Having children earns benefit, start competing for dominance in the world by marrying a wife

"Yes, I will send someone to notify him immediately."

Wu Yuan then turned and left the study.

Before long, Wu Yuan arrived at Lu Chen's study with Xuanyuan Chaoge in tow.

Xuanyuan Chaoge immediately performed a courtesy and said, "This old official pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Lu Chen replied with a smile, "Lord Xuanyuan, please dispense with the formalities."

Lu Chen then directly asked, "Lord Xuanyuan, I am quite curious, how did you break through to the Heavenly Human Realm?"

"I remember that to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm, one must withstand the trials of this world. Without passing the trials of this world, it would be impossible to break through."

Hearing Lu Chen's words, Xuanyuan Chaoge paused for a moment, then said, "The trials of the world? Your Majesty is not incorrect, but we usually call this achieving Unity."

"Although everyone follows the path of Martial Arts, there are many branches along the way, and each person has their own path. Only by comprehending one's own path can one break through to the Heavenly Human Realm."

"After Your Majesty came to inspect Great Yu City, the old knot in this old official's heart finally unraveled, and I grasped my own path, hence successfully achieved Unity and reached the Unity of Heaven and Man."

Upon hearing Xuanyuan Chaoge's words, Lu Chen thought to himself that Xuanyuan Chaoge's breakthrough into the Heavenly Human Realm truly had something to do with himself.

Lu Chen continued, "There is a Grandmaster at the Zenith Realm in Yan County who recently caused a heavenly phenomenon but did not succeed in achieving Unity. Instead, he only perceived a method that could enable his breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm. What is going on here?"

"Since he already knows how to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm, logically, he should have comprehended his own path. Then why hasn't he been able to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm?"

Xuanyuan Chaoge replied, "Your Majesty must be speaking of Zhuge Zhongguang! I have also heard about his situation."

Xuanyuan Chaoge had heard of Zhuge Zhongguang's feats while he was still in Great Yu City. Given the frequent interactions between Great Yu City and Yan County, with the trade caravans entering and exiting Yan County nearly every day, Xuanyuan Chaoge had quickly learned of the occurrences there.

Initially, he thought a Celestial Realm powerhouse had emerged in Yan County, but upon entering the city, he did not sense the presence of any such Celestial beings. He soon realized that this was merely a strategy of the North Prince.

Lu Chen nodded and said, "Yes, it is him."

Xuanyuan Chaoge continued, "His ability to cause a heavenly phenomenon shows that he was close to achieving Unity. The reason he could not attain Unity with Heaven and Man might be due to his insufficient understanding of the path he is pursuing."

"When this old official heard that Your Majesty was in the North Country, a heavenly phenomenon was also induced. At that time, a voice told this old official that to break through the Heavenly Human Realm, I had to manage Great Yu City well."

Hearing Xuanyuan Chaoge's words, Lu Chen pondered for a moment, feeling it all seemed too mystical.

Lu Chen more or less understood that from the first rank of Martial Artist to the Grandmaster Realm, one could continue to break through realms as long as their skill accumulated.

But from Grandmaster to Celestial Realm, advancement in skill was useless; the breakthrough to this Realm required insight.

As for the specifics of how to break through, it was mysterious and varied, with each person being different.

Initially, he and Zhuge Zhongguang thought breaking through to the Celestial Realm required the world's recognition. Now it seemed, that was merely their own assumption.

Lu Chen rubbed his temples, ceasing to ponder any further.

Never mind, thinking on this now was futile. After all, he just needed to know that breaking through to the Celestial Realm was not easy.

Lu Chen then said, "I will have Palace Great Scholar Zhuge go learn from you later. Share your experience of breaking through to the Celestial Realm with him, and see if he can comprehend anything."

Xuanyuan Chaoge replied, "As Your Majesty wishes."

Just then, Xuanyuan Chaoge inquired, "Your Majesty, what role shall this old official undertake in Yan County?"

Although he had already broken through to the Celestial Realm, a person of Xuanyuan Chaoge's status no longer needed to work. However, as a city lord accustomed to management, remaining idle was unsettling.

Hearing Xuanyuan Chaoge's question, Lu Chen mused for a moment before saying, "I initially wanted you to serve as Palace Great Scholar, but thinking it over, it is not yet prudent to reveal your existence. I must trouble you for a while longer; you will manage North Country's armament production including steam engines and the manufacture of trains."

Before Zhuge Zhongguang broke through to the Celestial Realm, Xuanyuan Chaoge was a trump card. Since a trump card should be played last, naturally Xuanyuan Chaoge's existence should not be revealed so hastily.

Xuanyuan Chaoge eagerly said, "It's no trouble at all. Being needed by Your Majesty is my honor."

Just then, a servant at the doorway of the study said, "Your Highness, Princess Wu from Great Wu has sent a letter."

Lu Chen immediately said, "Bring it in."

The maid then delivered Wu Junwan's letter to Lu Chen. After opening it and scanning the contents, he smiled, and then told the servant at the door, "Tell the messenger to inform Princess Junwan that Your Highness will be available at the ninth hour today."

"Yes, Your Highness."

…

In the afternoon.

In a pavilion in the outer courtyard of the North Prince Mansion, Wu Junwan, dressed in a long violet dress, sat on the stony bench, eyeing Lu Chen, who was opposite her at the stone table. She then smiled sweetly and said, "This princess's younger brother must have been sitting right where I am just yesterday, right?"