Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1330 - 1326: Prayer Text

Xiao Ruoling affirmed, "It is indeed this one."

Chu Zhiyuan accepted the fragmented scroll, its seeming weightlessness felt peculiar in his grasp.

As if holding naught but air.

The aged parchment possessed a pliability akin to supple skin, yielding slightly to his tug without any sign of strain.

The very composition of this scroll was undeniably extraordinary.

A mere gentle pull would suffice to damage common paper, let alone something meant to be as robust as leather.

With considerably more force, even formidable blades would find their edge dulled.

Yet, this artifact remained impeccably intact.

His gaze drifted across the inscribed characters, contemplation deepening as he cast his eyes towards the heavens.

He meticulously compared the ancient script with the texts etched within his memory, searching for any resonant patterns.

A subtle smile soon graced his lips.

"Have you gleaned some understanding?" Xiao Ruoling inquired.

Chu Zhiyuan gave a slight nod. "A measure of insight, though its origins remain a mystery."

Shen Hanyue interjected, "This scroll was unearthed from within a relic site."

Chu Zhiyuan turned his attention to her.

Shen Hanyue elaborated, "My information suggested it originated from an Outer Heaven relic, though it's highly improbable that such a relic still exists."

"Which relic specifically?" Chu Zhiyuan pressed.

Shen Hanyue replied, "The East Huan Sacred Valley."

Xiao Ruoling gently shook her head. "I have no recollection of such a place."

Shen Hanyue noted, "This fragmented scroll dates back fifty thousand years; it is virtually impossible for that relic to persist through such an age."

Chu Zhiyuan fell into silent contemplation.

Shen Hanyue posed, "Does the Princely Heir intend to seek out this long-lost relic?"

Xiao Ruoling declared, "I shall consult the imperial archives."

"An excellent course of action," Chu Zhiyuan agreed, nodding his assent.

...

Outer Heaven

Prince Consort Mansion

Amidst a convivial feast, Chu Liezhao conversed with the Eldest Prince, Li Cunren, casually broaching the subject of the East Huan Sacred Valley.

Li Cunren paused, his surprise evident. "How comes it that you are aware of this location?"

"Does my elder brother possess knowledge of it?" Chu Liezhao appeared equally taken aback.

"By sheer coincidence, that is indeed the case," Li Cunren remarked with a chuckle. "While recently perusing the Imperial Treasury, I happened upon an artifact originating from the East Huan Sacred Valley."

He gestured, a signal to his attendant. "Wei Chengde."

An aged eunuch, distinguished by his flowing white beard, approached with remarkable stealth. He clasped his fists in a respectful bow.

"Proceed at once to retrieve the Iron Token I acquired from the Imperial Treasury three days prior."

"Understood."

The elderly eunuch withdrew and vanished as swiftly as he had appeared.

Chu Liezhao offered a smile. "My sincerest thanks, elder brother."

Li Cunren waved dismissively. "I even made inquiries regarding this East Huan Sacred Valley; the prevailing belief is that it was a Heavenly Being's inheritance, though its veracity remains uncertain."

Chu Liezhao inquired, "Are there any records pertaining to the East Huan Sacred Valley?"

"It was referenced in an ancient scroll, but the text has long since been lost, rendering further discussion moot. Countless sects have vanished from antiquity to the present day; the loss of one more is hardly significant."

"What is known concerning the East Huan Sacred Valley?" Chu Liezhao inquired further.

"It seems to have concerned the divination of fortune and misfortune, not unlike the Fengtian Palace, though undoubtedly inferior to it."

"Otherwise, why would its legacy be lost to time?"

"Precisely," Li Cunren chuckled. "Had its abilities been truly profound, its sect would hardly have met ruin and lost its entire inheritance."

Chu Liezhao nodded in agreement.

The reasoning presented was indeed sound.

However, based on his own understanding, those who delve into celestial secrets invariably face dire repercussions, a hazard difficult to evade.

The Fengtian Palace, it must be conceded, held a formidable reputation, persisting to this day due to its enigmatic powers.

As their conversation progressed, the white-bearded eunuch reappeared, seemingly out of thin air.

He presented a token crafted from a material as black as pitch.

It was roughly the size of a palm, hexagonal in shape, and cast in an obsidian hue, as if stained with ink. Intricately carved upon its surface was the image of a peculiar beast.

This Strange Beast bore a resemblance to a lion, its eyes seeming to emanate a spiritual luminescence, growing brighter the longer one gazed, fixing directly upon the observer's heart.

Chu Liezhao accepted the Iron Token offered by Li Cunren. "Could this be the insignia of the East Huan Sacred Valley?"

"Most likely," Li Cunren concurred. He flipped the token, revealing two characters inscribed on its reverse side. "These characters presumably represent 'East Huan'."

