Chương 45: 27.2. I don’t care about doors

Faust followed the maid through the palace halls. He tried not to glance around too much. So he looked down and admired the carpet. The red and gold carpet wasn't embroidered with arrays, rather, the threads themselves had been woven into array characters. If he looked up to the hanging banners and tapestries, they were all the same. He had no doubt even more characters were engraved underneath the carpet. At the same time, he wondered how much it cost to maintain it all. He peeked at the sides of the hall.

Golden armoured knights with red capes and full face covering helmets all stood at attention, halbers in one hand, shields in the other. Each one was at the peak of the Golden Core realm. But… Despite all being at the peak of the Golden Core realm, none of them felt… Threatening… Not like the maids that passed by. Are they not real cultivators? Faust wondered. He regarded the maid leading him for a moment. He had already treated her like a maid rather than a senior cultivator, so it should be fine to ask questions…

Right? Yeah, that makes sense. He mentally assured himself.

"Out of curiosity… Why do all you maids feel more threatening than the knights?" Faust inquired with a whisper technique. The maid didn't respond, so Faust was about to investigate on his own while they walked.

"The knights are trained in mass as his majesty's personal army. Maids are all inducted separately by merit and cultivation level." The maid responded. Faust pondered over it. So the knights don't receive special attention and are raised with resources. While the maids have all cultivated purposely according to their own requirements? He did see Nascent Soul cultivators pass by once or twice. A knight in more regal armour whose aura seemed normal and an older maid. Well, older judging by aura.

She still looked nothing over 30. He found it interesting. That meant that the strongest force in the palace was actually the maids. And since they were recommended. They were also loyal to different parties and factions. Of course, the knights still seemed to outnumber the maids ten to one. There was a knight every few steps. But all with very ordinary Golden Cores compared to the maids who at least had Iridescent Golden Cores if not Earth Golden Cores.

The maid led the two through a wide open door, out into the open sky. After feeling nothing but Golden Core auras, Faust finally felt some Open Palace realm auras. As they continued through a garden, they eventually left the massive courtyard they were in.

"Quiet Cicada Courtyard" hung on a plaque as they passed through a square entrance. A wide red brick path led between walls, entrances opening up to different courtyards. Vibrant grass and well cut bushes grew on the side of the brick path. Open Palace realm cultivators jogged by in red and gold uniforms, following a Golden Core cultivator in golden armour but without their helmet on. It seemed like a simple exercise, but Faust could sense the Qi.

Each of them was carrying an artifact that alerted the arrays engraved on the underside of the bricks, pulling them into the ground as if to consume them. Measuring the Qi response, Faust guessed they were being pulled down as if they were carrying twenty thousand Jin distributed across their bodies. Not a huge amount for the second realm of body tempering, but only if it was only for a short time. Seeing the sweat pouring down their faces, he imagined those knights in training had been at it since yesterday.

Probably to open up their bodies to a medicinal bath later. It was a simple body tempering method. Safe, reliable and most importantly, cheap. But also— slow. Faust had started with the same method. Run or exercise until exhaustion, then cultivate in a simple medicinal bath. He didn't have the time though. Instead, he practiced the Million Needles method. Not to use against others but on himself.

It was painful beyond reason, but it also only took an hour to open up the physical body to external medicinal ingredients. Stamina exercises could take days to do the same. By increasing the quality of medicinal ingredients used in the bath, the time needed could be further decreased while increasing the gains. It had only taken Faust a single year to reach the peak of the third realm of body tempering, from the peak of the second realm, using the painful and expensive method. Of course.

The pain made one prone to mistakes. He had caused several minor injuries and scars in his physical body when first starting with the Million Needle technique. By the end of the year, he had modified it beyond recognition, tuned to his own body specifically. The maid led Faust into a courtyard labeled "Rising Phoenix Courtyard." Here, there were no Golden Core knights. However there were people in red and gold capes at the Golden Core realm patrolling.

But most of the guards standing at the edges were all at the Open Palace realm. The maids were also mostly at the Open Palace realm, with only a few at the Golden Core realm. Faust eye twitched. There were Open Palace maids. So why was he being attended to by one at the Golden Core realm? Was it just to scare him? But despite the fewer Golden Core and Open Palace cultivators, each of them felt like real cultivators, unlike the Golden Knights.

