Qingjiang Palace.

Ying Wuji looked at Li Caimei, his heart itching like a cat scratching. Ever since he found out how amazing the Tianjie skills were, all he could think about was squeezing Li Caimei dry! Breaking through her defenses and making her go crazy. Unfortunately, he couldn't rush it.

He tried several songs and stories that seemed feasible, but they only made Li Caimei slightly happier. Her emotional value didn't even break through 90, which was really discouraging.

"Sigh..."

Ying Wuji sighed, his facial features wrinkling in worry. His originally handsome face looked somewhat comical, filled with frustration.

Seeing his appearance, Li Caimei couldn't help but find it amusing and felt a soft spot in her heart being touched.

She could feel that Ying Wuji was genuinely trying to make her happy. It was the kind of sincerity that wanted to see her smile, not just because of her physique or to please her intentionally.

Could it be that he really has feelings for me? Li Caimei felt uncertain, but she only knew that she couldn't bear to see Ying Wuji so defeated.

She pursed her lips and smiled gently, comforting him, "Don't frown! I really like these songs and stories!"

Ying Wuji: "..."

Feeling the warmth in her eyes, he felt a tingling sensation in his heart. He actually felt a sense of love.

But, what you just said...

It was like a bunch of young lovers. When the love was strong, it was like a raging fire. Just as it was starting to blossom, it suddenly burst.

Then the woman worried about her lover's setback and patted his back, saying, "It's okay, it's normal for the first time. You're already great!"

This sense of déjà vu was too strong. This kind of comfort was undoubtedly reverse comfort.

The usual response would be, "That didn't count. I'll prove myself to you again later."

But... Ying Wuji felt a bit awkward. How can I prove myself?

He had already used all the methods he could think of. He had tried everything he could, but he still couldn't get Li Caimei into that state. This doesn't seem like my problem. Could it be that the previous two times were too intense, making Tang Tang less sensitive? He rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless.

Li Caimei changed the topic with a light laugh, "By the way! I heard Zhao Ning say a few days ago that the Hundred Schools Gathering will start in a few days. Today should be the day for the students and scholars of the Hundred Schools to gather and exchange ideas, right?"

"Yes! It's quite lively."

Ying Wuji smiled, but he secretly complained in his heart. Tang Tang's status is indeed high. Their relationship has become closer, and she no longer refers to Zhao Ning as Brother Wang or Your Highness. She just keeps calling him Zhao Ning. It seems that geniuses really have the capital to be arrogant.

Li Caimei was a little envious, "I remember when I was young, there was also a Hundred Schools Gathering in Jiangcheng. Although I couldn't understand what those people were arguing about, Jiangcheng was really lively!"

Looking at the sadness hidden in her eyes, Ying Wuji couldn't help but feel sorry for her. So what if she's a genius? She's still locked up in this deep palace, like a prisoner. He didn't know why Li Wang was so ruthless and imprisoned her like this.

He thought for a moment and suddenly smiled, asking, "Do you want to see it?"

"I definitely..."

Li Caimei's eyes lit up, but she stopped halfway through her words, swallowing them back, "Forget it! Going out at this time will only cause trouble for you!"

There are many students in the Hundred Schools Gathering who have sharp eyes.

Although the saying that one glance can see through someone's cultivation level is a bit too mysterious.

But after all, she cultivated the Jade Maiden Technique, which is a special technique. It's inevitable that it will be seen through by powerful cultivators in the God-realization realm. Once her situation is exposed, it won't be long before Zhao Ning's identity is also exposed. She can't bear the responsibility for this, and it will ruin the good situation that Ying Wuji could have had. At this time, she must be rational!

Li Caimei realized her thoughts and couldn't help but smile bitterly. When did she become so rational?

"It's okay, we don't have to go out. I can still show you!"

Ying Wuji smiled and took out ink, paper, and inkstone, spreading them on the stone table.

Li Caimei was stunned for a moment, then showed a delighted expression, "You can paint too?"

Ying Wuji casually made up, grinding the ink while saying, "I used to have nothing to do at the embassy, so I learned a little bit of everything."

Learn? Learn my ass. I can only rely on Lin Tieniu to barely get by.

