If you force me to take the blame, I'll spend a day in jail and gain a year's worth of spi

Inside the prison, Zhang Yu slowly opened his eyes.

Feeling the surging, increasingly refined and powerful internal energy within him, he was slightly disappointed.

The third day's "one year's cultivation" infusion was completed. This time, the growth rate of his cultivation was slower than he expected. He did not break through to the Innate Realm as he had anticipated, but instead remained steadily at the peak of the Ninth Rank.

"It seems that the martial arts barrier between the Innate and Ninth Ranks is much larger than I imagined."

Zhang Yu understood. He had only been at the first rank of cultivation before, and his knowledge of high-rank martial arts was limited. He only knew that the ninth rank and above was the innate level, but he did not know the vast gap between them.

Only now, having experienced it firsthand, do I understand why, in such a vast country as Wei, with a population of 80 million, there are only a handful of innate masters on the surface.

This is not merely a matter of resource accumulation, but a crucial leap in the level of life, a profound understanding of the true meaning of martial arts, and a threshold for initial control over the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Countless exceptionally talented martial artists are stuck at the peak of the ninth rank throughout their lives, unable to advance an inch.

"However, at this rate, I will definitely break through to the Innate Realm tomorrow."

Zhang Yu was full of confidence.

The system's "one year of cultivation" is based on the standards of unparalleled geniuses, so the quality is extremely high and the foundation is incredibly solid. Breakthrough is only a matter of time.

He was about to get up and stretch his limbs when his gaze swept over Xiao Sheng, who was diligently directing the maid to serve him tea and water. He then glanced at the wide passage between the two prison cells, which had been completely opened up and connected at some point, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Power, what a wonderful thing."

Originally, the Ministry of Justice's prison was strictly regulated and clearly divided.

If it were just Xiao Sheng alone, even as the heir of Prince Jing, it would be no easy task for him to break through the two prison cells for serious offenders.

But now, after learning about "part of the truth" about Zhang Yu, the attitude of everyone in the Jingwang Mansion, from Prince Jing Xiao Jingfeng to Princess Fenghua, has completely changed.

They tacitly approved of, and even secretly supported, Xiao Sheng's "nonsense".

With the power of the Prince Jing's mansion, breaking through the two prison cells was not a difficult task.

Thus, Zhang Yu's "single room" became a "suite".

Not only was the living space greatly increased, but Xiao Sheng also decorated the environment to be comfortable and luxurious, which was in stark contrast to the cold and filthy areas of the prison.

Just as Zhang Yu was marveling at the convenience of power, a young voice filled with mockery and ridicule came from the other end of the passage:

"Oh, isn't this our famous Prince Jing's heir, Xiao Sheng?"

I heard that in order to get out of this predicament as soon as possible, you directed and starred in a grand show called "Chairman Du's Secret Investigation of the Prison," and even colluded with prisoners to make the prison a mess?

Your scam was exposed in public by Princess Fenghua, how dare you still continue this act?

As the words were spoken, a young man dressed in a purple robe and gold belt swaggered over, surrounded by a group of attendants.

His face bore a resemblance to Xiao Sheng's, but his eyes held a more mean and arrogant air, and his gaze toward Xiao Sheng was filled with undisguised hostility and schadenfreude.

The visitor was none other than Xiao Yun, the heir apparent of Prince Rui.

Prince Rui and Prince Jing had a long-standing feud and often argued in court.

With their father constantly at war, it's no wonder that the two heirs, Xiao Yun and Xiao Sheng, couldn't get along.

Now that he has heard that Xiao Sheng has made a big fool of himself in the prison, how could Xiao Yun let go of this good opportunity to kick him when he is down?

Upon seeing Xiao Yun, Xiao Sheng's face instantly darkened, and he sneered, "What I do is none of your business to criticize me!"

"Hmph, stubborn as a mule."

Xiao Yun pointed at Zhang Yu with his fan and sneered, "You're like a complete idiot, colluding with this prisoner to put on an act. Everyone in the capital knows that now."

His entourage also burst into laughter, pointing and whispering at Xiao Sheng, doing everything they could to mock him.

"Mr. Zhang is a man of great talent, far beyond the comprehension of a fool like you."

When Zhang Yu was mentioned, Xiao Sheng appeared extremely restrained.

"Him?"

Xiao Yun glanced at Zhang Yu sideways and said disdainfully:

"A discarded son of the Marquis of Yong'an, who looks like a deformed melon, is he worthy of being associated with Chairman Du?"

Xiao Sheng, you can't even find a decent supporting role for your acting.

Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow, feeling as if he had been personally attacked.

"You are not allowed to humiliate Mr. Zhang like this."

Xiao Sheng was furious, but he dared not actually make a move, because he was no match for him.

He could only grit his teeth and utter harsh words: "Once I get out of here, I'll make you pay."

"Hehe, you should first think about how to explain to your imperial grandfather that you fabricated rumors about Chairman Du."

Xiao Yun sneered disdainfully, his gaze falling on Zhang Yu once more:

"And this prisoner who conspired with you to put on an act actually dared to impersonate Chairman Du's friend. This is a serious crime of disrespect."

As a member of the royal family, how could I, the Crown Prince, sit idly by?

"Help! Someone, come here!"

Two imposing guards immediately stepped forward from among his entourage; they were clearly experts.

"Break the arms and legs of this audacious prisoner who dared to collude with Xiao Sheng and disrespect Chairman Du's reputation, and send him to the Alchemist Guild to plead guilty."

Xiao Yun shouted sharply, a cruel glint in his eyes.

He not only wanted to humiliate Xiao Sheng, but also wanted to use Zhang Yu, this swindler, to get close to Du Jun.

That was the real purpose of his trip.

"You dare!"

Xiao Sheng was shocked and quickly stood in front of Zhang Yu's cell, saying, "Xiao Yun, this is the Ministry of Justice's prison, not your backyard."

"So what if it's the Ministry of Justice's prison?"

"I suspect this man is conspiring with you to commit treason. What's wrong with taking him in for questioning?"

Xiao Yun was fearless. His Prince Rui's mansion had considerable influence in the Ministry of Justice. Arresting an ordinary prisoner was just a matter of a word.

Upon receiving the order, the two guards grinned and were about to step forward to push Xiao Sheng aside and forcibly open the prison door to arrest him.

Xiao Sheng was sweating profusely with anxiety. He knew that Zhang Yu's strength was unfathomable, but he also knew that Zhang Yu did not want to reveal his strength.

At this critical moment, Zhang Yu, who had seemed detached from the situation, suddenly sighed softly.

Then, he slowly raised his head and opened his eyes.

His gaze calmly fell on the two guards who were about to make a move.

There was no murderous intent, no oppressive aura, only a bottomless calm.

However, it was this calm gaze that made the two seasoned guards freeze in shock.

They felt as if they were facing not a person, but a volcano about to erupt, or a bottomless, icy pool.

Danger!

Extremely dangerous!

The two men's expressions changed drastically, cold sweat instantly soaked their backs, and they involuntarily took a half step back.

The two instinctively placed their hands on the hilts of their knives, as if facing a formidable enemy, and dared not take another step forward.

Seeing this, Xiao Yun frowned and angrily said, "Useless trash, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and do it!"

However, the two guards seemed not to hear him. They just stared at Zhang Yu, their bodies trembling slightly, and dared not make the slightest move.

Zhang Yu looked at Xiao Yun, a very faint smile curving his lips, and spoke in a calm voice:

"Prince Rui's heir?"

"You want to break my limbs so you can curry favor with Du Jun?"