I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

Chapter 421 - 270: Clash of Masters

Upon returning from his travels around the world, the Seventh Prince’s standing in the Saint Emperor’s eyes now clearly surpasses that of the Ninth Prince.

The Ninth Prince, once favored for his talent by the Saint Emperor, finds himself in a perilous situation.

Fortunately, outsiders are unaware that during Li Jizhou’s accidental visit to Black Stone City, he inadvertently helped Li Yuan solve a major problem, and that he built a Celestial Grade Dao Foundation. Otherwise, they might not have the heart to invite Li Jizhou to the feast.

"Thank you, Rongniang!" After patiently enduring Consort Rong’s slightly intimate care, Li Jizhou thanked her calmly.

"No need to be so formal. You brothers should communicate well among yourselves first. After the banquet, wait a little. Rongniang has prepared a small gift for you." Consort Rong said with a smile, then gracefully left. It was not appropriate for her to stay by the princes during their gathering.

As soon as Consort Rong left, the Ninth Prince, Li Chaoyang, began to seek opportunities to converse with Li Jizhou.

Initially, there was an intention to be close, with some occasional probing into Li Jizhou’s thoughts.

This was very likely taught to him by Consort Rong,

However, it wasn’t long before his youthful spirit was hard to restrain, repeatedly trying to compete with Li Jizhou both openly and secretly.

Logically, given Li Chaoyang’s naïve disposition, Li Jizhou could easily use him as a breakthrough point to extract some secrets. However, he immediately shook his head.

The matter concerning King Yun was handled with such caution, even to the extent of self-defilement by practicing demonic arts, that it would be impossible to let a youth like Li Chaoyang know.

To get a conclusion, he might have to start with Consort Rong.

With this thought in mind, Li Jizhou was unwilling to bicker with Li Chaoyang. During the entire banquet, he remained indifferent, focusing instead on satisfying his appetite while contemplating the upcoming contest with Consort Rong.

"If I’m not worried about Li Yuan, or if he’s not someone who might kill me to maintain his reputation, I could try to bluff her.

I might even use a bit of force, considering Li Yuan hasn’t been intimate with her since that single time thirteen years ago.

But now, I can’t let others know I’m aware of this, so I must not be too direct, which makes it somewhat difficult."

Until the banquet concluded, and the princes and princesses took their leave, Li Jizhou still hadn’t come up with a good solution.

"Forget it, let’s see what she intends, and just go with the flow!"

Li Chaoyang took his leave with outward politeness, but inwardly he was seething. Throughout the banquet, he had probed multiple times, even resorting to provocations, yet Li Jizhou remained utterly unbothered.

He seemed to show no concern for him at all.

This left Li Chaoyang frustrated, feeling like he’d punched a cotton wall.

Once Li Chaoyang departed, Consort Rong’s maid came out with an invitation.

However, Li Jizhou paused slightly as the maid, after the invitation, didn’t lead him into Consort Rong’s private quarters, instead she turned and led him outside.

"Could it be she intends to trap me with such a base method?" Li Jizhou found himself caught between amusement and consternation.

Nonetheless, he touched the recording treasure jade pendant on his belt and strode inside.

The events of today were witnessed by many princes and princesses, making it impossible to fake. Consort Rong’s actions were in full view of everyone.

Keeping him for a private talk was something everyone knew about, so it surely wouldn’t involve any base method.

It seems Consort Rong intentionally acted the way she did before the banquet to eliminate Li Jizhou’s concerns, deliberately having the princes and princesses as witnesses.

"Splash~" As he stepped into the private quarters of her chambers, the sound of scooping water reached Li Jizhou’s ears.

In the next moment, behind a layer of sheer fabric, Consort Rong’s voluptuous figure appeared, her upper body exposed, back turned to him, half-squatting in the Spirit Pool for a bath.

