Family Rise: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 660 Internal Strife! Nascent Soul Formation!!

Wuzhou Princess's Residence

Inside the secluded room, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

The guest in the green robe sat cross-legged, his face solemn. His name was Lu Jingyun, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator. He was recruited into the manor ten years ago to be in charge of the manor's weapon-refining room. He was usually low-key and taciturn, never attracting attention.

At this moment, a bronze round mirror floated in front of him, its surface gleaming with a faint luster. Around it were seven bronze oil lamps arranged according to the Big Dipper, their flames flickering silently with an eerie bluish-purple hue.

"Seven stars peer into the heavens, dispelling illusions and revealing truth..."

Lu Jingyun chanted incantations softly, his hands constantly changing hand seals. With each incantation, a stream of pure elixir energy flowed into the mirror. The bronze mirror began to slowly rotate, its surface rippling like water, gradually revealing a blurry scene—the depths of the Princess's forbidden area!

This was a secret technique he obtained from an ancient demonic ruin called the "Sky-Gazing Mirror Technique." It required his own life essence as a guide, supplemented by the Seven Stars positioning, to penetrate layers of array barriers and peer into secrets. The cost was extremely high; each use would deplete his lifespan, and he would never use it unless absolutely necessary.

The image in the mirror became clearer and clearer.

When Lu Jingyun saw the enormous and eerie altar, and the figure in the center of the altar forcibly absorbing the essence of the demon realm, his pupils shrank and his breath caught in his throat for a moment.

"This...this is..."

Demonic runes flickered, and the primordial energy of the Mysterious Female was inverted. Although the figure sitting cross-legged was shrouded in the light of the array, Lu Jingyun, with his hundreds of years of cultivation and extraordinary knowledge, recognized the key to it at a glance—

To attain the Dao through demonic means, and to refine one's original nature!

This is an extremely dangerous secret technique in the demonic path; the slightest mistake will lead to utter destruction! Even within the demonic lineage, it is a forbidden art, because in the process of reversing yin and yang and forcibly transforming demonic energy, the slightest carelessness will cause demonic nature to invade the soul, and the foundation of one's cultivation to be completely destroyed.

Princess Runyu, a member of the royal family and the eldest princess's granddaughter, dared to commit such an outrageous act in the forbidden area of ​​the mansion!

Lu Jingyun's heart pounded wildly, but then an overwhelming surge of joy welled up inside him.

He held his breath and continued to activate the secret technique, firmly imprinting the scene in the mirror into his divine sense—the structure of the altar, the operation of the array, the transformation of demonic energy, and even the gradually solidifying nascent soul outline above Princess Runyu's head... He missed every detail.

The mirror remained in place for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Lu Jingyun's face was as pale as paper, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes shone brightly, as if he had found a priceless treasure.

"enough……"

He gritted his teeth and hissed, then with a swift movement of his hands, the bronze mirror's light vanished abruptly, and it fell to the ground. The flames of the seven lamps went out simultaneously, plunging the secret chamber back into darkness.

Lu Jingyun gasped for breath, then took out a blood-red jade talisman. Using his finger as a brush, he dipped it in the blood from the corner of his mouth and quickly carved on the talisman.

A dark red halo appeared on the surface of the jade talisman, gradually condensing into a complex communication rune.

He imprinted the scene he had just witnessed, along with his own judgment, into it with his divine sense:

"To His Highness Crown Prince Sun:"

While at the residence of Princess Runyu in Wuzhou, I witnessed a shocking secret. Princess Runyu has secretly set up a demonic altar in a forbidden area of ​​her residence, forcibly opening a passage to the demon realm using the 'Return to the Void Demonic Guide' to absorb the demon realm's essence and reverse the refining of the Mysterious Female Mother Qi, intending to condense a First-Rank Heavenly Infant. This is a forbidden secret technique of entering the Dao through demonic means, extremely dangerous, contrary to the laws of Heaven, and a violation of the laws of the Imperial Dynasty.

If the princess succeeds in this endeavor, she may be able to condense her Nascent Soul and break through to a higher realm; if she fails, she fears the demonic energy will backfire, causing her to fall into the demonic path and bring disaster to all living beings. Regardless of success or failure, once this matter is leaked, it will surely cause a shock throughout the court and the public, and cause an uproar in both the immortal and demonic paths.

This is the perfect opportunity to overthrow the eldest princess's lineage. The evidence has been imprinted on this talisman with divine power; Your Highness, please act swiftly.

—Respectfully submitted by Lu Jingyun

After finishing the carving, Lu Jingyun took a deep breath, placed the jade talisman on his forehead, and poured all the images he had seen in the mirror into it.

The jade talisman shone with a brilliant crimson light, then subsided, transforming into an inconspicuous gray light that silently pierced through the many restrictions of the secret chamber, disappeared into the void, and sped towards the capital.

After doing all this, Lu Jingyun finally let out a long breath, a hint of coldness and anticipation flashing in his eyes.

