Test

As Gu Chengyin walked out of the Wenli Hall, his mind was still replaying the conversation he just had.

Luo Zhao's performance was absolutely perfect—perfect obedience, perfect arrangements, perfect concern.

A hundred Golden Feather Guards led personally by Chen Busha; if this generous gift were presented in the imperial court, it would be enough to make any minister weep tears of gratitude.

Of course, Gu Chengyin knew the main reason was still that Luo Zhao listened to him.

In a hypnotized state, Luo Zhao's logic was simple and direct, prioritizing her master's needs above all else.

He wanted guards, she provided.

He wanted experts, she provided.

He hadn't even specifically asked for Chen Busha, yet she offered him on her own initiative.

If it had been Luo Zhao herself, the clear-headed Eldest Princess, things might not have gone so smoothly.

Even though he was the Crown Princess's Junior Preceptor, she would never have agreed so easily.

After all, under his meticulous tutelage, Luo Zhao could be said to be getting increasingly wicked.

Not wicked in character, but rather refined in political maneuvering, calculating after seeing through human hearts, and composed in dealing with everything.

Having achieved his goal, Gu Chengyin immediately cupped his hands and took his leave.

Time seemed plentiful, but in reality, it was pressing.

After all, the difficult parts were yet to come; just dealing with the Grand Secretariat alone would be a massive headache.

But Gu Chengyin had to continue expanding this inspection team.

Watching the figures of Gu Chengyin and Lin Qingyan disappear, the atmosphere inside Wenli Hall suddenly changed.

The submissive and gentle expression on Luo Zhao's face faded, replaced by a calm scrutiny.

She slowly sat back in her chair, her fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest, making a rhythmic sound.

Imperial Father indeed sent out Aunt.

Luo Zhao spoke, her voice cold and clear: And even with Aunt, Gu Chengyin still needs to continue expanding the team, which means this inspection tour is extremely dangerous.

Just as we deduced, the other immortal cultivation sects are really going to make a move on him.

Beside her, Shangguan Yunying also relaxed. She walked to Luo Zhao's side and said softly, Lord Jingzhe has ties with the Azure Sword Sect after all; she is indeed the most suitable candidate from the Celestial Master Mansion.

But... Shangguan Yunying changed the subject, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, revealing genuine concern. Your Highness, what if the other sects risk their lives to kill Gu Chengyin?

Although Lord Jingzhe is very strong, this time is different from the past. I'm afraid...

Shangguan Yunying didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already obvious.

There might even be Golden Core realm experts personally carrying out the assassination; this possibility was not non-existent.

Luo Zhao was also aware of this issue.

Otherwise, Gu Chengyin wouldn't be running around trying to expand the team, wishing he could pull everyone in.

The hall fell into a brief silence.

After a long while, Luo Zhao suddenly spoke:

Yunying, isn't Gu Chengyin's cultivation tied to his status and power?

Shangguan Yunying was startled, then nodded. Yes, according to the information he revealed and our own observations.

Every time his cultivation improves, it is accompanied by an elevation in status and an expansion of power. These are the proofs.

Then let's conduct an experiment. The corners of Luo Zhao's lips curled up, a gleam flashing in her eyes.

An experiment? Shangguan Yunying was puzzled.

That's right, an experiment.

Doesn't Gu Chengyin always like to attribute all the credit to me? And then hide behind the scenes himself.

Luo Zhao looked towards the distance outside the window. But this time, I'm going to do the exact opposite.

Your Highness means... Shangguan Yunying seemed to understand.

Luo Zhao turned her head back, the smile on her face becoming increasingly gentle yet cold:

This time, I'm going to attribute all the credit to him.

The Two Capitals and Thirteen Provinces are too large, and regular reports are too slow. This way, Gu Chengyin's status and power simply cannot spread quickly.

But what if we give it a push from behind? Accelerate this process to be completed within a week, so his cultivation will rapidly increase.

Shangguan Yunying's pupils shrank slightly.

She understood.

According to the information they currently possessed.

Gu Chengyin's cultivation system was special; power and status were the nutrients for his cultivation.

The higher his status and the greater his power, the faster his cultivation improved.

If Luo Zhao really pushed with all her might and accelerated this process, his cultivation would naturally advance by leaps and bounds.

As long as we push him to the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment realm, Luo Zhao continued, even a Golden Core cultivator won't find it so easy to kill him.

Not to mention that his combat power far exceeds those of the same realm; he might even be able to fight a Golden Core.

In that case, it will be easier for him to survive.

Shangguan Yunying stayed silent for a moment before asking softly, Is Your Highness doing this to protect him?

Protect?

Luo Zhao laughed and shook her head. Perhaps, at least I won't allow him to die at the hands of others.

But more importantly, after he returns.

Luo Zhao raised her head, her gaze sharp as a knife:

When he has handled the inspection matters perfectly and returns to the Divine Capital.

We will then strip away his status and power.

To see if his cultivation will fall along with it.

Shangguan Yunying gasped.

An experiment.

This was indeed an experiment.

Gu Chengyin's cultivation system was too unique, so unique that it was hard to believe.

Status and power directly converting into cultivation?

This was simply unheard of.

But if it was true, then theoretically, when his status and power were stripped away, his cultivation should also fall accordingly.

But what if it didn't?

What if once Gu Chengyin's cultivation improved, it became stable and wouldn't drop due to a weakening of status and power?

Your Highness... Shangguan Yunying's voice trembled slightly. If Gu Chengyin's cultivation really falls, then we can control him by controlling his status and power?

Exactly!

An excited gleam flashed in Luo Zhao's eyes. If the experiment succeeds, then Gu Chengyin will no longer be uncontrollable.

The source of his power will be in our hands, his cultivation growth will be under our control, and everything about him will belong to us.

Luo Zhao reached out her hand, palm facing up, and slightly curled her five fingers.

She made this gesture very slowly, as if watching Gu Chengyin struggling within the palm of her hand.

Sunlight leaked through the gaps between her fingers, casting dappled shadows on her palm.

And if the experiment fails... Shangguan Yunying murmured.

If it fails, Luo Zhao picked up the sentence, her tone returning to calm, then it means there is another mystery to his cultivation system.

We can plan ahead and adjust our strategy towards him.

But regardless of success or failure, this experiment will allow us to understand him better.

Shangguan Yunying looked at Luo Zhao, looked at this Crown Princess.

At this moment, Luo Zhao's face bore a kind of radiance she had never seen before.

It was the excitement of a wise person solving a difficult puzzle, the confidence of a chess player laying down a brilliant move, the calmness of a hunter setting a trap.

Your Highness. Shangguan Yunying suddenly smiled. You really... are becoming more and more like Gu Chengyin.

Luo Zhao was taken aback, then she also smiled, this time with a hint of genuine amusement.

And after Shangguan Yunying finished speaking, looking at the visibly pleased Luo Zhao, a sly look appeared in her eyes.