In this world, many heave sighs. If only Jing Bohang were born into wealth, even just an ordinary family, perhaps another revered being would arise in the Jiuli Dynasty.

Then Jing Bohang was admitted into the Yaozhou Academy, where the teachers diligently nurtured him, making him somewhat stronger than those with a Celestial Spirit Root.

If he were further nourished by a peerless divine medicine, there might be a chance to complete his essence.

However, due to the limited resources of Yaozhou Academy, Jing Bohang came to the Imperial City Academy this year, intending to take first place in the examination and obtain sufficient resources.

Having cultivated for a year, now at seventeen, without any augmentation by divine objects, he has reached Qi Cultivation Fourth Level and is considered exceptional at the remote Yaozhou Academy.

Unfortunately, today, with the Ninth Prince participating in the examination, Jing Bohang has little hope of taking the top spot.

"Young master, that young lady is quite alluring, she seems a fine vessel. Why don’t I teach you the harvest technique of our Golden Enchanting Fox clan? It’s quite a great supplement!" As Li Jizhou was pondering, Hong Luan’s voice echoed in his sea of consciousness.

"Hm?" Li Jizhou once again looked towards the black-clothed young man.

With the enhancement of one-tenth of his past life’s Divine Soul, coupled with the soul-condensing effect of the Bodhi Fruit, after a month of cultivation, he now possesses Divine Sense comparable to Qi Cultivation Third Level.

Even so, he couldn’t see through the disguise of the black-clothed youth.

Naturally, he wouldn’t doubt Hong Luan’s words.

"What about their cultivation level?"

"Their cultivation isn’t hidden, and their disguise isn’t a usual Disguise Skill. It’s akin to a transformation skill of the Demon Race, irrelevant to the strength of the Divine Soul; she has only mastered the basics, but it’s undetectable below Core Formation." Hong Luan explained.

"Like a transformation skill?" Li Jizhou slightly raised an eyebrow, somewhat intrigued.

The Disguise Skill of Human cultivators, even with the Evergreen Skill from his past life that could store essence blood and aura for disguise, would be seen through by those whose Divine Soul is far superior.

"Young master, don’t even think about it. This type of Secret Skill can only be cultivated by those with Demon Race bloodline; that young lady is a descendant of Human and Demon Races." Hong Luan giggled, extinguishing Li Jizhou’s enthusiasm.

Li Jizhou chuckled awkwardly, "No matter, this young master has nothing to hide."

In this life, with a distinguished background and cultivating the Cyan Emperor Creation Skill, there’s no need for underhanded deeds, proceeding openly is enough.

After glancing at the preliminary screening list, Li Jizhou prepared to leave with Hong Luan.

Just then, someone noticed Li Jizhou in the middle of the list.

"Even without the Ninth Prince, Jing Bohang probably wouldn’t take the top spot, look, the Seventh Prince is also participating in the examination this year!"

"It’s said that before the Ninth Prince’s birth, the Seventh Prince, with his innate Wood Spirit Body, was dearly favored by the Saint Emperor, very likely that the drop of innate essence would be his."

"Unfortunately, his unstable disposition has resulted in an aloof and indifferent temperament, making him increasingly displeasing to the Saint Emperor, and even in the court, no one has faith in him, he might end up squandering his talents!"

"Heh! No matter what, the Seventh Prince, with his innate Wood Spirit Body, is still a prince. Even if he goes to his fiefdom three years later, he’ll at least achieve Nascent Soul True Monarch status and leisurely enjoy a millennium as a carefree prince, isn’t that splendid?" Someone laughed lightly, words filled with envy.

"Hmph, with such a gifted body from the heavens, if not striving for the immortal path, isn’t it a waste?"

"How do you know the Seventh Prince doesn’t aspire for the Dao? With his grudge against the Ninth Prince, perhaps in three days at the examination, he’ll give it his all to compete for supremacy!"

"There’s a possibility of that! The Seventh Prince’s innate Wood Spirit Body isn’t much inferior to the Ninth Prince’s myriad Lightning Spirit Root. Being five years older and harboring resentment, maybe he has been secretly preparing for a long time, perhaps he’ll display something remarkable in the three-part examination!"

"Hahaha, in any case, the top three have nothing to do with me. Witnessing the extraordinary display of peerless talents is quite an amusement!"

...

Li Jizhou walked further away, unconcerned about the people discussing behind him.

Although the entrance examination has rewards, its main purpose is class placement.

The top thirty directly enter the inner courtyard, taught personally by the dean level, with annual resources valued up to a thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones.

Those behind must first enter the outer courtyard and can only enter the inner courtyard upon reaching a certain level, the outer courtyard providing resources up to a hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones annually.

However, these are not matters of concern for Li Jizhou.

Being the Seventh Prince, even with a Lower-grade Spirit Root, he directly enters the inner courtyard without needing to participate in the examination.

