Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1311 - 1307: Intimidation

He reappeared within the Heavenly Sword Branch.

Reaching into his sleeve, he produced the Mo Shield, a wry smile touching his lips.

The Heaven-Reaching Order, he mused, possessed a much deeper foundation than he had initially surmised.

It was only logical, given its lengthy history, that such profound roots would be present.

Idly toying with the Mo Shield, he infused it with his Qi, and the artifact began to shimmer, its form becoming indistinct.

After approximately fifteen minutes, the Mo Shield vanished from his grasp, replaced instantly by a Mystic Robe now adorning his person.

This garment bore a resemblance to the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe that Chu Liezhao had favored.

Unlike the Frost Robe, which required constant Qi channeling to remain active, as if being manually guided, this Mystic Robe possessed the ability to defend autonomously.

Even if he failed to react swiftly, the Mo Shield, now integrated into the robe, would automatically engage to protect him.

This Mo Shield served a singular purpose; beyond its defensive capabilities, it was practically useless for any other task.

Yet, defense was precisely the aspect of greatest importance to him.

Even with the Dragon Soaring Bell and the Golden Sword at his disposal, a sense of unease had persisted.

Now, with the Mo Shield secured, his heart felt decidedly more at ease.

Consequently, upon receiving a missive detailing the location of Qianye Sect, he did not hesitate to seek out Huang Zhengyang at the Evil Extermination Department.

Huang Zhengyang accepted the letter, his expression immediately darkening.

His complexion had been considerably brighter these past few days, owing to the significant decrease in the appearances of the Undying Evil Venerable.

Now, a familiar gloom settled upon his features as he inquired coldly, "Is this a trap?"

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a shake of his head, "I do not believe it to be a direct trap, but rather a scheme to use our hands to eliminate others."

"Are they experiencing internal strife?"

"My estimation aligns with that possibility."

"Heh, they wish to use us to destroy Qianye Sect? Truly audacious!"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a simple nod in agreement.

Huang Zhengyang turned his gaze to Chu Zhiyuan, asking, "Brother Chu, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "If the Evil Extermination Department hesitates, then let the Heavenly Sword Sect take the initiative."

"We shall proceed ourselves," Huang Zhengyang declared firmly. "Who can say if they might employ trickery, or if indeed it is a trap!"

This presented a significant opportunity for commendation.

In recent times, the persistent appearances of the Undying Evil Venerable had fostered considerable public and courtly resentment towards the Evil Extermination Department.

Many believed the department's perceived incompetence had led to the current dire circumstances.

His own position as Deputy Director was precarious, and accumulating further merits could offer some measure of stability.

Otherwise, the Court might well replace him to appease the growing discontent.

Chu Zhiyuan concurred, remarking, "We must indeed exercise caution."

"I shall conduct some preliminary reconnaissance before we commit to action. Brother Chu, if your schedule permits, I would appreciate your assistance," Huang Zhengyang proposed.

Sects such as Qianye Sect posed considerable challenges to eradication. Firstly, their elusive nature made them difficult to locate. Secondly, they maintained numerous hidden bases; destroying one would not eliminate their corrupting influence.

Thirdly, the eradication of Evil Sects was intrinsically linked to the destruction of the Evil Venerable Statues.

In the current era, Chu Zhiyuan seemed to be the only individual capable of destroying these statues.

Chu Zhiyuan gave a slow, deliberate nod.

...

As dawn broke,

Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang stood amidst a tranquil forest, the refreshing Qing Qi permeating the air.

A delicate mist veiled the woods, and dewdrops clinging to the leaves shimmered with a faint luminescence.

Positioned atop a tree, Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang surveyed the distant mountain range.

"It is unfortunate that time is so limited," Huang Zhengyang lamented, shaking his head. "We were unable to locate their other hideouts."

Chu Zhiyuan replied calmly, "Then let us first eliminate this known location; we shall address the remaining ones subsequently."

"There is no other recourse," Huang Zhengyang sighed. "Sects like these are truly arduous to eradicate completely. You eliminate one group, and another emerges; you destroy one base, and they reappear elsewhere. It is as if they are inexhaustible."

"We must proceed patiently," Chu Zhiyuan advised.

If complete annihilation were easily achievable, the Evil Extermination Department would have long since eradicated this particular Evil Sect.

Huang Zhengyang then inquired, "Brother Chu, can the Ascension Technique ascertain the location of other Evil Venerable Statues?"

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "The Ascension Technique does not possess such extensive capabilities."

"I shall instruct the Court to search for a secret technique that might achieve this," Huang Zhengyang stated.

"Does the Court possess such a secret technique?" Chu Zhiyuan's interest was piqued.

The discovery of such a technique would greatly expedite the eradication of Evil Sects.

Huang Zhengyang clarified, "We have not yet found one."

If the Ascension Technique could be mastered, perhaps other, seemingly unmasterable secret techniques might also prove viable.

This line of thought led him to consider the potential of a secret technique capable of pinpointing all Evil Venerable Statues.

Chu Zhiyuan let out a chuckle, stating, "If it could be found, I would certainly seek to cultivate it."

"I shall continue my search," Huang Zhengyang asserted.

Directing his gaze toward the twin peaks nestled between the mountains in the distance, Chu Zhiyuan calmly declared, "Then let's first deal with those two."

Huang Zhengyang gave a solemn nod and made a gesture with his hand.

Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan's attention snapped behind him, his body tensing slightly.

At that exact moment, on a distant peak ten miles away, Su Qi and his two companions experienced a shift in their expressions.

Su Qi hastily lowered his posture, his face etched with tension, and whispered, "Did he discover us?"

The lean, middle-aged man and the round-faced middle-aged man both crouched down, their expressions growing unpleasant.

Zhu Lingyun also bent over slightly, lowering his profile and allowing leaves to conceal him. He mused, "Could it be mere coincidence?"

"I met his gaze, and you're calling it coincidence?" Su Qi retorted with annoyance.

"He did glance in my direction," the lean middle-aged man confirmed.

The round-faced middle-aged man quickly agreed,