Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1234 - 1230: Passing on the Secret Art

Chu Zhiyuan gave a slow nod.

Song Chaoge let out a soft chuckle, "Serving as Sect Leader feels just like being locked in prison, nothing more than a simple captive—is it truly worth the effort?"

"Senior," Chu Zhiyuan replied, "only by ascending to Sect Leader can someone chase after loftier Realms, isn't that right? That's the way to shatter all boundaries, correct?"

"...You make a valid point." Song Chaoge nodded with lazy grace, "Achieving Nine Transitions so young, it's natural you crave even greater heights."

Her gaze shifted to Li Hongzhao, who beamed with a radiant smile, "Hongzhao, you need to work harder—don't allow him to pull too far ahead."

A smile played on Li Hongzhao's lips as she declared, "Master, I'll surpass him."

"Such bold ambition." Song Chaoge chuckled softly again.

Li Hongzhao hummed playfully, "Master, don't you trust me?"

"Right now, you trail him by a wide margin," Song Chaoge stated.

"It's merely Nine Transitions."

"Not all Nine Transitions carry the same weight." Song Chaoge shook her head, "Even upon entering Nine Transitions, you'd still lag far behind his level."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled modestly, "Senior, you overpraise me."

Evidently, she perceived the depths of his cultivation and recognized his formidable spiritual power.

Song Chaoge let out a sigh while shaking her head, "I never intended for you to cultivate this secret technique—it's far too grueling and agonizing—but circumstances demand it now."

"Master, what kind of secret technique is it?"

"One designed to temper spiritual power," Song Chaoge explained, "tenfold the agony of Blood Refining."

A strained look crossed Li Hongzhao's face.

The torment of circulating blood had already felt overwhelmingly painful and draining to her.

This Spirit Secret Technique, being ten times worse, sounded utterly horrifying.

"Thus, avoid it if possible—don't cultivate it," Song Chaoge advised.

"Master, did you undergo it yourself?" Li Hongzhao inquired.

Song Chaoge sighed deeply, "Precisely because I endured it, I wish to spare you the same."

Li Hongzhao clenched her teeth resolutely, "If Master has practiced it, then I must follow suit."

"Starting this secret technique makes halting incredibly tough; regret comes far too late," Song Chaoge warned.

Li Hongzhao turned her eyes toward Chu Zhiyuan.

"Senior," Chu Zhiyuan asked, "could outside aid assist in any way?"

"No assistance possible," Song Chaoge denied with a headshake, "interfering would only bring her harm."

Chu Zhiyuan mulled it over, "Why not hold off on starting? We can observe the situation first."

"That sounds reasonable." Song Chaoge flashed a sweet smile, "It appears you hesitate to see Hongzhao endure such pain."

"Master!" Li Hongzhao pouted in protest.

Song Chaoge flicked her hand dismissively, "Show him around. If there's nothing else, head out—this isn't a spot for lingering."

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists respectfully, "Farewell for now, junior bids you goodbye."

With a wave of her slender jade hand, Song Chaoge lazily shut her luminous eyes, seemingly drifting into slumber.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed silently to himself.

Beneath Song Chaoge's vibrant youthful allure, he detected profound weariness and bone-deep fatigue.

This exhaustion had seeped into her very marrow, clearly stemming from prolonged ordeals rather than fleeting strain.

Evidently, her life lacked the carefree ease others might assume.

Did worldly burdens cause it, or the rigors of cultivation?

His glance fell upon Li Hongzhao.

As her disciple, might she tread the same weary path?

"Come on." Li Hongzhao guided him from the Jade Pavilion to her private courtyard, merely a hundred meters distant.

This was her personal abode.

Rock gardens with flowing streams, blossoms nestled amid trees—elegant and serene.

Settling at the stone table amid the flowers, she brewed tea and remarked, "This spot suits us Phoenix Bloodline wielders perfectly for dwelling; without the bloodline, it turns harmful."

"Remarkable indeed." Chu Zhiyuan nodded approvingly.

Super Sense had already pierced through, revealing a strange aura permeating the air.

This aura merged seamlessly with Li Hongzhao, steadily fortifying her physique without cease.

Such relentless enhancement promised extraordinary results over time.

Yet to him, this aura acted like venom, damaging the body.

True Yuan failed to repel it, nor could the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree's aura block its advance.

The aura's purity and potency proved exceptionally high and vexing.

Still, whenever it neared his mind, Miao Jing Spirit Water swiftly banished it.

