Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1301 - 1297: Insight

Zhou Chongming remarked: "The Heaven-Reaching Sect's might is truly formidable; it's a genuine shame to let such a chance slip by. Considering Mr. Zhang's upright conduct, joining them appears to be a righteous path, so you can accept without hesitation. One should always strive for greater heights, Zhiyuan; this is an opportunity for you to advance."

Chu Zhiyuan responded: "Sect Leader, Martial Uncle, I believe that with the Heavenly Sword Secret Scripture, I possess sufficient means to reach the Spirit Venerable realm. Therefore, I am reluctant to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect... Furthermore, I suspect a multitude of responsibilities would accompany membership, proving far more vexing than my current easy circumstances."

"Attaining the Spirit Venerable realm is not a certainty," Meng Xusheng interjected. "Numerous prodigies exhibit remarkable cultivation speed below the Spirit Venerable threshold, only to find themselves irrevocably stalled on the path to reaching it."

Xu Qianfan offered: "The Heaven-Reaching Sect is capable of accommodating both factions. Even if you were to join them, you would still retain your status as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. If I were in your position, I would have accepted without a second thought. Zhiyuan, do you not harbor a desire to witness the true caliber of supreme skills from a higher echelon?"

Meng Xusheng chuckled lightly. "Supreme skills from a higher echelon... an utterly captivating prospect."

They all nodded in agreement.

It wasn't just Chu Zhiyuan, young and brimming with innate talent, who felt the allure; even they, seasoned cultivators, yearned for a glimpse of such profound techniques.

Lu Wanshan urged: "Zhiyuan, cast aside all reservations and make your decision!"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a wry smile.

He deemed it impossible to reveal his possession of the Three Elements Technique, his most guarded secret.

"Zhiyuan, you are the one who stands to gain the most from this," Meng Xusheng jested. "Your fortunate days are dawning!"

"I merely fear that my days of hardship are beckoning. My current days are quite pleasant," Chu Zhiyuan demurred, shaking his head.

Xu Qianfan laughed heartily. "One must possess a measure of ambition to achieve a swift ascent into the Spirit Realm. Indeed, we have yet to witness anyone attain the Spirit Venerable realm before reaching the age of a millennium!"

"Very well, I shall endeavor to the best of my abilities," Chu Zhiyuan conceded with a sigh.

...

As dusk settled and the sun dipped below the horizon, Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang made their entry into the Imperial City.

Huang Zhengyang exhaled a lengthy breath, a chuckle escaping him. "These individuals certainly possess keen foresight."

Chu Zhiyuan inclined his head in agreement.

The Undying Evil Venerable within You Meng Heaven also resided in the Venerable Perfect Realm – all of them were apex experts.

Their demise had sent shockwaves, creating immense news.

With several Venerable Perfect Realm experts meeting their end in succession, You Meng Heaven was already engulfed in a maelstrom of unrest.

A deluge of diverse information circulated, causing those with clandestine deeds to experience a gnawing unease.

Under such volatile conditions, they hesitated to act rashly or to easily descend into Biyuan Heaven.

The two strolled amidst the thronging masses, absorbing the palpable atmosphere of prosperity that marked a period of peace.

Huang Zhengyang declared with a laugh: "Brother Chu, at this trajectory, it will not be long before the Undying Evil Venerable is completely eradicated."

Chu Zhiyuan stated: "Complete eradication is a formidable undertaking. These Undying Evil Venerables do not yield readily; they persist in their attempts and continue to probe."

One could not achieve the status of an Undying Evil Venerable by giving up easily.

Consequently, there would inevitably be repeated probing and intermittent conflicts.

However, the frequency and sheer number of descents would diminish compared to before; a palpable hesitation would be evident.

"That certainly simplifies matters significantly," Huang Zhengyang mused. "It feels as though the most arduous trials have been overcome."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Brother Chu, you may now dedicate your full attention to your cultivation," Huang Zhengyang advised. "As for myself, I can afford to relax somewhat and focus on my own training."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and offered a cupped-hand salute.

The pair then went their separate ways, each returning to their respective abodes.

Upon stepping into his courtyard, he discovered Zhang Ji Yuan standing at its center, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the heavens with an expression of profound melancholy.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a respectful cupped-hand salute: "Mr. Zhang."

"Sigh..." Zhang Ji Yuan emitted a heavy sigh and gestured with his chin towards the stone table. "This is for you."

Chu Zhiyuan's eyes fell upon the Ink Jade Box positioned at the table's center.

Bathed in the departing sunlight, the Ink Jade Box radiated a soft luminescence, exuding an aura of antiquity and long use.

Chu Zhiyuan inquired with a smile: "What manner of object is this?"

"It contains a portion of the Heaven-Reaching Sect's core mental cultivation method," Zhang Ji Yuan explained. "Should you peruse this and still find yourself disinclined to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect, then so be it."

Chu Zhiyuan approached, his gaze fixed on the Ink Jade Box, and smiled. "This will not be a simple matter to open, will it?"

"Across the realm, only a select few possess the ability to unlock it. Xiao Chu, you may attempt it; you shall only glimpse its contents if it yields to your efforts."