“Princess Runyu…Princess Eldest…Let’s see how you end this.”

...

...

Imperial Capital - East Palace
The room was brightly lit.

Crown Prince Sun sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a crimson-gold python robe, his face calm and dignified. He held the blood-red jade talisman between his fingers, his divine sense having repeatedly examined the images and information within it.

The jade talisman shattered silently in his palm, turning into dust.

"Confirmed." The Crown Prince's voice was calm, yet carried a sense of impending doom. "That girl Runyu is truly audacious."

The head steward, Xu Huang, who was standing to the side with his white hair and beard, bowed slightly. Upon hearing this, he slowly raised his head, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness, Princess Runyu is the apple of the Princess's eye, her precious jewel. Before the Princess went into seclusion, she entrusted the entire Princess's residence and half of Wuzhou's properties to her, which shows how much she dotes on her. If we cannot strike decisively this time and give the Princess a chance to catch her breath, I fear the consequences will be dire."

Crown Prince Sun nodded: "What Elder Xu said is absolutely right. If Runyu really becomes a Nascent Soul, and still uses the secret methods of the demonic path to forcibly obtain a first-grade Heavenly Infant, regardless of success or failure, the prestige of the Eldest Princess's lineage will surely rise greatly. If successful, it will add a Nascent Soul combatant with infinite potential; if unsuccessful... Hmph, the Eldest Princess will probably go to great lengths to cover for him, and even bite him back."

He paused, tapping his knuckles lightly on the table: "Therefore, we must be quick and ruthless. We must strike when her nascent soul is not yet stable, or rather... at her most crucial moment. We must cause her to fail at the last minute, or even... suffer a qi deviation."

Xu Huang said in a low voice, "That's exactly right. We must strike at the heart of the matter with overwhelming force, leaving no room for the Princess's mansion or the Eldest Princess to react or provide any rescue. Wuzhou is neither too far nor too close to the capital, but the Eldest Princess's secluded cultivation place, the 'Mysterious Heaven Secret Realm,' is far away and isolated. It takes time for messages to be transmitted and for her to break out of seclusion. This time difference is our opportunity."

"What about the choice of personnel?" Crown Prince Sun looked at Xu Huang. "This matter is of utmost importance. The person sent must have sufficient reason to intervene, sufficient power to suppress the Princess's residence, and more importantly... be able to withstand the aftermath."

Xu Huang pondered for a moment, then slowly uttered three words: "True Lord of Yunmeng".

The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed slightly: "Yunmeng... Ji Yunmeng. A third-rank Imperial Envoy, in charge of the 'Imperial Mirror of Heaven,' she does indeed have the authority to inspect prefectures and counties, monitor illegal activities, and slay demons and monsters. Runyu entered the Dao through demonic means, and the evidence is conclusive. He can go to Wuzhou on this pretext, which is perfectly legitimate. Even if the Emperor asks, he will not be able to find fault with it."

Xu Huang nodded: "Exactly. The Imperial Patrol Envoy has special powers and can act first and report later, especially when it comes to matters involving the demonic path. He has the authority to handle such matters urgently. It is most appropriate for him to take action."

Crown Prince Sun scoffed, "It's certainly feasible, but this person... isn't so easy to persuade."

Xu Huang smiled wryly: "Your Highness is wise. True Lord Yunmeng... is indeed somewhat greedy for fame and fortune. Ever since he luckily broke through to the Nascent Soul stage a hundred years ago and achieved the position of True Lord, his demands for offerings from the Eastern Palace have become increasingly... outspoken. In recent years, he has been making excuses for a few minor matters assigned to him by Your Highness, and his attitude has become quite distant."

A cold glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes: "Now that his wings have hardened, he wants to fly solo. A Nascent Soul True Monarch, with a lifespan of over a thousand years, certainly has the right to be arrogant. But if it weren't for the Eastern Palace's all-out support back then, helping him through those great calamities, where would he be today? Now he's putting on airs."

Xu Huang said in a low voice, "People's hearts are fickle, especially after their cultivation reaches a high level. However, he still holds the position of Imperial Inspector, and is nominally still an official of the court, subject to the control of the Crown Prince. Moreover, this matter is of great importance, involving both the demonic path and the royal family. For both public and private reasons, he cannot completely shirk his responsibility. But... if we ask him to go all out and leave no future trouble, I'm afraid..."

"I'm afraid we'll have to offer substantial benefits, or even... I'll personally go and invite him," the Crown Prince said, his tone indifferent.

Xu Huang bowed: "Your Highness is wise. The residence of True Lord Yunmeng is heavily guarded, and it is difficult for ordinary people to enter. Even if a message is sent, it may not be kept secret. Moreover, this matter is of great importance and the advantages and disadvantages must be explained in person to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Only Your Highness's personal presence can show sincerity, and only then can you subdue him and let him know that this is the will of the Crown Prince and cannot be treated perfunctorily."

