"Not entirely."
Cui Yuan shook his head. "There's still some truth to it. The first rule is respect."
"Before entering the temple, you don't necessarily need to burn incense and bathe, but you should at least clean yourself up. After entering, calm your mind and focus, without the slightest distraction, and certainly without any disrespect towards the Spiritual Seals within the temple."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
She understood this point.
Even when asking someone for a favor, you offer a cigarette, let alone seeking a trace of true meaning from the myriad spirits of heaven and earth?
"The second rule is to gauge your strength."
"Within the Martial Temple, there are many Spiritual Seals. Although they were all sought by our Human Race's predecessors from heaven and earth, they are still categorized into different grades."
"Some are gentle, some are violent, and some are exceptionally fierce."
"Once your divine will is unleashed, those Spiritual Seals will respond if they sense it."
"If it's a gentle one, that's fine, but if you attract a fierce one..."
Cui Yuan paused, then pointed a finger at his own forehead.
"If your own foundation is insufficient and your divine will is not firm, forcing yourself to accept such a great Opportunity can, at best, damage your Divine Soul and turn you into an imbecile. At worst... you could die and your Dao disappear."
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow. "There's such a saying?"
"Naturally."
Cui Yuan sighed. "Every year, there are always some arrogant Prodigies, with eyes higher than their heads, who insist on seeking the most top-tier Spiritual Seals. The result... alas, good saplings, before they can grow into big trees, they perish prematurely."
"So, if you feel something is wrong, remember to immediately cut off that thought."
"Where there's life, there's hope."
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
"What about the third rule?"
"The third rule..."
Cui Yuan grinned. "Hehe, it's to listen to fate."
"Even if you follow the first two rules, whether you can obtain a Spiritual Seal still depends on Luck."
"Sometimes, you fancy it, but it doesn't fancy you. Sometimes, it fancies you, but you feel it's lacking something."
"This thing is like finding a wife; it's all about destiny."
Jiang Yuechu: "..."
No... after all that, isn't it still about Luck?!
Damn!
Cui Yuan also realized he had said something inappropriate, coughed, and quickly changed the subject. "Don't you feel that the court's inspections are too cumbersome, even somewhat humiliating?"
"Not at all."
Jiang Yuechu shook her head; she didn't have that thought.
In her opinion, since the court opened this door, it's normal for them to have precautions.
Cui Yuan looked at her deeply upon hearing this.
"Commander Jiang is a sensible person."
"Although the court's inspections are strict and the rules are many, the door to this Martial Temple is open as long as your background is clean and your merits are sufficient."
"Moreover, once you obtain a Spiritual Seal and become a Dianmo Realm Martial Artist, the court has no other harsh restrictions beyond asking you to continue your duties; your abilities are your own."
Speaking of this, Cui Yuan sneered and pointed to several towering pavilions in the distant city.
"Do you see those places?"
"Those ancient aristocratic families, with their deep foundations, all enshrine Legacy items similar to Spiritual Steles within their clans."
"Sealed within are the Spiritual Seals of their own ancestors, or those they obtained from heaven and earth at great cost."
"As long as you nod, with your talent, no family would refuse; they would even beat gongs and drums to present the Spiritual Seal to you, helping you break through immediately."
"They can even provide you with a continuous stream of resources to help you with Seed Lotus, and even Mountain Gazing, in the future."
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes. "The price?"
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
If there were truly such good things, wouldn't all the Martial Artists in the world go and become dogs for aristocratic families?
"The price?"
Cui Yuan scoffed and shook his head. "Your life, and even the lives of your descendants, would all belong to the main family. If you ever develop second thoughts or try to betray the main family, with just a thought from them..."
"Understood."
Jiang Yuechu uttered two words blandly.
Although she was fond of taking advantage, she had finally managed to live a somewhat decent life. If she were to become a dog for others just for the Ink Dot Realm... Cui Yuan saw her calm expression, without the slightest hint of being swayed, and a flicker of admiration flashed in his eyes.
"Every year, countless proud geniuses hit a wall at the Martial Temple, then turn around and kneel at the gates of aristocratic families, begging to be their dogs."
"But they don't think..."
"If their backbone is broken, no matter how high their cultivation, they are nothing more than a slightly fiercer guard dog."
"The path of martial arts cultivates the body, but even more so, the heart."
