Free Web NovelChapter 353: Chapter 232: The Crown Prince’s Position
Water Mirror Palace, on the Demonstration Platform.
Vice Palace Master Zhong Ling hovered in the air, her lake-blue palace robes fluttering despite the lack of wind.
"For her exceptional performance in the Demon-slaying and Magic Duels, Tributor Qin Xuan’er is hereby awarded the first three levels of the Golden Core Dao Skill, the Thousand Overlapping Waves Technique, as encouragement!"
"Congratulations, Tributor Qin!"
A sky-blue jade scroll, shimmering with flowing light, materialized at Zhong Ling’s fingertips as her voice carried clearly across the entire venue.
Below the platform, Shi Jian’s honest face was filled with envy. "Palace Master Zhong actually gave away a Golden Core Dao Skill..."
Zhao Yan laughed. "Miss Qin is the Cyan Cloud Taoist. Why would she be short one Dao Skill? If I were Palace Master Zhong, I’d jump at the chance to get on her good side."
Muuu Yu’s gaze was cold, her eyes flickering slightly. ’What a suck-up...’
"Miss Qin... is she really the Cyan Cloud Taoist...?" Leng Ningshuang’s fair, jade-like hands clenched gently. Her knuckles turned white from the force, betraying her inner turmoil.
Lin Feng merely cast a curious glance at Qin Xuan. Compared to the Golden Core Dao Skill, he was far more interested in Qin Xuan’er.
"Thank you, Palace Master Zhong, for your generous gift." Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Qin Xuan stepped forward respectfully and accepted the jade scroll with both hands.
The jade scroll felt cool to the touch, and Dao Rhyme flowed from within it.
Qin Xuan subconsciously sank his mind into the jade scroll.
’So this is a Golden Core Dao Skill?’
Unlike ordinary Jade Scrolls for Star Techniques and Magic Techniques, which recorded specific casting steps, this Golden Core Dao Skill scroll actually contained the pure inheritance of a Realm!
Innumerable mysteries of the Water Dao surged into his mind like a tide, overlapping, oscillating, and flowing without end.
Even with a Divine Soul comparable to that of a Late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator, Qin Xuan felt waves of dizziness. The Dao Rhyme was immense and obscure, its essence difficult to grasp.
’As expected of a Golden Core Dao Skill, it’s truly profound...’
With a thought, Qin Xuan gently rubbed the Crystal Bracelet on his wrist, and a cool sensation shot straight into his sea of consciousness.
Instantly, the chaotic and immense mysteries in his mind seemed to become organized.
Although still profound, they were no longer chaotic.
A torrent of insights flooded his mind, opening up a whole new world on how to apply the Power of Water!
’So this is how Magic can be used... The essence of power lies in superposition and resonance, not just brute force...’
Struck by a sudden insight, Qin Xuan subconsciously formed a sword-finger. He circulated the simulated Water Spiritual Power within him and cast a Water Arrow Technique—the most basic Magic in the Cultivation Realm, one that even a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator would know.
"This..." Zhao Yan was startled and asked in confusion, "What is Miss Qin doing?"
SWISH!
A slender stream of water shot out from his fingertips.
At first glance, it was unremarkable, but as it flew, the Water Spirit Qi in the surrounding world spontaneously gathered, stacking upon it layer by layer.
The water arrow swelled at a visible rate, its color changing from transparent to a deep, dark blue. Three faint, shimmering water ripples appeared around the arrow’s body, emitting the low sound of surging waves.
THUD!
The water arrow struck the ironwood practice stake on the Demonstration Platform, letting out a heavy thud.
The entire ironwood stake was shaken violently by a continuous undercurrent of force, and three circular cracks appeared on its surface.
Seeing this, everyone was stunned.
"This... How is this possible!"
Zhao Yan was in disbelief. "The Basic Water Arrow Technique... can actually contain the Overlapping Waves True Intent?"
He cultivated Fire Technique, and since water and fire shared common principles, he knew well the difficulty of imbuing a Low-Tier Magic with a High-tier Realm.
Shi Jian’s mouth hung open, his honest face filled with shock. "Miss Qin’s aptitude is incredible... I’m completely in awe!"
Even the usually cold Muuu Yu showed clear astonishment in her eyes, muttering to herself under her breath.
"To integrate the True Inheritance into a basic technique right after receiving it... Is this the power of the Cyan Cloud Taoist? To be so terrifyingly strong."
Qin Xuan himself was a little surprised.
Looking at the lingering misty water vapor at his fingertips, he had a more direct understanding of the power of the Thousand Overlapping Waves Technique.
’I understand now. This is what a Golden Core Dao Skill is!’
It isn’t limited to specific moves, but rather the Realm it contains.
The stronger the Realm one comprehends, the more powerful the corresponding Magic becomes!
Zhong Ling was overjoyed, thinking to herself, ’I knew I didn’t misjudge her. This Qin Xuan’er truly is the Cyan Cloud Taoist!’
...
「Meanwhile, outside the Cloud Dream Marsh.」
A magnificent Flying Spiritual Boat was breaking through the clouds, speeding towards the Water Mirror Palace.
