Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1198 - 1194: Harvest

Guan Zhengying asked, "Old Hu, can Xiao Chu demolish those statues?"

The elder nodded affirmatively. "Yes, indeed. The Undying Golden Essence exists solely on those statues—one needs the right ability to harvest it."

"Xiao Chu can sense the creature lurking below as well," Guan Zhengying stated.

Cold light burst from the old man’s eyes as he fixed his gaze on Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan grinned faintly. "The entity down there darts about with erratic speed; I can only catch a fuzzy impression of it."

"Hehe..." The old man chuckled.

"If Xiao Chu can pinpoint its location accurately, we might stand a chance against it!" Guan Zhengying declared.

Hu Qixuan snorted dismissively. "Can you really detect it?"

"Even if I sense it, what good does that do?" Chu Zhiyuan replied.

"How could it be useless?" Guan Zhengying interjected quickly. "Old Hu, shall we test it out?"

Hu Qixuan eyed Chu Zhiyuan closely for several moments before rising slowly, brushing off his hands. "Fine, let’s go check it out."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

He yearned to uncover the nature of the monster hidden below—what sort of Strange Beast it truly was.

His perception remained hazy, and even Super Sense failed to reveal its form clearly.

Yet he could faintly grasp its immense size.

The thing zipped around unpredictably like a bolt of lightning, shifting positions nonstop, despite its colossal frame.

At minimum, it stretched over a hundred meters in length, and if it reared up, it would tower like a thirty-story edifice.

Such massive bulk combined with blinding speed completely overturned logic.

They threaded past statue after statue, reaching the cliff’s brink beyond the small courtyard, peering into the turquoise waters below.

The water appeared crystalline and shallow at first glance, but its depths plunged into impenetrable darkness, without end.

"Where is it right now?" Guan Zhengying inquired.

Chu Zhiyuan shut his eyes.

Moments later, his left hand shot out, aiming toward the eleven o’clock position.

His right hand followed, directing at three o’clock.

He spun around next, indicating six o’clock.

Then eight o’clock, eleven again, nine, and three o’clock.

Chu Zhiyuan halted, opening his eyes with a helpless expression, shaking his head. "Too fast."

This velocity surpassed even top Qinggong feats, resembling the Earth Origin Technique in execution.

Guan Zhengying furrowed his brow, glancing toward Hu Qixuan.

"It moves with incredible swiftness," Hu Qixuan acknowledged with a nod. "That’s why we can’t confront it directly—only seal it to stop any breakout."

"Elder Hu, what precisely is this Strange Beast?" Chu Zhiyuan questioned.

"A beast from legends," Hu Qixuan replied flatly.

Chu Zhiyuan arched a brow. "A Sky Dragon, perhaps?"

The Sky Dragon tied to Clone Chu Liezhao lacked such velocity.

Hu Qixuan shook his head. "Nothing that extreme—we couldn’t contain a Sky Dragon."

"Black Flood Dragon?" Chu Zhiyuan suggested.

"Close enough," Hu Qixuan confirmed with a nod. "Something like that, though we’re unsure of its exact identity. No one gets a proper look—viewers end up dead."

Chu Zhiyuan surveyed the surrounding area, probing this pocket of space.

A subtle familiarity tugged at him, as though he’d encountered it previously.

Yet this marked his initial visit.

After some reflection, inspiration struck: Jade Sea and Sky.

This realm bore striking resemblance to the space inside his Lao Gong Acupoint.

Thus, what exactly defined this Evil Suppressing Abyss?

"Two elders, what’s the backstory of this Evil Suppressing Abyss? Was the monster lured from outside to be confined here, or did it originate within, breaking free?"

Hu Qixuan and Guan Zhengying shared a meaningful look.

"The Evil Suppressing Abyss serves as a prison," Hu Qixuan explained.

"A feat by which senior?" Chu Zhiyuan blurted in shock.

Sudden realization dawned on him: the odd entity didn’t belong to the Evil Suppressing Abyss but had been herded here for suppression.

"Elder Mo Changqiu," Hu Qixuan revealed.

"That Senior Mo?" Huang Zhengyang burst out. "He actually existed?"

"Who claims otherwise?" Guan Zhengying snapped irritably. "Elder Mo’s feats are legendary in scope, yet dismissed as myth—outrageous!"

Huang Zhengyang rubbed his head sheepishly. "Elder Mo’s exploits sound so otherworldly, it’s tough to buy them."

Chu Zhiyuan turned to Huang Zhengyang.

