I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

Chapter 423 - 272: Three Years of Seclusion

Consort Rong froze completely.

She instinctively turned around, looking at Li Jizhou in disbelief.

Ignoring Consort Rong’s mature and full figure, Li Jizhou calmly bid farewell and turned to leave.

"This child... must not be allowed to remain!"

After a long time, Consort Rong gritted her teeth, making an irritating sound.

"Someone, call Minister Long."

------

After leaving Consort Rong’s chambers, Li Jizhou stopped by his mother Consort Zhen’s chambers.

Having just returned from Yunzhou, he didn’t want to involve Consort Zhen in the unclear turmoil, but now the situation has become clear.

Upon meeting, Consort Zhen immediately brought out ten Wood Attribute Spirit Stones gathered by the Jin family in Qingzhou during this period.

The Jin family thrived due to Consort Zhen, but after all, it was just a Nascent Soul family in remote Qingzhou, unlike Yunzhou’s mining district which could open Spirit Stone Ores. Mainly, it dealt with businesses with the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp and the southern Demon Race, with limited financial resources. These ten Wood Attribute Spirit Stones took quite an effort for them.

"Thank you, Mother. Please also thank Grandfather and the whole family on my behalf," Li Jizhou accepted the Wood Attribute Spirit Stones and bowed respectfully.

After three lifetimes, it was only in this life that he felt the utmost support from his relatives.

Especially his mother, Consort Zhen, had cared for him wholeheartedly, even before his Innate Wisdom awakened when the Seventh Prince had no prospects of inheriting the great position.

As for his grandfather’s family, many in the clan needed resources. Before the Seventh Prince lost the Saint Emperor’s favor, they worked together to lend a hand, hoping to board the ship to success.

However, after the Ninth Prince rose, especially when the Crown Prince manifested a high-grade Golden Core Dharma Aspect, the unity within the clan wavered.

Whenever Consort Zhen asked her maternal family for support, though Grandfather’s lineage was sincere, they couldn’t withstand the pressure from others in the clan.

This time, gathering these ten Wood Spirit Stones, they must have known of the Crown Prince’s demotion and the Seventh Prince’s commendation in Liangzhou.

In this world, most matters are trades of interests. Perhaps only some biological parents can give selflessly for their children.

Receiving the Spirit Stones, Li Jizhou patiently shared with Consort Zhen many interesting stories from his travels around the world, free of intrigue, caution, and restraint.

After saying farewell to Consort Zhen, Li Jizhou directly returned to the Taoist academy for secluded cultivation.

Now that he had revealed his stance to Consort Rong, combined with the subtle emotions Minister Long might perceive from the Saint Emperor, the Ninth Prince’s weakened position was obvious.

Next, Consort Rong and Minister Long were bound to make a move.

"Diligent cultivation, with the elder of Chongwen Residence in the academy, their schemes can’t infiltrate. As for the matter of Prince Yun and Consort Rong, Prince Yun is imprisoned in the Celestial Prison. Unless it involves his throne and reputation, with Li Yuan’s love for fame, he won’t leave behind the stigma of murdering kin, he should spare his life.

Prince Yun’s greatest hope must be the Ninth Prince’s ascension, allowing him not only to leave the Celestial Prison but also to become the reigning Supreme Emperor, preventing his suicide."

As long as he’s alive, Li Jizhou can reveal his and Consort Rong’s affairs at any time. Now, Li Jizhou is merely waiting for the right opportunity and a pawn.

But now, with such a short time since his return from Yunzhou, no matter who exposes the secret dealings of Prince Yun and Consort Rong, it’s inevitable that Li Yuan will become suspicious of him.

Wait a bit longer...

Wait for time to erase his traces in the Prince Yun and Consort Rong affair,

Wait for Consort Rong and Minister Long to make a blunder in their urgency.

Anyway, the advantage is his now, he can afford to wait.

The Seventh Grade Cyan Lotus unexpectedly obtained from Prince Yun’s Mansion is also enough for him to wait a few years before coming out of seclusion.

Returning to the academy that day, Li Jizhou began his closed-door cultivation.

Three years passed in a flash.

"Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment."

As expected, with sufficient resource supply, the cultivation of the "Cyan Emperor Creation Skill" advanced rapidly.

Compared to the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment in his previous life, which took ten years, it only took three short years in this life.

"Time to consume the second Seventh Grade Cyan Lotus!"

That day, Li Jizhou bathed, changed clothes, and consumed the Cyan Lotus.

Compared to the Enlightenment Cyan Lotus consumed before beginning cultivation, this one had a noticeable effect.

When he consumed the first Cyan Lotus, without cultivation or Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, even Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects like the Seventh Grade Cyan Lotus, he didn’t feel much.

However, as this one dissolved into his Wood Spirit Body, the affinity with the vast amount of Heaven and Earth’s Wood Attribute Spiritual Qi surged forth.

Soon, his Sea of Consciousness became clear, and his understanding of Heaven and Earth was much purer, with a subtle sense of closeness to Heaven and Earth.

"As expected, it’s an Immortal Scripture. The Wood Element Spiritual Qi refined by the ’Cyan Emperor Creation Skill’ is not inferior to the magical power refined by the tenth cycle of years in the ’Evergreen Skill’ of my previous life. Especially the nourishing effect of the Cyan Emperor’s Magical Power on the body is remarkable!" The density of the Cyan Emperor’s Magical Power after reaching the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment is much stronger than the same stage in his previous life.

What delighted Li Jizhou the most was the nourishing effect of the Cyan Emperor’s Magical Power on the body.

"No wonder this Immortal Scripture can ultimately achieve the potential of the Cyan Emperor Longevity Body; with such nourishment to the flesh, it must be superior to the Body Refining Skill of the Barbarian Hell Sacred Land."

After consuming the Cyan Lotus and another month of absorption and refinement, Li Jizhou fully integrated the feeling of Heaven and Earth from the Seventh Grade Cyan Lotus into himself.

"Still need two more!"

Feeling the further understanding of Heaven and Earth in his Sea of Consciousness, his hope for manifesting a Golden Core Dharma Aspect during his upcoming Golden Core Formation increased significantly.

"Master, that young lady has come again." Hong Luan’s figure flashed, appearing before Li Jizhou.

Fang Qingwei started delivering Wood Attribute Spirit Stones according to their agreement a year ago, but Li Jizhou had never met her.

"Truly foolish beyond belief!"

Now with the palace rife with undercurrents, Consort Rong and Minister Long are constantly looking for opportunities to trip Li Jizhou up, yet this lady continues trying to meet him repeatedly. Despite his repeated refusals to meet, she hadn’t realized the problem.

"Accept the Spirit Stones, do not meet!"

"Tsk tsk, the master has quite a ruthless heart." Hong Luan chuckled, playfully twirling her tail in Li Jizhou’s hand.

Li Jizhou grabbed her tail: "The Dual Cultivation method isn’t perfected yet?"

"It will be ready in at most a month’s time! I have been working very hard, faster than the other three." Hong Luan snuggled into Li Jizhou’s arms, as if seeking praise.

"Very good!" Li Jizhou approvingly patted her shapely behind.

"Seventh Prince, Consort Zhen has come to the academy." At this moment, the voice of a guard from outside the courtyard was heard.

"Mother is here?" Li Jizhou’s brow furrowed slightly.

Before seclusion, Li Jizhou had already explained to Consort Zhen, and she was reasonable enough not to visit unless necessary.

"Could it be that Consort Rong and Minister Long have taken action?"

Li Jizhou stood up and went to greet her.

"Mother."

Consort Zhen seemed very anxious outside the academy.

Seeing Li Jizhou coming, she hurriedly moved aside.

"Qian’Er, save your grandfather, he is wronged!"

"Mother, please don’t worry, speak slowly." Li Jizhou steadied Consort Zhen, his gaze earnest.

No need for Consort Zhen to say more, he had already guessed a few things.

It seems Consort Rong and Minister Long saw that Li Jizhou was in closed cultivation at the academy, with no means to start against him, so they targeted the Jin family in distant Qingzhou.

But is their aim to smear him through the Jin family, or to lure him out?