In a quiet room aboard the Spiritual Boat, Su Xiaotai, clad in the crimson official robes of a Golden Pheasant, sat sipping tea across from a tall young man. The youth had sharp brows and bright eyes and wore a robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon.
"Teacher, are you saying the new Cyan Cloud Taoist is a Female Cultivator?!" Xiao Dinglan set down his teacup, unable to hide the surprise on his face.
Su Xiaotai stroked his goatee, his gaze looking through the porthole towards the distant marsh, while the phantom of a Celestial Star Instrument slowly rotated behind him.
"Correct. Moreover, her master is the Grand Elder of the Cyan Cloud Sect, publicly acknowledged as the second strongest person below the Divinity Transformation Stage, the Beidou Shichen True Monarch, Lin Ruyuan."
Hearing this, a flash of fervor appeared in Xiao Dinglan’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by bitterness, and he sighed.
"Teacher, I am my Imperial Father’s youngest son. My cultivation is only at the Purple Mansion realm, and my mother’s clan is not prominent. Do I... Do I really have a chance to compete with my imperial brothers for the position of Crown Prince?"
To be honest, even with his master Elder Chen in the ring pendant and his teacher Su Xiaotai by his side, Xiao Dinglan didn’t dare to think too deeply about the throne.
After all, he had ninety-eight older imperial brothers.
Every one of them had a cultivation of at least the Purple Mansion Ninth Level, not to mention Nascent Soul Daoist Monarchs like Prince Li, Xiao Dinghai, and King Yaan, Xiao Dingjiang, who governed their own territories!
Su Xiaotai’s gaze was burning, and he lowered his voice.
"Your Highness, a dragon trapped in the abyss still yearns to soar. A tiger driven to the plains does not lose its will to conquer. As a Prince, your looks, cultivation, talent... every aspect of you is among the world’s finest."
"Ever since the first Prince was deposed, the position of Crown Prince has been vacant for nearly a hundred years. His Majesty has delayed naming a new heir because he is observing."
"If you can win the support of the current Cyan Cloud Taoist—especially a direct disciple of the Beidou True Monarch—your chances in the struggle for the throne will increase by at least thirty percent!"
"Furthermore, according to my reliable sources, it is highly likely that this Taoist is hiding in the very place we are headed: the Water Mirror Palace."
"The position of Crown Prince belongs to the worthy and capable. This has been the iron law of our Daqian for ten thousand years. With such a great opportunity, if Your Highness doesn’t try, how will you know it’s impossible...?"
Su Xiaotai’s voice was laced with temptation.
With every sentence he spoke, Xiao Dinglan’s breathing grew more rapid.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
Xiao Dinglan’s heart pounded violently as a flame called ambition slowly kindled in his soul.
"That’s right! If my imperial brothers can sit on the Crown Prince’s throne, why can’t I fight for it?!"
...
「Hundred Refinement Mountain, deep within a Lava Fire Vein」
Inside a hidden Demon Hall.
Liu Mobai, dressed in a black robe, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at a map of the Cyan Cloud Sect’s sphere of influence drawn on the wall, his eyes profound.
Behind him, the figures of three Golden Core Blood Demons stood silently, emanating tyrannical auras.
"Hall Masters, we can’t delay any longer."
Liu Mobai’s voice was low. "Lately, rumors about the Taoist’s whereabouts have been running rampant in Water Mirror Palace. What do you think? Are they real or fake?"
"I believe they’re fake."
Wang Tu, built like an iron pagoda with a face crisscrossed by hideous scars, spoke first. His voice was laced with a bloody, malevolent Evil Qi.
"The Taoist’s real body must be in Cyan Wood Valley. Otherwise, the Beidou Shichen Daoist Monarch wouldn’t have gone out of his way to obliterate Wei Qingyi."
But Wang Jiu, an old crone leaning on a Snake Head Walking Stick, shook her head.
"I can’t agree with you, Second Brother," she rasped. "In my view, the Cyan Cloud Taoist’s real body is still in Hundred Refinement Mountain. This talk of a female cultivator disguise is utter nonsense."
"The Beidou Shichen Daoist Monarch’s actions were merely a smokescreen. The more he tries to hide it, the more obvious it becomes."
"Eldest Sister and Second Brother both have a point."
Wang Ying licked their scarlet lips and said regretfully, "It’s a pity Director Jiang and Wei Qingshan escaped into the Cloud Dream Marsh. Their whereabouts are unknown, and all contact has been lost. If you ask me, we should just find a way to capture them. One Soul Search and the truth will come to light."
Listening to the three Golden Core Blood Demons’ completely different opinions, Liu Mobai gently tapped his fingers on the jade armrest, lost in thought.
’Cyan Wood Valley was personally swept clean by the Beidou Shichen Daoist Monarch, so Wei Qingyi is out of the picture... As for the rumors in Water Mirror Palace, they’re running wild. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’
’As for Hundred Refinement Mountain, even though that old fiend Blazing Fire is stationed there, with the three of you Hall Masters here, it shouldn’t be an issue.’
As thoughts raced through his mind, a flash of decisiveness appeared in Liu Mobai’s eyes.
