Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1277 - 1273: Devouring

Lu Wanshan saw him coming, waved, and gestured for him to sit down and talk.

Chu Zhiyuan was already a regular here, so without much formality, he clasped his fists, saluted, and then sat down in the high chair below.

Lu Wanshan put down the dossier, came to him, glanced at him, and nodded with satisfaction: "Your cultivation is continuously improving."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Sect Leader, I’ve reached my limit; it’s difficult to advance further."

"Difficult for others, but not necessarily for you," Lu Wanshan chuckled, "Late at night, what urgent matter do you have?"

Chu Zhiyuan said: "I received some information related to myself."

"Let’s hear it." Lu Wanshan said with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan then explained that he overheard the Court had investigated him, and had thoroughly uncovered his origins and past.

Lu Wanshan’s smile gradually faded, becoming increasingly serious.

After Chu Zhiyuan finished, he didn’t say more, just quietly watched him.

Lu Wanshan got up and paced, his expression heavy.

Chu Zhiyuan understood his feelings.

As a sect leader, this was the most taboo situation, feeling like standing naked before the Court.

Lu Wanshan continued to pace back and forth, his expression growing more somber.

Chu Zhiyuan patiently waited.

Footsteps sounded outside, Zhou Chongming appeared slowly.

He saw Chu Zhiyuan, then noticed Lu Wanshan’s demeanor and actions, and couldn’t help but hesitate: "Zhiyuan, did you upset the senior brother?"

Chu Zhiyuan stood up, clasped his fists: "Elder, was the journey smooth? ... I brought bad news, which angered the sect leader."

Zhou Chongming asked: "Is it a troublesome matter?"

Chu Zhiyuan was now dealing at a high level, and the information he gathered was certainly not ordinary.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, looking at Lu Wanshan.

Lu Wanshan huffed: "Junior Brother Zhou is absolutely trustworthy, speak freely."

Chu Zhiyuan then recounted it once more.

Zhou Chongming’s expression turned solemn: "Zhiyuan, you suspect there’s a spy?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Zhou Chongming looked at Lu Wanshan.

Lu Wanshan said gravely: "Every disciple is clear and pure, there’s no spy, ... at least at the time of admission."

Zhou Chongming nodded and said to Chu Zhiyuan: "When imparting the mental method, there’s always a heart-questioning test, which you and Hongzhao haven’t undergone."

"Heart-questioning..." Chu Zhiyuan said: "Could there be any oversights?"

"No." Lu Wanshan definitively shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Then... did someone become a spy after the fact?"

"...Shouldn’t be." Zhou Chongming pondered, shook his head, and said: "Our Heavenly Sword Sect disciples really have no reason to turn to the Court."

Lu Wanshan nodded.

He also thought it unlikely.

Heavenly Sword Sect disciples hold high status, possess great mental methods, and abundant cultivation resources.

As disciples of Heavenly Sword Sect, they can ascend step by step to the pinnacle; there’s really no need to fall into the Court’s embrace.

What the Court can offer is only fame, fortune, and cultivation resources, which the sect can also provide.

"Did the Court use other means?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Zhou Chongming shook his head: "Our Heavenly Sword Sect disciples’ families are all well-arranged and won’t be threatened."

"Then... a beauty trap?" Chu Zhiyuan suggested: "Heroes often fall for a beauty."

Zhou Chongming laughed: "Within our sect, we have both men and women; the men are handsome, and the women are beautiful, forming strong partnerships in cultivation, aren’t they better than outsiders?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "It’s different, and besides, there aren’t enough senior sisters, there are still more senior brothers."

Zhou Chongming was speechless.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Sect Leader, this is just the worst possibility; it could also be the Court has a strange treasure that doesn’t require spies to uncover my details."

"Right, that’s very possible!" Zhou Chongming quickly said.

He turned his head to look at Lu Wanshan: "Senior brother, the Court does have such treasures, right?"

"...Hard to say." Lu Wanshan shook his head: "It’s not impossible."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Sect Leader, Elder, there’s another possibility."

"Go on." Zhou Chongming said thoughtfully.

His thoughts were racing.

Chu Zhiyuan came from Little Outer Heaven, and aside from others, even Zhou Chongming only knew through the sect leader.

Within Biyuan Heaven, only a few elders knew about Chu Zhiyuan’s origins and past.

Apart from them, the disciples were aware he ascended from the outer world, but specifics of his past were unknown.

Of course, not all disciples were unaware, but merely a handful were.

One was Li Hongzhao, the other Dong Muyu.

Dong Muyu had never left the mountain, which was impossible; could it be Li Hongzhao?

He furrowed his brows.

Li Hongzhao, bearing the Phoenix Bloodline, was from the Royal Family, inclined towards the Court wasn’t surprising.

Blood ties create the closest bonds.

But considering the close relationship between Li Hongzhao and Chu Zhiyuan, it was inappropriate to say more.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Assuming there’s no spy within our sect, it might be from Little Heaven Beyond."

Their eyes brightened.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "When Hongzhao was found by Senior Song, I suspected someone within the sect leaked information, but thinking it over, it could be bloodline sensing, and I was just too sensitive. I didn’t say more."

"Phoenix Bloodline indeed has sensing capabilities," Lu Wanshan said: "It’s not surprising Senior Song found her."

"Sensing is understandable, but to immediately accept as a disciple, that’s unusual, right?" Chu Zhiyuan said: "If the Court knows about Little Heaven Beyond, then it makes sense."

"Hmm..." Zhou Chongming looked at Lu Wanshan: "Sect Leader, this does make sense."

Lu Wanshan said: "The Court likely knows about Little Heaven Beyond."

If the Court knows about Little Heaven Beyond, it wouldn’t ignore it.

