Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1365 - 1361: Scheming

"Then let’s set off now," said Zhou Yang.

Meng Qingchuan said, "Mr. Zhu, will we meet again?"

Zhu Lingyun smiled, "I believe we will meet again."

Zhou Yang said, "Mr. Zhu, we’re eager to meet again, but it’s best not to."

Zhu Lingyun said, "Let’s see how this trip to the Flower God Sect goes. If it goes smoothly and they can easily reach Biyuan Heaven, I can come here with peace of mind."

"You’re most welcome." Meng Qingchuan laughed, "Can I see Mr. Zhu off, Junior Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Yang replied helplessly, "It’s not convenient."

"Oh... alright, I won’t go then." Meng Qingchuan said, "The main altar of the Flower God Sect is always a secret, I’m not qualified to go."

Zhu Lingyun said, "It’s no matter, we part ways here, until we meet again."

"Take care, Mr. Zhu."

"Likewise," Zhu Lingyun clasped his fists, then left with Zhou Yang.

He was escorted to the foot of the mountain by a group of Green Bamboo Sect experts, exchanging fist salutes farewell.

After walking a mile, he turned back to look once more at the azure sea-like bamboo forest.

The bamboo grove undulated like green waves, vibrant with life and vitality.

The Green Bamboo Sect disciples acted with sincerity and were so welcoming that he truly felt at home.

Zhou Yang, noticing his expression, laughed, "If Mr. Zhu cannot return smoothly, just treat this place as your home."

"Yes, indeed," Zhu Lingyun said, "I really like it here."

Zhou Yang’s smile grew broader.

The two continued on, treading on treetops, walking a direct path through the air, as they prepared to cross mountain peaks.

Zhu Lingyun said, "Brother Zhou, tell me about the Flower God Sect. What kind of sect is it exactly?"

"The Flower God Sect..." Zhou Yang mused, shook his head, "To say how powerful the Flower God Sect really is, we don’t actually know."

"Then why is it a top sect?"

"Because every disciple of the Flower God Sect is a top expert. With at least ten such disciples, it makes a top sect, but the Flower God Sect has far more than ten top disciples."

"Ten..." Zhu Lingyun pondered, "What Realm is that? Our Biyuan Heaven’s cultivation limit is Spirit Venerable, which is rare, below that is Venerable."

"And what Realm are you, Mr. Zhu?"

"Me? Venerable Ninth Transitions."

"Mr. Zhu, your cultivation is on par with those of the Flower God Sect. According to your metrics, their experts’ Realm should also be Venerable Ninth Transitions."

"I see..." Zhu Lingyun said, "To have ten experts like me, that’s indeed impressive. ...And how do the Flower God Sect disciples conduct themselves?"

"They are rarely seen, and as long as you don’t provoke them, they won’t take action," Zhou Yang said, "But if provoked, they’ll retaliate with the force of thunder."

"That counts as the Righteous Path," Zhu Lingyun said.

Zhou Yang nodded.

Zhu Lingyun smiled, "So, Brother Zhou trusts them, believing they won’t harm me."

"Mr. Zhu, you have no grievances with them and have done a favor to our Green Bamboo Sect; why would the Flower God Sect want to harm you?"

"Yes, indeed, but one must not be without vigilance, I still need to be cautious."

Zhou Yang immediately straightened up, "Exactly, caution is necessary... When we meet them, I’ll ask that cousin frankly, and if things really aren’t right, Mr. Zhu, you should wait a bit, see if there’s another way back."

Zhu Lingyun earnestly nodded.

...

The two kept conversing as they traveled. At noon, they reached a mountain peak.

Atop the peak stood two middle-aged men with their arms behind their backs.

One was round and smiling, the other tall and thin, bearing a slight resemblance to Zhou Yang.

Upon hearing the sound of clothes fluttering in the wind, they looked over.

Chu Zhiyuan could feel their gazes penetrating through spatial obstructions to arrive close by.

As if they were standing right before him, examining him.

Zhou Yang’s movements paused briefly, then he smiled, quickening his steps to arrive before them, clasping his fists, "Cousin, sorry to keep you waiting."

The tall, thin man clasped his fists, looked at Chu Zhiyuan, then at the round middle-aged man beside him, "This is my Brother Mo, Mo Huaiyuan."

"Greetings, Mr. Mo." Zhou Yang clasped his fists and smiled, "We are late."

