Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1214 - 1210: Joining Forces

Under their insistent urging, the masters all hastened southward at once.

The Imperial City lies westward, and another Evil Venerable approaches from the west—they must evade it completely.

Chu Zhiyuan pressed on toward the west.

Midway through his journey, he came to a sudden halt as the Evil Venerable's memories overwhelmed his consciousness.

Chu Liezhao had already drawn them out from the Haoyang Demon-Suppressing Mirror.

Chu Zhiyuan, Leng Tieya, and Zhu Lingyun were fully aware of this too.

This Evil Venerable originates from a different heavenly tier, the superior realm known as You Meng Heaven.

The path of cultivation in You Meng Heaven diverges from this world, with greater focus on nurturing the spirit.

By concentrating spiritual power step by step and purifying it relentlessly, it's akin to tempering a blade—forging a sword of pure spirit.

Their cultivation divides into righteous and evil paths; the righteous one demands steady refinement, progressing from purity to utmost purity, achieving a shift from quantity to quality.

The evil path draws in faith power to reshape spiritual power, simplifying the refinement process, demanding less effort and time while yielding shocking speed.

This Evil Venerable treads the evil path, devouring the faith power from Giant Spirit Sect's disciples.

His descent aims to deepen their faith and devotion further.

Moreover, descending to this lower realm targets the seizure of the Strange Treasure—an artifact from the Ancient Era abandoned by You Meng Heaven.

This treasure enables spiritual power to evolve straight into the supreme level, where the spirit fully transmutes into a Spirit God.

From that point, one ascends to the Spirit Realm, or God Realm, attaining eternal life without death.

At this realization, Chu Zhiyuan felt profound astonishment; he never imagined such a Strange Treasure existed.

Oddly enough, why has a treasure like this lingered untouched until now?

He then perceived how Biyuan Heaven and You Meng Heaven stand isolated from one another, reachable only by spirit.

Just one element can bridge the realms and connect them: the Undying Golden Essence.

Yet the Undying Golden Essence dwells in the Void, obtainable solely by the Undying Evil Venerable—a rarity beyond measure.

The soul's master, Giant Spirit Evil Venerable, had plotted his descent to this world ages ago.

However, fulfilling the descent demands brutal conditions, far from simple.

This time, his successful descent seemed like fortune smiling upon him, yet it proved to be utter disaster.

A notion stirred in Chu Zhiyuan's mind, directing his heart and spirit toward Zhu Lingyun.

Zhu Lingyun had reclaimed his liberty, now wielding the Evil Venerable's power alongside its memories.

At present, he mirrors the Evil Venerable perfectly, indistinguishable from the original.

Chu Zhiyuan found the development fascinating.

The unfolding events surpassed his predictions and visions, eclipsing his original aims.

As Zhu Lingyun floated ahead, he crossed a mountain peak and encountered a striking middle-aged man atop it.

They stopped short, eyeing one another warily.

Both detected the aura of the Spirit Secret Technique, recognizing a kindred spirit.

"Zhu Lingyun of Giant Spirit Peak!"

"He Lingchuan of Feiling Cliff!"

"Truly a master from Giant Spirit Peak." The striking middle-aged man, He Lingchuan, gave a faint chuckle. "What an unexpected encounter."

"Feiling Cliff—have you descended as well?" Zhu Lingyun furrowed his brow, gazing at him before shaking his head. "Did you force your way down with some Secret Technique?"

He Lingchuan replied, "Did you use a standard Magic Technique for your descent?"

Zhu Lingyun responded calmly, "This vessel is a Divine Son."

He Lingchuan scrutinized Zhu Lingyun once more, nodding in envy. "What incredible luck!"

The criteria for a Divine Son prove exceedingly harsh, virtually impossible to meet.

Even if discovered, nurturing one remains nearly unattainable—they often perish young, failing to mature fully.

Perhaps it's what they term divine jealousy.

Yet should a Divine Son thrive to completion, it becomes the ideal container, permitting flawless descent and full power retention.

All of You Meng Heaven's cultivation transfers seamlessly into such a body.

Those unable to claim a Divine Son manage only half their cultivation.

The spirit constantly conflicts with the host body, preventing perfect unity.

Such a mismatch feels cumbersome and irksome, but they endure it regardless.

A Divine Son stands worlds apart, stirring intense envy and jealousy in him.