"If the heart kneels, then the path of martial arts has reached its end."
Jiang Yuechu also stood up.
These words were quite insightful.
"Thank you, Lord Cui, for clarifying."
...The two chatted for a while longer.
Cui Yuan looked at the sky outside; the sun had already climbed to its zenith. He patted the hem of his robe on his knee and stood up.
"It's almost time."
"If you miss the auspicious hour, even if your Luck is good, the Martial Temple's doors will not open."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuechu dared not delay and rose to follow.
Leaving the side hall, they passed through several corridors.
The back door of the General Bureau faced the east side gate of the majestic Imperial City.
Unlike the General Bureau, there weren't many people at the gate, only two.
But these two wore golden scale heavy armor, had beast-headed bronze masks covering their faces, held long halberds, and their auras were restrained and unreleased.
Jiang Yuechu glanced at the two, feeling a bit depressed.
Good heavens... she was considered among the top few in the Region, but upon arriving in Chang'an, she felt as if everyone was stronger than her.
Even an old hand like Cui Yuan, who had been active in the General Bureau for many years, unconsciously restrained his casual demeanor here.
He took out a token from his Huai, offering it with both hands.
The guard took it, carefully inspected it, and then looked at Jiang Yuechu.
He said nothing, merely waved his hand.
The two entered the Imperial City, one after the other.
Although it was a side gate, it still exuded an imposing atmosphere.
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes, curiously surveying the Imperial City of Great Tang.
Cui Yuan lowered his voice. "Although the Martial Temple is located within the Imperial City, it's in a remote spot, by the Taiye Pond in the northwest corner."
"Along the way, we'll have to pass through several Forbidden Lands."
His expression was serious as he instructed, "Don't look around, and certainly don't ask too many questions."
"The Imperial City isn't just home to Your Majesty; there are also the Imperial Concubines in the harem. If you offend any noble person, or see something you shouldn't..."
Jiang Yuechu's expression was indifferent, her gaze straight ahead.
"This subordinate understands."
She had no interest in those so-called royal secrets.
As long as it didn't delay her in obtaining a Spiritual Seal, let alone Imperial Concubines, even if the Emperor ran naked in front of her, she wouldn't bother to look twice.
The two walked quickly along the base of the palace wall.
Occasionally encountering patrolling Imperial Guards, they would simply avoid them from a distance.
Perhaps finding it too boring, Cui Yuan held back for a while, then couldn't resist speaking again.
He turned his head, sizing up the young girl beside him.
Dressed in dark, fitted clothing, her figure was tall and straight.
Although she had spent years in the Demon Suppression Division, acquiring a hint of a murderous aura, her appearance was indeed exceptionally beautiful.
Especially that cold and ethereal temperament, it was truly unique in this Imperial City, rich with the scent of cosmetics.
"Actually..."
Cui Yuan stroked his chin, lowering his voice with a chuckle:
"Besides seeking a seal at the Martial Temple or relying on an aristocratic family, there's a third path in this world that can make you reach the heavens in one step."
Jiang Yuechu's steps paused slightly, somewhat puzzled.
"The third path?"
"Indeed."
Cui Yuan pointed not far away. "With Commander Jiang's appearance, if you could be favored by Your Majesty and chosen to enter the palace, perhaps as an Imperial Concubine or something."
"At that time, with the Luck of the nation bestowed upon you, what Spiritual Seal couldn't you obtain?"
"Even if you only wanted to be a wealthy idler, you would still be above thousands, below only a few."
Before he finished speaking,
Cui Yuan felt a chill down his spine.
He subconsciously glanced out of the corner of his eye.
He saw the young girl beside him, her face dark.
As if she was about to draw her blade and cut someone down the next second.
For Jiang Yuechu,
Even for the sake of becoming stronger and surviving, some bottom lines could be flexibly adjusted.
But... to be an Imperial Concubine to the Emperor?
"Lord Cui."
Jiang Yuechu gritted her teeth, forcing a smile. "That joke isn't funny at all."
"…"
Cui Yuan also realized his slip of the tongue, his old face reddening as he let out two dry laughs. "Cough, cough... I didn't say anything, I didn't say anything."
Young people really have a temper... He awkwardly turned around, quickening his pace.
"Hurry, hurry, we'll be at the Martial Temple soon."
"Don't miss the time!"