"This junior greets the sect master." Shi Tian the first prince was in his private mansion and was talking to the sect master of the Spirit Sundering Sect.
"So young one, have you considered my offer."
Shi Tian continued to bow and said nothing as sweat dripped from his face, he was faced with a decision that would alter the fate of the Kingdom.
"It's not too complex, Tianchi Kingdom is on the verge of collapse and from the newest information I received from the Phantom Snake Guild even Amman plans to abandon trade which was your lifeline. The Kingdom will fall to ruin."
Shi Tian was about to say something but bit his tongue, he had no way to refute what the sect master was saying.
"But it's my family's lega-" The prince tried to utter but was instantly cut off by the sect master.
"CAN YOU EAT A LEGACY? IS it something tangible, can it help you lead a better life? Stop being a stubborn child."
"Senior Fantian, I don't understand why you aren't trying to gain control of this kingdom like the other sects, do you not value it."
The Sect master waved his hand dismissively.
"Bai Wushi is being greedy his ambition will lead to his death, simply because he hasn't seen what the mainland did to other sects like his who tried to undermine their rule." As he said this a bit of his spiritual sense leaked out putting pressure on his surroundings
The prince's eyes went wide and he started to shake nervously.
"Is the mainland that terrifying?" he said in a barely put together voice.
"Since you have already agreed to forgo your rights to the throne I will tell you now." Hou Fantian said as he took a seat.
He raised his hands and some energy was released to form different diagrams and shapes.
"The first step on the path of cultivation is body tempering which can be done easily as long as you have the money, you have already reached the peak of this stage."
He showcased a visual of a man punching a hole into a mountain causing a crack to appear from the bottom of the mountain to the peak.
"The next stage is Qi condensation, this involves drawing in the energy of heaven and earth which permeates in our environment to form a different type of power known as inner strength."
He showcased a visual of a man sitting in a lotus position surrounded by a ethereal aura.
"After that comes foundation establishment, this is the stage where most sect elders are at within the sects in this area. At this is stage is when cultivators develop spiritual sense."
He showcased a visual of a man looking at another individual and the other person promptly dying.
"Finally we reach the Ethereal core realm, at this stage is when we can begin to develop a source of Qi within our own bodies and are not completely reliant on the environment, a second heart of sorts. And this is the stage where I am currently at as well as the other sect leaders."
He lastly showcased a visual of a man uprooting an entire mountain without ever touching it.
The prince nodded to show that he had been listening closely.
"To the mainland even the ethereal core stage is a stage that a sect disciple would be in."
The prince felt a sense of terror that he had never felt before, he had already been helpless in front of Hou Fantian but now he learned that even Hou Fantian was a mere ant within the mainland.
His previously tense expression suddenly disappeared as if he had a huge burden lifted off his shoulders. A feeling of clarity passed over him as he realized the true insignificance that the kingdom held.
"Then why does Bai Wushi seek to displease the mainland over the sake of a kingdom?"
Hou Fantian sighed "Bai Wushi is nearing the end of his life span and is getting desperate, I estimate that he seeks to use this entire nation as a trading chip for some way to extend his life."
Hou Fantian vanished as a knock sounded on the prince's door.
"Come in." Shi Tian said as he stood up regaining his usual royal demeanor.
General Hua rushed into the door and kneeled.
"Greetings prince, I'm afraid I don't have good news." he had a pained expression on his face.
"Amman is seeking to end trade with us within the next week, we will soon run out of food."
The prince didn't have a reaction to that information.
"General Hua, I have decided to join the spirit sundering sect, I suggest you leave the kingdom and travel north to join a sect."
The general's expression shifted from pained to utter shock.
"This I-" he wasn't sure how to respond, the prince had never spoken anything akin to this before.
"I will announce this to the royal court in 2 days, for now I am going to organize a meeting with the prime minister and my siblings."
He started to walk towards the door and as he passed by the kneeling general he spoke.
"I realized the fight for the throne was fighting for a piece of candy, I see that my ambition lies far beyond these borders."
The doors closed behind him and the general was left there with the words the prince had spoken.
…
Zhishi Wu walked through double doors on the top floor of the chamber of commerce to reveal Old man Zhang sitting behind a wooden desk staring into the window behind him
"Greeting's Senior Zhang, I was made aware that you summoned me."
The usually upbeat old man wasn't in a very good mood today.
"Indeed, I've seen the success you've had with the shop and it's impressive."
He stood up and walked towards the window with heavy steps. Zhishi Wu watched him closely trying to figure out what he wanted.
"Long ago, I was once standing where you stood, a young man who was trying to make a name for himself."
He lifted a coin out of his pocket and started to inspect it.
"The first coin I've ever earned, from the day I gained this I swore to carry out my business with integrity and honesty, but today I feel as if I failed."
He leaned over on the window and stuck his head out getting a good view of the environment.
"This kingdom much like you said is in collapse, the scheming from all sides has pushed it to its terminal stages. The chamber of commerce's main branch has advised us to pack up all operations within the kingdom and rejoin them as soon as possible."
Zhishi Wu was unsure of what to say and reluctantly asked.
"The main branch? Where does that reside?"
"The main branch is located in the mainland, this four sectioned area composed of Amman, the eastern wastelands, the northern sect and the Tianchi Kingdom is merely a small subcontinent"
He tossed the coin he was holding to Zhishi Wu, the design on the silver coin had a silver serpent that was sleeping.
"There are other organizations like the Phantom snake guild that originate from the mainland, that is a piece of currency that they use internally, when you saw the princess at the restaurant that was her talking to an informant of their organization."
Zhishi Wu finally understood what was happening here.
"And you're telling me all this because you don't intend to take me to the mainland."
Old man Zhang finally turned around and faced him.
"It is not the matter of my intentions, the chamber has only permitted members of the council and their immediate family to use the teleportation formation."
He handed him a book.
"There are not many options here and I've seen that you have reached the initial stage of body tempering. This book will help you achieve the first step in cultivation and open up the path for you to join a sect."
Zhishi Wu was stunned, he was bombarded with all types of terms he had no knowledge of, for someone who was referred to as a scholar and one of the most knowledgeable people in his previous life he was irritated. It was like someone asked him 1+1 and he did not know the answer.
"I-"
He was having trouble with what to ask first, teleportation formations, cultivation and sects. He felt as though his 13-year-old body had been interfering with his decision-making processes.
Old man Zhang walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, his sight had started to overlap Zhishi Wu with his young self.
"Although I can't take you with me, I hope that you will be able to survive."
"I have questions." Zhishi Wu stated.
Old man Zhang started to walk out of the door and signaled him to follow.
"The second prince has requested one last audience with us and has specifically requested your presence as well. I'll answer your questions on the way."
As they got on the carriage and made their way to the palace Zhishi Wu asked all the questions he had, he gained explanations on cultivation stages up to the ethereal core much like Hou Fantian had given, It seemed like the ethereal core might be the ceiling of power on this continent.
…
"Of course Sect master, everything will go to plan, I am using the scapegoat prepared by Zumo Tian. How's he doing over there?"
The Prime minister's son Luo Chen was speaking into a spiritual pendant to someone as he sat on a chair within the throne room of the palace waiting for everyone to arrive.
"Good, as for Zumo he's doing fine since of course I've helped him break into QI condensation." The voice from the spiritual pendant faded as the prince placed it down.
"Soon I'll be able to tie up all my loose ends." Luo Chen sat content on the throne and hummed a mischievous melody.