"Then, I shall certainly give it a try." Chu Zhiyuan intently examined the Ink Jade Box, placing his hands upon its two designated corners.

Hidden within the depths of the ink jade, concealed from ordinary sight, were intricate patterns etched into each corner.

Zhang Ji Yuan let out a sigh. "As anticipated."

Chu Zhiyuan looked up, meeting his gaze.

Zhang Ji Yuan remarked, "Your talent is truly extraordinary if you can sense them."

Chu Zhiyuan let out a soft laugh, "If I couldn't sense them, how could I possibly master the Ascension Technique?"

"It appears this is no mere coincidence," Zhang Ji Yuan stated, "Observe closely, it will surely broaden your understanding."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled as he gently applied pressure to the intricate patterns, channeling the essence of the Ascension Technique. This action caused faint lines to materialize upon the surface of the Ink Jade Box.

The golden lines progressively intensified, taking on the appearance of countless threads of gold rapidly weaving themselves around the box.

In mere moments, the lines became so densely packed that they coalesced into a radiant sheet of golden light.

"Crack!"

A distinct, crisp sound resounded.

The golden luminescence instantly withdrew into the opened box, immersing a slender booklet nestled within.

This booklet, crafted from golden silk, shimmered with a lustrous purple-gold hue, emanating an aura of profound elegance.

As the golden light seeped into the booklet, it pulsed with brilliance twice before gracefully ascending.

Chu Zhiyuan watched, a flicker of astonishment crossing his face as he looked towards Zhang Ji Yuan.

Zhang Ji Yuan's demeanor remained serene, his gaze fixed upon the floating golden booklet as it slowly unfurled.

Chu Zhiyuan directed his attention to the booklet.

His extraordinary 'Super Sense' was unable to perceive its contents; he could only rely on his physical sight.

The cover of the booklet bore no inscriptions, only an elaborate tapestry of patterns, resembling a multitude of flowers compressed together, layer upon intricate layer, densely intertwined.

Chu Zhiyuan narrowed his focus.

Amidst the complex patterns, he swiftly discerned three characters: Returning God Technique.

Chu Zhiyuan's eyebrows involuntarily twitched.

The initial page began to turn, still adorned with dense, interwoven patterns.

Yet, in a peculiar twist of fate, he found himself capable of comprehending the illustrations and text.

Strikingly familiar, the First Form bore a striking resemblance to the First Form within the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms.

He closed his eyes, meditating on this observation, noting only the most minute discrepancies.

Upon reopening his eyes, the booklet had gradually turned to reveal its second page.

The designs on the second page diverged from those of the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms, and the Third Form presented even greater dissimilarity, lacking any discernible connection.

Thereafter, there was nothing more to be seen.

It gently descended back into its container, and abruptly, a surge of golden light erupted, bathing the Ink Jade Box in its glow.

From the resplendent, water-like shimmer of the golden light, a distinct "crack" sound arose.

The golden luminescence vanished in an instant, revealing that the Ink Jade Box had once again settled closed upon the table.

Chu Zhiyuan's brow furrowed in contemplation.

Zhang Ji Yuan commented, "You truly are destined to be a disciple of our Heaven-Reaching Sect!"

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, delving into the intricacies of these three forms, ceaselessly comparing them against the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms.

He mentally reenacted each movement.

Feeling a sense of incompleteness, Chu Zhiyuan proceeded to the courtyard of the Prince Consort Mansion to commence his practice.

He began by executing the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms, subsequently rehearsing the newly acquired three forms.

With meticulous care, he scrutinized and contrasted the subtle differences between the two sets of techniques.

He came to the significant realization that these three forms served as elaborations and extensions of the First Form of the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms.

Practicing all three forms concurrently yielded more rapid progress compared to dedicating solely to the First Form of the Spiritual Abyss.

It was as though the First Form of the Spiritual Abyss had been dissected into three distinct components; engaging with these three was demonstrably more efficient than isolated practice of the spiritual form.

A profound understanding began to dawn upon him.

The Heavenly People, it seemed, harbored a distinct dissatisfaction with the leisurely pace of advancement offered by the Spiritual Abyss Twelve Forms, thus devising these supplementary methods for improvement. Judging by the discernible outcomes, their effectiveness was undeniable.

The ingenuity of the Heavenly People was truly remarkable, a force not to be lightly underestimated.

He opened his eyes to find Zhang Ji Yuan smiling, "And how was it? Have you gained enlightenment?"

"Most impressive!" Chu Zhiyuan replied, his voice carrying a hint of newfound appreciation.

Zhang Ji Yuan inquired further, "Yet, you remain hesitant to formally join the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan fell into a thoughtful silence.

Zhang Ji Yuan’s enthusiasm visibly surged, and he swiftly interjected, "Were it not for the pressing need for capable individuals to unlock inheritances, securing entry into the Heaven-Reaching Sect would not be presented with such ease. This particular opportunity is exceedingly rare."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a gentle smile, "Indeed, to refuse once more would be a grave lack of gratitude."