Chapter 16: Undermining

The next morning, after drinking a bowl of Nine Beast Soup and eating a bowl of Profound Crystal Rice, Zhou Yuan continued to practice the Ninety-Eight Forms of the Dragon Forging Art, absorbing Genesis Qi and attempting to open his meridians.

He spent a good part of the morning trying to open his meridians four more times. Despite being drenched in sweat and his meridians throbbing with pain, he couldn't hide his excitement and anticipation as he felt his first meridian growing progressively looser.

A maid stood by, offering him a towel. Once he had wiped himself dry, she respectfully announced, "Your Highness, the items you requested have arrived."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Zhou Yuan brightened immediately and hurried into the room. As expected, a jade plate lay on the table, neatly displaying ten crystals of various colors.

Upon closer inspection, faint, beast-shaped shadows could be seen within the crystals, emitting an unusual glow. These were Beast Soul Crystals, formed when a source beast's soul solidified into a crystalline state after death to preserve it. Zhou Yuan's purpose for these crystals was clearly to nourish the Heavenly Yuan Brush.

"They're all just first-grade Beast Soul Crystals," Zhou Yuan noted. He observed that they all came from first-grade source beasts, which was ideal; the Heavenly Yuan Brush, in its current state, likely wouldn't be able to handle higher-grade Beast Soul Crystals.

Zhou Yuan drew the Heavenly Yuan Brush from his waist. His palm brushed along its surface; the mottled shaft felt rough to the touch, and the bristles of the tip were somewhat dull. Only the ancient, mysterious patterns hinted at the brush's former extraordinary nature.

Zhou Yuan picked up a small iron hammer and promptly shattered one of the Beast Soul Crystals, creating a small opening. He then inserted the tip of the Heavenly Yuan Brush into it.

The moment the Heavenly Yuan Brush touched the beast soul within the crystal, it vibrated faintly. The bristles at the tip curled around the soul, and with a soft whoosh, the beast soul vanished, absorbed directly into the brush.

As the beast soul disappeared, a faint glow appeared on the Heavenly Yuan Brush in Zhou Yuan's hand, and the first ancient Genesis Rune on its shaft brightened slightly.

"It truly works," Zhou Yuan murmured, pleased. He continued the process, shattering each Beast Soul Crystal and allowing the Heavenly Yuan Brush to absorb its contents.

As the Heavenly Yuan Brush absorbed more beast souls, the light emanating from its shaft grew brighter, and the first ancient Genesis Rune began to glow faintly.

However, after absorbing the eighth beast soul, the brush suddenly stopped. No matter how Zhou Yuan coaxed it, the Heavenly Yuan Brush refused to absorb any more, and the light on its shaft gradually subsided.

"Is it... full?" Zhou Yuan paused, then finally understood. He let out a burst of exasperated laughter. This wretched Heavenly Yuan Brush was supposed to absorb beast souls to regain its spiritual energy, yet it had gotten full?!

However, the Heavenly Yuan Brush proved quite stubborn; once sated, it simply wouldn't budge. Zhou Yuan, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, had no choice but to put it away, intending to resume feeding it the next day.

At this rate, illuminating the first ancient Genesis Rune would take some time.

Nevertheless, Zhou Yuan wasn't in a hurry. He tucked the Heavenly Yuan Brush back into his waistband and left the room. He planned to visit the Great Zhou Manor today. Although he trusted Su Youwei wouldn't be swayed by Qi Yue, he still wanted to check on her, just in case Qi Yue tried to cause trouble behind the scenes.

At the Great Zhou Manor, Zhou Yuan wandered around the manor but didn't find Su Youwei. He asked around and learned that she had gone to work at the Library.

In the past, the Great Zhou Manor's Library was rarely visited, but ever since Su Youwei began working there part-time, it had become a bustling spot. People constantly found excuses to drop by, feigning interest in borrowing books, just to try and get closer to her.

Zhou Yuan entered the Library but didn't see Su Youwei at the counter. He walked around for a moment before stopping, gazing between the massive bookshelves ahead.

There, a slender young woman stood on a tall stool, carefully organizing and dusting the books.

Sunlight streamed in through the windows, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the air. The young woman's translucent, lovely face caught the light, her long eyelashes fluttered softly, and her lips were gently curved as she hummed a faint tune, brimming with youthful energy.

Zhou Yuan gave a light cough, deliberately breaking the serene scene.

Startled, Su Youwei quickly looked down. When she saw Zhou Yuan, her lovely face instantly lit up with joy.

Zhou Yuan walked to the base of the tall stool and looked up, only to be momentarily stunned. Su Youwei was wearing the academy uniform with a skirt, and what met his gaze were her two long, fair legs, smooth as jade, which gave him an immediate urge to touch them.

"Your Highness!" Noticing Zhou Yuan's gaze, Su Youwei's cheeks flushed crimson. With a mortified gasp, she shook the thick book in her hand, sending a cloud of dust cascading down and momentarily obscuring Zhou Yuan's view.

