Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1194 - 1190: Rescue

His eyes raised skyward, his vision slowly morphing into a radiant golden gleam, blazing with fierce intensity.

The golden stare locked onto the phoenix suspended in the void.

Within that golden radiance, each feather of the phoenix ignited in flames.

The flames shifted hues based on proximity to its form: scorching crimson, vivid orange, pale yellow, brilliant gold, faint green, deep emerald, sky blue, and searing white.

These varied shades wove together into a stunning rainbow blaze.

The inferno roared wildly, pulsing softly in an eerie cadence, like breaths or syncing with the pulse of heaven and earth.

He struggled to judge if the phoenix was mere illusion, yet deep down he knew it existed, vividly tangible beyond doubt.

This blend of real and phantom bird appeared veiled, shielded from sight, causing observers to dismiss it entirely.

His odd condition stemmed from her scorching influence and the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree's power, a treasure from another realm, granting him vision of the phoenix.

He nearly triggered the Spirit Summoning Talisman but detected peril and halted abruptly.

Li Hongzhao asked, "What are you staring at?"

Chu Zhiyuan fixed his eyes on the phoenix, replying gravely, "You didn’t notice it?"

"Notice what?" Li Hongzhao inquired with curiosity.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Never mind, it’s nothing."

He gradually pulled back his gaze, his hair still bristling, urging him to flee at once.

The phoenix harbored no friendly intent toward him, poised to deliver a deadly assault any second.

He spun around and strode away.

Once outside the hall, he exhaled deeply, and his hair finally settled down.

That aura of menace dissipated completely.

He glanced up at the sky over the hall, finding no trace of the phoenix.

He mulled it over.

Evidently, the phoenix stemmed from the divine statue, invisible outside its reach, just as it couldn’t perceive him.

The divine statue’s span marked its territory.

Li Hongzhao approached him, grinning, "You looked terrified, didn’t you? That Phoenix Divine Statue packs a punch, huh?"

She had plainly witnessed Chu Zhiyuan’s flustered reaction from the statue’s effects.

Clearly, the statue had overwhelmed him with its might.

She could sharply feel the statue’s dominance, though others remained oblivious.

She viewed Chu Zhiyuan’s perceptiveness as typical since he sensed it too.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "I misjudged it earlier; it’s truly formidable, unimaginably so. If it attacks for real, it rivals the Heavenly Sword."

"That powerful?" Li Hongzhao exclaimed in surprise, "Does your assessment match your earlier one?"

"Yes, it’s smart to proceed cautiously." Chu Zhiyuan nodded deliberately, "Take your time, and always keep that jade token on you."

Li Hongzhao agreed, "Okay, but will that jade token truly shield me?"

Chu Zhiyuan paused briefly before answering, "At minimum, it steadies your mind and soul, reducing chances of losing control. You should start practicing now."

Li Hongzhao asked, "When do you head back to the Imperial City?"

"No hurry." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "I’ll linger a few days to observe your progress."

"Fine then." Li Hongzhao beamed, "I’ll begin my practice."

Chu Zhiyuan waved her on.

Li Hongzhao pivoted elegantly and reentered the hall, approaching the divine statue.

She pressed her palms together, bowed deeply, then assumed a striking stance.

This stance was extraordinary, as if she became living fire, merging perfectly with the statue’s flames.

Through Chu Zhiyuan’s Super Sensing Illumination, the hall’s interior swiftly blurred out.

Intangible powers descended, veiling the hall’s contents from view.

Chu Zhiyuan curved his lips into a faint smile.

He swiftly formed hand seals.

The Demon Suppressing Divine Tree’s silhouette materialized behind him, restoring his sight into the hall.

The void phoenix started beating its wings, spewing bursts of vibrant flames.

These multicolored flames floated softly, seeping into Li Hongzhao’s frame.

Slowly, a phantom phoenix emerged behind Li Hongzhao, hazy at first.

This phantom matched the void phoenix exactly.

With each flame cluster descending, the phantom grew more solid.

Chu Zhiyuan reflected.

Could this be a bloodline awakening?