After a moment of silence, the Crown Prince slowly rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant palace shrouded in mist.

"Very well. In order to eliminate the Princess's help, I will make this trip." He turned around, his gaze sharp as a sword. "Old Xu, prepare the carriage. We're going to 'Yunmengze'."

"Furthermore," he added, "order the secret guards to closely monitor the movements of the Princess of Wuzhou's residence, especially the energy fluctuations in the forbidden area. Report immediately if anything changes. At the same time, prepare for the aftermath—if Runyu fails and dies, how do we appease the Princess's faction; if he survives but his Dao foundation is damaged, how do we take the opportunity to weaken his power; if... True Lord Yunmeng's actions are not clean enough and leave loose ends, how should we deal with that? We must consider all possibilities."

Xu Huang's expression hardened, and he bowed deeply: "This old servant understands. I will make the arrangements immediately."

Crown Prince Sun gazed at Xu Huang's departing figure with a deep look in his eyes.

“Runyu…cousin.” He murmured to himself, a wisp of crimson-gold flame flickering at his fingertips. “If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for choosing the wrong path, and even more so for…being born into the wrong family.”

"Who will rule the Great Zhou Dynasty in the future is still unknown."

With a flick of his sleeve, he vanished from the secret chamber.

A moment later, an inconspicuous gray-blue carriage quietly drove out from the side gate of the East Palace, blending into the bustling streets of the capital, and sped off towards the "Yunmengze" outside the city, a place shrouded in mist year-round and as dreamlike as a dream.

...

...

Yunmeng Marsh is shrouded in spiritual energy and thin mist all year round. In the depths of the lake, several fairy islands appear and disappear. The largest of them is the cultivation cave of Yunmeng Zhenjun Ji Yunmeng.

The gray-blue carriage silently passed through the outer barrier and landed on the white jade plaza of the main island. There was no welcoming entourage, only two young Taoist boys in blue robes standing quietly. When the carriage landed, they simply bowed slightly and said, "The True Lord is already waiting for Your Highness in the 'Listening to the Waves Pavilion'."

Crown Prince Sun's expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank. This welcoming ceremony was far inferior to when he visited with his father a hundred years ago. Back then, Ji Yunmeng was still at the peak of the Golden Core stage, and she greeted him respectfully from afar. Now, she only sent two young disciples to lead the way, and even the main gate of the cave was not opened.

He followed the young Taoist, passing through winding corridors and misty clouds, until they arrived at a secluded hermitage built by the lake. The door was open, and a middle-aged man with a handsome face and an ethereal aura, dressed in a moon-white robe with wide sleeves, stood with his back to the door, gazing out at the misty waves.

It was none other than Yunmeng Zhenjun, Ji Yunmeng.

"Your Highness has come from afar; I apologize for not greeting you properly." Ji Yunmeng did not turn around; her voice was clear and melodious, yet carried a faint sense of detachment.

"You're too kind, True Lord." Crown Prince Sun walked into the pavilion on his own, sat down in the guest seat, and said in a calm tone, "It is I who have taken the liberty of coming and disturbing True Lord's quiet cultivation."

Ji Yunmeng then slowly turned around, her gaze sweeping over the Crown Prince. The unique aura of a Nascent Soul True Monarch subtly emanated from him, and although not deliberately oppressive, it still made the Crown Prince, who was at the Pseudo-Nascent Soul stage, feel a trace of invisible pressure. He did not bow, but simply sat down casually in the main seat opposite him and gestured for the young disciple to serve tea.

"I wonder what brings Your Highness to my Yunmeng Marsh?" Ji Yunmeng picked up her spirit tea, took a sip, and got straight to the point.

Crown Prince Sun also picked up his teacup, but did not drink it. He looked directly at Ji Yunmeng and said, "There is indeed a matter that requires the True Lord's personal attention."

"Oh? What matter requires the trouble of a free spirit like me?" Ji Yunmeng raised an eyebrow, her expression ambiguous.

“Wuzhou, Princess Runyu.” The Crown Prince slowly uttered a few words.

The atmosphere inside the pavilion suddenly froze.

Ji Yunmeng put down her teacup, the faint smile on her face disappearing, replaced by solemnity and scrutiny: "What does Your Highness mean by this? Princess Runyu is the eldest princess's grandson, of noble status, and seems to have no connection with me, a patrolling envoy."

“She is doing something important,” the Crown Prince transmitted the information imprinted on the blood-red jade talisman through divine thought, “Please take a look, True Lord.”

Ji Yunmeng received the divine sense, briefly examined it, and her expression changed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and even shook her head:

"To enter the Dao through demonic means, to reverse the refinement of the primordial Qi of the Mysterious Female... that's quite audacious. However, Your Highness, although this matter involves the demonic path, it is ultimately an internal affair of the royal family, and the Eldest Princess is still in seclusion. In my opinion, it would be more appropriate to wait until the Eldest Princess emerges from seclusion and handle it personally. Although I am an Imperial Envoy, it is not appropriate for me to rashly interfere in the affairs of the royal family."

