Chu Zhiyuan took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, as if to expel all his anger.
The First Prince, Chu Liechu, opened his eyes, looking at him curiously.
He originally thought he was going to explode, but he didn't expect him to hold back.
Chu Liechu said helplessly: "Ninth Brother, there's nothing we can do. When our strength is inferior, what's the use of lamenting?"
Chu Zhiyuan was silent.
Chu Liechu said: "When our strength is inferior, we can't even care about face. Compared to humiliation, self-preservation is the most important."
Ninth Brother, if you can really quell this war, you will be a great hero to our dynasty."
"I can't bear the title of hero."
"Ninth Brother, we princes have enjoyed wealth and honor since childhood. For the sake of billions of people, we cannot be afraid to sacrifice ourselves."
Chu Zhiyuan said unhappily: "Brother, you make it sound so good!"
Chu Liechu snorted: "If I had been chosen, I would not have hesitated and would have risked everything."
"Then what about your throne?" Chu Zhiyuan curled his lips in disdain.
Chu Liechu said in a deep voice: "If the dynasty doesn't exist, what throne is there to talk about?"
Chu Zhiyuan said: "The Phoenix Dynasty can't destroy us. At most, they'll just take advantage. It hasn't reached the point where the dynasty ceases to exist."
Chu Liechu snorted: "But they will kill a large number of our soldiers. Aren't they also sons of parents, the pillars of their wives and children?"
Chu Zhiyuan looked at the Third Prince, Chu Lieyang: "Third Brother, in this situation, do you still want to take my place as the consort?"
Chu Lieyang said solemnly: "This matter is not up to us. It depends on Her Highness the Twelfth Princess's decision."
Chu Zhiyuan sneered: "Third Brother is truly infatuated! Forget it, let's listen to Father Emperor."
He was too lazy to say more, closed his eyes, cast aside all emotions, and began to cultivate.
A Yin-Yang fish vortex immediately appeared above his head, and spiritual energy surged in.
The three princes frowned as they stared at the top of his head, feeling his abundant spiritual energy and secretly comparing themselves to him.
Upon this comparison, they noticed a huge difference.
This Ninth Brother is really different, not only in his temper but also in his aptitude.
If he continues to cultivate like this, he will catch up with us sooner or later and become the number one among the princes.
"Ninth Brother, have you reached the Second Stage of Transformation?"
"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan said lightly, "I just reached the Second Stage."
"That was fast."
"Who told me to enter the blessed land?" Chu Zhiyuan said indifferently with his eyes closed.
His words suddenly made the three princes relax, accepting his greatly improved aptitude.
This Ninth Brother probably obtained a miraculous fruit that improved his aptitude in the blessed land, secretly consumed it, and combined it with the miraculous fruit that originally improved his cultivation.
Accumulating strength and then unleashing it, thus stepping into the Second Stage in one fell swoop, is not surprising.
The First Prince looked solemn and began to intensify his cultivation, striving to be the first to step into the Divine Transformation Realm.
Among the princes, the real source of confidence comes from cultivation, not age or ranking.
At noon, Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin met again at Qingfeng Cliff.
Chu Zhiyuan spoke of the matter.
Chu Honglin frowned, shook his head, and sighed: "I have never been involved in these scheming matters. There is too much discord between dynasties, and it is really not good to watch too much."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Fifteenth Uncle, this kind of feeling is too upsetting."
Even though he had a detached mentality and did not fully integrate into the original owner's emotions, he still felt aggrieved because he was in such a situation.
Chu Honglin said: "Therefore, the Imperial Brother is working hard to govern, and therefore everyone is working hard to cultivate, in order to strengthen the military, to stand upright, and to raise our eyebrows and exhale."
Chu Zhiyuan was silent.
The affairs of the world do not change with will, and it is not possible to surpass the opponent by working hard.
It is very likely that after struggling desperately, it will still be in vain and still be suppressed.
