Xi Shen flipped over his palm and another wine gourd appeared in his hand.
He popped the cork and was ready to start chugging back the fragrant wine, but Lihua upon smelling the wine and sensing the dense Spiritual Qi in it, her eyes go wide in stupefaction before her hand shot across the table towards the wine gourd as quick as lightning.
However, Xi Shen leaned to the side and her hand went past the wine gourd barely missing it.
Xi Shen took a few gulps before he stop and said to Lihua, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you grabbing at my things, if you want some then get your own.”
Lihua, who was looking down at her hand in shock, snapped out of her thoughts before she look up at Xi Shen. Confusion plagued her mind at what just happened, but it was hidden deep within her eyes.
Seeing Xi Shen taking more gulps of the wine, Lihua said frantically, “What are you doing, you stupid prince! Spit that out and cough up the rest you just swallowed, are you trying to give yourself Qi Poisoning?!!”
Lihua flew up out of her seat and was just about to have Xi Shen puke his guts out, but Xi Shen hearing Qi Poison finally understand what was going on with Lihua.
Qi Poison was when a mortal who can’t cultivate Qi try to absorb it. Since their body wasn’t accustomed to it or rather it wasn’t meant to be absorbed by them it can become a deadly poison for them that can lead to organ failure, or even having the Qi tear apart their flesh and bones.
Although, given that Xi Shen was of the Li Clan and had been pampered with elixirs and pills like any other spoiled rich kid, he was more accustomed to Qi. But given that he was known to not have a Dantian if he indeed tried to absorb Spiritual Qi he might not lead to organ failure or anything severe but just the potential threat of him dying from it was still there.
This was Lihua’s thought process, and since she was of the Zhi Clan, it was ridiculous of her to watch as the second prince drank himself to death.
Xi Shen suddenly lifted his hand and stopped her though.
He then said, “I’m fine, you're forgetting that Spiritual Qi isn’t only used full in Qi Cultivation but Fleshly Body Cultivation as well. I’m a Soul Cultivator so it would be obvious for me to strengthen my physique using Qi to eliminate one of my weaknesses in battle. So sit back down and study the Soul Art I gave you, I need you to learn it as fast as possible.”
Hearing Xi Shen’s words, Yang Su who had been watching on surprised at Lihua’s sudden actions, thought in his heart, “Elder brother isn’t telling anyone about his cultivation. I suspect Fei Yin could have guessed it from the fact that my Dao Foundation was created by him, so he could also create one for himself. But he doesn’t know the nature of Master’s Dao Foundation. To tell the truth, I only vaguely know, does Master not trust us, ~tRuSt mE~ even after we made a Blood Oath?’
That vague and indiscernible thought flashed across Yang Su’s mind, but it didn’t go away and instead took root.
Lihua hearing Xi Shen’s words seemed to sigh a sigh of relief before sitting back down.
Xi Shen smiled a bit at seeing Lihua’s concern for him, but he guest this was her Family’s duty to protect the Imperial Bloodline kicking in. [A/N- I said the Zhi family protects the Royal Family and indeed they do, but more importance is placed on the Imperial Family members, the Emperor, his sons, and daughters, as well as the Empress and Concubines.]
After a moment of silence within the group, Xi Shen asked, “Lihua, what can you tell me about the Hidden Fragmented Realm?”
Hearing that, Lihua had a contemplating expression as she looked up from the jade slip to Xi Shen in slight surprise. Fei Yin also perked up at the mention of the Hidden Fragmented Realm, which Xi Shen took note of.
After hesitating for a moment, Lihua said, “The Hidden Fragmented Realm is a secret pocket dimension between the territory of our Maple Continent and the Star Bound Continent. It’s a place filled with treasures that open once every eight hundred years. When it opens every genius of the current generation is gathered across the Maple Continent to enter.”
Even though Lihua was answering Xi Shen’s question, it was obvious she was holding back information.