Crown Prince Sun sneered inwardly, just as he had expected. He knew Ji Yunmeng wouldn't agree so easily.

"Family matters?" The Crown Prince's voice turned cold. "True Lord, touching upon the demonic path and reversing the balance of Yin and Yang is no longer a simple family matter! This is an act that shakes the foundation of the nation and violates the Heavenly Laws! If left unchecked, once the demonic energy gets out of control, or Runyu falls into demonic possession, the people of Wuzhou will suffer. Can you, True Lord, bear this responsibility? When the Emperor holds you accountable, you, the Imperial Inspector, will likely not escape the blame for 'ineffective inspection and dereliction of duty'."

Ji Yunmeng's expression remained unchanged as she calmly said:
"Your Highness is too kind. Princess Runyu acts in a secretive manner, and it is understandable that I was far away in Yunmengze and could not detect it. If there is any trouble, the court will deal with it according to its laws. If Your Highness has solid evidence, you might as well report it directly to His Majesty and let His Majesty decide. Wouldn't that be more legitimate than me taking action in private?"

This clearly shows they don't want to get involved in this mess and are passing the buck to the emperor.

The crown prince stared at him, then suddenly smiled:
“The True Lord is a wise man, why bother with these formalities? Directly submitting a memorial is both a long journey and a complicated procedure. By the time the decree arrives, Runyu will probably have already succeeded, or... something even more chaotic will have occurred. By then, it will be too late to deal with the situation, or it may have spiraled out of control. Only by using the authority of the Imperial Inspector to take immediate action can we prevent problems from arising.”

Ji Yunmeng remained silent, her fingertips lightly tapping the table, clearly weighing her options.

The Crown Prince knew that the time was almost right.

He flipped his hand, and a dark black box, neither gold nor jade, appeared in his palm. The moment the box appeared, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop slightly, and a faint, chilling, and sharp aura emanated from it.

"I heard that the True Lord is currently refining his natal spiritual treasure, the 'Mysterious Netherworld Dividing Light Sword,' and is desperately searching for 'Nine Netherworld Cold Iron' and 'Mysterious Yin Crystal Marrow' without success." The Crown Prince pushed the box toward Ji Yunmeng. "In this box, there are three hundred catties of purified 'Nine Netherworld Cold Iron Essence,' as well as... a fist-sized, high-quality 'Mysterious Yin Crystal Marrow Mother Ore.'"

Ji Yunmeng's pupils suddenly contracted, and her breathing became heavier!
These two items are the key materials he has been unable to gather despite traversing several states and offering a bounty for many years! Especially the Xuan Yin Crystal Marrow Mother Ore, which is extremely rare and hard to come by. With it, not only can the refining be successful, but the quality of the spiritual treasure can even be upgraded by a level!
He suppressed his excitement and looked at the Crown Prince's grandson: "Your Highness... what a grand gesture."

Crown Prince Sun smiled slightly:
"This item is a treasure from the Eastern Palace's secret treasury, which I specially retrieved for True Lord. If True Lord is willing to make a trip to Wuzhou and properly handle Runyu's matter, this item will be your reward. In addition, the Eastern Palace will provide a generous reward afterward, ensuring True Lord's cultivation resources will be worry-free for the next hundred years."

The incentives are sufficient.

Ji Yunmeng's eyes flickered, clearly extremely tempted. However, he still hesitated, after all, the Princess's power was undeniable.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince decided to add fuel to the fire. He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of coldness:

"True Lord, do you still remember... what happened in the Azure Nether Mountains two hundred and thirty years ago? At that time, you were still in the late Golden Core stage. In order to seize a 'Seven Aperture Exquisite Mushroom,' it seems... your methods were a bit too extreme. You not only killed three rogue cultivators of the same level, but also accidentally injured an elder from a small sect who was passing by. Afterwards, the Eastern Palace sent people to handle the whole matter and erase all traces. The Eastern Palace has kept those 'evidence' carefully."

Ji Yunmeng's face instantly turned extremely ugly, and a hint of shock, anger and killing intent flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

He never expected that the Crown Prince would still have this weakness!

He was indeed ruthless back then. If this matter were exposed, even though he is now a Nascent Soul cultivator, he would still be tainted with shame, and his position as the Patrol Envoy would be in jeopardy!

The pavilion fell into a deathly silence, with only the faint sound of the lake water lapping against the shore outside the window.

Ji Yunmeng's expression changed several times. Finally, she exhaled a long breath, reached out and took the dark box, and held it tightly.

"...Your Highness, what a brilliant scheme." His voice was somewhat hoarse, filled with suppressed anger and helplessness.

“Likewise.” The Crown Prince withdrew his hand, his expression returning to calm. “The True Lord is a wise man and should know that, in terms of public and private matters, and in terms of both sentiment and reason, this matter should be handled by the True Lord. The Eastern Palace will not forget the True Lord’s contributions, much less… mistreat its own people.”

