Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1275 - 1271: Seeking Assistance

The array was activated as they focused on their senses, prepared for an immediate retreat.

Chu Zhiyuan, positioned nearby, overheard their conversation and employed his Insight technique to scrutinize them.

The Heavenly Escape Pearl, as its name implied, should manifest as a spherical gem.

Could it possibly be the beaded bracelet currently in their possession?

After a further inspection using Insight, his initial judgment was confirmed.

They possessed no other beads on their person apart from this bracelet.

This particular beaded bracelet offered both protective capabilities and the means for escape?

It was, without question, a truly rare Treasure.

The prevailing question, however, was whether it could withstand the impending onslaught once Zhu Lingyun made his arrival.

Abruptly, an idea sparked within him, and he vanished, reappearing instantaneously within the Heavenly Sword Branch.

Outside his humble courtyard, a young disciple was gently rapping on the door.

Chu Zhiyuan instructed, "Kindly summon Huang Sizheng to my presence."

"Yes, Young Master Chu."

Chu Zhiyuan opened the courtyard gate, extending an invitation for Huang Zhengyang to enter.

Huang Zhengyang, his expression grave, clasped his fists and offered a strained smile, "Brother Chu."

"Brother Huang, your countenance suggests that further trouble has befallen us?"

Chu Zhiyuan gestured for his guest to come inside and take a seat.

"Ah... pray do not speak of it!" Huang Zhengyang sighed deeply, settling himself by the stone table.

Chu Zhiyuan prepared the Red Clay Small Stove, channeling his True Yuan to rapidly intensify the heat until the water began to bubble vigorously.

Huang Zhengyang, meanwhile, continued to shake his head, emitting repeated sighs.

As Chu Zhiyuan brewed the tea, he inquired with a light-hearted laugh, "Could it be that another Undying Evil Venerable Statue has made an appearance?"

"Three of them, appearing simultaneously!" Huang Zhengyang responded, his voice heavy.

A frown creased Chu Zhiyuan's brow.

Huang Zhengyang managed a bitter smile, "We had anticipated a worsening situation, but to this extent... we had not foreseen."

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Does the Court possess a viable solution? Surely the Divine Artifact and Spiritual Artifacts must be deployed."

"Alas—! The Guardian Divine Artifact for the Imperial City remains unrepaired." Huang Zhengyang stated, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Is its repair even feasible?" Chu Zhiyuan pressed.

Huang Zhengyang hesitated, then slowly shook his head. "It is difficult to ascertain."

He had originally held the expectation of swift repairs, but observing the current predicament, there was no discernable progress.

At this pace, it seemed whether the Imperial City had its Guardian Divine Artifact or not scarcely mattered; the arrogance of the evil demons had been significantly quelled, with only a select few daring to cause further disruption.

These remaining few were those with woefully inadequate intelligence, drastically lagging in their news dissemination, effectively marching towards their own demise.

Once all such uninformed individuals had been eliminated, the remaining evil demons would assuredly maintain a considerable distance from the Imperial City.

By that juncture, the presence or absence of a Guardian Divine Artifact within the Imperial City would likely become irrelevant.

Chu Zhiyuan posed the question, "So, the Court has no definitive plan in place?"

Huang Zhengyang sighed once more. "Perhaps they are contemplating a strategy, but the Undying Evil Venerable will not grant us the luxury of time. Our immediate priority must be the elimination of these three statues."

The Red Clay Small Stove continued its bubbling, releasing wisps of white steam.

Chu Zhiyuan proceeded to pour two cups of tea.

Huang Zhengyang accepted a cup, gently blew on it, and took a tentative sip. "We shall have to impose upon you, Brother Chu."

Chu Zhiyuan placed his own cup down. "Shall we depart immediately?"

"Let us embark!" Huang Zhengyang set his cup aside and rose to his feet. "The sooner we act, the better."

The two individuals ascended into the air, departing from the Heavenly Sword Branch. Outside, several esteemed masters were already in wait.

Among them, a middle-aged man, his expression deeply serious, clasped his fists and announced, "Director, another statue has emerged."

"Another one?!" Huang Zhengyang's brow furrowed in concern.

The middle-aged man offered a rueful smile. "The report just came in; it is located outside Nan Jia City... Given the urgency, we must address this new threat first."

"How far is Nan Jia City from our present location?"

"Approximately five miles."

"Brother Chu?" Huang Zhengyang turned to him, seeking his counsel. "What are your thoughts on this matter...?"

"Let us proceed directly to Nan Jia City," Chu Zhiyuan declared. "It is not a significant distance, and a swift journey will not cause undue delay."

Huang Zhengyang quickly agreed, "Then, our destination shall be Nan Jia City."

Chu Zhiyuan placed a hand upon his companion's shoulder. "Allow me to lead the way."

Huang Zhengyang signaled to the others. "Follow swiftly."

Even before his words fully registered, Chu Zhiyuan had vanished from their sight.

"Such Qinggong..." one observer murmured in sheer astonishment.

It seemed to transcend the ordinary boundaries of Qinggong, exhibiting a speed that was utterly breathtaking.

