The Lin Family, Martial Arts Arena.

"Guidance of the Celestial Heart!"

Lin Ningshan's five fingers gripped a shining sword, and with a swift slash, a sword aura immediately formed in the air, leaving a seven-meter-long sword path on the ground.

On the sturdy stone slabs, a deep sword cleft was left behind.

"Clap, clap!"

Lin Fengxian clapped his hands and walked into the martial arts arena, smiling, "Shan'er, your talent in swordsmanship is truly admirable. In less than three months, you have successfully mastered a low-grade spiritual-level sword technique. With this sword technique, you will definitely shine the brightest at the year-end assessment."

Lin Ningshan replied, "That's because I have already reached the realm of 'the sword follows the heart' in my sword practice and have a profound understanding of swordsmanship, which is why I was able to master this sword technique in such a short time."

Lin Fengxian nodded and said, "In the entire Wang City, there are definitely fewer than ten young geniuses under the age of twenty who have reached the realm of 'the sword follows the heart.' You are only fifteen years old, and your future achievements are boundless."

Lin Fengxian left the training ground, and Lin Ningshan continued to practice swordsmanship.

Thirteen days passed quickly in the outside world, which equated to thirty-nine days in the temporal crystal.

With the help of gathered Qi pills, Zhang Ruyi finally advanced from the initial stage of the Yellow Extreme Realm to its peak. The amount of true Qi in his Qi Pool was ten times that of thirteen days ago, achieving full cultivation once again.

Now, with just one punch, he could unleash the power of ten oxen. If he were to perform the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Fist, with the amplification of martial skills, he could even erupt with the power of sixteen oxen.

An ordinary practitioner at the Small Extreme Realm could only unleash the power of four oxen. A practitioner at the Medium Extreme Realm could unleash the power of nine oxen. A practitioner at the Large Extreme Realm could unleash the power of sixteen oxen.

In other words, although Zhang Ruyi had only reached the peak of the Small Extreme Realm, he could unleash the strength to rival that of a practitioner at the Large Extreme Realm.

Zhang Ruyi did not attempt to break through to the Medium Extreme Realm because, even if he reached the Medium Extreme Realm now, he could only open up sixteen meridians in his body at most. In his previous life, when he was at the Medium Extreme Realm, he had opened up twenty meridians.

"I must find a way to improve my physique. If I lose at the starting line, what will I use to compete with Empress Chi Yao in the future?"

Zhang Ruyi walked out of his room and saw Yun'er standing outside.

"Yun'er, today is the day of the year-end assessment, right?" Zhang Ruyi asked.

"Yes! The Ninth Prince, you must be careful. It is said that the Eighth Prince has already broken through to the peak of the Small Extreme Realm. If he knows that you are also a practitioner now, he will definitely target you intentionally," Yun'er said, looking somewhat nervous.

"It doesn't matter! It's not a big deal," Zhang Ruyi smiled faintly and asked, "Will Mother also go to watch the year-end assessment today?"

"Princess Lin will definitely go, but she doesn't know that you are participating in the year-end assessment," Yun'er thought to herself. If Princess Lin knew that the Ninth Prince had become a practitioner, she would surely be very happy.

"Ninth Prince, let me help you change into the Royal Python Robe. We can go to the Royal Family Martial Arts Arena on Wang Mountain now," Yun'er said.

At this moment, Zhang Ruyi saw the bronze tray in Yun'er's hand, neatly stacked with a set of gold robes embroidered with a four-clawed giant python, hairpin, jade belt, and golden boots.

In the Yunwu County, only princes could wear the Royal Python Robe, while princesses wore the Royal Sparrow Robe.

After three months of cultivation and body refinement, Zhang Ruyi's physique and temperament had undergone earth-shaking changes. He no longer looked weak and sickly, but radiated a youthful vigor.

Putting on the Royal Python Robe and accessories, his whole demeanor changed once again, as if he had leaped over the dragon gate and transformed into a noble figure, exuding an indescribable sense of nobility.

"Ninth Prince, you... you really look more like a prince than any other prince!" Yun'er gazed at Zhang Ruyi, her heart fluttering uncontrollably, her cheeks flushed.

Zhang Ruyi smiled and said, "Yun'er, let's go to the Royal Family Martial Arts Arena!"

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Yun'er nodded gently and said, "Princess Lin has already gone ahead to pay respects to the King. Let's hurry over, so as not to be late, or else those concubines and princes will start gossiping."

The Royal Family Martial Arts Arena was built below Wang Mountain.

The year-end assessment was the second most important event in the royal family, second only to the grand sacrificial ceremony. Even the Prince of Yunwu County stopped his closed-door cultivation and personally attended the year-end assessment.

The princes, princesses, and concubines arrived at the Royal Family Martial Arts Arena before dawn, waiting for the arrival of the Prince of Yunwu County.

The Prince of Yunwu County sat at the highest position in the martial arts arena, looking to be in his forties, with a tidy beard that emitted an aura of authority. He glanced at the princes and princesses and smiled, "Seven, hasn't come back yet?"

The Queen sat beside the Prince of Yunwu County and said, "Your Highness, half a month ago, the Seventh Prince sent back a letter, stating that he couldn't return temporarily due to an important matter. Besides, with the Seventh Prince's martial arts cultivation, participating in the year-end assessment is meaningless."

The Prince of Yunwu County appeared somewhat disappointed and said, "If the Seventh cannot participate in the year-end assessment, we will miss much anticipation this year."