Zhu Lingyun asked, "Mr. He, what do you seek from me?"

He Lingchuan grinned. "Mr. Zhu, why not join me in storming the Imperial City?"

"Storm the Imperial City together?" Zhu Lingyun flashed a strange smile. "No thanks!"

He instantly discerned the hidden agenda behind the proposal.

The plan relied on his strength to blaze the trail; otherwise, He Lingchuan lacked the might to breach the Imperial City alone.

Restricted to half his cultivation in this realm, he couldn't dominate all the masters present.

Under those conditions, venturing into the Imperial City equaled suicide.

Yearning for the treasures within yet powerless to claim them solo, recruiting a vanguard became his sole option.

He Lingchuan declared, "Feiling Cliff has spies and informants inside the Imperial City."

Zhu Lingyun laughed softly. "You speak with such boldness!"

Shaking his head, he added, "Neither Feiling Cliff's outer disciples nor Giant Spirit Cliff's can infiltrate the Imperial City—a Divine Artifact protects it, with City Guards scrutinizing all entrants."

He Lingchuan laughed confidently. "The Imperial City wields its defenses, but we possess our countermeasures."

"You actually have disciples inside?" Zhu Lingyun sneered. "Do you know the treasures' location?"

He Lingchuan retorted, "You remain skeptical... Just because Giant Spirit Cliff failed doesn't mean others can't succeed."

"Where is the treasure?" Zhu Lingyun pressed.

"...Likely in the Imperial Ancestral Temple," He Lingchuan answered.

"The Imperial Ancestral Temple? Utterly impenetrable." Zhu Lingyun shook his head. "Tributes guard the interior with ironclad vigilance."

"They won't anticipate an assault on the Imperial Ancestral Temple—that's our opening," He Lingchuan urged. "Does Mr. Zhu lack the courage?"

Zhu Lingyun mulled it over.

He Lingchuan smiled genially. "Reluctant to abandon this Divine Son? It pales beside the treasure's worth."

Zhu Lingyun scoffed. "If you're fearless, charge in alone. After all, death just sends you back to your true form."

Upon death, the soul retreats to the original body, though the spirit suffers damage needing recovery time.

These Evil Venerables never foresaw the Haoyang Demon-Suppressing Mirror or Chu Zhiyuan's mastery of the Heavenly Yuan Technique's first layer—their union seals and refines souls effortlessly.

This combination spells their doom.

He Lingchuan chuckled. "I'm unafraid, yet I refuse pointless death; returning wounded brings agony."

Zhu Lingyun stated, "Farewell then."

With that, he pivoted to depart.

"Hold on!" He Lingchuan called urgently.

Zhu Lingyun turned back to him.

He Lingchuan proposed, "A comrade from Wanxiang Cliff has descended too—shall we three unite?"

Zhu Lingyun shot him a glance.

He Lingchuan pressed, "Together, the trio could bulldoze into the Imperial City!"

Zhu Lingyun snorted. "That Wanxiang Cliff fellow lacks a Divine Son too, doesn't he?"

He Lingchuan agreed, "He lacks your fortune, Mr. Zhu."

Zhu Lingyun glared icily. "You're both scheming to exploit me!"

He Lingchuan countered, "Without my intel, Mr. Zhu, how would you pinpoint its location?"

Zhu Lingyun replied evenly, "I'll probe around patiently; I'll uncover it in time."

"Who can say how long that takes," He Lingchuan warned. "Undying Divine Venerables keep interfering—who knows the outcome?"

Zhu Lingyun demanded, "Fine, reveal your schemes and let me decide."

He Lingchuan scanned him, then the horizon.

Zhu Lingyun huffed. "You've already allied—summon him!"

He Lingchuan pursed his lips and unleashed a piercing whistle.

The whistle boomed like thunder, echoing afar.

Soon after, an unremarkable middle-aged man glided in from the distance.

Upon reaching them, he saluted with clasped fists. "Zhong Lingyun of Wanxiang Cliff."

Zhu Lingyun questioned, "Mr. Zhong, what schemes do you two possess? Speak up."

"Is Mr. Zhu hesitant to ally over fears of clashing for the treasures afterward?"

Zhu Lingyun snorted. "Planning another brawl over them?"

In reality, he dreaded no fight; even together, they likely couldn't match him.

Evidently, they wouldn't propose alliance without some ace up their sleeve.