At the Lin family's martial arts field:
"Heavenly Heart Guides the Way!"
Lin Ningshan gripped a sword glowing with starlight and swung it fiercely. A streak of sword energy sliced through the air, carving a seven-meter-long gash in the ground.
The stone slabs cracked under the pressure, leaving a deep fissure.
"Clap, clap!"
Lin Fengxian, applauding as he walked into the martial field, said with a smile, "Shan'er, your talent in swordsmanship is truly astounding. You've mastered a low-tier spiritual-level sword technique in less than three months. With this skill, you'll undoubtedly dominate the year-end examination and become the most dazzling figure there."
Lin Ningshan replied, "That's because I've already reached the Sword Follows the Heart stage, gaining deep insight into swordsmanship. That's why I could master this sword technique in such a short time."
Lin Fengxian nodded, "In the entire royal city, there are fewer than ten young prodigies under the age of twenty who have reached the Sword Follows the Heart stage. You're only fifteen, and your future is limitless."
After Lin Fengxian left the martial field, Lin Ningshan continued practicing her sword technique.
Thirteen days passed quickly.
In the Time and Space Crystal, thirteen days outside meant thirty-nine days inside.
With the help of the Qi Gathering Pills, Zhang Ruochen finally advanced from the early stage to the peak of the Small Extreme Rank of the Yellow Extreme Realm. The amount of true energy in his Qi Pool was now ten times what it had been thirteen days ago, once again reaching full capacity.
At this point, he could deliver a punch with the strength of ten bulls.
By using the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm and enhancing it with martial techniques, he could even unleash the strength of sixteen bulls.
An average martial artist at the Small Extreme Rank could harness the strength of four bulls.
A Middle Extreme Rank martial artist could unleash the strength of nine bulls.
A Large Extreme Rank martial artist could summon the strength of sixteen bulls.
In other words, despite being at the peak of the Small Extreme Rank, Zhang Ruochen could now wield power comparable to a martial artist at the Large Extreme Rank.
Zhang Ruochen had not yet attempted to break through to the Middle Extreme Rank, as even if he reached it, he would likely only be able to open up sixteen meridians.
In his past life, Zhang Ruochen had opened up twenty meridians while at the Middle Extreme Rank.
"I must find a way to strengthen my physique. If I fall behind now, how will I ever compete with Empress Chi Yao in the future?"
As Zhang Ruochen stepped out of his room, he saw Yun'er waiting for him outside.
"Yun'er, is today the day of the year-end examination?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Yes!" Yun'er nodded, looking a bit nervous. "Ninth Prince, please be careful. I've heard that the Eighth Prince has already broken through to the Small Extreme Rank. If he finds out that you're now a martial artist, he'll definitely target you."
"It's no big deal," Zhang Ruochen said with a faint smile. "By the way, will Mother be attending the examination today?"
"Of course, but she doesn't know that you're participating in the year-end examination," Yun'er thought to herself. If the Lin Concubine knew that the Ninth Prince had become a martial artist, she would be overjoyed.
"Ninth Prince, let me help you change into your Imperial Python Robe. Then we can head to the Royal Martial Field at Wang Mountain," Yun'er suggested.
It was then that Zhang Ruochen noticed the bronze tray in Yun'er's hands. Neatly folded on it was a golden robe embroidered with a four-clawed python, along with a crown, jade belt, and golden boots.
In Yunwu Commandery, only princes could wear the Imperial Python Robe, while princesses wore the Imperial Sparrow Robe.
After months of training and body refinement, Zhang Ruochen's physique and aura had undergone a dramatic transformation. He no longer looked weak and frail but instead exuded the vitality of a young hero.
Once he donned the Imperial Python Robe and the crown, his bearing shifted again, like a carp leaping through the dragon gate or an eagle soaring into the sky. He gave off an air of nobility and dignity.
"Ninth Prince, you… you look more like a prince than any of the other princes!" Yun'er gazed at Zhang Ruochen, her heart pounding as she was irresistibly drawn to the aura he exuded. A blush spread across her cheeks.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, "Let's head to the Royal Martial Field, Yun'er."
Yun'er nodded slightly and said, "Concubine Lin has already gone ahead to pay her respects to the Commandery Prince. We should hurry, or else the other concubines and princes will start gossiping."
The Royal Martial Field was situated at the base of Wang Mountain.
The year-end examination was a major event, second only to the Grand Sacrifice, and even the Yunwu Commandery Prince paused his seclusion to personally attend the event.
The princes, princesses, and concubines arrived early, before dawn, at the Royal Martial Field, waiting for the Commandery Prince's arrival.
The Yunwu Commandery Prince sat at the highest position in the field. He appeared to be in his forties, with a neatly trimmed mustache, radiating an aura of power and authority without needing to raise his voice. His gaze swept over the gathered princes and princesses, and he asked with a smile, "Has the Seventh Prince not returned?"
The Queen, seated beside the Commandery Prince, replied, "My lord, half a month ago, the Seventh Prince sent a letter saying that he had encountered an important matter and wouldn't be able to return for now. Besides, with the Seventh Prince's martial cultivation, there's little point in him participating in the year-end examination."
