Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1254 - 1250: Return

Zhu Lingyun furrowed his brows. "Do all the sect's disciples activate this treasure?"

"This treasure holds immense power—one or a handful can't unleash it properly. The more participants, the greater the effect," Zheng Pingzhang declared with fervor. "More people amplify its might even further."

"What about pulling them into this too?" Zhu Lingyun gestured toward the valley.

Zheng Pingzhang replied with a helpless shrug, "Their cultivation methods differ, so they can't contribute just yet."

"Have them switch their mental methods first. Once they're ready to assist, we'll trigger that treasure," Zhu Lingyun insisted. "We must maximize its potential for a decisive strike in one blow."

"Divine Venerable, this..." Zheng Pingzhang wavered. "Isn't it taking too long?"

"Fine cuisine isn't scared of delay." Zhu Lingyun responded. "Chu Zhiyuan proves tough to eliminate—better to guarantee total victory."

"This..." Zheng Pingzhang gave a wry smile.

Ji Qingyun spoke gravely, "With the Divine Venerable's command, we obey without question!"

Zheng Pingzhang sighed in resignation, "Fine, we'll delay a few days. Let these fellows adapt their mental methods first."

Ji Qingyun nodded in agreement.

Zhu Lingyun spoke measuredly, "Before we separate, I offer you this warning."

Ji Qingyun quickly interjected, "Is the Divine Venerable departing already?"

Zhu Lingyun affirmed, "The time has come—even if I wished to linger, it's impossible now."

"No alternative path?" Ji Qingyun inquired.

Zhu Lingyun shook his head. "I can only fault my own oversight and misfortune; words won't change it anymore."

"It's my failing!" Ji Qingyun displayed deep remorse.

Zhu Lingyun dismissed it with a wave, speaking coolly, "I urge you all—don't hastily confront this Chu Zhiyuan."

Ji Qingyun contemplated, then uttered slowly, "Does the Divine Venerable imply... we cannot slay him?"

"Extremely challenging." Zhu Lingyun stated. "He's far trickier than he seems."

Zheng Pingzhang questioned, "Has the Divine Venerable encountered him?"

Zhu Lingyun scoffed. "If he were simple prey, I'd have ended him long ago."

Ji Qingyun's face shifted subtly, turning profoundly stern.

Realization dawned on him in an instant regarding Zhu Lingyun's words.

In departing, Zhu Lingyun had preserved his integrity by revealing the harsh truth.

Evidently, he had tried covertly to eliminate Chu Zhiyuan yet failed utterly.

Such a humiliation for the Divine Venerable would typically stay buried.

Now, heading back to You Meng Heaven, he feared their ignorance of Chu Zhiyuan's prowess and thus disclosed it.

Zheng Pingzhang's eyes bulged wide. "Divine Venerable, you failed to kill him?"

"Silence!" Ji Qingyun barked coldly.

"Er..." Zheng Pingzhang clamped his mouth shut, though his eyes remained stunned.

The revelation struck him like thunder—he couldn't fathom it: Chu Zhiyuan had bested the Evil Venerable.

Ji Qingyun assured, "Rest easy, Divine Venerable. We'll proceed with utmost care and study the approaches of rival sects."

"Mm, that eases my mind." Zhu Lingyun nodded, casting a final indifferent look at the valley. "I depart."

With those words, his silhouette floated off, vanishing swiftly into the horizon.

Zheng Pingzhang pressed urgently, "The Divine Venerable is gone?"

"Indeed, departed." Ji Qingyun replied flatly.

"Truly gone?" Zheng Pingzhang persisted in disbelief.

Ji Qingyun snapped irritably, "Would the Divine Venerable trifle with us?"

Zheng Pingzhang let out a heavy sigh. "Never imagined the Divine Venerable would vanish so abruptly."

"In the end, we stand alone—the Divine Venerable has aided us plenty!" Ji Qingyun proclaimed.

Zheng Pingzhang nodded solemnly.

This outcome shattered all his prior assumptions; he'd figured the Divine Venerable wouldn't intervene lightly.

"Come, let's organize and head back to the Main Altar for proper recuperation."

"Understood."

...

Within the Sect Leader's Hall of Heavenly Sword Sect, Chu Zhiyuan sat across from Lu Wanshan.

A luminous full moon dominated the night sky, bathing Heavenly Sword Peak in silvery glow.

Lamps illuminated the chamber brilliantly.