To be honest, Lin Tieniu knows a lot of things. If it weren't for the explosive power of the erotic stories I wrote, I'm afraid not even one-tenth of it would have been revealed. Why did this bastard, who is so talented and powerful, become a bootlicker?

But speaking of erotic stories, it seems that Tang Tang doesn't dislike me because of it. That's great, maybe in the future...

Ying Wuji coughed twice, shaking off the beautiful images in his mind, and took out a fine brush, starting to paint on the paper. Although it was a black and white picture, the painting skills he learned from Tieniu were solid, and he managed to reproduce the scene in detail. In no time, the scene of the Hundred Schools Gathering was drawn.

"Isn't it lively?" He looked at Li Caimei and grinned.

Li Caimei couldn't help but admire, "You paint really well!"

She actually felt like she was there.

Ying Wuji smiled and said, "Whether it's here or in the future when we can go out, no matter how far the rivers and mountains are, I'll accompany you to see them."

Hearing this, Li Caimei trembled. She turned her head to look at Ying Wuji, her eyes lost in thought.

【Hint】: Emotion fluctuation value breakthrough 90, randomly obtain the Profound Rank secret technique "Flying Dragon Reaching the Clouds Hand".

Huh? A thief's divine technique? Ying Wuji was a little confused. Why would such a talented and stunning woman learn this kind of thief skill?

Li Caimei recovered and lightly wrinkled her nose at him, "You're lying, I don't believe it."

"It's true! I'm definitely not lying. A girl like you shouldn't be locked up like this," Ying Wuji said sincerely.Ying Wuji solemnly promised that if he could marry her, he would travel the world in the future. After all, he couldn't always be entangled in the palace. He needed some poetry and distance. Li Caimei didn't respond, but there was a smile on the corner of her mouth. His feelings didn't seem fake.

"It's mine!"

She quickly put away the painting, as if afraid that someone would snatch it away. After putting it away, she felt a little guilty and lightly punched Ying Wuji's chest. "I really like it, thank you!"

Ying Wuji: "..."

No wonder he learned these thief skills. He turned out to be a heart-stealing thief. Ying Wuji felt a little annoyed. He didn't expect that someone as outstanding as himself would be so easily conquered. If he wasn't careful when he went out, he would have his heart stolen by one woman after another. It felt pitiful just thinking about it.

A boy must protect himself when he goes out. He looked at Li Caimei, and Li Caimei was also looking at him. The atmosphere was quiet. So he understood: she had already tacitly agreed to this marriage. After the Hundred Family Banquet, he would directly paint a portrait and ask his father-in-law for his wife. Hehe! At that time, he would definitely give his father-in-law a big surprise and let him experience the feeling of being robbed. Thinking about this, the corners of Ying Wuji's mouth curled up.

Li Caimei tilted her head. "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing, nothing! I just thought of something happy!"

Ying Wuji waved his hand repeatedly.

Li Caimei pursed her lips. Her sister's words were mostly correct. When a man falls in love, he will indeed smile foolishly in front of his beloved.

But can her identity really go as smoothly as she imagined?

She couldn't figure out what methods Ying Wuji could use to persuade King Li and the Crown Prince to marry their Crown Princess to an outsider. Wait! When did she agree to marry her?

Li Caimei felt her head was a little confused. She shook her head and quickly brought up another topic. "By the way! You must be careful at the Hundred Family Banquet!"

"Ah?"

Ying Wuji was stunned. "Why do you say that?"

Li Caimei frowned slightly and dipped her index finger in some tea, drawing a symbol on the table. "Do you recognize this symbol?"

This symbol was quite exquisite and looked somewhat like a puppet. Ying Wuji was very familiar with it. Because when he was drawing just now, he had drawn it on someone's neck. He accidentally saw it while looking around. Although it was faint, it gave him a different feeling. He found it interesting, so he drew it with a few strokes.

"What does this symbol represent?"

"For my sect's divine ability - All of the World is Me!"

"All of the World is Me!"

Ying Wuji's heart skipped a beat. He had seen this divine ability in the Qian Kingdom's embassy database. The so-called "All of the World is Me" meant that after practicing this divine ability to the extreme, all living beings in the world could become a part of your body. It was commonly known as... body possession! Regardless of space, time, or quantity, it was a divine technique of possession. Of course, casual possession was impossible, otherwise, this world would have long been ruled by one person. But what were the conditions for possession? Ying Wuji had no idea. So when he heard the name of this divine ability, he felt a little uneasy.

