49: First heard of the state examination

"Since that's the case, I won't hide anything. I've come here for three things. Two of them were instructed by my Royal Father, and I'm just relaying them. As for the third, it's Crown Prince Chu Chen's private matter."

Hearing this, Crown Prince Chu Chen didn't try to conceal anything and spoke frankly.

"Oh, please speak directly, Your Highness."

Seeing this, Crown Prince Chu Chen immediately took out an imperial edict from his Storage Pouch and slowly said,

"I've come here because my Imperial Father heard that Clan Leader Ling, your Aptitude is exceptional and unparalleled. He has specially bestowed upon you the title of Dynasty Marquis, with the honorific 'Unrivaled'. Additionally, the Dynasty Academy is about to begin its enrollment, and my Imperial Father has specially granted the Ling Family five admission slots."

Crown Prince Chu Chen responded slowly.

"Dynasty Marquis? Dynasty Academy?"

"Your Highness, what's this about the Marquis title and the Dynasty Academy? I won't be joining the Dynasty as an official, you know."

Hearing this, Ling Feng immediately looked at Crown Prince Chu Chen and asked, full of doubt.

"Clan Leader Ling, you've misunderstood. This Dynasty peerage doesn't require you to join the Dynasty. It merely asks that if the Dynasty faces a crisis in the future, you lend a hand to the Imperial Family within your capabilities."

"As for the Dynasty Academy, it is a place specifically for nurturing talent within our Imperial Dynasty. It gathers almost all the Geniuses of the entire Dynasty, and the Imperial Family spends massive resources each year to Cultivate the students within the Dynasty Academy."

"There are two objectives: one is to Cultivate capable individuals for our Dynasty, and the other is to select the most outstanding Prodigies to represent the Dynasty in the Province Trials of Xuan Tian Province."

The Province Trials of Xuan Tian Province are held by the major top Schools and forces in the Northern Region to recruit Disciples. There are similar Trials in other provinces as well.

"Young talents who perform exceptionally well in the Province Trials will have the opportunity to join the top forces of the Northern Region and soar to great heights."

"As for why the Dynasty expends vast resources to Cultivate such Geniuses to participate in the Province Trials, it's because if the young talents representing the Dynasty are noticed by a top Northern Region force, these top Sects in the Northern Region will provide a generous reward to their affiliated Dynasty."

"These rewards are enough to compensate the Dynasty for its previous investment in Cultivating these young Disciples."

"So that's how it is. Thank you, Your Highness, for patiently clarifying our doubts."

"Since that's the case, I, Ling, will gratefully accept this Dynasty Marquis title."

Ling Feng nodded secretly and responded with a smile.

"Haha, good. I'm sure my Imperial Father will be very pleased to know that Clan Leader Ling has accepted the Marquis title."

However, Ling Feng also realized that the so-called Province Trials were merely a way for these major forces in the Northern Region to avoid the effort of traveling across the entire Northern Region to select Disciples. Instead, by investing a small amount of resources, they could have the Dynasties in the subordinate provinces diligently help them complete the process of selecting Disciples.

It was simply an open conspiracy; everyone knew it, but no one could refuse.

"Your Highness, when does the Dynasty Academy begin enrollment? And what are the admission requirements?"

Thinking of this, Ling Feng immediately asked again.

"Haha, Clan Leader Ling, there's still a full year until the Dynasty Academy's enrollment, so there's plenty of time. As for the Dynasty Academy's admission criteria, one only needs to be under twenty years of age and have a Cultivation of Profound Martial Realm Middle Stage or above."

"I presume this condition shouldn't be a problem for the Ling Family."

"Although a Prodigy like Ling Feng might not be found in the Dynasty, there are still many young talents who can reach the Profound Martial Realm Middle Stage before their twentieth year."

Seeing this, Ling Feng's expression didn't change as he said with a faint smile,

"In one year, my Ling Family Disciples will report to the Dynasty Academy on time."

"Good, Clan Leader Ling is straightforward."

"Your Highness, now that the official business is done, what about this private matter?"

"Hahaha, Clan Leader Ling, this private matter was simply that I wanted to personally witness Clan Leader Ling's demeanor, and now that has been accomplished."

Hearing this, Crown Prince Chu Chen couldn't help but smile.

"Good."

"Your Highness is too kind."

"However, I, Ling, still thank Your Highness for personally making this trip to inform me about the Dynasty peerage and the Dynasty Academy."

"Good, since that's the case, my business is done, and it's time for me to leave."

Hearing this, Crown Prince Chu Chen stood up, smiled, and cupped his hands.

"Please convey my regards to King Chu on behalf of this Clan Leader, Your Highness."

Seeing this, Ling Feng also immediately stood up and cupped his hands in response.

"I will definitely deliver it. Crown Prince Chu Chen bids farewell, Clan Leader Ling, please stay."

Seeing this, Crown Prince Chu Chen bowed slightly, cupped his hands to Ling Feng again, and then led his entourage out of the Ling Family Residence.

"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Dynasty peerage. Family Luck value increased by fifty thousand."

As the System's prompt sounded in his mind, Ling Feng's face was filled with joy, and he immediately thought,

"I didn't expect to gain fifty thousand Family Luck so easily. Not bad, perhaps I can appropriately guide this Chu Family in the future."

Afterward, seeing that there was nothing major, Ling Feng returned to his courtyard and quietly Cultivated.

Inside the Cultivation chamber.

Ling Feng was surrounded by Top-Grade Spirit Stones, each emitting a rich Spiritual Qi.

The entire chamber was enveloped by the Spiritual Qi emanating from the Top-Grade Spirit Stones; the Spiritual Qi's density was almost on the verge of liquefying from gas.

Seeing this, Ling Feng didn't hesitate. He immediately activated the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength Cultivation Technique and began to refine this Spiritual Qi, using it for the Awakening of the giant elephant particles.

Constantly refining, constantly infusing... Cultivation knows no time.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed.

During this time, the Ling Family's development gradually stabilized, step by step moving onto the right track.

Suddenly, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi began to surge madly towards Ling Buyi's courtyard. All the Ling Family members were attracted by this commotion.

A moment later.

A tremendously powerful Aura suddenly erupted from his courtyard. The Family Disciples who were closer were almost suffocated by this Aura.

This Aura came quickly and left just as quickly, and the Family returned to peace.

Soon, news spread that Grand Elder Ling Buyi had successfully Broken Through to the Earth Martial Realm.

The number of Earth Martial Realm powerhouses in the Ling Family increased by one again, and its overall strength was further enhanced.

As soon as the news spread, the entire Ling Family once again erupted in cheers.

However, Ling Feng, who was currently in secluded Cultivation, was completely unaware of all this. He was fully immersed in his Cultivation...