Tianzi Fengshen Technique, an ancient and legendary skill, was said to be comprehensible only to those who had acquired the Tianzi Talisman Edict. "If I can master it," thought Guo Chensha, "I will have a powerful means of self-protection, and I won't have to live such a stifled existence."
With a soft puff, he extinguished the candle. But instead of going to sleep, he sat in the darkness, reading once again.
Since sacrificing the spirits of the fierce wolf and the giant python, his eyes had become as sharp as lightning, with the vision of a wolf and the precision of a snake. He could now see clearly in the dark. Furthermore, he only needed one hour of sleep a day to feel fully energized, dedicating all his remaining time to reading and martial arts training.
Unlike other princes who worked hard for power struggles, Guo Chensha did so simply to survive, pushing himself twice as hard.
As he read swiftly through book after book, his memory improved dramatically. Though not yet photographic, his retention was impressive. Suddenly, his spirits soared as he stumbled upon a critical passage in a historical text:
"The Emperor governs the world, holding the power of life and death. By gathering the energy of all living beings, his words can move mountains and turn rivers into oceans. In ancient times, emperors wielded the Tianzi Talisman Edict to achieve such feats. In more recent eras, while the Talisman Edict has been lost, emperors still rule through ritual and law. Rituals penetrate deeply into people's hearts, inspiring awe and reverence for imperial authority. It is this ritualistic power, like the light of stars gathering around the moon, that nurtures the aura of the emperor. Even without the Tianzi Talisman Edict, the emperor commands the hearts of his people. It is said that the ancient Tianzi could activate the Talisman Edict, unlocking the secrets of the Tianzi Fengshen Technique. But now, this martial art is believed to be lost..."
This was a scholarly commentary from the history books, but to Guo Chensha, it felt like uncovering a priceless treasure.
In simple terms, the text suggested that while an emperor might not possess the Talisman Edict, their imperial decree could still contain traces of the Tianzi Aura, which could be used for a ritual to comprehend the Tianzi Fengshen Technique.
Though modern emperors weren't Tianzi in the ancient sense, they still commanded respect and reverence over time through the rule of law and rituals, indirectly cultivating a faint Tianzi Aura.
Typically, it was nearly impossible for ordinary people to acquire an imperial decree, but Guo Chensha was a prince, and getting one was far easier for him.
"An imperial decree… I think I might already have one—the decree that conferred the title of Noble Consort on my mother."
Leaping up, Guo Chensha rummaged through a deep drawer and retrieved a small chest. Inside were a few keepsakes left behind after his mother's death, including a rolled imperial decree.
This was the decree issued when his mother was officially granted the title of Noble Consort.
"My mother was a princess consort to the empire, bringing an enormous dowry of treasures. But after her death, her belongings were plundered by other concubines and princes, leaving only a few mundane items behind," Guo Chensha thought bitterly.
Unrolling the decree, he saw a blood-red seal imprinted with the words "Treasure of the Emperor's Kin," rather than the more formal "Mandated by Heaven" characters.
Imperial seals served specific purposes. The Mandated by Heaven seal, symbolizing the Emperor's divine authority, was used only for ascension decrees or significant rituals. Other seals, like the Treasure of the Emperor's Kin, were used for matters involving family members, such as granting titles.
Though not the Mandated by Heaven seal, this decree still carried imperial authority, containing traces of the Tianzi Aura. Since it had been issued by the reigning emperor, the aura remained intact. Decrees from past emperors, in contrast, would lose their power over time as dynasties changed.
Guo Chensha could faintly sense a mysterious energy emanating from the decree. This was purely an instinctual feeling.
"If that's the case," he muttered, "I'll begin the ritual now."
Taking out the decree, he lit it on fire. As the flames consumed it, he pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the burning parchment.
A hum reverberated through the air as the decree's faint Tianzi Aura resonated with the Tianzi Talisman Edict, emitting a shimmering azure light.
The decree vanished into thin air, and within the glow, countless images emerged. These images shot into Guo Chensha's mind, leaving him momentarily stunned as he absorbed them.
In his consciousness, he saw a figure practicing intricate martial arts techniques. The figure moved across the land under the sun and moon, emanating a brilliant golden glow that intertwined with celestial light.
These visions were accompanied by profound insights into cultivation. Guo Chensha's body unconsciously mimicked the techniques.
Deep within his mind, he felt the resonance of an ancient bell, ringing with meaning:
"The Child of Heaven moves with the sun and moon, lives as long as heaven and earth, and shares the hearts of all beings. These three principles govern the creation of all things, infinite in transformation..."
Abruptly, the visions ended, and the azure light faded. The knowledge and techniques imparted to him stopped midway.
Returning to his senses, Guo Chensha sighed, "What a pity. The decree didn't carry enough Tianzi Aura. I've only grasped the basics of the Tianzi Fengshen Technique.
"So, the technique has three realms: Harmony with the Sun and Moon, Harmony with Heaven and Earth, and Unity with All Beings. What I learned just now is only the first step of the first realm."
The Emperor's Art of Heavenly Dominion, a technique said to shine as brightly as the sun and moon, promised longevity equal to the heavens and earth.
But such a state was only the beginning. To truly reach the level of being one with all living beings, merging with the universe's essence, was a realm beyond comprehension.
Guo Chensha had barely scratched the surface, mastering just one-tenth of the first stage of this profound art. Yet even this small achievement had already brought him immense benefits. With diligence and perseverance, he was confident that he could step onto the Daoist path.
