Chapter 14 Winter Hunt

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The autumn hunt is personally led by the Emperor with the princes and the princely heirs who have reached the Innate Realm, at the Feiyan Hunting Ground. The princes and princely heirs of Mingwu Hall are not qualified to participate.

The demon beasts at the Feiyan Hunting Ground are descendants of the demon beasts from the four secret lands, with powerful bloodlines. Without reaching the Innate Realm, True Qi cannot be released to harm these demon beasts.

The winter hunt participated in by the princes and princely heirs of Mingwu Hall is located at the Small Chixia Mountain, which also has beast descendants, but their bloodlines are much thinner.

Even with thin bloodlines, they are still far superior to ordinary beasts.

These beast descendants each possess unique abilities: some have tough skins and thick flesh, immune to swords and spears; some move stealthily without a sound, elusive and unpredictable; some are as fast as lightning, difficult to guard against.

During the annual winter hunt, almost no princes or princely heirs of Mingwu Hall escape unscathed; all are injured.

At critical moments, a signal is sent, and experts from the Forbidden Palace will rescue, but this also means exiting the winter hunt.

The winter hunt is for training in real combat. Practicing martial arts is not just for physical fitness but for gaining the ability to kill. The usual sparring intensity is far from enough; fighting demon beasts counts as true cultivation.

The most crucial point is that there is merit in the winter hunt.

Every ten beasts killed can count for a Ninth Grade Merit.

Although the Ninth Grade Merit is insignificant, it is still merit, and at the Heavenly Treasure Department, it can be exchanged for Ninth Grade Spirit Pills.

The four Grotto Heavens and four secret lands guarded by a Grandmaster are the foundation of the Court, as well as the reason for the submission of major sects.

The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures contained within the four Grotto Heavens and four secret lands produce spirit pills that far exceed those of Martial Arts Sects; the Ninth Grade Spirit Pills are comparable to top-tier spirit pills of prestigious sects.

"Fourth brother, your martial arts are strong, but don't underestimate these demon beasts. Each is difficult to deal with; I have been in Mingwu Hall for years and have yet to accumulate enough Ninth Grade Merit."

"Are they that formidable?" Chu Zhiyuan was quite surprised.

"These demon beasts are comparable to Innate Masters, just without True Qi. We can't wear Treasure Armor for protection, and if we're not careful, we'll be forced out injured... Anyway, be very careful. Here in Mingwu Hall, none of us have accumulated enough Ninth Grade Merit yet."

Chu Zhiyuan turned his head to look at everyone.

"I'm one short." Chu Zhichuan's eyes were blazing, and his coldly handsome face flushed with eagerness.

Hope was right in front of him; this time he must gather enough Ninth Grade Merit.

Exchanging Ninth Grade Merit for a small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill might relax the three checkpoints just a little, and that little bit would be enough.

Break through and step into the Innate Realm, like a flood dragon ascending to heaven!

"I'm two short," Chu Zhitian said confidently, "I reckon this time won't be a problem!"

Chu Zhichuan pursed his lips.

Chu Zhitian noticed and was immediately dissatisfied: "Old tenth, last two times it was just bad luck for me; I can't have bad luck every time, right?"

Seeing Chu Zhichuan responding perfunctorily with a couple of "mm-hmm"s, he grew even more displeased and wanted to say more but was interrupted by Chu Mingxuan: "Old ninth, your luck... everyone says the wheel of fortune turns, but why doesn't yours ever turn? Better not boast to avoid jinxing it."

"..." Chu Zhitian's face changed slightly; he opened his mouth, then closed it again without speaking.

Rather believe it than not, lest he really jinxes his luck.

Chu Mingxuan said to Chu Zhiyuan, "Old ninth always encounters tough ones; the time before last it was a Bamboo Snake, and the last time it was a Nine-star Insect, both unpreventable, specially targeted against him."

Chu Zhitian reluctantly shook his head.

Chu Zhichuan said, "I've told you many times, but you just won't listen! ...The choice of martial arts is a problem; focusing too much on power and strength without practicing some light and flexible techniques for support."

"Old tenth, stop nagging. Do I not know what to practice?" Chu Zhitian grunted.

It's not that he didn't want to practice light and flexible techniques, but doing so felt extremely uncomfortable, akin to self-torment. In contrast, practicing martial arts that focus on power and strength allowed him to progress quickly and brought him pleasure, a most satisfying sensation.

Extreme yang gives birth to yin, and extreme rigidity turns to softness. If he could practice powerful martial arts to the utmost extreme, he would naturally become delicate and nimble.

"Won't listen to good advice," Chu Zhichuan pursed his lips.

Chu Mingxuan smiled and said, "If you get the Ninth Grade Merit this time, and have the small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, both of you can enter the Innate Realm."

"Uncle Eighteen, you are the same," Chu Zhitian said.

Chu Mingxuan said helplessly, "I can't, I'm still lacking a bit. Even if I had the small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, I couldn't break through."

The difference in talent between him and Chu Zhichuan and Chu Zhitian was evident.

