Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1235 - 1231: Audience

"No mishaps will occur, will they?" Li Hongzhao remarked, "I truly hope no traps lie in wait."

Countless secrets fill the Secret Technique, with traps abound that prove hard to fend off.

Yet Chu Zhiyuan boasts a sharp instinct; concealing any real traps from him would be nearly impossible.

Chu Zhiyuan declared, "I’ve cleared out all the traps inside."

Without seizing the souls of two Wanxiang Cliff disciples and absorbing their memories, I’d never risk practicing it lightly.

Several deadly traps lurk within this Secret Technique, each capable of bringing death.

Li Hongzhao nodded, feeling little concern, and murmured softly, "Master mentioned that all Four Royal Families possess inherited bloodlines."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

He had foreseen this development.

Since Prince Zhuang’s line carries the Phoenix Bloodline, it’s no shock the other three also hold theirs.

Li Hongzhao continued, "Every one of the four lineages guards Secret Land inheritances."

"What about the remaining three lineages?"

"Prince Su Mansion wields the Green Lion Bloodline, Prince Cheng Mansion the Sky Bear Bloodline, Prince Ying Mansion the Flying Tiger Bloodline—each brimming with unique might."

"None match the Phoenix Bloodline’s power, do they?"

"They lag behind it, yet surpass any ordinary Nine Transitions Venerable by far."

"Thus, the Court commands many Honored Experts, capable of crushing the Four Great Sects and every sect across the realm, right?"

"Indeed."

"Would you prefer to keep cultivating or head out for grander exploits?"

"Better to persist in cultivation," Li Hongzhao replied, "For in the end, all exploits serve cultivation."

Her ambition for great feats was already satisfied upon claiming the throne as Emperor.

Now, cultivation drove her, yearning to scale its highest peaks and shatter all bounds.

The Phoenix Bloodline offered precisely that chance.

Chu Zhiyuan noted, "Shattering those limits could propel one to a superior heavenly realm."

Li Hongzhao nodded.

That very idea lingered in her mind too; with a smile, she said, "We’ll see if the breakthrough succeeds. How long can you remain here?"

"A brief stay poses no issue," Chu Zhiyuan assured, "Several days works fine."

"Then linger a few days," Li Hongzhao beamed alluringly, "And behold my progress in cultivation."

"That suits me ideally," Chu Zhiyuan grinned.

...

Zhu Lingyun’s eyes snapped open, casting a icy look at the prostrated Zheng Pingzhang.

From within his robes, Zheng Pingzhang drew a scroll, offering it forth with trembling hands: "Divine Venerable, here lie the sites of those sects."

Zhu Lingyun extended his hand to grasp it, perusing each page meticulously.

Once finished, the positions of twenty-three Main Altars stood plainly listed.

Sect titles, counts of Venerable experts, numbers of ordinary disciples, Main Altar locations—all detailed.

His brows knit abruptly.

Zheng Pingzhang had watched sidelong, his pulse racing at the sight of that frown.

Zhu Lingyun murmured coldly, "Where’s the Feiling Sect?"

"This..." Zheng Pingzhang faltered.

Zhu Lingyun pressed, "Is that everything?"

"Yes, the full list," Zheng Pingzhang hastened to affirm.

"What’s Ji Qingyun truly up to?" Zhu Lingyun demanded icily.

"The Sect Master remains in secluded cultivation, right at a pivotal juncture," Zheng Pingzhang quickly answered.

"How convenient." Zhu Lingyun scoffed, "Forever ‘critical’ at such moments!"

Zheng Pingzhang bowed deeply in haste, "Divine Venerable, please pardon us."

Zhu Lingyun sneered, "Hah, endless plotting and counter-plotting—don’t plot your own doom in the end!"

A flicker of unease crossed Zheng Pingzhang’s face.

This was a blatant warning.

Should the Sect Master delay his appearance, dire repercussions awaited.

"Locate the Feiling Sect first!" Zhu Lingyun commanded with a dismissive flick of his hand.

"...As you wish," Zheng Pingzhang clenched his teeth in assent, pausing before adding, "Divine Venerable, Feiling Sect maintains good relations with us—they’re allies of sorts."

Zhu Lingyun shot him a sidelong glare.

Zheng Pingzhang forced a strained grin.

Zhu Lingyun questioned, "What connections bind you to Feiling Sect?"

"Not I," Zheng Pingzhang waved his hands frantically.

Zhu Lingyun eyed him askance, "Then whom?... Ji Qingyun?"

Zheng Pingzhang’s hands blurred in rapid motion as he blurted, "I said nothing of the sort!"

"What links bind Ji Qingyun to Feiling Sect?" Zhu Lingyun intoned softly, "We discuss it openly now—no more hiding. Out with it!"