Like Li Miaotan’s bloodline activation technique, yet unlike her gradual, cultivation-driven method, Li Hongzhao’s was bolder and swifter.

He sensed Li Miaotan’s approach as steadier, building firm foundations safely step by step.

Li Hongzhao’s way imposed excessive strain on her physique.

Though it continuously fortified her body,

the relentless surge in power tested her endurance harshly.

An hour passed, and Li Hongzhao parted her luminous eyes slowly.

Her pupils burned fiercely, ready to incinerate all.

The fire in her eyes faded gradually, returning to clear, dewy brilliance.

She lingered a bit, then touched the jade token at her chest before gliding out of the hall.

She spotted Chu Zhiyuan at the base of the hall’s white jade stairs, hands clasped behind, gazing upward slightly.

His emerald robe billowed, posture straight as a towering pine.

"What’s caught your eye?" Li Hongzhao drew near, tilting her head to follow his line of sight.

The emptiness above held nothing remarkable.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, drew back his gaze, and turned to face her.

Then he extended his palm.

Li Hongzhao offered her slender wrist.

Chu Zhiyuan laid his hand on her silky wrist, shut his eyes, and channeled a thread of energy inside.

Soon after, he opened his eyes, let go of her warm wrist, and breathed a sigh, "The bloodline cultivation path is brutally overbearing."

"Is there an issue?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Just take it slower... or join me in the Imperial City for a time."

Li Hongzhao eyed him, "So there is a problem."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I detect no clear flaw, but something feels off."

"No to the Imperial City." Li Hongzhao stated, "Once you’re gone, I’ll halt cultivation, nurture my inner calm, and unwind."

"That’s the wisest choice." Chu Zhiyuan affirmed promptly.

Li Hongzhao cast a look back at the hall.

Inside, she felt utterly at ease and protected, like nestling in her mother’s arms.

Yet inwardly, she knew rushing practice wasn’t right.

Chu Zhiyuan’s success arose from rare fortune, keen insight, and the Sect Leader’s guidance.

Since Chu Zhiyuan concurred, she agreed pausing was essential; haste wouldn’t serve her.

...

Chu Zhiyuan delayed his return to the Imperial City, remaining on the mountain to spar sword techniques with Li Hongzhao.

Their clashes were ferocious, mimicking desperate duels, pushing both to tap hidden strengths.

Each session left Li Hongzhao with a crystal-clear sensation throughout her being.

It felt like thorough cleansing, refreshing body and spirit, erasing subtle unease.

She realized Chu Zhiyuan stayed to hone her Mental State.

That dawn at Prince Qing Mansion, Chu Zhiyuan abruptly detected an anomaly.

Instantly, he vanished from the mansion’s chamber, rematerializing in Heavenly Sword Peak’s small courtyard.

Simultaneously, Chu Liezhao summoned a Light Gate and faded away, reappearing in the Prince Qing Mansion’s bedroom.

Main body and clone swapped places seamlessly.

Soon, footsteps approached outside: "Junior Brother Chu, the Sect Leader summons you."

"On my way." Chu Zhiyuan called back.

He made for the Sect Leader’s Hall under the morning rays.

Lu Wanshan beckoned, "You’ve grown rather friendly with Huang Zhengyang from the Evil Extermination Department, yes?"

Chu Zhiyuan saluted with cupped fists and stepped forward smiling, "After a few meetings, we’ve bonded well. Any updates?"

"Huang Zhengyang visited the other courtyard seeking you, urging a swift return to assist."

"Likely concerns the Evil Venerable Statue; I’ll go aid him."

Lu Wanshan probed curiously, "You’re truly not chasing the Lifespan Extension Pill? Satisfied with that?"

Chu Zhiyuan responded measuredly, "Forging ties with the Evil Extermination Department benefits our Sect far more than the Lifespan Extension Pill."

"...We possess a Lifespan Extension Pill recipe too, though its potency pales against the Court’s version." Lu Wanshan revealed.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

In Da Meng, Lifespan Extension Pills and Phoenix Immortal Pills prolonged life incrementally year after year.

They fell far short of this one granting sixty years at once.