Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1267 - 1263: Formation Array

After a period of conversation, Chu Zhiyuan and Lu Wanshan parted ways. Returning to his secluded courtyard, Chu Zhiyuan settled down to thoroughly contemplate Lu Wanshan's words.

Establishing a renowned name brought immense advantages, chief among them being the accumulation of Faith Power.

With a formidable amount of Faith Power, the Golden Sword's capabilities would be significantly amplified.

Could the Golden Sword not aid in his cultivation? Was it incapable of reaching higher realms?

He recalled how Li Hongzhao's cultivation had experienced a dramatic surge after obtaining the Emperor’s Sword.

Did this imply an insurmountable limit?

At his current stage, had he not yet encountered such a limit? Was Spirit Venerable the ultimate peak?

Lost in thought, a sudden realization struck him.

At the Heavenly Sword Branch, a Flying Knife was deeply embedded in the beam of a small pavilion.

A young disciple approached Chu Zhiyuan's humble abode, rapping gently on the door. "Junior Brother Chu, are you there? Director Huang has arrived," he whispered.

The announcement was made with the softest of tones, far from a formal declaration.

He had been specifically instructed to avoid disrupting Chu Zhiyuan's meditative practices.

After a brief pause, he knocked once more, his voice barely audible, "Junior Brother Chu, Director Huang is here."

Chu Zhiyuan materialized instantly in the courtyard, his voice calm as he instructed, "Please usher Director Huang in."

"Understood." The young disciple exhaled in relief, offered a cupped fist salute, and departed.

While pacing, Chu Zhiyuan prepared tea, his internal power accelerating the water's boil.

He had no need to speculate on Huang Zhengyang's reasons for visiting.

The blockade, it seemed, could no longer be sustained.

The containment net had consistently widened, its gaps becoming increasingly obvious, even reinforced manpower proved insufficient to seal them.

Soon, footsteps approached, and Chu Zhiyuan moved to open the door, greeting Huang Zhengyang with a welcoming smile.

Huang Zhengyang entered briskly, offering a smiling salute. "Brother Chu, were you in seclusion?"

"I have just returned," Chu Zhiyuan replied, "from within the Sect."

"Sigh..." Huang Zhengyang let out a weary sigh, sank onto a stone bench, accepted the tea cup Chu Zhiyuan offered, and sighed once more.

Chu Zhiyuan observed him with a slight smile.

"This matter is proving exceedingly vexing," Huang Zhengyang lamented, shaking his head with a wry smile. "I had not anticipated such difficulty."

"The blockade is failing?" Chu Zhiyuan inquired.

Huang Zhengyang replied, "Even with your assistance, Brother Chu, it remains beyond my capabilities."

Chu Zhiyuan mused, "I am merely one individual, so it is also beyond my reach. Perhaps we should seek aid from the various Martial Arts Sects?"

"They would be unreliable," Huang Zhengyang countered. "They would undoubtedly engage in opportunistic theft under the guise of protection."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, deep in thought.

Huang Zhengyang sighed again. "Mobilizing reinforcements from the Evil Extermination Department and the Demon Hunting Bureau requires time, and we cannot possibly dispatch everyone. I had underestimated the complexity of this undertaking."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in understanding.

Establishing a blockade over an area of fifty li might be feasible on open, flat terrain. However, the vicinity surrounding the divine statue presented an exceptionally intricate landscape.

Towering mountains, dense forests, and varied geographical features were interspersed with scattered settlements.

"Furthermore, the pressure from the Imperial Court is mounting," Huang Zhengyang added, shaking his head. "They are practically accusing me of incompetence."

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Then what is your proposed course of action, Brother Huang?"

Huang Zhengyang asked, "Could the designated range be reduced?"

"Fifty li is already the minimum; for genuine security, the radius should extend to one hundred li," Chu Zhiyuan stated.

Huang Zhengyang posed, "Would a reduction in distance pose additional risks?"

"Lives will undoubtedly be lost," Chu Zhiyuan stated grimly. "You are aware of the Undying Evil Venerable's capabilities. Through the Divine Statue, it can manipulate the minds of people."

"Indeed..." Huang Zhengyang slowly nodded, his concern palpable.

This was precisely the crux of his apprehension, making him hesitant to arbitrarily decrease the containment zone.

Chu Zhiyuan questioned, "Is the Court doubting my discernment?"

Huang Zhengyang waved dismissively. "Pay them no mind."

Chu Zhiyuan advised, "If there are Imperial Court experts capable of suppressing the Undying Evil Venerable, act decisively and without delay."

Huang Zhengyang's expression grew solemn.

