Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1320 - 1316: Omen

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I won’t mistake it, there is indeed a black line... neither of us has it, but Senior Brother Ning does."

Zhang Ji Yuan laughed, "Could it be because our cultivation level is not as high as Senior Brother Ning’s?"

"Nonsense," Ning Dongge said, "You two are both at perfection, the same level of cultivation, how could you be inferior to me?"

"Senior Brother Ning, you are still a cut above the rest," Zhang Ji Yuan laughed.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "I guess it’s not because of cultivation."

"What do you mean by that?" Zhang Ji Yuan asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If it is because of cultivation, why can’t Brother Zhang see this black line?"

"Hmm... because of different cultivation techniques?" Zhang Ji Yuan thought for a moment, "But my technique is similar to Senior Brother Ning’s, not much different, it’s you who practice something different."

The cultivation technique of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, Chu Zhiyuan practiced the Taihao Jade Void Scripture, while they practiced the incomplete version of the Returning God Technique.

Is this why neither of them can see the black line, but he can?

But if it’s because of the mental method, why does only Senior Brother Ning have a black line, and he doesn’t?

Could it really be due to differences in cultivation level?

"Never mind, don’t bother with it," Zhang Ji Yuan waved his hand, "It’s making my head spin."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered deeply, as if lost in thought.

Spirit light burst in his mind, and his intuition was stirring restlessly.

Ning Dongge said, "Little Junior Brother?"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, "This black line is still quite important, it can’t be ignored."

Zhang Ji Yuan laughed, "But we don’t know what this black line is all about."

"Then let’s find out," Chu Zhiyuan said.

"How do we do that?" Zhang Ji Yuan asked, "Isn’t the grotto heaven the key now?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Find other people to take a look, figure this out first."

Zhang Ji Yuan helplessly looked at Ning Dongge.

Ning Dongge said solemnly, "Little Junior Brother, do you really want to do this?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "My intuition tells me this matter is extraordinary, we need to clarify it before doing anything else."

"Little Junior Brother, you’re not trying to delay matters to clear your sibling’s suspicion, are you?" Zhang Ji Yuan said, "You can say it openly, no need to go through so much."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Brother Zhang, I have no such intention, it’s indeed unwise to bypass this... my intuition has always been quite accurate."

"But..."

"Alright, just listen to Little Junior Brother," Ning Dongge interrupted Zhang Ji Yuan with a wave of his hand.

Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, "I see now, Senior Brother Ning, you’re determined to side with Little Junior Brother, with him around, I’m not impressive anymore."

"Look at your lack of ambition!" Ning Dongge laughed, "Little Junior Brother is indeed stronger than us, so we should listen to him."

He turned to Chu Zhiyuan, "Little Junior Brother, tell us, what should we do?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "First clarify what this black line is all about."

"How do we do that?"

"Go to Biyuan Heaven and take a look," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Have more people try it."

"...Alright," Ning Dongge said, "Junior Brother Zhang, accompany Little Junior Brother."

"Alright then," Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Let’s find out what’s going on."

...

Chu Zhiyuan and Zhang Ji Yuan appeared in the imperial city, sitting on the third floor of a teahouse near a window, watching the scene below.

They could see a small alley across the street, with a crystal-clear stone at the corner of the alley.

A young man was striding briskly, suddenly stopping at the corner, turning to look at the stone, bending over to pick it up, then frowning, disdainfully tossing it back to the corner, and continuing on his way.

Zhang Ji Yuan was curious, "Why did he throw it away?"

Under normal circumstances, upon seeing such a crystal-clear stone with a texture as warm as jade, even if one didn’t know what it was, one would collect it, take it back, and study it slowly.

Yet this young man tossed it without hesitation, looking disdainful, truly strange.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "I rubbed a bit of medicine on it."

"What kind of medicine?"

"It emits an unpleasant odor, that once smelled, makes one detest it and not want to keep it."

"That’s a clever trick," Zhang Ji Yuan said with satisfaction, "But with it placed there, there aren’t many people passing by."

"If there are too many people, no one will pick it up," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "It needs to be in a place with fewer people, so it can be picked up freely."

"When will that be?" Zhang Ji Yuan asked.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and took a sip of wine, "Soon enough, don’t worry, Brother... as for the grotto heaven, there’s no need to rush, right?"

