Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1293 - 1289: Possibility

Departing from the Sect Leader’s Hall, Chu Zhiyuan returned to his humble courtyard and took a seat upon his couch, adopting a cross-legged posture.

The radiant Golden Sword rested across his knees.

Connecting his Heart and Spirit with the blade, he recommenced its refinement, feeling the potent surge of its power.

The might of the Golden Sword had more than doubled its previous strength.

This enhancement was a consequence of both merit and the significant influx of Faith Power.

The completed secret technique—news that it could completely vanquish the Undying Evil Venerable—had clearly disseminated.

The surge of Faith Power, much like a breached dam, was unstoppable and progressed with astonishing rapidity.

It soon outstripped the accumulation of merit.

Initially, merit increased steadily, while Faith Power saw only limited gains. Now, this trend had reversed; merit accumulation was constrained, and Faith Power surged at an incredible velocity.

Consequently, the Golden Sword's power escalated dramatically, multiplying more than twofold in a short span. Projections indicated even greater growth within the coming days.

He lifted his gaze toward the heavens.

At some juncture, the Golden Sword might rival the formidable Heavenly Sword.

Swiftly, he consolidated his Heart and Spirit, dedicating his focus to unraveling the profound mysteries of the Ascension Technique.

The Ascension Technique proved even more extraordinary than initially conceived, boasting remarkable efficacy against adversaries.

Specifically, it was supremely effective against those who descended into this realm, who were precisely the targets the Ascension Technique was designed to counter.

Engaging these Undying Evil Venerables in combat, he gained every conceivable advantage.

Firstly, the battles were fought on familiar territory, while the power of the descending Undying Evil Venerables was inherently restricted.

Upon their defeat, their power was not merely nullified but transmuted into his own, then weaponized to strike at the Undying Evil Venerable's original form.

By leveraging the Undying Evil Venerable’s own power to manifest in You Meng Heaven, their presence was no longer recognized as 'Abnormal Power' by the realm, thus circumventing any repulsion or elimination, and incurring no loss of power.

An Undying Evil Venerable was equivalent to a cultivator at the Venerable Perfect Realm.

The power wielded by a descending Undying Evil Venerable, augmented by his own Venerable Perfect Realm strength, constituted a devastating, multi-dimensional assault upon the Undying Evil Venerable.

Furthermore, his Heavenly Yuan Technique had just reached completion, endowing him with vast spiritual power. Coupled with the assistance of his three clones, how could he possibly be outmatched by an Undying Evil Venerable?

The spiritual power assaults were direct and unadorned, each strike a decisive, fatal blow.

When he eliminated an Undying Evil Venerable, it was as effortless as cutting through mere vegetables.

...

Zhu Lingyun assumed a cross-legged position upon a verdant stone situated at a mountain's summit.

Opposite him sat three men, each middle-aged and possessing a distinguished bearing.

The luminous moon hung high in the celestial sphere, casting its stark, silvery effulgence, enveloping the quartet.

Their expressions were grave, and the atmosphere permeated with a palpable tension.

A gentle night breeze stirred, causing their robes to flutter.

Silence persisted as they gazed upward at the moonlight, their eyes fixed upon the moon, as if searching for a deeper understanding of You Meng Heaven.

The tension in the air escalated with each passing moment.

After a considerable interval, the foremost man, whose handsome features were likened to jade, spoke in a deep resonance, "Brother Zhu, our strategy requires modification."

Zhu Lingyun turned his attention to him. "Brother Su, have we not already ascertained his location? With the final stage so near, why the need for alteration?"

The middle-aged man before him was identified as Su Qi.

They had descended earlier, employing the Body Seizing Technique to usurp the identities of Evil Demons from Biyuan Heaven through a clandestine method.

He surmised that Su Qi’s power had only partially manifested in this realm.

The other two were presumed to be in a similar state, encountering difficulties in manifesting more of their power.

"That individual has unexpectedly mastered a new secret technique," Su Qi declared with solemnity.

"What secret technique is it?"

"It is likely the Ascension Technique," Su Qi stated gravely, "the Ascension Technique of the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

A frown creased Zhu Lingyun’s brow. "The Heaven-Reaching Sect? I confess I have never encountered such a name."

Su Qi responded, "Few individuals in this world possess knowledge of the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Zhu Lingyun inquired, "How did you come by this information, Brother Su?"

Su Qi’s countenance grew somber as he replied with a cold tone, "A senior brother of mine met his end at the hands of a disciple from the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

"Revenge?" Zhu Lingyun probed.

"Revenge?" Su Qi slowly inclined his head, negating the idea. "The thought of revenge has never crossed my mind."

Zhu Lingyun remarked, "Brother Su, your cultivation has already reached Perfection; surely you can exact vengeance?"

Su Qi stated, "The whereabouts of the Heaven-Reaching Sect’s disciples remain elusive, and it is best to avoid any encounters with them."

"Why is that?" Zhu Lingyun questioned.

Su Qi cast his gaze toward the other two individuals present.

They both regarded him with evident curiosity.

Su Qi let out a sigh. "The secret technique employed by the Heaven-Reaching Sect’s disciples is the Ascension Technique. While it shares similarities with our Descent Technique, it is vastly superior, possessing the capability to counteract our own methods."

Zhu Lingyun inquired, "What distinguishes the Ascension Technique from the Descent Technique?"

"It is believed that our Descent Technique originated from the Ascension Technique, yet their power levels are vastly dissimilar," replied Su Qi.

"What profound secrets are held within the Ascension Technique?" Zhu Lingyun pressed.

