Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1284 - 1280: Clash

"So swift!" Huang Zhengyang’s countenance shifted slightly.

This Qinggong technique, I certainly cannot match.

To genuinely contend with him would prove quite challenging.

Chu Zhiyuan spoke deliberately, "He likely isn’t at his peak condition yet."

"This terrifying entity, and yet not at his full power?"

"Fortunately, Mr. Lu and the others possess Protective Treasures, extremely potent ones."

"It is precisely due to these Protective Treasures that they dare to draw near this Undying Evil Venerable," Huang Zhengyang stated. "These Tributes are unwilling to forfeit their lives."

The Tributes of the Imperial Court, whether from the Evil Extermination Department or the Demon Hunting Bureau, are of immense value.

The Cultivation level of these Tributes is high, their combat experience is extensive, and they are all equipped with Life-Protecting Treasures.

In critical junctures, they can undoubtedly secure their survival.

Much like this instance, the treasure belonging to Lu Zhenhui and his companions not only shields the body but also facilitates escape.

"That final maneuver was the most potent; it must have been the Heavenly Escape Pearl bestowed by the Court?"

"Indeed," Huang Zhengyang affirmed with a nod. "It is fortunate they possess it, otherwise, ensuring their survival would have been exceedingly difficult."

The Protective Treasure Beads could not endure indefinitely; had they lacked the Heavenly Escape Pearl this time, they might not have made it out alive.

Chu Zhiyuan announced, "Here he comes!"

At that precise moment, the middle-aged man clad in a black robe abruptly turned his head, directing his gaze outward.

Huang Zhengyang’s face contorted subtly as he took a step back, his azure robes billowing dramatically as if inflating like a ball.

Even from several miles distant, the man in black’s piercing gaze disregarded the intervening space, directly confronting Huang Zhengyang’s eyes, inducing the sensation of thunderclaps in his ears and a curtain of darkness before his very sight.

He exerted his willpower to circulate his Cultivation, simultaneously perceiving a revitalizing aura emanating from his palm, which aided him in maintaining focus and prevented him from being utterly engulfed by the encroaching darkness.

Chu Zhiyuan placed his left palm upon Huang Zhengyang’s shoulder.

Instantly, a chilling essence surged into Huang Zhengyang’s mind, jolting him awake.

The visual obstruction before his eyes vanished without delay.

His complexion was pallid, and a metallic taste filled his mouth.

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Are you unharmed, Brother Huang?"

"Such formidable might!" Huang Zhengyang expelled a breath of stale air, his agitated blood still unsettled, experiencing profound discomfort.

He placed his trust in Chu Zhiyuan’s assessment, well aware of the Undying Evil Venerable’s formidable capabilities.

Earlier, with a mere glance, he had effortlessly obliterated the protective treasure beads of Lu Zhenhui and eight others, a testament to his overwhelming power.

However, having personally endured that single glance, Huang Zhengyang realized that he had still underestimated the Undying Evil Venerable.

From such a vast distance, a mere look had inflicted severe harm upon him.

His strength far surpassed initial estimations.

Chu Zhiyuan’s caution was evidently not unfounded; no wonder he had been so circumspect.

"Should we effect a retreat into the city?"

"There is no necessity," Huang Zhengyang declared through gritted teeth. "I intend to ascertain the full extent of his capabilities!"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a slight smile: "He appears somewhat less potent than I had anticipated."

Huang Zhengyang swiveled his head to regard him.

Chu Zhiyuan elaborated, "It seems the prior suppression measures remain effective."

Huang Zhengyang furrowed his brow, contemplating. "If the populace had not been isolated earlier, would his power be even greater?"

"That is a certainty," Chu Zhiyuan affirmed. "The greater the number of individuals, the more formidable he becomes, and he is advancing upon us now!"

The middle-aged man garbed in black robes transformed into a streak of light, materializing outside the city and poised to surge towards them on the city ramparts.

"Buzz..."

A low, resonant hum abruptly echoed through the air.

Suspended above Dongning City, the circular luminescence overhead suddenly flared with intense brilliance, coalescing into a protective circular light shield that enveloped the entirety of the city.

Dongning City appeared to acquire a celestial dome, a soft, radiant canopy.

"What is this…"

"Is this intended to entrap us?"

"Is it meant to annihilate us? We must escape posthaste!"

"Everyone…"

A profound voice slowly resonated, its echoes reaching the ears of every inhabitant within Dongning City.

"An Undying Evil Venerable has materialized beyond the city’s confines and is poised to invade Dongning City imminently. We are under orders from the Court to erect a protective array for Dongning City."

The sonorous voice gradually permeated the citizens’ auditory senses, delivered with unhurried calm and tranquility.

The initially panicked populace gradually settled as the words registered.

Then, a voice from the crowd called out, "Who can vouch for the veracity of these pronouncements!"

"Let us make haste to depart Dongning City!"

"Aye, let us flee the city!"

"Out of the city, now!"

