Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1215 - 1211: Interception

His goal was to probe through repeated discussions and force any clues to emerge.

'Hehe... It appears, Mr. Zhu, that you're ignorant of this treasure's profound applications,' He Lingchuan remarked with a grin.

'You know about it?' Zhu Lingyun inquired icily.

'I possess some knowledge,' He Lingchuan responded, 'This treasure requires no fusion with our bodies. A single use suffices to trigger a spiritual metamorphosis, granting entry into the Spirit Realm.'

'Just one use?' Zhu Lingyun scoffed, 'Precisely what is this item?'

A surge of excitement coursed through him secretly.

These two Evil Venerables truly understood the nature of this treasure, beyond his expectations.

Wanxiang Cliff and Feiling Cliff clearly outshone Giant Spirit Cliff by a considerable margin.

'It's an item too taboo to name,' He Lingchuan explained, 'You'll comprehend upon witnessing it. Ever-shifting and intangible.'

'Deliberately being mysterious!'

'No deliberate mystery here,' He Lingchuan shook his head smilingly, 'It lacks a fixed form, existing as a spiritual entity that might cling to one object or another.'

Zhu Lingyun furrowed his brow in deep thought.

'Mr. Zhu, even upon discovery, capturing or carrying it away proves impossible, eliminating any division concerns—you couldn't split it anyway,' Zhong Lingyun stated.

Zhu Lingyun nodded gradually.

'We hold the intelligence and precise location, yet sadly, breaching it eludes us,' Zhong Lingyun went on.

A smile crept across Zhu Lingyun's face.

'And you, Mr. Zhu, lack both the intelligence and location—our alliance forms a flawless pairing. ... Your thoughts, Mr. Zhu?' Zhong Lingyun pressed sincerely.

Zhu Lingyun's eyes abruptly narrowed, golden radiance erupting, 'You're not scheming against me, right?'

'Mr. Zhu, at worst, we'd suffer grave wounds and retreat—nothing fatal, but such fortunes rarely arise, and passing it up could mean eternal regret.'

He Lingchuan spoke solemnly, 'We chanced upon the Divine Artifact's glitch; once it reactivates, infiltrating the Imperial City becomes utterly hopeless, no matter the prowess.'

'…Give me time to consider.'

Their gazes locked onto him intently, brimming with anticipation.

Under their stares, Zhu Lingyun paced with hands behind his back, brow deeply creased.

Moments later, he lifted his gaze toward them, 'Can merely the three of us breach it?'

'We've pinpointed the optimal route; silent entry ensures silent exit,' Zhong Lingyun assured earnestly.

'Hehe...' Zhu Lingyun chuckled while shaking his head, 'If it were truly so simple, why involve me?'

'Non-physical treasure means no sharing required; extra hands or not make little difference, perhaps even forging bonds,' He Lingchuan laughed, 'Hence we invited you, Mr. Zhu, purely as safeguard—plans falter against surprises.'

'Mr. Zhu, rest assured: even in death, we'd merely endure heavy injuries and return to our realm. No gain in betrayal, why foster enmity?' Zhong Lingyun urged sincerely.

'Is it genuinely that straightforward?' Zhu Lingyun probed.

'Far from insurmountable,' Zhong Lingyun affirmed with a grave nod.

'Fine, detail the obstacles we face,' Zhu Lingyun demanded.

'Step one: city entry,' He Lingchuan outlined, 'Blending in poses no issue.'

'Doesn't sound effortless.' Zhu Lingyun shook his head, 'City Guards now wield a certain treasure, tough to fool.'

He Lingchuan paused in surprise, 'A treasure?'

'Evidently you haven't attempted it... What follows inside the city?' Zhu Lingyun countered.

'...Next, the Imperial Ancestral Temple,' He Lingchuan continued, 'Located northeast in the Imperial City—Imperial Palace west, woods east, main street south, Gongji River north... Simplest infiltration via that river.'

'Insider contact?' Zhu Lingyun questioned.

'Precisely,' He Lingchuan grinned, 'With the insider, we slip into the temple undetected.'

'That riverside...' Zhu Lingyun mused, 'Not referring to the incense barrels, are you?'

