” Lu Mingyuan felt that after two months, the Demon Country should have made a move.

At this, Qi Muxue’s expression turned grave. “The situation is not optimistic. Although there’s been no news of fighting from the Border Pass, the internal rebellion in the Demon Country has been suppressed. At the same time, drastic changes have been reported in both the Great Frost Dynasty and the Golden Crow Country.”

“The Great Frost Dynasty and the Golden Crow Country… what happened?” Lu Mingyuan’s expression also grew solemn.

Qi Muxue explained, “The Silver Frost King pacified the three kingdoms and easily defeated the armies sent by the Great Frost Court. Many officials welcomed him and opened the city gates. The Emperor of Great Frost has already abdicated the throne to the Silver Frost King. The Great Frost is now under his sole authority. Seven days ago, an enthronement ceremony was held, and the new Emperor of Great Frost has already completed a purge of the Court.”

“The situation in the Golden Crow Country is similar. The Princess Jinwu has been away for too long. Within a month, the Grand General, who holds military power, staged a coup. The young King Jin Wu was deposed, and even the National Preceptor has been placed under house arrest.”

Lu Mingyuan hadn’t expected the situation to be so dire.

’If that’s the case, Luo Qiufu will definitely have no desire to remain in the Imperial Capital. She’ll have to return to her country and quell the rebellion.’

’I wish her luck.’

“Everyone, wash up and get ready. We’re going to see my mother afterward.”

Having made up his mind, Lu Mingyuan gave the order to the women.

“Yes.”

As Lu Mingyuan got dressed, a prompt appeared before his eyes.

[Gua Cheng. Great Fortune.]

[Emperor Orange Fate Grid – Trapped Dragon in the Abyss, Refinement Level increased to 90%]

[Triggered “Dragon Raising Its Head (High Level),” obtained one golden Opportunity.]

[“Fluorescent Green Life Chart – Reading the Room” has been promoted to “Venerable Purple Life Chart – Celestial Heart Wisdom Eye”]

[Venerable Purple Fate Grid – Celestial Heart Wisdom Eye, Refinement Level increased to 20%]

[Refinement Level has reached 20%. Unlocked Life Chart Trait – Observing the Heart (Middle Level)]

[Venerable Purple Life Chart (Celestial Heart Wisdom Eye): A room dark for a thousand years is lit by a single lamp. I have an eye that can read ten thousand scrolls, discern the good and evil in a person’s heart, and see through Demons and Ghosts.]

[Observing the Heart (Middle Level): Observe a person’s nature, discern good and evil, and learn some of their true inner thoughts.]

’So it’s like I can hear people’s thoughts?’

Lu Mingyuan felt this Fate Grid was incredibly powerful.

Before, he could only observe micro-expressions, but now he could know what someone was thinking.

Lu Mingyuan decided to test the effect of “Observing the Heart.”

And so, he grabbed the wrist of Zi Yun, who was tidying up and folding clothes nearby.

He slammed one hand against the wall, trapping her in a corner. Zi Yun was startled and turned pale with shock.

She had no idea what His Highness was about to do.

“Your Highness… what are you…?”

Stared at so intently by Lu Mingyuan, Zi Yun blushed crimson. Her gaze darted about, and she looked extremely flustered.

Although they were already very familiar with each other, every time she saw His Highness’s handsome, jade-like face, her heart couldn’t help but flutter like a panicked fawn.

Lu Mingyuan was a head taller than her. He looked down and stared at Zi Yun, wanting to know what she was thinking at that moment.

Suddenly, a faint echo reached his ears.

’Why does His Highness always stare at my chest? He used to glance over fifteen or sixteen times a day. It’s been a while since he’s sized me up with this kind of gaze. This feeling is so strange…’

Lu Mingyuan felt a bit awkward hearing this.

’Am I really that ridiculous?’ he thought.

However, he noticed that Zi Yun hadn’t opened her mouth at all; the voice had indeed been transmitted directly into his ears.

“It’s nothing. I saw something in your hair,” Lu Mingyuan said with a smile.

He plucked a white thread from the bed canopy out of her hair and then let her go.

“Thank you, Your Highness… If there’s nothing else, this servant will take her leave.”

“Go on.”

As if granted a pardon, Zi Yun grabbed the laundry and hurried out of the bedchamber.

Lu Mingyuan stood there and mused, ’It’s quite useful after all.’

[You have received one chance to perform a Fusion Fate Grid.]

[Uses: 1]

At that moment, another prompt appeared.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep