Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1323 - 1319: Hard to Find

Their joined might in a single strike unleashed power far surpassing the sum of their individual strengths.

While not reaching the pinnacle of a Spirit Venerable, this display exceeded the typical perfection of a Venerable.

To neutralize such a force with such apparent ease spoke volumes of the Autumn Moon Mirror's formidable power.

"Little junior brother, off you go now." Ning Dongge chuckled, "Hurry back with good news."

Zhang Ji Yuan chimed in with a laugh, "We await your triumphant return."

"I depart."

Chu Zhiyuan, with a laugh and clasped fists, activated the Heaven-Reaching Order, and in a flash, he was gone.

Leaving the confines of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, he materialized within his personal courtyard in the Heavenly Sword Branch.

Huang Zhengyang was already waiting outside his courtyard, and upon hearing Chu Zhiyuan's voice, he called out, "Brother Huang, please enter."

Huang Zhengyang obliged, pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Chu Zhiyuan came forward to meet him at the courtyard entrance, a smile on his face, "Brother Huang, any fortunate tidings?"

"Fortunate news indeed, the Undying Evil Venerable has not made an appearance recently."

"That is certainly a cause for celebration."

"There is also some less than ideal news."

"Does it pertain to that secret technique?"

"Alas... the Court does not possess such a secret technique." Huang Zhengyang shook his head, his expression grim, "Despite my extensive search, I could not locate it."

Chu Zhiyuan let out a light laugh, "If such a secret technique existed, someone would undoubtedly have mastered it by now."

Huang Zhengyang remained unconvinced, "Even the Ascension Technique remains unmastered."

Chu Zhiyuan responded, "The Ascension Technique is a different matter; its inherent danger discourages deep exploration."

Having personally cultivated it, he understood the peril that deterred further practice.

It was likely that many had encountered setbacks, leading others to only dabble superficially, hesitant to delve too deeply.

Consequently, no one had ever achieved true mastery.

"However, if a secret technique existed without such inherent danger, regardless of its difficulty, someone would eventually conquer it."

"The world is vast, and it never fails to produce prodigies."

"Alas!" Huang Zhengyang sighed, the weight of the situation evident, "It appears there is no path to completely eradicate the Evil Sect."

"The Evil Extermination Department must continue its vital work." Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

Biyuan Heaven, compared to the regions of Yujing and Da Meng, boasts a significantly larger expanse, making the complete eradication of the Evil Sect, as was achieved in the Little Outer Heaven, a far more formidable challenge.

It seems we can only address matters as they arise.

Huang Zhengyang expressed his desire, "I would much rather see the Evil Extermination Department dissolved entirely."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled knowingly, "Brother Huang, your mind is clear and insightful; naturally, you would hold such a view."

"Others may not share this perspective."

"Even the Court might not see it that way."

"A department of this nature involves considerable power and entrenched interests, from the highest echelons to the lowest."

"How could such an entity be dismantled by the will of a single individual?"

Huang Zhengyang glanced around, then lowered his voice, confidential, "Brother Chu, I am slated to become the next Director."

Chu Zhiyuan's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.

Huang Zhengyang continued, "Following the recent disturbances orchestrated by the Undying Evil Venerable and the Evil Sect within the Imperial City, I have established considerable merit, affording me this opportunity to assume the role of Director."

"And Director Zhou?"

"The current Director is stepping down from the Evil Extermination Department."

"To where will he be going?"

"The Director is transitioning to the Ministry Hall."

"I see," Chu Zhiyuan remarked, "That is also a fortunate development."

The Evil Extermination Department operated as a mere division beneath the Six Ministries, subordinate to the Ministry of Justice.

Even holding the position of Director, one was ranked two tiers below officials within the Ministry of Justice.

Transitioning from Director to the Ministry of Justice represented a significant promotion, placing one within the established career progression sequence of the Court.

"I feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on me, growing heavier with each passing day, almost unbearable."

"Haha..."

"Brother Chu, please refrain from laughing; it is truly the case."

"Proceed with caution and vigilance, as if treading on thin ice," Chu Zhiyuan advised with a smile, "You are certainly capable of handling the Director's duties."

"The crux of the matter lies in capability." Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "I find myself far inferior to Director Zhou."

Chu Zhiyuan countered with a laugh, "When Director Zhou first assumed this post, he was likely not as proficient as you are now."

Huang Zhengyang mused, "I feel Director Zhou at that time possessed a greater level of composure than I do now. He was naturally serene, calmly handling matters, unlike my current impatience."

"Brother Huang, your relationships, both with those above and below, are far more robust than Director Zhou's were." Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "When challenges arise, you will undoubtedly have a strong support network."

