Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1206 - 1202: Obtaining the Sword

With a swift dash, he materialized just beyond the valley of the Giant Spirit Sect.

Under the Super Sensing Illumination, the valley remained hushed, Giant Spirit Sect disciples occupied with their individual tasks.

More than thirty li from the valley, Zhao Ruilin along with two companions strolled at a relaxed pace.

A mere li trailing them, Zhu Lingyun floated along like a drifting white cloud.

His pace appeared casual, but his velocity was astonishingly swift, eyes silently tracking their path.

His hearing captured every word of their discussion.

Sun Haoyang shattered the quiet among the group, baffled: "That fellow spots us three together yet still hesitates to strike?"

"Likely too afraid to act." Hu Chengxiang replied, "We're not like Junior Brother Lu, and there are three of us besides."

Their cultivation levels exceeded Junior Brother Lu's, particularly when combining forces.

Regardless of his prowess, he could only ambush one at a time, leaving the other two prepared to counter.

Evidently, facing two in unison would overwhelm him.

"Hmph, what a coward!" Sun Haoyang sneered: "I'd welcome him charging out now; I'd cut him down to avenge Junior Brother Lu!"

"Revenge will come soon enough." Hu Chengxiang assured: "The Divine Venerable will track him down!"

"But the Divine Venerable seems unable to manage it?" Sun Haoyang furrowed his brow: "That pest is genuinely vexing, even capable of obstructing the Divine Venerable!"

Hu Chengxiang shook his head: "He's relying on a Spiritual Artifact's edge."

"Some powerhouse from the Four Great Sects?" Sun Haoyang asked Zhao Ruilin: "Senior Brother, your view? Definitely not a Sect Master from the Four Great Sects?"

"Unlikely." Zhao Ruilin denied with a head shake: "I'd identify them if it were."

Sun Haoyang grew intrigued: "Senior Brother, you've encountered the Sect Masters of the Four Great Sects before?"

Zhao Ruilin responded: "Never clashed directly, but I've observed the wounds they've inflicted."

Sun Haoyang looked puzzled: "When exactly did you witness that?"

"Master fell to the sword of the Guanghan Palace Master." Zhao Ruilin stated icily.

"Wasn't Master lost to a frenzy from heart demons?" Sun Haoyang exclaimed in shock.

Hu Chengxiang eyed Zhao Ruilin with astonishment.

Zhao Ruilin shook his head: "A truth I originally chose not to disclose, one Master ordered kept secret."

Sun Haoyang doubted: "How could Master perish by that Guanghan Palace Master's blade?... Master's cultivation was boundless like an ocean, and she had only recently assumed her role then?"

"Bright Moon Divine Sword." Zhao Ruilin shook his head: "The Bright Moon Divine Sword's might is terrifying,... the Four Great Sects' Sect Masters share similar tiers; with it unleashed, Junior Brother Lu's injuries wouldn't appear so superficial."

"...So who could it be?" Sun Haoyang creased his forehead.

He held faith in Zhao Ruilin's account; his earlier disbelief arose purely from confusion.

With Zhao Ruilin's clarification, conviction settled fully.

Hu Chengxiang suggested: "Perhaps the Evil Extermination Department deployed a Spiritual Artifact?"

"Tough to determine." Zhao Ruilin shook his head.

Sun Haoyang sighed in letdown: "Sigh..., I figured the Divine Venerable would crush this effortlessly."

"Junior Brother, hold your tongue!" Zhao Ruilin commanded sharply.

Sun Haoyang continued: "I believed the Divine Venerable all-powerful and unbeatable, but now I see..."

"The Divine Venerable has only just arrived, powers not yet at peak." Zhao Ruilin explained: "Additionally, he might be hampered by Lingyun’s form or this realm's limits, preventing full might."

"That holds up." Sun Haoyang agreed with a nod: "Freshly here, naturally he's adjusting; in a few days, strength surges,... then the Divine Venerable strikes, we crush the Four Great Sects, purge Imperial City experts, claim supremacy as top sect!"

"Such sweet dreams!" Zhao Ruilin chuckled.

"Imperial City perhaps out of reach," Hu Chengxiang grinned: "But wiping the Four Great Sects should be feasible, right?"

"...No easy task." Zhao Ruilin shook his head.

Sun Haoyang felt deep dismay: "Not even the Four Great Sects?"

Zhao Ruilin elaborated: "Four Great Sects guard their peaks with Spiritual Artifacts, a real headache unless the Divine Venerable secures one himself."

"What Spiritual Artifact does the Divine Venerable hold?" Hu Chengxiang inquired: "Our Giant Spirit Sword?"

Sun Haoyang pressed eagerly: "Will the Giant Spirit Sword go to the Divine Venerable?"

Hu Chengxiang glanced toward Zhao Ruilin.

Zhao Ruilin slightly narrowed his eyes, contemplating while staring skyward.