Then again, he imagined the truly strong knights were in more important places than standing along the hallways of one of the many courtyards of the palace. The maid led Faust to a set of black and gold doors about twice his height. Then she paused briefly. Faust stepped forward. According to his knowledge of etiquette, the servant was letting the guest enter on their own. So he did. Placing his hand on the golden handle and attempting to open the door. It didn't move.

"..." Faust slowly looked up and met the maid's eyes, as neutral and impassive as they had been every time he had seen her. Faust felt Heaven and Earth Qi in the door. He and Faram discussed extensively how to manipulate Heavenly Qi without high level ingredients. The more common method was just to use 4th level ingredients. Take this door as an example. Faust felt his eye twitch. And even as his entire body ached and groaned at the strain, he still subtly activated his technique.

The door resisted and Faust focused all his attention on it. Observing its reaction, feedback and inner workings. He controlled his Qi and technique and the handle slowly turned, letting him push the door open. But its weight made Open Palace realm and 3rd level body tempering strength insufficient. Faust let Qi flow through his body, filling one of the thicker micro-channels as he used a technique. Bang! A kick soundly sent the door flying open with a bang.

Far from the soundless elegance the maid had been opening it with. Faust met the eyes of none other than the princess.

"..."

"..." Ah. Time and place. Right. Right. Faust realised he'd made a slight error in judgment, becoming too focused on the challenge. Faust bowed and cupped a fist.

"The door was broken, your highness." He explained. The princess, in a simple, low black and gold robe with long flowing sleeves, holding a brush in one hand, looked between Faust and the door.

"It was broken or it is broken?" She asked flatly.

"Of course, it was already broken." Faust doubled down, not daring to look up from his deep bow. The princess was silent for a few more moments, regarding him.

"Enter." She said plainly, her brush touching the open scroll in front of her once more. I really don't want to. Faust complained internally while he obeyed. Since he was in the palace he half expected to meet the princess. At the same time, he had no idea what exactly they would be talking about. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Faust walked part way up to the princess desk before stopping a few meters in front of it, as he would when entering the sect's administration hall. The maid closed the door and followed a step behind. If he made a mistake, neither tried to correct him. The hall was quiet. Only the princess's brush dragging across the paper filled the silence. Faust shifted a bit and kept his eyes down. So long as there was a way out he would get out of here as soon as possible. Or I could try to get some benefits?

The thought intruded Faust's mind, before he quickly cut it off. It was already risky enough, but this heart demon was determined to be greedy.

"I heard you lost all your Innate Qi. Are you sure you want to throw away the opportunity I gave you?" The princess eventually asked. Faust winced, peeking at the maid at the side, a step behind him. He looked back at the princess, "I believe— pure yin or yang shouldn't be treated carelessly." He answered cautiously. He had become distracted by the Devouring Heaven technique before at the restaurant, saying things he really shouldn't have. Speaking casually in front of the princess.

"I see." The princess mused, her eyes not leaving the scroll in front of her. The hall went silent again. Really an expert at making the atmosphere oppressive. Faust grumbled idly.

"I've already had your injuries seen to and more, so I will not offer any other reward for defending my person." She clarified.

"I hear Liora clan bloodline can even improve the quality of the Golden Core formed." She's really pushing this. Faust thought. Moreover, the increase in Golden Core quality was just ridiculous.

"I understand. Thank you for your highnesses generosity." Faust bowed deeply, still not intending to accept. The princess looked at him briefly, then looked back down to her documents.

"Officially, some rogue cultivators tried to capture me for ransom. It's happened before." Of course that's what they would say. Faust complained but remained silent. He really didn't like politics. Even he could guess what had really happened yet they were still putting up pretenses.

"Unofficially, it's all but confirmed that either the second prince or one of my cousins was dissatisfied with me recruiting the Han clan. Thus, they prepared a force of rogue cultivators to loiter together until Han Ci left the city." She continued. Nodding, Faust confirmed his theory. But still, he wondered who had shared the information. Plenty of people had overheard them, but it was still a short time. Only half an hour.

Perhaps seeing something in his expression despite his best attempts to remain expressionless, the princess added.