Ten streams of light emanated swiftly from Chu Zhiyuan’s sleeve, targeting the thronging masses in the streets with precision.

"Ah!"

"Hmph."

"Who dares?!"

…

Shouts of distress and startled cries erupted, plunging the populace into disarray.

Bursts of golden luminescence bloomed.

The golden radiance vanished as if it had never been, and the individuals caught within its glow disappeared concurrently.

The scene was truly peculiar, causing immediate panic and flight.

The Flying Knives vanished back into Chu Zhiyuan’s sleeve, as if they had never left his control.

He tilted his head, murmuring, "It appears that malevolent demons have infiltrated our midst."

Huang Zhengyang's expression grew serious, asking, "Could they truly be demonic entities?!"

Chu Zhiyuan stated with conviction, "They exploited the chaos to sow discord; their actions are utterly contemptible."

His gaze swept across the city, a sense of disappointment evident as he observed, "A significant number of these vile demons have made their way inside."

Dongning City, it was clear, possessed insufficient defenses against such demonic incursions, a stark contrast to the robust security of the Imperial City.

The presence of numerous fiends within the city was undeniable.

Having previously remained hidden, these creatures seized the opportune moment to reveal themselves.

Their clear intention was to exploit the prevailing confusion, preying on Essence Blood undetected.

"Curse these wretched demons!" Huang Zhengyang clenched his jaw, his displeasure palpable.

This situation represented a significant oversight by the Evil Extermination Department.

In a strategic location like Dongning City, the department ought to have eradicated all demonic presence, thereby preventing any unholy alliance between the demons and the Undying Evil Venerable.

With so many evil beings now swarming the city, their mission had clearly fallen short.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

Outside the city walls, a middle-aged man clad in black robes directed his piercing gaze towards Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang.

His eyes blazed with golden energy, striking the protective white barrier and producing dull thuds.

Huang Zhengyang knitted his brows, his voice laced with concern, "Do you think he can breach it?"

Chu Zhiyuan responded calmly, "It should hold for some time."

His Super Sense diligently assessed the situation, clearly discerning the disparity in power between the man's golden attacks and the protective array.

Though the shimmering barrier appeared fragile, on the verge of shattering, it demonstrated remarkable tenacity.

The thirty-two Tributes holding jade had coalesced into a formidable array, its power proving immense.

The dual golden beams attempting to shatter the array faced an almost insurmountable obstacle.

Swiftly, a Golden Sword launched forth, effortlessly slicing through the light screen and hurtling towards the black-robed individual.

The golden light emanating from the middle-aged man’s eyes shifted instantaneously, locking onto the approaching Golden Sword.

"Ding..."

The Golden Sword halted abruptly in mid-air, repelled by the two beams of golden light, emitting a resonant chime.

Chu Zhiyuan felt a momentary shudder run through his Golden Sword, as if momentarily disoriented.

The inherent Spirituality of the Golden Sword had clearly been affected; the golden lights possessed a disorienting, almost hallucinatory, quality.

Chu Zhiyuan focused his intent.

Instantly, the Golden Sword’s Spirituality straightened, its consciousness returning, and it resumed its direct assault on the black-robed man.

"Swoosh!" Seemingly disregarding the incoming golden glare, the Golden Sword surged forward with renewed velocity, a soft whistle preceding its piercing thrust into the man's chest.

A hopeful smile touched Huang Zhengyang's lips.

Yet, in the very next moment, his expression froze in stunned disbelief.

The middle-aged man in black robes had already reappeared three meters away, his form blurring as he evaded the Golden Sword’s relentless pursuit.

With a sudden motion, he formed a hand seal, pressing it against his brow before pointing directly at the Golden Sword.

"Ding..."

A series of clear, ringing notes echoed once more.

The Golden Sword faltered in the air again, then began a slow descent.

Chu Zhiyuan's brow furrowed in concern.

The middle-aged man then oriented his potent hand seal directly towards them.

"Boom!"

A beam of white light erupted from his brow.

This blinding white light pierced the protective barrier, streaking towards Chu Zhiyuan.

At some unseen moment, a Divine Tree had materialized above Chu Zhiyuan.

This ethereal, towering tree bathed the surroundings in countless specks of light, akin to gently falling snowflakes.

As the white light bore down on Chu Zhiyuan, the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree acted autonomously; a branch gracefully descended, aligning perfectly to intercept Chu Zhiyuan.

The white light collided with the branch, dissipating into nothingness as their energies neutralized each other.

The luminous tree flickered, its brilliance momentarily subdued.

Just as the Golden Sword was about to plunge downwards, it inexplicably halted, then swiftly redirected its aim at the black-robed assailant.

The middle-aged man executed a nimble dodge, his gaze fixed intently upon their position before he rapidly accelerated away, disappearing into the distance.

Transforming into a brilliant streak of light, he vanished from their sight in the blink of an eye.

Chu Zhiyuan exhaled a prolonged sigh of relief.

Huang Zhengyang's face remained taut with worry, his assessment stark: "This is troublesome!"