Over the years, relying on the Court’s methods and foundation...

"Sect Leader, Elder, both Hongzhao and I aren’t nobodies; we’re quite traceable." Chu Zhiyuan said.

Zhou Chongming exhaled deeply: "It seems that’s the situation."

"Since I’ve been able to investigate Little Heaven Beyond," Chu Zhiyuan said, "what about You Meng Heaven?"

"Maybe they’ve penetrated it too." Lu Wanshan said, "But knowing and intervening are two different things."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Why is You Meng Heaven so rampant?"

"Perhaps the Court knows, but they won’t say." Lu Wanshan said.

His expression remained heavy.

What Chu Zhiyuan mentioned as a possibility was ideal, but not necessarily true.

Even if the Court penetrated Little Heaven Beyond, it might not have penetrated here.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Sect Leader, I estimate the Court wants to impart secret techniques to me."

The two of them suddenly had fiery gazes.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Looking at it now, the timing seems right."

"Timing..." Lu Wanshan pondered.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The Court has already decided to summon the Spirit Venerable."

Their faces slightly changed.

"Really want to invite the Spirit Venerable?" Lu Wanshan said in a deep voice.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "That’s the news I received, the Spirit Venerable can be invited, right?"

"Spirit Venerable..." Lu Wanshan pondered, looking up towards the top of the hall.

His gaze gradually glowed.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Zhou Chongming.

Zhou Chongming said, "We also have a Spirit Venerable."

"Where is the Spirit Venerable’s senior?"

"Zhiyuan, besides occasionally missing home, do you always want to stay there?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

The key is the spiritual energy isn’t abundant, which is not conducive to cultivation.

I have the Earth Origin Technique, and I can move anytime, often spending three to five days at Prince Qing Mansion sleeping.

But it’s just sleeping; after waking up and having meals with family, I return.

"The Spirit Venerable can also traverse worlds; at this moment, should be at a higher heavenly realm, enjoying a place beyond our imagination."

"Unless absolutely necessary, we can’t summon the Spirit Venerable?"

"The people from Little Heaven Beyond asked you for help; what’s your sentiment?"

"...I understand." Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Little Heaven Beyond now has parents and brothers; if they ask me for help, I’ll definitely help. But without them, the connection wouldn’t be as close.

At that time, if someone from Little Heaven Beyond asks for help, considering past ties, I’d pitch in. But asking too many times would be annoying, possibly indifferent in the end.

I’m this way, and probably the Spirit Venerable too, maybe even more indifferent.

So if possible, don’t ask the Spirit Venerable, each request weakens the bond.

Lu Wanshan withdrew his gaze and sighed: "We must be cautious."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Will the Court have the Spirit Venerable deal with us altogether?"

"Hard to say." Lu Wanshan shook his head: "Can’t be neglected."

"Shouldn’t we summon the Spirit Venerable back too?" Chu Zhiyuan said.

"It’s difficult!" Lu Wanshan looked at the longsword at Chu Zhiyuan’s waist: "How’s your sword?"

The Golden Sword unsheathed and hovered in front of him.

Lu Wanshan gently placed his right palm on the hilt and closed his eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan could feel an invisible gaze scanning the Golden Sword.

The Golden Sword trembled slightly, emitting a faint white light, seemingly trying to break free from his palm.

Lu Wanshan released his hand.

The Golden Sword floated away from his hand, suspended in the air, then lightly returned to its sheath.

Lu Wanshan shook his head: "It’s not enough, it’s lacking."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Please enlighten me, Sect Leader."

"Time is too tight, there’s no way." Lu Wanshan shook his head: "This can’t be compensated by aptitude and comprehension; it requires the accumulation of time and the sedimentation of years."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It’s the sentiment and will of the people, and merit. Besides these, what else?"

He deeply understood the rarity of the opportunity.

The core mysteries of the Heavenly Sword, only a part is in the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture.

The rest, possibly only the Sect Leader has the right to know.

Now is an excellent opportunity, a heaven-sent chance.

Obtaining the core mysteries of the Heavenly Sword, I would be taking a big step towards the position of Sect Leader.

Lu Wanshan pondered and slowly said: "The core of the Heavenly Sword lies in the human heart. So-called public sentiment and merit are, in fact, two forces of faith and willingness: faith is what the people’s hearts believe, willingness is what the people’s hearts desire, fulfilled willingness turns into merit."

"Cough, cough," Zhou Chongming covered his mouth with a light cough: "Sect Leader, I’ll step aside."

Lu Wanshan shook his head and smiled: "Junior Brother, don’t divulge this."

"How could I divulge it," Zhou Chongming said: "Knowing it is useless to me, I can’t practice it."

Lu Wanshan said, "Heavenly Sword’s material is unique, only possible in ancient times, hardly seen now, only Zhiyuan with great luck has such an opportunity."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "My thought is that after obtaining the Court’s secret technique, I can gather public esteem, then through vanquishing evil, harvest public sentiment and merit, enabling the sword to quickly strengthen."

Lu Wanshan said, "Your idea is correct, but time is already too short. If the Spirit Venerable appears, it might not allow this sword to further grow."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned: "Is it because it would split the Court’s public sentiment."

Lu Wanshan nodded slowly.

"That’s a pity," Zhou Chongming said: "Is there no solution?"

"There is." Lu Wanshan said: "Rapidly strengthen public sentiment and merit, causing a qualitative change, truly becoming the Heavenly Sword."

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated: "Eliminating the Undying Evil Venerable, I’ve already gathered most public sentiment and merit, right?"

"It’s still too slow." Lu Wanshan said: "You can return to Little Heaven Beyond now, can you?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Lu Wanshan said: "You can devour the Emperor’s Sword of the Little Outer Heaven, one Emperor’s Sword is enough."