193: Zheng Chengrui

Chapter 192: Zheng Chengrui

Imperial Palace, White Jade Capital.

In the underground secret chamber, Zheng Yi sat cross-legged, cultivating the Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture.

The first step of cultivation was to sense Spiritual Qi.

Only by following the special methods within their respective Cultivation Techniques could one sense the illusory yet ubiquitous Spiritual Qi in the world.

After sensing the Spiritual Qi, the next step was the second step.

Drawing qi into the body.

Absorbing the Spiritual Qi into the body, circulating it through the Meridians according to one's Cultivation Technique, and converting it throughout the entire body.

This would transform it into special magical power generated in accordance with the Cultivation Technique.

Only upon completing the first step could one be considered to have truly stepped onto the path of cultivation!

Normally, ordinary Cultivators with four Spiritual Roots, three Spiritual Roots, or even dual Spiritual Roots...

...wanted to sense Spiritual Qi and draw qi into the body as quickly as possible, they all had to use medicinal baths brewed with specially formulated decoctions to stimulate their Physique, or rely on assistance from formations like the Spirit Gathering Formation.

Only then could they sense Spiritual Qi in the shortest possible time.

Logically speaking, since Zheng Yi's Spiritual Root was a five-attribute false Spiritual Root, his cultivation speed should have been very slow.

Yet, less than the time it took for a stick of incense to burn after entering meditation, he clearly felt five faint ripples of Spiritual Qi appear within his body, gathering toward his Dantian.

He abruptly opened his eyes.

"So fast... Is it because of those seven strands of innate spiritual energy? Or could it be... that the "Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture" just happens to match my Five Elements Spiritual Roots! Is that why my cultivation speed is so fast..."

He suppressed the doubts in his heart and patiently continued his cultivation.

According to the description in the "Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture", a Cultivator could step into the first layer of the Qi Refinement Phase once they converted Spiritual Qi of different attributes into magical power and condensed a vortex of magical power in their Dantian.

Of course, his current cultivation Realm was the second layer of the Qi Refinement Phase, and there were already two magical power vortices at his Dantian.

What he needed to do now was to use the "Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture" to transform these two attribute-less magical power vortices at his Dantian into Five Elements attribute magical power!

A night quickly passed, and Zheng Yi opened his eyes once more.

"The first magical power vortex has only converted less than a tenth; the speed is so slow..."

"However, this feeling of Spiritual Qi entering the body is simply too comfortable!"

"It feels just like soaking in a hot spring; no wonder legendary Cultivators, after their cultivation Realms improved, could go into secluded cultivation for decades, or even centuries or millennia!"

"Cultivate, Cultivate!"

He muttered to himself. How could he possibly waste the Cultivation Technique he had waited so long to obtain?

Influenced by the obsession in his heart, Zheng Yi once again plunged into cultivation.

Wisps and threads of Spiritual Qi followed the operation of the Cultivation Technique, slowly seeping into his body and subsequently transforming into magical power.

At his Dantian, the two attribute-less magical power vortices slowly rotated, gradually transforming into dense Five Elements attribute magical power.

His cultivation Realm was also improving step by step.

The underground palace beneath White Jade Capital had been remodeled by him into more than ten huge quiet rooms, built specially for his cultivation.

Aside from his own cultivation, Cui Xiabing, Zhuang Yuheng, Yuechan, as well as Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu, had also chosen separate quiet rooms here to Cultivate.

Three months later!

The doors of the underground palace, which had been closed for secluded cultivation for a long time, were finally opened.

Zheng Yi's figure slowly appeared. Liu Chengen, who had been waiting outside the underground palace, led numerous eunuchs and quickly knelt on the ground.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

"Mm."

He nodded slowly. During his first cultivation session, after three months of secluded cultivation, he had finally transformed the two attribute-less magical power vortices in his body into Five Elements attribute magical power.

At the same time, relying on the "Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture", he also condensed a third magical power vortex.

In other words... his cultivation Realm had stepped into Qi Refining Level 3!