"Whoa, my eyes!" Zhou Yuan quickly played along, covering his eyes.

Su Youwei gracefully hopped down from the stool, placed the books on the shelf, and, her face still red, shot Zhou Yuan a mock-reproachful look. "Lewd," she muttered.

Zhou Yuan opened his eyes. "That was an accident," he said, feigning helplessness.

Su Youwei scoffed softly. "How does Your Highness, a man busy with a myriad of daily affairs, find time to come here?"

"Heh heh, if I didn't come, I was afraid someone might snatch my little Youwei away," Zhou Yuan chuckled.

"Ew, that's so cheesy! Don't call me that!" Su Youwei's lovely face flushed again, and she shot Zhou Yuan an annoyed glance. Then, her lips forming a slight pout, she said with some frustration, "So you know? That Qi Yue has approached me several times; it's really tiresome."

"He wants you to join Institute B after the grand exam?" Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed. That Qi Yue truly was audacious, trying to poach someone from his side!

Su Youwei nodded. She wasn't entirely clear about the struggle for the Great Zhou Manor Lordship, but she knew Zhou Yuan and Qi Yue were at odds. Therefore, she had simply put off and deflected all of Qi Yue's attempts to recruit her.

"What did he offer you?"

Su Youwei rolled her eyes at Zhou Yuan again, finding his wording quite jarring. However, knowing he didn't mean it maliciously, she replied, "Aside from promises of wealth and prestige, he also vowed to give me a cultivation technique that can produce third-grade Genesis Qi once I reach the Qi Nurturing Realm."

"He's really willing to part with that," Zhou Yuan said, a little surprised. A third-grade Genesis Qi cultivation technique was quite something, considering their own royal family's highest-grade technique was only fourth-grade.

"But I still refused," Su Youwei said, her eyes sparkling as she chuckled softly. "He was quite displeased and asked what you had given me."

"I told him that Your Highness didn't give me anything; you merely helped me kick open a door."

Her voice grew softer and softer, but it brought a wry smile to Zhou Yuan's face. Back then, he had simply been passing by when he saw a small girl kneeling in front of a pharmacy, pleading desperately in the pouring rain. Filled with righteous indignation, he had stepped forward and kicked open the tightly shut pharmacy door.

He hadn't realized then that his unintentional act had left an indelible mark on Su Youwei's heart.

"That Qi Yue must have been furious," Zhou Yuan remarked.

"Well, that's got nothing to do with me," Su Youwei said, covering her mouth with a soft chuckle.

Zhou Yuan nodded, but secretly resolved that once Su Youwei entered the Qi Nurturing Realm, he should prepare a high-quality cultivation technique for her; otherwise, it would be a true waste of her talent.

"How has your meridian opening progress been lately?" Zhou Yuan inquired.

"Not bad. It shouldn't be difficult to open the fourth meridian before the grand exam," Su Youwei replied casually.

Zhou Yuan clicked his tongue in admiration. Su Youwei's talent was truly exceptional. If she had the same resources as him—daily Nine Beast Soup and Profound Crystal Rice—even Qi Yue might not be able to rival her.

However, Zhou Yuan knew better than to offer to bring Su Youwei Nine Beast Soup and Profound Crystal Rice every day. The girl was highly sensitive and stubborn, and would never accept such direct help from him.

"Manor Lord Chu told me he's determined to get you into Institute A," Zhou Yuan said, looking at Su Youwei.

Su Youwei pondered for a moment, then grinned. "Then tell him that if you get into Institute A, I'll go too."

She spoke casually, but a hint of worry flickered in her eyes. To enter Institute A, one needed to rank in the top ten of the grand exam. Zhou Yuan hadn't opened his meridians yet, and relying solely on rudimentary Genesis Runes, it would clearly be difficult for him to make the top ten.

And as far as she knew, Manor Lord Chu was a stickler for rules. If Zhou Yuan didn't make the top ten, even as the Prince, Manor Lord Chu might not necessarily grant him special consideration.

Zhou Yuan glanced at her, understanding her concern immediately. Feeling a little touched, he smiled and said, "Don't worry about me; I'll definitely get into Institute A as well."

Seeing Zhou Yuan's confident assertion, Su Youwei simply nodded, refraining from saying more.

The two walked out from between the bookshelves, chatting and laughing. Just as they rounded a corner, a figure suddenly appeared before them. It was a somewhat tall and handsome young man. He looked at Zhou Yuan and Su Youwei, who had emerged together, his expression shifting slightly before he offered a reserved smile. "Your Highness," he greeted.

His gaze then shifted to Su Youwei, softening considerably. "Youwei, are you finished with your work? Do you have time today? May I treat you to a meal?"

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the handsome young man, recognizing him immediately. Lin Feng, a prominent figure among the Great Zhou Manor's new students, was rumored to be the top contender for first place in the upcoming grand exam.

However, Zhou Yuan knew that this individual had already been recruited by Qi Yue.