Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1300 - 1296: Decision

Zhang Ji Yuan’s gaze was fixed on Chu Zhiyuan, his expression filled with pure disbelief.

"Giggle..." Lu Xiaolu let out a delicate laugh. "Junior Brother, what are you proposing? What Heavenly Person Sect are you referring to?"

A smile played on Chu Zhiyuan’s lips. "Senior Sister, this is some knowledge I acquired back in the original Little Outer Heaven. Following the era of the Divine Race, there were beings known as Heavenly Persons, but sadly, their inheritances have become largely extinguished over time."

Lu Xiaolu tilted her head, a frown creasing her brow. "The Divine Race I am familiar with, but this Heavenly Person Inheritance is entirely new to me. Could you elaborate?"

Chu Zhiyuan continued with a gentle smile. "I vaguely recall reading in an ancient text that after the Divine Race vanished, certain individuals sought to emulate their martial arts. Their ambition was to achieve the Divine Race’s physique using a human form. To this end, they devised new martial arts, which they termed Heavenly Person Martial Arts."

Lu Xiaolu exclaimed, her voice laced with astonishment. "Could such a thing exist? I truly have never encountered such a notion... Mr. Zhang, is my Junior Brother’s assertion correct?"

"How is that even conceivable!" Zhang Ji Yuan’s eyes widened in sheer astonishment as he looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

The very idea seemed preposterous, utterly beyond his comprehension.

He had never for a moment imagined that Chu Zhiyuan could directly allude to the existence of Heavenly Persons.

No traces of Heavenly Persons could be found in Biyuan Heaven, nor in Little Outer Heaven. How could Chu Zhiyuan possibly possess such knowledge?!

Lu Xiaolu clapped her hands together, her laughter echoing merrily. "Junior Brother, you are truly remarkable; you actually managed to deduce it!"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a modest smile. "I was merely engaging in some speculative guesswork, Senior Sister."

Lu Xiaolu’s smile bloomed like a radiant flower. "Even your wild conjectures hit the mark. That is precisely the kind of astonishing acuity I expect from you, Junior Brother."

With a gentle wave of his hand, Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Senior Sister, you are too kind with your praise."

Zhang Ji Yuan scrutinized Chu Zhiyuan from head to toe, a look of surprise etched on his face. "I must confess, Xiao Chu, I underestimated you. I never anticipated you would be able to guess it so accurately!"

Chu Zhiyuan’s smile deepened. "It is no wonder the Heaven-Reaching Sect possesses such formidable power. So, it is indeed a Heavenly Person Inheritance."

"Alas..." Zhang Ji Yuan sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "While it is known as a Heavenly Person Inheritance, we have never succeeded in unlocking its complete form. What we possess is merely a fragment."

Lu Xiaolu inquired, her gaze shifting to Chu Zhiyuan, "Are you seeking Junior Brother’s assistance so that you may finally unlock the complete inheritance together?"

"Precisely," Zhang Ji Yuan affirmed. "Given the circumstances, there is no longer a need for discretion. The Inheritance Hall requires the concerted effort of nine individuals to be opened... Xiao Chu, do you not desire to cultivate the Heaven-Reaching Sect’s complete mental method? Do you not aspire to attain the level of a Spirit Venerable? Or perhaps even surpass it!"

"Surpassing Spirit Venerable, would that mean reaching the realm of the Divine Race?" Chu Zhiyuan mused, a slight smile touching his lips. "It feels unlikely that Heavenly Person Martial Arts could truly elevate one to the status of the Divine Race, could it?"

"With the complete inheritance, there may indeed be a glimmer of hope!" Zhang Ji Yuan declared with conviction. "However, reaching Spirit Venerable is an absolute certainty!"

Chu Zhiyuan fell into contemplation.

Had this been any other martial art, he would have dismissed such claims outright. But Heavenly Person Martial Arts were a different matter entirely.

The ultimate objective of Heavenly Person Martial Arts was to achieve the Divine Race’s level of existence, to become a Divine Race member. And the power wielded by the Divine Race was likely far beyond that of even a Spirit Venerable.

Lu Xiaolu’s bright eyes sparkled as she observed Chu Zhiyuan’s thoughtful expression.

Chu Zhiyuan finally broke his silence with a smile. "Mr. Zhang, I am willing to offer my assistance, but I have no intention of joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

"These three secret techniques will be yours to cultivate, regardless of whether you join the Heaven-Reaching Sect or not," Zhang Ji Yuan stated with a sigh. "However, to participate in the Array and unlock the inheritance, you must be a sworn disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect. I trust you understand this condition."

"In that case, there is nothing more I can do," a look of profound regret washed over Chu Zhiyuan’s face.

Zhang Ji Yuan’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Xiao Chu, I truly cannot fathom it. Is the Heavenly Sword Sect so paramount to you that you would relinquish such an extraordinary opportunity rather than pledging allegiance to me within the Heaven-Reaching Sect? ...Furthermore, it is not as though you would need to abandon the Heavenly Sword Sect entirely. You could serve both Sects."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded his head resolutely. "The Heavenly Sword Sect is my foundation in this world. I cannot sever my roots."

"Heh heh..." Zhang Ji Yuan suddenly chuckled, a glint in his eye. "You harbor aspirations of becoming the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, do you not?"

Lu Xiaolu’s eyes widened with sudden interest.

Chu Zhiyuan could not help but let out a soft laugh.