Chu Zhiyuan continued, "Brother Huang, you must also consider that the Undying Evil Venerable's power will relentlessly grow. If we do not confront it now, future opportunities will be scarce."

"...I shall submit a report." Huang Zhengyang gritted his teeth.

Chu Zhiyuan cautioned, "Brother Huang, maintain a safe distance; do not risk your life."

Huang Zhengyang nodded slowly. "Understood... Do you still have no viable solutions? Continuing this blockade is proving exceedingly difficult."

Chu Zhiyuan proposed, "What about an Array?"

Though he had already utilized the Binding Dragon Rope to sever the Undying Evil Venerable’s power source, this action merely delayed the awakening of the Undying Evil Venerable Statue's formidable strength.

At present, the statue did not pose an extreme threat, but its future potential remained a concern.

Furthermore, even if not immediately perilous, the current danger level far surpassed anything encountered before.

If the court tributers could manage to neutralize it, that would be the ideal outcome, obviating the need for personal risk.

The pursuit of merit was boundless, and the Undying Golden Essence's appetite was insatiable.

"An array..."

"Imagine if top-tier experts were to establish a grand array, sealing the Undying Evil Venerable's spirit internally. How would that be?"

"An array..." Huang Zhengyang's steps quickened as he pondered.

He finally halted, striking his right fist into his left palm with conviction, "Very well, let us proceed with an array!"

Chu Zhiyuan cautioned, "The formation of an array requires utmost meticulousness; any errors could be costly. Approaching within fifty li of the statue is fraught with peril."

"Understood," Huang Zhengyang affirmed, "I shall petition for the assistance of several court tributers."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile, "I am confident that once the imperial court fully commits its resources, this calamity will be annihilated."

"Precisely!" Huang Zhengyang proclaimed, clasping his fist in farewell, "I shall depart immediately."

He turned and hastened away.

Chu Zhiyuan rose and escorted him to the gates, observing his hurried departure and inwardly shaking his head.

With this statue in play, it was unlikely the court would be coerced into teaching the secret technique.

Therefore, the wisest course of action was to settle down and meticulously devise a strategy for entering You Meng Heaven.

Despite Zhu Lingyun having absorbed recollections from several Evil Venerables and the Undying Evil Venerable, true teleportation still necessitated a period of waiting.

Direct teleportation was only feasible when one's soul could genuinely traverse dimensions.

The question remained: how could one truly enter You Meng Heaven?

Zhu Lingyun practiced the Wanxiang Returning to God Technique, granting him the capability to perform the Descent Technique.

This technique offered two methods: descent via dream-induced mental projection, or descent utilizing the Undying Golden Essence Statue.

His intention was to employ the Undying Golden Essence Statue for a direct teleportation into You Meng Heaven.

Zhu Lingyun possessed the knowledge of the Cultivation Method and the might of the Evil Venerable Realm, but fully integrating this power into his own cultivation and restoring the Evil Venerable's complete spiritual prowess required time; it could not be achieved instantaneously.

...

In the ensuing days, Chu Zhiyuan dedicated himself to refining the Golden Sword at the Heavenly Sword Branch, thereby enhancing his cultivation level.

He would occasionally visit Xiao Ruoling or Li Hongzhao for tea and meals, enjoying their company.

Evenings were spent returning to the Prince Mansion for rest.

His days unfolded with a placid rhythm, his cultivation steadily progressing toward the Spirit Venerable Realm.

As time progressed, however, the pace of his cultivation advancement began to decelerate considerably, reaching a point where it ceased to increase further.

Chu Zhiyuan recognized this as his current limit; any advancement beyond this juncture would signify entry into the Spirit Venerable Realm.

He found it surprising to have reached this plateau so swiftly.

Concurrently, during his own cultivation, Zhu Lingyun kept a watchful eye on the developing situation.

Twelve court tributers had advanced near the statue's location to commence the array's setup.

They established their positions a hundred meters from the statue, meticulously arranging various arcane objects in the vicinity.

Through his Super Sense, Zhu Lingyun clearly perceived these peculiar implements: a treasure tripod, two treasure swords, four banners, and six copper bells.

A common characteristic bound these artifacts: each bore an identical pattern, either intricately engraved or skillfully embroidered.

Chu Zhiyuan, reclining on a couch as he refined the Golden Sword, delved into his memories, searching for any recognition of these distinctive patterns.

To his surprise, no recollection surfaced.

Once these unusual items were precisely positioned, the twelve experts simultaneously assumed cross-legged stances and began to channel their spiritual energy.

A swirling mass of white mist rapidly coalesced above their heads, expanding outwards in four directions, becoming increasingly dense and far-reaching.

Within an hour, a radius of one li was completely enveloped in this ethereal white mist.