Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1291 - 1287: Power

"What a coincidence, isn’t it? Almost the same spot as last time," Chu Zhiyuan remarked.

"Two mountains apart," Huang Zhengyang replied, his face grim. "I suspect these particular locations attract the Undying Evil Venerable."

"That’s actually a good thing," Chu Zhiyuan countered.

"Easier to find them?" Huang Zhengyang inquired.

"Hasn’t the Evil Extermination Department attempted to predict their landing zones?"

Huang Zhengyang knitted his brows. "We’ve proposed several potential sites, but our manpower is scarce; we can’t possibly monitor all of them."

"Focus your efforts on guarding the locations with the highest probability of appearance, limit your scope."

"Indeed, we are already making predictions, but it proves far from simple."

"The Court must possess such Treasures, surely?"

"Even if they possess such Treasures, they’re unlikely to permit our use of them; they are typically reserved for predicting celestial calamities."

"That’s logical."

As their conversation flowed, the Golden Sword materialized once more before the gleaming statue.

It plunged directly into the statue’s forehead, unleashing a torrent of golden light, akin to a miniature sun descending before their very eyes.

"Ah…"

"My eyes…"

"Ah!"

…Cries of agony erupted, a symphony of suffering blending into one another.

All present instinctively shielded their eyes, unable to suppress their screams as the piercing golden radiance assaulted them.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss…"

The Golden Sword brushed past the statue, its path no longer a straight line but now forming fluid ripples, reminiscent of a gentle stream, flowing with the tranquil, natural rhythm of the world.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod of approval.

Recently, the Golden Sword had not only acquired a greater spiritual essence but also an enhanced intelligence, its comprehension of the natural world deepening significantly.

Now, vanquishing the Undying Evil Venerable Statue appeared effortless, a stark contrast to its previous struggles.

"Ah—!"

"Ah—! Ah—!"

…The intensity of the screams escalated.

Thousands of voices cried out in unison, painting a scene of profound tragedy.

Their cries suggested they were the ones enduring the fatal blow.

Meanwhile, the sixteen middle-aged men, previously prone on the ground, now rose with blazing eyes.

They watched, filled with indignant fury, as the statue’s golden radiance rapidly faded. Then, with a resounding “bang,” it disintegrated into a cloud of dust, dispersed by the mountain breeze.

The statue had been reduced to mere ashes.

A prolonged howl immediately pierced the air.

Unable to contain their elation, they howled towards the heavens.

Their howls echoed like the rumble of spring thunder, shaking the very foundations of the surroundings.

From a distance, Huang Zhengyang chuckled. "This is their catharsis."

Chu Zhiyuan inclined his head in agreement.

The Golden Sword, moving with effortless grace, returned and sheathed itself.

Huang Zhengyang laughed. "Your sword has grown quite boastful lately."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded.

In times past, the Golden Sword would have lingered in the air, perhaps showing off a little.

Now, its demeanor was composed, as if the feat were utterly trivial.

This shift was not merely in its personality but stemmed from its genuine perception of the task’s simplicity.

Huang Zhengyang surveyed the thousands still shrieking in the distance and shook his head. "Will they recover?"

"Given the extent of their injuries, they will likely experience discomfort for some time," Chu Zhiyuan stated.

His expression subtly shifted.

"What is it?" Huang Zhengyang inquired swiftly.

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. With swift hand movements, he formed a hand seal and pointed towards the space above the statue, a gesture akin to an immortal guiding the way.

Huang Zhengyang felt a surge of Abnormal Qi instantly emanate, rushing towards that very spot in the sky.

He observed Chu Zhiyuan, noting his solemn and concentrated expression, his gaze locked intently on that section of the heavens.

Consequently, he too focused his attention, peering in the same direction.

At first glance, nothing was apparent—only the empty expanse of the Void.

However, he trusted that Chu Zhiyuan would not point without reason; there had to be something extraordinary at play.

Thus, he channeled his True Yuan and activated his secret technique—the Illusion-breaking Eye.

Vaguely, he perceived a shimmering, autumn-water-like phenomenon materialize within the Void.

This ethereal pool formed a clear, bright circle approximately ten meters in diameter.

He suddenly felt a change in Chu Zhiyuan’s aura.

It was as if a towering mountain peak had suddenly materialized before him.

Then, Chu Zhiyuan altered his hand seal, once more directing his attention towards that portion of the Void.

The autumn-water-like surface rippled gently.

