A whirlwind swept through the courtyard, with figures swaying and the wild grass flattening as though a raging storm had just passed.
Among the grass, countless insects were struck down by the violent gusts.
This was Gu Chen Sha rigorously practicing martial arts.
He had been pondering the Heavenly Son's Divine Wind Technique while studying the Great Spirit Divine Art. His insights brought him to the point of sensing qi, a level not inferior to that of seasoned martial arts masters who had trained for decades.
Such progress could hardly be described as rapid—it was nothing short of miraculous.
But his advancement was understandable, given that he had acquired the Heavenly Talisman Edict, granting him the ability to commune with the heavens.
As martial techniques flowed freely through his mind, Gu Chen Sha entered a state of profound focus, where self and surroundings merged. His energy reached a state of Primordial Unity, and his martial arts cultivation took yet another leap forward.
Boom!
His body darted forward as light as paper, seemingly weightless, carried by the wind until he landed on a large stone in the courtyard.
The rock, as hard as steel, yielded beneath his palm like tofu, imprinting his hand three inches deep with clear, distinct patterns. Yet, the stone itself did not break apart.
With another strike, the palm print vanished, and the stone, though still unbroken, felt like soft clay under his hands.
His skill had reached the level of "transforming stone into mud."
"Young Master, your martial arts are becoming more extraordinary by the day. Among the princes, such mastery is rare," Xiao Yi Zi exclaimed with admiration.
"This is hardly remarkable," Gu Chen Sha replied, remaining humble yet serious. "I'm still far removed from reality. Without experiencing the bloodshed of true battle, I cannot compare to those who have fought on the battlefield against the barbaric tribes."
Though the empire was at peace, with all rival kingdoms subdued, the savage tribes beyond the borders still posed a significant threat.
These so-called barbarians were not considered human.
Barbarians, though human in form, had the faces of beasts and rejected their humanity. They worshipped animal ancestors, offering sacrifices to wild beasts. For example, the tribes beyond the frontier worshipped wolves as their ancestors, offering wolf totems and consuming raw meat—sometimes even human flesh. Concepts of morality, etiquette, and righteousness were utterly foreign to them.
Though they resembled humans, no one regarded them as such.
This was unlike the former rival kingdoms, such as the Xian Dynasty, which, though adversarial to the Yong Dynasty, adhered to human principles and governance.
To be considered human, one had to uphold order, respect divine will, and abide by laws and virtues. Otherwise, one was no different from a beast.
The barbarian tribes frequently launched invasions, leaving devastation in their wake. Their actions were often spurred on by demonic forces lurking in the wildlands, hidden deep within the wilderness—a perpetual threat to humanity.
Even the great Emperor of the Heavenly Talisman, with his immense power, could not fully eradicate them. He could only construct the Great Stone Wall to defend against their incursions.
During times of chaos, these barbarian tribes, backed by demonic lords, infiltrated human nations, spreading lies and corruption, turning humans into beasts. These events were well-documented in the annals of history.
Whenever Gu Chen Sha read about such things, his heart ached deeply.
Suppressing the barbarians was the empire's top priority. Once they came of age, princes were expected to go to the frontiers to fight the barbarians, honing their martial skills and earning their glory. Every five years, the Emperor himself would lead a campaign to subdue the tribes.
Some of the most powerful princes, elevated to the rank of imperial lords, achieved their status by following the Emperor on such campaigns, slaying countless enemies and earning unparalleled merits.
"I cannot afford to underestimate myself. Next year marks the fifteenth year of the Heavenly Talisman era. The Emperor will undoubtedly lead another campaign, and I will seize the opportunity to distinguish myself, earning titles and honor," Xiao Yi Zi mused, envisioning a bright future. "Eighteenth Prince Gu Hong Sha may show off now, but compared to those imperial lords, he's nothing."
Though Gu Hong Sha might one day achieve the title of Duke, he would still fall far short of an Imperial Lord. According to Gu Chen Sha, those titled as Imperial Lords had likely stepped into the "Dao Realm," their strength unfathomable.
Despite mastering divine techniques, Gu Chen Sha knew he lacked real combat experience. True power came only through life-and-death struggles. He was aware of his shortcomings and dared not grow complacent.
"The Emperor's suggestion to pair me with Lou Bai Yue has made me a target. The capital has become a dangerous place. I believe it's time to leave," Gu Chen Sha pondered. "I will petition the Emperor to let me prove myself by fighting the barbarians at the frontier."
"Young Master, isn't that extremely dangerous? If you stay in the capital, your enemies can't act openly against you. But once you leave, you'll face endless plots and schemes," Xiao Yi Zi warned, concerned.
"I know. But the capital, while safe and comfortable, is suffocating. Here, my martial arts remain constrained, and I'm constantly under surveillance. At the frontier, though harsh, I can truly hone my skills. The heavens will be my stage," Gu Chen Sha declared, resolute.
The capital's web of intrigue restricted him at every turn. In contrast, the frontier, though perilous, offered freedom and opportunity.
Gu Chen Sha had other ambitions. At the frontier, he could fully utilize the Heavenly Talisman Edict, amass resources like Wolf Pills, recruit talented individuals, and establish his legacy.
"You've thought this through," Xiao Yi Zi acknowledged. "Should we submit a petition to the Ministry of Lineage now? They might try to block it."
