Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1292 - 1288: Preparations

"There's no need to push the matter of the Evil Venerable any further; the crux of the problem remains the Undying Evil Venerable," stated Huang Zhengyang. "Once they are eradicated, peace will return to the world."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod in agreement.

Huang Zhengyang let out a deep sigh. "To be perfectly candid, Brother Chu, I never envisioned we would witness such a day."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled faintly. "Nor did I. I never imagined we would actually be capable of confronting the Undying Evil Venerable. It appears the Court truly harbors capable individuals."

He had delved into the Ascension Technique previously, yet its profound intricacies eluded him, and he discovered nothing of significance even after achieving mastery.

It wasn't until he personally engaged the Undying Evil Venerable in combat and shattered its projected form that the ingenious application of the Ascension Technique suddenly dawned upon him, enabling him to vanquish the Undying Evil Venerable's true essence.

Huang Zhengyang mused, "I presume that was the disclosure from that esteemed expert of the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

"I believe someone within the Court has mastered this technique," Chu Zhiyuan proposed.

Huang Zhengyang chuckled. "If someone had truly mastered this technique, how could the Undying Evil Venerable have run rampant for so long?"

Chu Zhiyuan countered, shaking his head, "Would the Court genuinely place faith in it based solely on the words of an expert from the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Huang Zhengyang let out a laugh. "It might have been a desperate grasp for a lifeline, a choice to try regardless of the outcome."

"Hmm, that makes sense." Chu Zhiyuan slowly inclined his head.

It wasn't an entirely implausible scenario, and furthermore, the Court wasn't necessarily pinning all its hopes on a single individual mastering the technique.

Throughout the years, numerous talented individuals had attempted it; the Court was certainly not lacking in geniuses, yet none had succeeded, leading to the conclusion that mastery was impossible.

"Brother Chu, regardless of the preceding events, the fact that you can now destroy the Undying Evil Venerable offers hope for ending the calamity it represents, and this is indeed a cause for great joy."

"Indeed."

"Therefore, Brother Chu, take utmost care of yourself," Huang Zhengyang advised with solemnity. "Be wary of their insidious schemes!"

Chu Zhiyuan gave a slow nod. "Understood."

"Those Undying Evil Venerables will undoubtedly resort to any means to eliminate you once they realize," Huang Zhengyang stated. "I suspect they may not act directly but will employ the Evil Venerable, utilizing Evil Demons to achieve your demise."

Chu Zhiyuan flashed a grin. "I wish for them to come, courting their own deaths."

"Brother Chu, do not underestimate those Evil Demons," Huang Zhengyang cautioned. "They are masters of cunning tactics, striking without warning. Even more terrifying is their vast legion of Death Soldiers, who know no fear of death."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Huang Zhengyang added, "Be vigilant; their targets may not solely be you, but also the Heavenly Sword Sect."

"I understand," Chu Zhiyuan replied with gravity. "Should they dare to show themselves, we shall promptly eradicate them!"

Huang Zhengyang declared, "I shall make arrangements for covert protection to be extended to the Heavenly Sword Branch."

"Excellent." Chu Zhiyuan did not object.

He recognized the wisdom in Huang Zhengyang's words; the subsequent phase would involve not only the Undying Evil Venerable's direct assault but also the involvement of the Evil Demons.

Following this, he could anticipate a relentless barrage of assassinations, ambushes, and sieges.

Huang Zhengyang spoke deliberately, "Brother Chu, there exists another alternative."

Chu Zhiyuan turned his gaze towards him.

Huang Zhengyang continued, "Brother Chu, you could reside within the Evil Extermination Department, where our experts could provide you with constant protection."

Chu Zhiyuan let out a laugh. "Brother Huang, with my Qinggong, it is not so easy for them to lay a hand on me; having guards would, in fact, prove more of a hindrance."

"... Indeed." Huang Zhengyang concurred with a nod.

The cultivation bases and Qinggong skills of the guards were indeed inferior; they would undoubtedly be a liability.

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "I welcome them to come seeking their doom. As long as the Heavenly Sword Branch remains secure, that is sufficient."

"Rest assured," Huang Zhengyang affirmed with a solemn nod.

If Chu Zhiyuan were to become preoccupied with safeguarding the Heavenly Sword Branch, thereby hindering his application of the Ascension Technique, it would constitute a significant detriment to the Court.

...

A brilliant moon ascended into the night sky, casting its gentle luminescence upon Heavenly Sword Peak.

Within the Sect Leader's Hall, candles blazed, creating an atmosphere akin to daylight.

Chu Zhiyuan and Lu Wanshan were seated inside the grand hall.

Zhou Chongming, Meng Xusheng, and Xu Qianfan were all in attendance, accompanying them.

Everyone bowed their heads, quietly sipping their tea.

A prolonged silence permeated the hall.

Lu Wanshan sighed, shaking his head as he placed his teacup down. "I never imagined you had truly mastered it, nor that you could actually contend with the Undying Evil Venerable."

Chu Zhiyuan placed his teacup down, a smile gracing his lips. "Sect Leader, I too initially believed it to be of little use when I first learned it. However, as it turns out, it is indeed quite valuable."

