Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1263 - 1259: Perfection

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "It truly lives up to the name of Emperor’s Sword."

The spiritual energy of Little Outer Heaven is far inferior to Biyuan Heaven, yet the power of the Emperor’s Sword is vast and majestic.

The Emperor’s Sword is a clone of the Heavenly Sword, but looking at its power, Emperor’s Sword surpasses Heavenly Sword.

He had realized through the Golden Sword: it’s about merits and public support.

The merits and public support gathered by the Heavenly Sword are far inferior to those of the Emperor’s Sword.

However, if the relationship between the Emperor’s Sword and the Heavenly Sword is akin to the relationship between himself and his clones, then the Emperor’s Sword can transfer power to the Heavenly Sword.

The strength displayed by the Heavenly Sword would be terrifying.

Li Hongzhao smiled with pride, "The power of the Emperor’s Sword is indeed astounding, built over generations of achievements."

The Emperor’s Sword is different from humans; humans cannot continuously become stronger as time goes on due to being capped by realms, but not so for the Emperor’s Sword.

Public support and merits keep accumulating, growing stronger and stronger.

"With such a commotion, Li Biyang should know you’ve returned, right?"

"Probably not." Li Hongzhao shook her head, "I had the Emperor’s Sword conceal it."

"It listens to you?"

"That’s because my merits are higher." Li Hongzhao said proudly.

"Alright, let’s go see."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, extending his hand on Li Hongzhao’s fragrant shoulder, and they vanished.

In an instant, they appeared atop a mountain, surrounded by towering peaks.

The high peaks were shrouded in clouds and mist, like islands floating above the sea.

The occasional calls of birds and beasts made the scene even more serene.

It was as if in another world.

Li Hongzhao observed their surroundings, "Where is this?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "It’s a barren mountain, with no signs of human life around."

"Do you have something to say?" Li Hongzhao turned to look at him, her phoenix eyes amused, "Didn’t you always say that some things are unmentionable?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "This matter is different."

He spoke out his doubts.

Concerning the relationship between the Emperor’s Sword and the Heavenly Sword.

"I see, you’re worried the Sect Leader might hear you investigating?" Li Hongzhao chuckled softly.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

In Heavenly Sword Peak, every word might not be kept from Lu Wanshan.

These words were not meant for Lu Wanshan’s ears since they touched upon secrets between the Emperor’s Sword and the Heavenly Sword.

"Actually, there’s no need to be so cautious. Even if the Sect Leader hears, it wouldn’t be a cause to punish me."

"It’s better safe than sorry."

"You are really cautious, alright," Li Hongzhao said, "The power between the Emperor’s Sword and the Heavenly Sword can indeed connect, but only part of it, not all."

"Which part?"

"The power of merits; the power gathered by public support can’t be transferred."

"Merits..." Chu Zhiyuan mused, "Merits..."

He walked back and forth on the giant rock atop the mountain.

A gust of clear breeze blew, lifting his clothes, fluttering as if to fly.

Li Hongzhao watched him silently, her phoenix eyes scanning the surroundings, admiring the wild, vast scenery.

After a while, Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "I see."

His aura suddenly surged, as if a mountain peak abruptly rose, standing tall and striking.

Li Hongzhao’s brow flashed, a red light emerged, within it a phoenix danced.

Chu Zhiyuan’s clothes slowly settled, and he exhaled a long breath.

A fierce wind rose suddenly, howling like angry waves crashing.

Li Hongzhao’s body emanated a red glow, steadying herself from being blown away.

Chu Zhiyuan revealed a smile.

Li Hongzhao hummed, "You’ve reached perfection, Ninth Rank Perfection?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, "It seems the Ninth Rank should be perfected now."

"Congratulations! ... What have you understood?"

"Merits," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Are one of the Mightiest Powers that connect worlds."

His clones are actually the embodiment of merits.

The divine power of clone depends on the enhancement of merits, thus forming the clone.

So each clone is condensed by his merits.

The clones can exist in different worlds, meaning that merits can connect worlds, connect different worlds, be it Little Outer Heaven or Outer Heaven, Biyuan Heaven or You Meng Heaven.