He emphasized the words "our own people" a little more.

Ji Yunmeng closed her eyes, then opened them a moment later, her eyes filled with determination and coldness: "Wuzhou is not a short distance away. I need time to prepare. I will mobilize some of the authority of the Sky Patrol Mirror and arrange manpower."

“Three days.” Crown Prince Sun rose. “Within three days, I want to see the True Lord depart for Wuzhou. As for how to deal with it… Princess Runyu ‘went into demonic possession’ and ‘unfortunately perished’ during the Nascent Soul formation process. The demonic energy backfired, affecting the forbidden area. The True Lord ‘arrived in time,’ ‘did his best to suppress it,’ ‘cleaned up the demonic scourge,’ and reported to the court. This outcome should be quite ‘reasonable.’”

Ji Yunmeng nodded silently, which was taken as her acceptance of the plan.

"Then I will not disturb you any longer." The Crown Prince bowed, "I await Your Majesty's good news."

He turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the clouds.

Inside the pavilion, only Ji Yunmeng remained. He gripped the dark box tightly, his knuckles white, his face devoid of any trace of his former refined and otherworldly demeanor, replaced only by gloom and humiliation.

"The Crown Prince's grandson...the Eastern Palace..." he murmured, a cold glint in his eyes, "I will remember today's 'gift'." He looked toward Wuzhou, his killing intent rising.

“Princess Runyu… If you have to blame someone, blame your bad luck for becoming a victim of the power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess.”

...

...

Outside Wuzhou city, high in the clouds.

Several streaks of light vanished, and the figure of Yunmeng Zhenjun Ji Yunmeng appeared in the clouds, his black official robes fluttering in the gale. Behind him, eight elite Golden Core cultivators from the "B" class stood silently, their auras blending seamlessly with the surrounding clouds, almost imperceptible.

Looking down, the outline of Wuzhou city is clear, and it exudes a spiritual aura.

Meanwhile, the Runyu Princess's mansion was completely enveloped by a thick, solid, and ever-flowing layer of pale purple spiritual light, like a giant piece of amber, completely isolating the mansion from the outside world. Above the mansion, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered abnormally and was forcefully contained, forming a slowly rotating vortex that was difficult for ordinary people to detect. There were also faint traces of chaotic energy, which even made a Nascent Soul cultivator like Ji Yunmeng frown slightly, which were being difficult to bind and suppress within the mansion by the formation.

"It seems we've reached the final stage."

"go!"

Without the slightest hesitation, True Monarch Yunmeng moved, transforming into a faint shadow that almost blended into the sunlight, and led his men straight towards the main gate of the Princess's mansion.

……

"The Third-Rank Imperial Envoy, Yunmeng Zhenjun, has been ordered to inspect the prefectures and counties, monitor illegal activities, and slay demons and monsters! Who is in charge of this prefecture? Quickly activate the formation and accept the inspection!"

The sound was like a stone thrown into still water, instantly shattering the tranquility of the morning.

Inside the princess's residence, the head steward, Zhao Cong, suddenly changed his expression.

The arrival of Yunmeng Zhenjun, a member of the Crown Prince's lineage, at this critical juncture is no accident! The princess is currently in the most crucial stage of transforming the origin of the demon realm and condensing her nascent soul. She cannot tolerate the slightest disturbance, and she cannot allow outsiders, especially enemies with ulterior motives, to enter!
The array's protective barrier rippled slightly, revealing a solemn and respectful phantom image of Zhao Cong, who bowed deeply through the array.
"This old servant, Zhao Cong, pays his respects to True Lord Yunmeng. I was unaware of your arrival and have failed to greet you properly; I beg your forgiveness. However… my princess has reached the critical juncture of condensing her Nascent Soul in her seclusion, a matter of life and death, and cannot withstand the slightest disturbance. All the formations in the manor are activated, which is also due to the strict orders given by Her Highness the Princess before her seclusion, to ensure that the princess's breakthrough is foolproof. The matter of the inspection is of great importance, and this old servant dares not act on my own initiative. May I ask True Lord to postpone it for a few days? Once the princess has completed her seclusion, she will personally welcome you, cooperate with all inspections, and report to you and the court."

Yunmeng Zhenjun seemed not to have heard the subtext in Zhao Cong's words.

A purple-gold token shot out from the sleeve:

"The Imperial Envoy's decree is here! I have received irrefutable intelligence that there is a violent disturbance of demonic energy in Wuzhou, and the source points directly to this place! It is suspected that a powerful demonic figure is lurking here, or practicing evil magic that endangers the peace of the prefecture and violates the laws of Heaven! This is no ordinary patrol, but an emergency response to the demonic threat! Zhao Cong, I order you to immediately activate the array and submit to the search! If you continue to refuse or obstruct, it will be considered disobeying the Imperial Envoy's decree and hindering the court from quelling the demonic threat, which is tantamount to treason!"

