Jing Xiang, as the only heir in the Kingdom of Jing incapable of cultivation, not only received no contempt or ridicule,
but was instead the most doted-on among all the princes, heirs, and princesses.
The current ruler of the Kingdom of Jing was the elder brother of his father.
However, since ascending the throne, he had devoted his entire life to cultivating the Dao, never marrying and having no descendants.
Thus, he spoiled Jing Xiang immensely.
The other Jing family members of the same generation also traditionally maintained fraternal harmony and universal love without aggression, never engaging in any power struggles for the throne.
Of course, a major reason was that the Jing family simply did not care much about the Kingdom of Jing.
The Kingdom of Jing had existed for merely a few thousand years, inconspicuous within Xi Yan Province.
Small kingdoms like the Kingdom of Jing were as numerous as sand grains, countless.
However, this was also because the Kingdom of Jing would change its appearance every few thousand years.
Based on Jing Xiang's understanding during this period, the throne of the Kingdom of Jing was something his father and uncles had initially pushed onto each other before unanimously dumping it on their honest, simple-minded eldest uncle. No one was willing to be that "cheap emperor."
After learning this, Jing Xiang was dazed for quite a while before coming to his senses, feeling utterly bizarre and absurd inside.
He had never imagined the Kingdom of Jing could have such a mysterious and unfathomable origin.
Originally skeptical of that suddenly appearing voice, he gradually began to believe.
Because many things unfolded exactly as that voice had said, being verified one by one. Now, Jing Xiang increasingly believed he was merely afflicted by a curse, preventing him from cultivating.
As long as he resolved the curse, he could cultivate like everyone else.
"Come to think of it, my sister hasn't returned for a long time. I wonder how she's doing in the Imperial Immortal Palace?"
"I should have stopped her back then, not letting her go to the Imperial Immortal Palace. It's been so long, and she's never contacted the family."
"But, I suppose Father must have some plan. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so at ease letting Jing Xiao leave alone."
Jing Xiang looked up again at that high-hanging, piercing sun, muttering a few words to himself.
Only at high noon each day could he hear the voice emanating from the sun.
During this period, Jing Xiang had been browsing some ancient texts at home and also going to the imperial palace, visiting the scripture repository to search for relevant records.
He speculated whether there might be an invisible barrier, boundary, or formation array near the sun.
Perhaps only at noon would the formation patterns there loosen, allowing him to hear the voice from within.
These past few days, Jing Xiang had also asked the voice about its identity.
But every time this question arose, the voice would emit a disdainful laugh, offering no explanation.
This left Jing Xiang utterly confused, forcing him to investigate on his own.
Before figuring everything out, he didn't want to tell his parents. He had a feeling the voice seemed to harbor disdain and hostility towards the people of the Jing Mansion.
Many of the hidden secrets regarding the Jing Mansion were also learned by Jing Xiang through that voice.
"Young Master, are you going to the imperial palace again?"
Seeing Jing Xiang seem to be in a daze for a moment before starting to move towards the courtyard entrance,
the two maidservants hurriedly followed, asking from behind.
These past few days, Jing Xiang had been going to the scripture repository in the imperial palace, browsing ancient texts and records, so they were used to it.
"No need to follow me."
Jing Xiang nodded. Although he had no cultivation, his steps were not slow, and he soon vanished from the courtyard.
The two maidservants exchanged helpless glances, their faces showing unanimous expressions of regret and pity.
"I suppose the Young Master hasn't given up yet."
Even as maidservants, their cultivation was not low, having been nurtured and instructed by the Jing family since childhood.
In ordinary sects, they could be considered prized geniuses.
Jing Xiang had always yearned to cultivate, never giving up on browsing ancient texts and searching for related records.
In their view, Jing Xiang's recent perusal of various ancient texts and records was still him refusing to accept reality, wanting to find a way to cultivate.
The two maidservants sighed, then turned to report this matter to Jing Xiang's parents.
Meanwhile, in a side courtyard of the Jing Mansion...
...
Currently, the Jing Prince, the Princess Consort, and a middle-aged man in a dragon robe, slightly burly and imposing, were sitting around a stone table, conversing while enjoying tea.
The two maidservants soon arrived, leaning close to the Princess Consort to relay how Jing Xiang had been in a daze earlier.
"Xiang'er has been constantly going to the imperial palace lately. It seems he still can't let go of being unable to cultivate."
Although the Jing Prince had not appeared before Jing Xiang, he was fully aware of his son's every move during this period.
Hearing this now, he couldn't help but sigh slightly.
They had previously sought several ancestors to examine Jing Xiang's physical issue, but even they had no solution.
Unless Jing Xiang could return to the womb and reshape his body, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be powerless.
...
It was a very strange incurable condition. It seemed a peculiar force within Jing Xiang's body was constantly damaging his dantian. Whenever spiritual energy appeared, it would destroy the dantian.
But what that force was, even they didn't know and couldn't detect.
So it wasn't that they couldn't repair Jing Xiang's dantian. With the Jing family's resources, what rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures couldn't they find?
Yet this incurable condition of Jing Xiang's left them helpless.
After repairing it, it would shatter again, repeating this cycle many times.
With no other choice, they could only deceive Jing Xiang, saying his dantian issue was fixed, but now he had become an Un-Leaking Body, unable to absorb or circulate spiritual energy.
Such symptoms were extremely rare throughout history, never having appeared before.
Even his good friend, the current Palace Lord of the Imperial Immortal Palace, had also examined him, shaking his head and stating there was simply no solution.
"Poor Xiang'er. Actually, not being able to cultivate and living a life of wealth and honor like an ordinary person isn't so bad either."
The Princess Consort also showed a compassionate expression, her tone helpless.
"If Xiang'er could cultivate, with his diligence and perseverance, his current cultivation level would certainly not be below Jing Xiao's."
The middle-aged man in the dragon robe beside them also spoke, his voice robust and powerful.
He was precisely the Jing Prince's elder brother, the current ruler of the Kingdom of Jing.