Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1272 - 1268: Entry

Xiao Ruoling let out a laugh, inquiring, "Can you sense the difference?"

"Everything feels different," Chu Zhiyuan sighed, his voice tinged with wonder. "It’s quite mysterious."

It was as if the very air remained the same, offering no discernible change when inhaled.

However, the moment one began to cultivate, a profound alteration became immediately apparent.

This distinction held the potential to forge entirely divergent paths in cultivation.

It was no wonder that cultivation within this realm placed emphasis on spiritual power rather than True Yuan.

"Would you like to step outside and take a look, husband?" Xiao Ruoling offered.

"Let's go," Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile.

Xiao Ruoling took the lead, opening the door of the small courtyard. They proceeded through a corridor, then exited via a large gate, leaving the Luo Mansion behind.

The Luo Mansion spanned an impressive hundred acres, boasting a three-story gatehouse. Its glazed tiles gleamed under the setting sun, presenting a truly grand spectacle.

Emerging from the gate, Chu Zhiyuan turned his head to cast a glance back at the imposing structure.

Xiao Ruoling smiled, explaining, "The Luo family is a prominent one. Especially with Senior Sister Luo being a disciple of the Profound Yin Palace, their status is considerably elevated."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod of understanding.

It was clear that the Profound Yin Palace stood as a foremost Sect within You Meng Heaven.

Gaining entry into such a prestigious Sect naturally brought prestige to the entire family.

He walked along the broad avenue, eventually turning into a narrow alley, heading southward.

The alley presented a winding path with bluestone paving. On either side, the walls, constructed from mottled bluestone, exuded an ancient aura.

As they ambled along, he inquired, "This is Qingyun City, correct? Is it considered a top-tier city in You Meng Heaven?"

"Qingyun City is indeed among the premier cities in You Meng Heaven," Xiao Ruoling confirmed with a slight nod. "In its vicinity lies a top Sect of You Meng Heaven, Qingluo Cave."

"And where is Wanxiang Cliff?"

"Wanxiang Cliff is located three thousand miles from here," Xiao Ruoling stated. "It holds a standing comparable to Qingluo Cave; both are considered top Sects."

"Then, what about the Profound Yin Palace?"

"Our Profound Yin Palace is a supreme entity, existing on a higher level than these Sects."

"Are there any Sects that rival the Profound Yin Palace?"

"...There are three Sects comparable to our Profound Yin Palace, but none possess the capability to ascend into the Heavenly Realm."

"And there are no such Sects in this immediate area, correct?"

"Naturally not. Otherwise, Senior Sister Luo would not have chosen to join the Profound Yin Palace," Xiao Ruoling replied.

"She would join another Sect?"

"With Senior Sister Luo's exceptional talent, she would undoubtedly be highly sought after," Xiao Ruoling remarked.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded again.

He harbored no intention of encountering this Senior Sister Luo, nor did he desire any entanglement with her.

The couple swiftly navigated through the alley and emerged onto the vibrant, bustling main street.

Apart from the distinct architectural styles and the local attire, the scene mirrored the lively marketplaces he had witnessed in other worlds.

It was equally cacophonous, with vendors lining both sides of the thoroughfare, their calls echoing incessantly.

People ebbed and flowed; some paused at the stalls, others entered shops, groups engaged in loud laughter, while individuals hurried along, seemingly lost in their own thoughts.

The vast world, filled with countless beings.

Yet, these were the people of You Meng Heaven, distinct from those he had previously encountered.

Among the pedestrians traversing the main street, a remarkable eighty percent were cultivators.

These cultivators were enveloped in a subtle, gentle radiance.

Their respective realms could be discerned by the luminescence emanating from their bodies.

A white light signified the Qi Transformation Realm, a purple light the Transformation Realm, and a golden light indicated a Divinity Transformation Venerable. Any other mixed lights represented a less pure glow, signifying an individual not yet on the cultivation path.

Observing the individuals on the street, Chu Zhiyuan displayed an expression of appreciation.

"Husband, what are your reflections?" Xiao Ruoling inquired with a smile.

They stood slightly off to the side on the main street, taking in the parade of pedestrians.

Chu Zhiyuan commented, "Cultivation in You Meng Heaven appears to be comparatively easier. Look at the sheer number of Venerables present on this street."

"I heard from Senior Sister Luo," Xiao Ruoling replied, nodding, "that before reaching the Venerable stage, cultivation progresses relatively smoothly. However, for Venerables, attaining Perfection becomes exceedingly difficult, let alone ascending to the Spirit Venerable realm."

