In the Imperial Training Hall, on the grand arena south of the Great Sui Imperial Palace.
Yang Zixuan and Yang Qingning were engaged in a fierce duel.
Both of them practiced the imperial family's advanced inner cultivation technique, the "Zheng Ren Gong,"
And employed the same martial skill, the "Da Guang Ming Quan Fa."
"Boom—Boom-boom—Boom—"
They exchanged four unadorned punches before separating.
Yang Zixuan retreated three steps, while Yang Qingning, who was taller and possessed higher cultivation, retreated four.
The victor was instantly apparent.
However, Emperor Emeritus Yang Zhong, watching from below the arena, wore a displeased expression.
"Yang Zixuan, refrain from using the Da Guang Ming Quan. Use the Qing She Zhang instead.
Your advantage lies in your petite stature and speed, not strength or robust physique."
"Understood, Imperial Grandfather."
Yang Zixuan transformed her fists into palms, her movements fluid and elusive, as she began to engage Yang Qingning like a wriggling snake.
A group of princes and princesses behind Yang Zhong watched the two on the arena with constipated expressions.
Yang Zixuan stood at a mere 1.40 meters tall, truly petite and delicate; while Yang Qingning, already 18 years old and well-nourished since childhood, stood at 1.80 meters, sturdy and weighing over 65 kilograms.
Yet, in a direct clash of strength, the noticeably smaller Yang Zixuan held the advantage.
Yang Zhong's words caused the onlookers behind him to roll their eyes.
What was this about not having a strength advantage? Wasn't that an advantage in itself?
Among the current generation of imperial princesses of the Great Sui, Yang Qingning was the sole second-rate martial artist.
Oh, wait!
Now she was the second.
On the arena, Yang Zixuan, transformed into a serpentine figure, darted around the robust Yang Qingning, whose speed and turning ability were sluggish.
"Pa—Boom—Pa—"
The sounds of flesh meeting flesh occasionally echoed.
"Stop, today's sparring session is concluded."
After another period of combat, Yang Zhong called a halt.
Yang Qingning had no power to retaliate, and further fighting would be pointless.
"Little Zixuan, you've worked hard. You are truly a little genius.
A second-rate martial artist at fifteen years old—the Great Sui hasn't seen one in two hundred years."
With the battle over, Yang Zhong personally stepped forward to wipe Yang Zixuan's sweat, praising her with a benevolent smile.
Yang Zhong's eyes gleamed, as if he were gazing at a precious jade.
"Thank you, Imperial Grandfather~"
Yang Zixuan smiled sweetly, her small face filled with pride.
Being called a genius unseen in two hundred years—how could she not be proud?
Furthermore, she had only taken ten days to fully master the strength of two thousand jin, and her internal and external energy were rapidly increasing.
Yang Zhong grew more pleased with his granddaughter with every passing moment.
"Little Zixuan performed exceptionally well today. I shall reward you with a jin of fierce beast meat."
"Really?"
Yang Zixuan's eyes lit up. For a foodie, delicious food was more important than any other reward.
"Of course. Imperial Grandfather will have the imperial chefs prepare it for you."
He had also learned that this seemingly slender granddaughter's greatest pleasure was eating.
"Imperial Grandfather, may I give the fierce beast meat to my imperial brother?"
"Hahaha~ My good granddaughter, you are so considerate! Grandfather is delighted. All your siblings shall receive a portion of fierce beast meat."
"Thank you, Imperial Grandfather~ Thank you, Imperial Sister Zixuan."
"Thank you, Imperial Grandfather~ Thank you, Imperial Sister Zixuan."
Before Yang Zixuan could explain, Yang Zhong, laughing heartily, declared that everyone would receive a reward, and the other princes eagerly expressed their gratitude.
They all knew that fierce beast meat aided in cultivation.
"Imperial Grandfather~ Imperial Grandfather, it's not like that~ It's not like that."
Yang Zixuan's small face flushed red, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Heh heh~ What's not like that? Little Zixuan, tell me."
Seeing Yang Zixuan's anxious little face, Yang Zhong felt a pang of both concern and amusement. He scooped her up and placed her on his shoulders.
Yang Zhong, standing at nearly 1.95 meters, easily lifted Yang Zixuan, who was 1.40 meters tall.