He furrowed his brows. "In other words, the leader of your sect can use someone else's body to participate in the Hundred Family Banquet?"

"Yes!"

Li Caimei nodded.

Ying Wuji instinctively swallowed his saliva. "Do you know this person?"

"I don't know him very well!"

Li Caimei's expression became serious. "But I once knew someone who was controlled. I can only say that this person is very strange and not the typical villain in people's impressions. But it is true for my sect. They are just a group of people who want to pursue the ultimate self. It is inappropriate to judge them based on good and evil."

Ying Wuji: "..."

To be honest, he had a lot of interactions with her sect. The Gu Poison Incident, the Demon Seed, and even Nangong Ling this time were all closely related to her sect. But the only member of her sect he had truly come into contact with was Li Caipan. This sect was extremely mysterious, making him very uncertain.

He couldn't help but ask, "What is this person's purpose?"

Li Caimei pondered for a moment. "Perhaps his purpose is the same as my sect's purpose!"

"What does that mean?"

Ying Wuji was curious.

Li Caimei's eyes carried a complex emotion. "Do you know the teachings of my sect?"

Without hesitation, Ying Wuji answered, "To value oneself and be true to one's nature."

"Yes! But that is only their self-pursuit, which is not much different from the orthodox Yang Zhu school. What I am asking is actually their style of action."

"What do you mean?"

"The so-called 'for my sect' is actually the disciples of the extreme path of Yang Zhu."

Li Caimei's breathing became heavier, and her voice trembled slightly. "Yang Zhu said: 'Harm one hair and benefit the world, I will not do it; take all the world for myself, I will not take it. If everyone does not harm one hair, if everyone does not benefit the world, the world will be governed.' The original intention of establishing my sect is for everyone to not harm one hair, for everyone to not benefit the world, and thus create a great era of governance!"

Ying Wuji rubbed his chin. "So their actions are to make everyone join the Yang Zhu school and create a great era of governance?"

Li Caimei nodded. "Yes!"

Her sister had told her these words. At that time, she didn't understand, but after living in seclusion in the palace for so many years, she gradually understood the meaning of these words. But even if she understood, she didn't think it was right.

She pursed her lips. "Regardless of whether the members of my sect truly abide by the teachings, their purpose of action has never changed. They can't control true experts, so they try to make future experts become their disciples. I heard Zhao Ning say that my sect has made a move against you?"

"Yes..."

Ying Wuji now felt a lingering fear. If he hadn't had no expectations for Ying Yue, he might have lost himself in the illusion...

Although there is a jade pendant to block the seed of the heart demon, who knows how successful it is. After all, even an umbrella may not be able to prevent pregnancy. They are really accurate and ruthless in their actions.

Li Caimei sighed lightly and looked at him with some worry. "In any case, you must be careful."

"Mm!"

Ying Wuji nodded heavily and suddenly smiled. "Are you concerned about me?"

Li Caimei's beautiful eyes widened for a moment, feeling a little flustered, but she quickly calmed down and glared at Ying Wuji. "You wish! I'm just afraid that you will be affected by the technique and harm the entire Li Wang family!"

"Alright, alright!"

Ying Wuji didn't dwell on it and smiled. "I definitely won't be affected by the technique. You can rest assured!"

Li Caimei scoffed. "Whether you are affected by the technique or not is none of my business. It's getting late, go back and rest!"

"Mm! Goodnight, Tang Tang!"

"Goodnight?"

"Just hoping that you can sleep peacefully throughout the night."

"Mm... You too!"

...

A quick look at bit.ly/3iBfjkV will leave you more fulfilled.

Returning to the Shangmo Bookstore, Ying Wuji's anxiety was temporarily relieved, but he couldn't help pacing in the courtyard, like plowing the land.

"Wuji!"

Hua Chao pushed open the door and leaned against the door frame, looking at him with concern.

