Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1278 - 1274: The Imperial Bestowal

Chu Zhiyuan was taken aback.

Zhou Chongming was also surprised and quickly said, "The Emperor’s Sword is a projection of the Heavenly Sword’s clone. If it is devoured..."

"It doesn’t matter," Lu Wanshan said. "Sacrificing a single projection to allow Zhiyuan’s sword to grow into a real Heavenly Sword is worthwhile."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader, but I don’t want to use this method."

Lu Wanshan said, "There are so many projections of the Heavenly Sword; losing one will not have a big impact."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, his expression resolute. "Sect Leader, I will take it one step at a time. If it is to be destroyed by the Spirit Venerable, then it’s simply bad luck. When I achieve the status of Spirit Venerable, I will train again."

"Good, such ambition is commendable!" Zhou Chongming clapped his hands in admiration. "That’s the spirit you need, Zhiyuan!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Uncle, you overpraise me. I don’t put too much emphasis on whether I succeed or not. I’m just practicing for fun; success or failure doesn’t matter much to me."

He solemnly clasped his fists and said, "I appreciate the Sect Leader’s kindness."

"You... your aspirations are too high," Lu Wanshan shook his head helplessly. "Don’t regret it in the future."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded solemnly. "Sect Leader, if it requires such a method, I would rather not practice."

"Alright then," Lu Wanshan said, "There’s no need for you to spend too much time on the sword; you might be too disappointed if you don’t attain success. Once the Court passes you the secret technique, focus your mind on it."

"Understood." Chu Zhiyuan nodded solemnly.

"Your reputation has already begun to spread," Lu Wanshan smiled. "Once you master the secret technique, your fame will greatly increase."

Zhou Chongming said, "Zhiyuan, the sect’s promotion of your name is a double-edged sword. If you can meet expectations and master the secret technique, you’ll be held in high esteem worldwide. But if you fail, everyone will be disappointed, and your reputation will plummet."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded solemnly. "I understand."

"Open your heart and don’t dwell on it too much." Lu Wanshan said seriously, "If everyone can’t master it, then it’s not a crime if you can’t either."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan laughed. "I’m just worried the Court would deliberately give me one that’s very difficult to master."

Lu Wanshan said, "That’s something the Court would do!"

Zhou Chongming furrowed his brows and said, "If the Court does this, not only would they prevent Zhiyuan from getting stronger, but they’d also damage his reputation—a win-win for them, so why not?"

He looked at Chu Zhiyuan. "It seems it’s best to keep this matter confidential."

Lu Wanshan said slowly, "Let’s not talk about it now; wait until it’s mastered before saying anything."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I’m afraid that even if we don’t mention it, the Court will announce it with great fanfare."

"They surely will." Lu Wanshan nodded.

If he were the Court, he would do the same, leaving Chu Zhiyuan no choice but to play it cool.

Zhou Chongming said, "So if the Court announces it with fanfare, it means they’re plotting, and the secret technique would surely be extremely difficult to master. If they don’t announce it, it means they want Zhiyuan to succeed."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Elder, you’re wise."

Zhou Chongming shook his head. "What is the Court’s true intent? Do they want Zhiyuan to succeed or not?"

Lu Wanshan said, "They’re probably hesitating, unable to decide."

He looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Right now, the more I do, the more mistakes I’ll make. It’s better to remain calm."

He quickly thought of Huang Zhengyang and that Director Zhou Muyin.

It would be all too easy to overreach if he tried to influence the Court’s decision through them.

Rather than make that mistake, he decided to remain unattached, which was more prudent.

"Very well," Lu Wanshan said, "This matter is inherently under the Court’s control. They’re all extremely smart people, and our tricks won’t deceive them."

"Frankly, Zhiyuan doesn’t need to involve himself in this matter at all," Zhou Chongming said, "If it weren’t for training that sword, there’s no need to gain so much fame or capture so much public interest."

Lu Wanshan laughed and shook his head.

