Listening to Lin Yuan's words, Emperor Liu Shi was momentarily stunned in place.
He had considered various responses—something more normal, pleading for seventh princess's sake. Or perhaps expanding the selection range, attempting to prevent seventh princess from becoming a "Warrior Commander".
Alternatively, adopting a more ruthless stance and approving Emperor Liu Shi's actions. As a royal offspring, sacrificing for the country was as normal as it got.
However, Liu Shi never imagined that Lin Yuan's response would be this.
"No need to cultivate a Warrior Commander. Give me time, and I will surpass the Warrior Commander."
It should be noted that every "Warrior Commander" had a Divine Weapon standing behind them. And in the thirty-six countries of the Central Plains, Divine Weapons were regarded as gods. Surpassing the Warrior Commanders was akin to surpassing the Divine Weapons themselves.
Such a statement, if spread, would likely make the Great Yan Dynasty the focus of the entire Central Plains. At that time, the court would be in turmoil, and Lin Yuan's position as the Crown Prince might even be in jeopardy.
Of course, Emperor Liu Shi, as Lin Yuan's father, would never let such words be spread.
"Yuan'er, your ambitions are truly vast," Emperor Liu Shi sighed.
If Lin Yuan were already in his thirties or forties and had witnessed the might of Divine Weapons, uttering such words would undoubtedly be seen as overestimating oneself. The higher one stood, the clearer the understanding of what Divine Weapons represented.
However, Lin Yuan was only six years old.
What was wrong with a six-year-old child having some unrealistic aspirations?
"When I was six, I wanted to shoot down the sun from the sky," Emperor Liu Shi chuckled.
"However, Yuan'er, don't mention these words to anyone else, even the closest servants" Emperor Liu Shi reminded after praising Lin Yuan.
As the Crown Prince, he had to be cautious with his words and actions. Despite Emperor Liu Shi's favoritism toward Lin Yuan, there were certain matters related to Divine Weapons that couldn't be touched.
"I understand," Lin Yuan glanced at Emperor Liu Shi, realizing that the latter didn't take his words to heart.
Lin Yuan had anticipated this and wasn't surprised.
Next, Emperor Liu Shi chatted with Lin Yuan for a while before taking his leave.
Watching Emperor Liu Shi's departing figure, Lin Yuan remained calm. With his current abilities, if he revealed strength surpassing that of a Martial Saint, there was a high chance of gaining Emperor Liu Shi's trust.
However, such a move came with significant risks. The main issue was that Liu Shi, as the emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, had a deep connection to Divine Weapons. If Lin Yuan revealed abilities surpassing the Warrior Commanders, it could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Once Lin Yuan reveals his strength, it is possible to alarm that divine weapon, leading to irreversible consequences. It should be noted that divine weapons feed on the human race.
The stronger the human's strength and vitality, the more "delicious" it is for divine weapons. Individuals with powerful innate souls are considered a "feast" by divine weapons, binding them as "Warrior Commanders" to savor slowly.
Considering Lin Yuan's strength in both vigorous vitality and a powerful soul, who among the thirty-six countries of the Central Plains can surpass him?
It can be anticipated that once Lin Yuan's aura leaks, the divine weapon of the Great Yan Dynasty will undoubtedly go into a frenzy. Not only that divine weapon, but the national divine weapons of the other thirty-five countries will also collectively "awaken," sharing the feast of Lin Yuan.
Therefore, even before learning about the "divine weapon," Lin Yuan tried to minimize the number of times he used his abilities.
Even if he had to take action, he had to stay far away from the divine weapon's resting place and people like Emperor Liu Shi, who had been close to divine weapons.
Not because Liu Shi would betray his son, but there were some things that Liu Shi couldn't know. He might not even know what exactly happened to Lin Yuan.
"Having perfectly integrated the cultivation system of this world into my martial path, my current realm surpasses that of a 'Martial Saint.' Let's call this realm 'Martial God' Lin Yuan thought silently as he sat cross-legged.
The Martial God Realm had transcended the shackles of the physical body and demonstrated incredible achievements in the realm of "divinity".
The principles of Tai Chi transformed into a millstone, constantly refining his own "divinity." If placed in the main world, the Martial God Realm would probably be equivalent to the third rank, second stage to the third stage.
Lin Yuan's cultivation system, based on the physical body, the principles of Tai Chi as the framework, and the blood and flesh from countless evolution paths in the main world, was now further enriched by integrating the perfect body refining method of this world.
This was akin to absorbing all the advantages of various cultivation systems from different worlds.
"However, the next step I want to take won't be so easy," Lin Yuan opened his eyes and thought to himself.
In just six years since arriving in this world, Lin Yuan had stepped into the Martial God Realm, mainly relying on the accumulation from his travels.
If he hadn't wasted some time on integrating the perfect body refining method of this world, Lin Yuan would have entered the Martial God Realm one or two years earlier. But these advantages reached their limit, and the path ahead required Lin Yuan to continue exploring.
Even with his unparalleled insight, the efficiency of his future cultivation would not surpass the initial six years upon arriving.
"I will stay a hundred and sixty years in this world, and only six years have passed. I'm not in a hurry." Lin Yuan closed his eyes and continued to cultivate.
The divine weapon was in the light, Lin Yuan was in the shadow. As long as Lin Yuan didn't actively court death, the divine weapon couldn't possibly detect his true strength.
As Lin Yuan possessed the unrivaled insight, his strength was constantly improving every moment. Even with significant constraints and bottlenecks, it only required a bit more time.
Along with the Great Yan Dynasty cultivating new "Warrior Commanders" the situation among the thirty-six countries in the Central Plains stabilized once again.
In negotiations with other countries, the Great Yan Dynasty regained its confidence. With external threats eliminated, the focus shifted to internal governance.
Emperor Liu Shi was not an incompetent ruler. With Lin Yuan's occasional reminders and the gradual increase in the Great Yan Dynasty's national strength, Emperor Liu Shi managed to stabilize the empire.
Lin Yuan actively proposed strengthening trade with other nations and opening various trade routes, enriching the lives of the Great Yan Dynasty's citizens.
Lin Yuan received widespread support from the people, and his actions showed that the Great Yan Dynasty could prosper for at least another generation.
Recognizing the potential for dynasties to rise and fall due to incompetent rulers, Lin Yuan, with his capabilities and political acumen, was fully capable of succeeding the current emperor.
The entire court respected Lin Yuan, especially after the Grand Tutor admitted in front of Emperor Liu Shi that he was inferior to Lin Yuan. Attempting to salvage their pride, the courtiers had no choice but to praise Lin Yuan excessively.
It wasn't a matter of them being incompetent; Lin Yuan was just too extraordinary. If you think you can do better, then go ahead. Initially, some courtiers were unconvinced.
How could a child of that age achieve such feats? The Grand Tutor was indeed getting old; he should retire. However, these courtiers were left speechless when confronted by Lin Yuan. After witnessing Lin Yuan's capabilities and methods, his prestige naturally rose.
Emperor Liu Shi silently observed Lin Yuan, his face unable to conceal the growing satisfaction. In terms of governing people and maintaining balance, his son was truly remarkable.
Back when he pacified the courtiers, it took a considerable effort. Although Emperor Liu Shi's accession to the throne was unconventional, Lin Yuan, at his young age, displayed an exceptional talent for leadership.
As time passed, twenty years went by in this manner.
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15 chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
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