Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1252 - 1248: Once Again

Merit can not only be absorbed and transformed by the Golden Sword, but his clone’s divine power and the second layer of the Three Elements Technique also require merit.

"I will send a message to Palace Master Xiao," Lu Wanshan said in a deep voice. "But don’t get your hopes up. If there were any, we would have heard about it by now."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It’s not necessarily hopeless. Since they have the previous secret technique, it’s possible they have a more advanced one."

The previous secret technique could withstand the attacks of the Undying Evil Venerable and even kill it.

What is needed now is not to kill the current Undying Evil Venerable but to kill the Undying Evil Venerable of You Meng Heaven.

The requirements for the secret technique are higher.

Since Guanghan Palace already has one, it’s possible they have another.

Lu Wanshan shook his head, "We’ll see. Even if Guanghan Palace has it, they may not pass it on to you."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It’s always worth a try."

Lu Wanshan nodded slowly.

...

Heavenly Sword Branch

In Chu Zhiyuan’s small courtyard, Huang Zhengyang sat opposite him at the stone table.

As the sun set in the west, the rosy clouds rendered the courtyard a shade of rose red.

The two bathed in the glow, casually looking at the flower garden, silent.

After a long while, Chu Zhiyuan said, "So the Court’s Imperial Treasury has such heritages, but they cannot be shared?"

Huang Zhengyang nodded helplessly.

"Why can’t they be shared?" Chu Zhiyuan asked. "Is it because I’m a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, or for some other reason?"

Huang Zhengyang said, "It is indeed because you are a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and shook his head in disappointment.

Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly and said, "I’ve tried my best, reasoned with everything I had, and even the Director personally appealed for it, but we still couldn’t persuade the four Princes."

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "Forget it, let it be."

Huang Zhengyang quickly said, "The Court is still very grateful that you were able to timely eliminate the Undying Evil Venerable and stop them from further harming people."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled indifferently, "Could it be they are giving me a Lifespan Extension Pill?"

Huang Zhengyang said, "They are giving you two Lifespan Extension Pills."

He took out a jade bottle from his bosom and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

It was as tall as a finger, exquisitely crafted, with a luster that emitted a subtle glow.

On both sides was engraved the pattern of an ancient tree, with a few strokes creating the ancient tree, making one feel a vibrant greenness and vitality.

Chu Zhiyuan received the jade bottle, immediately feeling a chill penetrating his bones, half of his body seemed about to freeze stiff.

He lifted his gaze from the jade bottle and shot it at Huang Zhengyang, "Is it really a Lifespan Extension Pill?"

"Indeed, it is a Lifespan Extension Pill," Huang Zhengyang laughed. "The Court has its rules to follow, but it will never shortchange those who contribute."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, opened the jade bottle, and poured out two jade-like elixir pills.

They resembled the ones he refined in Outer Heaven, genuine Lifespan Extension Pills.

"Thank you," Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "This alleviates my resentment. Don’t worry, I hold no grudges, it’s just a pity."

He carefully tucked the jade bottle into his sleeve.

"A pity for what?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Unable to truly annihilate the Undying Evil Venerable in You Meng Heaven, it can’t form a real deterrent. They will never cease, growing increasingly rampant, causing more calamity, ultimately it’s the innocent civilians who suffer, alas...what a pity."

Huang Zhengyang’s face darkened.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "All I can do is try my best, blocking them in time, but as you know, how could they be stopped?"

"Alas—!" Huang Zhengyang sighed, shaking his head. "I’ve mentioned these reasons to the Director, surely the Director has told them as well, they all understand."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "In truth, they fear me more than they fear the Undying Evil Venerable."

Huang Zhengyang nodded lightly.

That’s the truth.

If not, the Court wouldn’t be this cautious.

In truth, Chu Zhiyuan, this disciple from Little Heaven Beyond who ascended to the Heavenly Sword Sect is too talented.

Throughout history, the Heavenly Sword Sect hasn’t seen such a prodigy, renowned throughout the ages.

Even the Court, throughout its history, hasn’t witnessed such a figure. The bloodlines of the Four Great Royal Families, with astonishing cultivation speed, couldn’t reach his progress in cultivation.