"Let them try. This is an opportunity most would jump at; they won't obstruct me," Gu Chen Sha said confidently. "Of course, I'll wait a few more months before making my move. For now, I'll make it seem like I'm entirely focused on martial training thanks to Lou Bai Yue's guidance."
Gu Chen Sha knew his divine techniques were too extraordinary to reveal, so he devised a cover story to explain his progress. This required patience and planning.
As autumn gave way to winter, the days grew colder. Northern winds howled, stripping the trees bare, filling the air with desolation.
Gu Chen Sha used this time wisely. He trained diligently, read extensively, and transformed his courtyard into a clean and vibrant space, stocking it with abundant supplies.
--
He had also reached a state of profound clarity in spirit and presence.
However, this caught the attention of those with sharp instincts.
About thirty miles outside the capital city, there was a villa surrounded by pavilions and terraces. Unlike traditional designs, the architecture here exuded modern sophistication. At the center of a lake stood a tall tower, entirely made of massive crystal panes. Sunlight reflected off its surface, causing the structure to shimmer like a glass monument.
Inside this tower, the Eighteenth Prince, Gu Hong Sha, was fishing.
His method was unusual—he used no bait. The long fishing line descended deep into the water, and his spirit connected with the hook itself, allowing him to perceive the underwater environment as if it were right before his eyes.
Suddenly, his hand gave a slight twitch. The hook snagged something and raced through the water before latching onto a massive black fish.
This enormous fish, weighing dozens of pounds with razor-sharp teeth, had been lurking in the muddy depths. Yet, it was no match for the precision of Gu Hong Sha's hook as it pierced its mouth and hoisted it up.
Unlike traditional fishing methods where bait lured the fish, Gu Hong Sha relied on his martial prowess. His hook seemed alive, gliding effortlessly through the water to capture its target.
"Master, your fishing skills truly defy belief," a servant standing nearby praised with utmost reverence.
"What's the situation with Gu Chen Sha?" Gu Hong Sha asked.
"After receiving the pill, ten thousand banknotes, and the scroll of Great Spirit Divine Arts from Lady Lou Baiyue, he has been practicing martial arts day and night," the servant reported. "It seems he has made some progress, which indicates that his previous acts of feigned incompetence were just a ruse."
"How naive," Gu Hong Sha sneered. "Being manipulated by Lou Baiyue like that, does he really think a mere pill and a martial manual can make up for all the years he's lost? Martial prowess must be cultivated from a young age. Missing that critical window makes any effort futile."
"Master, next year marks the third Heavenly Talisman Expedition against the barbarian tribes. His Majesty is preparing to personally lead the campaign once again. This time, the scale surpasses any previous efforts. His Majesty has accumulated immense resources over the last five years and plans to eradicate the Wolf Tribe, Snake Tribe, and Ape Tribe," the servant informed him. "I've also learned that His Majesty intends to reward the prince with the greatest merit with the legendary Nine-Turn Longevity Pill."
"The Nine-Turn Longevity Pill?" Guo Hongsha gasped. "That's the mythical ancient elixir, not of this mortal world. It's said to have been crafted by the ancient Heavenly Emperor after defeating the demon lords in a celestial ritual. I thought Father had already consumed it after destroying the Sect of Life and Death. I didn't expect it to still exist."
The servant remained silent, allowing Gu Hong Sha to contemplate.
After a long pause, Gu Hong Sha waved dismissively. "Stop monitoring Gu Chen Sha. Don't waste resources. Focus instead on keeping an eye on the Seventh, Tenth, and Eldest princes. Do you understand?"
"Understood," the servant replied, bowing before retreating.
Meanwhile, at the Duke Yuan estate, Lou Bainyue was also receiving reports.
It seemed that Gu Chen Sha's every move was within her grasp.
"Miss, that's the current situation. The Nineteenth Prince has been tirelessly practicing martial arts day and night. He appears close to reaching the threshold of mastery," a female bodyguard reported, holding a stack of detailed notes. "However, it seems he has not yet awakened the Great Spirit Bloodline."
"Awakening the Great Spirit Bloodline is unlikely," Lou Baiyue remarked, scanning the report in her hands.
"Shall I continue monitoring him?" the bodyguard asked.
"Of course. Report every single development," Lou Bainyue instructed. "But this is a trivial matter. How about the greater task I entrusted to you?"
"We've located the ancient ruins marked on the mysterious map. No one else knows about it yet. The next step is to begin excavation," the bodyguard replied.
"Excellent. Those ruins are said to be the ancient battlefield where the celestial emperor 'Xu' waged war against the demon army. Take precautions against demonic corruption. I'll personally visit in a few days," Lou Bainyue said, her fingers interlocking as a trace of excitement entered her voice.
As the fourteenth year of the Heavenly Talisman Era unfolded, the first snowfall arrived at last.
It began as a light dusting of small flakes in the evening but grew heavier overnight. By morning, thick, goose-feather-like snowflakes blanketed the world in pristine white, erasing all other colors.
Gu Chen ha sat amidst the snow, meditating. Despite wearing only a thin robe, he seemed unaffected by the cold. His body radiated no warmth, as if he were made of stone. Snow settled on him without melting, gradually turning him into a living snowman.
Only his bright eyes, gazing skyward, betrayed his vitality.
His spirit melded with the falling snow, each flake appearing vividly magnified in his perception.