Ying Wuji looked up. "Hua Chao, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

Seeing his appearance, Hua Chao suddenly felt a little guilty. She had seen this worried look before, when he broke into the Lu's room to save her. Just by looking into his eyes, she could feel his anxiety and panic. There must be something big happening! That Zhao Ling, how could he possibly have the time to provoke other girls with the Hundred Families Gathering approaching?

She walked in and asked, "Are you worried about the Hundred Families Gathering?"

"Sort of!"

Ying Wuji nodded and then forced a smile. "Actually, it's not a big deal. I can handle it completely, you don't have to worry."

"Mm!"

Hua Chao clenched her hands behind her back subconsciously, feeling a sudden sense of loss. She knew that Ying Wuji was comforting her, but she could only pretend to believe it because she couldn't help at all.

After hesitating for a moment, she smiled and said, "There's hot water boiling in the kitchen. You should soak your feet to relieve fatigue, replenish your energy, and deal with everything better."

"You're right! Thanks, Hua Chao!"

"You're welcome! Go quickly!"

"Mm!"

Hua Chao watched as Ying Wuji hurried to the kitchen with the hot water, her expression becoming even more lost and self-blaming. She stood at the door for a long time, looking at the dim room, not knowing what she was thinking.

On the other hand, after soaking his feet, Ying Wuji originally wanted to go to sleep directly, but he couldn't fall asleep no matter what. Because of the Hundred Families Gathering, he had already decided to fight for his own position and that of his "teacher." This momentum must be shown. But if he gained attention and was noticed by the senior of the "For My Sect," what if they forcefully inserted a demon seed into his butt? Although there were many experts present, and the senior of the "For My Sect" could not fully display his strength as he was just possessing someone else's body, who wouldn't feel anxious facing a transcendent realm expert? Moreover, the Zhou royal family had already sent Nangong Ling, a dog-like person, to deal with him?

"No!"

"I must find a way to protect myself!"

Ying Wuji quickly put on his clothes and ran to the courtyard. "Zhao Xin, Zhao Xin, where the hell are you?"

"Squeak!"

The door of the room in the corner of the courtyard opened, and Zhao Xin walked out with a gloomy face, looking like he had lost his mother.

He asked in a muffled voice, "Young Master, what's the matter?"

Ying Wuji was a little surprised. "Why are you giving me a cold shoulder? I don't think I've offended you, have I?"

Zhao Xin scratched his head and said with regret, "I lost sight of Young Master again today, and Crown Prince's side has deducted my salary. I probably won't have any salary this month, and if I lose sight of you again, I'll probably have to pay out of my own pocket. Young Master, next time you sneak out, can you let me know?"

"I'll let you know..."

Ying Wuji was speechless. "If I let you know, is it still considered sneaking out? The Crown Prince sent you here as a bodyguard, not as a nanny. Do I have to report when I go out to play?"

After pondering for a while, Zhao Xin helplessly said, "No problem..."

Ying Wuji looked at his emo-like expression and patted his back with a smile. "Don't worry! Next time I go out, I will definitely let you know, as long as you don't follow me. If the Crown Prince deducts your salary, just tell me, and I'll compensate you double!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xin's gloomy face instantly disappeared, and his face blossomed into a smile. "Ah! Thank you, Young Master! Young Master, where are we going this time?"

"The palace!"

After a while, a carriage quickly rushed towards the Qiqi Palace. In no time, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the palace. Ying Wuji jumped off the carriage and walked straight to the palace gate. As a seasoned sufferer of persecution delusion, he didn't want to expose himself to a dangerous environment for even a moment. Although there was a Transcendent Realm expert like Zhao Xin by his side, this brother was not enough to deal with a Transcendent Realm expert!

"This official is Ying Wuji. I have important matters to see His Majesty. Please inform him!"

"No need!"

The palace official on duty smiled and said, "His Majesty has ordered! Young Master is one of us, and there is no need to report when entering or leaving the palace. Young Master, please come in with this servant!"

"Alright!"

Ying Wuji nodded and had to admit that he was quite touched by the care he received from his father-in-law. It felt really good to be taken care of like this.

Zhao Xin also looked envious and said, "Young Master, you're doing so well! You can enter without reporting. In our entire royal family, only three people can enjoy this treatment."

"Which three?"

Ying Wuji asked subconsciously.Zhao Xin's expression changed: "Those are all important figures in our royal family. We can't easily reveal it to outsiders..."