"Senior Brother, am I wrong?"

"Junior Brother, do you not understand Zhiyuan’s ambition yet?"

"What kind of ambition?"

"You could probably guess."

"Sect Leader..." Chu Zhiyuan looked slightly embarrassed.

Zhou Chongming looked at him, then at Lu Wanshan, his eyes flashing as his thoughts whirled.

After a few breaths, he hesitantly asked, "Could it be... Zhiyuan, do you want to become the Sect Leader?"

"That doesn’t make sense," he quickly shook his head. "If you want to be Sect Leader, why train that sword? You can manage the Heavenly Sword in the future."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Uncle, I’m just practicing for fun."

Zhou Chongming laughed and shook his head. "You’re spending so much effort playing?"

"When idle, why not?" Chu Zhiyuan chuckled. "It’s quite interesting, and the sword’s power is indeed impressive."

Zhou Chongming looked at Lu Wanshan. "Sect Leader, do you allow Zhiyuan to fool around like this?"

Lu Wanshan smiled, "With his progress speed, what more can I say?"

"...Alright." Zhou Chongming sighed. "If you want to be Sect Leader, reputation is indeed important, but there’s no rush. Senior Brother still has a long way before stepping down."

Lu Wanshan laughed, "I’ve had enough of being the Sect Leader. If Zhiyuan’s generation can bear the weight, I would gladly step down."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Sect Leader, Uncle, to be honest, I initially planned to become Sect Leader not to fulfill ambitions, but to further enhance our Heavenly Sword Sect."

He showed a slightly embarrassed expression. "Actually, I wanted to use the Heavenly Sword to elevate my cultivation. Now that I’ve reached this cultivation level and have this sword, and the Heavenly Sword can’t raise my cultivation realm... so..."

Zhou Chongming asked, "You no longer want to be Sect Leader?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled awkwardly and nodded slightly.

Lu Wanshan laughed, "You young rascal, now you look down on the position of Sect Leader."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’ve been accustomed to wandering freely; staying bound to the mountain like the Sect Leader all day would be unbearable."

"Being Sect Leader is indeed tough," Zhou Chongming nodded, "Especially that part."

Being Sect Leader ties one to the peak, like being imprisoned. For some, it’s unbearable torture.

It was something he couldn’t endure.

So he never envied his Senior Brother for being Sect Leader, nor did he wish to be one.

Chu Zhiyuan’s thoughts weren’t surprising.

Lu Wanshan said, "Very well then, just go with the flow. Sometimes, letting things be is better."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan solemnly bowed.

...

Chu Zhiyuan returned to the courtyard of the Heavenly Sword Branch, sat by the stone table, and bathed in the bright moonlight, lost in thought.

After a while, he stood up, paced with his hands behind his back, his expression heavy.

Eventually, he shook his head, returned to the bed, and rested, not cultivating but simply resting.

Meanwhile, in You Meng Heaven, Zhu Lingyun got up and left Wanxiang Cliff to take a walk outside the cliff.

He planned to visit Qingyun City.

Qingyun City was surrounded by Qingluo Cave and Wanxiang Cliff, and perhaps he could find some information there.

...

Early the next morning, as soon as Chu Zhiyuan got up, Huang Zhengyang arrived.

Upon entering the courtyard, he laughed heartily, "Brother Chu, good news, the Court has granted the secret technique!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "What secret technique?"

Huang Zhengyang took out a small dark green box from his sleeve and carefully placed it on the stone table.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at it solemnly. "Why did the Court agree to grant a secret technique again?"

Huang Zhengyang waved his hand, "Whatever their reason was, the agreement is what matters."

"True enough," Chu Zhiyuan smiled, looking at the dark green box.

It was just a palm’s length, a foot wide, as thin as a hand, and appeared as if clear water was flowing within.

Huang Zhengyang placed his left palm on the box, operated his power, and the box began to glow before it broke apart with a crisp "pa" sound.

A thin dark green booklet appeared before them.