Chapter 2222: Chapter 1912: Early Stage of Human Realm—How Is This Possible?

Not even Bai Qingqing, Zhao Yu now somewhat doubts whether Lu Chen has been possessed by some unholy creature.

Even the legendary Grand Ancestor of Zhou and the First Generation Prince Zhen Nan didn’t advance in their realms as quickly as Lu Chen.

Rumor has it that the Grand Ancestor of Zhou and Prince Zhen Nan had received a special inheritance, which sped up their realm progression significantly. But even for them, it took several months to progress from the Peak of Mortal Realm to the Human Realm.

However, Lu Chen only took a month to advance from an ordinary person to the Early Stage of the Human Realm.

If this news were to spread, Dazhou might descend into chaos, and the Zhou royal family would surely intensify their suppression of the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, possibly even sending assassins to eliminate Lu Chen.

The Zhou royal family certainly wouldn’t want to see another figure like the First Generation Prince Zhen Nan emerge from the Zhen Nan Prince Manor. With the Grand Ancestor of Zhou already deceased, if someone as formidable as the First Generation Prince Zhen Nan appeared in the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, then there would hardly be anyone in Dazhou who could keep the Zhen Nan Prince Manor in check. At that point, Dazhou might no longer bear the surname Ji but rather the surname Lu.

Seeing Zhao Yu staring at him in disbelief, Lu Chen said modestly, "I just got lucky, lucky to break through."

The corner of Zhao Yu’s mouth twitched slightly, lucky to break through?

From the Late Mortal Realm to the Peak of the Human Realm in just one night, and this is called luck?

Zhao Yu was now very curious about what kind of magic the Princess Consort left for Lu Chen that allowed him to break through so significantly in such a short time. It wouldn’t be a technique that trades lifespan for realm advancement, would it?

Thinking about this, Zhao Yu cautioned, "Princely Heir, there’s no need to rush your cultivation. As long as the Zhen Nan Prince Manor has those few elder immortals watching, other forces won’t dare to make any direct moves against us. If your cultivation method is harmful to your body, it would be a loss."

Lu Chen heard Zhao Yu’s concerns and said, "Commander Zhao, rest assured, I know my limits, and I won’t cultivate any evil arts."

Although Lu Chen said this, Zhao Yu still had his doubts about him. He felt that if a cultivation method was this marvelous, there must be some price to pay. For spirit martial artists, there is no gain without sacrifice.

Spirit Martial Artists suffer extreme pain when absorbing spiritual evil, and their bodies are always at risk of being bitten back by it, especially during cultivation. The possibility of suffering a spiritual evil backlash is even greater; these are all costs that need to be paid.

Lu Chen’s fast realm advancement surely comes with other costs, and the price is likely very high.

Whether the cost is lifespan or something else, Zhao Yu doesn’t wish for Lu Chen to be so impulsive. In his view, Lu Chen only needs to hold on until the next generation grows up. The bloodline of Prince Zhen Nan can’t always have someone like Lu Chen.

As long as Lu Chen has more descendants, even if they don’t achieve the strength of the First Generation Prince Zhen Nan, they could still become pillars like the current Prince Zhen Nan.

Zhao Yu thought inwardly that he would have to report this to the prince later. If Lu Chen continues cultivating this way, there might really be trouble.

Lu Chen then asked, "Commander Zhao, is there anything else?"

Startled, Zhao Yu gathered his thoughts and replied, "No, I was just a little worried about your health given how quickly your realm is advancing."

Lu Chen said, "Rest assured, Commander Zhao, I wish to live for thousands of years, so I won’t mess around."

Zhao Yu replied, "Then I won’t disturb you anymore, Princely Heir."

As he spoke, Zhao Yu’s body once again vanished into the shadow of the pavilion, but he didn’t linger there.

...

Zhen Nan Prince Manor, the bedroom.

A maid was feeding medicine to Prince Zhen Nan. At this time, a shadow appeared in the middle of the room, and the next moment Zhao Yu’s figure emerged.

Seeing Zhao Yu appear, Prince Zhen Nan gave a look that stopped the maid from continuing to feed the medicine, and she respectfully stepped aside.

Prince Zhen Nan asked, "What has happened?"

Zhao Yu reported, "My lord, the Princely Heir has broken through again."

Over the past month, each of Lu Chen’s breakthroughs had been reported by Zhao Yu to Prince Zhen Nan. Although Prince Zhen Nan was powerful, he was currently bedridden, afflicted by a backlash of spiritual evil, and unable to perceive events outside, relying only on reports from others.

Upon hearing Zhao Yu’s words, Prince Zhen Nan said, "It seems the cultivation methods passed down from his mother are indeed quite extraordinary, reaching the Peak of Mortal Realm so quickly."

Zhao Yu immediately corrected, "My lord, it’s not the Peak of Mortal Realm, but the Early Stage of the Human Realm."

This...

Prince Zhen Nan was momentarily at a loss for words. In disbelief, he asked, "What did you say? Not the Peak of Mortal Realm?"

"The Early Stage of Human Realm? How is that possible?"

It was the first time he had heard of anyone advancing from an ordinary person to the Early Stage of the Human Realm within a month. Bai Qingqing herself was only at the Mid-stage Human Realm.

Moreover, Lu Chen hadn’t encountered any bizarre or unholy remnants during this period.

Zhao Yu added, "Last night after the Princely Heir broke through the Peak of Mortal Realm, he expressed a desire to absorb the peculiar Spirit Evil Qi, so I brought him a Lantern Deceit. After he absorbed the Spirit Evil Qi from that creature, he requested another bag of Lantern Deceits to be delivered to his room. When he emerged this morning, I realized he had broken through once more."

After Zhao Yu’s report, Prince Zhen Nan fell into silence.

While Lu Chen’s rapid realm advancement seemed like a boon for the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, ensuring its future lineage, this rapid progression likely came with significant risks. It implied that Lu Chen’s cultivation method might have dire costs, possibly shortening his lifespan.

Furthermore, if Lu Chen’s current realm became known to outsiders, it would be a huge problem. Even in its decline, the Zhen Nan Prince Manor remained a thorn in the Zhou royal family’s side. If an even more terrifying talent than the First Generation Prince Zhen Nan emerged and bore the Dragon Qi, the members of the Dazhou royal family would likely lose sleep.

After some thought, Prince Zhen Nan instructed Zhao Yu, "Seal the information, do not let news of Chen’er’s breakthrough spread."

Zhao Yu responded, "Rest assured, my lord, ever since the Princely Heir cleaned out the traitors, the Hidden Guards have intensified the manor’s protection. As long as he doesn’t leave the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, outsiders won’t discover his realm has reached the Human Realm."

Despite Zhao Yu’s reassurances, Prince Zhen Nan was still somewhat anxious. There’s no such thing as a completely tight seal; previously he’d believed the manor’s defenses were impenetrable too, with the Hidden Guards cracking down on any infiltration. But in the end, the manor was nearly as porous as a sieve.

Subsequently, Prince Zhen Nan said, "The best approach is to hide his aura, making sure no one can discern his realm."

Spirit Martial Artists can conceal their aura, but some particularly sharp or high-realm martial artists can see through those who hide their realm.