Her three thousand strands of black hair cascaded into the water, her shoulders and waist proportions were exceptionally fine, especially the seductive curve of her hips that was half concealed by the Spirit Pool, a proportion wider by half an inch compared to her shoulders, undoubtedly stunning.

In his previous life, Li Jizhou had often heard people say that "hips wider than shoulders surpass the immortal." Such proportions, a worldly treasure.

"Qian’Er, could you help Rongniang pour some water on my back?" Consort Rong’s charming magnetic voice reached him.

Li Jizhou raised an eyebrow, feeling he couldn’t quite see through Consort Rong.

First, she intentionally let the princes and princesses know that she was amiable with him, then let everyone know she was leaving him behind.

No matter what happens today, no mudslinging can touch Li Jizhou.

Could it be she truly intends to use her body as a bargaining chip?

Does she not intend to frame him?

Li Jizhou was puzzled but did not hesitate, stepping forward.

Observing the voluptuous figure close at hand, especially from a high vantage point, he could see the scenery in front of her unobstructed.

Even though the Spirit Pool was misty, it did not prevent Li Jizhou from seeing everything clearly.

"It is my honor, mother." Li Jizhou took the water ladle from her hand, crouching down slowly to scoop water and pour it over her.

The Spirit Stone refined and dissolved into the water pool, with the spiritual water glistening pale green. When it splashed on Consort Rong’s smooth milky-white fragrant shoulders, it seemed to lose its sheen.

The blame lies with Consort Rong’s skin being overly delicate and radiant from bathing in Spiritual Liquid for years.

"Qian’Er, during your travels, did you come across any interesting tales to share with Rongniang?" While enjoying Li Jizhou’s spirit bath, Consort Rong not only lacked the youthful modesty but instead slowly leaned back against the edge of the Spirit Pool, her whole front half slightly arching, her mature face looking upward, eyes closed as she chatted idly.

"Which aspect does Rongniang wish to hear about?" Li Jizhou countered, his voice unremarkable.

Consort Rong frowned slightly; from the moment Li Jizhou entered until now, even from the beginning of her engagement during the banquet, he displayed an excessive calmness.

Though after the conferring ceremony, the way Li Jizhou looked at her showed greed and intent, today, although his gaze retained some aggression and lacked the respect due to elders, his actions remained never out of line.

Even his breathing and heartbeat showed little change.

As if he were a seasoned veteran, well-versed in the art of seduction.

Yet the Seventh Prince was supposedly still unblemished!

"Qian’Er might as well tell Rongniang about the female cultivators outside?" Consort Rong probed.

"The female cultivators outside?" Li Jizhou chuckled.

"Indeed, Rongniang was born inside this Imperial City, her youthful ambition was boundless, devoting herself to cultivation, considering herself heaven’s favored daughter, even comparing herself to the legendary Empress of Yue.

Sadly, two hundred years have passed, and reaching Nascent Soul is my limit.

Just then, the Saint Emperor selected consorts..." Consort Rong recounted with her eyes shut.

Li Jizhou raised an eyebrow, Consort Rong’s manner of chatting was indeed excellent, able to subtly close distances and even lead one to naturally immerse themselves in the scenarios she described.

"Rongniang is undoubtedly heaven’s favored daughter, otherwise, in the consort selection by the royal father, countless fairy maidens sharpened their heads to enter the palace, yet only a few like Rongniang were chosen." Li Jizhou laughed as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Consort Rong suddenly opened her eyes, with a silky seductive glance: "Qian’Er thinks so too? Everyone wishes to enter the palace?"

Li Jizhou pretended to be surprised: "Our Jiuli Dynasty, nourished by cultivators from all over the world, gathers the resources of the world for our use, us cultivators, for the pursuit of the celestial path, for proving the Dao, all for resources we fight with our lives.

Upon entering the palace, naturally, we enjoy more resources, laying a glorious celestial foundation for descendants and future generations.

Could it be that Rongniang is unwilling?"