Having shared his clandestine intelligence, Chu Zhiyuan lifted his teacup for a gentle sip, then exhaled. "Sect Leader, your prediction held true—the Court refused to grant me that secret technique."

Lu Wanshan creased his forehead, laboring to absorb the startling disclosures from Chu Zhiyuan.

Moments later, he murmured thoughtfully, "I know the Court's deep wariness toward us best... No surprise Wanxiang Sect endured this long; their vigilance is unmatched."

Hidden passages and covert lineages, plus a backup main altar.

Even total annihilation wouldn't sever their legacy.

Chu Zhiyuan instructed, "Task Master Zhou and the rest to locate those two sites and neutralize them. Stay wary of their treasure as well."

Lu Wanshan gave a firm nod.

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "How is Guanghan Palace faring?"

Lu Wanshan shook his head with a sigh, "The secret technique I passed to you is the most powerful one available. Nothing stronger remains."

Chu Zhiyuan let out a chuckle, "It looks like only the Court holds the key."

"The Court refuses to yield, leaving us powerless. Let them handle it." Lu Wanshan remarked, "Innocent lives are perishing, they've forfeited the people's favor—no fault of ours."

"...Indeed." Chu Zhiyuan nodded deliberately.

Through the recollections of multiple Undying Evil Venerables and Evil Venerables, he obtained the return technique.

However, a key condition exists: the true body must reside in You Meng Heaven for the soul to make its way back there.

Zhu Lingyun’s clone resides outside You Meng Heaven, requiring not the return method, but rather the projection technique.

Projections from You Meng Heaven reach Biyuan Heaven; similarly, Biyuan Heaven can project into You Meng Heaven.

Armed with the memories from those Evil Venerables and Undying Evil Venerables, he possesses this projection technique effortlessly.

Yet, he hesitates to employ this tactic of countering evil with similar means.

In the end, it boils down to merit, fame, the faith of the masses, and their backing.

Resorting to such a mirroring method fails to secure these, stripping away its profound purpose.

Fate dictates life and death; he avoids interfering in others' destinies, never positioning himself as a true savior—merely upholding a compassionate facade.

His endeavors always pursue his objectives, with saving lives as a fortunate byproduct, never the sole intent.

…

After departing the Sect Leader’s Hall, Chu Zhiyuan materialized in his private courtyard.

He gazed upward at the radiant moon overhead.

Li Hongzhao had meticulously designed his quaint courtyard, now steeped in hush, evoking an intense quietude within him.

A fleeting sense of solitude washed over him, vanishing in an instant.

Immediately after, he manifested in Outer Heaven, right in Xiao Ruoling’s courtyard at the Profound Yin Palace.

Xiao Ruoling sat calmly by a stone table in the yard, sipping tea with tranquil poise.

Her robes gleamed like fresh snow, her complexion rivaled flawless jade.

Upon Chu Zhiyuan’s abrupt arrival, a sweet smile bloomed on her face as she stood to welcome him.

Chu Zhiyuan drew her into his arms with a grin, "Ready to depart now?"

Xiao Ruoling gave a soft nod.

"Very well, off we go." Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, encircled her waist, and vanished.

In the blink of an eye, they stood in the rear garden of Duke An Mansion.

Moonlight bathed the back garden, where the lake shimmered brightly and a ornate boat rocked gently on its surface.

Near the lake’s edge, amid a floral arrangement, a compact training arena hosted Xiao Ruoyu’s sword practice.

Moonlit robes hugged his striking features, sword shadows flowing endlessly.

His blade’s glow shone purely, brimming with boundless vigor akin to an autumn ocean—luminous yet weighty.

He wielded the Jinghai Unlimited Scripture.

"Impressive swordplay!" Chu Zhiyuan applauded with laughter.

Xiao Ruoyu spun around abruptly, spotting Xiao Ruoling beside Chu Zhiyuan.

He slid his sword into its sheath, "Big sister, brother-in-law, it’s quite late."

"Hmph, does the hour stop us from returning?!"

Xiao Ruoling delivered a firm smack to his shoulder, prompting a wince as he rubbed it energetically.

"Ruoyu," Chu Zhiyuan smiled while shaking his head, "Head back and get some rest."

"Got it, got it." Xiao Ruoyu grinned sheepishly, adding, "I’ll return now."

With a quick wave, he dashed off rapidly.

Xiao Ruoling’s frequent visits convince Xiao Ruoyu that her ascension remains incomplete.