I've announced that I'm destined to have many children, and my father has bestowed upon me

Zhao Chen'an talked with Liu Ruoshuang for a while longer until she felt tired and fell into a deep sleep.

He then carefully handed the child to the wet nurse beside him and instructed them to take good care of him.

He then turned and left the bedroom, going straight back to his study.

Closing the door shut out all outside noise.

Zhao Chen'an sat in the chair, but his mind remained unsettled for a long time.

The Nine Provinces Universe Cauldron!

Sacred magical artifact!

More importantly, it possesses the heaven-defying power to suppress the fate of a nation!

Such treasures are of even greater value to a dynasty than the so-called Sendai Realm experts!

The strong may perish, but the national treasure can protect the dynasty for thousands of years and ensure the prosperity of the nation!

Logically, he should have handed over such a divine artifact to his father, Emperor Zhao Daoting, immediately.

Only when the Emperor is in charge can the system be put to its fullest potential, benefiting the entire Zhou Dynasty.

However, for some reason, he always had a slight hesitation in his heart.

This was not out of selfishness, but an intuition.

Just as he was weighing the pros and cons and preparing to make a decision, that familiar mechanical prompt sounded in his mind at just the right moment.

[Note: The Nine Provinces Universe Cauldron is already bound to the host's destiny and cannot be transferred to others; otherwise, severe backlash will occur.]

Zhao Chen'an was slightly taken aback.

Is that so?

There's nothing we can do about that.

It's not that he doesn't want to give it, it's that the system simply won't allow it!

Zhao Chen'an helplessly shrugged, then he could only accept it himself.

It seems he's destined to bear this immense wealth.

Having resolved the issue of ownership of the Nine Provinces Universe Cauldron, Zhao Chen'an calmed his mind and prepared to begin his cultivation.

The system rewards for having three children in succession were more generous than anyone could have imagined.

The Returning to Origin Great Dao Body granted him the aptitude to directly reach the Saint Realm.

The Great Dream of a Thousand Autumns allowed him to cultivate for far longer than ordinary people.

Now, what he needs to do is to transform these talents into real cultivation as soon as possible!

The Four Extreme Realms!

This is his current goal.

Once he breaks through to the Fourth Extreme Realm, he can be considered a powerful figure within the Great Zhou Dynasty, possessing the true ability to protect himself.

However, just as he was about to enter the Great Dream of a Thousand Autumns cultivation space, a soft "beep beep" sound suddenly rang in his mind.

It's a detector for spiritual objects!

As soon as Zhao Chen'an had a thought, a virtual map instantly unfolded before his eyes.

On the map, the territory representing the imperial city area is clearly visible.

Meanwhile, in the eastern part of the imperial city, a bright yellow dot is flashing continuously!

Yellow-grade, a rare and precious treasure!

Moreover, judging from its movement trajectory, it has clearly just entered the imperial city area!

Zhao Chen'an's heart skipped a beat.

Even the lowest grade of Yellow-level spiritual objects contains violent power of heaven and earth.

Those without special physical constitutions must at least reach the Dragon Transformation Realm before attempting to absorb it.

But he's different!

He possesses the Great Dao Body of Returning to Origin, where all laws return to their origin, and he can contain any power of any attribute in the world!

This Yellow-grade spiritual treasure was practically a gift of nourishment delivered right to his doorstep!

If he could absorb it, his cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds, and he might even break through the shackles of the Dao Palace Realm and step into the Four Extremes Secret Realm!

A strong urge surged through him, making him almost want to set off immediately for the place where the light was.

But the next moment, he forcibly suppressed the impulse.

No, I can't act impulsively!

This is the imperial city of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a place where hidden talents abound. Those who can bring rare and precious treasures into this place are no ordinary people.

Going there rashly will only alert the enemy and may even lead to your death.

On the map, the yellow dot moved a distance and eventually stopped in one place.

Zhao Chen'an focused his gaze and memorized the location.

He decided to wait!

Wait until late at night, then quietly go and find out what's going on.

……

The night was as dark as ink, the moon was hidden and the stars were few.

A dark figure, like a ghost, silently leaped out from a corner of the Prince Wei's mansion, and in a few flashes, disappeared into the deep night.

