Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1270 - 1266: About to Depart

Watching them float away, Huang Zhengyang felt helpless.

Both sides believe the other is stubborn and hard to convince.

Brother Chu and I think they are ignorant and fearless, overly confident.

While they see Brother Chu and myself as too timid and cowardly, lacking the boldness of a cultivator.

Neither side can persuade the other, but fortunately, they know their limits and act according to orders.

Chu Zhiyuan watched them depart, shaking his head.

These eight tributes are still shrewd.

Though they don’t believe what I say and secretly laugh at my cowardice, they didn’t say it outright.

Otherwise, I’d have no choice but to meet them head-on, lest it disgrace the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Is there really no other way?" Huang Zhengyang looked persistently at the distant black dot: "Do we just watch as it grows stronger?"

Once the Undying Evil Venerable Statue descends, its power will grow increasingly stronger.

Even using an array to isolate it might not be completely effective.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Does the Court have any good ideas?"

"Alas..." Huang Zhengyang shook his head: "It’s a very awkward situation right now."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Is there a Divine Artifact that can destroy it, but it’s deemed not worth it?"

"...Yes."

"So we can only act once it harms enough people to justify using the Divine Artifact?"

"...Yes." Huang Zhengyang nodded helplessly.

It sounds absurd, but reality is just that absurd.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "That’s easy enough. Invite a few top experts to scout it out. I believe their intuition is stronger than mine."

"...They have scouted." Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly: "And reached the same conclusion as Brother Chu; this Undying Evil Venerable is indeed extremely dangerous."

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

He had previously wondered how his judgment alone could prompt the Court to deploy so many experts to block the surroundings.

And it turns out it was true.

Huang Zhengyang sighed: "But the cost of the Divine Artifact is too great, even with this judgment, it’s not enough to activate it."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Does the Court have any other methods?"

"Those experts prefer a static approach rather than a dynamic one; clear out a fifty-mile radius first, limiting the damage even if he causes trouble."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned: "Do Senior Lu and the others know?"

Huang Zhengyang slowly shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan hummed: "Afraid they won’t dare to come?"

Huang Zhengyang nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed: "Operating this way, isn’t it somewhat unethical?"

Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly: "It’s unavoidable. I’d like to say something, but the Prince ordered strict confidentiality; no leaks allowed."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "Acting like this leaves a chilling feeling in people...This is the difference in style between the Court and our Sect."

Huang Zhengyang awkwardly scratched his nose: "Actually, Mr. Lu and the others pretty much know, they are smart people."

"They can guess some but haven’t realized the severity."

"Brother Chu, I already warned them before," Huang Zhengyang said.

"They didn’t listen."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

That was true. Huang Zhengyang had clearly warned them earlier, stating that his experience in dealing with the Undying Evil Venerable was rich, and that this one was different from others, especially formidable.

Huang Zhengyang sighed: "I’ve already reached the limit of what I can do, can’t say more."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Alright, let’s see how their luck pans out."

"Brother Chu, can your four jade pendants be effective?"

"I can vaguely sense it, once there’s an anomaly, I’ll rush over to help check."

"That’s the best." Huang Zhengyang breathed a sigh of relief.

...

Chu Zhiyuan continued his cultivation, researching the fusion of merit and the aura of the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree.

Merit and Faith Power fusion, Merit and the aura of the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree fusion.

The powers of both are different.

He has been pondering and comparing the differences between them.

He feels that if he can further deepen and understand merit, perhaps he can break through to Spirit Venerable.

This is the greatest temptation for him.

As long as he breaks through to Spirit Venerable, his three clones can also advance and step into Spirit Venerable.

He was deeply engrossed in cultivation when a thought suddenly came to him.

The next moment, he disappeared from the small courtyard bedroom, appearing in a small courtyard within the Profound Yin Palace.

Xiao Ruoling, in a simple white silk gown, was quietly sitting by the stone table, two cups of tea wafting gentle white steam.