He spun around abruptly. "I have decided. I will go to Water Mirror Palace myself to investigate. I won’t overlook any possibility. What are your thoughts?"
Wang Tu slapped his chest. "Don’t worry, Liu Mozi! With me here, I’ll make sure that old fiend Blazing Fire can’t even step out of his sect’s gates!"
Wang Ying nodded slightly, their figure growing increasingly blurry.
Wang Jiu cackled. "Go on, Demon Child. This old woman will hold down the fort."
"Good. I’m counting on all of you here at Hundred Refinement Mountain."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Mobai’s figure vanished from where he stood.
He was a man of action, leaving without a moment’s delay!
...
Qin Xuan was completely unaware that Xiao Dinglan and Liu Mobai were about to arrive.
On this day, he was in the Cloud Dream Marsh on the outskirts of Water Mirror Palace practicing the Thousand Overlapping Waves Technique, using an unlucky Tier Three Poison Flood Dragon as a test subject.
BOOM!
Jade-green giant waves advanced layer by layer, each one higher than the last.
ROAR!
The Poisonous Flood Dragon was trapped within, letting out a miserable shriek, its body crushed to the point of broken bones and torn tendons, yet it was powerless to resist.
A crystal-clear Demon Pill emerged from its body.
A look of joy appeared on Qin Xuan’s face. With a wave of his hand, he pulled the Demon Pill into his palm, clicking his tongue in wonder.
’As expected of a Golden Core Dao Skill. It really is powerful!’
Just as Qin Xuan was preparing to strike again, feeling the immense power of the Thousand Overlapping Waves Technique, the golden sphere of light in his sea of consciousness suddenly began to flicker.
Three Ancient Bamboo Sticks flew out from it.
[Middle-Upper Draw: In three days, at the ’Water Mirror Marriage Conference’ held by Water Mirror Palace, observe quietly and watch for changes during the event. You can obtain a Seventh-Grade Opportunity and a chance to see through the Cyan Cloud Taoist’s disguise. Auspicious.]
[Middle-Lower Draw: In three days, accept the olive branch secretly offered by the Daqian Prince. Use his power to investigate the Taoist’s whereabouts and get drawn into the struggle for the throne. Risk of death. Inauspicious.]
[The Worst Draw: In three days, continue to stay in Water Mirror Palace. Half a month later, a Nascent Soul Daoist Monarch’s Divine Thought will sweep through, see through the Ten Thousand Forms Blood Talisman’s disguise, and you will die in body and soul. Greatly Inauspicious!]
Qin Xuan was stunned, and his expression changed drastically.
’A Nascent Soul Daoist Monarch is personally going to scan the area with their Divine Thought...’
’And this Daoist Monarch can even see through the profundity of the Ten Thousand Forms Blood Talisman!’
’Danger. This is too dangerous.’
Qin Xuan’s first instinct was to flee, but then he took a closer look at the Divination and noticed something wasn’t right.
’Wait, this time difference...’
Qin Xuan’s eyes lit up. He’d spotted the crux of the matter.
The Water Mirror Marriage Conference is in three days, while the Nascent Soul Daoist Monarch will arrive half a month later.
’During the conference, I still have a chance to see through the Taoist’s disguise!’
’I have to attend this Marriage Conference. This might be my only chance to find the real Taoist and escape this crisis.’
In a flash, Qin Xuan had found the best solution.
’I could run, but if I fail the Demon Child trial and return to the Holy Sect, that old bastard Sunx Youhai will definitely have me killed.’
’Only by successfully becoming the Demon Child can I truly become a powerful figure in the Holy Sect and finally get the upper hand on him!’
...
「Three days later, Water Mirror Palace.」
The Water Mirror Marriage Conference convened as scheduled.
The once-secluded palace was now festooned with lanterns and colorful banners. Brilliant light flowed across a massive water curtain, reflecting the rosy twilight of the sky.
The air buzzed with voices, creating a lively and bustling scene.
’Wow, look at all these people!’
Qin Xuan sat in the Tributor’s seating area of Water Mirror Palace, enjoying the singing and dancing while secretly scanning the entire venue with his Divine Sense.
He was searching for the opportunity indicated by the Divination to see through the disguise.
Not only were there True Inheritance disciples from Golden Core Sects like Zhao Yan, Shi Jian, Muuu Yu, and Leng Ningshuang, but also young cultivators from many Purple Mansion Sects and Foundation Establishment Clans, all of whom were present.
The men were heroic or scholarly, the women were charming or aloof...
Countless young cultivators attended, dressed in their finest attire.
The melodious sound of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the fragrance of Spirit Fruits and fine wine wafted about.
The sounds of conversation, laughter, and clinking glasses merged into a lively din, filled with a vibrant, worldly energy.
It was a stark contrast to the usual tranquility of a cultivation Holy Land.
’Wait, that person...’
Qin Xuan’s gaze narrowed, landing on a group of cultivators who had just arrived at the entrance.
The leader of the group was a tall and stately young man in a brocade robe with subtly embroidered cloud patterns. With his sharp brows, bright eyes, and handsome face, he stood out from the crowd like a crane among chickens.
’Xiao Ran? What is he doing here?!’