The words "treason" struck like a thunderclap from the heavens.

Zhao Cong's face turned deathly pale.

This hat is too heavy!
But opening the door now would be tantamount to completely exposing the unsuspecting princess and the secrets of the forbidden area to the enemy, with unimaginable consequences!
He abruptly looked up, a resolute glint in his eyes, his voice booming, "True Lord! The talk of demonic calamity is utterly baseless! The entire Princess's residence is innocent, as Heaven and Earth can attest! The Princess's seclusion was personally arranged and protected by Her Highness the Eldest Princess, concerning the royal family's path to Nascent Soul cultivation and the very foundation of the nation! If, without His Majesty's explicit decree or the Elders' Council's urgent order, you were to forcibly enter the Princess's secluded cultivation grounds based solely on so-called 'information,' disturbing her breakthrough, such actions could lead to the Princess's failure to form her Nascent Soul, or even... other unforeseen calamities. Can you bear such a colossal responsibility? And how will Her Highness the Eldest Princess view this matter after she emerges from seclusion?"

He no longer concealed his intentions and directly exposed the conflict between the "Eldest Princess" and the "Eastern Palace," aiming to make a final show of force.

A cold glint flashed in Yunmeng Zhenjun's eyes, but a faint, almost mocking sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

The probing is over.

Zhao Cong's fierce reaction, his resolute refusal to open the formation, and even his threat to bring up the Eldest Princess and the potentially serious consequences, precisely confirmed the accuracy of the Crown Prince's intelligence—Princess Runyu was inside doing that "important thing" that absolutely could not be disturbed, and it had reached the most critical moment!
This is enough.

"Stubborn and unyielding, defying orders and protecting demonic traces, their hearts deserve to be condemned!" True Monarch Yunmeng put away the token, his voice icy cold, giving the other party no chance to argue, "Since that's the case, then don't blame me for acting according to the law, forcibly breaking the formation, and eliminating the demonic threat!"

He slightly raised his hand behind him.

The eight Golden Core cultivators behind him responded in unison, "As you command!"

In an instant, eight beams of light, each different in color but equally sharp, shot into the sky, and powerful spiritual energy fluctuations swept out, locking onto several key nodes of the Princess's Mansion's protective array.

"boom--!"

The light shield vibrated violently, its surface runes flickered wildly, and it emitted a humming sound as if it were struggling under the strain.

"Hold on! Everyone, return to your positions at the core of the formation!"

Zhao Cong's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared fiercely.

He never expected that the other party would actually dare to disregard the Princess's intimidation and attack directly!
Upon receiving the order, the remaining dozen or so Golden Core guest elders and guard commanders who had not entered the forbidden altar to assist immediately flew to the designated array points in various parts of the mansion, recklessly injecting their spiritual power into the array.

With the support of fresh troops, the pale purple light shield shone brightly, barely withstanding the first wave of impact. The recoil even caused the two Golden Core Guardian Angels to groan and retreat.

"Resisting stubbornly."

Yunmeng Zhenjun snorted coldly, a hint of impatience and heartache flashing in his eyes.

Although he was driven by the Crown Prince's desire for profit, he was also afraid that if he delayed any longer, the Eldest Princess might have some special means of sensing something, or Runyu might actually complete his breakthrough at the crucial moment, which would be troublesome.

Quick victory!

He flipped his hand and took out a fist-sized bead, its color a dull gray, its surface covered with fine cracks, as if it might shatter at any moment. The instant the bead appeared, the surrounding space slightly distorted, emanating a chilling aura of annihilation that was specifically designed to counter array structures.

Fifth-tier Formation-Breaking Bead!
This is a treasure capable of threatening even the most advanced formations set up by Nascent Soul cultivators. It is extremely difficult to refine, very expensive, and mostly a one-time consumable. The one in Yunmeng Zhenjun's possession was obtained through a fortuitous encounter in his early years, and he has treasured it ever since, regarding it as one of his trump cards.

"go with!"

With a pained sigh, he threw the array-breaking bead with all his might towards the very center of the array's light barrier, the core point where the spiritual energy fluctuations were most intense and the defense was strongest!
The Breaking Formation Pearl transformed into an inconspicuous gray light, silently striking the light barrier.

There were no earth-shattering explosions.

There was only a soft "crack" sound, like glass shattering.

Centered on the point of impact, countless spiderweb-like gray cracks instantly spread out, covering the entire pale purple light shield! The runes that were originally radiant and flowing were quickly dimmed and dissipated as they passed through the gray cracks, as if erased by an eraser!
"not good!"

Zhao Cong and all the Golden Core cultivators guarding the array's core simultaneously felt an irresistible, strange force rebounding along the array's veins!

"puff--!"

"Puff puff--!"

A series of sounds of blood splattering rang out.