Huang Zhengyang gave a bitter smile. "Legend has it Elder Mo Changqiu founded the Demon Hunting Bureau and Evil Extermination Department, purging demons, vanquishing fiends, obliterating Supreme Evil Demons and Supreme Heavenly Demons—peerless in glory—before shattering the void and vanishing."

"That powerful?" Chu Zhiyuan marveled. "Shattering the void to depart—that’s Ascension, isn’t it?"

Huang Zhengyang shook his head. "No tales of true Ascension exist."

"In our Little Outer Heaven, ascension happens," Chu Zhiyuan noted. "Maybe this is the end point, with no higher Ascension allowed?"

"Never heard such a thing," Huang Zhengyang replied, eyeing the two elders.

Guan Zhengying and Hu Qixuan traded glances.

"Ascension was deemed impossible before," Guan Zhengying said, shaking his head. "But Elder Mo Changqiu shattered boundaries others couldn’t, rupturing the void to depart."

"Any subsequent Ascensions?" Chu Zhiyuan pressed.

Guan Zhengying shook his head again. "It was nearly unattainable back then, and with world shifts over time, it grew even harder—no one has Ascended since."

Hu Qixuan gestured dismissively. "Enough digression. We can’t act for now."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "Not unless it halts, but it hasn’t stilled once—always shifting, always in motion."

"It can’t keep going forever," Huang Zhengyang said. "Fatigue will set in eventually."

Hu Qixuan snorted. "That makes sense on paper, but this Strange Beast defies all reason by existing."

He regarded Chu Zhiyuan. "Xiao Chu, care to linger a few days for observation?"

Chu Zhiyuan appeared hesitant. "Forgive me, elders—I have pressing matters outside and can’t stay long."

Huang Zhengyang summarized the external crisis.

"Lifespan Extension Pill?" Hu Qixuan eyed Chu Zhiyuan sharply. "You’re nearing Nine Transitions—no need for one yourself."

Chu Zhiyuan offered an embarrassed smile.

"Ah, burdened by romance, eh? For a woman?"

"Ahem." Chu Zhiyuan cleared his throat twice.

He avoided mentioning his parents, letting it fall to a woman instead.

Having ascended with Li Hongzhao from Little Outer Heaven, folks naturally paired them as lovers.

"I possess a Lifespan Extension Pill," Hu Qixuan announced.

Chu Zhiyuan blinked in surprise.

"Remain ten days, and it’s yours," Hu Qixuan offered.

"Thank you, Elder Guan." Chu Zhiyuan bowed with clasped hands, glancing at Huang Zhengyang.

Huang Zhengyang looked uneasy. "Er... two elders, the Undying Evil Venerable’s hurling statues nonstop, and Brother Chu must shatter them."

"The Undying Evil Venerable stirring again? Once every millennium or so!" Guan Zhengying growled icily. "Curse it!"

His eyes swept the golden-glowing statues. "And we’re powerless against them!"

"Your call," Hu Qixuan said. "Stay ten days for the Lifespan Extension Pill, or head out?"

"Please excuse me, elder," Chu Zhiyuan replied ruefully. "I can’t stand by while the Undying Evil Venerable slaughters the innocent."

"You stubborn kid!" Hu Qixuan barked. "Miss this, and no second chance—next visit, the pill might be gone!"

Chu Zhiyuan sighed deeply. "Lifespan Extension Pills will come around again, but the dead stay dead."

Hu Qixuan delved into his robe, produced a Small Jade Bottle, and flung it over. "Very well—handle outside affairs, then return for a stay."

"Many thanks, elder." Chu Zhiyuan snatched the Jade Bottle midair.

He presumed it held the Lifespan Extension Pill.

Huang Zhengyang grinned broadly. "Elder, such generosity! Truly! ... Got any more Lifespan Extension Pills?"

Hu Qixuan shot him a sidelong glare and snorted. "Drop dead!"

He turned to Chu Zhiyuan. "Undying Golden Essence ranks top-tier for Artifact Refining—fuels countless Divine Artifacts. Hold on, I’ll fetch something."

With that, he retreated into his courtyard.

Soon after, he reemerged, passing a frayed, yellowish booklet to Chu Zhiyuan. "Have a look."

Chu Zhiyuan received the tattered yellow tome reverently with both hands, bowing in gratitude.

"Now scram," Hu Qixuan waved. "Return swiftly and enter promptly."

"Understood." Chu Zhiyuan nodded deferentially, standing straight.