Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1329 - 1325: Clues

Xiao Ruoling declared, "Husband, our trial has been canceled this time."

"Why is that?" Chu Zhiyuan inquired.

Shen Hanyue scoffed, "The elders made the decision, yet they didn't offer a clear reason, and now they are placing the blame on us."

She shot a glare at Huang Jiang, saying, "Can we even influence the elders’ decree? What are they contemplating?"

Jiang Luan chimed in, "Everyone is saying that if you two hadn't withdrawn, the elders wouldn't have altered their decision."

"Ha!" Shen Hanyue let out an indignant laugh.

"The senior sisters were indeed a tad anxious," Huang Jiaoyun commented with a snort, "It's only natural they would voice their complaints."

"They are merely directing their discontent towards us," Shen Hanyue asserted.

Huang Jiaoyun offered a slight nod.

Jiang Luan chuckled, "Senior Sister Xiao, Senior Sister Shen, is it accurate that you are abstaining from the trial due to being in closed-door cultivation?"

"What else could be the reason?" Shen Hanyue stated with pride, "I have already attained the Fifth Transition, and Senior Sister is at the Sixth Transition. Post closed-door cultivation, we might ascend another Transition."

"Impressive," Jiang Luan lauded, "Your cultivation progression outpaces that of the revered ancestors."

"Not quite," Shen Hanyue replied, beaming.

"It certainly appears to be so," Huang Jiaoyun remarked.

Xiao Ruoling gently shook her head, "It is merely a stroke of good fortune."

"Indeed, we are quite fortunate," Shen Hanyue agreed.

She cast a glance towards Chu Zhiyuan.

Were Chu Zhiyuan not present, it would have taken her and her senior sister a considerable duration to grasp the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique.

Without the profound Marrow Washing Technique, their cultivation would not have been this swift.

Not to mention his assistance in rapidly elevating them by two Transitions.

"Junior Sister Jiang, let us not disturb Senior Sister Xiao and Senior Sister Shen during their closed-door cultivation; let's depart."

"Let's go, let's go," Jiang Luan replied with a laugh, "Senior Sister Huang and I also need to enter closed cultivation, aiming to catch up to you."

"You are dreaming!" Shen Hanyue declared with a triumphant laugh, "You will never catch up; your understanding of the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique is not profound enough."

"Sigh..." Jiang Luan lamented.

The mere thought of the Washing Marrow Technique gave her a headache; true comprehension was paramount.

Yet, comprehending it proved to be an arduous task, no matter how intensely one pondered.

The more one strived for understanding, the less attainable it became.

Insufficient comprehension meant one could not practice diligently, and all their efforts would be in vain.

This presented the core challenge that the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique had imposed upon the disciples of the Profound Yin Palace for countless generations.

In this particular aspect, Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue were undoubtedly the objects of envy for all disciples.

Huang Jiaoyun gave her a gentle tug.

"Alright, alright, we are truly departing now," Jiang Luan stated with a sense of resignation.

She clasped her fists towards Chu Zhiyuan, "Mr. Chu, we bid you farewell."

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a smile, returning the gesture of clasped fists.

Huang Jiaoyun also clasped her fists, and together they exited the small courtyard.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue escorted them to the entrance before turning back towards the small courtyard.

A hint of apology flickered across Xiao Ruoling's face as she gazed at Chu Zhiyuan, "Husband..."

Shen Hanyue voiced her frustration, "This is truly infuriating!"

Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand, a smile on his face, "I hadn't anticipated such a coincidence; has the situation become rather awkward?"

Xiao Ruoling explained, "The junior and senior sisters who were anticipating the trial held great hopes for the New Cave Heaven. Its sudden cancellation would naturally lead to disappointment, which is quite understandable."

"Senior Sister, you are so empathetic; you can understand their feelings, yet they cast blame upon us?" Shen Hanyue pouted her lips, "Hmph, they are simply consumed by jealousy of us!"

"Very well, let us cease this discussion," Xiao Ruoling said, waving her hand gracefully, "Husband, would you care for some refreshments?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and waved his hand in return, "I did not foresee the trial concluding."

Xiao Ruoling nodded slightly, "Nor did we anticipate it; it was quite unexpected."

"It remains unclear what the palace's intentions were," Shen Hanyue commented with a huff. "Had they informed us earlier, we would not have brought up the matter so deliberately."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Hanyue, you seem to be implying I should have mentioned it sooner."

"That is not the case!" Shen Hanyue retorted with a roll of her eyes, "I believe the palace must have learned of our non-participation and inferred a problem, leading them to halt the trial."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "You are far too generous with your praise."