The Eighth Prince's birth mother, Lady Xiao, stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, although the Seventh Prince cannot participate in the year-end assessment, the Ninth Prince can."

"Oh! The Ninth?" The Prince of Yunwu County's gaze turned to Princess Lin.

Lady Xiao smiled and said, "Three months ago, the Ninth Prince unlocked the Divine Martial Mark."

"Is that so? Ha ha! Princess Lin, why didn't you tell me this good news at the first time?" The Prince of Yunwu County was in a good mood. After all, the Ninth Prince was also his biological son and the only one who had not unlocked the Divine Martial Mark.

All nine princes unlocking the Divine Martial Mark naturally made the Prince of Yunwu County very happy.

Princess Lin bit her lip lightly, whispered, "The Ninth Prince only unlocked the Divine Martial Mark recently, and I didn't dare to disturb Your Highness."

The Prince of Yunwu County said, "As long as the Ninth Prince can unlock the Divine Martial Mark, it is a cause for celebration. Even if his future achievements are limited, he is ultimately a practitioner stronger than an ordinary person. Where is the Ninth? Why doesn't he come out to see me?"

The Eighth Prince sneered, "Everyone is here, but the Ninth Brother is still late. Opening the Divine Martial Mark is different after all. What a grandiose display."

At this moment, Zhang Ruyi, dressed in the Royal Python Robe, ascended the high stone steps and said, "Eighth Brother, is it really appropriate to speak ill of others behind their back like this?"

Zhang Ruyi looked dignified as he stood in front of the Eighth Prince, his sharp gaze fixed upon him.

The Eighth Prince clenched his fists tightly, appearing extremely angry. Previously, Zhang Ruyi would never have dared to speak to him in such a tone. It was simply outrageous!

Zhang Ruyi shook his sleeve and walked forward, casting a glance at the Prince of Yunwu County sitting above, bowing respectfully, "I pay my respects to Your Highness."

Upon hearing Zhang Ruyi's address to the Prince of Yunwu County, everyone present was shocked.

For a moment, the atmosphere became tense, and everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

The Prince of Yunwu County stared down at Zhang Ruyi and said, "You called me 'Your Highness'?"

The Queen coldly snorted and said, "Ninth Prince, you have quite the audacity. Do you wish to deny your father?"

"Boom!"

Lady Lin felt trembling in her heart and immediately knelt on the ground, hastily explaining, "Your Highness, Ruochen must have made a mistake in addressing you."

"I did not make a mistake!" Zhang Ruyi stood upright, staring intently at the Prince of Yunwu County, and said, "A father should be able to educate his children. May I ask, what have you taught me as a father? Have you ever helped me? Have you ever cared for me?"

"A husband should have grace, affection, and righteousness. May I ask, when my mother was punished by the Queen, where was your affection and righteousness? For three years, my mother has been bullied, where is your grace and affection? When my mother and I were driven out of our residence on a cold winter night and forced to move to a side palace, it was like being relegated to a cold palace. Where is your righteousness?"

"If one cannot be a good father or husband, I ask, is it wrong for me to call you 'Your Highness'?"

It was the first time someone had spoken to the Prince of Yunwu County with such audacity, and the surrounding people were already kneeling in fear. The palace maids and eunuchs were all trembling on the ground.

At this moment, the Prince of Yunwu County's face turned extremely cold, and he glanced at the Queen sitting beside him. He said in a deep voice, "Who gave the order? Who ordered them to be sent to the side palace?"

The Queen remained calm and looked coldly at the Eighth Prince and Lady Xiao.

"Boom! Boom!"

The Eighth Prince and Lady Xiao immediately knelt down, feeling weak and sweating profusely.

"It... it was me... it was me, Your Highness!" Lady Xiao's voice trembled.

Although it was the Queen's order, Lady Xiao didn't dare to expose the Queen.

The Prince of Yunwu County snorted and said, "Just you?"

Lady Xiao glanced at the Eighth Prince beside her, gritted her teeth and said, "It was only me!"

"Very well! Since you want to shoulder all the responsibility alone, from now on, you will live in the Ziyi Side Palace by yourself!" The Prince of Yunwu County said.

After hearing this, Lady Xiao realized that she had truly been relegated to a cold palace. There would be little chance for her to turn things around in the future. She felt weak and fainted directly.

After Lady Xiao was carried away, the Prince of Yunwu County stood up from his seat and looked directly at Zhang Ruyi, saying, "It seems that you have completed marrow cleansing and vein washing, and have become a true practitioner. You have indeed changed from before. Good! Because of your rare spirit, today, I will make an exception and forgive you. Do you want to participate in the year-end assessment?"

Zhang Ruyi's eyes were firm as he replied without humility, "Of course, I want to participate!"

"Good! Ha ha! Truly worthy of being my offspring, possessing such courage!" The Prince of Yunwu County laughed heartily.

This was a world where martial prowess was revered, and true strongmen valued three types of spirit: tough spirit, bone spirit, and proud spirit.

If Zhang Ruyi had appeared timid and afraid today, even if he had unlocked the Divine Martial Mark, the Prince of Yunwu County would not have appreciated him.

As the Eighth Prince knelt on the ground, he tightly clenched his fists and glared at Zhang Ruyi with a venomous gaze, silently vowing, " Zhang Ruyi, enjoy your pride for now! At the year-end assessment, I will definitely crush you and make you understand who the true strongman is!"

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