"Alright, alright, I’m not rushing," Zhang Ji Yuan shook his head helplessly.

They continued drinking wine and watched as various people passed through the alley, picking up and discarding the crystal-clear stone.

When night fell and lanterns were lit, those passing through the alley could still see the faintly glowing stone, but ultimately discarded it again.

Late at night, with the alley almost deserted, Chu Zhiyuan and Zhang Ji Yuan finally left the teahouse, retrieved the stone, and returned to the Heaven-Reaching Sect.

Outside the main hall of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, a bright moon shone coldly, its clear light cascading down.

Senior Brother Ning stood with his hands behind his back outside the main hall, gazing up at the bright moon.

Turning to the two others, he smiled: "How did it go?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "I have a rough idea."

Senior Brother Ning smiled: "The black line appeared again? So I’m not the only one seeing it?"

"It appeared three more times," Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Zhang Ji Yuan.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Two of them have no cultivation, and one has very little, so this black line isn’t due to cultivation."

"Then what’s the reason?"

"Still not sure," Zhang Ji Yuan said, "The junior brother needs to keep an eye on them, and start digging into their backgrounds."

"Another black line..." Senior Brother Ning laughed, "It seems this stone is indeed peculiar."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I have a preliminary theory, brothers."

"Let’s hear it," the two were intrigued.

"The black line might be an omen of misfortune," Chu Zhiyuan slowly suggested.

"An omen of misfortune?" Zhang Ji Yuan said, "That’s too far-fetched, there’s no such thing."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I observed those three, they all bear inauspicious signs."

"Junior brother, you can read signs?" Zhang Ji Yuan chuckled.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "I know a bit, and I see they all face imminent disasters."

His Super Sense’s Insight, compared with ancient and modern books on the subject, unknowingly deepened his expertise in reading auras.

"Even me?" Senior Brother Ning laughed.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Brother, your cultivation is high, and you practice Special Heart Methods. I can’t see through to discern fortune or misfortune, but it might not escape this stone."

"Interesting..." Senior Brother Ning shook his head with a smile, not bothered at all.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Brother Zhang and I will continue to observe those three tomorrow, to check their situation."

Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, "Junior brother, how long will you keep watching before we notice any clue?"

By the time we figure it out, it might be too late, perhaps the Grotto Heaven would be thoroughly explored, and we’ll miss not just the meat, but even the soup.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Let’s do three days. If we can’t clarify in three days, we’ll go with my judgment."

Senior Brother Ning said, "Does that mean I have to hide in the sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "As you’ve said, for our Heaven-Reaching Sect, people are more important than treasures."

"Ah, you..." Senior Brother Ning was unwilling.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Brothers, let’s decide after three days."

"Alright then," Senior Brother Ning agreed.

...

The next morning, the two reappeared outside the main hall of the Heaven-Reaching Sect.

Both of them wore serious expressions.

Senior Brother Ning emerged from the Light Gate, seeing their expressions, asked, "What happened?"

They had just gathered, went down to Biyuan Heaven for a short while, and returned with such looks.

Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, "Those three are dead, they died last night."

"What a coincidence?" Senior Brother Ning frowned.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "One died of sudden illness, another drank to death, and the last drowned after falling into the river, none survived till dawn."

Senior Brother Ning looked at Chu Zhiyuan, "Could it really be a bad omen?"

Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, "At this point, it’s better to believe it, Brother, you should stay honestly in the hall, not go out."

Chu Zhiyuan spoke before Senior Brother Ning could, "Brother, the two of us are enough."

Senior Brother Ning said, "You two can’t form an array, you might be at a disadvantage."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Certain Grotto Heavens, once entered, one ends up alone and cannot form a group."

The Outer Realm Battlefield is just like that.

"...True, this Grotto Heaven might be like that too, fine, I’ll stay here and hold the fort," Senior Brother Ning nodded slowly.

He felt uneasy inside.

Some things are hard not to believe in.

After finally reaching this stage, extending his lifespan, he didn’t want to die an untimely death.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

"Junior brother, do you want to inform the sister-in-law, let her avoid suspicion."

"Alright."

Chu Zhiyuan bade farewell with a fist salute and appeared at Xiao Ruoling’s courtyard.

Upon arrival, he sensed something amiss.

An invisible force instantly appeared, like a cover being pulled down, cutting off his Insight from the outside world.