"As expected of Mr. Chu."

"Fortunately, this Qinggong allows us to overcome the immediate urgency."

"It is a boon to our Evil Extermination Department, and indeed, to all people across the land."

"Just how many Undying Evil Venerables has Mr. Chu vanquished thus far?"

"Ah... I surmise he must be nearing ten, perhaps even twenty or thirty."

"Hush!"

"Old Jing, cease your wild estimations!"

"Very well, very well, I shall refrain from further comment."

...

Chu Zhiyuan, overhearing these discussions, could only shake his head inwardly.

As a seasoned master within the Evil Extermination Department, the swift emergence of Undying Evil Venerables was an expected, albeit grim, development.

Roughly fifteen minutes later, the duo ascended a mountain's summit, their gazes fixed upon a distant, golden-hued statue perched on an opposing peak. Chu Zhiyuan's tense expression visibly softened.

Noticing the change, Huang Zhengyang inquired with a smile, "Everything's alright, isn't it?"

"This presents no significant danger," Chu Zhiyuan affirmed. "We can simply handle it directly."

The Golden Sword at his hip was drawn, transforming into a shaft of pure light that drifted serenely forward.

Huang Zhengyang's eyes widened in astonishment.

However, mere moments passed before he could no longer detect the Golden Sword's presence, as if it had utterly dissolved into the very fabric of the air, becoming one with the Void.

In the succeeding moments, the statue's golden radiance intensified and began to writhe.

The surrounding Void contorted, coalescing into a blinding vortex, reminiscent of a sun ascending majestically from behind the mountain's crest.

The ensuing solar brilliance was almost unbearable.

His eyes stung from the intensity, and he instinctively closed them. Upon reopening them after a brief interval, the overwhelming golden light had completely dissipated.

With the golden light gone, the Undying Evil Venerable Statue vanished concurrently.

It was as if the statue had never materialized.

He turned his attention back to Chu Zhiyuan's waist, observing that the Golden Sword had already returned to its scabbard.

"This sword..." Huang Zhengyang marveled, his gaze locked upon it with bewilderment.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a slight smile. "It is indeed growing more proficient in dealing with these Divine Statues."

The bond between the Golden Sword and himself was strengthening, its movements becoming as instinctive as his own limbs, and its power steadily increasing.

At times, he sensed a peculiar resonance, as if the sword were akin to a detached consciousness, a manifestation of himself not in human form but as a weapon.

Of course, he acknowledged, achieving true sentience or a clone-like existence was still a distant prospect, requiring substantial growth in its spiritual essence.

He estimated its current spiritual maturity to be akin to a young adolescent, perhaps around twelve or thirteen years old, needing decades to mature. By the age of thirty, he believed, it would be fully capable.

Huang Zhengyang let out a sigh of admiration. "Its growth is remarkably swift, its power escalating relentlessly."

He had witnessed the Golden Sword's burgeoning strength firsthand.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile. "These Divine Statues serve as offerings, Brother Huang. You needn't feel indebted; in truth, I am the one benefiting."

Huang Zhengyang countered, shaking his head. "That's different. Your sword becoming stronger is vital for our survival."

He reasoned that Chu Zhiyuan's current Qinggong, complemented by the Demon Suppressing Saber and his overall Cultivation, already positioned him as a preeminent figure in the world. The Golden Sword's ultimate strength was therefore not the most critical factor.

Regardless of its power, it could not ascend to the level of a Spiritual Artifact, let alone a Divine Artifact.

As for the Undying Evil Venerable Statues, their continued existence would undoubtedly lead to boundless calamities, perpetuating endless cycles of slaughter and bloodshed, claiming countless lives.

The enhancement of a single sword could not possibly be equated with the preservation of so many lives.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, patting Huang Zhengyang's shoulder. "Shall we proceed to the next location?"

...

As evening descended, they found themselves in Huang Zhengyang's modest courtyard within the Evil Extermination Department.

Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang were seated at a stone table.

The table was laden with a feast of delicacies, and five empty wine jars lay scattered beneath it.

The entire courtyard was perfumed with the potent aroma of aged wine.

Huang Zhengyang's eyes sparkled with exhilaration. His face flushed, and his voice grew boisterous, his unrestraint escalating with each passing moment.

Chu Zhiyuan maintained his composure.

Huang Zhengyang slammed his wine cup down with force, his hand trembling slightly. "Brother Chu, there is no hope for the secret technique. Abandon this thought entirely!"

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a smile, "And why do you say that?"

"Initially, Prince Zhuang and Prince Cheng were opposed. Now, Prince Su and Prince Ying have joined them in opposition."

"Indeed?" Chu Zhiyuan inquired. "Is this shift due to the recent events?"

"Mm," Huang Zhengyang confirmed. "They were greatly displeased by this incident, feeling that the Court is being unduly influenced by you, an arrangement they cannot accept... Consequently, they have decided to summon the Spirit Venerable."

"Spirit Venerable?" Chu Zhiyuan's spirit visibly lifted at the mention of the name.