Chapter 218: Brothers Meet
Returning to the inn, Zhang Ruochen entered the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal and began to cultivate.
Even if he had to stay in the royal city for two days under the identity of Chen Ruo, he had to make reasonable use of that time and not waste it.
"Since I can't find the Divine Resting Grass, I'll have to refine the Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass and strive to raise my cultivation to the late Earth Extreme Realm as quickly as possible."
The Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass only grows where Half-Saints have fallen, constantly absorbing the saintly power of Half-Saints, possessing medicinal effects that enhance physique and cultivation.
Now, Zhang Ruochen still had fifty-three stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass. If he refined them all, there was still hope of breaking through to the late Earth Extreme Realm within a short time.
According to Zhang Ruochen's calculations, to fully refine the medicinal power of the fifty-three stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass and convert it into his own strength, it would take at least four months.
For other Earth Extreme martial artists, spending four months to break through one realm was already considered quite fast. But for Zhang Ruochen in his current situation, it was still too slow.
"Four months, even borrowing the time power of the Time-Space Crystal, it would take about a month and a half."
Zhang Ruochen was well aware of his current predicament. A month and a half—neither long nor short. The situation was changing, and no one knew what the next step would bring.
There was no other way now but to cultivate diligently and try to raise his martial arts cultivation as much as possible.
Zhang Ruochen separated three stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass and placed them in another jade box, planning to bring them back to the palace and give them to the Ninth Princess.
The medicinal power of the Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass was no longer very significant for Zhang Ruochen. But the Ninth Princess was only at the Mysterious Extreme Realm now. For her, even a single stalk of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass was a priceless treasure, capable of tempering her martial body and expanding her Qi Sea.
In the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal, spending six days, Zhang Ruochen refined four stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass in succession. His martial arts cultivation did not improve significantly, only becoming denser and purer than before.
"Fifty stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass might help me break through the realm. By the time my cultivation reaches the late Earth Extreme Realm, the Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass will probably be of even less use to me."
Martial arts cultivation is originally a step-by-step process, requiring gradual progress.
But Zhang Ruochen had taken a different path—using the most expensive cultivation resources to raise his cultivation as quickly as possible.
At the same time, he used elixirs and saintly power to temper his physique, strengthen his body, and expand his Qi Sea. It could be said that Zhang Ruochen had invested heavily in improving his physique.
This path was simply not feasible for others.
First, the consumption of cultivation resources alone was an astronomical figure.
For example: fifty stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass were worth fifteen million silver coins, yet Zhang Ruochen was only using them to break through to the late Earth Extreme Realm.
Such a consumption of resources was something even Huang Yanchen, with her strong family background, could not afford.
Second, Zhang Ruochen had already cultivated a Martial Soul and possessed powerful spiritual power. His understanding of martial arts had reached the level of the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Extreme Realm. Therefore, he dared to refine cultivation resources without restraint, breaking through realms at the fastest speed.
This was Zhang Ruochen's greatest advantage!
If another martial artist dared to cultivate like him, they would have already gone berserk.
Martial arts cultivation is like filling a wooden bucket with water. Other martial artists not only have to add water to the bucket but also constantly add planks to make the bucket taller, allowing it to hold more water.
But Zhang Ruochen already had a bucket; it was just that the water in the bucket had been poured out by someone else. So, even if he started over, he only needed to add water to the bucket, without worrying about whether the bucket could hold it.
In other words, before reaching the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, Zhang Ruochen's cultivation path was smooth and unobstructed.
"It's time to return to the palace."
Zhang Ruochen took off the metal mask on his face, changed into a set of brocade robes for inner court disciples of the Martial Market Academy, hired a carriage, and headed straight for the palace.
"The Ninth Prince has returned!"
"The Ninth Prince has returned to the palace!"
...
The news of Zhang Ruochen's return quickly spread throughout the palace.
Zhang Ruochen went straight to Yushu Palace to pay respects to Consort Lin.
The palace maids in Yushu Palace, upon seeing Zhang Ruochen, showed expressions of awe and worship, immediately kneeling and bowing with utmost respect.
Mother and son met, and naturally, there was a flurry of concern and small talk. Consort Lin held Zhang Ruochen's hand, unwilling to let go for a long time, tears streaming down her face. "Chen'er... it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
"I should have taken more time to come back and see Mother." Zhang Ruochen looked at Consort Lin, finally feeling the warmth of family affection.
Zhang Ruochen had shown exceptional talent at the Martial Market Academy and was engaged to Princess Yanchen of the Qianshui Commandery. Consort Lin's status in the palace had gradually risen, and she could receive some body-tempering precious medicines meant for martial artists every month.
In the past year, Consort Lin's complexion had improved greatly, as if she had aged ten years younger.
"It's a pity that Mother hasn't awakened the Divine Martial Mark. Otherwise, I would have some cultivation resources to give to Mother." Zhang Ruochen said.
Consort Lin gently stroked Zhang Ruochen's head, pursed her lips, and smiled. "Cultivation resources are already very expensive. Keep them for yourself. As long as you can become a martial arts powerhouse, that makes Mother happier than anything."
A spirited shout came from outside. "Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, you're back at the palace and didn't come to see... Consort Lin is here too..."
The Ninth Princess, Zhang Yuxi, rushed in from outside in a flurry. Seeing Consort Lin, she was first slightly startled, licked her lips, then immediately became docile, respectfully bowing to Consort Lin.