"Spirit Venerables..." Chu Zhiyuan murmured, shaking his head.

Merely contemplating it caused him to ponder deeply.

Even after extensive deliberation, he still hadn't achieved any significant progress.

"Becoming a Spirit Venerable is challenging in our homeland, and it seems to be the same situation here in You Meng Heaven."

"Have any Spirit Venerables from the Profound Yin Palace made an appearance?"

"No," Xiao Ruoling responded, her head shaking gently. "It's difficult to predict when they might emerge; perhaps once every thousand years, or even every few hundred years. They are elusive, and their whereabouts are unknown."

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "Spirit Venerables should possess the ability to traverse the Heavenly Realm and move about without hindrance."

The second level of the Earth Origin Technique is capable of this feat; thus, Spirit Venerables should also be able to achieve it. If not, their enigmatic and elusive nature would be difficult to comprehend.

"Spirit Venerables cannot be taught; their path requires personal enlightenment," Xiao Ruoling explained. "The palace archives contain numerous records pertaining to Spirit Venerables, but regrettably, no disciple has ever attained the Spirit Venerable realm through them. It is said these Martial Arts Notes have, in fact, become a hindrance."

"A hindrance..." Chu Zhiyuan mused.

Xiao Ruoling elaborated, "Focusing solely on the external form can lead one astray. Beyond the Perfect Realm, self-realization is necessary to forge one's own way."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod.

The pair then merged into the bustling crowd, navigating through it with effortless grace, much like fish swimming in water.

They explored the city, observing both its affluent and less fortunate districts, before ultimately making their way towards Wanxiang Cliff.

By this juncture, night had descended, and the moon shone resplendently in the sky.

Bathed in the luminous, water-like moonlight, the two figures seemed like a pair of celestial beings as they floated onward.

"We won't be returning tonight; your Senior Sister Luo..."

"I informed Senior Sister Luo in advance. I discovered that Wanxiang Cliff is a Major Sect."

"A Major Sect..." Chu Zhiyuan remarked. "It is unfortunate that there are always disciples who stray from the proper path. If they are discovered engaging in such behavior, what penalties do they face?"

"Their cultivation is abolished, and they are expelled from the sect," Xiao Ruoling replied. "Senior Sister Luo mentioned that just a few days ago, Wanxiang Cliff dealt with two such disciples."

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

"Quite the coincidence, wouldn't you say?" Xiao Ruoling queried. "I suspect those were the two Evil Venerables you eliminated."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered this statement.

"Is that so?" Xiao Ruoling inquired.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded. "After their descent to Biyuan Heaven and subsequent demise, their souls must have been damaged, revealing their vulnerabilities, which were then detected by the sect."

Xiao Ruoling responded, "So, effectively, their descent and death did not come without consequence?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "This instance was merely a coincidence, a stroke of bad luck. Normally, even if killed in Biyuan Heaven and their souls suffered damage, it would not have exposed them."

Otherwise, they would not have dared to descend so casually.

Based on the knowledge gleaned from the memories of several Evil Venerables and the Undying Evil Venerable, with the preparation of Spirit Pills, recovery typically took only two to three days. Even with misfortune, the chances of being apprehended within that precise two-to-three-day window were slim.

Xiao Ruoling posed, "Does this imply that Wanxiang Cliff is deliberately lenient in their apprehension measures?"

"Unlikely," Chu Zhiyuan replied. "This path is inherently heretical and prone to spiraling out of control. However, once one attains the Venerable level, excessive scrutiny becomes impractical."

Venerables are considered masters in any realm, possessing considerable autonomy.

The two continued their conversation as they floated along.

Abruptly, Chu Zhiyuan took her jade-like hand, and with rapid, flickering movements, they covered a distance of three to five miles instantaneously.

He observed that the spiritual energy in the air was scarce, yet abnormal energy was abundant; however, this did not impede the Earth Origin Technique. The connection between the earth and himself remained intact, facilitating unrestricted compression and traversal.

A journey spanning three thousand miles was completed in a mere half an hour.

They halted at a mountain summit.

The moonlight bathed the scene in a gentle glow.

Xiao Ruoling transmitted her voice discreetly, "Husband, why have we come here?"

Chu Zhiyuan announced, "To investigate the specifics of Wanxiang Cliff."

"Do you suspect that the Undying Evil Venerable descended from Wanxiang Cliff?"