Xi Shen looked at her and said, “It’s best if you get it early on, you work for me now. I don’t want you to keep that mindset you have right now so get rid of it. Tell me what kind of treasures are in Hidden Fragmented Realm, what about the Ancient Divine Beast Legacies what are those?”
Hearing the mention of the Ancient Divine Beast Legacies, Lihua became shocked.
“How do you know about that?”
Lihua asked in surprise but saw that Xi Shen was frowning deeply.
Thinking about his words from before, as well as her previous perception of him, Lihua paused for a moment before she took a deep breath and released it.
As of this moment she no longer thought of Xi Shen as a weak and helpless prince, her mindset had shifted.
Seeing this, Xi Shen release a pleasant smile. It would be a problem if Lihua was to keep on thinking the way she does, Xi Shen would find it hard to use her in the future.
After taking a deep breath, Lihua spoke to Xi Shen like she would with someone of his status.
“Second Prince, I have only ever heard of rumors about the treasures inside, as the ones that have gained them don’t reveal them to anyone and after giving it to their Clan of Academy we never heard of it again. The rumors mentioned that it was a place that belongs to a Heavenly Palace Realm cultivator in the past, and the treasures inside are what is left behind by that supreme expert.”
Hearing the mention of a Heavenly Palace Realm cultivator both, Fei Yin and Yang Su frowned, showing they have no idea what realm of cultivation that was.
Lihua wasn’t surprised at this as they weren’t from a Major Power that had the right to know of such a realm.
Xi Shen had a thoughtful look on his face when he heard Lihua’s words, and he couldn’t help but think back on the world he was in when he met Dongmei.
‘Is it something similar to that place?’ Xi Shen thought to himself.
Lihua then said again, “As for the Ancient Divine Beast Legacy, I have only heard my father mention it once, but when I asked him about it he said I should first become a Chosen. A Chosen’s status on the Maple Continent is different from a normal genius. They are given more opportunities to obtain fortunes and increase their Cultivation Base. The entrance to the Hidden Fragmented Realm is also only accessible to Chosen Disciples.”
Hearing that, Xi Shen turned to Fei Yin, but he shook his head lightly and said, “Young Master should ask brother Chen after he exits seclusion, he might know more, unlike me who had just become a Chosen.”
Lihua turned to look at Fei Yin when she heard that. Up until now, she had no idea Fei Yin and Fang Shen were Chosens, she was actually a bit shocked, but indignant as well. That was because she showed such outstanding talents but hadn’t received the title of a Chosen from the Righteous Faction’s Council of Elders.
Taking a sip from his wine gourd, Xi Shen made plans to ask Fang Chen more about the Hidden Fragmented Realm treasures. He was wondering if the formations from the God Era came from a treasure ground. In other words, he was thinking along the lines of if the God Era was left to ruins, and people of this Era found those ruins and then call them treasure grounds.
But, he was thinking that might not be the case for this Hidden Fragmented Realm.
After a while Yang Su and Fei Yin left to head to their rooms, wanting to study the Soul Art further.
Lihua was just about to leave, but suddenly remembered something and said to Xi Shen, “Second Prince, there has been news that the Ming Clan are already forming their Academy. As of now, only members of their Clan had joined this Academy, but they’re starting to expand and planning to send those members to the different institutes. Undoubtedly those people will have trained in their new cultivation system, our Zhi Clan has reasons to suspect that they might want to showcase the benefits of their cultivation system by having a Faction against Faction battle.”
Hearing that, Xi Shen's eyes narrowed and he nodded his head at Lihua who in-turned bowed and walked away.
“Haha, is that so? Well, the following days at the Academy should be interesting. But wait, the Ming Clan pulling this stunt when my birthday is right around the corner, are they planning to overlap their Academy Opening with my birthday party? How shameless of them to use such tactics to promote their dumb method of cultivating!” Xi Shen said in complete irritation.
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Word Count: 1521
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel