Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1296 - 1292: Caution

"It appears you doubt my words," Zhang Ji Yuan scoffed, retorting, "Our Heaven-Reaching Sect boasts far more Spirit Venerables than your Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"And how many, precisely?" Chu Zhiyuan pressed.

Zhang Ji Yuan declared, "At least twelve, surely surpassing your Heavenly Sword Sect, wouldn't you agree?"

"Twelve?" Chu Zhiyuan exclaimed, a hint of astonishment in his tone. "Are there truly that many?"

"What do you think? Humph, the martial arts of our Heaven-Reaching Sect are profound, reaching the Extreme Realm, which makes touching the Spirit Venerable realm significantly easier!"

"I am truly impressed," Chu Zhiyuan responded, executing a fist-to-palm salute.

He genuinely had not anticipated the Heaven-Reaching Sect possessing twelve Spirit Venerables; it was an astounding figure.

To his understanding, the Heavenly Sword Sect had at most two Spirit Venerables, and it was even questionable whether the entire Court could muster twelve Spirit Venerables.

To have twelve Spirit Venerables within a single Sect was, without a doubt, astonishing.

This remarkable achievement could likely be attributed to two primary factors.

Firstly, the disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect possessed extraordinary innate talent, coupled with exceptional good fortune.

Secondly, the martial arts cultivation methods of the Heaven-Reaching Sect were profoundly deep, nearing the very path to Spirit Venerable.

"So, have you reconsidered?" Zhang Ji Yuan inquired.

Chu Zhiyuan simply shook his head with a gentle smile.

He had never subscribed to the notion of such effortless gains in life, where benefits were abundant without any commensurate effort.

He staunchly disbelieved in acquiring something for nothing and maintained a highly cautious disposition.

"You... are excessively stubborn," Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, shaking his head. "Perhaps you should consult your Sect Leader in the Heavenly Sword Sect to gauge his agreement."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a faint smile.

Zhang Ji Yuan continued, "If he gives his consent, then you need not hesitate any further."

"Mr. Zhang," Chu Zhiyuan asked, his curiosity piqued, "what is it that you typically occupy yourself with?"

"Me? I merely wander about for amusement," Zhang Ji Yuan replied. "Traveling the world, seeking breakthroughs – it's impossible to reach the Spirit Realm solely through arduous closed-door cultivation."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in understanding.

Indeed, that sentiment held true; to achieve a significant breakthrough, one often needed to seize opportune moments and seek out external catalysts.

This principle resonated deeply with his own experience when he broke through to the Great Grandmaster realm.

He was, by all accounts, quite seasoned in the art of achieving breakthroughs.

Zhang Ji Yuan added, "I carry no burdens, but as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, you likely cannot enjoy the same freedom I do."

"Very well, Mr. Zhang," Chu Zhiyuan conceded. "I shall return and discuss the matter with our Sect Leader."

A smile touched Zhang Ji Yuan's lips. "He will undoubtedly agree. I eagerly await your good news."

Chu Zhiyuan executed another fist-to-palm salute.

Abruptly, Zhang Ji Yuan vanished, disappearing without leaving a trace.

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

This Qinggong technique possessed a subtle resemblance to his own Earth Origin Technique, incorporating a semblance of spatial transference.

While it was somewhat inferior to the Earth Origin Technique, with limitations in range and speed, it was nonetheless formidable enough for combat applications. Opponents lacking his Super Sense would find it exceedingly difficult to pinpoint his movements quickly.

With a Qinggong of this caliber, one could effortlessly infiltrate and egress the Heavenly Sword Branch without hindrance.

It was evident that Zhang Ji Yuan had displayed this skill intentionally, as a deliberate show of prowess.

...

"Brother Chu! Brother Chu?" Huang Zhengyang's voice echoed from outside.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward, unlatching the courtyard gate.

Huang Zhengyang observed him, then entered the courtyard, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

"He has already departed," Chu Zhiyuan informed him.

"Did he cause you any trouble?" Huang Zhengyang inquired, meticulously examining Chu Zhiyuan from head to toe once more.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "Director Huang, please return for now."

He had already noticed the Director of the Evil Extermination Department, Zhou Muyin, loitering on the street not far from the Heavenly Sword Branch.

Zhou Muyin's gaze intermittently swept over their location, poised to intervene at any moment.

The fact that Zhou Muyin, the Director himself, was preparing to take personal action was rather surprising to Chu Zhiyuan.

"Then why did he come here initially?" Huang Zhengyang questioned.

Chu Zhiyuan proceeded to recount the entire sequence of events. In response, Huang Zhengyang repeatedly slapped his thigh in regret.

"Brother Chu, you shouldn't have," Huang Zhengyang lamented. "Such a golden opportunity, why did you refuse it?"

"Precisely because it seemed too good to be true, that is why I refused," Chu Zhiyuan explained with a smile. "I genuinely do not trust him."

Huang Zhengyang knitted his brows. "You suspect he might be luring you into a trap within the Sect, with ulterior motives?"

"Is such a thing even possible?"

"...It is possible," Huang Zhengyang conceded slowly, nodding.

If one were to officially become a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, and an Elder or a higher authority issued a command, how could they possibly refuse?

To disobey would constitute a violation of orders and sect rules, inevitably leading to severe repercussions.

Chu Zhiyuan advised, "In essence, joining a sect isn't akin to entering a city; it's prudent to exercise caution."

"Caution is certainly not misplaced," Huang Zhengyang concurred, then offered a different perspective, "If I were in your shoes, I would likely have accepted without hesitation."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Brother Huang, faced with the actual situation, you too would likely ponder."

"Perhaps not," Huang Zhengyang sighed, lamenting, "The offer is just too enticing, the Heaven-Reaching Sect, after all."

"Is the Heaven-Reaching Sect truly that formidable?"

"More formidable than one might imagine, yet our understanding of the Heaven-Reaching Sect remains incomplete."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, acknowledging, "Indeed, they are unfathomable."

Huang Zhengyang gradually regained his composure, transitioning from regret to a sense of understanding.

...

Heavenly Sword Peak

Sect Leader's Hall

Within the Sect Leader's Hall, Chu Zhiyuan was seated alongside Lu Wanshan, Zhou Chongming, Meng Xusheng, and Xu Qianfan.

Upon hearing Chu Zhiyuan's account, Meng Xusheng let out a laugh, "Zhiyuan, you actually declined the offer?"

Xu Qianfan joined in the laughter, "Such a golden opportunity, and you refused it so resolutely? What a shame."

Zhou Chongming appeared to be deep in contemplation.

Chu Zhiyuan turned his gaze to Lu Wanshan, inquiring, "Sect Leader, what exactly is this Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Lu Wanshan sighed, relaying, "I made inquiries with Prince Zhuang, but he artfully evaded the topic."

Chu Zhiyuan's eyebrows arched in surprise, "Prince Zhuang is aware of it?"

"It would appear so, yet he merely cautioned us to maintain distance from the Heaven-Reaching Sect, offering no further explanation," Lu Wanshan reported.

As the esteemed Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, given Chu Zhiyuan's entanglement with the Heaven-Reaching Sect, how could he possibly remain indifferent and refrain from seeking answers?

He had already approached several individuals, ultimately receiving a solemn warning from Prince Zhuang.

"His advice for us to keep our distance from the Heaven-Reaching Sect suggests it is not entirely benign," Zhou Chongming murmured thoughtfully, "It seems we should refrain from provoking them."

"Could it possibly be an Evil Sect?" Xu Qianfan mused, "It would align perfectly with the need to restrain the Undying Evil Venerable; there might be a connection."

Meng Xusheng countered, "That seems improbable. If it were an Evil Sect, surely the Imperial Court wouldn't extend such an offer to Zhiyuan, would they?"

Regardless of the Imperial Court’s machinations, they wouldn't likely resort to such extremes.

Chu Zhiyuan fell into contemplative silence.

His mind raced, analyzing and synthesizing his accumulated experiences and insights.

Lu Wanshan posed the question, "Zhiyuan, what are your thoughts? This Heaven-Reaching Sect doesn't appear inherently problematic, does it?"

"As things stand, they have shown no ill intentions towards me," Chu Zhiyuan replied, shaking his head, "However, as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, how could I possibly defect to the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

"If the disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect truly enjoy freedom and autonomy, your joining might not be an issue, as it wouldn't create conflict with our existing ties," Meng Xusheng suggested.

Xu Qianfan raised a counterpoint, "But what if? What if conflicts do arise, how would Zhiyuan navigate such a situation?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in acknowledgement.

Lu Wanshan inquired again, "It doesn't strike me as an Evil Sect, does it?"

"No, it does not," Chu Zhiyuan confirmed with a shake of his head, "Based on current observations, it does not present as an Evil Sect."

Meng Xusheng remarked, "Still, it is rather regrettable. The secret techniques of the Heaven-Reaching Sect are remarkably potent. If mastering them makes ascending to Spirit Venerable status easier..."

The cultivation method of the Heaven-Reaching Sect indeed bears a closer resemblance to the path toward becoming a Spirit Venerable, presenting an immeasurable temptation in itself.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a gentle smile, "Uncle Meng, I've always held the belief that such perfect opportunities in the world are exceedingly rare."

Meng Xusheng responded, "I think your perspective might be overly pessimistic. While the Heaven-Reaching Sect's secret techniques are powerful, their very potency makes them exceptionally difficult to master. My conjecture is that their primary concern is finding individuals capable of mastering these techniques to prevent their eventual loss. Thus, preserving their legacy is paramount."

"That reasoning holds merit," Xu Qianfan agreed.

History has seen numerous cultivation sects whose core techniques ultimately vanished due to their sheer complexity.

It is plausible that the Heaven-Reaching Sect faces a similar predicament, hence their evident eagerness to recruit talent, seeking disciples who can master their profound secret techniques and, in turn, pass on the remaining esoteric knowledge.

"Zhiyuan, the decision rests entirely with you. If your heart truly lies with joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect, then do so. You will, however, remain a disciple of our Heavenly Sword Sect," Lu Wanshan stated calmly.

Chu Zhiyuan resolutely shook his head, "Sect Leader, I will not be joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Lu Wanshan cautioned gently, "You may come to regret this decision in the future."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled faintly, "Even if regret should arise, there is little I could do about it. This is the choice I make now."

"Zhiyuan, you are truly playing it safe," Meng Xusheng observed, shaking his head.

Chu Zhiyuan replied respectfully, "Uncle, I believe a degree of caution is warranted, and I intend to continue as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect."

All present shook their heads, yet a subtle smile played on their lips.

Truthfully, if they were in such a situation, it’s doubtful they could maintain such composure or preserve the purity of their intentions.

The unwavering devotion Chu Zhiyuan displays towards the Heavenly Sword Sect is exceptionally uncommon.