"Alright!"

Ying Wuji didn't pay attention to these, after all, what he was most worried about now was his own safety. In a short while, the two of them were brought to Chongli Palace. Even before they approached, they could hear Zhao Ji's furious scolding. Looking into the door, there were three men, one old, two middle-aged, all being scolded like grandsons.

Zhao Xin pointed: "Yes! These three!"

Ying Wuji: "..."

The imposing atmosphere that was originally created instantly collapsed.

The eunuch on duty also felt awkward and whispered, "Both of you wait here for now. His Majesty will summon you after he finishes his official business. Don't make a sound, so as not to anger the marquises."

"Yes!"

Zhao Xin stood behind the door with a solemn expression, not daring to even breathe, which showed how afraid he was of the people inside. Ying Wuji was quite curious and quietly listened to the commotion inside, all of which was Zhao Ji's furious ranting.

"Our ancestors' legacy?"

"You want to talk to me about our ancestors' legacy?"

"Tell me! Do you, a marquis, and two earls, remember what oath you made in the Zhao Clan Ancestral Hall when you received your titles?"

"Our ancestors' legacy, does it refer to the three mu of land you live on?"

"Our ancestors' legacy, is it rotting in your hands, not even temporarily lending official positions to outsiders?"

"Do any of you remember that since Duke Wen, our Zhao Clan once declined to the point where we could only rely on foreign tribes to survive?"

"For generations, we have worked hard to govern, and our Zhao Clan has only barely secured the throne. But the Wei and Han territories have long been difficult to recover!"

"The magnificent Great Li, all belongs to the Zhao Clan!"

"Have you all forgotten this oath?"

"What you all want is just to hold onto a few insignificant official positions?"

"Throughout the generations, the kings of Li have all died young, with the highest lifespan being only sixty-three years."

"What they want is to hold onto you useless bags of wine and rice?"

Zhao Ji unleashed all his firepower, and with each scolding, the heads of the three men standing below would lower. In the end, they couldn't even straighten their backs.

"Huff!"

"Huff!"

"You've angered me!"

"I'm afraid I'll be killed by anger before I die in the Blood Ignition Realm."

He picked up the cold tea on the table, but couldn't control it and the bronze cup was instantly shattered by his surging true energy, splashing in front of the three men.

The three men quickly kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Zhao Ji snorted coldly: "Changping Marquis! As an elder of the clan, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

Marquis Changping, Zhao Ying, quickly bowed: "This old minister believes that Your Majesty's words are reasonable. Three hundred official positions are not many to begin with, and they are only temporarily lent to the academy and will be returned in the future. If we don't support reform, this old minister would have no face to call himself a descendant of the Zhao Clan!"

His hair was already white, and his figure was already stooped. Now, bowing down, he gave an even stronger feeling of being in the twilight years.

Zhao Ji nodded slightly: "What about you two?"

"We agree!"

The two earls quickly cupped their hands, looking at their obedient appearance, it was really hard to imagine that they had come to argue with Zhao Ji on behalf of the royal family.

Only then did Zhao Ji's expression ease slightly, but his tone remained cold and stern: "Remember, there can be no family without a country. If the Zhao Clan's territory is stolen by foreign tribes, not to mention your insignificant official positions, even your heads may not be able to be preserved!"

"Yes!"

"Go back!"

"Your Majesty, we take our leave!"

The three men glanced at each other, no longer wanting to linger. Seeing Zhao Ji's appearance, he was truly determined to carry out the reform. If it were five hundred official positions, they would still argue. But with three hundred official positions, if they were given, they were given. There was no need to cause loss of life. Moreover, Zhao Ji said it was only a loan! None of them believed that the reform would succeed, and they were already grateful that Zhao Ji chose to go to the northern grasslands. After the reform failed, Zhao would still be Zhao.

More importantly, Zhao Ji had subtly mentioned earlier that the Great Li Academy and the construction of the new city did not require the royal family to pay.

What reason was there to oppose this? If it weren't for this sentence, how could the three of them willingly be scolded by Zhao Ji without a word of retort?