"I have some suspects as to who exactly alerted them to be ready and where." Faust nodded, "Thank you for your highness's generosity." He bowed again.

"I will let Liora Yunxi guide you to the Han estate. I believe the Duke of Han has prepared a reward for protecting his only child." Not responding, Faust caught the eye of the maid from before, who bowed to the princess before turning around. He followed the gesture and the two began towards the door once more. Footsteps hit the ground loudly outside, before the doors were practically thrown open.

A red uniformed scholar with a weak Golden Core aura dashed past Faust and the maid, Liora Yunxi, bowing before the princesses desk.

"Your highness! Urgent news!" He rasped between breaths. Faust glanced back and saw the princess hesitate briefly.

"Speak." She ordered after a moment.

"The second prince's man, Ren Ashcroft— has just slain a Golden Core cultivator!" The scholar explained. Faust hesitated. He had a feeling.

"He broke through?" The princess asked, her face darkening.

"N-no! He's still at the peak of the Open Palace realm!"

"..."

"..."

"..." Silence. Even Faust was stunned silent. That is… Insane… Sure he had his dreams and fantasies. But reality would never be as smooth sailing. He was thinking of using the technique to increase the strength of his foundation and to escape from Golden Core cultivators. But to cross major realms and kill them? Maybe I could… The thought spread like poison in Faust's mind. He focused his gaze ahead, trailing behind the waiting maid, Yunxi. But his mind was no longer on the princess's schemes. …

As the maid, Yunxi led Faust out of the palace and then into the forbidden city, he didn't even look around to inspect the place. All his attention was on his techniques and the dreams he had been having. Wearing a dragon robe and suppressing countless experts a major realm above him. Logically, he knew it was improbable. Yet what he had just heard said otherwise. He took one last look at his state. His arts and techniques. His knowledge, effort and accumulation. His skills and experience.

The messenger's words rang clearly in his head. Like a charm of temptation. Killing a Golden Core cultivator at the Open Palace realm… He let out a low hum. So it is possible. Even the thought made him feel like he was in danger. As if he was seeking death. Going against everything he had worked for so far. He tried not to think about it. But it was impossible. The methods and techniques practically spun together in his head, weaving themselves into a perfect tapestry.

Updating the 12 Qi Transformation method to the 15 Qi Control method. Adding Yin, Yang and Heavenly Qi. Earth already included. Changing the subject from transforming Qi's into simply controlling them, targeted around Heaven and earth Qi— and suppressing it. Heavenly Qi embedded into his micro-channels proved he could use his technique to use Heavenly Qi in his foundation even without unimaginably rare Heaven and Earth treasures. He already had a strong Earth quality to his foundation.

Thus, he would finish off his Open Palace cultivation with Heavenly Qi. Earth as the base of his foundation and Heaven at the top. So, next was to complete the cycle of 5 elements within his foundation during the middle and late stages. Actually, no. Faust looked down, his body shuddering, suppressing the mad smile that threatened to appear. He had already thrown caution to the wind, abandoning restraint. He would complete a cycle of 12 elements within the mid and late stages. As for Innate Qi?

He eyed the maid, Yunxi for a moment. Should he take the princess's offer? He wondered. Then shook his head. Even if he let himself loose a bit and managed to reach Essence Unity. He wasn't some heaven's favoured or clan's heir. Keeping his yang pure was still important for his descendents. Besides, he had already rejected her. He would have to solve his new problem of lacking Innate Qi before he could start on anything else. Yet. The obstacle seemed strangely minor.

Compared to the insanity of crossing realms to kill a Golden Core expert. It was a minor problem at best. Yunxi led him to an area filled with simple red and gold carriages, with no identifying markings. An Open Palace apprentice knight quickly greeted her and brought them to a carriage. The two boarded and the scenery began passing. Slowly at first, then speeding up into a blur, leaving the sprawling palaces and gardens of the forbidden city behind. Faust and Yunxi sat opposite each other.

Faust stared out the window, keeping his eyes off the maid who had patted her skirt before pulling it up slightly, revealing the end of her thigh-high stockings and inspecting the pearly white skin of her thighs.

