Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1216 - 1212: Agreement

Zhong Lingyun's face shifted a bit, his body blurring in motion as he yelled, "What’s going on?"

A sneering young City Guard spat out, "You sly thief, you nearly fooled me!"

Golden light faded from his gaze as he let out a cold laugh, "Too bad your fortune ran out!"

From his chest pocket, he drew a gleaming golden token radiating brilliant light.

City Guards charging at Zhong Lingyun noticed the token's odd glow and sped up their assault.

Raising the radiant token aloft, the young City Guard beamed with pride and smugness, "No Evil Demon can infiltrate the Imperial City, regardless of your cultivation strength!"

"Evil Demons must be wiped out, kill—!"

"Kill—!"

"Kill!"

…

The City Guards surged faster, their swords weaving trails of brilliance like cascading sheets, dozens of white streaks merging into a blinding wave to swallow him whole.

Zhong Lingyun's eyes flashed sharply, dodging swiftly to the side before veering abruptly into a massive "V" path, aiming to evade them and bolt for the city gate.

"This path is sealed!"

A abrupt yell rang out as two middle-aged warriors burst from the city gate, closing in on him and unleashing palm strikes.

From Zhong Lingyun’s left sleeve shot a white gleam toward one man, while his right palm lashed at the other.

That white gleam turned out to be a flying dagger, deflected by the middle-aged man’s palm force.

"Bang!"

He got hurled back by the second middle-aged man.

"Hah, that it?"

Both warriors sneered, their forms flickering as they chased him down mercilessly, determined to slay him on the spot.

Evil Demons are fit only for extermination—killing them is always the right call.

Mid-air, Zhong Lingyun formed hand seals, tapped his chest, and a golden beam burrowed into it.

In the instant that followed, his speed exploded, turning him into a puff of smoke that slipped past the two men and vanished afar.

"Eh?"

"Somewhat odd."

"The Evil Path's got all sorts of weird tricks; no point pursuing."

If this Evil Demon was mere bait, and chasing it lets a mightier one slip past into the city, they'd fail their gate-guarding duty and commit a serious blunder.

The pair observed Zhong Lingyun fade into smoke, drifting leisurely until lost from sight.

"Ignore him now."

"Keep checking city entrants—no letting up!"

"Yes!"

…

Zhu Lingyun and He Lingchuan perched on a mountaintop, observing the chaos below.

Channeling his cultivation, He Lingchuan peered clearly into the distance and furrowed his brow, "What in the world is that gold medal?"

Their hidden technique was incredibly potent, masking auras perfectly to fool the City Guards’ Candle Demon Eye.

Not even a Nine Transitions Perfection Venerable could detect evil aura from them up close.

Without that gold medal, Zhong Lingyun would've slipped inside the city and roamed freely.

The gold medal posed the real issue.

Zhu Lingyun gave a soft chuckle, "As expected, no entry possible."

"Mr. Zhu, you attempted it?"

"Indeed."

"…"

"I figured your sect’s secret arts were superior, but they're merely average."

He Lingchuan grumbled in frustration, "Mr. Zhu, we're allies, working as one."

Zhu Lingyun replied, "Precisely why I warned early—this is just the initial obstacle."

"…What other defenses await?" He Lingchuan inquired.

Zhu Lingyun explained, "A gold medal blocks the outside; what guards the inside? The Imperial Ancestral Temple? Your mole hasn't cultivated the sect’s mental method, has he?"

"Of course not."

"Without cultivation, how would he spot other treasures in the Imperial Ancestral Temple sensing our auras?"

He Lingchuan nodded thoughtfully, "We need contingencies, ready to storm in if needed."

Zhu Lingyun stated, "Mr. Zhong’s cultivation makes entering the Imperial City suicidal—far too feeble!"

He Lingchuan's expression soured.

The nearing Zhong Lingyun wore a grim look too.

Zhu Lingyun shook his head toward him.

Zhong Lingyun forced a wry grin, "Never thought the City Guards were this vigilant nowadays—such a hassle!"

He Lingchuan remarked, "At least we learned in advance."

Zhu Lingyun scoffed, "Knowing changes nothing if you can't breach it?"

He Lingchuan countered, "We have a method."

"Speak." Zhu Lingyun seemed attentive yet laced with mockery.

He Lingchuan glanced at Zhong Lingyun.

Zhong Lingyun sighed in resignation, "No choice but that tactic."

"What tactic?" Zhu Lingyun probed.

