Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1321 - 1317: Probe
Previously on Imperial Cultivation...
His expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. Was he walking into an ambush? His keen intuition had offered no warning, implying the danger, if any, wasn't directly aimed at him. Or, perhaps the intent wasn't lethal. The courtyard appeared deserted, with Xiao Ruoling deep in meditation within the chambers. After a brief pause, observing that no intruders emerged, he moved towards the stone table, preparing to brew his own tea. Hearing the subtle disturbance, Xiao Ruoling emerged with ethereal grace, sensing Chu Zhiyuan's unusual mood. "What is amiss?" she inquired. Chu Zhiyuan responded, shaking his head, "I've come to bid you farewell." Dressed in her flowing moon-white silk robe, her jade-like complexion and icy bones gave her an otherworldly aura, akin to the mythical Gusha Fairy. "Husband, where do you intend to go?" Chu Zhiyuan explained, "A new Grotto Heaven has surfaced, and I plan to venture into it for exploration." He feigned ignorance while sensing a potential unseen observer, maintaining a solemn demeanor tinged with reluctance. "I cannot say when I shall return." Xiao Ruoling, her dark eyebrows drawing together slightly, asked with concern, "This new Grotto Heaven... does it pose great peril? Must you undertake such a risk?" Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Since joining the Heaven-Reaching Sect, I am bound to follow orders. Where is Hanyue? Have her join us; perhaps we can advance our Realms another layer today." "The advancement of our Realms is not a pressing matter," Xiao Ruoling stated, "Proceed with your preparations; pay me no mind." Chu Zhiyuan countered, "Your own Realm's progress is equally significant." "...Very well," Xiao Ruoling conceded, producing a Jade Pendant and channeling her True Yuan to imbue it with a shimmering light. Moments later, Shen Hanyue, clad in an apricot yellow silk robe, entered with a light laugh, calling out, "Senior Sister?" A delicate, fragrant scent enveloped the courtyard. Upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, she clasped her hands in greeting. "Young Master, is this for cultivation?" Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod. "Excellent," Shen Hanyue declared, "Let us begin." Her expectations for the trial were high, anticipating a significant leap in her cultivation. Entering the newly discovered Grotto Heaven, it was understood that delving deeper into its Realms promised greater rewards. The trio quickly assumed their meditative stances, commencing their cultivation. Time seemed to vanish as they focused their energies. By the following morning, Chu Zhiyuan stirred, a faint smile gracing his lips. The silken robes of the two women billowed, their dark, lustrous hair swirling as if caught in a tempest's eye. Their delicate forms began to ascend, lifting from the ground. The instant their feet cleared the earth, their robes settled, clinging to their bodies and accentuating their graceful figures. A formidable aura erupted from them, only to be swiftly retracted. They opened their eyes, their gazes sharp and bright, like piercing cold lightning. "So swiftly!" Shen Hanyue exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise. "Much faster than I had anticipated!" Xiao Ruoling concurred with a gentle nod, the intensity in her bright eyes slowly subsiding. "Indeed, it is faster." She then turned her gaze towards Chu Zhiyuan. Ultimately, his own aura had amplified by three parts, effectively doubling the activation speed. This synergy had dramatically boosted cultivation efficiency, leading to a rapid advancement of one Rank in a remarkably short period. A trace of fatigue etched between Chu Zhiyuan's brows, yet he smiled. "Now, I can finally set my mind at ease. It is time for me to depart." Xiao Ruoling had attained the Sixth Transition, and Shen Hanyue the Fifth – sufficient realms for their self-preservation. This had been his most rapid exertion, consolidating all his spiritual power within a compressed timeframe. Post the Sixth Transition, further advancements would not be as effortless, certainly not achievable within a mere ten days. "Return after you have exited the Grotto Heaven," Xiao Ruoling instructed. Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "By the time I emerge, you may still be immersed in your training." "Young Master, where are you headed?" Shen Hanyue inquired with curiosity. Xiao Ruoling relayed Chu Zhiyuan's intention to explore the new Grotto Heaven. "Oh, Young Master, you are venturing into the new Grotto Heaven as well? Could it be the same one we are destined for?" She then shook her head with a light laugh. "That cannot be; the new Grotto Heaven was unearthed by our Spirit Venerable ancestors. Its existence is strictly confidential, unknown to any outsiders." Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile, "Perhaps our destinations align." "Absolutely not," Shen Hanyue firmly stated, shaking her head. "Our ancestors would never divulge such secrets. How could an outsider possibly learn of the new Grotto Heaven? Who could possibly compel a Spirit Venerable to reveal such information?" Chu Zhiyuan responded, "We, too, possess a Spirit Venerable." "Hmm, that remains improbable," Shen Hanyue insisted. "Unless your Spirit Venerable managed to defeat our ancestors and extort the location of the new Grotto Heaven... Hehe, it seems our relationship with your Heaven-Reaching Sect is not as amicable as I had assumed."
