Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1255 - 1251: The General Departs

A soft sigh escaped Xiao Ruoling's lips.

With a laugh, Chu Zhiyuan remarked, "Ruoyu is performing quite admirably already; not everybody possesses our talents."

Xiao Ruoling let out a chuckle. "I'm being overly strict."

She felt discontent with Xiao Ruoyu's advancement, deeming his cultivation pace far too sluggish and his aptitude woefully inadequate.

In her view, he lacked concentration, showed no real commitment to cultivation, and was plagued by endless stray thoughts.

Leading Chu Zhiyuan aboard the painted boat, she guided him inside.

Gently, the painted boat pulled away from the dock, drifting lazily across the lake's surface.

Xiao Ruoling prepared some tea. Sipping it together, they gazed at the luminous moon beyond the vessel and conversed in a relaxed manner.

She shared her concerns, sensing a plateau in her own progress with her breakthroughs coming to a crawl.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile while shaking his head.

Profound and immensely potent, the martial arts of the Profound Yin Palace demand time and cannot be hastily conquered.

Disciples of the Profound Yin Palace enjoy eternal youth and extended lives, yet their martial arts growth proceeds at a measured pace.

Since perfecting the Taiyin Great Refining Form, her cultivation had surged ahead at an astonishing speed.

Post-Taiyin Great Refining Form, her cultivation rocketed forward dramatically for some time, though it's now decelerating.

This slowdown occurs as she nears a breakthrough to a superior realm—a monumental stride in her path—and such a pause is entirely expected.

Turning the conversation, she inquired about Chu Zhiyuan's troubles, heard his tale on the secret technique, and responded with laughter while shaking her head.

Everyone knows this all too well.

The dynamic between the Court and the Four Great Sects remains precarious. Should they grant him an exclusive secret technique that he masters, his status would soar, bolstering the Four Great Sects' reputation too.

Would the Court tolerate every prodigy worldwide rushing to join the Four Great Sects?

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and declared, "In the world’s affairs, nothing is impossible."

"It’s impossible," Xiao Ruoling replied with a captivating smile.

"The world is unpredictable, often full of surprises, so we must still attempt it," Chu Zhiyuan countered.

Xiao Ruoling burst into laughter. "Throughout your path, you've repeatedly made the impossible possible; perhaps this occasion follows suit."

"This hinges on fortune," Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "and that's precisely the thrill of it."

"Can't Li assist?" Xiao Ruoling asked.

Shaking his head, Chu Zhiyuan replied, "She's aligned with the Imperial Family now; any improper words could bring harm."

A light sigh came from Xiao Ruoling. "Bloodline—truly something to envy."

"Bloodlines offer clear edges, yet they bind you with limits; you can't pursue just any cultivation freely, not like our liberty," said Chu Zhiyuan.

Xiao Ruoling shook her head. "Such freedom pales against the vast cultivation perks."

Chu Zhiyuan gave a nod.

No denying it—the Phoenix Bloodline holds immense boons, marking one as the darling of Heaven and Earth.

"I rummaged through the palace's secret vault," Xiao Ruoling noted, "but elite spirit secret techniques stay concealed, off-limits due to their peril."

Dismissing it with a wave, Chu Zhiyuan stated, "Your spirit secret techniques aren't worthwhile. If cultivation is needed, opt for the Court's; that's how you reap full benefits."

Otherwise, it's akin to the Demon Suppressing Saber—renowned yet lacking true gains.

Lacking broad recognition, the boosts to merit and fame fall short.

"Doesn't our Imperial Treasury hold anything?" Xiao Ruoling pressed. "What about those ancient treasures?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed. "I'm training one at present; it could prove potent enough."

The second layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique holds mysteries hard to gauge; it might turn out astonishingly formidable.

Yet right now, mastering the second layer of the Human Element Skill remains crucial.

First conquer the second layer of the Human Element Skill, only then tackle the second layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique; the order must stay intact.

"Then proceed at your pace," Xiao Ruoling advised, "plus, I've got great tidings: I've pinpointed You Meng Heaven's whereabouts."

Instantly, Chu Zhiyuan perked up with excitement.

"Three sisters from You Meng Heaven reside in the palace," Xiao Ruoling revealed.

Even more thrilled, Chu Zhiyuan urged: "Could you check it out?"

He yearned to visit himself but realized it overstepped, so he hoped Xiao Ruoling would scout it for him.