Zhang Ruochen gently patted Consort Lin's hand. "Mother, I have something to discuss with Ninth Sister first. I'll come back to have dinner with Mother tonight."
Consort Lin smiled and nodded. "Go ahead."
Zhang Ruochen pulled the Ninth Princess out of Yushu Palace and smiled slightly. "Ninth Sister, how is your cultivation of the *Heavenly River Jade Scripture* going? Are there any parts you don't understand?"
The *Heavenly River Jade Scripture* was a Ghost-grade lower-class technique that Zhang Ruochen had passed on to the Ninth Princess. Among the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge, it was definitely one of the top techniques.
The Ninth Princess raised her chin, looking proud. "I've already reached the second layer, and my martial arts cultivation has crossed into the late Mysterious Extreme Realm. In half a year, when the Martial Market Academy recruits, I'll sign up too. Then we'll both be disciples of the Martial Market Academy, and I'll have to call you Senior Brother. Hehe!"
"Only the late Mysterious Extreme Realm..."
Zhang Ruochen frowned slightly. "Lin Ningshan has already reached the Lesser Extreme of the Mysterious Extreme Realm, a whole realm higher than you. At this year's year-end assessment, you definitely won't be her match."
"How can that compare? Lin Ningshan has joined the sacred martial arts land, Yuntai Sect Manor, so her martial arts cultivation naturally advances by leaps and bounds." The Ninth Princess pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.
Zhang Ruochen said, "But you're cultivating a Ghost-grade lower-class technique, which is far superior to the technique she cultivates. What's going on? Tell me clearly."
The Ninth Princess stuck out her tongue. "Is this how you talk to your elder sister? Fine, I'll tell you the truth. I actually wanted to compete for the top spot on the *Yellow List*, so I delayed for half a year at the Yellow Extreme Realm."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Did you get the top spot on the *Yellow List*?"
"Of course. I opened up twenty-two meridians. If I couldn't get the top spot on the *Yellow List*, how embarrassing would that be?" The Ninth Princess said with a beaming smile.
Even the Seventh Prince, Zhang Tiangui, who was hailed as the number one genius of the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge, had only opened up twenty-three meridians. She was only one meridian less than Zhang Tiangui, so she was naturally very proud.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "You and the Seventh Prince both cultivate Ghost-grade lower-class techniques. In fact, the *Six Profound Sacred Art* that the Seventh Prince cultivates is inferior to the *Heavenly River Jade Scripture*, yet you opened up one fewer meridian than him. What's there to be proud of?"
The Ninth Princess put her hands on her hips and glared. "Seventh Brother is the number one genius of the thirty-six commanderies of the Demon Ridge. How can I compare to him? Even if I opened up the same number of meridians as him, I still wouldn't be his match."
It had to be said that Zhang Tiangui's talent far surpassed that of the Ninth Princess and Zhang Ruochen. It was only because he was born in the Yunwu Commandery, without access to the top techniques, that he was only at his current level.
Seeing the Ninth Princess's expression, Zhang Ruochen couldn't bring himself to get angry. "Remember this in the future: if you can compete for those rankings, go for it. If you can't, don't waste cultivation time stubbornly trying. Spending more time at the Yellow Extreme Realm won't do you any harm. I won't pursue this matter further, but don't be so willful again."
As he spoke, Zhang Ruochen took out a jade box and handed it to the Ninth Princess. "Inside are three stalks of Three-Leaf Saint Qi Grass. If you can refine them all, I guarantee your physique will improve significantly. Although you still won't match me or the Seventh Prince at the same cultivation level, you can at least reach Two Extremes, or even Two and a Half Extremes."
"What are Two Extremes? What are Two and a Half Extremes?" the Ninth Princess asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Once you enter the Martial Market Academy, you'll naturally understand."
From a distance, a series of footsteps came. Zhang Ruochen sensed it and immediately looked toward the garden gate.
A spirited and handsome man in a golden robe, appearing to be in his early twenties, with thick eyebrows, a face carved like a knife, and steady steps, exuding an air of nobility, walked in from outside the gate.
Walking side by side with him was a graceful and beautiful woman, also around twenty years old, with a slender figure, skin like snow, and long black hair. Every smile and frown was like a spring breeze brushing the face. If she stood in a crowd, she would definitely stand out like a crane among chickens, immediately noticeable.
They were strolling through the garden, followed by a large group of people. Among them were the Third Prince, Fifth Prince, Sixth Prince, Lin Chenyu, and Lin Ningshan, whom Zhang Ruochen recognized, as well as some martial artists he didn't know.
They walked along, either chatting and laughing, or pointing and discussing, with flattery and praise from the crowd.
"Seventh Prince, your insight is truly profound. Those evil rats from the Black Market and the Moon Worship Demon Sect will surely be wiped out soon by the Martial Market Academy and the Yuntai Sect Manor."
"Now that Seventh Brother has returned to the royal city, who would dare to cause trouble here?"
...
The handsome man in the golden robe suddenly stopped, looking at Zhang Ruochen and the Ninth Princess standing in the center of the garden. At first glance, they looked like a young couple meeting in secret.
The Ninth Princess clearly seemed a bit afraid of the golden-robed man. She immediately stepped forward and bowed to him. "Yuxi pays respects to Seventh Brother."
"So he is the Seventh Prince, Zhang Tiangui." Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes, staring at the golden-robed man.
Today was the first time Zhang Ruochen had seen the long-rumored Seventh Prince.