Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1319 - 1315: Abnormality

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, inquiring, "Brother Ning, Brother Zhang, does our sect truly possess such secret techniques?"

"We have an abundance of these miracle techniques," Zhang Ji Yuan replied, "but even though they are good, mastering this particular secret technique isn't a simple feat."

Ning Dongge laughed, saying, "For others, it may be difficult, but not for you, little junior brother."

"It genuinely won't pose a problem for little junior brother," Zhang Ji Yuan added with a chuckle. "Indeed, our Heaven-Reaching Sect is not what it once was."

Chu Zhiyuan then asked, "Brother Ning, Brother Zhang, how many disciples does our sect currently have?"

Ning Dongge chuckled, "Little junior brother, you are quite sharp, can't you deduce it yourself?"

"Counting the Sect Master and myself, we total nine individuals?" Chu Zhiyuan ventured.

"Precisely," Zhang Ji Yuan confirmed.

"Then... will the Sect Master and the other senior brothers be entering the Grotto Heaven this time?"

He had, in fact, already surmised the small number of their sect members. Hearing about twelve Spirit Venerables, he had expected the count to be substantial, yet it turned out to be quite minimal.

Ning Dongge shook his head, explaining, "Are they not currently in seclusion? They cannot emerge, so we must rely on our own capabilities."

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Will our sect's Spirit Venerables intervene?"

"No, they will not."

"What if Spirit Venerables from other sects were to intervene?"

Zhang Ji Yuan laughed, "Little junior brother, in the struggle for the Grotto Heaven, if Spirit Venerables were to get involved, what need would there be for us? We likely wouldn't even be aware of such a matter."

"Spirit Venerables will not participate? Is it due to unwillingness?"

"It's not unwillingness; it is incapacity," Zhang Ji Yuan stated, shaking his head. "The Grotto Heaven and the current world we inhabit are fundamentally distinct. Do you comprehend the most critical difference?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

He had always presumed the distinction of the Grotto Heaven lay in its spatial magnitude.

It seems that was not the case.

"The fundamental difference is that the Grotto Heaven possesses its own consciousness, or to put it another way, the Grotto Heaven itself is a Divine Artifact."

"A Divine Artifact..."

"Should a Spirit Venerable attempt to enter, it would instantly provoke the Grotto Heaven, compelling it to launch an assault, an attack that no Spirit Venerable could endure."

"Venerables are not attacked by it?"

"It leaves them unmolested."

"I understand..." Chu Zhiyuan mused, "Then, are we the sole ones aware of this Grotto Heaven's existence? Could other sects also be privy to this knowledge?"

"I suspect they are indeed aware," Ning Dongge sighed, "for the Spirit Venerables possess remarkably well-connected channels of information."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned,

Nevertheless, it isn't a complete obstacle.

Thus, it's not entirely without reason that we think this way.

Ning Dongge proposed, "How about we venture inside a bit later then?"

He glanced towards Chu Zhiyuan, adding, "My estimation is that it's not just the Profound Yin Palace aware of this Grotto Heaven. It's likely other major sects are also informed. If we delay our entry slightly, there's no concern about secrets leaking."

Chu Zhiyuan found himself hesitating.

Such a decision would entail significant potential losses; delaying entry by even a moment might mean coveted opportunities are snatched by others.

Ning Dongge reasoned, "While the treasures within the Grotto Heaven are crucial, your wife is of equal importance. Comparatively speaking, people are more valuable than any treasure."

"Brother Ning, where is the Miracle Technique? Allow me to study it first, to see if I can achieve mastery quickly," Chu Zhiyuan requested.

He felt genuinely moved by Ning Dongge's words.

"You intend to practice it now?" Ning Dongge queried. "There's no need for haste; after all, we'll be entering a bit later anyway."

"What if I'm unable to master it?" Chu Zhiyuan voiced his concern.

"Little junior brother, this task won't pose any difficulty for you," Zhang Ji Yuan chuckled reassuringly.

He withdrew a slender booklet from his pocket and presented it to Chu Zhiyuan, saying, "Here you are."

Chu Zhiyuan accepted it and rapidly perused the contents. It was a method for detection.

Specifically, it was for detecting spatial fluctuations.

Chu Zhiyuan looked up at them and nodded, stating, "For the Taihao Jade Void Scripture, grasping this won't be a challenge."

"Precisely," Zhang Ji Yuan smiled in agreement.

Closing his eyes, Chu Zhiyuan initiated the circulation of his True Yuan, simultaneously attuning himself to the ethereal fluctuations of the Void.

The crux of this technique lies in the comprehension of the Void Dao.

For him at this stage, it was akin to child's play.

A brief moment later, as his Heart and Spirit achieved alignment, the True Yuan in circulation underwent a transformation, coalescing into a distinct aura.

This unique aura coursed within him, gradually taking on an unusual configuration.

He slowly opened his eyes, a smile gracing his lips. "Have I mastered it?"

"You truly are the little junior brother," Zhang Ji Yuan expressed his admiration. "It took me a month to learn, and Senior Brother Ning required two."

Ning Dongge shot a slight glare. "There's no need to bring that up."

He then produced an oval stone, roughly the size of an egg, from his pocket. "With this, we should be able to locate the Grotto Heaven."

Chu Zhiyuan examined the stone closely.

It was egg-sized, flawlessly clear, and featured a subtle black line, resembling a strand of hair.

His Super Sense was unable to penetrate its surface; he could not discern the nature of the black line.

Raising an eyebrow, Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Brother Ning, is this stone from the Divine Race?"

"Precisely," Ning Dongge confirmed, handing the stone to him. "Take a closer look."

Chu Zhiyuan took the stone, feeling its warm, jade-like surface. He brought it near, observing its clarity, bright as an autumn pool.

Yet, he could no longer perceive the black line he had initially seen.

Certain he hadn't imagined it, he moved the stone further away, but still, no black line was visible.

He returned it to Ning Dongge’s hand and, once again, the black line became apparent.

He took it back, but the line remained absent.

He then passed it to Zhang Ji Yuan.

Ning Dongge and Zhang Ji Yuan observed him with evident curiosity.

Chu Zhiyuan merely shook his head.

The oval stone held within Zhang Ji Yuan's hand also lacked any visible black line.

He then instructed, "Brother Zhang, please stand in the position Brother Ning just occupied."

Zhang Ji Yuan chuckled, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

He positioned himself beside Ning Dongge, momentarily nudging him aside.

Ning Dongge shifted, chuckling, "Little junior brother, what is it that you require?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head again. The black line was still absent from the stone in Zhang Ji Yuan’s grasp. He returned the stone to Ning Dongge.

Even with the change in location and viewing angle, the oval stone in Ning Dongge’s hand consistently displayed the black line.

Chu Zhiyuan posed the question, "Brother Ning, Brother Zhang, does this stone possess any hidden mysteries?"

"None whatsoever," Ning Dongge replied, shaking his head. "It appears plain and unremarkable. It's said to originate from the Divine Race's domain, which is why it was kept."

Zhang Ji Yuan laughed lightly. "Is this stone somehow peculiar?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded emphatically. "Brother Zhang, when you or I hold this stone, nothing unusual is apparent. However, when Brother Ning holds it, a black line becomes visible."

"Hmm—?" Ning Dongge expressed his surprise.

Zhang Ji Yuan peered at the stone in Ning Dongge's hand and shook his head. "No, perhaps you perceived it incorrectly?"

Ning Dongge also stared intently at the stone, shaking his head. "Indeed, there’s nothing here."