stjorthotic Chapter 986 Bloodline Token, Northern Marquis
Chapter 986 Bloodline Token, Northern Marquis
Only when Ji Shulan's aura completely disappeared from his divine sense did Chen Ping'an truly withdraw his gaze.
He had already figured out the purpose of Ji Shulan's trip.
But Chen Ping'an was still somewhat surprised by the benefits and conditions she offered to win him over.
Ji Shulan is really willing to spend money.
If his senses are correct, Ji Shulan is still a virgin, her body as pure as jade.
If one were to cultivate with another, the benefits would be greatest. The first attempt would likely allow the cultivation progress of the dual cultivation technique to accumulate more than a hundred points of cultivation experience.
His subsequent cultivation will also go smoothly, and the results should be much better than those of Gu Qingchan.
After all, Ji Shulan's cultivation had reached the perfection of the second realm, making her no ordinary celestial being.
Furthermore, given that she is a virgin and has never experienced the pleasures of this place, her previous cultivation sessions are definitely something to look forward to.
If it can penetrate to the bone marrow, it might be able to push his dual cultivation technique to a very high level.
Although he has many principles and bottom lines, he is not a saint in his dealings with others.
This kind of mutually agreeable transaction interaction does not go against his true intentions, and he is still happy to do it.
But after careful consideration, he ultimately declined.
“There are other opportunities to practice dual cultivation, but once you make an agreement with each other, the restrictions are not so easy to remove.”
If his deal with Ji Shulan is finalized, it won't be easy for him to extricate himself from it later. No matter how powerful he is, his interests are now tied to Ji Shulan's.
Although they are not Daoist partners, in a certain sense they are equivalent to Daoist partners.
He aspired to rule the world and naturally did not want to be bound so easily.
Such agreements are closely related to one's Dao heart. Although they can be forcibly violated, if this happens frequently, it may affect his future cultivation.
Chen Ping'an has a bright future ahead of him, so naturally he wouldn't ruin it.
"Power can bewitch people, and wealth can be blinding."
Chen Ping'an sighed softly and returned to his room.
The struggle for the throne of Bi Cang is a contest for power, but it is also a contest for the right path.
This is a struggle for the highest position, and also a struggle for the greatest principles.
Within the system of the Bicang County Prince's Mansion, once one cultivates to the Celestial Realm, the supply of all resources approaches a certain limit.
If you want to seek more external assistance, you can only demonstrate your own value and climb higher on the path of power.
Once you reach the second realm, it's impossible to get the full support of the Bi Cang County Prince's Mansion to help you break through to the Great Cultivation Realm.
Even for a mansion of the size of the Bicang County Prince's Mansion, the corresponding resources and spiritual objects are extremely rare.
For outsiders, there's no need to even consider it, but for descendants of the bloodline, if they want the full support of the Prince's Mansion, they must ascend to that position.
As for the others, no matter how talented they are, they should be relegated to the back.
This is not because it is inhumane, but because it is determined by the system.
No matter how long the Bi Cang Prince's Mansion has been passed down, and even with the added benefit of being granted a fiefdom by the royal bloodline, its resources are still limited.
Such limitations are imperceptible to those below.
Because there are towering trees everywhere above. Anything that leaks out from between their fingers is enough to make those below extremely wealthy.
The more noble one's status and the higher one's position, the more one will experience this limitation.
Once you cross that threshold, you'll have to fight for and strive for whatever you want.
If we want to break this deadlock, there are only a few paths ahead.
First, expand the pie, lead the forces, expand territory, occupy more land, project more influence, and reap more substantial benefits.
As the overall market size increases, the upper limits of all related aspects naturally rise as well.
However, all parties are considering this, and it is already difficult to maintain their basic base, let alone expand.
That's easier said than done!
Such a situation cannot be achieved without great perseverance and good fortune!
The rest of the people mostly just think about it and talk the talk.
Before sitting in that position, one feels that everything in the world is as easy as turning one's hand. But once in that position, one discovers that there are so many shackles and restrictions.
Before taking that position, I had a constant stream of ideas, and when a brilliant idea came to me, I felt that all the difficult things in the world could be solved in no time.