"Sir Faust." She suddenly called his name, squishing her thighs slightly between her hands, eyes focused on how much they gave. His left eye twitched at the sudden address. Evidently the princess had noticed his new technique. He couldn't think of any other reason to have this maid, a major realm above him, attempting to seduce him.

"Will you consider her highness's offer? There's no reason to refuse." She spoke calmly, almost monotone. He glanced at her face and saw it was still unchanged, deadpan as before. Looking back outside to the changing scenery, he responded, "I'm already part of a sect. As good as the offer is, I'm sure there are others— no. I'm certain of it."

"Those who board the ship early find better rewards."

"There were hundreds of Open Palace realm cultivators there. One more won't make a difference."

"It will if they make Golden Core. Or Nascent Soul." The maid, Yunxi, suddenly pulled one of the ribbons out of her shoulder length black hair, letting it cascade down before she began tying it up again. Faust didn't answer, choosing to stay silent. It wasn't enough to deter the maid however, as Yunxi moved from the opposite seat to sitting right beside him.

"If you work under her highness, you can access more materials and resources." She continued, leaning against his arm.

"…" Seeing him remain silent and looking out the window, she pushed closer, pressing her chest against him while brushing his clothes with one hand, "You heard about Ren Ashcroft. You need help to cross realms and slay a Golden Core master." Faust felt a shiver go down his spine. He moved. Throwing Yunxi off of him with his arm against the opposite side of the carriage. The wood thunked at the sudden impact. Faust met Yunxi's eyes. She stared back expressionlessly.

"Silence isn't a good way to converse." She reasoned.

"Don't touch me." Faust let her go, returning to his previous position against the window.

"Understood, sir Faust." She bowed slightly, before crossing the carriage and sitting down on the other side once more. Faust felt his heart pounding. She was in the Golden Core realm. If she wanted to do anything he wouldn't be able to resist. It's easy to resist seduction in theory. He realised. But if she adds some charm techniques or poisons. This could be really dangerous. He knew more than one disciple who would have folded. Choosing short term pleasure over long term gain.

The carriage remained silent until the scenery outside slowed down and a large yellow wooden door stood with 'Han Estate' written on a black and gold plaque above it.

"We have arrived, sir Faust." Yunxi informed, opening the door first and stepping out before waiting for him. Faust followed her out, stepping forward and looking up at the large gate labelled heaven. The guards at the front looked at them briefly, before one asked, "Sir Faust?" Faust looked at Yunxi briefly, but seeing her not react he answered himself, "It's me."

"The patriarch is waiting in the main hall." The guard bowed slightly, before stepping aside, the gates being opened from inside. A maid in simple yellow robes came out and bowed, before mentioning to follow. Faust walked in, then noted Yunxi keeping just a step behind to his left.

"You're not returning to the palace?" Faust asked as they followed the Han estate's maid.

"I've been ordered to follow you." Yunxi responded.

"You won't be." Faust grumbled.

"Worry not. I will not do anything to you. Merely observe."

"I don't want that either. An Earth Golden Core expert like you should have a lot of work to do, you should return to her highness the princess's side."

"..." Is she finally going to leave? Faust hoped.

"There is an alternative offer for you, should you wish to take it. Closer to a commission you're being hired for. You may return to your normal life after it is completed." Yunxi revealed.

"... What kind of offer?" Faust asked.

"None of the Open Palace talents under her highness have any hope of defeating Ren Ashcroft in the Rising Dragons and Phoenixes tournament. Simply defeat him and you'll be rewarded."

"He defeated a Golden Core expert while still an Open Palace realm master, it's basically impossible."

"At the peak of Open Palace. You blocked an attack from the Golden Core realm at the early stage. With a little support, it's entirely possible that you could win the Open Palace bracket of the tournament."

"..." He wanted to refuse. He really did. But there was a tug of war as Faust reasoned it out. He didn't initially want to enter this time's Rising Phoenix and Dragons tournament. He didn't enter last year either.

"We're here." The Han estate maid stopped in front of a door. Faust turned his attention forward, slightly adjusting his robes.

"Enter." A rough voice passed through the hall. Faust took a deep breath, calming himself and emptying his mind for now. He would deal with Yunxi and the princess's favor later. Doors slid across wood and Faust entered the room.