The three of us are all locals. Since Your Majesty wants to play, we don't mind accompanying Your Majesty, after all, the Zhao Army hasn't fought a battle in a long time. The soldiers in the army have no chance to be promoted, and each one is restless. Now, they are sent to fight against the almost crippled Kingdom Di, to exercise their muscles and bones. Why not?

The three men hurriedly left, just as they had hurriedly come. They waved their sleeves... which frightened Zhao Xin quite a bit. He bowed ninety degrees, burying his head low, afraid that the important people would discover that the person being scolded was himself.

After the three men had gone far, Ying Wuji smiled and said, "Those three elders of your royal family are very obedient!"

"It's because Your Majesty is so powerful!"

Zhao Xin said honestly, and then added in a low voice, "Those three just now, they are all strong in the Martial Realm."

Ying Wuji couldn't help but gasp, the bloodline of Zhuanxu was truly terrifying!

"Wuji! Just come in when you arrive, why are you standing outside?"

Zhao Ji's voice came from inside the hall, but his voice was very gentle at this moment, and it was impossible to tell that he was the one who had just been scolding people like crazy.

"Yes!"

Ying Wuji responded, leaving Zhao Xin outside, and quickly walked into the hall.

He respectfully saluted, "Your son pays respects to Father King!"

"You're quite used to calling me that!"

Zhao Ji laughed and scolded, casually pointing to a seat, "Sit!"

Ying Wuji had a shy look on his face, "Father King, this is the seat for the prime minister. It's not very appropriate for me to sit here, right?"

"Prime minister, prime minister!"

Zhao Ji laughed and scolded, "Every time you're scolded like a grandson in front of the prime minister. I believe you when you say you don't dare to sit on his grave, but don't pretend to be polite with a broken chair. There's no one else here, so sit!"

"Alright!"Ying Wuji smiled, feeling that this old man was quite to his taste. Zhao Ji remained calm, his breathing steady, and his true energy in his body was unusually calm, not at all like someone who had just been angry. It was unclear how much of his previous behavior was genuine and how much was an act.

He looked Ying Wuji up and down and asked, "Tell me, why did you come to the palace in the middle of the night?"

Ying Wuji didn't waste any time and directly took out a piece of paper from his pocket. On it was a drawing of a symbol, the mark of "All is Me in the Mortal World".

"Father, I saw this!"

"This..."

As soon as he saw the symbol, Zhao Ji's expression immediately darkened. Obviously, he recognized the symbol.

"Where did you see it?"

"Before the Feast of the Hundred Schools, we were on our way from outside the city to the palace. I saw at least five people with this symbol on their necks. It was quite interesting, so I drew it. But later, I found out from the information that this is a technique of my sect..."

"You have done your research!"

Zhao Ji's face turned gloomy. "These people from my sect are becoming more and more arrogant. I haven't even gone looking for them, yet they have come to me first."

Ying Wuji frowned. "I still remember what they look like, and this symbol is not difficult to find. Should we investigate and capture these people..."

He didn't finish his sentence. After all, these people were all scholars from various schools, and dealing with them required extreme caution. He had no experience in handling such matters, so it was better not to make empty promises.

But Zhao Ji shook his head. "There's no need to deal with them! The technique of 'All is Me in the Mortal World' is quite mysterious. No one knows the conditions for its possession. Even if we capture all these people, can't he find a new host? Besides, these people are only potential hosts, not ones who have already been possessed. It wouldn't be good to capture them."

Hearing these words, Ying Wuji became even more anxious.

He twitched his mouth. "So we just let them do as they please?"

Zhao Ji looked at him with a smile that wasn't a smile. "Are you trying to make a name for yourself but don't dare to do so?"

"Yes!"

Ying Wuji nodded confidently.

Knowing that his son-in-law was always honest, Zhao Ji directly took out a translucent white jade pendant from his pocket. "Did you come for this?"

"Of course! Father is generous!"

Ying Wuji happily took the jade pendant. It was the one Wu Shuangxu had given him to ward off demonic energy, but later it was confiscated when they found out there was no demonic energy to ward off. Without a doubt, this jade pendant was extremely valuable, and it came from Zhao Ning. Since Zhao Ning's whereabouts were unknown, he could only come to his father-in-law.