Zhang Ji Yuan continued, his tone confident. "Even if you were to become a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, you could still hold the position of Sect Leader for the Heavenly Sword Sect. Once your Cultivation reaches a sufficiently high level, perhaps even becoming a Spirit Venerable, do you not believe they would readily implore you to assume the role of Sect Leader?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head slowly. "While I did indeed once desire to become the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, that intention has since faded. I now wish only to dedicate myself to my Cultivation in quiet solitude."

"Then why not join my Heaven-Reaching Sect? You don’t think the Heaven-Reaching Sect’s reputation isn’t substantial enough, do you?"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile and shook his head. "I cannot bear being tied down."

"What restrictions do our Heaven-Reaching Sect Disciples face? Furthermore, once you attain Spirit Venerable, who could possibly restrict you…"

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "I truly cannot assist with this particular matter. Esteemed Zhang, please seek someone else."

Zhang Ji Yuan’s brow furrowed as he gazed at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan’s countenance remained serene and resolute.

Zhang Ji Yuan sighed and shook his head. "Very well, I shall depart and attempt another visit another day."

With his words concluded, he offered a salutation with a cupped fist to Lu Xiaolu, a smile gracing his lips, before he vanished in a flicker.

The instant he disappeared, Lu Xiaolu hastened to speak, "Junior Brother, you could have readily agreed, could you not?"

Chu Zhiyuan simply inclined his head in negation.

"Setting aside the three secret techniques, there is still the Heavenly Person Inheritance that directly leads to the Spirit Realm," Lu Xiaolu asserted. "They are not requesting you abandon the Heavenly Sword Sect. With such immense advantages, why would you refuse?"

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a smile and another shake of his head.

Lu Xiaolu looked genuinely perplexed. "Junior Brother, you are quite astute; how can you be so unyielding?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied with a gentle smile, "I prefer to remain a pure Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple. Moreover, I am confident that with the Martial Arts I currently possess, I can ascend to the Spirit Realm."

"Sigh…" Lu Xiaolu felt a sense of helplessness. "You have always experienced smooth sailing and have not truly faced severe challenges, thus you fail to comprehend the preciousness of this opportunity."

Chu Zhiyuan stated with a smile, "Being able to cultivate this Ascension Technique is already sufficient for me."

Lu Xiaolu tilted her head, observing him, and then shook her own head. "This truly does not sound like you at all."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile and shook his head again. "Senior Sister, let us depart; a stroll outside would be pleasant."

"…Very well." Despite her bewilderment and lingering regret, Lu Xiaolu ceased her attempts to persuade him.

She did not believe Chu Zhiyuan was any less perceptive than herself. Any thought that occurred to her would also have occurred to him.

Since he had ultimately made this decision, he must have his own valid reasons.

-----------------

Heavenly Sword Peak

Sect Leader’s Hall

The bright midday sun illuminated the hall with clarity.

Having listened to Chu Zhiyuan’s account, Zhou Chongming, the three Elders, and Lu Wanshan all wore expressions of contemplation, their brows furrowed.

Lu Wanshan remarked, "Zhiyuan, you honestly could have accepted the offer."

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a smile and a shake of his head. "Sect Leader, I still wish to be a pure Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple. I have no desire to incorporate other affiliations."

"What purpose does that serve?" Lu Wanshan countered, shaking his head. "As long as your heart remains with Heavenly Sword Peak, there is no issue with joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head once more. "Ultimately, it remains distinct."

"You… you will come to regret this decision in the future." Lu Wanshan expressed with a sigh.

Zhou Chongming commented, "The Heavenly Person Inheritance… to think such a Miracle Technique actually exists. It is truly eye-opening."

Chu Zhiyuan explained, "My initial intention was to assist them; however, this required joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect. As they were insistent on my joining to provide aid, I had no choice but to decline."

Meng Xusheng inquired, "Zhiyuan, you genuinely have no desire to learn such a Miracle Technique?"

"Of course, I desire it. However, if it necessitates departing from the Heavenly Sword Sect, then I must decline," Chu Zhiyuan affirmed.

His true source of confidence lay in the Three Elements Technique originating from the Taiqing Primordial Sect.

The Three Elements Technique was a Divine Clan Martial Art, though its progress in Cultivation was notoriously slow.

He had, at the present time, successfully cultivated the Second Layer of the Earth Origin Technique. At his current pace, considerable time would likely be required.

The Second Layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique was an even more distant prospect.

Should he manage to cultivate all three of the Elements Techniques to the Second Layer, he felt assured that he could certainly advance to the Spirit Realm.

Furthermore, the Heaven-Reaching Sect’s mental cultivation method was incomplete. Even if they acquired the genuinely perfected inheritance, it might not surpass the Three Elements Technique in power.

Lu Wanshan stated with a deep tone, "Zhiyuan, you ought to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect regardless."

Chu Zhiyuan appeared utterly astonished.

Lu Wanshan continued, "Simply request that individual maintain secrecy. We shall not mention it, and the other Disciples will remain unaware."

Chu Zhiyuan quickly interjected, "Sect Leader…"

Lu Wanshan raised a hand, interrupting him. "Zhiyuan, while you may refuse to betray our Heavenly Sword Sect, how could our Heavenly Sword Sect possibly betray you? We must not become an impediment on your path to advancement."

"Senior Brother is wise," Meng Xusheng stated with a grin. "Zhiyuan, just proceed without any concerns. We have faith in you. Should you manage to cultivate an even more potent mental technique and truly reach the Spirit Realm, it would only serve us better."