As if disturbed by unseen fish, the clear waves intensified.

He focused again, channeling his True Yuan, his gaze fixed upon the shimmering surface.

He witnessed the fluid phenomenon surge, then gradually diminish, shrinking progressively until it condensed into a perfect sphere.

This orb, roughly the size of a fist, was crystal clear and emitted a soft, warm luminescence.

It then ascended rapidly into the sky, piercing through the void, and vanished completely.

He watched until it disappeared from view before returning his gaze to Chu Zhiyuan.

Noticing Chu Zhiyuan's aura shift, becoming as ethereal as a wisp of cloud, Huang Zhengyang's brows knitted together as he sensed a disturbance.

Before his eyes, Chu Zhiyuan was rapidly fading, turning into nothingness as if the surrounding Qi was dissipating, leaving only a hollow form.

His expression flickered, managing his unease and solemnly gazing into the distance.

He saw sixteen middle-aged men approaching, preparing to offer their respects.

With a swift gesture, he signaled them to halt their advance.

The sixteen middle-aged men stopped abruptly, landing on a mountain peak and observing from a distance.

Huang Zhengyang sent a Sound Transmission into Secret, instructing, "Do not come over and disturb us yet. First, calm the people and escort them back to the city."

"Yes."

The sixteen middle-aged men cupped their fists in acknowledgment.

Huang Zhengyang surveyed his surroundings cautiously, his gaze periodically falling upon Chu Zhiyuan.

He observed that Chu Zhiyuan appeared even more spectral, almost as if he had completely vanished.

Closing his eyes, Huang Zhengyang felt an absence; his acute senses could not detect any discernible trace.

...

Slowly, Chu Zhiyuan's eyes opened.

His aura rapidly coalesced.

To Huang Zhengyang, it felt akin to a massive mountain descending from the heavens, right before him.

"What happened?" he inquired with urgency.

"Ascension Technique," Chu Zhiyuan replied, shaking his head. "So, this is how the Ascension Technique is employed."

"Brother Chu, you utilized the Ascension Technique?"

"Indeed, I just employed it once."

"And what was the outcome?"

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "I have already annihilated the main body of that adversary."

Huang Zhengyang's spirit soared, and he quickly asked, "Wasn't it intended solely for attaching to their bodies to gather intelligence?"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile. "That is one application, and then there is this method."

"So, one is for information gathering, while this one is for assaulting the enemy?"

"Precisely."

"Haha, marvelous! This Ascension Technique possesses such a wondrous function. We have hope of exterminating the Undying Evil Venerable!"

Huang Zhengyang clapped his hands, his laughter echoing heartily.

"The Undying Evil Venerable in You Meng Heaven is comparable to a Perfect Venerable in Biyuan Heaven; their numbers are restricted."

Once a few Undying Evil Venerables fall, the remaining ones will undoubtedly recognize the peril.

Their prior recklessness and audacity stemmed from the fact that even if their avatars were destroyed here, their main bodies remained unharmed.

Now, their descent could pose a direct threat to their physical forms.

Would they still dare to descend with such abandon?

Even as Undying Evil Venerables, would they risk such a consequence?

Huang Zhengyang was convinced they would not.

He calculated that eliminating about a dozen Undying Evil Venerables would deter any further incursions.

This thought fueled his excitement, and he threw his head back, emitting a long, triumphant howl.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and suggested, "Brother Huang, let us proceed."

"Let's go!" Huang Zhengyang eagerly replied. "The next destination is Five Flower Peak."

Perhaps after a few more Undying Evil Venerables meet their demise, they will finally submit. This outcome might even extend its influence to the regular Evil Venerables. Couldn't we also have a hand in eradicating the Evil Venerables entirely?

A surge of excitement filled him at this thought: "Brother Chu, this time we are aiming for the grandest of goals! Let's set our sights on eliminating all of the Undying Evil Venerables and the regular Evil Venerables."

Chu Zhiyuan, with a slight smile, simply shook his head. "The Undying Evil Venerables are manageable, but the regular Evil Venerables... that is a far more challenging endeavor."

While he had successfully achieved such a feat within Little Outer Heaven's Da Jing and Da Meng, accomplishing the same in Biyuan Heaven presented a nearly insurmountable obstacle.

Biyuan Heaven's sheer immensity, its boundless territories, and the deeply entrenched secrecy of the Evil Sect made such a mission exceedingly difficult.

It was simply beyond his capability to traverse the entirety of its expanse and meticulously search every hidden corner.