But once you're in that position, you'll find that while you have a multitude of ideas, the real challenge lies in weighing them.
Anyone can make a decision, even a child.
But the difficult thing in this world is the consequence after making a decision.
Only by taking responsibility for the consequences can true ability be demonstrated.
Instead of indulging in wishful thinking and shirking responsibility.
This situation is still good. Most people's ideas before taking office only become laughable once they actually sit in the seat of power.
Some things, some rules, some paths have not been followed because those who came before us have already taught us through blood and tears.
The things you think of, you find mysterious, because...
Our understanding hasn't reached that stage yet.
Expanding territory is a feat that few among all factions and countless successors can accomplish.
A ruler who can maintain the status quo is already a rare find.
Besides this approach, we can also connect with various stakeholders, expand our operations, and continuously explore and manipulate the market, seeking variables amidst the interplay of interests among all parties.
The relationships involved are extremely complex. Some help each other, some exploit each other, and some become subservient to each other.
In addition, there is the opportunity to reach a higher stage and seek greater gains in a wider world.
There are many paths ahead, but achieving the best results on any of them is not easy.
Chen Ping'an's emotions shifted, a myriad of thoughts arising in a single moment.
Individual cultivators face their own difficulties, and powerful groups have their own limitations; under the sun, there is no such thing as perfection.
With his current perspective, he sees those ordinary Celestial Realm forces as being trapped within their confines, facing numerous restrictions. They are far less free than he is now.
But back in the day, when he was only at the level of inner energy and profound light, the cultivation systems of those powerful and privileged individuals were something he could hardly obtain even with the utmost effort.
From the perspective of that time, one would naturally feel envy towards those who belonged to that system.
By extension, one's perspective in the future is also one's mindset today.
At his current level, he can take a more relaxed view of powerful forces like the Bi Cang County Prince's Mansion. All resources depend on the foundation of the power, the realization of value, and the struggle between different systems.
But he still couldn't help but feel envious of those super-large forces that dominated a region, and of their complete cultivation techniques and orderly inheritance.
The Crimson Sky Treasure Scroll from the Crimson Sky Alliance, the Crimson Sky Melting Gold Body, and the Acquired Body he had heard about before—these were all things he longed for.
Then there's the North Sea Merchant Alliance, with its extremely prosperous trade and immeasurable wealth. The mere fact that Princess Xingyue was seeking a husband caused a sensation throughout the world.
That Aurora Blade Technique, that Aurora Ruyi Blade, were all things he desired.
Such sentiments stemmed from envy of the power structure, but by now, his horizons had broadened and his mind had settled. He knew that every gift, at the moment it was given, had a price tag attached.
Such envy is only temporary.
With his current momentum, growing stronger every day, and his progress in cultivation, these forces will all become a thing of the past.
The same applies to the Great Celestial Beings who cultivate to the highest level, and also to the Great Celestial Beings of Martial Arts!
In the past, the Bicang Prince's Mansion was a colossal behemoth, and the coming-of-age ceremony of the young Bicang Princess caused him to tremble with fear.
Today, the Princess of Bi Cang invited him with great benefits and offered herself as a token of her sincerity, but he remained unmoved and calmly refused.
These changes in posture are the effect of time.
And time.
They were his friends, and they always stood by him.
"Be neither arrogant nor impatient, like a gentle breeze."
Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly, and starlight suddenly appeared before him, crisscrossing and transforming into a plane.
hum~
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Celestial Realm 3 - Hidden Radiance Realm (Void and Stillness)
武学：青阳血炼法大成（0/38400）、颠鸾倒凤·阴阳枢入门（2285/8640）、三分归元真卷小成（1359/15360）、无相自在法（残篇）小成（0/15360）、广寒剑法（三式）圆满、狂雷刀法圆满、太虚御风步圆满、七绝禁法圆满.
Secret Techniques: Soul Suppression Technique, Soul Guiding Technique, Butterfly Dream Bewitching Technique, Illusionary Eye
"Each day brings progress, and when the time comes, great things will be accomplished!" Chen Ping'an's eyes were sharp and his mind was clear. Within his spiritual platform, a vortex took shape, absorbing the power of heaven and earth to nourish himself.