"But after struggling for tens of thousands of years, it is still the same." Chu Honglin shook his head: "The Phoenix Dynasty has seventy-two blessed lands, and the Jade Vista Dynasty and the Yuanzhen Dynasty together have seventy-two blessed lands."
Chu Zhiyuan frowned.
Chu Honglin said: "They have more Spirit Venerables than us, and their Spirit Guards are stronger than us. To this day, I have not seen the Phoenix Dynasty show any signs of decline."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Are you saying that we can never turn over?"
"The world has its ups and downs, and no dynasty can never decline," Chu Honglin said: "There will always be a time when the Phoenix Dynasty declines and we rise!"
Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
Chu Honglin said: "What we have to do is cultivate well, live longer, and be able to see the situation at that time."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said: "Fifteenth Uncle, you will be able to wait for it!"
"I hope so." Chu Honglin said: "Let's talk about this operation. It's about to start soon. Are you going to use the Great Subduing Demon Seal this time?"
"Okay." Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly.
He originally didn't plan to use the Great Subduing Demon Seal again to avoid exposure. Using the Evil-Repelling Ruyi once would be more seamless.
But the situation is like this, and he decided to risk using the Great Subduing Demon Seal to strengthen his soul as much as possible and improve his cultivation efficiency.
The Phoenix Dynasty is even more about respecting strength.
If he steps into the Divine Transformation Realm, whether he is a consort or a hostage, he will still be respected.
This is people's respect for strength, regardless of identity.
Chu Zhiyuan returned to the small courtyard. The sun had already set, and the four girls of Youlan were already waiting in the courtyard.
Youlan said while serving him food: "Guard Li said she has something to report to Your Highness."
"Let her come over." Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand casually while drinking wine.
He knew it was because of the marriage proposal from the Yuanzhen Dynasty.
Li Yuzhen quickly arrived gracefully.
With a graceful figure, she bowed slightly and clasped her fist: "Consort."
Chu Zhiyuan put down his wine glass, raised his lazy eyelids, and said lightly: "This title needs to be changed."
Li Yuzhen was puzzled.
Chu Zhiyuan said: "My position as consort has variables and may not be successful."
"Consort, rest assured, there are no variables," Li Yuzhen said solemnly.
"Is that what Her Highness the Twelfth Princess said?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.
"Yes." Li Yuzhen said: "Her Highness asked her subordinate to inform you, so that the Consort can rest assured and not think wildly."
Chu Zhiyuan laughed.
Li Yuzhen was puzzled.
Chu Zhiyuan laughed and said: "Listening to Her Highness's tone, it's as if I'm a sworn lover with her. How interesting. In fact, whether there are variables or not, it doesn't matter. Anyway, I don't want to be this consort."
Li Yuzhen frowned, and her eyes suddenly became sharp.
Chu Zhiyuan chuckled: "Do you think I don't know how to appreciate favors?"
Li Yuzhen retracted her sharp gaze, lowered her eyes, but did not deny it.
"You're not even willing to say insincere words," Chu Zhiyuan snorted unhappily: "The princes of the Yuanzhen Dynasty must be stronger than me. Let her choose a good man to be her consort. It would be too unfair to her to marry me."
Li Yuzhen raised her head and said softly: "Since Her Highness has decided, she will not waver back and forth."
Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "She really is a great woman, as good as her word."
Li Yuzhen nodded lightly, obviously deeply agreeing with this evaluation.
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Is the Phoenix Dynasty going to start another war with us?"
Li Yuzhen shook her head: "Consort, rest assured, even if the two dynasties go to war, no one can do anything to you."
Chu Zhiyuan sneered: "Your Highness has such a big face and such a big tone!"
Li Yuzhen said softly: "This is not flattery or boasting. It is simply the truth."
"Alright," Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "Go be busy with your work."
Li Yuzhen bowed lightly: "Your subordinate takes her leave."
