Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1265 - 1261: Dragon Binding

Relying on his intuition, he just managed to evade the onslaught of the seven-colored beam.

It was merely a narrow escape, however.

There might not be another chance to dodge the next strike.

Therefore, he resolved that a 'next time' would not come to pass.

What exactly was this mysterious seven-colored beam?

Could it be the unfathomable power emanating directly from the Undying Evil Venerable within the You Meng Heaven itself?

He moved swiftly into the courtyard, his hands clasped casually behind his back.

Zhu Lingyun, Chu Liezhao, and Leng Tieya found themselves deep in contemplation, grappling with this very question.

How could they possibly intercept the descending power of You Meng Heaven?

Countless sparks of insight flashed through their minds, only to be extinguished and discarded as quickly as they appeared.

Every martial art they could recall was brought forth, examined, and then rejected.

Could they use the Dragon Soaring Bell to shield the Undying Evil Venerable and block the seven-colored beam?

But could the Dragon Soaring Bell truly withstand the immense power contained within that beam?

If it were capable of such a feat, his intuition would not have sounded such a potent alarm.

His gut feeling screamed that the Dragon Soaring Bell would prove useless; this was a unique secret technique, a power the bell was simply not equipped to block.

...

Thousands of thoughts surged and receded, until finally, a single point of light captured his attention: the Binding Dragon Rope.

The Binding Dragon Rope was an ancient, miraculous technique originating from the Dragon Subduing Sect, possessing a legacy that even extended into the Outer Heaven.

Although typically employed for internal cultivation, the Binding Dragon Rope could, in fact, be utilized externally.

However, when used externally, its effectiveness was significantly diminished, rendering it somewhat less potent.

To subdue or ensnare an opponent, such complex methods were unnecessary; a direct seal of their acupuncture points would suffice.

If it were a standard Binding Dragon Rope, it would likely be ineffective against the sheer force of the seven-colored light.

But what about the power of Merit?

A subtle smile touched his lips.

In the past, while he had the inclination, the strength to truly grasp the Merit Golden Light and wield it was lacking, allowing only for rudimentary applications.

The situation was different now.

He could now perceive Merit as a flowing river, manipulating and guiding it with the same ease as controlling his True Yuan.

With a mere thought, the Merit Golden Light residing within the Demon Suppression Divine Palace flowed into his body, circulating through his meridians along the intricate pathways of the Binding Dragon Rope.

Upon entering his meridians, this concentrated golden light underwent a rapid and profound transformation.

While externally it appeared as mere golden light, within his perception, it manifested like a tranquil pool of autumn water.

Under his keen insight, this pool of water shifted and contorted, vaguely revealing a complex, strange pattern.

Chu Zhiyuan's eyebrows arched in surprise.

Was this the intrinsic core of the Binding Dragon Rope technique?

This peculiar pattern was not a divine script, otherwise, he would have already unraveled its mysteries.

If that was the case...

He focused his thoughts once more, and another cluster of golden light within the Demon Suppression Divine Palace began to change.

It gradually coalesced, forming a similarly strange pattern.

He meticulously compared the two formations, finding virtually no discernible difference, indicating their effects would be nearly identical.

Soon, dozens of clusters of Merit Golden Light were intricately shaped into Binding Dragon Ropes.

He formed these within his own body, and combined with those already condensed within the Demon Suppression Divine Palace, he now possessed a total of twelve By-Merit Binding Dragon Ropes.

In the very next instant, he vanished from the courtyard, reappearing within a secluded mountain cave.

The cave, situated a mile away from the ominous Undying Evil Venerable Statue, felt strangely accessible to him now.

A primal chill ran through him, prickling his hair and sending shivers down his spine, threatening to paralyze him.

He blinked out of existence in the blink of an eye.

Simultaneously, the twelve By-Merit Binding Dragon Ropes descended upon the seven-colored beam.

These twelve ropes struck different points along the seven-colored beam in near unison, spanning from its base upwards.

They enveloped the beam at intervals of approximately three meters, reaching heights of over thirty meters.

In the following moment, the seven-colored light condensed into a sharp, miniature sword, instantaneously materializing precisely where Chu Zhiyuan had stood moments before.

"Pop!" A multitude of tiny craters erupted on the ground where Chu Zhiyuan had been.

Swirling within these freshly formed pits, the seven-colored light pulsed, yet refused to disperse.

Observing this phenomenon through Zhu Lingyun's enhanced Insight ability, Chu Zhiyuan inwardly breathed a sigh of profound relief.

It was a fortunate twist that the potent seven-colored light, despite its formidable nature, could not directly locate his main body through Zhu Lingyun.

