Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1324 - 1320: Reappearance

"This is quite troublesome..." Ning Dongge said, "How about the three of us make a move together?"

Chu Zhiyuan took out the crystal-clear stone from his pocket and stuffed it into his hand.

Looking down at it, he shook his head, "The black line is still there, Senior Brother Ning, you still can’t leave."

Ning Dongge said, "This black line might not necessarily be a bad omen, it could just be a coincidence."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Come on, Senior Brother, are you trying to risk your life?!"

Such things are better to be believed than ignored.

Ning Dongge frowned and said, "But this Grotto Heaven is too crucial."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "No matter how crucial, it’s not more important than your life!"

"Sigh..." Ning Dongge shook his head and sighed.

Chu Zhiyuan raised his head from deep thought, "Senior Brother Ning, there’s a crucial question. Which layer of heaven is this Grotto Heaven in? Is it in Biyuan Heaven, Little Outer Heaven, or Outer Heaven?"

"Which layer did you search in?"

"Biyuan Heaven," Chu Zhiyuan said.

Ning Dongge said, "Then try looking in You Meng Heaven."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "If Biyuan Heaven doesn’t work, go to You Meng Heaven, if that doesn’t work, then try Outer Heaven, or Little Outer Heaven, or try Qinghua Heaven, or Tai Zhou Heaven, ... in short, try all these heavens to see which is closer."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered.

He initially searched in Biyuan Heaven because he was in Biyuan Heaven himself.

Although he knew of Outer Heaven, without a ladder, it was difficult to ascend directly, hard to explain in words.

"Could changing the layer of heaven make a difference?" Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’ll give it a try."

"Alright then." Ning Dongge sighed, "It’s hard on you, Junior Brother."

Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand, "Senior Brother, it’s my duty, if the Sect Master and the others could come out, that would be the best."

Actually, it’s not about Ning Dongge taking risks or searching alone.

It’s about letting the six Sect Masters exit seclusion to obtain the complete inheritance and also to find that Grotto Heaven.

The three of them are still too few, short-handed, struggling.

"No way." Ning Dongge shook his head.

Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, "The Sect Masters are in seclusion, possibly related to becoming Spirit Venerable, they mustn’t be disturbed."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If becoming Spirit Venerable means the complete inheritance can’t be opened, isn’t that a problem?"

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Becoming Spirit Venerable comes first."

Chu Zhiyuan was astonished.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Junior Brother, our Heaven-Reaching Sect is different from other sects, we do not sacrifice the individual for the sect. On the contrary, personal cultivation is the priority, everything else comes second."

"Even the sect?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Zhang Ji Yuan nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan’s face showed contemplation.

This thought was truly shocking, putting oneself first, the sect second.

It could be considered heretical, vastly different from common belief.

"If the sect’s interests conflict with your cultivation, then unquestionably choose your cultivation," Ning Dongge said, "This is indeed our rule."

He then laughed, "However, there’s a caveat, it mustn’t harm the sect’s interests, that’s considered treason."

"Senior Brother Ning, then you should stay here and not act rashly."

Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly.

"Sigh... alright," Ning Dongge sighed, "Junior Brother, take your time, don’t rush."

"Understood."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Why don’t I go with Junior Brother to search?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Senior Brother Zhang, I’d better go alone, our directions differ."

"Try once more." Zhang Ji Yuan said.

He looked at Ning Dongge.

Ning Dongge slowly nodded.

...

Chu Zhiyuan slowly opened his eyes.

He looked up into the void, the azure sky was clear, white clouds like peaks, his gaze probing the distant end.

Vaguely, there seemed to be a large light globe slowly emitting light.

It was far away in the sky, inaccessible, just thinking about it invoked inexplicable fear, it’s as if it could never be touched.

Turning his head, it was empty all around.

He stepped through the Light Gate and entered the great hall.

Ning Dongge and Zhang Ji Yuan were sitting cross-legged on meditation cushions in the hall, motionless.

Hearing the stir, both opened their eyes, faces pale, weary eyes.

Using the Heaven Peeping Skill depleted them too much, back-to-back usage left them unable to recover.

"Senior Brother Ning, Senior Brother Zhang." Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands in greeting.

"How is it?" Zhang Ji Yuan asked eagerly, "Which direction?"

Chu Zhiyuan lifted his left hand, pointing southwest.

Zhang Ji Yuan pointed southeast, then looked at Ning Dongge.

Ning Dongge sighed and also pointed southeast.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

If it was possibly a mistake the first time, then the same result the second time indicated a problem.

Zhang Ji Yuan asked, "Junior Brother, did you feel it changing direction midway?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "It was always there, never changed."

"That’s strange." Zhang Ji Yuan frowned.

Ning Dongge was also puzzled.

It was the first time he encountered such a situation.

Chu Zhiyuan extended his hand, palm holding that crystal-clear stone, "Why don’t you give it a try, Senior Brother Zhang, maybe you’ll find it."

"That’s a possibility." Zhang Ji Yuan looked at Ning Dongge, "Shall I give it a try?"

Ning Dongge laughed, "Can you still use the Heaven Peeping Skill?"

"...No, I can’t." Zhang Ji Yuan replied reluctantly.

He had reached his limit, mental fatigue too overwhelming, his soul felt weak.

Activating the Heaven Peeping Skill again would cause him to pass out, even affect cultivation and mental state.

Reaching that point, one would risk deviation.

Not worth taking the risk at all.

"Then there you have it." Ning Dongge said, "It’s still down to Junior Brother to search."

Zhang Ji Yuan said unwillingly, "Sigh... I’m just worried we’ll miss out, even on the broth."

Ning Dongge said, "Let Junior Brother go, and check You Meng Heaven."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

"Return first to rest, don’t rush, sometimes haste leads to mistakes," Ning Dongge advised, "Go play with Sister-in-law."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

Zhang Ji Yuan laughed, "That’s indeed a good idea, go on, go on."

He handed the crystal-clear stone to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan took it, bowed with his hands clasped, and disappeared.

...

When he reappeared in Xiao Ruoling’s small courtyard, he felt the strong power enveloping all around, the Super Sense blocked, unable to leave the courtyard.

With the Autumn Moon Mirror, he dared to return in such a short time.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue were practicing boxing in the courtyard. Seeing him suddenly appear, both stopped.

Xiao Ruoling showed a joyful smile.

Originally, she thought she wouldn’t see him before entering the Cave Heaven Trial.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "No need to speak much, continue practicing, make the most of the time."

"Princely Heir, even if we practice more, it’s useless," Shen Hanyue said, "We’re entering the Cave Heaven tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Chu Zhiyuan was startled, "Wasn’t it three days later?"

"It’s advanced," Shen Hanyue said, "They said we’ll depart tomorrow."

Chu Zhiyuan looked them over.

He suddenly took out that stone from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling took it with curiosity.

Her mutton fat jade-like hand held the crystal stone, they complemented each other, making her hand appear whiter and the stone clearer.

Shen Hanyue’s eyes shone, praising continuously, "Such a beautiful stone!"

She looked at Chu Zhiyuan, "What kind of stone is this?"

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Shen Hanyue asked, "What’s the matter?"

Chu Zhiyuan saw that trace of black line, then pursed his lips: "Hanyue, you take a closer look."

Shen Hanyue took the stone passed by Xiao Ruoling with curiosity, held it up, and gently turned it to see its interior clearly.

Chu Zhiyuan’s face darkened slightly.

There was also a black line.

This meant both women were in life-threatening danger.