Including Zhao Cong, more than a dozen Golden Core cultivators turned deathly pale, spitting out blood. Their spiritual energy instantly became disordered, their meridians were damaged, and their aura plummeted. Two of the weaker guest elders even fainted, their vision going black.

The powerful protective array that had enveloped the Princess's mansion for decades collapsed completely with a "pop" after the gray cracks spread to their maximum extent, turning into countless points of light and disappearing into nothingness.

The interior of the princess's mansion was no longer concealed and was exposed to everyone.

The pavilions and terraces within the mansion remained exquisite, but an atmosphere of panic and despair permeated the air. Deeper inside, the strange fluctuations emanating from the forbidden area, a mixture of chaos and Daoist energy, became even clearer.

"Anyone who stands in my way will die!"

Yunmeng Zhenjun took a step forward and arrived inside the mansion gate, his target pointing directly towards the forbidden area.

The Nascent Soul's pressure was released without reservation, as imposing as a mountain, causing the servants and guards in the mansion, who were at the Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment stages, to collapse to the ground, unable to move.

"Don't think about it!"

Zhao Cong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, struggled to his feet, and stood blocking the only path leading to the forbidden area. His face was ashen, his breathing unsteady; his cultivation at the Pseudo-Infant Realm seemed so insignificant before a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

"The mantis' arm is like a chariot."

Yunmeng Zhenjun didn't even bother to glance at him. With a casual wave of his hand, a condensed, almost tangible, pale blue streak of water light shot out. Wherever the streak passed, the air froze, the ground frostned, and it contained a chilling aura capable of freezing one's very soul. This casual strike was enough to severely injure or even kill an ordinary nascent soul!

As the silk ribbon reached his body, a look of determination and madness flashed in Zhao Cong's eyes.

He suddenly opened his mouth and swallowed a blood-red pill the size of a longan that he had been hiding under his tongue!
"Blood-Burning Nirvana Pill!"

The pill entered my stomach like a volcanic eruption!
Zhao Cong's withered body suddenly swelled up, and the blood vessels under his skin bulged, turning an unnatural dark red. His previously listless aura surged wildly as if he had been propelled by a rocket!
The early stage of Nascent Soul!

"Hmm?" True Monarch Yunmeng frowned, the water-like streak he unleashed was shattered by the sudden burst of crimson energy from Zhao Cong. "Blood-Burning Nirvana Pill? You're quite willing to part with it! After this pill, your foundation will be completely destroyed, your lifespan will be drastically reduced, and even if you don't die, you'll have no hope of achieving the Great Dao for the rest of your life, becoming nothing more than a cripple!"

At this moment, blood was seeping from Zhao Cong's seven orifices, his face contorted with pain and the impact of the force, but his eyes shone with a frightening intensity as he stared intently at True Monarch Yunmeng:

"My life... was given to me by the princess! The princess's principles... are ten thousand times more important than my life! If you want to cross over, you'll have to step over my dead body!"

Before he finished speaking, he clasped his hands together and summoned a ruler-shaped spiritual treasure with an ancient design, a bright red body, and streaks of fire patterns—the "Crimson Sun Measuring Ruler"! This was a treasure bestowed upon him by the princess to guard the mansion. It was usually kept in the mansion's treasury, but now he was fully activating it with the Nascent Soul level spiritual power he had obtained by burning his life!

"boom!"

The Crimson Sun Measuring Ruler burst forth with dazzling flames, transforming into a hundred-foot-long crimson giant ruler. With its scorching heat capable of burning mountains and boiling seas, and its unwavering determination, it crashed down upon True Monarch Yunmeng! Even the space itself was scorched and slightly distorted.

"Hmph! A mere Nascent Soul cultivator, all bark and no bite, yet dares to act so arrogantly?"

Although Yunmeng Zhenjun was startled, he remained calm, his eyes flashing even colder. His opponent had forcibly enhanced himself by taking forbidden drugs, appearing powerful but in reality riddled with flaws and lacking staying power.

He no longer held back, his hands swiftly forming hand seals, and he shouted:

"The Mysterious Dark Water, the Heavenly River reverses its course!"

Nascent Soul Technique!

A boundless blue light surged from his body. This light was no ordinary water, but rather an incomparably heavy, extremely yin and cold phantom of Xuanming True Water! The light soared into the sky, transforming into a mighty celestial river that flowed ceaselessly, as if descending from the heavens. With a force capable of crushing all things and an extreme chill capable of freezing the soul, it surged back towards the crimson giant ruler!

"Boom——!!!"

Crimson and deep blue collided violently!
The scorching fire and the icy water vapor intertwined and annihilated each other wildly, producing a deafening roar. The shockwave spread outwards in a solid ring, and the exquisite buildings in front of the Princess's mansion were destroyed in large sections as if they were made of paper. The ground cracked and the artificial hills collapsed.

The stalemate lasted only a moment.

The flames on the crimson giant ruler quickly dimmed and extinguished under the endless, extremely yin and cold Xuanming True Water. The Nascent Soul level spiritual power that Zhao Cong had obtained by burning his life was ultimately too weak to sustain the full power of the spiritual treasure.