Soon the tea steeped, steam rising gently as she filled his cup.

He took a leisurely sip and inquired, "Do all residents here hail from prestigious lineages? The Imperial Family?"

Li Hongzhao took a delicate sip of her own, "Mm, few match my background—most come from the Imperial Family."

"Are they all fated to serve as Tributes?"

"Barred from Court offices, they live as affluent idlers. Becoming Tributes remains an option, yet none desire it—they prefer carefree lives, cultivating at a leisurely pace."

"A mindset so detached and free-spirited is truly enviable."

"I detect a trace of dissatisfaction hidden deep inside them. Such profound cultivation, yet they achieve nothing."

"Do women think this way too?" Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

"Not exactly, it’s usually men who lack contentment." Li Hongzhao replied, "Fortunately, males are rare—only three—since the Phoenix Bloodline seldom passes to them."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Neither Li Hongzhao, Li Miaotan, nor their brothers could inherit it.

"Do you truly wish to become the Sect Leader?"

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, "Secure the Sect Leader position first, then address other matters."

Apart from the Earth Origin Technique, he possessed a Clone too.

Furthermore, upon ascending as Sect Leader, resolving those suppressed treasures would grant him liberty.

Should he fail to resolve them, his Clone could wander the world in his stead while he protected Heavenly Sword Peak.

Without mentioning the Second Layer of the Earth Origin Technique, capable of summoning him back in an instant.

Li Hongzhao chuckled, "I get it—accomplishing what others deem impossible."

She instantly grasped Chu Zhiyuan’s intentions.

Ascend to Sect Leader first, shatter the ancient restraints, directly handle the guarded artifacts, and break free from the prison.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Li Hongzhao truly comprehended him.

After taking another sip of tea, Chu Zhiyuan remarked, "For the Spirit Secret Technique, I have one worth trying."

Li Hongzhao asked, "Is your secret technique equally painful and draining?"

"Less painful, though refining the spirit always feels uncomfortable."

"If it’s too agonizing, I fear I won’t endure it, leading to complications."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "That would harm cultivation, causing issues with the Mental State."

To endure in cultivation, one must find joy in it; constant torment isn’t viable long-term.

Such pain would scar the heart, warp the Mental State, and impede cultivation progress.

Chu Zhiyuan explained, "Allow me to clarify first—this secret technique originates from the Evil Venerable."

"Evil Technique?" Li Hongzhao stared at him in shock.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I’ve tested it myself; the technique is sound. Evil Venerables gain that label from shortcuts, not the mental method itself."

"No flaws in the mental method?"

"It should be safe."

"Very well, I’ll cultivate it and observe." Li Hongzhao consented without hesitation.

Chu Zhiyuan joined his fingers into a sword shape and softly tapped her brow.

She neither evaded nor flinched, permitting his fingers to contact the center of her forehead as her phoenix eyes closed instinctively.

Moments later, Chu Zhiyuan drew back his fingers.

Li Hongzhao sat unmoving, her luminous eyes shut, immersed in grasping the secret technique.

Feiling Divine Skill.

Feiling Cliff’s secret technique, a wondrous art for empowering the soul and reinforcing the spirit.

Feiling Cliff’s prestige matches Wanxiang Cliff’s, with each boasting distinct strengths in mental methods.

Li Hongzhao fits Feiling Cliff’s secret technique perfectly, incompatible with Wanxiang Cliff’s.

Li Hongzhao gradually shaped hand seals, resting them on her lower abdomen, her demeanor solemn and majestic.

Fifteen minutes passed before a crimson radiance flared between her brows, surging across her body, then bursting forth to coalesce into a phoenix specter within the Void behind her.

This phoenix specter lagged far behind Song Chaoge’s in both scale and aura.

Nevertheless, manifesting this specter represented a massive breakthrough, a fundamental transformation.

From here, persistent refinement would render it sharper, grander, and swifter.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, smiling contentedly.

In that instant, Li Hongzhao unveiled her phoenix eyes and beamed sweetly, "Truly marvelous!"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "When practicing this technique, resist any shortcuts—don’t turn into an Evil Venerable."

Li Hongzhao pouted, "Relax, I’m not that stupid."

She then questioned, "If I cultivate this, won’t Master brand me an Evil Venerable?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

Li Hongzhao rolled her eyes at him, "Don’t actually cause chaos."

Chu Zhiyuan assured, "No need to worry; this mental method has never leaked outside."