"The most crucial element of the Ascension Technique is its capability to descend the entirety of one's power," Su Qi explained, shaking his head.

A frown creased Zhu Lingyun's brow. "Then why have I never encountered mention of the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

"They maintain strict anonymity, rarely revealing their true identities," Su Qi stated icily. "They are utterly ruthless and represent our sworn adversaries!"

Zhu Lingyun appeared perplexed. "Do our Descent Technique and their Ascension Technique not share a common origin? Is there no ancestral link?"

"That connection is one of animosity," Su Qi grunted. "Should they discover us employing the Descent Technique, they will undoubtedly utilize the Ascension Technique to annihilate us."

Zhu Lingyun then asked, "Are there no disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect present here?"

"I can confidently say there were none initially," Su Qi responded. "However, with Chu Zhiyuan having successfully mastered the Ascension Technique, he is now effectively equivalent to a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect!"

"What action, then, should we take?" Zhu Lingyun inquired.

"We must retreat!" Su Qi declared with resentment. "There is no need to engage him directly. We shall abandon this Biyuan Heaven!"

Zhu Lingyun was taken aback.

The other two individuals present frowned.

A slender middle-aged man voiced, "Brother Su, is such extreme caution truly necessary when facing him?"

"Brother Su, have you lost your nerve?" the round-faced middle-aged man jested. "Let us observe for a time, meticulously assess his capabilities, and then determine our course of action. It is hardly too late."

"Precisely," Zhu Lingyun chimed in. "To flee without a fight is truly disheartening."

"If we confront him directly, our chances of survival will be nonexistent!" Su Qi retorted gruffly. "You all demonstrate a woeful ignorance of the world's true immensity, foolishly believing you can conquer it at will?"

The thin middle-aged man questioned, "Brother Su, is the Ascension Technique of the Heaven-Reaching Sect genuinely that formidable?"

"It is far more terrifying than you can possibly imagine; encountering it offers virtually no hope of victory," Su Qi stated.

He shook his head. "My senior brother, a true prodigy and significantly more potent than I am now, met his end when he encountered a disciple from the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

"While that disciple from the Heaven-Reaching Sect was indeed powerful, Chu Zhiyuan may not possess the same level of might," the round-faced middle-aged man countered. "After all, he has only just completed the Ascension Technique; it is uncertain if he has truly mastered it yet."

"You all..." Su Qi gazed at them with a sense of helplessness. "By the time you realize the truth, it will be far too late for any regrets!"

"We shall heed your counsel, Brother Su, and maintain a considerable distance," the thin middle-aged man conceded. "We shall avoid the Imperial City, remain concealed, and focus on gathering intelligence. Surely, this compromise is acceptable?"

"...It should suffice," Su Qi mused for a moment before nodding.

If, even after taking such precautions, they were still captured by Chu Zhiyuan, it would indeed be a matter of profound misfortune.

Zhu Lingyun, appearing unconcerned, prompted, "Brother Su, please elaborate on the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

"My knowledge is limited," Su Qi admitted. "The information I possess was gathered by my senior brother. When encountering a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, the wisest course of action is to flee, to escape as far as one possibly can."

"Precisely where is this Heaven-Reaching Sect located?"

Su Qi shook his head. "My senior brother was unable to ascertain its whereabouts; it proves exceptionally difficult to track. Furthermore, what purpose would knowing serve? To seek retribution? That would be tantamount to courting death!"

"How numerous are the disciples of this Heaven-Reaching Sect?" Zhu Lingyun inquired. "Surely, it cannot be a solitary individual?"

"It is highly improbable that it is merely one person, yet it is also unlikely that they have a vast number of disciples," Su Qi responded.

Zhu Lingyun mused, "Mastering the Ascension Technique is not a simple feat, is it? Otherwise, someone from Biyuan Heaven would have accomplished it already, and it would not have fallen to Chu Zhiyuan."

"It is exceedingly difficult, otherwise, our own Descent Technique would not exist," Su Qi stated.

The round-faced middle-aged man inquired, "Then, the Heaven-Reaching Sect must possess a very limited number of disciples, perhaps only a mere handful."

"Certainly not a large number," Su Qi affirmed. "However, determining the exact count is beyond our scope, and ultimately inconsequential; even a single one is overwhelmingly powerful."

Zhu Lingyun asked, "Upon Chu Zhiyuan mastering the Ascension Technique, will the Heaven-Reaching Sect become aware of this development?"

Su Qi nodded. "The Heaven-Reaching Sect commands formidable abilities, and their appearances are often unpredictable."

Zhu Lingyun pondered, "Could Chu Zhiyuan's private mastery of the Ascension Technique lead to his demise at the hands of the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

A flicker of unexpected insight suddenly illuminated Su Qi's eyes.

"That's right!" exclaimed the middle-aged man with the round face, smacking his knee. "It’s a stratagem of using another's blade!"

Su Qi's eyes gleamed, his expression unreadable.

Zhu Lingyun smiled. "So, we don't need to rush to depart. Let's first observe Chu Zhiyuan's outcome and see if he can hold his ground against the Heaven-Reaching Sect!"

"You're right, right," the round-faced middle-aged man chuckled. "Let's watch them tear each other apart. Ideally, they'll all perish!"

The thin middle-aged man asked slowly, "Brother Su, is such an outcome plausible?"

"...It is," Su Qi nodded gradually. "Highly plausible!"

"Heh, the more chaos, the more entertainment!" the round-faced middle-aged man roared with laughter. "Let's just hope the Heaven-Reaching Sect arrives soon!"