"Indeed," Chu Zhiyuan confirmed with a slight nod.

Xiao Ruoling, possessing great intelligence, was perfectly synchronized with his thoughts.

Xiao Ruoling gently furrowed her dark brows. "Husband, do you intend to locate the true form of that Undying Evil Venerable? Is that not exceedingly difficult?" This Undying Evil Venerable must be adept at concealment; otherwise, Wanxiang Cliff would have detected him long ago. If Wanxiang Cliff itself could not perceive his anomalies, it would be considerably more challenging for others. Without any discernible irregularities, his detection becomes even more elusive.

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "He descended by attaching himself to a statue, which depicts his likeness."

Xiao Ruoling smiled faintly. "I see. And even if we find him, what then?"

Chu Zhiyuan proposed, "How about we directly report him to Wanxiang Cliff?"

"An excellent notion," Xiao Ruoling agreed.

Then, she slightly knitted her dark eyebrows. "However, our identities might not be sufficient... Ah, we can directly dispatch a message to the Profound Yin Palace from here."

A smile graced Chu Zhiyuan's lips as he inquired, "Would the disciples of Wanxiang Cliff heed a summons from the Profound Yin Palace?"

"Whether they choose to hear it or not, they will undoubtedly treat it with gravity and investigate," Xiao Ruoling responded.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod in agreement.

Xiao Ruoling then stated, "However, he is the Undying Evil Venerable, already a Perfect Venerable."

Chu Zhiyuan's smile widened slightly. "The outcome will hinge upon the decision of Wanxiang Cliff."

Should Wanxiang Cliff prove unwilling to relinquish their influence or abandon this Perfect Venerable, the responsibility would fall to Zhu Lingyun.

At that very moment, Zhu Lingyun had already materialized within a dense mountain forest, a full mile distant.

He felt an immediate sense of belonging amidst the potent, unusual energies that saturated the atmosphere.

This sensation, ineffably comforting, stirred a primal urge within him to unleash a triumphant cry towards the heavens.

The pace at which the Wanxiang Returning to God Technique circulated within him surged dramatically, accelerating many times over compared to its flow within the luminous, multicolored pillar of light.

This location, approximately ten miles from the heart of Wanxiang Cliff, offered a concentration of peculiar energies that Zhu Lingyun, through Chu Zhiyuan's perceptive reach, recognized as being far richer than elsewhere.

His cultivation speed saw a marked increase.

This, he understood, was the very bedrock upon which a premier sect was built, the fundamental reason for its elevated status.

Immersed in such an environment, his progress became meteoric, rapidly propelling him closer to the Perfect Realm of the Venerable.

It was anticipated that, within the span of a single night, he would achieve his peak condition.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, bathed in the ethereal glow of the moon and caressed by a gentle night breeze, Chu Zhiyuan suddenly murmured, "I have located him. He is, as suspected, a disciple of Wanxiang Cliff."

"And what is his name?" Xiao Ruoling inquired.

Chu Zhiyuan remained in silence for a moment.

After a respite akin to the time it takes to enjoy a cup of tea, he slowly divulged, "His name is Zhuo Yifan."

"Very well, let us return then," Xiao Ruoling decided. "I shall make my way to the Profound Yin Palace."

Chu Zhiyuan inclined his head slowly.

In the short duration that had passed, through the application of Super Sensing Illumination, they had managed to unravel approximately six-tenths of Wanxiang Cliff's true nature.

The remaining half, or thereabouts, remained obscure, shielded from their insight by an unseen, formidable power.

These veiled areas, impenetrable to their perception, ignited a sense of caution within Chu Zhiyuan, effectively dousing any inclination towards immediate, direct action.

His initial strategy had been to harness the inherent power of Wanxiang Cliff itself, to ascertain whether they possessed the capability to subdue Zhuo Yifan.

If they succeeded, it would be a fortunate outcome; if not, a different strategy would be devised to lure him out, at which point Zhu Lingyun would engage and defeat him.

Zhu Lingyun, with his cultivation advancing at such a remarkable pace, had already attained the pinnacle state of the Undying Evil Venerable, possessing not only the accumulated memories but also the secret techniques of a single such entity.

By merging two distinct lineages into one cohesive whole, the resultant power was, by its very nature, vastly superior to that of an ordinary Undying Evil Venerable.

Thus, there existed a viable prospect of confronting and overcoming this Zhuo Yifan.

The two figures then swiftly turned, departing from the area.