"It is highly probable," Chu Liezhao affirmed, nodding.

Within his mind, he rapidly cross-referenced this inscription, finding no match among his known texts, still no discernible connection.

His scrutiny intensified, and his Super Sense Insight detected a faint, residual energy permeating the artifact.

The force was so weak as to be almost negligible, akin to the last flickering embers of a candle, poised to extinguish.

"If it pleases you, take it as your own," Li Cunren offered with a laugh. "It holds little value; I was merely intrigued by the engraving of the Strange Beast, but I have discovered nothing further from it."

"Then I shall accept your generous gift without reservation. Thank you, elder brother."

Chu Liezhao carefully tucked the Iron Token into his sleeve and resumed his meal and drinks.

...

The following morning, Chu Zhiyuan departed from the Profound Yin Palace, positioning himself atop a towering mountain summit.

Upon the peak, a shimmering Gate of Light materialized with haste, and Chu Liezhao stepped through it.

He presented the Iron Token to Chu Zhiyuan, then turned, re-entering the Gate of Light and vanishing completely.

Chu Zhiyuan, securing the Iron Token within his sleeve, also vanished in a flash, reappearing within the confines of the Heaven-Reaching Sect.

His presence within the Heaven-Reaching Sect had become increasingly frequent, a consequence of the profound sense of security he now felt while within its precincts.

Within Heaven-Reaching Sect, a place that other Spirit Venerables could not invade, he was suddenly under assault. Though Spirit Venerables would typically not kill without reason, their true intentions remained unknown. Bound by worldly affairs, he could not remain entirely within the sect's confines yet. It was best to handle pressing matters from within Heaven-Reaching Sect. He entered the main hall, offered a nod to Ning Dongge and Zhang Ji Yuan present inside, then approached the wall. Placing the Heaven-Reaching Order, he stepped through the newly formed Light Gate.

In the next moment, he found himself standing within the Ten Thousand Knowledge Tower. Facing the immense Karma Stone Wall, he retrieved the remnant scroll from his bosom, followed by the Iron Token. A faint sensation suggested the Iron Token might hold a connection to the Karma Stone Wall. As the Iron Token drew nearer to the Karma Stone Wall, his Super Sense perceived its subtle inner breath rapidly intensifying. It was akin to a dimming lamp suddenly receiving fuel, growing vibrant and robust.

The Iron Token began to emit light, a soft golden radiance spilling forth like a sunset painting the heavens. This golden light slowly unfurled, gradually expanding outwards, washing over the Karma Stone Wall. The Karma Stone Wall suddenly illuminated, as if instantly transformed into a mirror, its radiant luster sparkling brightly. Chu Zhiyuan beheld his own reflection within it.

In the following instant, a beam of golden light shot directly at him. He instinctively sensed peril and vanished. "Pop!" The golden light impacted a shelf on the opposing wall, shattering a stone resting upon it. Chu Zhiyuan clicked his tongue. The fist-sized stone appeared dull, seemingly unremarkable. Yet, it was an ancient artifact, and despite its unknown purpose, it was known for its incredible toughness. Such a sturdy stone was now reduced to fragments by the impact of the golden light.

The next moment, the Karma Stone Wall emitted another beam of golden light. Just as he prepared to evade, a sudden flash of spiritual light dawned in his mind. He immediately paused, raising the Iron Token to intercept the beam of golden light. "Ding..." Amidst a clear resonance, the golden light struck the Iron Token. The golden light penetrated, transforming the Iron Token into a golden hue. Chu Zhiyuan felt an intense heat as the Iron Token's temperature soared beyond a hundred degrees.

Gripping it tightly, he simultaneously channeled his spirit force towards the Iron Token. "Boom!" A loud explosion resounded in his ears. Opposite the Karma Stone Wall, the light swiftly vanished, returning to its previous appearance. Chu Zhiyuan was met with only darkness. Within the gloom, a golden glow gradually emerged. Twinkling in the air, they resembled stars scattered across the night sky. These golden beams rapidly converged, transforming into clusters of golden light. The golden light twisted and contorted, forming words. These were the same unfamiliar characters seen on the Karma Stone Wall.

Chu Zhiyuan felt a slight ripple of emotion. The mysterious words twisted once more, gradually resolving into recognizable text. He hastily memorized the inscription, then contemplated it thoroughly. After a period of deep thought, he opened his eyes, golden light faintly flickering within them. Gazing at the Karma Stone Wall, he shook his head with a smile. This time, he could comprehend the text inscribed upon the Karma Stone Wall. It was a devotional text: the East Huan Emperor’s Hymn. It was a plea directed towards the heavens, seeking a spiritual decree and guidance for the path ahead. It was not a mental cultivation technique. The true mental method was contained within the remnant scroll he already possessed from the Profound Yin Palace.