"Click..."

The Crimson Sun Measuring Ruler let out a mournful cry, cracks appeared on its body, it lost all its spiritual light, and flew back.

"puff--!"

Zhao Cong coughed up blood again, this time mixed with fragments of his internal organs.

His forcibly enhanced Nascent Soul aura plummeted rapidly like a leaking vent, and his body flew backward like a broken sack, crashing heavily into a wall and being mostly buried by the rubble.

Yunmeng Zhenjun swayed slightly, his face paling, clearly indicating that using the Nascent Soul Technique had taken a toll. However, his gaze remained icy, he didn't even glance at Zhao Cong in the ruins, and without pausing, transformed into a streak of blue light, shooting straight towards the forbidden area!

at the same time.

"boom--!!!"

An indescribable, immense suction force suddenly erupted from the depths of the forbidden area!

Centered on the forbidden area, the sky suddenly darkened, and a massive spiritual energy vortex, over a hundred feet in diameter and terrifyingly large, was formed out of thin air and began to spin wildly!

Om-!
A deep hum resounded between heaven and earth. Visibly, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of hundreds of miles, as if summoned by a monarch, transformed into long rivers of multicolored spiritual energy. These rivers were forcibly drawn from all directions, from mountains and rivers, from cities and ley lines, and surged forth, rushing towards the vortex above the Princess's mansion!

In an instant, spiritual energy surged like a tide above Wuzhou City, and the wind and clouds changed color! Countless cultivators looked up at the sky in horror, and those with low cultivation even felt their own magical power being drawn away from their bodies!
Inside the forbidden area, at the core of the altar.

Princess Runyu, sitting cross-legged, trembled slightly. The light veil covering her face moved without wind, revealing her exquisitely beautiful yet pale complexion. A radiant light shone from the crown of her head!

A tiny figure, about three inches tall, crystal clear and as if carved from the finest purple jade, slowly rose from above her head. The figure's features were clearly defined, identical to Princess Runyu's. It sat cross-legged, its appearance dignified, enveloped in a layer of primordial chaotic light (remnants of the Mysterious Female Mother Qi), radiating a pure, powerful, and flawless innate Daoist aura!

The prototype of the First-Grade Celestial Infant has been formed!

However, at the very moment when the nascent soul completely separated from the physical body and began to interact with the laws of heaven and earth—

Princess Runyu's tightly closed eyes trembled violently, and a strange dark red appeared between her brows. The pure and perfect aura around her suddenly became disordered, and a trace of pain and struggle flashed across the face of her newly formed purple jade nascent soul.

The tribulation of inner demons has arrived!
The transition from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul is a leap in the essence of life, and also a complete "manifestation" of the soul. The newly formed Nascent Soul is fragile and sensitive, most easily triggering the obsessions, fears, desires, and karmic obstacles accumulated deep within the cultivator's heart… forming an invisible yet extremely dangerous inner demon that disintegrates the Dao heart from within and destroys the Nascent Soul!

Princess Runyu forcibly reversed the origin of the demon realm, defying the heavens. Her state of mind was already fluctuating violently, and she was deeply obsessed with the ultimate pursuit of a first-grade celestial infant. Now that her nascent soul had just formed, her inner demons instantly backfired, and the ferocity of it far exceeded that of ordinary nascent soul formation!
……

Outside the forbidden area.

Yunmeng Zhenjun was momentarily stunned by the sudden celestial phenomenon and surge of spiritual energy. He swept his divine sense across the forbidden area and instantly understood the situation.

"Her Nascent Soul is complete, and the tribulation of her inner demons has begun!" His eyes flashed with a sharp light. Far from being worried, a look of ruthlessness mixed with relief appeared on his face. "Good! Good timing! It's the moment when she's most vulnerable and least able to focus on anything else! If she overcomes her inner demons and attracts the heavenly tribulation, then the might of heaven will be overwhelming, and the lightning will lock her in. I will no longer be able to directly interfere and can only wait for her to succeed or fail in her tribulation..."

"We must completely interrupt her when she is going through her inner demon tribulation! We might even... trigger the demonic nature hidden within her, causing her to suffer a qi deviation and be doomed forever!"

Without further hesitation, facing the raging vortex of spiritual energy and the remaining defensive restrictions at the entrance to the forbidden area (which, though weakened by the Breaking Formation Pearl, still retained some power), he bit his tongue hard, spat out a mouthful of blood essence, and merged it into the Patrol Angel Token that reappeared in his hand.

"The dynasty's fortune helps me break through obstacles! The Heavenly Decree opens all laws!"

The purple-gold token shone brightly, with faint sounds of dragons roaring and phoenixes howling. A golden beam of light, extremely condensed and carrying a majestic and righteous yet cold and murderous aura, shot out and crashed hard into the last array barrier at the entrance of the forbidden area!

(End of this chapter)