99: Chapter 99 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Forty-Seven)

The courtyard gate of the detached residence was crafted from purple sandalwood, with a plaque featuring gold characters on a black background hanging above it, inscribed with the four words "Yuanlan Courtyard."

The brushwork was dignified, carrying an air of imperial majesty.

On both sides of the gate stood two century-old spirit bamboos, verdant and upright.

When the wind blew, the bamboo leaves rustled, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan pushed open the gate and led Chu Shi inside.

Upon entering the gate, a surge of even denser Heaven and Earth Origin Energy rushed toward them, more than twice as concentrated as it was outside.

Clearly, a top-tier Origin Gathering Formation had been set up here.

Chu Shi felt truly envious; as expected of a provincial prince's mansion, its foundation was indeed profound.

Compared to these nobles, their Chu family was practically impoverished within this Holy Land.

His Tingyang Courtyard still relied on its original built-in formations to this day.

Inside the courtyard, there was an even more spectacular sight.

Facing them was a courtyard paved with bluestone, with a lotus pond carved in the center.

The water in the pond was channeled spirit spring water, clear enough to see the bottom.

Several pink lotus flowers were in full bloom, and a few golden-scaled spirit fish swam in the pond; seeing people approach, they flicked their tails and swam away.

Beside the lotus pond were several aged spirit osmanthus trees; although it was not yet their flowering season, a faint, fresh fragrance could already be smelled.

On the left side of the courtyard stood a hexagonal pavilion with upturned eaves.

Inside the pavilion were stone tables and benches, with bronze wind chimes hanging from it.

When the wind blew, the chimes produced a clear and melodious sound.

On the right were the main house and side rooms, featuring carved beams and painted pillars, yet without being excessively luxurious.

Everywhere exuded the unique elegance and nobility of a prince's mansion descendant; every brick and tile revealed a profound foundation.

Compared to Chu Shi's Tingyang Courtyard, which only had one main room and two side rooms with simple furnishings, this Yuanlan Courtyard was undoubtedly far more exquisite and luxurious.

A flash of understanding crossed Chu Shi's eyes.

Within the Great Sun Holy Land, the allocation of mountain peaks and courtyards had always been based on cultivation and status.

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan was just a newly admitted Core Disciple; even as a prince of the Canglan Princes Mansion, it was impossible for him to be assigned such a fine courtyard.

Clearly, behind this, the Old Prince of the Canglan Princes Mansion had utilized his connections and favors within the Holy Land to arrange such a treasure trove for cultivation for Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan.

The profound foundation of the Canglan Princes Mansion, or the Xiao clan, throughout the entire Tianwu Dynasty could be seen from this.

"How is it? My courtyard isn't bad, right?"

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan smiled and led Chu Shi into the pavilion, raising his hand to signal him to sit.

"This was specially arranged by my royal father through his elders.

Cultivation is secondary; the main thing is that it is quiet and no one will disturb us."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and soon, two maidservants dressed in green arrived carrying tea trays.

They gently placed the teapot and teacups on the stone table, set down a few plates of exquisite spirit fruits and pastries, and then bowed and retreated, making not a single sound throughout the process.

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Chu Shi.

The tea broth was a pale, clear emerald green, with steam rising from it, carrying a faint, serene aura of the morning sun.

It was the Morning Sun Mist Bud, unique to the Great Sun Holy Land.

With less than ten catties produced each year, it was extremely precious and generally only available to True Inheritor Disciples and those at the level of Elders or above.

"Try it. This is the Morning Sun Mist Bud I obtained when I visited an elder last month.

It is best for nourishing the soul; I haven't been able to bring myself to drink it, just waiting for you to come," Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan said with a smile.

Chu Shi received it with both hands, lifted the teacup, and took a gentle sip.

As the tea entered his throat, a clear, moist warmth slid down, instantly spreading through his limbs and bones; even his soul felt as if it had been soaked in warm water, feeling warm and extremely comfortable.

"Good tea," Chu Shi said, putting down the teacup and praising it lightly.

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan laughed, poured himself a cup and took a sip, then looked at Chu Shi, his tone becoming a bit more serious:

"By the way, I have already received the message you asked the members of the prince's mansion to pass to me yesterday at the Canglan Courtyard.

I got up early this morning and pushed aside all my cultivation lessons.

I didn't even go out, just waited for you in this courtyard, fearing that I wouldn't be here when you arrived."

Chu Shi nodded slightly and was just about to speak, but Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan waved his hand and said with a smile:

"No rush. We brothers haven't seen each other for a long time; let's not rush to talk about business.

It's hard to meet, so let's have a good chat first."

As he spoke, he opened the floodgates and began chatting with Chu Shi.

The two started by talking about their cultivation experiences over the past three months.

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan complained about the hardships of his ascetic training and how boring the cultivation lessons at Zhengyang Peak were, and then told Chu Shi quite a few interesting anecdotes and secrets of the Holy Land.

For instance, there was a very inconspicuous disciple in the Diyin Courtyard who suddenly awakened a rare spirit body, becoming a prominent figure in the Outer Sect overnight and basically locking in a spot for promotion to Inner Sect Disciple in the annual grand competition.

Or, for example, there was an Inner Sect Disciple at Luoxia Peak who was quite attractive and was also a master of time management.

To get promoted to Core Disciple, she had pushed her strengths to the extreme, juggling relationships with several male disciples from other peaks who possessed extremely strong combat power.

As it turned out, during one date, a male disciple prepared a surprise for his goddess and laid an ambush in advance at their usual meeting spot.

As a result, the surprise wasn't delivered, but a shock was; the three of them started fighting on the spot.

Later, it was spread by disciples watching the spectacle, and one after another, several more aggrieved parties joined the fray, fighting uncontrollably, unable to be pulled apart.

It wasn't until an Elder from the Enforcement Hall arrived that they were separated.

Right now, those few are still stuck in the Enforcement Hall on the main peak, and the Elders of their respective peaks are truly too embarrassed to go and claim them...

Chu Shi listened quietly, occasionally speaking up to respond.

After several lifetimes of reincarnation, he had long passed the age for gossiping.

But seeing Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan's enthusiastic expression, he didn't interrupt, only holding a faint smile in his eyes.

After chatting for more than an hour, Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan suddenly slapped his forehead, as if remembering something important, and said to Chu Shi with a smile:

"Right, I almost forgot the main business.

My sister Princess Xiao Xiao, you remember her, right? She is currently cultivating at Luoxia Peak and is also a Core Disciple.

Since you are here, you must see her, but Luoxia Peak is full of female disciples; it's not convenient for two grown men like us to go up there, as it's easy to invite gossip."

As he spoke, he took out a transmission talisman from his chest, injected a wisp of blood energy with his fingertip, and the talisman instantly lit up with spiritual light.

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan spoke a few words into the transmission talisman, nothing more than asking Princess Xiao Xiao to come to Yuanlan Courtyard for a visit, saying that Chu Shi had arrived and they should get together.

Then, with a flick of his finger, the transmission talisman turned into a streak of light and flew off in the direction of Luoxia Peak.

"I've already sent her the message. When she hears you've come, she'll definitely be happy to come over,"

Seventh Prince Xiao Yuan put his hand away and said with a smile:

"Let's not just sit around waiting. Come, let's play chess!

I want to see if your chess skills are as monstrous as your cultivation."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a set of spirit chess pieces instantly appeared on the stone table.

The spirit chess set was smooth and warm throughout, glowing with a faint spiritual light; one look and it was clear it was worth a fortune.

Chu Shi did not decline either, nodding slightly: "Alright."