After stepping into Qi Refining Level 3, for some reason his mind was uneasy, as if something was about to happen, so he gave specific instructions to the eunuchs of White Jade Capital.

After stabilizing his Realm, he stepped out of his seclusion area.

Looking back, the other imperial consorts in secluded cultivation had not yet emerged, apparently still cultivating.

Among the imperial consorts, Cui Xiabing and Zhuang Yuheng were already Qi Refining Level 3 Cultivators and were now advancing toward the fourth layer.

Yuechan, like himself, was also at Qi Refining Level 2 three months ago, and he didn't know if she had broken through by now.

Most importantly, all three of them were pregnant and did not come here to Cultivate constantly, occasionally going outside as well.

Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu were just starting to contact cultivation, and they were still condensing magical power, not even reaching the first layer of Qi Refining.

During these three months, apart from cultivating, the few of them would also exchange insights on Qi Refining.

Under the guidance of the three Seniors, Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu even embarked on the path of Qi Refining.

As for the two little girls Princess Yao and Zheng Yuhuan, they also cultivated here.

However, they only came once in a while and were taught by Consort Cui.

After all, they were still young, and Zheng Yi couldn't bear to have them leave their birth mothers so early at such a tender age to Cultivate in this vast and lonely underground palace.

"Chengen, has anything major happened?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Lan Consort is about to give birth!"

"I see, no wonder I felt somewhat uneasy in my mind during my seclusion these past few days. Prepare the imperial carriage for Lanling Palace."

"Understood!"

The imperial carriage headed toward Lanling Palace. Along the way, Zheng Yi carefully observed the surrounding crowds and environment coming and going.

All along the way, numerous eunuchs and palace maids knelt down to salute.

Before long, the imperial carriage had arrived at Lanling Palace.

As soon as they reached the entrance, a loud cry came from within the bedchamber.

"Wuwuwu...!"

Liu Chengen hurriedly said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty! This child has come at truly the right time; Your Majesty has just emerged from seclusion, and he has been born~"

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "You're always so quick-witted. Go take a look quickly."

"Understood!"

Stepping into the bedchamber of Lanling Palace, several imperial consorts who were close friends with Lan Consort were already waiting outside the main hall.

Empress Lu Liner, Consort De Li Changle, Consort Duan Xu Qingluan, and others were gathered around a wet nurse, smiling and teasing.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

A palace maid noticed Zheng Yi's figure and hurriedly knelt to salute.

"Has Your Majesty arrived?"

The several imperial consorts also came to their senses and offered their salutations one after another.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "I sensed Rong'er giving birth and specifically emerged from seclusion. I wonder how Rong'er and the child are doing?"

Lu Liner smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!"

"Little sister Lan Lingrong and the child are both safe and sound, and little sister Lan Lingrong has also given birth to an imperial prince for Your Majesty~"

"Oh? Let me see?"

Zheng Yi took the child from the wet nurse's hands and looked; it was a plump, energetic little infant with large, dark, rolling eyes that looked just like two black grapes.

Lifting the swaddling clothes to take a look, the little fellow was soft and extremely cute.

"Good, good, good."

Zheng Yi teased the child for a moment and handed him back to the wet nurse.

"You all wait here; I'll go check on Rong'er."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi walked into the bedchamber, where the scent of blood had already become very faint.

Upon seeing Zheng Yi, Lan Lingrong also struggled to sit up.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty..."

"Rong'er, be careful!"

Zheng Yi took two quick steps forward to steady Lan Lingrong, saying, "You have just given birth, don't move around recklessly. Recovering properly during your confinement is better than anything else."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lan Lingrong's complexion was somewhat pale, but her spirits were undoubtedly very good.

"This concubine has not failed expectations and has birthed an imperial prince for Your Majesty."

"With this, this concubine can finally rest at ease."

"Beloved Consort, you've had a hard time."

Zheng Yi touched Lan Lingrong's forehead, feeling a sense of heartache in his heart.

For a long time, his feeling toward Lan Lingrong was merely viewing her as a beautiful concubine.

She was indeed very pretty, losing nothing in comparison to the Empress, Consort Duan, and others, while possessing an extra trace of allure.

