Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1295 - 1291: Refusal

The Golden Sword drifted into the void, and without Super Sense, he couldn't even see it clearly. The Golden Sword could now rightfully be called the Shadowless Sword. Its form had dimmed to almost nothingness, yet the power emanating from it was several times stronger, causing him a subtle sense of alarm. Even after continuously refining it, becoming one with the Golden Sword as if it were his own limb, he still felt a prickle of unease. A certain power was too dominant, inducing a sensation of being unable to fully grasp it. Should it continue to grow stronger, activating the Golden Sword would demand utmost caution, as it could easily slip beyond his control, proving difficult to retract once unleashed.

The two had just stepped through the Imperial City's South Gate when Chu Zhiyuan immediately frowned. Huang Zhengyang, however, was high-spirited and brimming with energy. Observing the bustling crowds around them, he felt an urge to laugh out loud. He turned his head, noticing Chu Zhiyuan’s odd expression, and quickly inquired, "Brother Chu, what’s wrong?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "The Heaven-Reaching Sect has arrived."

"Ah—!?" Huang Zhengyang was startled, glancing around. "Where?"

"Waiting in my courtyard," Chu Zhiyuan answered. His Super Sense had already distinctly perceived a middle-aged man standing in his courtyard. He was tall and slender, with an exceptionally handsome appearance, his face like polished jade and his eyes like cold stars. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing skyward like a motionless statue. Chu Zhiyuan had sensed the aura surrounding him; it was indeed the Ascension Technique. He surmised the man had likely sensed his aura too, acknowledging his return.

"Arrived so quickly," Huang Zhengyang remarked. "Can you sense if his intentions are good or ill?"

Chu Zhiyuan pondered. He still couldn't discern the intentions of the other party, good or bad. It was as if they were shrouded in a thin mist, visible yet indistinct. His current Super Sense, which grew stronger with his cultivation, had few treasures capable of concealing themselves from it. Clearly, this person possessed such an item.

"Let’s go see the Director together," Huang Zhengyang quickly suggested.

Chu Zhiyuan considered this, then gently shook his head. "I’ll face him first. You go find the Director." He had already sensed the middle-aged man looking his way. Even separated by miles, through the Ascension Technique, he could feel the man's gaze. Huang Zhengyang urged, "You should hide in the Evil Extermination Department first and let the Court negotiate with him."

Chu Zhiyuan responded, "Judging by now, it should be fine. I’ll handle it myself." Through the Ascension Technique, he hadn't sensed any malice from the other party. His Super Sense had activated, and his instincts hadn't issued any warnings. This indicated no immediate danger. Therefore, it wasn't necessary to involve the Court, which might complicate matters unnecessarily.

"Brother Chu, don’t be careless!"

"Brother Huang, rest assured. If there’s truly danger, I won’t go over."

"Then let me fetch the Director to accompany you."

"Judging by the current situation, it seems there shouldn’t be an issue," Chu Zhiyuan laughed. "If there’s indeed trouble, I’ll send a signal, or even escape. There’s no need to involve the Director."

"...That works too," Huang Zhengyang nodded. Chu Zhiyuan's cultivation had already reached Venerable Ninth Rank Perfection, which was no less than the Director's. The Director had not yet taken that further step into Entering Spirit. Thus, if Chu Zhiyuan couldn't handle the situation, the Director likely couldn't either.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands in farewell to Huang Zhengyang and floated back towards his courtyard, arriving before the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man took two steps forward, smiling broadly. "Chu Zhiyuan?"

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands. "May I ask who you are, senior...?"

"I am your senior brother, Zhang Ji Yuan," the middle-aged man said with a smile. "A disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "So, an expert from the Heaven-Reaching Sect, and yet my senior brother?"

Zhang Ji Yuan chuckled. "Anyone who masters the Ascension Technique is considered under the Heaven-Reaching Sect. We've finally gained a new member."

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated. "Rest assured, the Heaven-Reaching Sect is different from other sects; it's more liberal and relaxed. It won't force disciples to quit other sects," Zhang Ji Yuan assured him. "You're still a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect."

"Indeed, it sounds lenient, but..." Chu Zhiyuan began, "I'm just afraid the Heavenly Sword Sect might not be willing."

"Haha..." Zhang Ji Yuan laughed heartily.

Chu Zhiyuan appeared puzzled. Zhang Ji Yuan continued with a laugh, "The Heavenly Sword of the Heavenly Sword Sect is truly exceptional, but compared to the Heaven-Reaching Sect, it's still quite far behind."

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "Our Heavenly Sword Sect also has Spirit Venerables who can traverse worlds."