As Chu Zhiyuan appeared, she smiled charmingly and waved her jade-like hand.

Chu Zhiyuan sat down before her, smiling as he took the teacup, sipping lightly before smiling and asking: "What’s the matter?"

"I can go to You Meng Heaven now." Xiao Ruoling said with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan put down the teacup: "When will you depart?"

"I can go over tomorrow." Xiao Ruoling said: "Want to go together?"

Chu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment and shook his head: "Forget it, just take the Flying Knife over."

Xiao Ruoling said: "Just come along with me, Senior Sister Shen is also there."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

He knows that if he follows Xiao Ruoling, idle gossip would naturally arise.

Xiao Ruoling’s situation is very delicate, and it’s unwise to further affect it.

She has mastered the Taiyin Great Refining Form, progressing rapidly in her cultivation, and if she hailed from the outer world, she would naturally be radiant, admired by all.

But coming from Little Heaven Beyond, it’s different.

The Profound Yin Palace is transcendent and independent, overlooking the world, but is not entirely pure.

Cultivation requires resources, fame varies in stature, and there’s open and covert contention between individuals.

As a disciple of the Profound Yin Palace, having a man does make her seem different, and always bringing her man would further displease fellow disciples.

"Really not going?" Xiao Ruoling smiled and asked.

"Bring the Flying Knife, I can immediately teleport over by sensing it, why squeeze into your Xuan Guang Shuttle?"

"We’ll be able to go with Senior Sister Luo tomorrow, when will you teleport?"

"Tomorrow night."

Xiao Ruoling smiled charmingly: "I’ll wait for you."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, then recounted the past two days’ events.

Xiao Ruoling said: "Since you’ve found a way to counter him, why not solve him yet?"

"I’m not absolutely sure," Chu Zhiyuan said: "Since I can go to You Meng Heaven, I’ll first find his base, figure it out before doing anything."

Xiao Ruoling chuckled softly: "Not intentionally stringing the Court along, are you?"

"That’s partly on my mind too." Chu Zhiyuan said: "Always helping. When the help is too much, the Court ends up taking it for granted."

"Helping the Court too much makes them not know how to cherish it." Xiao Ruoling said: "They need to be made aware of the weight to provide some recompense."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded.

"They won’t bow." Xiao Ruoling said.

"Step by step." Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "If it’s not this time, then the next time; the Undying Evil Venerable grows increasingly rampant, the Court will eventually struggle to withstand it."

Xiao Ruoling said: "These Undying Evil Venerables suddenly becoming active must have a reason."

"We need to find the cause." Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Xiao Ruoling said: "I heard from Senior Sister Luo that the Undying Evil Venerable is considered the top expert in You Meng Heaven, similar to our Venerable Perfection, and above that is the Divine Venerable, which is akin to our Spirit Venerable."

"Oh—?" Chu Zhiyuan’s spirit lifted: "How does the Undying Evil Venerable compare to our Venerable Perfection?"

"Cultivation in You Meng Heaven differs from ours, focusing more on spiritual power rather than the physical body." Xiao Ruoling said: "The Spiritual Energy in You Meng Heaven differs from ours; Senior Sister Luo believes we are stronger because the lifespan of cultivators in You Meng Heaven isn’t as long."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

The goal of cultivation is, firstly, strength, and secondly, a long lifespan.

If one is merely powerful but not long-lived, or unable to achieve immortality, it’s not truly perfection.

"Our martial arts in You Meng Heaven cannot exert their power due to lack of power source." Xiao Ruoling stated solemnly: "Thus, facing an Undying Evil Venerable, it’s still dangerous."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Xiao Ruoling said: "Senior Sister Luo is visiting her family and will soon return. We have the Xuan Guang Shuttle for protection, but for you, my husband..."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "No problem, as soon as I sense something amiss, I’ll immediately retreat."

Xiao Ruoling revealed a smile.

She believes that with Chu Zhiyuan’s skills and keen intuition, as long as he’s prepared, he can surely withdraw safely.