"Yesterday, I encountered one of those sisters by chance," Xiao Ruoling shared, "and she consented to guide me to You Meng Heaven."

A smile spread across Chu Zhiyuan's face.

Xiao Ruoling asked, "You won't cultivate the Court's secret technique to slay the Undying Evil Venerables, but intend to pursue them straight into You Meng Heaven?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "With their position known, handling them via secret techniques turns much simpler."

Xiao Ruoling gave a nod, "Fine, I'll bring the Flying Knife along."

Chu Zhiyuan grinned.

——

The next morning at dawn, Chu Zhiyuan visited the Sect Leader’s Hall first to say goodbye to Lu Wanshan, before heading back to the Heavenly Sword Branch.

In the Heavenly Sword Branch, he diligently refined the Golden Sword.

Meanwhile, Zhu Lingyun cross-legged in a cave abode, reclining idly as he watched the Main Altar of the Wanxiang Sect.

A brutal clash raged at the Wanxiang Sect's main altar.

Once Zhou Chongming, Meng Xusheng, and Qi Qingmei learned the intel came straight from Chu Zhiyuan, they acted without delay.

Under cover of night, they infiltrated close to the Wanxiang Sect's main altar, rested through half the night, then launched their assault at first light.

Armed with full knowledge of the altar's traps, the looks and Cultivation bases of Wanxiang Sect powerhouses, plus their moves, the Four Sects' elites crushed them utterly.

In mere moments, just scattered howls lingered in the Wanxiang Sect's valley.

Amid the chaos, only Sect Master Ji Qingyun and three Elders stood, aside from Zheng Pingzhang.

Zheng Pingzhang lay slain, utterly perished.

Over his demise, Zhu Lingyun sensed pure glee, no trace of regret.

Though Zheng Pingzhang seemed upright and plain, his scheming greed had always irked him deeply.

Besides, he'd earned death ages ago for slaughtering countless innocents.

He gazed as Wanxiang Sect masters dropped one after another, waves of delight surging through him.

Ji Qingyun's visage turned pitch-black like forged iron, hands weaving seals that cloaked him, while grievous wounds gushed blood across his form.

Against Qi Qingmei's Bright Moon Divine Sword, he struggled through scant exchanges, pushed to his breaking point.

Without treasures deflecting the bulk of strikes, death would have claimed him already.

Confusion and rage boiled within him as he bellowed, "How did you find this location?"

Qi Qingmei brandished the Bright Moon Divine Sword, expression stern and taut.

Zhou Chongming and allies hammered the last three elders; silence met his cries, his shouts alone reverberating through the valley.

Seeing this, Zhu Lingyun shook his head.

The battle concluded decisively; the Wanxiang Sect sparked no real turmoil in the end.

Yet, where hid the treasure?

That treasure Ji Qingyun and Zheng Pingzhang mentioned—why had it yet to surface?

This gnawed at him above all else.

It couldn't land in enemy grasp, lest it unleash dire peril upon him.

He waited with bated breath for Ji Qingyun to deploy the treasure.

…

At that moment, Chu Zhiyuan sat cross-legged upon his bedchamber's bed, refining the Golden Sword.

Having devoured the Undying Golden Essence, the Golden Sword surged in power without cease.

Yet the Undying Golden Essence carried stray thoughts—primal wills he purged bit by bit to preserve the Golden Sword's pristine spirit.

Blindly devouring without laborious purification would breed disharmony with his soul, perhaps even sparking rebellion against him.

Whenever free, he purified the Golden Sword further, elevating its spiritual essence.

Once done refining the Golden Sword, he focused on manifesting the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks within his Lao Gong Acupoint.

In the boundless Jade Sea and Sky, along the sea's vast fringe, the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks rose.

Waves battered fiercely against the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks.

Towering grandly beyond mere sea isles, the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Peaks exuded overwhelming majesty.

During visualization, a sudden frown creased his brow; his mind and soul plunged swiftly into Zhu Lingyun's form.

Via Zhu Lingyun's Insight, he witnessed Ji Qingyun hurled skyward.

The Bright Moon Divine Sword swept gently, severing Ji Qingyun's right arm clean away.

"Fine, fine, fine!" Ji Qingyun gnashed his teeth in flight, "You've left me no choice!"

His left sleeve fluttered, releasing an object—a flawless round pearl that tumbled into his left hand.

Bathed in the resplendent dawn's golden glow, the pearl blazed with brilliant golden beams, utterly mesmerizing and radiant.