The divine skills of cloning were truly astonishing; outsiders were utterly incapable of sensing the presence of his true self.

Zhu Lingyun, perceived externally, appeared as a distinct, independent soul, not like a mere marionette manipulated by unseen strings.

Furthermore, Zhu Lingyun's Insight revealed that the seven-colored beam was now encircled by twelve luminous rings, causing its intense glow to rapidly diminish.

The beam began to flicker erratically, as if struggling against its confinement, while the twelve rings intensified, seemingly solidifying into twelve resplendent golden circlets.

Chu Zhiyuan's spirit soared with renewed hope.

Zhu Lingyun also observed that the golden light radiating from beneath the Undying Evil Venerable Statue was now pulsing rapidly, clearly indicating that the effect was taking hold.

This confirmed the efficacy of his strategy.

The twelve golden rings of light did not falter or dim as the seven-colored beam flickered; instead, they held their position firmly, steadily constricting the beam and causing it to fade.

With considerable merit, the Demon Suppression Divine Palace revealed another twelve Binding Dragon Ropes. Instantly, he vanished, reappearing within a different mountain cave. He flickered away once more, changing locations multiple times in rapid succession. Although the seven-colored light did not coalesce into a small sword for an attack, the sense of impending danger intensified. He continued to shift his position rapidly. Meanwhile, an additional twelve Binding Dragon Ropes converged upon the seven-colored beam, mirroring the exact placement of the previous twelve, as if each rope had been doubled. Their intent was clearly to prevent it from being severed. He altered his trajectory, manifesting within the small courtyard of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. "Boom!" A fissure tore through the void. Above the Imperial Ancestral Temple, a sudden, fierce wind erupted, whipping vast swathes of clouds across the expanse of the sky above the sacred site. Almost immediately, a dense cloud cover formed, extending a hundred meters high. "Crack!" "Crack!" ... Bolt after bolt of violet lightning streaked between the clouds, cleaving the heavens with innumerable rents. Court Honored Experts within the temple emerged from their dwellings, their gazes fixed skyward. Chu Zhiyuan, sequestered in a modest courtyard, looked up at the tumultuous heavens. His hair, which had stood on end, now lay still, the chilling sensation having subsided. Unexpectedly, the Imperial Ancestral Temple had become his most secure sanctuary. Had the temple proven ineffective, he had intended to seek refuge in the Evil Suppressing Abyss. If that location offered no benefit, his next recourse would be Heavenly Sword Peak, and failing that, the Phoenix Secret Land. The Phoenix Secret Land, with its profound foundations, would likely withstand the imminent peril. Should even the Phoenix Secret Land falter, his final option would be the Outer Heaven, specifically the Profound Yin Palace, or venturing into the Demon World of the Outer Heaven. The Demon World, renowned for its spirit secret techniques and unique treasures, might possess the means to offer resistance. "Booming..." Thunder rumbled, and purple lightning flashed. Gale-force winds howled, violently whipping the banners atop the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Several Court Honored Experts ascended to the altar, establishing their positions. Others soared to the rooftop stone beasts, occupying vantage points of significance. A gentle radiance emanated, rising from a major temple structure and extending into the void, gradually thinning as it ascended like a diaphanous veil. Wherever this luminous veil extended, the wind ceased, and the clouds rapidly dissipated. The purple lightning and thunder also faded into obscurity. In the span of a mere blink, tranquility was restored. The preceding spectacle appeared as though it were merely an illusion, prompting the gathered townsfolk to express their astonishment. It was impossible for so many individuals to collectively experience a hallucination; the prior scene was undeniably real. "It originated from the temple, didn't it?" "Mm, it was indeed the temple." "Truly, it is the temple, divine and extraordinary!" "Capable of dispelling clouds and commanding thunder, truly formidable!" "It is a shame we cannot enter the temple to witness its wonders." "The temple is not a place for ordinary folk to tread; it is better to remain at a distance!" "Such an unusual phenomenon, perhaps something strange has transpired?" "It is difficult to say." ... Chu Zhiyuan, hidden away in his courtyard, also observed the townspeople's discussions. Judging by their expressions, they did not perceive the event as particularly unusual, readily accepting the temple's display of power. However, the experts within the temple began to actively investigate the preceding anomaly. He flickered and vanished, reappearing a moment later atop a mountain peak. A refreshing breeze caressed his attire and countenance, cool and invigorating. He offered a smile. The threat had been neutralized. Viewed through Zhu Lingyun's perspective, the seven-colored beam had significantly diminished in intensity. The golden light at the brow of the Undying Evil Venerable Statue had also faded. The oppressive sensation was no longer as alarming as it had been previously.