Zhong Lingyun eyed He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan declared, "Send masses of experts to assault the gates together; we'll sneak through the turmoil."

"Harsh move!" Zhu Lingyun snorted derisively.

Have hordes of Evil Demons distract the City Guards, even drawing them away.

This sacrificed Evil Demons to carve their path inside.

Zhu Lingyun shook his head, "I won't stoop that low."

He Lingchuan and Zhong Lingyun both scowled.

Zhu Lingyun suggested, "Feiling Sect and Wanxiang Sect have plenty of disciples—let them handle it."

He Lingchuan drew a deep breath, quelling his fury.

Sect disciples were disposable pawns, unafraid of losses.

Still, each provided cultivation resources—vital for progress and his prized holdings.

Sacrificing only the other sects' followers while sparing Giant Spirit Sect ones was opportunistic.

They resented Zhu Lingyun deeply but required his aid.

Zhong Lingyun proposed, "The other sects' disciples can't bear all the losses; better mix in some Giant Spirit Sect ones."

Zhu Lingyun refused, "No Giant Spirit Sect disciples—might as well skip the Imperial City then."

"Mr. Zhu!" He Lingchuan barked.

Unable to hold back, he fixed Zhu Lingyun with an icy glare, "This crosses the line!"

Zhu Lingyun smirked coolly, "Why not split up here, each on our own?"

"Mr. Zhu, Mr. He, enough words—please." Zhong Lingyun mediated swiftly, "Everyone, cool off."

"I've stayed perfectly calm." Zhu Lingyun retorted, "You're the ones scheming, aren't you?"

"Mr. Zhu, you mistake us." Zhong Lingyun pleaded helplessly, "Our partnership is sincere; we truly need your help."

Zhu Lingyun shook his head with a frosty grin, "I've possessed the Divine Son, whose instincts are razor-sharp."

He sensed their hidden hostility, plotting betrayal eventually.

Yet he played along to extract more intel.

Plus, this was merely a clone.

He Lingchuan denied, "Mr. Zhu, you're paranoid. That treasure is our sole focus—nothing more!"

Zhu Lingyun humphed, "Then your sects' disciples charging the gate works fine?"

"Ah…" He Lingchuan sighed, "For trust, we accept. Satisfied, Mr. Zhu?"

"Fine," Zhu Lingyun conceded vaguely, "Maybe I overthought it."

Zhong Lingyun urged, "Let's move fast—signal them to act, Mr. Zhu stays here awaiting us."

"Go on." Zhu Lingyun dismissed with a wave, "Make haste."

As they departed side by side, a chilling smile crept over his face.

Their betrayal setup felt even more certain.

…

Chu Zhiyuan steadied his mind and soul, strolling slowly with hands clasped behind in Huang Zhengyang’s modest courtyard.

Abruptly, he halted, swiveling toward the courtyard entrance.

Huang Zhengyang stepped in, grinning, "It worked."

Chu Zhiyuan beamed, "Brother Huang, whose ties did you leverage?"

Huang Zhengyang revealed, "Prince Su and Prince Cheng."

Chu Zhiyuan blinked in surprise, "Not Prince Zhuang?"

"Approaching Prince Zhuang would've prompted questions about why you skipped him."

"Brother Huang, your caution impresses me greatly." Chu Zhiyuan lauded.

Such foresight and care touched him profoundly, evoking admiration.

Huang Zhengyang smiled, "The Imperial Ancestral Temple demands respect—tons of strict rules. I'll explain thoroughly."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded eagerly.

Huang Zhengyang's face turned grave as he detailed the Imperial Ancestral Temple's many prohibitions and protocols.

Chu Zhiyuan absorbed every word.

These revelations only heightened his intrigue about the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

What secrets hid in the shrine for the Four Royal Families?

A hazy veil cloaked its exterior, thwarting Super Sense.

Soon, he'd witness it firsthand.

"Time to head out." Huang Zhengyang said, "I'll escort you to the Imperial Ancestral Temple's perimeter."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Brother Huang, not joining inside?"

Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "Not this round."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple proved lofty and forbidding, entry a steep challenge.

Normally, Huang Zhengyang's endorsement might've granted a peek or even enlightenment.

But access was denied.

Not unwillingness, but impossibility.

This chance was precious, a huge boon.

Huang Zhengyang and Chu Zhiyuan left the Evil Extermination Department, strolling eastward in light conversation.

Chu Zhiyuan brought up Four Sect experts crushing Giant Spirit Sect, leaving Huang Zhengyang sighing and shaking his head.