Huang Zhengyang responded with a laugh, "That's especially true with your support, Brother Chu."

Chu Zhiyuan waved a dismissive hand, laughing, "Brother Huang, you are too kind. Without your unwavering trust, my own efforts would be hindered, rendering me unable to achieve my goals."

A delicate equilibrium exists between the Imperial Court and the Martial Arts Sects, particularly the Four Great Sects. These powers, along with the Evil Extermination Department, often find themselves in a competitive rather than cooperative relationship. It was only through Huang Zhengyang's open disposition and magnanimity that he could navigate these complexities, intervene in crucial matters, and amass merit and Faith Power. Thus, their relationship can be described as mutually beneficial.

"No need for thanks," Huang Zhengyang gestured dismissively. "Once I assume the position of Director, I fear my visits will become infrequent."

Chu Zhiyuan acknowledged this with a nod. "As the Director, holding such a high and powerful office, you must maintain a steady presence. ... Rest assured, should any issues arise, send word for me, and I shall come to offer my assistance."

A smile touched Huang Zhengyang's lips.

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "Brother Huang, has there been any development regarding the Evil Suppressing Abyss?"

Huang Zhengyang responded, "The situation at the Evil Suppressing Abyss remains unchanged after millennia. There is no cause for concern, nor is there a need to hasten there."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in understanding.

...The twilight deepened, casting elongated shadows as the sun slanted toward the horizon.

Chu Zhiyuan positioned himself atop a mountain peak, standing on the very tip of an ancient tree, embracing the wind. A golden luminescence bathed the verdant landscape. Within the serried ranks of peaks, shadows stretched like ink strokes amidst the lush greenery. Strange birds soared through the sky, flitting past him, gliding over the peaks, and occasionally plunging into the valleys nestled between them.

He held a crystal-clear stone in his left hand, his expression grave, his sword-like brows furrowed slightly. Relying on this peculiar stone, he extended his senses. The object of his search should have been close by, yet something felt amiss. As he focused intensely, the perceived location shifted erratically – sometimes above, sometimes below, to the left, then to the right.

Could the Grotto Heaven possibly possess independent movement? He soon entertained the notion that the Grotto Heaven might be a Divine Artifact, questioning if it was, in fact, sentient. If that were the case, locating it would prove to be a formidable challenge.

Ning Dongge and Zhang Ji Yuan had detected the direction as southeast, while his own senses pointed southwest. This discrepancy, he mused, wasn't an error but rather an indication of movement. Perhaps when they sensed it, it was indeed in the southeast, and by the time he sensed it, it had shifted to the southwest?

This line of thought was quickly dismissed. During the process of sensing, the Grotto Heaven had given no indication of relocating. It was only now, in this present moment, that it seemed to be in motion. Where exactly was this Grotto Heaven situated?

He closed his eyes, the dusk breeze caressing his face. Perched atop the ancient tree on the mountain peak, he swayed gently with the tree's tip, yet this gentle motion did not impede his focused sensing.

Suddenly, the Grotto Heaven vanished from his perception.

He frowned and opened his eyes. The sun had fully set, and a residual glow illuminated half the sky. The light receded from the forest, leaving only the encroaching twilight. He inhaled the distinctive scent of dusk, his expression growing more somber. It had truly disappeared.

Could his senses have been mistaken, or was there an issue with the stone itself? He glanced down at the peculiar stone. As dusk settled and the sun dipped below the horizon, a faint streak of black silk appeared within the stone. His expression shifted subtly. Following a sudden intuition, he sensed an inexplicable danger, albeit distant for the moment.

As if propelled by this premonition, he activated the Heaven-Reaching Order. In the ensuing moment, he materialized within the Heaven-Reaching Sect.

Upon his arrival outside the main hall, his immediate action was to examine the strange stone. The streak of black silk had vanished. Chu Zhiyuan let out a soft laugh; the stone truly acted as an omen of disaster, which was quite intriguing. Unfortunately, it could only foretell misfortune, with no ability to predict good fortune.

Ning Dongge emerged from a Gate of Light. "Junior Brother, how did your search go?"

Chu Zhiyuan recounted the events that had transpired.

"Moving..." Ning Dongge mused, nodding. "That is not surprising; numerous Grotto Heavens are known to be in constant motion, frequently shifting their locations."

Chu Zhiyuan elaborated, "However, this Grotto Heaven moves with exceptional speed, almost as if employing Qinggong, making it incredibly difficult to track." He had come to the realization that, with his current capabilities, capturing the Grotto Heaven's precise location seemed beyond his reach. Perhaps, he considered, the power of a Spirit Venerable would be necessary?