Zhao Chen'an used the technique of concealing his aura to suppress it to the lowest level, making him seem to merge with the darkness.

Guided by the spirit object detector in his mind, he avoided the patrolling city guards and sped toward the location of the yellow-grade spirit object.

After an incense stick had burned, he stopped and hid in the shadow of a tall building.

Not far ahead, a simple yet grand building stands quietly.

The plaque is inscribed with four large characters in a vigorous and elegant style.

Spring and Autumn Trading Company!

Zhao Chen'an felt a chill run down his spine.

It's here!

No wonder they could brazenly bring rare and precious objects into the imperial city!

Zhao Chen'an had only heard some rumors about this Spring and Autumn Trading Company.

This is an incredibly ancient and mysterious trading company, said to have an unfathomable background.

It is a terrifying force at the level of a holy dynasty, with branches all over the Central Heaven Main World.

Their business scope is extremely wide, encompassing everything from elixirs and magical artifacts to intelligence gathering and cultivation techniques.

If you can afford the price, you can even buy a saint-level inheritance from them!

Such a behemoth is something that even Emperor Zhao Daoting, let alone a mere prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, would probably not dare to provoke easily.

Zhao Chen'an gazed at the brightly lit merchant house from afar, and after confirming that the Yellow-grade spiritual treasure was inside, he did not take any further action.

Force your way in?

robbery?

Zero-dollar purchase?

That's courting death.

He quietly returned the way he came, without alerting anyone.

Back in his study at the Prince's residence, Zhao Chen'an sat down again, his mind churning with thoughts.

Why did Chunqiu Trading Company suddenly transport a Yellow-grade Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object to its branch in the Great Zhou Imperial City?

Could it be... that some kind of large-scale auction is going to be held?

This seems to be the only explanation.

If that's the case, then the only way for me to obtain this rare and precious artifact is through an auction.

This means that a lot of money is needed.

It seems it's time to find a way to make some money.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.

Zhao Daoting, dressed in a dragon robe, was listening to a report from a black-clad bodyguard.

"...The Sixteenth Prince left the palace at midnight, heading east. He stopped outside the Spring and Autumn Trading Company but did not go any closer. He then returned to the palace and did not go out again."

The guard's voice was flat and emotionless; he was simply stating the facts.

Zhao Daoting waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

He was the only one left in the vast imperial study.

"Spring and Autumn Trading Company..."

Zhao Daoting's knuckles tapped lightly on the table, producing a rhythmic sound.

He knew more than Zhao Chen'an.

The Spring and Autumn Trading Company has an unwritten rule that every ten years, they will hold a meeting in a certain region.

Choose a prosperous capital city or royal capital and hold a grand competition for the most outstanding talents.

The participants were all young talents under the age of thirty.

The rewards for the competition are so generous that they make countless forces envious.

This will allow us to create the most authoritative list of geniuses!

For example, Xiao Chuchu was previously on the list of prodigies, but this list is only based on speculation about her fame and is not authoritative.

Only then will the final results of this competition be truly accepted and recognized by the public.

If you calculate the time, it has been exactly ten years since the last Heavenly Pride Competition.

And this time, the venue will be none other than the Great Zhou Imperial City!

"This kid always manages to surprise me."

A meaningful smile curved at the corners of Zhao Daoting's lips.

He hadn't forgotten how Zhao Chen'an had "coincidentally" found the Body Tempering Lightning.

Zhao Daoting knew that his son must have mastered some special means to detect spiritual objects in the world!

He must have discovered something by secretly going to the Spring and Autumn Trading Company last night.

Connect these two things...

The answer is obvious!

The final reward for this Spring and Autumn Merchant Guild's Prodigy Competition is very likely to be a rare and precious artifact!

Moreover, its grade is definitely not low!

Zhao Daoting's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Perfect timing! This Prodigy Tournament will allow Zhao Chen'an to hone his skills and witness the abilities and strength of his peers.

As for whether they can get first place and obtain this rare treasure.

Zhao Daoting was deep in thought, seemingly considering a foolproof plan!

As an emperor skilled in political maneuvering, he naturally couldn't just watch a priceless treasure slip away right under his nose!