'...Indeed.' He Lingchuan admitted ruefully, 'Mr. Zhu, sharp as ever—we'll hitch inside via incense barrels... Stinky and filthy, yes, but for such a treasure, a small price, no?'

'Clever ploy,' Zhu Lingyun conceded with a nod, 'Minor filth and odor? Trivial... Inside the temple, locating the treasure?'

'Entry guarantees sensing it,' Zhong Lingyun nodded, 'No searching needed.'

'How to activate it then?' Zhu Lingyun pressed.

'Sight of it reveals the method naturally,' Zhong Lingyun replied.

Zhu Lingyun eyed him skeptically, brow furrowed.

'Mr. Zhu, utter truth—no falsehoods,' Zhong Lingyun insisted.

Zhu Lingyun smiled silently, skepticism evident.

'Deeds will validate our honesty,' Zhong Lingyun declared, 'Ready to depart?'

'Entry impossible now.' Zhu Lingyun shook his head, 'Must circumvent the City Guards first.'

'I'll test it myself,' Zhong Lingyun volunteered.

'Mr. Zhong, why not dispatch a subordinate first?' He Lingchuan interjected hastily.

Zhong Lingyun shook his head, 'Personal trial ensures precision and confirms passage.'

'But...'

'My Qinggong suffices admirably.'

'...Proceed cautiously—if trouble brews, flee at once; we'll devise alternatives.'

'Understood,' Zhong Lingyun nodded.

He turned to Zhu Lingyun, 'Mr. Zhu, watch from distance.'

Zhu Lingyun assented with a nod, 'Let's proceed then.'

The trio glided forth, approaching the Imperial City.

...

Chu Zhiyuan slipped into the Imperial City, seeking Huang Zhengyang.

Within his modest courtyard, Huang Zhengyang queried curiously, 'Brother Chu, aiming for the Imperial Ancestral Temple?'

Chu Zhiyuan affirmed with a nod, 'Feasible to enter and offer respects?'

Huang Zhengyang hesitated visibly, 'Imperial Ancestral Temple bars outsiders.'

'No leeway whatsoever?' Chu Zhiyuan pressed.

'...Let me ponder.' Huang Zhengyang creased his brow thoughtfully.

He strode back and forth, muttering softly.

'Brother Huang, you yourself haven't visited the Imperial Ancestral Temple?' Chu Zhiyuan remarked.

Huang Zhengyang denied with a shake, 'Lack qualifications presently; Prince Zhuang aside...'

'My sway with Prince Zhuang falls short too.' Chu Zhiyuan sighed.

Direct appeal to Prince Zhuang had crossed his mind, yet seemed excessive.

Incurring Prince Zhuang's favor demanded heavy repayment.

Huang Zhengyang's debts already weighed sufficient; for dilemmas, consulting him proved apt.

He'd assumed Huang Zhengyang's rank permitted temple access, underestimating its rigor.

'Never mind, I'll approach Prince Zhuang.' Chu Zhiyuan decided.

Huang Zhengyang exhaled, 'Hold on—allow me to devise a solution, check viable paths. But Brother Chu, whatever for?'

'To absorb the emperors' lingering aura, grasp deeper Cultivation insights,' Chu Zhiyuan explained.

'Splendid cultivation approach, though not universal. I'll head out first.'

'Many thanks, Brother Huang.'

'No need between brothers,' Huang Zhengyang dismissed with a wave, departing swiftly.

Chu Zhiyuan lingered hands-clasped in the courtyard, surveying the Evil Extermination Department while monitoring Zhu Lingyun's group.

Zhu Lingyun's party moved with blazing speed, cresting a mountain peak two li from the South City Gate in mere moments.

Zhu Lingyun and He Lingchuan halted as Zhong Lingyun pressed onward along the official road.

He reached the South City Gate outskirts, merging into the lengthy queue.

Over forty City Guards manned the gate, four leaders prominent upfront.

These four boasted eyes faintly shimmering gold, rigorously examining the line as entrants advanced sequentially.

Post-initial duo's check, a second pair verified before admission.

Zhong Lingyun's preceding queue flowed without hitch, progressing rapidly.

After tea's duration, his moment arrived.

Suddenly, the four guards gestured, unleashing the forty-eight idle City Guard elites toward him.