Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1213 - 1209: Again

Originally, Zhu Lingyun’s body had been meticulously crafted with tremendous effort and vast resources from the Giant Spirit Sect, all for the Evil Venerable’s descent.

A massive investment of labor and treasures from the Giant Spirit Sect went into it.

Chu Zhiyuan later seized it through the Heavenly Transmigration Technique.

Once the Evil Venerable descended, it got snatched back once more.

Now, Chu Zhiyuan employs the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree’s aura to invade his brain, driving out the Evil Venerable’s lingering presence.

Though not fully purged, it grants a momentary respite to the heart and spirit huddled in the body’s depths, allowing the Great Demon Suppressing Seal to activate and contain the inner demon.

At the same time, linking spiritual power via the clone’s Divine Skills, Chu Zhiyuan channels the combined might of his main body and two clones into it, amplifying the Great Demon Suppressing Seal’s potency.

The Evil Venerable’s core strength rests in spiritual power and Spirit Secret Techniques, yet Chu Zhiyuan and his clones overwhelm him right at that forte.

Activating the ancestral acupoint unleashes boundless spiritual power that’s both purer and more robust.

This aspect outshines the Evil Venerable entirely.

With the added force from the two clones, the suppression intensifies, utterly overpowering the Evil Venerable.

In an instant, Zhu Lingyun’s face shifts from icy coldness to a grave sternness.

The Evil Venerable stands on the brink of expulsion.

Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan thrusts the Golden Sword forward.

Its tip strikes dead-center at the brow.

The pent-up power of the people’s hearts surges straight into the brow, the brain, and the spiritual realm.

This power from the people’s hearts fuses perfectly with Chu Zhiyuan, sparing his own spirit while annihilating the Evil Venerable.

"Bah!" Chu Liezhao forms seals swiftly and unleashes a piercing shout.

The voice booms like a dragon’s thunderous roar.

He channels the Void Sky Dragon’s might, intoning the incantations of the Great Demon Suppressing Seal.

The power surges exponentially.

Abruptly, golden radiance manifests in the void, shaping an arcane symbol that drifts softly toward Zhu Lingyun’s brow.

Zhu Lingyun trembles violently.

A furious bellow erupts in Chu Zhiyuan’s ears: "Scoundrel, you... you deserve death——!"

Chu Zhiyuan’s lips curve into a faint smirk.

This clash of powers concludes decisively.

A strand of Seven-Colored Light emerges from Zhu Lingyun’s head, poised to rocket into the heavens.

Chu Zhiyuan’s grin widens as he invokes the secret art of Guanghan Palace.

A phantom aura of the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree looms above.

It rises like a colossal crystal tree piercing the skies, extending endlessly into the void.

The leaves rustle softly, showering star-like motes that blanket a ten-meter area around him.

These sparkling specks settle on the Seven-Colored Light strand, halting its ascent.

Chu Liezhao flips his palms in rapid seals, summoning the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror.

A face-sized ancient bronze mirror materializes in the void, exuding timeless elegance.

It beams forth a golden ray that engulfs the Seven-Colored Light.

The Seven-Colored Light drifts languidly toward the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror.

As it nears, the light abruptly swells, struggling to break free from the golden beam.

Chu Liezhao shifts hand seals with lightning speed, brows knit like drawn swords, eyes blazing fiercely.

Chu Zhiyuan slashes the Golden Sword at the Seven-Colored Light, dulling its glow.

Unable to defy the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror’s golden light any longer, it swiftly gets drawn inside.

Chu Zhiyuan’s vision blurs, a sensation of falling overtakes him, then the Dragon Soaring Bell ignites.

"Dong..."

The Dragon Soaring Bell tolls with a deafening boom, the purple dragon coiling around it soaring forth in brilliant splendor.

The echoes thunder through the mental void, yet his heart and spirit abruptly find peace.

Chu Zhiyuan lets out a heavy breath, inwardly marveling at the razor-thin escape.

Even with utmost vigilance, the Evil Venerable’s parting attack proved lethally vicious.

Without the Dragon Soaring Bell, that strike would have been devastating.

The battle dust finally settles.

Gazing at the Seven-Colored Light trapped in the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror, he flashes a triumphant smile.

All his elaborate schemes and preparations bear fruit at last, securing the Evil Venerable’s soul.

Now, he can delve into its background, true nature, and countermeasures.

...

"Zhiyuan?" A distant call rings out.

Chu Zhiyuan responds loudly, "Master Lu, I’m here."

Chu Liezhao, Leng Tieya, and Zhu Lingyun all drift away.

He ascends smoothly to the treetop, landing gracefully before them.

Zhou Chongming and the other four approach, eyes scanning him closely.