"It is quite plausible," Shen Hanyue insisted, "The palace is not oblivious; they are undoubtedly aware of the Princely Heir's formidable prowess."

The more exceptional an individual, the greater their capacity to comprehend the true extent of the Princely Heir's might.

The astute elders and seniors within the palace were far from ignorant; in fact, their intelligence was exceptionally sharp.

How could they possibly disregard the warning issued by the Princely Heir?

Xiao Ruoling remarked, "Husband, your Junior Sister might have pinpointed the issue accurately."

"You might face peril, but they might not," Chu Zhiyuan stated with a smile. "Circumstances may deviate from our expectations; our knowledge is insufficient."

The scarcity of information renders speculation about the truth a challenging endeavor.

Occasionally, the peculiar nature of the world defies imagination, and even with abundant intelligence, one cannot hastily arrive at definitive conclusions.

The hierarchy of the Profound Yin Palace remains too elevated for him; the intelligence he can access is too sparse, leaving him without even a hint of understanding.

"Forget it; it holds no significance for them!" Shen Hanyue declared. "Let us persist in our cultivation and achieve Perfection swiftly to provoke them!"

Xiao Ruoling offered a smile, shaking her head.

Chu Zhiyuan, with a smile, produced a plain sheet of paper from his pocket, requesting that they find someone to inquire whether the writing upon it was understood.

Xiao Ruoling received the paper, her eyebrows suddenly arching. "Oh?"

A feeling of renewed vigor washed over Chu Zhiyuan.

Could it be that Xiao Ruoling recognized these characters?

Searching far and wide, only to find it with such ease?

Shen Hanyue inquired, "Senior Sister, do you recognize them?"

Xiao Ruoling shook her head. "They possess a sense of familiarity, yet I cannot identify them."

"Where might you have encountered them?" Chu Zhiyuan pressed.

Xiao Ruoling slowly nodded. "Hmm, I believe I saw them in an ancient tome within the library; let me recall..."

She meticulously examined the few characters inscribed on the paper, her brow knitting slightly, her gaze drifting into the distance.

Chu Zhiyuan felt a thrill course through him.

Even without recognition, a trace remained.

With a trace, the hope for decipherment persisted.

"Hmm, it appears I saw them within an ancient book in the library," Xiao Ruoling mused. "It was a fragment."

"Which floor was it on?" Shen Hanyue asked.

"The fourth floor."

"Those are worthless items," Shen Hanyue expressed disappointment instantly. "Mere scraps."

The fourth floor is home to fragments, many of which have been preserved from antiquity.

Few individuals pay them any heed.

Xiao Ruoling stated, "Indeed, they are quite tattered, but the material itself is exceptional; surprisingly resilient."

Shen Hanyue questioned, "How did something so robust sustain damage?"

Xiao Ruoling responded, "Judging by the fractured edges, it must have been damaged by someone employing Claw Skills."

She subtly curved her delicate hand, forming a tiger's claw, and lightly pressed it against the paper.

After tapping it on the paper, she nodded faintly. "It should indeed be Claw Skills."

Shen Hanyue queried, "Senior Sister, you do not recognize the characters upon it?"

Xiao Ruoling shook her head. "I recognize barely any of the characters found on the fourth floor... Very few ancient scripts have endured."

More critically, the Profound Yin Palace possesses the capability to traverse different realms.

These fragments originate from ancient epochs within various worlds, each possessing its distinct script.

"Then I shall retrieve it and have a look," Shen Hanyue declared, eager to investigate.

Should it have been a text from the fifth or sixth floor, it could not be revealed to Chu Zhiyuan, as it would contravene the palace's regulations.

However, the fourth floor presented no such issue.

"On the third shelf, the central position of the seventh rack," Xiao Ruoling indicated.

"I'm off then," Shen Hanyue announced, gracefully departing.

Within the small courtyard, only Chu Zhiyuan and Xiao Ruoling remained.

He extended his hand and drew Xiao Ruoling into his embrace, sensing her warm and delicate presence.

Xiao Ruoling nestled within his arms. "Husband, is this writing of great importance?"

"It was also observed within the sect; I am keen to ascertain its meaning."

"This form of ancient script is exceedingly difficult," Xiao Ruoling remarked. "It might prove to be a fruitless endeavor."

"Let us make an attempt," Chu Zhiyuan suggested. "There is potential for unforeseen discoveries."

"Hmm," Xiao Ruoling murmured, saying no more, contentedly absorbing his warmth and the rhythm of his heartbeat.

With the rustle of garments, the pair separated and assumed their positions.

Shen Hanyue re-entered with light steps, presenting a fragmented tome to Chu Zhiyuan. "Is this it?"