If such secret techniques were given to an average prodigy, it wouldn’t be a concern.

But for a prodigy like Chu Zhiyuan, it’s possible he could master it, and the power after mastering it would be too overwhelming.

Even if restrained, the cost would be too great.

Rather than that, it’s better not to pass it on.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "Alright then, I will give up on it. Next, I will go with the Four Sects’ experts to destroy the Wanxiang Sect."

"Alas—!" Huang Zhengyang sighed, "This matter truly is..."

He shook his head incessantly, feeling unwilling yet helpless, powerless.

Chu Zhiyuan was filled with passion, eager to relieve the world of calamity.

The Court was also cautiously preventive; if Chu Zhiyuan lost control, it would be more terrifying than the Undying Evil Venerable.

Both sides didn’t seem wrong.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Brother Huang, we have done our best. The rest is up to fate."

Huang Zhengyang exhaled a long breath, "Brother Chu, you didn’t look for Prince Zhuang?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "This matter isn’t something Prince Zhuang alone can decide."

He knew finding Prince Zhuang would be futile, especially in such matters, it was even less fitting to seek him.

He then laughed, "Forget it, let this matter end here. Though we lack such secret techniques, if another Undying Evil Venerable appears, please notify me as soon as possible."

"... Brother Chu, are you going to leave the Imperial City?"

"To annihilate Wanxiang Sect."

"In my opinion, it’s better to stay in the Imperial City," Huang Zhengyang said awkwardly. "The Four Sects’ experts should suffice to destroy Wanxiang Sect, right?"

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Finding the Undying Evil Venerable again to look for you would waste too much time."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "That makes sense too."

Huang Zhengyang solemnly said, "So Brother Chu, it’s best for you to stay in the Imperial City, to receive the news immediately."

"...Alright." Chu Zhiyuan thought about it and nodded slowly.

Huang Zhengyang stood up, clasping his fists and bowing with a salute.

Chu Zhiyuan hurriedly stood up, waving his hand, "Brother Huang, what are you doing!"

"This salute, Brother Chu, you deserve," Huang Zhengyang said earnestly. "If not received, I will feel uneasy."

"Alright then," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I will reluctantly accept it."

Huang Zhengyang gritted his teeth and made a decision.

He said in a deep voice, "Then I will take my leave. Tomorrow, at my place, we shall have a good drink."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

As he escorted Huang Zhengyang to the branch’s gate, six experts from the Demon Hunting Bureau awaited.

Four middle-aged, two young.

The two youths had anxious expressions. Upon seeing Huang Zhengyang come out, they exhaled with relief and hurried up to meet him.

Huang Zhengyang looked at the two youths, "What happened?"

One tall and thin, the other short and stout. The stout youth clasped his fists, "Director, another divine statue of the Undying Evil Venerable has appeared!"

"Where?" Huang Zhengyang asked.

The short and stout youth said, "Two hundred miles away in the Li Mountain Range, it’s to the north."

"Li Mountain..." Huang Zhengyang looked at Chu Zhiyuan, smiling bitterly, "As Brother Chu predicted, it’s becoming more frequent."

The appearance frequency of the Undying Evil Venerable’s statue is rapidly increasing.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’ll head there immediately; heading directly north, I should see it?"

"Yes," the tall and thin youth said, "Out of the North City Gate, head straight north, and you’ll see the statue atop the mountain. Fortunately, it’s remote."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Then I’ll go."

"Mr. Chu, should we lead the way?" the tall and thin youth asked hurriedly.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Just follow along. I’ll go ahead, aiming to destroy the statue as soon as possible."

"Then...we will catch up soon," the tall youth nodded slowly, looking at Huang Zhengyang.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded to Huang Zhengyang and in a blink was a hundred meters away at the street’s end. In another blink, he vanished.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Go on, in case you take the wrong path, you can guide him. Be cautious not to fall into a trap!"

"Yes!" The two clasped their fists, turned around, and drifted away.

Huang Zhengyang’s expression was solemn as he headed slowly toward the Evil Extermination Department.

He decided to plead with the Director once more, to make another effort.