2: The Elixir of Creation, the Spirit of Lü Bu

Leaving the Eastern Palace's separate residence, a large group of Prince Chu's Mansion guards swarmed around him.

Wu Zhong, the guard captain, seeing His Highness Prince Chu safe and sound, felt greatly relieved and knelt to apologize:

"Your subordinate failed in his duties; please punish me, Your Highness!"

Wu Zhong was over eight feet tall, with a broad back and powerful shoulders, a chiseled face, and an Aura of military Evil Qi subtly condensed between his brows. Even kneeling, he still exuded a pressing Aura, like a fierce beast poised to strike.

Tonight, at Xianle Tower, he sensed a faint killing intent aimed at Prince Chu. When he went out to investigate, he was entangled by someone.

By the time he rushed back in the shortest possible time, Prince Chu's life and death were unknown.

Wu Zhong offered no explanation for any of it, only seeking punishment.

"Hmph, I'll punish you properly when we get back." Xia Xuan feigned anger, kicking Wu Zhong away... Prince Chu's Mansion covered several thousand acres, with pavilions, towers, intricate eaves, and green tiles, all grand and sprawling.

In a pavilion in the mansion's garden.

Xia Xuan leisurely played with the red sandalwood Medicinal Pill box sent by the Crown Prince's subordinate.

Wu Zhong knelt to the side, looking ashamed.

"The secret guards dispatched by the Great General will arrive in a few days. At that time, this subordinate will atone with his death."

He kowtowed heavily.

Xia Xuan walked down the steps, looked at Wu Zhong, placed a hand on his shoulder, and smiled indifferently:

"You made a mistake, but it's not a capital offense. The enemy was hidden, and we were exposed, making it truly difficult to guard against."

His attitude in the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace was merely an act.

"You and I have been master and servant for more than ten years. I have seen everything you've done throughout these years. But mistakes must be punished; go and receive the whipping yourself."

Wu Zhong looked up slightly, his eyes glistening with a hint of disbelief.

His master, known for his ruthlessness and profligacy, would actually say such words.

Could it be that His Highness was always hiding his true abilities, and in fact, desired that position?

Xia Xuan did not offer further explanation.

He had just Transmigrated, and the number of truly loyal subordinates he had was pitifully small.

Wu Zhong had followed his predecessor for over a decade. He was a guard left to him by his deceased mother, and for over ten years, he had remained steadfast. Despite various difficulties and attempts by different factions to win him over, his loyalty never wavered.

His loyalty to Xia Xuan was almost fanatical.

Even if he were asked to assassinate the Emperor, he would dare to do it.

Furthermore, Wu Zhong was a master of the True Martial Realm Eighth Level, possessing formidable strength, and on the surface of the imperial capital, he had few rivals.

Allowing such a loyal and powerful subordinate to atone with his death would be tantamount to crippling himself.

After dismissing Wu Zhong, Xia Xuan sat alone in the pavilion, lost in thought for a long time, finally fully accepting the fact of his Transmigration.

The Imperial Family was ruthless, and the struggle for succession among the princes was the most brutal.

Today, he could receive such attentive care from the Crown Prince because of the power behind him.

Once his backing crumbled or met with an accident, he had no doubt that the Crown Prince would be the first to distance himself from him, or even step on him.

And as a member of the Crown Prince's faction, he was already caught in the vortex of conflict among the princes. If he lost power, he would be treading on thin ice, instantly shattered.

The most crucial factor was his own strength.

The Cultivation Realms known in Xia Xuan's memory were divided into:

Acquired, Innate, True Martial, Divine Martial, and Dharma Aspect.

The first four major Realms each had nine levels, while the Dharma Aspect Realm was divided into Illusory Dharma Aspect, Spiritual Dharma Aspect, and Divine Dharma Aspect.

It is said that the founding Martial Emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty, Martial God, was at the Peak of the Divine Dharma Aspect Realm.

Historical records state that two thousand years ago, during the chaotic struggle for power, he had the weakest foundation.

But his Cultivation was so profound it reached the heavens and earth, and he carved out a bloody path.