Hu Chengxiang read his look and understood reluctance to yield the Giant Spirit Sword to the Divine Venerable.

"Senior Brother..." Hu Chengxiang ventured: "Does the Divine Venerable know of the Giant Spirit Sword?"

"Of course he does." Zhao Ruilin answered deliberately: "No secret in Giant Spirit Sect escapes the Divine Venerable."

"Then for the Giant Spirit Sword..." Hu Chengxiang wavered: "Can it function without giving it to the Divine Venerable?"

"Transferring the Giant Spirit Sword demands fresh refining." Zhao Ruilin frowned: "Not that I'm attached to the Giant Spirit Sword, but post-Divine Venerable's departure, I'd need to re-refine it—whether he does or I—consuming considerable time."

He shook his head: "The risk lies in a powerful foe striking during that interval, spelling disaster!"

"Spot on!" Sun Haoyang smacked his hands.

Hu Chengxiang noted: "Still, the Divine Venerable might see your hesitation over the Giant Spirit Sword as stinginess, deepening the rift."

"I'll explain it plainly to the Divine Venerable." Zhao Ruilin declared.

Hu Chengxiang advised: "I suggest, Senior Brother, surrender the Giant Spirit Sword,... offer it upfront, then mention the reminder."

"Hmm, that makes sense." Sun Haoyang chimed in swiftly: "I sense the Divine Venerable's current displeasure with you; best to yield generously."

"...Fine, agreed." Zhao Ruilin nodded: "Rest easy, the Divine Venerable discerns matters keenly, won't rashly strike."

He sensed the Divine Venerable's urge to target him, yet holding back forcefully.

…

Chu Zhiyuan mulled over the revelations.

He had uncovered their hidden ace, the Giant Spirit Sword!

With no trace of the Giant Spirit Sword detected so far, it probably wasn't the longsword at Zhao Ruilin's waist; so where was it concealed?

Seizing the Giant Spirit Sword would leave him worry-free, free to assault boldly.

He observed Zhu Lingyun trailing a li back, committing these words to memory, eyes narrowing faintly, expression unchanging.

Unclear what Zhu Lingyun made of this, or what plans he'd devise for Zhao Ruilin.

Zhao Ruilin and company entered the valley without rallying all disciples, merely calling fifteen to the Sect Master Hall.

Seated behind the Purple Sandalwood Pavilion table, Zhao Ruilin stated steadily: "I've summoned you today for a crucial mission requiring action."

"Sect Master, command us!" The leading middle-aged man cupped his hands.

Zhao Ruilin instructed: "You fifteen must each seize ten individuals, kept alive."

"Sect Master, males or females, cultivation level?"

"Young adult males preferred, cultivation irrelevant."

"If cultivation's no issue, simple enough." The middle-aged man grinned: "Raid a village, snag dozens of sturdy youths."

"Disperse in varied directions, avoid clustering; no need to arouse notice," Zhao Ruilin gestured: "Move fast, return swiftly—the quicker, the better."

"Understood." The fifteen powerhouses rose, saluted formally, then exited in sequence.

After their exit, Hu Chengxiang creased his brow: "Senior Brother, that lurker outside..."

Zhao Ruilin dismissed: "He might fell one or two, but not ten or eight."

These fifteen would scatter in separate paths, while the foe was solitary, unable to eliminate all at once.

No matter his speed, he'd claim at most five, ensuring enough captives from the rest.

This ploy would flush out the attacker, providing clues for the Divine Venerable's hunt.

A lone Elder's death might slide, but five losses without capture would shame deeply.

He trusted the Divine Venerable could locate the killer, simply not pushing to extremes yet.

Perhaps certain reservations held back supreme arts.

Time to intensify pressure.

…

Chu Zhiyuan had slipped into the valley, perceiving the hall's events clearly.

At the same time, he stealthily neared a modest courtyard—Zhao Ruilin's residence.

Upon valley return, Zhao Ruilin first headed to his courtyard to switch attire and expel a Black Pill.

He cleansed the Black Pill, returned it to its vial, and hid it securely.

Next, he unlocked a Black Iron Small Box, examined the miniature sword within, resealed it, and placed it bedside.

Chu Zhiyuan had ghosted into the courtyard, slipped inside silently, and whisked the Black Iron Small Box into his silver ring.

Then he withdrew quietly from the courtyard, exiting the valley.

Instantly, he reappeared ten li distant, drawing the Black Box from his sleeve.

He pressed key points on the box's exterior, then unlatched it.

A small sword rested inside calmly, inscribed with faint script: "Giant Spirit."

Chu Zhiyuan grinned broadly.

To his surprise, the Giant Spirit Sword fell into his hands so smoothly.

This had to be a Spiritual Artifact, surely sentient—yet taken without resistance?

He cast a look at the Golden Sword sheathed at his waist.