The Commandery Prince looked a bit disappointed. "Without the Seventh Prince participating, the event feels less exciting."
At that moment, Concubine Xiao, the mother of the Eighth Prince, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, while the Seventh Prince may not be able to participate this year, the Ninth Prince will be participating for the first time."
"Oh? The Ninth Prince?" The Commandery Prince's gaze shifted toward Concubine Lin.
Concubine Xiao smiled, "Three months ago, the Ninth Prince unlocked his Martial Soul."
"Is that so? Haha! Concubine Lin, why didn't you inform me of this wonderful news sooner?" The Commandery Prince's mood lifted. After all, the Ninth Prince was also his son, and until recently, he had been the only prince unable to unlock his Martial Soul.
Now, all nine princes had unlocked their Martial Souls, and the Yunwu Commandery Prince was naturally pleased.
Concubine Lin bit her lip gently and replied softly, "The Ninth Prince has only just unlocked his Martial Soul. I didn't want to disturb Your Majesty."
The Commandery Prince said, "Unlocking the Martial Soul is always worth celebrating. Even if his future achievements are limited, he is still a martial artist, far stronger than ordinary people. Where is the Ninth Prince? Bring him forward to meet me."
The Eighth Prince sneered, "Everyone else is here, but the Ninth Prince is late. Haha, unlocking the Martial Soul must have really gone to his head!"
At that moment, Zhang Ruochen, dressed in his Imperial Python Robe, ascended the stone steps. "Eighth Brother, is it really proper to speak ill of someone behind their back?"
Zhang Ruochen's presence was commanding as he walked toward the Eighth Prince, his sharp gaze locking onto him.
The Eighth Prince clenched his fists in anger. The Zhang Ruochen of old would never have dared speak to him this way. This was outrageous!
Zhang Ruochen brushed off his sleeves and continued forward, bowing respectfully before the Yunwu Commandery Prince, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The entire crowd froze at Zhang Ruochen's words.
For a moment, the air turned tense as everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
The Commandery Prince stared at Zhang Ruochen. "Did you just address me as 'Your Majesty'?"
The Queen scoffed, "Ninth Prince, how dare you! Are you refusing to acknowledge your father?"
"Thump!"
Concubine Lin, terrified, knelt down immediately and hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, Ruochen must have misspoken in the heat of the moment."
"I didn't misspeak!"
Zhang Ruochen stood tall, his posture straight as he looked directly at the Yunwu Commandery Prince with a piercing gaze. "A father should teach his son. May I ask, as my father, what have you taught me? When I was frail and sick, did you ever help me? Did you ever show me any concern?"
"A husband should be loyal, compassionate, and dutiful. May I ask, when my mother was punished by the Queen, where was your compassion? For three years, my mother has endured endless humiliation. Where was your loyalty? My mother and I were thrown out of our residence on a cold winter's night, forced to move to a side hall, as if exiled to a cold palace. Where was your sense of duty?"
"If you cannot fulfill the role of a father, nor that of a husband, then tell me, what's wrong with me addressing you as 'Your Majesty'?"
No one had ever dared to speak to the Yunwu Commandery Prince like this. Those around them were terrified, with many kneeling, trembling in fear.
The Commandery Prince's expression darkened as he turned to the Queen and asked sternly, "Who gave the order? Who forced them to move to the side hall?"
The Queen remained calm, casting a cold glance at the Eighth Prince and Concubine Xiao.
"Thump! Thump!"
Both the Eighth Prince and Concubine Xiao immediately knelt down, their bodies trembling with fear, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads.
"It… it was me… just me!" Concubine Xiao stammered.
Although it had been the Queen's order, Concubine Xiao didn't dare expose her.
The Commandery Prince snorted coldly, "Just you?"
Concubine Xiao glanced at the Eighth Prince before gritting her teeth. "Yes, it was only me!"
"Very well! If you're so determined to take full responsibility, then you can live alone in the Zi Yi Side Hall from now on!" the Commandery Prince declared.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Xiao realized she had been exiled to the cold palace, with no hope of redemption. Her body went limp, and she fainted on the spot.
After Concubine Xiao was carried away, the Commandery Prince stood up and locked eyes with Zhang Ruochen. "It seems you've completed your marrow cleansing and become a true martial artist. You've indeed changed. Good! For your boldness today, I'll pardon you this time. Will you be participating in the year-end examination?"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was steady and resolute as he responded confidently, "Of course!"
"Excellent! Haha! Truly a son of mine, with such spirit!" The Commandery Prince laughed heartily.
In this world of martial prowess, strength was everything. A true warrior needed to have three kinds of spirit: fortitude, integrity, and pride.
If Zhang Ruochen had shown weakness or fear today, the Commandery Prince would not have valued him, even if he had unlocked his Martial Soul.
Kneeling on the ground, the Eighth Prince clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with malice as he glared at Zhang Ruochen. He thought bitterly, Zhang Ruochen, enjoy your moment of glory while it lasts. During the year-end examination, I will crush you beneath my feet and show you who the real strong one is!