Using entries to cultivate immortality in chaotic times

Meanwhile, another elder at this time also shook his head ruefully: "A Golden Core of the eighth layer built up through sheer longevity, and a Golden Core in the same realm belonging to a Heavenly Pride, are simply not comparable."

"Back when Chen Qiu was at the first layer of the Golden Core, he could already crush countless Heavenly Prides across levels."

"Having not seen him for over twenty days, he has stepped into the eighth layer of Golden Core Cultivation, and it's normal for him to be able to crush us across a level. No matter why he is entering the Imperial Palace, it no longer concerns us, we have done all that we could."

...

As Chen Qiu delved deeper, a large number of armored Imperial Guards, wielding sharp blades, had him tightly encircled, inside and out. Moreover, there were eight elders, each at the Golden Core Peak, standing on the eaves of the palace, looking down with complex expressions at Chen Qiu, who held up the Heavenly Mechanism Umbrella amidst the raging storm.

Not a single person dared to make a move.

If the world were to know that one day, eight of the most powerful beings with Great Perfection Cultivation at the Golden Core Peak had surrounded a junior at the eighth layer of the Golden Core, and yet dared not to strike, they would definitely be ridiculed by all.

But... they truly did not dare.

Chen Qiu's Divine Sense was firmly locked onto them, and overhead, countless Thunder Dragons soared, carrying an incredibly terrifying aura and pressure within the dark clouds above the Capital—swirling as if frolicking, ready to unleash their fury at any moment!

That might, they were clearly aware, would mean death to anyone it struck.

When Chen Qiu reached the center of a spacious square deep inside the palace, he stopped advancing. He just stood quietly in the middle of the square, holding the Heavenly Mechanism Umbrella amidst the storm, gazing down at the large, square red bricks beneath his feet, his expression gradually becoming absent-minded as if lost in thought.

He was very familiar with the Da Xia Palace.

He had lived here for many years, and he knew every inch of tile and brick intimately.

"Chen Qiu!"

Just as these thoughts flooded his mind—

The Seventh Prince, wearing a splendid robe and looking upset, followed by a retinue of attendants, strode across the ranks of the Imperial Guard to the center of the square, and stood not far from Chen Qiu, glaring darkly at him as he shouted, "I ask you, are you planning to rebel!!!"

Just twenty-some days ago, he still considered Chen Qiu to be the greatest rival of his life—in fact, he had even fantasized about them being both enemies and friends, growing together, and standing at the zenith of this world.

But in just twenty-some days...

Chen Qiu's Cultivation had reached the eighth layer of the Golden Core. It should be known that twenty-some days ago, Chen Qiu was but at the first layer of the Golden Core, while he was at the second layer. Twenty-some days later, he was still stuck on the second layer without any progress.

"Hmm?"

Although the square was surrounded by many people, no one uttered a word, which had allowed Chen Qiu a rather peaceful trip down memory lane. But the sudden questioning of the Seventh Prince brought Chen Qiu back from his recollections.
Continue your journey at My Virtual Library Empire

He turned his head to look at the grim-faced Seventh Prince, holding the Heavenly Mechanism Umbrella in the storm, and suddenly started to chuckle, "What if I am? What then?"

As memories returned.

He recalled many things, such as how he once held the Seventh Prince when he was a child, and when the Seventh Prince first snuck out of the palace to visit prostitutes, it was he who had taken him, and had found for the prince the fattest one, fooling him by saying that as a Sword Cultivator, one should fear nothing.

The Seventh Prince had always been fond of sword cultivation.

"If it is..."

After a long silence, the grim-faced Seventh Prince said, "The eight grand guardians of the Xia family are here, yet they don't act. Do they think they can't defeat you?"

The only thing he could sense was that the present Chen Qiu was very strong, but how much stronger, he couldn't perceive.

But judging from the postures of the guardians, a guess could be made: they were no match for Chen Qiu.

"Them?"

Chen Qiu chuckled as he glanced at the Xia family's eight grand guardians standing on the roof eaves: "Why don't you give the order and have them try to take action?"

"..."

The Seventh Prince lowered his head to glance at the sword in his hand and then lifted his gaze to Chen Qiu, saying, "If you become emperor, could you spare Father Emperor's life?"

"I could, should I also spare the Crown Prince?"

Chen Qiu asked with a smile.

"If possible, spare him too."

"What about the Second Prince?"

"It would be good to spare him as well."

"And the Third Prince?"

"Not killing would naturally be best."

Chen Qiu shook his head seriously, "That's too troublesome, better to kill them all, don't you think?"

"..."

The Seventh Prince took a deep breath, slowly removing his robe to reveal a white undergarment, leaned his sword diagonally and withdrew his Protective Spirit Qi, letting the furious storm lash against his body. With closed eyes, he muttered in the rain,

"When I was little, the State Preceptor said I could never become the strongest Sword Cultivator."

"The State Preceptor told me about a Sword Cultivator born a slave in a village of the Hundred Countries, who, clad in white robes, fought until no one dared raise their voice against him and never used Protective Spirit Qi."

"The State Preceptor said I was too timid."

"As a Sword Cultivator, one should have the resolve to face death, the determination to shatter jade or break tiles to defeat all enemies under heaven. A Sword Cultivator who relies too heavily on their Protective Spirit Qi implies a lack of confidence, a lack of trust in their ability to defeat the enemy with a single stroke."

"The Sword Cultivator that the State Preceptor spoke of was named Jian Yi."

"Withdrawing one's Protective Spirit Qi is a very dangerous thing, for even those with far weaker Cultivation could easily kill you. I have never managed to do it, and the State Preceptor often mocked me for it."

"But today—"

The Seventh Prince suddenly opened his eyes, staring straight at Chen Qiu. The sword intent that had been suppressed for so long surged along his arm onto the long sword, causing a blue luminescent liquid to slowly flow over it.

"I will let you see the sword I never got to swing in the Heavenly Pride Secret Realm!"

"This sword is named Qi Tian!"