A few days later, the Bicang Prince's Mansion officially announced that in seven days, the successor would be decided in the ancestral land of Bicang, who would inherit the title of Prince and hand over the tokens of enfeoffment.
This caused a strong commotion in all circles of Bi Cang Prefecture.
"Seven days? Really?"
"How could this be false? I've heard that all the factions are making their final push."
"The ancestral land of Bi Cang, isn't that in Bi Ling Mountain!"
"The crown prince will be identified, the tokens will be exchanged, and everything will be settled in seven days!"
"Who could it be? Ji Xuanmo, or Ji Shulan?"
"Why not Ji Dongqing?"
"Have you not seen what's happened these past few days? Ji Dongqing has no chance anymore. The Prince dislikes him, and his faction's support has been transferred out. His chances of vying for the Prince's position are now very, very low."
"Nothing has happened yet, anything is possible."
"That's true. But judging from the current situation, Ji Xuanmo has the best chance!"
"I don't think so. Ji Shulan might also be a good candidate!"
"Alright, there's no need to argue anymore. We'll find out when the time comes."
"Seven days from now, at Biling Mountain, everything will be settled!"
"The power of Bi Cang is immense! You're making me excited."
"."
There was a lot of gossip and various topics emerging, but with the strong intervention of the Prince of Bicang's Mansion in public opinion, all topics had to be discussed within a normal range.
Chen Ping'an, inside Qingchi Courtyard, naturally received all the news.
"Seven days later, in the ancestral land of Bicang, the successor will be identified and the tokens will be handed over?" Chen Ping'an pondered.
The ancestral land of Bicang has always been the location of the Bicang Prince's residence, as well as the site of clan and ancestral rites. The fact that the successor has been clearly chosen here suggests that this may truly be the final decision.
After such a long period of intense competition, everything will be revealed here.
As for the tokens of exchange, they were the legitimate symbol of the Bicang Prince's Mansion's control over the territory and its enfeoffment of Bicang.
These items were bestowed by the Great Qian imperial family and personally cast by the imperial clan; each bloodline token is unique.
This represents the legitimate status of the Prince of Bicang.
Holding the symbol of bloodline signifies being the rightful successor.
This item will also be needed as proof when it is reported to the royal family in the future.
If the token is lost, the sin committed will be extremely serious, and in severe cases, there is even a risk of being demoted.
Therefore, this handover of tokens is of great significance and will profoundly affect the future of the Bicang Prince's Mansion.
The Great Qian imperial family, through bloodline-based enfeoffment, bestows various tokens representing the legitimacy of their bloodlines. These tokens, each with a unique form, can be refined through bloodline consecration. Legend has it that after refinement, they can unleash considerable combat power and serve as a protective talisman.
These reliance standards are determined according to the rank of the conferred titles based on bloodline.
Amidst the uproar over the news of the throne in Bicang Prefecture, a simple, ancient blue carriage, escorted by heavily armored guards, arrived at the foot of Biling Mountain, the ancestral land of Bicang Prefecture.
As the ancestral home of Bicang, Bicang Mountain has a royal palace. Before the dust settled, the Prince of Bicang had already set off and moved into the Biling Mountain Palace.
"I'm getting old, I'm too old to take any more risks."
Inside the palace's sleeping quarters, Prince Bicang sighed deeply, his weakness visibly evident in his expression.
Judging from his spiritual perception, his physical body had decayed to the extreme. Even with secret medicines and spiritual nourishment, it was difficult to preserve even a trace of his life essence.
The fact that it has been able to hold on until now is entirely due to the divine soul power of that third-level cultivator, which has forcibly driven and sustained it.
Even if a celestial being is old and nearing death, the soul of a great cultivator is still pure and powerful, beyond the imagination of ordinary celestial beings.
The old man in the turban stood to one side, silent, his expression filled with indescribable sorrow.
No one could have imagined that a once mighty cultivator, capable of moving mountains and shattering peaks, would fall into such a state today? He became so weak after just a simple walk.
This is a visible sign of weakness.
Under normal circumstances, even an elderly person undergoing great spiritual cultivation would not be in such a state.
