I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

Compared to the Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince merely wanting to use me as a pawn against each other or to divert attention, Long Zhenxiao’s intentions have become almost clear over the past year.

The Dragon Aspect likely aims to make the succession of the Jiuli Dynasty throne even more chaotic; the more chaos, the more it serves its ultimate purpose.

So, many of Long Zhenxiao’s suggestions to Li Jizhou seem, at first glance, to be excellent strategies for Li Jizhou to vie for the throne.

“Your Highness, I’ve heard you’re planning to travel throughout the Dynasty, and I’ve come specifically to offer some advice.”

“Speak freely, my dear minister!”

“I hope Your Highness remembers that inheriting the position of Saint Emperor is not about caring for the world, but about ruling it. The facade is for the people, but the true methods and mindset are for the Saint Emperor to see.

The Saint Emperor needs a ruler with a steady mind, adept strategies, one who can maintain the ancestral legacy, suppress the court officials, and control the common people—a strong ruler, not a benevolent one with a soft heart, who empathizes with the people!” Long Zhenxiao stated with certainty.

Li Jizhou pretended to be surprised.

Although it’s a truth understood by all rulers, education from a young age conveys otherwise; at least on the surface, as the ruler of a dynasty, a benevolent and people-loving image is essential to inspire the common folk to willingly sacrifice for the dynasty and for the ruler’s reign.

Moreover, to maintain the population of the dynasty, ensure a steady supply of resources, and have enough cannon fodder, the rulers of the dynasty must also maintain a noble and righteous image while educating the masses.

Of course, this image is only for the people and doesn’t need to be for the full court of officials.

However, the full court of officials also has numerous ways to bind the Saint Emperor, especially in educating the Crown Prince.

If the Saint Emperor is weak, the officials naturally benefit the most.

“The Crown Prince is plotting against me!” After a long contemplation, Li Jizhou confided in Long Zhenxiao about the Crown Prince’s suggestion.

Long Zhenxiao looked at Li Jizhou’s demeanor and nodded with satisfaction.

“Please assist me, my dear minister! The Crown Prince grows increasingly hostile towards me, and my ninth brother hates me to the core. I must quickly strengthen myself!” Li Jizhou earnestly sought Long Zhenxiao’s help.

Long Zhenxiao nodded and took out ten Wood Spirit Stones from his Storage Ring.

The Dragon Aspect wants the fight for the throne to become more chaotic but doesn’t wish for any prince to become uncontrollably strong. Therefore, the resources Long Zhenxiao provided Li Jizhou with were always meant to expedite cultivation, but none to solidify his Dao Foundation, or even aid in the Late Stage of Divinity Transformation.

Currently, among the Jiuli Crown Princes, the Crown Prince has formed an Immortal Golden Core with three Dao Patterns and reached the peak with a Superior Dharma Aspect. The Ninth Prince possesses extraordinary talent, nourished by innate essence and supported by Marquis Rong’s Mansion, showing great momentum. Only the Seventh Prince, despite his talent, lacks support from his maternal family, having fallen out of favor in previous years, and must quickly receive more support.

“Thank you, dear minister! This palace will quickly establish the Foundation!” Li Jizhou gratefully accepted the ten Wood Spirit Stones.

While the Wood Spirit Stones don’t benefit the establishment of the Dao Foundation, they do accelerate post-Foundation cultivation, serving as crucial resources for Li Jizhou’s advancement.

As for resources beneficial to establishing a Top-Grade Dao Foundation, he hasn’t relied on others.

Such vital spiritual objects are unlikely to be given to him by those who see him as a mere tool.

He can only rely on himself.

“Top-Grade Dao Foundation!”

Magical Power, Divine Soul, and physical body are the factors determining the success of the Foundation Establishment, which for Li Jizhou pose no concern, being already perfected, but establishing the quality of the Dao Foundation involves more than just these three factors.

Heavenly insight, harmony of Dao and heart, are key.

The formation of the Golden Core requires Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects, and birthing the Dharma Aspect further requires the Celestial Heart Seal, gaining celestial recognition, tied to the body’s spirit.

However, Divinity Transformation and Refining Void need the insight of heavenly Dao, and further Harmonization Dao is all related to Dao.

The Dao Foundation stage, as long as Magical Power, Divine Soul, and the physical body pass, nearly has no impact on Core Formation, but post-Divinity Transformation, it’s crucial.

However, there are exceedingly few spiritual objects in the world beneficial to establishing a Dao Foundation. When one appears, heroes from all paths flock to it, and most people must rely on enlightenment.

Back then, the Crown Prince also achieved his earthly-level Dao Foundation by self-enlightenment, already considered extraordinary, with hopes to refine the void.

“How to realize one’s own Dao?”

“What Dao suits me best?”

“Dao fruit… I don’t know if I have the chance to obtain such a spiritual object in this lifetime during the Foundation Establishment Stage!”

Dao Fruit is one of the extremely rare spiritual objects beneficial to the Dao Foundation in this realm, not a naturally occurring object, but a spiritual remains left when a Mahayana Celestial Venerable normally passes away.

Every Celestial Venerable becomes one with the Dao, giving birth to the Dao Fruit, only awaiting the Great Celestial Tribulation; enduring it grants ascension potential.

In nearly a hundred thousand years, no Celestial Venerable has ascended; the Dao Fruits they left behind are beneficial spiritual objects for establishing a Celestial Grade Dao Foundation.

If one refines a Celestial Venerable Dao Fruit after perfect Qi Cultivation before establishing the Foundation, there is a chance to directly inherit the Celestial Venerable’s Dao, or if it’s not compatible, there’s a chance to germinate one’s own Dao.

In any case, if Li Jizhou could obtain a Dao Fruit, a foundational land-level Dao Foundation would be guaranteed.

Previously, Li Jizhou had heard a rumor that the Crown Prince’s establishment of an earthly-level Dao Foundation was due to refining the Dao Fruit left by an ancient Celestial Venerable of the former queen’s clan.

After seeing off Long Zhenxiao, Li Jizhou called upon his four maids.

Travel is an essential path for princes after perfect Qi Cultivation, but the reason Li Jizhou waited until now to venture out is because, after three months have passed, the Ninth Prince is also about to leave the safe zone.