Chu Zhiyuan smiles, "Master Lu, I’m alright. He’s escaped already."

He can’t boast of vanquishing the Evil Venerable; merely staving it off is miraculous enough—claiming total victory would invite undue doubt.

Sometimes glory demands bold claims, other times silence breeds true growth.

"Good, good, truly no issues?" Zhou Chongming studies him intently, gaze roving from head to toe.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckles, "His Spirit Secret Technique packs a punch, but with the Emperor’s Sword, I barely held it off."

He gives the Golden Sword a light shake.

The sleek, radiant blade hums faintly, as if preening proudly.

Zhou Chongming sighs in admiration, "That sword of yours truly has spiritual essence."

A spiritually infused sword doubles the gains from the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, boosting its might tremendously.

Plus, Chu Zhiyuan’s mastery of the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture eclipses other Heavenly Sword Sect disciples, making his blade even deadlier.

Lu Gengshen heaves a sigh, "Well-deserved fame!"

Chu Zhiyuan shakes his head with a smile, "As an outer world traveler, his fortune had waned sharply; otherwise, I couldn’t have stopped him."

Qi Qingmei cuts in, "Enough chatter—what’s our next move?"

"Strike the Giant Spirit Sect now?" Lu Gengshen suggests. "Their Sect Master fell to us; they’re headless now!"

"But the Evil Venerable?" Li Xinhe shakes his head. "If he returns, how do we stand against him? He might dodge Nephew Chu and hit us straight."

Zhou Chongming turns to Chu Zhiyuan.

After a moment’s thought, Chu Zhiyuan says, "Master Lu, this is prime time to hit the Giant Spirit Sect. I’ve smashed the valley statue—they can’t draw the Evil Venerable’s power anymore."

Lu Gengshen gapes, "The Evil Venerable’s statue is gone?"

Chu Zhiyuan nods with a grin, "Piece of cake."

Lu Gengshen shakes his head in disbelief, muttering, "Legendary indeed."

Li Xinhe remarks, "Key obstacle cleared; the rest falls into place—save for the Evil Venerable..."

Chu Zhiyuan states, "Shatter the Evil Venerable, and their link breaks."

Li Xinhe counters, "But won’t he anticipate that?"

Chu Zhiyuan shakes his head, "Likely he’s headed for the Imperial City to scout its defenses first."

"No way, right?" Lu Gengshen says. "With their Sect Master dead and us showing up, wouldn’t he rush to the Giant Spirit Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughs lightly, shaking his head, "Master Lu, he’s the Evil Venerable—ice-cold and merciless. The Giant Spirit Sect means nothing real to him."

"...Fair point." Lu Gengshen nods.

Qi Qingmei declares, "So even if we raid the Giant Spirit Sect, the Evil Venerable won’t show? What’re we waiting for—let’s move!"

She trusts Chu Zhiyuan implicitly, knowing his careful nature.

"Charge!" Lu Gengshen fires up instantly.

Li Xinhe glances at Zhou Chongming.

Zhou Chongming affirms, "Risk’s worth it—Giant Spirit Sect chaos would doom countless innocents."

Chu Zhiyuan adds, "I’ve grasped his assault patterns; if the Evil Venerable shows, I can stall him."

"Then onward!" Li Xinhe agrees.

...

Half an hour passes, and the Four Sects’ elites blitz into the Giant Spirit Sect’s valley.

The Giant Spirit Sect fights back fiercely, but Chu Zhiyuan weaves through their ranks like a ghost, striking down one expert per flicker.

In a mere quarter-hour, the carnage ceases, leaving the sprawling valley eerily still.

Chu Zhiyuan vanishes in a flash.

Moments later, he materializes before Zhou Chongming, whispering urgently, "Master Lu, we must leave now!"

Zhou Chongming peers into the main hall, hunting for hidden treasures.

Hearing him, he frowns, "What happened?"

Chu Zhiyuan murmurs lowly, "Another Evil Venerable approaches this way."

"Yet another Evil Venerable?"

"Yes, possibly from Wanxiang Sect or Feiling Sect."

"Where to?"

"Back to the Imperial City first—I’ll divert him."

"...Stay safe."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan nods. "Pull back fast, erase all traces."

"Of course, we’ll withdraw at once." Zhou Chongming nods gravely.

Just then, Qi Qingmei, Lu Gengshen, and Li Xinhe draw near, catching the exchange.

Lu Gengshen blurts, "Feiling Sect has an Evil Venerable descent too? Why’s he heading here?"

Chu Zhiyuan furrows his brow, "Likely seeking alliance?... I’ll handle the distraction—get going."

"Go, go, go!" Lu Gengshen urges hastily.