If talent is insufficient, then spirit pills should make up for it. As long as he earned enough merit, he could use spirit pills to push to the Grandmaster level, which was enough.

Hence, the winter hunt is extremely important.

Chu Mingxuan turned to Chu Zhiyuan and smiled: "Old fourth, since it's your first time participating, don't expect to earn merit. Seek to preserve yourself first; the Small Chixia Mountain is very dangerous."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Uncle Eighteen, how was it on your first participation?"

"Oh, don't mention it! As soon as I entered, I was severely injured and didn't even see clearly which demon beast ambushed me. I almost lost my life... Old fourth, even if you're strong, you won't be able to hold on."

"I held on for a quarter of an hour on my first participation," Chu Zhitian smiled.

Chu Mingxuan pursed his lips: "Old ninth, you really had to just hold on."

Chu Zhitian proudly looked at Chu Zhichuan: "Old tenth, you got knocked out in the blink of an eye."

Chu Zhichuan didn't respond, he looked towards Chu Zhiyuan: "Fourth brother, take care."

Chu Zhiyuan couldn't help but laugh.

Seeing the surrounding people with expressions of either sympathy or excitement, it was evident they did not have high hopes for him and were waiting to see a good show.

…

During dinner, Bai Ningshuang mentioned the winter hunt to Chu Zhiyuan.

She heard about it from Lady Rou today, and both the inner palace and the Yujing Prince Mansions were discussing the winter hunt.

The winter hunt was crucial to every royal mansion because of the merit it brought.

The winter hunt provided great advantages; ordinarily, earning even one Ninth Grade Merit was not so easy.

It's not just about benefits, but also about reputation.

The mansion with more merit could stand proud at royal banquets and various events, indulging in some pride.

It's akin to parents boasting about their children's high exam scores during New Year or family gatherings, naturally elevating their status, and receiving smiles and congratulations.

"Yuan'er, it's your first time participating; prioritize your safety, don't think about earning merit."

"Mm."

"Not being able to wear Treasure Armor, the Grand Ancestor's rules are too... it's too dangerous!"

It was said that the demon beasts in Small Chixia Mountain were all fierce; during every winter hunt, no one could leave unharmed, with injuries varying from light to heavy, and some even losing their lives.

The princely heir from the fifth family died in Small Chixia Mountain when a Golden Feather Eagle crushed his head before the experts from the Forbidden Palace could rescue him in time.

They say there are no longer Golden Feather Eagles in Small Chixia Mountain, but who knows if there's a fish that escaped the net? What if there's a Silver Feather Eagle or a Bronze Feather Eagle?

So fierce, yet unable to wear Treasure Armor, it's simply too dangerous.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Mother, I will be careful."

Although he hadn't found out what kind of demon beasts were in Small Chixia Mountain, with the Near and Far Steps, the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique, and Super Sense, he should be able to cope if he is cautious.

Bai Ningshuang, thinking of Chu Zhiyuan's battle record, felt a bit relieved, but still reminded him again: "Yuan'er, don't seek merit but rather be without fault, be extremely cautious."

Chu Zhiyuan agreed with a smile.

——

The next evening, as the sunset.

As soon as he left the South Palace Gate, Feng Xi and Guo Chi came up, surrounded by eight Innate Masters, forming a space around them.

Feng Xi retrieved a letter from his sleeve and presented it: "Your Highness."

Zou Fang stepped forward to receive and open the letter, then handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at it and smiled.

It was a letter from Jiang Qiuge, stating that all thirty-two disciples of the Yuding Sect hiding in the capital had been captured without any hitches.

Now confessions have been extracted and none slipped through the net; it's truly a complete sweep of Yuding Sect's disciples in Yujing.

He had already reported to the Auditing Department, and within a month, there would be a result of the merit.

Chu Zhiyuan could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

These Yuding Sect people had been eying him, causing great psychological pressure, but now he could finally rest easy.

But this time it was the Yuding Sect, what about next time?

He returned to Prince Qing Mansion without slackening, continuing to devote himself to cultivation.

First, the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique made his meridians ache slightly, then performing the Dragon Subduing Stance to operate the Dragon Transformation Technique, quickly strengthening the meridians. When the Inner Qi was exhausted or he was mentally fatigued, he would use the Earth Origin Technique and Heavenly Yuan Technique.

This time, he was prepared to earn Ninth Grade Merit during the winter hunt to exchange for a small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.

The small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill had the effect of enhancing aptitude but could only be taken once; the second pill would have no effect, mainly used for breaking through barriers.

Enhancing aptitude improved the overall quality of the body, widening and strengthening the meridians, while also slightly loosening the three checkpoints.

Others valued the latter; he valued the former.

According to his understanding of martial arts knowledge, the process of the small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill taking effect was a period of drastic bodily changes.

This period was a golden opportunity for cultivating the Dragon Transformation Technique.

It was highly likely to significantly increase his progress.

The merit counting for the winter hunt was fast; it could complete merit statistics the next day, unlike other merits that have at least a month of auditing period, which couldn't quench immediate thirst.

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