"Haha... not at all, we arrived early," Mo Huaiyuan waved his hand, smiling warmly as he looked at Zhu Lingyun, "And this must be Mr. Zhu from Biyuan Heaven?"

"Greetings, Mr. Mo, greetings, Mr. Zhou," Zhu Lingyun clasped his fists with a smile.

Both of them were actually at the Venerable Ninth Transitions cultivation level; the Flower God Sect was truly deserving of its reputation.

Zhou Yang’s cousin was also surnamed Zhou, Zhou Tianji.

The two exchanged fist salutes, very courteous.

Zhu Lingyun appeared relaxed outwardly while being tense internally, projecting friendliness but maintaining caution, "This time I seek to return to Biyuan Heaven through your goodwill, and am deeply grateful. Is there any way I could repay you?"

Mo Huaiyuan laughed, "I heard Mr. Zhu is from Biyuan Heaven?"

"Indeed."

"Biyuan Heaven’s Wanxiang Cliff?"

"Correct."

"But as far as I know, there’s no Wanxiang Cliff or such a sect in Biyuan Heaven, is there?"

Zhou Yang hesitated.

Zhou Tianji frowned.

Zhu Lingyun smiled, "It seems Mr. Mo knows quite a lot about Biyuan Heaven."

"Haha... Being able to reach Biyuan Heaven, naturally I have some understanding, knowing a bit about each sect, large and small."

Zhu Lingyun said, "Then Mr. Mo, do you know of the Wanxiang Sect?"

"The Wanxiang Sect... I’ve heard of it," Mo Huaiyuan laughed, "Could it be, Mr. Zhu, you belong to the Wanxiang Sect?"

Zhu Lingyun replied, "I know of the Wanxiang Sect but do not belong to it."

"Then where are you from, truly, what sort of figure are you?" Mo Huaiyuan frowned and spoke solemnly, "We can’t just send you across without knowing Mr. Zhu your identity, can we?"

Zhu Lingyun nodded, "As long as I reach Biyuan Heaven, I can return to my place."

"Where?"

"...You Meng Heaven," Zhu Lingyun said slowly, "Wanxiang Cliff of You Meng Heaven."

"You Meng Heaven..." Mo Huaiyuan frowned thoughtfully, looking at Zhou Tianji.

Zhou Tianji said, "You Meng Heaven... never heard of it."

They knew the sects of Biyuan Heaven, recognized the Wanxiang Sect as an evil sect, but had never heard of You Meng Heaven.

With so many realms, it was impossible for them to know every single one.

Zhou Yang said, "Mr. Zhu, you indeed tricked us well."

Zhu Lingyun apologized, "Indeed, finding myself here alone, it’s necessary to take some precautions. Brother Zhou, please forgive me."

"...True enough." Zhou Yang shook his head with a wry smile, "If it were us, we might do the same. Brother Zhu, your name surely isn’t false?"

"This is truly my original name," Zhu Lingyun said, "And the sect name isn’t false either, it’s just in You Meng Heaven, not Biyuan Heaven."

Mo Huaiyuan and Zhou Tianji exchanged a glance, then smilingly said, "Then Mr. Zhu, how do you travel from Biyuan Heaven to You Meng Heaven?"

Zhu Lingyun answered, "Also through a secret technique coupled with a treasure, enabling me to ascend to You Meng Heaven."

Mo Huaiyuan laughed, "Mr. Zhu, here’s the proposal: we help you return to Biyuan Heaven, and you take us to You Meng Heaven for some insight, alright?"

"That..." Zhu Lingyun hesitated briefly then nodded, "Alright."

"Can you take us up there?" Mo Huaiyuan asked.

Zhu Lingyun chuckled, "Sure, but only one person can go, not more."

"Very well, Mr. Zhu, please—!" Mo Huaiyuan laughed heartily, "Let’s return to the main altar, then proceed to Biyuan Heaven!"

"Thank you," Zhu Lingyun nodded, looking at Zhou Yang, "Brother Zhou, please keep my affairs confidential; I hope to visit again next time."

"...Very well." Zhou Yang hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Even the Sect Master should be kept in the dark?

Zhu Lingyun promptly floated away with Mo Huaiyuan and Zhou Tianji.

Zhou Yang watched their silhouettes gradually fade, with the nagging feeling that this Mr. Zhu was not as simple as he appeared.