"Imperial Grandfather, I want to give the fierce beast meat to my imperial brother in the Cold Palace, Sixth Imperial Brother."
Yang Zixuan finally whispered her request.
"Hmm~ Yang Jian's sixth son? That imperial prince in the Cold Palace who has no cultivation and only farms?"
If it hadn't been for Yang Hong's disturbance in the palace, Yang Zhong would likely not have remembered such a grandson.
However, after Yang Hong's rampage, he had thoroughly investigated all princes and princesses, thus becoming aware of Yang Hong.
But he hadn't even remembered Yang Hong's name.
"Mm~ Mm~ It's Sixth Imperial Brother. Sixth Imperial Brother is very kind."
Yang Zixuan repeatedly nodded in confirmation.
"Heh heh~ Zixuan, fierce beast meat is extremely rare. Even within the palace, we only receive a hundred jin per month. After everyone gets their share, there isn't much left.
Furthermore, that sixth son has no martial arts cultivation. Eating fierce beast meat will be indigestible for him."
Although he was refusing, Yang Zhong spoke kindly.
Of course, this kindness was only directed towards Yang Zixuan, the genius of the Yang family.
"Oh~"
Although a little dejected, Yang Zixuan understood that ordinary people indeed could not consume fierce beast meat.
Otherwise, they would fall ill at best, or be poisoned to death at worst.
Without internal and external energy to digest it, fierce beast meat was perilous.
"Then~ can Imperial Grandfather send more tiger penises to my imperial brother?"
Yang Zixuan recalled that when tiger penises were sent last time, her imperial brother had complained verbally, but his eyes had indeed lit up. Thus, she remembered that her imperial brother enjoyed eating tiger penises.
"Tiger penises~ penises~ Alright, I'll send some over for him."
Yang Zhong looked surprised but agreed, secretly wondering how weak this grandson must be.
However, he quickly changed the subject, saying, "Little Zixuan, what do you like to eat? Tell Grandpa, and Grandpa will get it for you."
Being a shrewd individual, he naturally knew how to guide desires and transform them into the support he sought.
"Imperial Grandfather, I only eat vegetables, especially the ones Imperial Brother grows.
Oh, right! I still have a lot of pumpkin in my room that hasn't been cooked. Could Imperial Grandfather have the imperial chefs cook it for me?"
Yang Zixuan had only eaten raw cucumbers, radishes, and carrots recently. Pumpkins were difficult to eat raw and she hadn't tried them yet.
Now was the perfect opportunity to make this request.
"Vegetables? Pumpkin?"
Yang Zhong was utterly bewildered. This contradicted everything he knew.
It was widely known that poverty bred scholars, while wealth fostered martial artists, precisely because martial arts required immense sustenance, especially meat to replenish energy and compensate for cultivation-related wear and tear.
What was this talk of eating vegetables?
"Alright, I'll have your pumpkin cooked.
However, Little Zixuan, you should eat more meat normally, otherwise, your cultivation will be difficult to advance."
"Heh heh~ Imperial Grandfather~ Zixuan is very formidable. Zixuan can break through just by eating more vegetables."
Yang Zixuan said proudly.
"Heh heh~ Eating only vegetables won't help you grow tall."
Looking at the adorable Yang Zixuan, Yang Zhong cooed a bit more before setting her down.
However, he resolved in his heart to ensure Yang Zixuan ate more meat in the future.
But this decision faltered that very evening.
In the evening, Yang Zixuan, in her excitement, contributed over fifty kilograms of pumpkin, prompting the kitchen to prepare a pumpkin feast.
In the great dining hall, the princes were eating pumpkin with expressions of distaste.
"Yang Zixuan is just spoiled rotten. She's making us eat pumpkin with her."
"This pumpkin isn't as good as beef. I want to eat beef."
"Tsk~ Mutton is better. Mutton is tastier than beef."
"I say fierce beast meat is the best, but can we even get any?"
The princes and princesses openly displayed their displeasure.
This made Yang Zixuan somewhat indignant.
"Hmph~ A bunch of ungrateful wretches."
Just then, an unexpected event occurred.
In a corner of the dining hall, someone's internal energy surged, seemingly on the verge of a breakthrough.