The physical body, nurtured by heaven and earth, will not decay no matter how old it gets. Even if one's lifespan ends, as long as one is still alive, one will not be without any hidden essence.
In fact, many great cultivators, at the moment of their death, still have a lifelike physical body with vital essence hidden within, only their spirit dissipates and their soul returns to heaven and earth, thus ending their lives in this way.
but.
The old man looked sorrowful and sighed silently.
Even compared to the age of an ordinary celestial being, the current Prince of Bicang is far inferior.
His bodily functions had long since decayed to the extreme. If it weren't for the great cultivator's divine soul supporting him, he would probably have already passed away long ago and become a corpse.
If not, if not.
A hint of hatred flashed in the old man's eyes.
If not, at Longque Pass, then...
How did his former employer end up in such a state?!
The Six Arts of Devouring Thieves—what a great reputation! The Corpse Dog Hiding Arrow—what a vile and vicious technique!
How could there be such a vicious person under the Azure Dragon King's throne?!
The old man's eyes were filled with endless hatred.
His former employer's spirit remained unchanged, but his physical body decayed. Even with the power of heaven and earth to nourish him, it could not be restored in the slightest.
The current situation is entirely due to the burden of physical health.
The decaying flesh not only devours the life essence, but also entangles the soul.
Today, even his divine soul has declined to the extreme, far from its former glory. He is only maintaining it by force, relying solely on his current cultivation level.
The old man remained silent, but Prince Bicang knew he was recalling the past and what he was thinking.
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of things. I have lived for 1,500 years, and I have had enough. Even without that old scoundrel, something else would have happened. In any case, I would only live for another 200 years. I accept that."
"It's just a pity that we won't have the chance to see the next generation's major overhaul continue." Prince Bi Cang smiled easily, but there was an unspeakable regret between his brows.
"The Prince will see it," the old man said, offering only a perfunctory reassurance.
Prince Bi Cang smiled but said nothing.
He knew his physical condition; the fact that he had been able to hold on until now was the best possible outcome.
How could I dare to ask for too much?
"If we could find cleansing water, the source of spiritual life, or even the miraculous body of the Pure Glass, the prince's illness could be cured," the old man tried his best to comfort him, but he also knew that these things were nothing but nonsense at present.
"Alright, Old Dou, no need to say anymore." Prince Bicang shook his head: "Have the visits from those fellow practitioners been handled properly?"
"Everything is settled. We will use the last remaining incense offering to ask Marquis Cangwu to refuse the matter. The others dare not have any objections."
"That's good." Prince Bicang laughed with a sneer: "What concern and request for a visit? It's just an excuse to get a share of the pie. When have I ever asked others to interfere in the affairs of my Prince Bicang residence?"
Knowing that my health is failing, you all want to visit me? What a joke!
No one will be allowed to enter my Bicang territory!
The old man remained silent, listening to the Prince of Bicang vent his frustrations.
Not long ago, various surrounding factions and major repair forces that had previously maintained relations with the Prince of Bicang sent visiting cards. Upon hearing that the Prince of Bicang had awakened, they were overjoyed and hoped to visit him in Bicang.
This matter was ostensibly a visit, but in reality, Sima Zhao's intentions were obvious to everyone.
Inviting a god is easy, but sending him away is difficult.
The so-called visit was nothing more than an attempt to stay in Bicang and get a share of the spoils in this Bicang power struggle.
If this is true, after this incident, Bi Cang's interests will likely be eroded by all parties, gradually diminishing and shrinking significantly in the years to come.
Fortunately, the Marquis of Cangwu cherished the past, and that bond of kinship ultimately proved valuable.
In the ancestral land of Bicang, the chosen successor was confirmed, and the bloodline token was handed over.
Against this backdrop, various factions within the Bicang Prince's Mansion were in turmoil.
Each of the top contenders is showcasing their abilities, adding weight to their chances in this final crucial period.
Ji Xuanmo, Ji Shulan, Ji Dongqing.
Against this backdrop, Chen Ping'an also received a message from Mo Sidao.
After more than a month, the prototype of his precious artifact was finally refined and modified. (End of Chapter)