Moreover, she was very smart.

She often came up with ideas while playing, which frequently gave Zheng Yi sudden enlightenment.

Especially the plan to deal with Xu Xuanwu last time—it had come precisely from her hands!

Coupled with the fact that she was open-minded and frequently organized other noble ladies to share the same bed with him, Zheng Yi held deep affection for Lan Lingrong.

But now, after Lan Lingrong had given birth to a child for him, that affection driven purely by physical beauty had undergone a change.

It felt somewhat like... familial affection?

"Your Majesty~"

Lan Lingrong suddenly asked, "Have you and Consort Cui and the others already stepped onto the path of cultivation?"

Zheng Yi nodded and spoke, "Yes."

"Consort Cui, Consort Yu, Consort Chan, Dongyun Jie, Dongyun Yu, and I all possess the aptitude for cultivation."

"Even Princess Yao and Zheng Yuhuan possess the aptitude for cultivation."

"However, they are still young now and can only take it slowly."

"Aptitude for cultivation..."

Lan Lingrong held Zheng Yi's large hand and asked, "What is that?"

"Spiritual Roots."

Zheng Yi said concisely, "A special Physique or bone structure. Only by possessing Spiritual Roots can one Cultivate."

"Your Majesty, I wonder if this concubine has the aptitude for cultivation?"

"Rong'er?"

"This concubine also wishes to accompany Your Majesty by your side. I don't dare ask for too much time, only hoping for a hundred years will suffice."

Zheng Yi stroked Lan Lingrong's beautiful hair and slowly shook his head, saying, "Rong'er..."

"Your Majesty, you don't need to say anything; this concubine knows."

Lan Lingrong smiled softly and said, "This concubine does not have Spiritual Roots and cannot Cultivate, right?"

Zheng Yi let out a long sigh and could only nod helplessly.

Let alone Lan Lingrong, even Empress Lu Liner, Xu Qingluan, Yang Huan, Bi He, Li Changle, Consort Wan, and Miao Consort did not have Spiritual Roots and could not Cultivate!

Regarding matters of Spiritual Roots, not only Lan Consort, but even the Empress and Consort Duan had asked similar questions, and he could only persuade them helplessly in this manner.

In this lifetime of theirs, they only had a few decades of youth and could only spend their entire lives within these deep palace courtyards.

Therefore, to make up for them in certain aspects, Zheng Yi complied with their every wish.

As long as it wasn't too excessive a request, he would agree, letting them spend this life happily and joyfully.

"Rong'er, rest assured, I will make time to come out of seclusion to see you all..."

Lan Lingrong covered Zheng Yi's mouth with her hand and softly said, "Your Majesty's grand affairs come first; this concubine has so many sisters here in the palace."

"That's right, didn't this concubine just give birth to an imperial prince for you?"

"With him around, this concubine won't be too lonely."

"I wonder if Your Majesty has thought of a name for our child?"

"A name? Of course I've thought of it."

Zheng Yi pinched Lan Lingrong's perky little nose and said, "Rong'er, you are intelligent and endearing, and you have always been resourceful. I have specially named him 'Rui'."

"Rui means wisdom, brilliance, and sagacity."

"Zheng Chengrui, how is that?"

"Rui..."

Lan Lingrong murmured, her eyes lighting up slightly, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After speaking with Lan Lingrong for a bit longer, Zheng Yi stood up to leave: "Alright, Rong'er has just finished giving birth, so rest well. I still have some matters to attend to."

"Yes, this concubine respectfully sends Your Majesty off!"

Watching Zheng Yi leave, Lan Lingrong's gaze shifted slightly, and she let out a long sigh as she lay back down on the bed.

"Rui, Rui... Although it implies intelligence, it is ultimately an ordinary word."

"Compared to the Empress's Ji and Consort Duan's Wu, in Your Majesty's eyes, can my child only be an ordinary person who happens to be smart?"

"A clever person... has no affinity for the imperial throne."

"My child, born into the imperial family, I don't know whether this is your fortune or your misfortune..."

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