Merits would remain unscathed.

To roam freely in You Meng Heaven will also rely on merits.

"Merits..." Li Hongzhao pondered.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Upon reaching the Venerable Realm, the most important isn’t diligent cultivation but rather understanding and utilizing the rules of heaven and earth."

"I know this," Li Hongzhao said, "But there are countless rules in the world, not all comprehend them enhance cultivation."

"Hmm," Chu Zhiyuan said, "For us, the rules of power are fundamental, you must break through your own concepts, as if entering another world, suddenly enlightened."

"You understood merits as a transcendent power, then broke through a layer?" Li Hongzhao said, "I too understand this principle; why haven’t I broken through?"

"First, seek intensely, then suddenly achieve understanding," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Without the process of intense seeking, after finding it can’t form a powerful impact, might not rattle the soul, nor can you glimpse the Mighty Power of Heaven in the tremor of the soul, thereby advancing your realm."

"I see." Li Hongzhao realized, nodding slowly.

She sighed, "You’ve revealed the essence of breakthrough in realms."

"This is direct confirmation of the Great Path," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Not something shared with outsiders."

Li Hongzhao sighed, "Until now, no one has understood this step."

She hadn’t grasped this step, nor had any of the masters or mentors she encountered.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Just fortunate."

He possesses the divine power of clones, and is versed in the miracle techniques and secret knowledge of the four worlds: Little Outer Heaven, Outer Heaven, Biyuan Heaven, and You Meng Heaven, the wondrous studies of Demon World, Human World, and Demon Realm, touching the soul level, thus comprehending this step.

For someone else, even with high comprehension, without such experience and awareness, they couldn’t comprehend this fundamental level.

"Listening to you, I know how to break through the realm."

"Knowing is easy, doing is hard," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Even knowing, it’s not easy to accomplish."

Li Hongzhao shook her head, "Knowing the end point, however far the road one can reach; not knowing the endpoint, that’s truly despairing."

The Golden Sword leaped out of its sheath abruptly, soaring in the sky like a bird, farther and farther.

He felt intricately the flow of power within the Golden Sword.

Deeply experiencing the merits and faith power.

After understanding merits, his recognition and perception of them became exceptionally clear.

Initially, he could only vaguely sense merits, public support, and faith power; now, seeing clearly like sunlight, like viewing a babbling brook, clear and distinct.

Within the Golden Sword, the power of merits was like a smooth water of autumn.

He pondered thoughtfully.

It was quite akin to Miao Jing Spirit Water.

Could this Miao Jing Spirit Water be the transformation of merits?

If Merit Power can connect worlds, then couldn’t the Golden Sword be available for other clones?

In You Meng Heaven too, it can be utilized.

...

Chu Zhiyuan returned to Heavenly Sword Branch, back to his little courtyard.

He continued to refine the Golden Sword, enhancing its spirituality.

Meanwhile, experts from the Evil Extermination Department and Demon Hunting Bureau had already mobilized.

Through Zhu Lingyun’s insight, he saw groups of experts appearing along roadsides, below peaks, in small towns, and outside Dongning City.

Dongning City’s City Guards had already closed all the city gates, allowing only entry, no exit.

Within a radius of fifty miles, a total lockdown, aiming to prevent anyone from approaching the divine statue.

Nevertheless, with so many mountains and streets, woods densely spread.

The experts of the Court were still insufficient to form a human barrier isolating the fifty-mile radius.

The more the Court acted this way, the more the masters from Various Martial Arts Sects believed in the existence of this Cave Mansion.

The Court aims to monopolize the benefits.

Thus, they either partnered with each other or ventured alone, secretly bypassing the Court’s lockdown, heading towards the Undying Evil Venerable’s statue.

Chu Zhiyuan sat on his bed in the Heavenly Sword Branch, furrowing his brows.

Humans die for wealth, birds die for food, these death-seeking folks—they die, they die.

Yet their deaths might likely contribute to the strengthening of the Undying Evil Venerable.

This is the biggest trouble.