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Chapter 67 The End of Techniques, The Source of Qi

The farce at the city gate didn't last long, and a bright yellow carriage slowly drove in from the city gate.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Amidst the shouts of unison, Crown Prince Li Chengqian stepped down from the carriage, and Fan Xian and the First Prince Li Chengru had no choice but to step forward to pay their respects.

The Crown Prince persuaded both sides, acting like a master of impartiality, leading them into the capital together, so that both groups could set off again.

Russell observed the three brothers before him and simply uttered a sigh of regret.

If the Crown Prince in front of us were the Crown Prince from the novel, the situation would be absolutely perfect. With the First Prince leading troops in the field, Fan Xian managing the Imperial Treasury, and Fan Xian handling state affairs, the Qing Kingdom would take off immediately.

Actually, the crown prince in the novel is not bad. Apart from having an affair with his aunt Li Yunrui and being fond of women, he doesn't have many blemishes on his record.

He was considerate of the palace servants, disciplined himself, and his character was beyond reproach.

Unfortunately, just like the original owner of his name, he had been under the oppressive policies of his father for many years, and his mentality eventually collapsed, leading him to raise an army and force the emperor to abdicate.

Then, just like the one from the Tang Dynasty, he failed at the last minute and was easily captured by Emperor Qing.

After watching the three leave, Russell arrived at the Si Nan Earl's residence under the guidance of Wang Qinian.

Wang Qinian was a favorite of Fan Xian, and he came and went from the Fan residence as if he were at home. The servants of the Fan residence were already familiar with him.

Now he brought along a young master who claimed to be a friend of Fan Xian, which did not arouse any suspicion. The servants treated him as a distinguished guest and led him to stay in the side courtyard next to Fan Xian's residence.

With Fan Xian entering the palace, Russell had nothing else to do and continued his meditation and cultivation.

After a month, thanks to the pills supplied by Han Li and Xiao Yan, Russell recovered somewhat. His dantian was once again filled with nuclear energy. The amount was not large, but it was pure enough. Moreover, under Russell's repeated tempering, this energy had already begun to liquefy.

The methodology has been proven to be feasible; all he needs to do next is accumulate quantity.

It has to be said that Zhang Chulan's Qi Body Source Flow has shown him a shortcut in terms of cultivation.

If Xiaoyaozi's True Qi Liquefaction Project is like the material for transitioning from primary to junior high school, then Qi Body Source Flow is like a complete set of textbooks and explanations for transitioning from junior high to senior high school.

The ultimate technique leads to the flow of Qi (vital energy) – this is not just empty talk.

Just as the core of the Tongtianlu lies in Tongtian, the core of the Qitiyuanliu lies in the two words Yuanliu (origin and flow).

In the world of Under One Person, techniques are actually the "tools" used to achieve one's goals; they can be strong or weak, and can also be restrained.

The Tao is the origin of everything in the world and the law governing the operation of all things.

In short, the function of Qi Body Source Flow is to bring all techniques back to their origin.

It can not only break down all techniques and return them to their most original form, but also guide the flow of Qi and control the execution of techniques, allowing them to operate in a way that is more in line with the Dao.

For example, at this moment, Russell slowly stretched out his hand, and the Yin and Yang energies flowed naturally in his palm like gentle swimming fish. The heat and cold intertwined, faintly causing the surrounding air to emit a subtle hum.

His casual palm strike was only slightly less powerful than his full-force attack in the Lingjiu Palace.

This is more like a buff, giving an "↑" symbol above the skill you already have.

……

Night falls and the city lights begin to twinkle.

A young girl dressed in an elegant dress carried a delicate double-layered food box and walked gracefully into the side courtyard where Russell was temporarily staying.

[The host has come into contact with the story character Fan Ruoruo (White). The current causal connection is 0%, triggering a lottery draw. Do you wish to draw now?]

"Miss Ruoruo?" Russell slowly rose to greet her, his breath coming out softly.

"That's right," Fan Ruoruo nodded with a smile, placed the food box on the stone table in the courtyard, and gave Luo Su a graceful bow: "Greetings, Young Master Luo. My brother asked me to bring you some dinner."

"Where is he?" Luo Susu asked casually as she sat down. Logically speaking, Fan Xian should have returned long ago.

Fan Ruoruo replied, "My brother came back in the evening, but he was taken away by someone sent by the headmaster as soon as he arrived at the gate. They said he had important matters to discuss and we don't know when he will be back."

The dean she was referring to was naturally Chen Pingping, who was ruthless and cunning, and dared to scheme against anyone.

Of course, Russell wasn't worried about Fan Xian's safety; the old cripple still had a considerable amount of genuine affection for him.

"Young Master Luo, please have your meal first, the food will not taste good if it gets cold." Fan Ruoruo reminded him softly, poured Luo Su a cup of tea, and then sat down to the side without saying anything, but occasionally she would secretly glance at Luo Su with her eyes.

In that brief afternoon meeting, Fan Xian repeatedly urged her to take good care of Luo Su.

Although she would obey her brother's orders without hesitation, that did not stop her from being curious about the identity of the person in front of her.

Could he be a prince from Northern Qi? Fan Ruoruo wondered.

Later that evening, Fan Xian finally returned, fuming.

His complexion wasn't too good, but it wasn't too bad either.

Russell could tell at a glance that he had been humiliated by Emperor Qing.

Although he was his biological son, Emperor Qing felt more than just paternal love for Fan Xian; he also harbored deep apprehension towards him.

He only saw Fan Xian as a knife in his hand, and once the knife became too sharp and had its own ideas, he would definitely suppress it.

Fan Xian poured himself a cup of cold tea and gulped it down, then let out a long sigh.

It was indeed Li Chengze's affair. He told Emperor Qing about Li Chengze's smuggling, but Emperor Qing was only concerned with the news from the temple and was not prepared to investigate Li Chengze further.

Furthermore, he learned from the Crown Prince that Shijia Village, where evidence of Li Chengze's smuggling crimes was hidden, had been massacred. However, Dean Chen told him that he could investigate privately.

Russell chuckled: "In feudal society, imperial power is supreme, the family and the country are one, and the majesty of the royal family is above all else. The idea that the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners is utter nonsense."

Fan Xian raised an eyebrow and countered, "Isn't that true of modern society too? When has the privileged class ever been exempt from certain privileges?"

"Hey! You said that, I didn't." Russell quickly raised his hand to distance himself, indicating that you shouldn't get me in trouble.

Leaving that topic aside, Fan Xian cut straight to the point, tilting his head towards Russell: "Are we going or not?"

"Walk."

……

In the pavilion of the back garden of the Second Prince's residence.

Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujiu stood on either side, lost in thought.

Li Chengze leaned back on a cushioned stone chair, a chessboard in front of him with black and white pieces scattered about, his small eyes filled with confusion.

He really couldn't understand what Fan Xian was plotting.

If Fan Xian were truly under his control and willingly submitted to him, not only would Fan Xian be convinced, but even Xin Qiwu, one of the Crown Prince's subordinates... well, Xin Qiwu would definitely believe it.

But if you ask what Fan Xian wants to do, he hasn't even come to see him yet.

Could it be that he really doesn't care about Teng Zijing's wife and children?

The thought lingered in Li Chengze's mind for only a moment before he dismissed it.