The Jiuli Imperial City is bustling, far more grand and magnificent than any Immortal City Li Jizhou has seen in his past life. The city is vibrant with commerce, various shops thriving, and walking down the street feels earthly, almost like a prosperous mortal city. Were it not for his Divine Sense detecting the magical power fluctuations in the passersby, he’d think it a mundane bustling town.

Li Jizhou wasn’t wandering aimlessly; today, leaving the palace, his objectives were clear: firstly, to visit the future academy for cultivation, and secondly, to survey the market conditions of the Jiuli Dynasty.

In this life, requiring ample resources, relying on the prince’s identity is one aspect, and his past life’s accumulated skills and knowledge mustn’t go to waste.

Firstly, Li Jizhou visited an extremely luxurious Pill Workshop.

A glance revealed tiers one to three placed in the first-floor hall.

Foundation Establishment Pills and Crystal Condensing Pills were available.

On the second-floor notice, tiers four and five are available but require Nascent Soul True Monarch cultivation to access.

"Authentic Foundation Establishment Pill, two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones!" Seeing the price, Li Jizhou slightly raised an eyebrow, two-tenths cheaper than the Eastern Desolate Southern Domain.

The authentic Crystal Condensing Pill is three hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones, similar to the Yan Kingdom.

The prices of other pills are comparatively lower than in the Eastern Desolate Southern Domain.

After checking the medicinal herb prices, Li Jizhou felt a bit disappointed, although the high-tier was uncertain, below tier three, including tier three, the pill profit was dismally low, not even half of the Eastern Desolate Southern Domain.

Li Jizhou expected this.

The more developed a place, the more competitive various industries become, especially in low-end, mass-market items, where the profit is minimal.

The Central State having a conducive environment results in many low-tier cultivators, thus more cultivators in all industries.

After leaving the Pill Workshop, Li Jizhou toured the Talisman Workshop, Artifact Refining Workshop, Puppet Workshop, and so forth.

Almost the same for all, low-tier items lack value.

However, in the Talisman Workshop, he learned that high-tier talismans have an incredibly high profit, quasi-fourth-tier talismans double the profit compared to the Eastern Desolate Southern Domain.

The Nascent Soul threshold is formidable, a barrier even in the Central State, barring ninety percent of cultivators.

However, due to the abundant cultivators in the Central State, Nascent Soul Stage cultivators are plenty, many serving as primary military force for the imperial court, frequently engaging in battles, requiring auxiliary talismans.

Li Jizhou felt a significant relief regarding resource demands after Core Formation.

But, before Core Formation, the cultivation resources couldn’t rely on skills.

"Prince’s stipend, rewards from the Emperor Father, support from Mother Consort, academy rewards..." Publicly, these are the avenues for resource acquisition.

Secretly, there’s the Crown Prince, the Ninth Prince, and the Dragon Aspect’s wooing.

However, to have these three parties bleed continually requires some means.

"Seventh Brother!"

Just as Li Jizhou was about to return to the palace, a familiar voice sounded.

"Eldest Brother, what a coincidence, meeting you here." Li Jizhou greeted with a slight elation, appearing very respectful.

He was just pondering how to make him bleed, and here he was, offering himself; how could Li Jizhou not be cheerful?

"It seems I am indeed most compatible with Seventh Brother, come, today our brotherhood shall drink to the fullest!" The Crown Prince Li Zhi laughed heartily, leading Li Jizhou towards the tavern across the street.

Meanwhile, in Jiuwang Palace,

Consort Rong urged sincerely, "My son, there is no need to exert full effort in the examination three days later, especially when contending with Old Qi, let him take the top spot."

Li Chaoyang’s youthful face showed great reluctance.

"Mother Consort, even after giving such generous gifts, why must we still do this? What significance does wooing Li Qian have? You might as well prepare more Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects for me; as long as I form a Golden Core Dharma Aspect stronger than the Crown Prince’s, what worries remain?"

Li Chaoyang retained a youthful mindset, treating the academy examination as a grand stage to earn the world’s praise, genuinely unwilling to heed his mother’s words.

"My son, Mother knows your desire to display your talents before the world, but isn’t it more practical to be supported by the world than merely praised for unparalleled talent?

You aim to pursue the immortal path and ascend to the Immortal Realm; no need to concern yourself with such vanity!" Consort Rong continued.

"Moreover, don’t underestimate the Seventh Prince’s role; whether you can overturn the Crown Prince before Core Formation, the Seventh Prince is the key!"

Saying this, Consort Rong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The time she accompanied Li Chaoyang to visit the Seventh Prince, with her Nascent Soul Stage Primordial Spirit, she distinctly sensed a trace of abnormality from the Seventh Prince.

That abnormality, as someone who’s been through it, she understood well!