Zhou Chongming chuckled, "Zhiyuan, congratulations on mastering this secret technique. It is a great fortune for the people of the world and for our Heavenly Sword Sect."

"I told you, no secret technique can ever stump Zhiyuan!" Meng Xusheng exclaimed with hearty laughter. "Now, those who were eagerly awaiting a spectacle will surely be disappointed."

Xu Qianfan scoffed, "Let alone others, even the Fuyun Sect and the Guiyang Sword Sect were anticipating watching Zhiyuan falter."

"Guanghan Palace, due to its close ties with Zhiyuan, has been deeply concerned throughout this entire ordeal," Zhou Chongming remarked.

Xu Qianfan added, "So many in the world were poised to witness Zhiyuan's failure, yet so few genuinely cared for his well-being."

"The Fuyun Sect and Guiyang Sword Sect are not worried about Zhiyuan's success, but rather about their own standing," Xu Qianfan elaborated. "Once Zhiyuan has mastered this secret technique, and our Heavenly Sword Sect gains further prominence, the ranking among the Four Great Sects will undoubtedly shift. Haha..."

He shook his head repeatedly, his face a mask of wry amusement.

"Those two sects have consistently been reluctant to acknowledge our superiority," Meng Xusheng snorted. "Yet, no matter their unwillingness, they cannot alter the fact that their rank remains below ours."

Zhou Chongming, however, shook his head. "In truth, there is no need for such rivalry. We, the Four Great Sects, are essentially one entity; there should be no need for overt or covert competition."

"Brother Zhou, you are far too generous in your assessment of them," Meng Xusheng expressed his displeasure. "Even after Zhiyuan annihilated numerous Great Demons and Giant Demons, they remained unsatisfied, spewing nonsense that Zhiyuan was merely fortunate, and that we were lucky. Now, they will likely still grumble that our good fortune allowed us to strike such a significant bargain!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled faintly. "Master Meng, in all honesty, I was indeed fortunate."

Meng Xusheng retorted, "According to Zhiyuan's logic, we are all fortunate. Those who were truly unlucky would have met an untimely demise; how could they possibly have cultivated to such a level?"

"Precisely, precisely," Xu Qianfan chimed in with a snort. "To attribute everything solely to luck, while completely disregarding one's innate talent and comprehension, clearly demonstrates their inability to accept defeat."

Lu Wanshan interjected, "Let them be. We should focus on discussing Zhiyuan's plans."

He continued deliberately, "Zhiyuan, are you truly prepared to stand against all the Undying Evil Venerables?"

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan affirmed with a solemn expression. "Sect Leader, I harbor concerns that my actions may bring unforeseen trouble to our sect."

"Are you absolutely certain you are ready?" Lu Wanshan pressed. "Evil Demons are far more terrifying than regular Demons, significantly harder to contend with, and nearly impossible to anticipate or eliminate!"

Zhou Chongming added, "Zhiyuan, while we have successfully eradicated several Evil Sects, their nature is far more insidious and complex."

Meng Xusheng stated, "Their most infuriating trait is their utter disregard for their own lives. We must proactively hunt them down, rather than allowing them the opportunity to launch sneak attacks and hatch insidious plots. Given the sheer multitude of Evil Demons in existence, it is an impossible task to locate and eliminate them all."

Xu Qianfan sighed, "This implies that true peace may forever be beyond our reach."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly. "Indeed, the situation is fraught with peril, but having ventured this far, there is no turning back now."

Lu Wanshan cast his gaze towards the other three Elders.

They exchanged helpless sighs before slowly nodding in agreement.

Chu Zhiyuan then said, "Sect Leader, while the news has only recently begun to circulate, it would be prudent to recall our senior brothers and sisters."

"Hmm," Lu Wanshan confirmed with a nod. "I shall issue the necessary orders tonight."

"How long do you anticipate this will take?" Meng Xusheng inquired. "Zhiyuan, what is your estimate for the time required to eradicate these Undying Evil Venerables?"

"I cannot provide a definitive answer at this moment," Chu Zhiyuan replied, shaking his head.

Zhou Chongming reassured him, "Naturally, we stand firmly behind you, Zhiyuan. There is absolutely no need for you to rush this. Take your time."

Meng Xusheng added, "Rushing will serve no purpose. Zhiyuan, please prioritize your own safety."

"Their methods are exceptionally vicious; do not let your guard down or be caught unprepared," Xu Qianfan cautioned.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a slight smile. "I shall exercise utmost caution. The Evil Extermination Department will dispatch their finest experts to safeguard the Branch."

"Ensure the disciples stationed at the Branch are also recalled," Lu Wanshan instructed.

Chu Zhiyuan gave a firm nod.

All disciples are to retreat to Heavenly Sword Peak. Under the formidable protection of the Heavenly Sword, it is undoubtedly the safest haven.

"Give it your all," Lu Wanshan declared, his voice resonating with determination. "We must properly eradicate these Undying Evil Venerables and decisively vent this deep-seated resentment!"

"Yes."