Zhao Ji smiled. "Keep it! This jade pendant is one of the few things that can restrain my sect. Not only can it ward off demonic energy, but when it is shattered, it can also suppress all the spells and techniques related to demonic energy. There are less than ten of them in the whole world!"

"It's so precious, how can I accept it?"

Ying Wuji said while putting the jade pendant into his pocket, causing Zhao Ji to roll his eyes. Zhao Ji looked at his son-in-law with some disdain, but his son-in-law didn't feel uncomfortable under his gaze. The two of them fell silent for a while.

Suddenly, Zhao Ji asked, "If you didn't have this jade pendant, would you still dare to compete for the position of the chief disciple at the Feast of the Hundred Schools?"

"I would have to think about it!"

Ying Wuji answered honestly. It's good to act cool, but life is more important. Besides, he acted cool in order to gain more power and status, which would ensure his safety. If he attracted the attention of a powerful expert in the Nascent Soul stage, he would have to think carefully.

"You!"

Zhao Ji sighed. "You have the wisdom of a merchant and the political vision, but your overall perspective is lacking! If you continue like this, you will eventually be ruined by your cleverness!"

Ying Wuji's expression became serious, as if he had returned to his childhood, being taught by his parents about how to conduct oneself. He could sense that Zhao Ji was being serious and sincere.

He straightened his posture slightly. "Please enlighten me, Father!"

"I won't enlighten you!"

Zhao Ji waved his hand. Although he was still wearing the royal robe, he didn't act like a king at all. He just wanted to be an ordinary elder. "I ask you! You keep calling me Father, how much of it is sincere?"

"Well, uh, what you said..."

"The truth!"

"Right now, it's three parts sincere, but in the future, it might be seven parts or more."

"You are indeed sincere!"

Zhao Ji smiled and shook his head. "If the Great Li were to fall now, would you immediately take the illegitimate daughter of Luo Xiang and leave the Kingdom of Li?"

"Yes!"

Ying Wuji nodded.

Zhao Ji asked again, "And what about in the future? If your feelings for the princess deepen and you become close friends with Ning'er, what will you do then?"

Ying Wuji thought for a moment and answered uncertainly, "Take them with me?"

As he said these words, he realized the problem himself. He could take the princess with him, but Zhao Ning was the crown prince of a country and might even become the king of the Kingdom of Li in the future. How could he leave? Sacrificing himself for the country was more reliable than this.

Zhao Ji asked again, "And if you have a thousand loyal followers who regard you as their brother and father, but their families are still suffering in the broken mountains and rivers, what will you do?"

If he could answer the second question, he couldn't answer the third one.

Zhao Ji's fourth question followed closely, "Now I ask you again, how much of it is sincere when you call me Father now, and how much will it be in the future?"Ying Wuji fell silent again. He agreed with what Zhao Ji had said. When he decided to become a son-in-law, he was destined to be entangled in these bonds. If the Li royal family was insincere, the bonds wouldn't be too deep, but he wouldn't be any safer. If the Li royal family was sincere, even if his body could leave, his heart would be firmly locked here. Could he leave heartlessly today? And what about the future? Would Tang Tang follow him? Zhao Ji's voice, which had never carried any hostility, was still calm, but it had become more resolute. "Wuji, I ask you! What is the way of the king?"

Ying Wuji thought for a moment and replied, "Mencius said: 'When the age of seventy is clothed in fine linen and eats meat, and the common people are not hungry or cold, yet there is no king.' But in my view, the way of the king is to hold the trend of the world in hand, those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish."

"And what is the way of the tyrant?"

"The way of the tyrant is, power in hand, all serve me like dogs!"

"..." Zhao Ji looked at him disdainfully, thinking that his son-in-law, who was of royal blood, was rather crude in his speech, but not in his reasoning. Was it just him, or were all the people of the Kingdom Qian like this? Yes, the crude people of the Kingdom Qian. He shook his head and asked again, "And what is the way to death?" The way to death? Who does he look down on? Isn't it obvious? But Ying Wuji thought for a moment, feeling that his father-in-law probably didn't know this joke, and for a moment didn't know what he meant, so he asked, "Please enlighten me, Father!"