Chu Zhiyuan let out a light chuckle, "Alright, then until next time. I'll be out soon; you be careful too." Xiao Ruoling offered a gentle nod. With a wave, the Heaven-Reaching Order within Chu Zhiyuan's sleeve glowed, and he vanished in a blur. The following instant, he found himself outside the main hall of the Heaven-Reaching Sect. He took a deep breath. His Super Sense had been isolated earlier, and while not in immediate danger, it had kept him on edge. Now, finally free, he could fully relax. He mused on the reason for the Super Sense's isolation: was it a deliberate act by a Spirit Venerable, or had it been triggered by a Treasure? Zhang Ji Yuan and Ning Dongge emerged from the Light Gate, their expressions quickly turning to concern upon seeing his solemn look. "Little Junior Brother, how did things go with Sister-in-law?" Zhang Ji Yuan inquired, adding, "Won't you be punished?" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "Nothing has changed on that end." Unable to discuss the Super Sense incident, he feigned normalcy and asked, "Senior Brother Ning, have you found a solution?" "No solution has been found," Ning Dongge replied with a shake of his head. "We can only proceed step by step. We'll try to find it first; if not, then we might have to leave the sect." Locating a Grotto Heaven using a Miracle Technique necessitates a personal visit for verification. Attempting Miracle Techniques within the sect might only yield a vague direction, presenting a significant challenge. The dilemma was clear: remain within the sect to avoid potential ill omens, possibly missing the Grotto Heaven, or take a gamble for its discovery. What if the black thread wasn't an omen at all? Wouldn't that be a grave misfortune? This involved a Grotto Heaven belonging to the Divine Race, and its loss would profoundly impact the entire Heaven-Reaching Sect. Zhang Ji Yuan, eager to act, spoke up, "Senior Brother, Little Junior Brother, let's give it a try first." Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward and extended his right hand. Zhang Ji Yuan and Ning Dongge mirrored his action, their right hands meeting, grasping the translucent pebble. Their True Yuan circulated, transforming into a profound aura, and was slowly infused into the pebble. Their energies merged through the stone, and their perceptions suddenly brightened. Subsequently, an intense booming sound reverberated in their minds, as if the very heavens and earth were collapsing. The ground then began to shake violently, mountains swayed, and it felt as though the world was disintegrating around them. They were caught in a tumultuous torrent, tossed and turned uncontrollably, experiencing extreme dizziness. Chu Zhiyuan focused his mind on the Void within, and a burst of light emerged. The intense shaking abruptly ceased, reminiscent of a flood flowing into a boundless sea, where the waves quickly subsided. He found himself enveloped in darkness, but within it, a solitary starlight beckoned him onward. Concentrating, he moved forward, continuously advancing. Yet, the star seemed impossibly distant, remaining elusive no matter how close he tried to get, always maintaining an equal, faint distance. An inexplicable sense of despair washed over him. He pushed aside this despair, maintaining his relentless pursuit of the starlight. Time seemed to stretch, perhaps years, perhaps decades; its very meaning dissolved. The starlight finally began to enlarge, transforming into a luminous moon. He continued to advance. The moon expanded, tenfold, a hundredfold, becoming a sphere with a hundred-meter radius suspended in the Void. However, as he pressed on, he found himself unable to draw any closer. He retracted his spiritual power, returning to his senses, and gradually awoke. He found himself alone. The surroundings were desolate, the sun high in the sky, its warm rays bathing him in a cozy glow. Turning his head towards the main hall, he activated the Heaven-Reaching Order and stepped through the Light Gate, re-entering the hall. Zhang Ji Yuan and Ning Dongge were seated cross-legged inside, their faces pale and their brows etched with exhaustion. Hearing the commotion, they opened their eyes. Upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan vibrant and well, they exchanged a glance and shook their heads. "Senior Brother, how long was I out here?" "A day and a half," Zhang Ji Yuan replied. "We spent half a day operating together, and you spent another day on your own."