Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1325 - 1321: The Decision

Xiao Ruoling observed his expression and softly asked, "Husband, is this a treasure?"

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and replied, "It is indeed a treasure, one that can predict danger."

Shen Hanyue moved her gaze from the stone and asked, "Does that mean it predicts danger for us? How dangerous?"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

"Trials always have risks," Shen Hanyue said nonchalantly, "But don’t worry, there are seniors around."

"There is a threat to life," Chu Zhiyuan responded.

Xiao Ruoling said, "Trials always come with danger, but it’s rare to lose one’s life."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Can you withdraw?"

Shen Hanyue replied, "Withdrawing from the trial means we can’t go to the Outer Realm Battlefield."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "What about next time?"

"We’ve already signed up. Backing out now would make us a laughingstock among our peers," Shen Hanyue said.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Being ridiculed is better than losing your life."

"We have protective treasures," Shen Hanyue said.

Xiao Ruoling nodded lightly, "I still have the Xuan Guang Shuttle, if things go poorly, we can flee."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’m afraid you won’t have time to flee, ... Withdraw, go next time."

"Withdraw?!" Shen Hanyue tilted her head to look at Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling pondered.

"This time it’s a New Cave Heaven, with the most opportunities. There won’t be so many next time."

"What’s more important, opportunities or life?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Go next time... How often are the trials?"

Xiao Ruoling said, "Every year, or three years, or five years. But this time is special, it’s a unified trial, with more Spirit Venerables participating."

"Then withdraw," Chu Zhiyuan said.

This is naturally a situation to err on the side of caution.

Ning Dongge feels this way, so of course, Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue should as well.

Knowing there’s a deadly danger, should one still rush forward?

Shen Hanyue said, "If we really withdraw, the master won’t say anything, but the senior uncles and aunts will have something to say!"

She shook her head and said, "Currently, the senior sister stands out alone, the senior uncles and aunts want to see a joke."

Profound Yin Palace disciples are as cold as jade statues, like fairies, but their aloof and otherworldly aura, along with their mystical mental methods, do not hide human nature.

Profound Yin Palace disciples still have emotions and desires, still feel unsatisfied and defiant.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Compared to life, that’s nothing.

Xiao Ruoling said, "Then let’s go find the master and withdraw from this trial."

Shen Hanyue handed the stone back to Chu Zhiyuan, "Alright, let’s go then."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Xiao Ruoling said, "Husband, you go ahead."

"I’ll wait a bit longer."

"... Alright." Xiao Ruoling thought for a moment and nodded.

The master wouldn’t do anything excessive, not to the point of violence.

The two women left gracefully.

Chu Zhiyuan paced with his hands behind his back.

If the Cave Heaven they’re headed to is the one he’s looking for, their going would let him know.

It’s a pity there’s a bad omen, they can’t go, which also cuts off this shortcut.

Ultimately, he still has to find it himself, though it’s a pity he can’t find it, likely due to insufficient cultivation.

He’ll try again, and if it still doesn’t work, he’ll have to ask the Spirit Venerable for help.

As he was pondering, he suddenly sensed something, and turned his head to look.

The courtyard door opened, and a beautiful woman walked in, accompanied by Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue.

This woman had an oval face, well-defined eyebrows, and a gentle temperament like water.

Such gentle temperament is indeed rare in the mainly cold Profound Yin Palace.

Either cold and compelling or as frosty as frost, or as exquisite and outstanding as pear blossoms.

"Husband, this is master," Xiao Ruoling said.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands in salute, "Greetings, senior."

This was Xiao Ruoling’s master, Qin Ruolan, whom he had long heard of.

Qin Ruolan raised her jade hand and examined Chu Zhiyuan, speaking softly, "Are you the one who asked Ruoling and Hanyue to withdraw from the trial?"

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan nodded calmly.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue shook their heads helplessly.

Despite withstanding the pressure without speaking, how could they hide it from Qin Ruolan?

After asking a question, Qin Ruolan didn’t inquire further and directly went to Xiao Ruoling’s small courtyard.

"Why withdraw?" Qin Ruolan’s bright eyes fixed on Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "This younger generation has a keen intuition for danger and sensed peril. I didn’t want Ruoling and Hanyue to face such danger."

"Danger?" Qin Ruolan chuckled, "This is just a trial, not the Outer Realm Battlefield. On the Outer Realm Battlefield, facing various opponents is even more dangerous."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It’s not too late for them to enter the Outer Realm Battlefield once their cultivation is higher."

"The Sixth Transition is sufficient," Qin Ruolan said, "Both of them have good aptitude and comprehension, which is why they’re so fast. Normally, the Third Transition is already very reliable."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Senior, why enter the Outer Realm Battlefield?"

"Naturally, to accelerate cultivation," Qin Ruolan replied, "Without being in the Outer Realm Battlefield, after becoming a Venerable, cultivation will slow down significantly, making it impossible to achieve Spirit Venerable status before lifespan runs out."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "But it seems Ruoling and Hanyue’s cultivation here isn’t slow either, right?"

"...Indeed," Qin Ruolan slowly nodded.

This is a fact.

In the entire Profound Yin Palace, only they have such rapid cultivation after becoming Venerables, much faster than those on the Outer Realm Battlefield.

Firstly, their comprehension of the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique is profound, providing a solid foundation far superior to ordinary disciples.

Secondly, their comprehension is exceptional.

Thirdly, there is external aid, which naturally comes from Chu Zhiyuan.

Profound Yin Palace is well aware of Chu Zhiyuan’s comings and goings.

She saw mist on him, an invisible force blocking prying eyes.

This signifies he not only possesses powerful spiritual artifacts but also astonishing fortune and merit.

Profound Yin Palace disdains seizing his spiritual artifacts.

Moreover, his assistance in their cultivation also benefits the Profound Yin Palace.

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Since cultivating within the palace is not inferior to that on the Outer Realm Battlefield, why risk going there?"

"Without experiencing hardships, one remains weak."

"How about waiting until their cultivation is strong enough before facing hardships?"

"... You’re quite eloquent," Qin Ruolan chuckled, "I can’t out-argue you."

Chu Zhiyuan awkwardly clasped his hands, "I was being presumptuous."

Qin Ruolan shook her head, "Such remarkable aptitude, it’s no wonder, alright, if it’s a little later, then so be it."

"Thank you, senior!" Chu Zhiyuan solemnly clasped his hands.

Escaping at the last minute tarnishes reputations, not just Ruoling and Hanyue’s but also Qin Ruolan as their master.

In these circumstances, she remains poised and calm, truly remarkable.

Qin Ruolan turned to the two women, "Here’s the plan, announce that you are going into seclusion, saying you feel a breakthrough coming."

"Yes." Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue nodded.

Qin Ruolan looked at Chu Zhiyuan, "Are you now a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "This younger generation is also a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Qin Ruolan raised her finely elongated eyebrows, "Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, "I just joined not long ago."

"Is Zhang Ji Yuan your master?"

"He’s my senior brother."

"... It seems you have quite the extraordinary aptitude, hey, Heaven-Reaching Sect." She gently shook her head.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Senior, will Brother Zhang’s entanglements with Profound Yin Palace affect my relationship with Ruoling?"

"No," Qin Ruolan shook her head, "But our relationship with Heaven-Reaching Sect is delicate, you must be careful not to get into an awkward situation."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, "Ruoling and Hanyue don’t know the location of this new Cave Heaven, right?"

Qin Ruolan said, "Only a few grandmasters know, I don’t know myself."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "That’s good."

Qin Ruolan frowned, "Does your Heaven-Reaching Sect know too?"