"How numerous are the Spirit Venerables in existence?" Zhang Ji Yuan gestured with his head. "Furthermore, Spirit Venerables perceive the concepts of time and space in a manner far removed from ordinary individuals; what might seem like a fleeting moment to them could stretch into centuries for the rest of us."

Chu Zhiyuan’s brow furrowed.

He was deeply engrossed in contemplation, striving to comprehend this situation, seeking to understand the true nature of a Spirit Venerable and the method by which such a perception of time and space could be attained.

"Spirit Venerables transcend the mortal realm; they regard mortals as mere ants. Therefore, the presence of Spirit Venerables does not necessarily signify a sect's absolute strength. Our Heaven-Reaching Sect boasts a greater number of Spirit Venerables than your Heavenly Sword Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "What specific duties are incumbent upon the disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

"None whatsoever."

"None?"

"Surely you do not presume that disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect are tasked with eradicating those Undying Evil Venerables, do you?"

Chu Zhiyuan paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing his features.

Zhang Ji Yuan elucidated, "Our Heaven-Reaching Sect is dedicated to the pursuit of carefree freedom and unrestrained liberation."

"As a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, do you encounter any natural adversaries?"

"None."

"Then what advantages do the disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect receive?"

"Advantages? Such as the Miracle Techniques and esoteric knowledge like the Ascension Technique, alongside the Void-breaking Skill, granting truly unimpeded passage and the freedom to traverse any world at will."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head slowly. "I hold no desire to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Zhang Ji Yuan regarded him, a look of bewilderment gracing his features.

Chu Zhiyuan stated clearly, "I am a devoted disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect and am unwilling to transfer my allegiance."

"It makes no difference; you are at liberty to be a disciple of both the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Heaven-Reaching Sect simultaneously." Zhang Ji Yuan explained, "The two sects operate independently and have no interaction whatsoever."

Chu Zhiyuan simply shook his head.

Zhang Ji Yuan’s gaze remained fixed on him, tinged with confusion.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a slight smile. "If I were to decline joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect, would you then reclaim the Ascension Technique?"

Zhang Ji Yuan remarked, "Following myself, you are the sole individual in this world to have mastered the Ascension Technique. However, to my knowledge, you stand as the first in recorded history to ever refuse an invitation to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan let out a chuckle. "The Heaven-Reaching Sect is truly that enticing?"

"The martial arts cultivated within the Heaven-Reaching Sect are exceedingly rare across the globe, and our disciples encounter remarkably few restrictions, leaving no logical reason to refuse joining."

"Does a scarcity of restrictions imply one may act without any scruples?"

"Naturally, acts of crime are unequivocally unacceptable," Zhang Ji Yuan asserted. "Yet, disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect are not subject to heavy constraints, nor do they typically engage in such behavior, as it would directly conflict with our core mental cultivation methods, inducing an extreme sense of aversion."

"So that is the reason..." Chu Zhiyuan finally understood.

It became evident that the underlying cultivation principle of the Heaven-Reaching Sect functioned similarly to the Great Brightness Scripture; actions that ran counter to the principles of brightness would inevitably hinder one's cultivation, indicating an inherent, built-in repulsion.

Zhang Ji Yuan implored, "Junior Brother Chu, please reconsider. Are you truly resolved not to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan remained steadfast, shaking his head.

Zhang Ji Yuan’s expression was one of genuine puzzlement. "Pray tell, why do you refuse to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan reiterated his stance. "I am a disciple sworn to the Heavenly Sword Sect; I shall not pledge myself to another."

"Your perspective is rather rigid. I am not soliciting you to abandon your current affiliation; you are permitted to join both sects concurrently."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head once more. "If I do not join the Heaven-Reaching Sect, will the Ascension Technique then require retrieval?"

Since one is fundamentally unable to commit transgressions, there arises no necessity for excessive apprehension or caution.

"...Retrieval is deemed unnecessary." Zhang Ji Yuan emitted a short, sharp breath.

Chu Zhiyuan’s smile widened. "Although I cannot formally join the Heaven-Reaching Sect, I trust I am permitted to form friendships with its members, am I not?"

Zhang Ji Yuan intently examined him.

Chu Zhiyuan met his gaze, maintaining a serene smile.

Zhang Ji Yuan posed the question, "Do you perhaps harbor no inclination to learn the Ascension Technique and the Breaking Sky Skill?"

Chu Zhiyuan indicated his refusal with a shake of his head.

Zhang Ji Yuan responded with a shake of his own head. "There exists no individual in this world capable of refusing these two formidable techniques."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, his head moving in negation. "If I am fortunate enough to ascend to the level of a Spirit Venerable, these techniques would likely hold little practical significance, would they not?"

Zhang Ji Yuan stated, "The acquisition of these very techniques serves as a vital aid in one’s journey toward becoming a Spirit Venerable."