He assembled the most elite Heavenly Martial Army, treating the various Dynasties as nothing, and with a sweeping force, he pacified the Four Seas and established the Great Wu Dynasty, which lasted for nearly two thousand years.

At its most prosperous, the Great Wu Dynasty commanded the Four Seas and Five Regions, and all other six Imperial Dynasties paid tribute... The first Realm of Cultivation was the Acquired Realm.

To Cultivate to Perfection, one must continuously refine their Physical Body, training their Physique to the extreme.

Yet, Xia Xuan, this profligate, despite his decent talent and abundant resources, indulged in pleasure and never took Cultivation seriously. Relying on sheer resource accumulation, he was only at the Acquired Seventh Level Realm.

"My situation, it's not too late to work hard now, especially since I also have the Divine Pill sponsored by my good Imperial Brother."

Xia Xuan opened the red sandalwood Medicinal Pill box, and his gaze fell upon a round Medicinal Pill, the size of a longan, with black and white swirling together.

A rich Medicinal Pill fragrance filled his nose and mouth. Even a light sniff made one feel as if they were floating in the air.

The creation divine pill, a Divine Pill that improves Physique, enhances Cultivation, and boosts potential!

The Crown Prince himself was reluctant to consume it. Normally, he treated it as a treasure, guarded by many, hoping to save it for later to aid his breakthrough to the Divine Martial Realm. Yet, unexpectedly, it fell into Xia Xuan's hands.

Xia Xuan didn't hesitate; like eating candy, he put the Medicinal Pill into his mouth.

The creation divine pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a warm current that went straight to his abdomen and spread throughout his limbs and bones.

"Hiss~"

Wisps of white Qi steamed from his body.

"So comfortable!"

At this moment, Xia Xuan felt as if he had undergone a complete transformation. His bones crackled, and a large amount of foul Impurities was expelled from his pores.

At the most intense point of transformation, he even shed a thick layer of skin.

His new skin was as delicate as a baby's, fair as jade, and his entire demeanor was refreshed, even his appearance greatly improved.

He clenched his fist, unleashing a surging, astonishing power, as if he could punch an elephant to death.

"Innate First Level!"

Xia Xuan's expression was joyful; his Realm had directly increased by three levels.

Furthermore, his hearing, smell, sight... all became several times sharper than before, and even his brain's ability to think became more agile.

"Truly worthy of the name Creation!"

Xia Xuan, attended by several beautiful maids, bathed and changed, washing away the remaining filth, and returned to his room.

He sent away the blushing maid who was warming his bed.

Xia Xuan slept alone, waking in the middle of the night, his deep black eyes captivating.

At the Innate Realm, one could already control Innate Protective Aura.

He manipulated wisps of Protective Aura, extending them outwards, and after confirming no one was peeking into his bedroom, he began to concentrate.

Golden characters appeared.

"Do you wish to summon the Heroic Spirit Lü Bu?"

"Yes!"

Xia Xuan silently recited in his heart.

The next moment, a sudden gust of cold wind rose.

In the shadows, the Origin Qi of heaven and earth condensed, forming the figure of a tall martial general.

He wore dark gold armor, wielded a square halberd, and was even taller than Wu Zhong. He stood firm as a mountain, his gaze like lightning.

In the darkness, he was like a dormant malevolent god.

"Heroic Spirit's body, immortal and indestructible, absolutely loyal. It can be ethereal or materialized for Cultivation."

"After each death, it can be resurrected with its previous strength after ten days."

"Heroic Spirit: Lü Bu"

"Realm: Divine Martial Sixth Level"

"Divine Ability: Demonic God Body"

"Weapon: square halberd"

"This subordinate Lü Bu, greets Prince Chu!" In the darkness, Lü Bu slowly bowed.

"Divine Martial Realm Sixth Level!?"

Xia Xuan's heart trembled. As expected, he was not disappointed; the Heroic Spirit was not only immortal and indestructible but also incredibly powerful in Cultivation.

The most terrifying thing was that he could also Cultivate and improve.

"Fengxian, how much do you know about this world?" Xia Xuan asked.