Zhao Ji looked at him, with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "The way to death is, despite having extraordinary talent, and a great struggle imminent, only thinking of preserving oneself! In the battle of the Shang and Zhou, those who had reached the realm of enlightenment and the sages all fell. Not to mention entering or leaving the world, when the sky falls, all will be crushed. If you want to truly survive, either hold the trend, or become the trend itself! Do you... understand?"

"Thank you for your guidance, Father!"

Ying Wuji couldn't help but ponder. He was now seriously considering this issue. He had never thought of running away directly before, but he had been developing his own strength and influence, ready to adapt to circumstances and protect himself.

But thinking about it, "adapting to circumstances" is not that simple?

In a world of great struggle, the destruction of a country is a casual matter, and those who jump back and forth will only suffer more. Thinking carefully, this is more suicidal than provoking Tang Shi on a certain continent.

So... he must be tough!

Both sides are ignited with a big red potion, from the first flat A attack, it is destined that one person will die.

Who will win in the end is uncertain. But if anyone keeps their displacement skills to run away, they will definitely die thoroughly. Is my father-in-law trying to make me the trend, held by Zhao Ning, or to make me realize that Zhao Ning is the trend, and take the initiative to hold it? However, these two interpretations are the same in a certain sense.

"Did you take it in?" Zhao Ji asked.

Ying Wuji nodded, "Yes!"

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "Then what do you think, between the Kingdoms of Li and Qian, which one is the trend?"

Ying Wuji thought for a moment and said cautiously, "It's not certain! The Kingdom Qian's strategy of agricultural warfare is extremely fierce, but its geographical location and cultivation resources have always been a big problem. If it wants to expand eastward, it must defeat the Great Li. The Great Li is strong, but reform is imperative. If it can reform and block the Kingdom Qian's eastward expansion at the same time, then it must be the Great Li. But... it's difficult! But as far as I'm concerned, even if Qian is the trend, it's not under my control."

He had indeed thought before that he could play both sides between the two families of Qian and Li, and when he broke through to the Lingtai realm that surpassed the Kingdom Qian, he could return to seize the throne with an overwhelming attitude. But now it seems that this idea is indeed a bit naive.

Zhao Ji smiled, "Including Ning'er, he made a mistake before. He thought that you, with the support of the Kingdom Li, could go back and fight Ying Wuque, but in fact, this is just a joke. Do you know why?"

Ying Wuji sighed lightly, "Because the Kingdom Qian is a war machine, all people are puppets, even the monarch. They don't need a crown prince who can do business or has a background, they only need a strong person who can carry out the strategy of agricultural warfare."

"There's actually one more thing you don't know!"

"What?"

"You don't know at all, how terrifying it is for a person who has awakened the Zhuan Xu bloodline to break through to the fetal metamorphosis realm!"

Zhao Ji's eyes were somewhat dreamy, "A first-grade Lingtai is unattainable for others, a symbol of terrifying potential. But for those who have awakened the Zhuan Xu bloodline, a first-grade Lingtai is just a stepping stone to condense the Zhuan Xu Emperor's fetus."

"How do you know?"

Ying Wuji was really puzzled. Although there were few awakenings of ancient bloodlines, there were not none. There was no such terrifying existence. And the last one who awakened the Zhuan Xu bloodline could be traced back to the Shang and Zhou battle. How could his father-in-law be so sure that the Zhuan Xu bloodline could be so strong?

"I know, of course!"

Zhao Ji smiled, and with a flip of his right hand, a red bead floated up. Under the light of the lamps in the hall, it emitted a dazzling red glow.

And his voice was full of temptation, "This is the Emperor's Blood of Zhuan Xu, although it's only a drop, but for the descendants of Zhuan Xu, it's better than all the heavenly treasures. If you are determined, and supplemented with the technique of burning blood, after the fetal metamorphosis realm, you can infinitely approach the Zhuan Xu Emperor's fetus. Do you... want it?"

Ying Wuji: "..."

Ha ha... He knew very well that the most ruthless was the imperial family. If he thought of running away as soon as his situation was bad, Zhao Ji would definitely think of selling him as soon as the trend was clear.

What needed to be weighed was nothing more than the degree of binding interests, which included power, finance, and... feelings that may or may not exist.

Ha ha! This sugar-coated bullet, I will definitely not...

This damn sugar coating is too fragrant!