The imperial decree he had sacrificed was merely a ceremonial edict for a Royal Consort, containing only faint traces of the Emperor's Qi. A true ascension decree or a Sacred Mandate for heavenly rituals would carry celestial energy ten times more potent.
However, such decrees were locked away in the palace's deepest forbidden chambers—utterly out of reach.
"Still, this is enough for now," Guo Chensha exhaled deeply. "Even this small fragment of martial knowledge could take decades of practice to fully comprehend."
After carefully storing the Heavenly Mandate Token, he sat cross-legged and began reviewing what he had learned.
The sky outside was starting to brighten. The moon lingered in the west while the sun rose in the east, creating the rare phenomenon of both celestial bodies sharing the heavens.
Feeling the resonance of this alignment, Guo Chensha's body trembled slightly as his pores seemed to open, as though absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Of course, this was only an illusion—he was far from truly mastering such a state.
Even so, his mind felt as though it was wandering with the celestial bodies, immersed in a higher state of meditation.
This was a fundamental method of spiritual cultivation—one that only extraordinary martial arts could provide.
The Emperor's Art of Heavenly Dominion was an ancient, peerless technique. Compared to legendary skills like the Dragon King Mirror or Thunder Severance Mirror, it was in a league of its own, far surpassing them by millennia.
Guo Chensha had only begun to grasp the first layer of Sun and Moon Resonance, but even this slight mastery had opened his mind to profound realizations.
Suddenly, faint wisps of white mist emerged from his pores, surrounding his body like a cocoon.
As the sky brightened completely, the cocoon shattered, and the mist dissipated. Guo Chensha emerged, his aura calm, his eyes serene, his presence seemingly returning to its natural state.
At that moment, he had reached the fourth level of the mortal realm: Peak of the Pinnacle, officially becoming a grandmaster of martial arts.
In one night, he had undergone a complete transformation, breaking through mortal limits and stepping into an entirely new realm of strength. It was no wonder that such a technique struck fear into ancient demons and gods alike.
"Refining the spirit under the brilliance of the sun and moon brings clarity and purity," Guo Chensha reflected. "Even after this short practice, I feel unburdened, my mind clear of distractions. It's like having the innocence of a newborn."
The Sun and Moon Resonance technique consisted of ten phases. Guo Chensha had only just begun with the first phase, Celestial Refinement. Mastering the remaining nine would require further sacrifices of imperial decrees.
Stretching lightly, he paced around the room. His movements were silent, his presence like a shadow.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Xiao Yizi entered, only to see the room filled with flickering shadows, as if ghosts danced within. The shadows quickly converged back into Guo Chensha's form.
"Master! Your martial arts have transformed completely! Even your aura is different. Could it be… have you reached the level of a grandmaster?" Xiao Yizi's shock quickly turned to excitement.
"You're correct. Heaven hasn't abandoned me," Guo Chensha replied, stepping into the morning light. His figure glowed faintly under the sunlight. "My abilities have surged overnight, and I've reached a new threshold. If I keep training, the Daoist path is within reach."
The Sun and Moon Resonance technique had reshaped his body and spirit, helping him transcend his mortal limits and glimpse the Dao.
Once one became a grandmaster, further progress depended on spiritual refinement rather than physical training. The body had its limits; true advancement required cultivating the mind and spirit.
This was why advanced martial techniques were primarily focused on spiritual cultivation.
Yet The Emperor's Art of Heavenly Dominion was in a class of its own, transcending all traditional classifications of martial arts. Even its foundational techniques offered power beyond imagination.
The first phase—Celestial Refinement—harmonized body, spirit, and energy under the celestial forces.
Guo Chensha knew, however, that he had only just begun. True mastery would require years of relentless training.
Still, even at this level, if he were to face the Eighteenth Prince, Guo Hongsha, and his Dragon King Mirror, victory would be certain.
At sunrise, Xiao Yizi brought in a simple breakfast of porridge, vegetables, tofu, and sweet orange buns. There was no meat—just clean and modest dishes.
"Master, breakfast is ready," Xiao Yizi said cheerfully, placing the tray down.
"You eat it. Lately, I've lost my appetite for earthly food," Guo Chensha replied truthfully. After his recent sacrifice, the energy he received was enough to nourish his body and sustain him.
Normally, the ability to forgo food marked the first transformation of Daoist cultivation: the Cessation of Grain, where spiritual energy sustained the body.
Although far from reaching this level on his own, the Heavenly Mandate Token had granted him an energy infusion akin to that of a Daoist master, allowing him to temporarily achieve this state.
Xiao Yizi's face lit up with delight. "Master, it seems you're destined for greatness. Soon, everyone will have no choice but to respect your power!"
"We must not grow arrogant," Guo Chensha said calmly. "Even the mightiest warriors are humbled under imperial authority. How many powerful beings have been subdued by the court? Under the shadow of the Emperor, even demons bow."
He paused, his eyes gleaming. "Still, I can now defend myself more effectively. Anyone who seeks to harm me will find it far more difficult."
Xiao Yizi was about to reply when Guo Chensha raised his hand, his expression sharp. "Someone's coming."
Moments later, a group of eunuchs appeared at the door.
"Ah, it's Eunuch Chen! What brings you here?" Xiao Yizi greeted them.
The lead eunuch, a middle-aged man, handed over a letter without ceremony. "This is for the Nineteenth Prince," he said coldly before turning and leaving without bowing.
"How insolent!" Xiao Yizi fumed. "A mere servant, showing such disrespect to a prince! We should report him to the Imperial Clan Court and have him punished!"
"What's the letter about?" Guo Chensha asked calmly.
"It's from Lou Baiyue," Xiao Yizi replied, handing it over.