Zheng Pingzhang wore a pained look, "Divine Venerable, I..."

"Nothing is unspeakable. Is his tie to Feiling Sect still hidden? Any disciple can simply ask, can't they?"

"Indeed, every disciple knows about it."

"Then stop beating around the bush. Out with it!"

"Ah..." Zheng Pingzhang let out a sigh, speaking helplessly, "Divine Venerable, since you're asking, I must reveal the truth."

"Keep stalling and don't bother speaking at all!"

"Yes, yes, the Sect Master's wife was once a disciple of Feiling Sect."

"What more?"

"The Sect Master's daughter is also a Feiling Sect disciple, having been accepted into it."

"He won't keep his daughter in our sect but sends her off to Feiling Sect, believing their cultivation method superior?"

"If the daughter remained in the sect, the Sect Master worried she'd grow wild and difficult to discipline."

"Hmm, that makes some sense."

"Divine Venerable, our ties with Feiling Sect have always been strong, with mutual support over the years."

"Hah, so you admit to this alliance after all." Zhu Lingyun's lips hooked up in a mocking sneer.

"Divine Venerable, our bond with Feiling Sect goes back many generations."

"Are you implying this connection is precious and breaking it would be a pity?"

"...Yes." Beneath the pressure, Zheng Pingzhang nodded slowly.

Zhu Lingyun shot him a sidelong glance.

Zheng Pingzhang bowed low, remaining silent as sweat rapidly beaded on his forehead.

"Haha..." Zhu Lingyun burst into booming laughter all of a sudden.

Zheng Pingzhang's frame shuddered.

Laughing heartily, Zhu Lingyun declared, "We shouldn't be named Wanxiang Sect, but rather the Sentimental Sect!"

Zheng Pingzhang managed a stiff, uneasy smile.

Shaking his head with laughter, Zhu Lingyun boomed, "Haha, hahaha, I've truly broadened my horizons today, what an eye-opener!"

Zheng Pingzhang chuckled awkwardly in response.

Zhu Lingyun flicked his hand dismissively, "Fine, fine, let's keep this relationship intact—no moves against Feiling Sect."

"Divine Venerable, such wisdom!"

Overjoyed beyond measure, Zheng Pingzhang quickly cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

"So, which sect do you suggest we target first for elimination?"

"This disciple believes No Heart Sect, our worst enemy, should be the first to go."

"No Heart Sect... roughly a thousand miles from here, isn't it?"

"Correct." Zheng Pingzhang responded swiftly, "They wield a secret art that pierces our Wanxiang Sect's Disguise Technique, constantly thwarting us—they're ripe for destruction."

"So distant, yet why do they keep interfering?"

"Due to an old grudge between our sects."

"Hmm, got it." Zhu Lingyun nodded slightly, "Alright then, No Heart Sect it is... summon Ji Qingyun to meet me."

"Understood." Zheng Pingzhang agreed gravely.

With a wave of his hand, Zhu Lingyun instructed, "First, scout No Heart Sect's true strength, especially to confirm if any Divine Venerable has arrived there."

"Yes!" Zheng Pingzhang cupped his fists, offered a formal salute, and retreated from the hall.

As he stepped out and looked up to depart, he couldn't help glancing back at Zhu Lingyun.

His eyes met Zhu Lingyun's cold, impassive stare.

He bowed hastily once more, only turning away after passing out of Zhu Lingyun's view.

He slipped quietly from the hall and, after walking a hundred meters, finally stood tall and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

He wiped his brow, where sweat had drenched it fully.

Two young men came forward, greeting, "Elder."

"Proceed with utmost care; I'm heading out for now."

"Elder, you can count on us."

Zheng Pingzhang waved them off and swiftly departed the valley.

...

As dusk fell, the setting sun bathed the serene valley in its final glow.

Zheng Pingzhang, accompanied by another middle-aged man, elegantly made their way toward the valley.

"Sect Master, stay on guard."

Nearing the valley entrance, Zheng Pingzhang warned gravely.

The middle-aged man boasted a jade-like handsome face, exceptionally striking, with an imposing stature.

A faint smile played on his lips, "I understand—what's to fear from our own Divine Venerable? You look terrified!"

Shaking his head, Zheng Pingzhang replied, "I sense this Divine Venerable differs greatly from those before; just facing him stirs unease in my heart."

"Fine, I'll remain vigilant." Ji Qingyun smiled warmly.

Once they drifted into the valley, the disciples within bowed in greeting one by one.

Ji Qingyun waved cheerfully in return.

Inside the hall, Zhu Lingyun sat with a furrowed brow.

This Ji Qingyun struck him as somewhat unusual.