Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1343 - 1339: Dan Yang

~9 minute read · 2,139 words
Previously on Imperial Cultivation...
Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang witnessed a mysterious cultivator massacre two villages, discovering he used a soul-devouring technique. The Evil Extermination Department quickly provided a portrait of the perpetrator. A signal flare led Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang to a battle, where four mystic-robed experts were being overpowered. Chu Zhiyuan intervened with his flying knives, and after a brief struggle, he killed the cultivator with his Golden Sword. As the cultivator died, a radiant rose-like flower bloomed and shot into the sky.
"Bang!" Experts from the Evil Extermination Department were sent flying, colliding with trees that shuddered, their branches trembling and leaves scattering. As the Strange Flower vanished in an instant, an unseen, colossal force expanded outwards from its former location, surging skyward like tempestuous waves. Chu Zhiyuan tilted his head, his gaze fixed upon the spot where the Strange Flower had disappeared. Huang Zhengyang's expression grew grim. "Could that have been the Undying Evil Venerable?" Chu Zhiyuan asked thoughtfully, "Brother Huang, have you ever witnessed anything like this before?" "This is my first time." Chu Zhiyuan turned to observe the surrounding experts, who were all struggling to regain their footing. The assembled crowd, many clutching their chests, channeled True Yuan to alleviate their suffocating sensation. Every one of them had sustained injuries from that single, powerful blow. Nodding in agreement, they began to speak: "Mr. Chu, I have never encountered such a phenomenon." "Never before." "I haven't seen anything like it." ... Huang Zhengyang's face was so dark it seemed capable of dripping. He understood the implications with stark clarity: a new Undying Evil Venerable had emerged. More critically, this entity was potentially not from You Meng Heaven! Chu Zhiyuan simply shook his head. "Brother Chu, is there any secret technique you can employ to track him?" "He left no discernible traces." "Damn it, he didn't leave any trace when he descended either," Huang Zhengyang muttered resentfully, his complexion still gloomy. Typically, when Undying Evil Venerables from You Meng Heaven descended, they would erect a Divine Statue as a marker. In comparison, those particular Undying Evil Venerables were, in a strange way, less troublesome to manage. Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "I will attempt to track the location of his descent at the very least." "That would be ideal," Huang Zhengyang stated with haste. Chu Zhiyuan lowered his gaze, glancing towards the Golden Sword resting at his hip. This time, the act of slaying that fiend had imbued the Golden Sword with an extraordinary amount of Merit. This Merit was comparable to that gained from vanquishing ten Undying Evil Venerables combined. While the individual's cultivation was indeed more formidable than a single Undying Evil Venerable's, it wasn't equivalent to the combined strength of ten. He pondered the reason for such a substantial Merit reward. Pushing these thoughts aside, his attention shifted to the East Huan Saint Technique. Taking a deep inhale, he allowed his consciousness to sink into the Void. His spiritual power surged forth, drawing from the three clones of Chu Liezhao and the others. A Golden Pupil, situated on his brow, began to radiate a Seven-Colored Light. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his pupils gradually became vacant, as if he were lost in contemplation of past events. Silence prevailed; they simply circulated their True Yuan, awaiting his next move. Exchanges of glances passed between them. After mere moments, Chu Zhiyuan ascended, gliding effortlessly through the air as if carried by the sky itself. The assembled crowd followed closely behind. Observing the continued vacant expression in his eyes, Huang Zhengyang refrained from speaking, content to follow. They proceeded directly south for ten li, arriving at a desolate valley. Several bare, hill-like formations comprised the desolate landscape. Within the valley, peculiar stones jutted out at odd angles; scarcely a blade of grass could be found. Chu Zhiyuan came to a halt, his gaze regaining its clarity. Upon entering the valley, everyone scanned their surroundings, seeking any sign or trace. However, beyond the towering, unusual stones, no other evidence was present. There was no indication of a powerful impact, nor any lingering abnormal energy. Huang Zhengyang finally broke the silence. "Brother Chu, what is this place...?" Chu Zhiyuan drifted down before a large slab of bluestone situated within the valley and flicked his sleeve. This bluestone was perfectly rectangular, measuring the size of a bed, starkly contrasting with the unusually shaped rocks surrounding it. As his long sleeve swept past, a gust of force dislodged all the accumulated dust from the bluestone's surface. Instantly, the bluestone's surface revealed intricate, densely packed floral patterns. These patterns were not etched; they appeared to be natural formations, like veins within the stone. At first glance, it seemed as though a multitude of blossoming flowers were pushing outwards from the stone's interior. These floral patterns seemed to possess a life of their own, on the verge of breaking free from the bluestone. "What is this...?" Huang Zhengyang inquired, perplexed. Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Brother Huang, don't these flowers seem familiar?" "The one from earlier?" Huang Zhengyang recognized them. Chu Zhiyuan stated slowly, "He first materialized precisely upon this stone." "Did he fall from the sky?" "He emerged from within this very stone." "Emerging from a stone? How utterly strange!" "Brother Huang, please investigate precisely where he originated from." "I will return and look into any existing records." Chu Zhiyuan's countenance was grave. This individual had ascended directly, leaving him with no means to utilize the East Wall Sacred Technique for tracing. Under the current circumstances, all he could do was await the outcome of Huang Zhengyang's investigation.

He had started to rely on this technique now.

....

Chu Zhiyuan materialized within a courtyard situated inside the Glazed Heaven Great Wei Ninth Princess Mansion.

The sun was positioned high in the sky, casting bright and clear sunlight.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue were engaged in martial arts practice within the courtyard, both clad in white combat attire, their fists and palms moving in a blur.

Upon noticing his appearance, their 'Palm Shadow Fist Seals' instantly vanished.

Both women possessed skin as white as snow, tinged with a rosy hue, their eyes sparkled brightly, and their vitality was overflowing.

Shen Hanyue eagerly conveyed the news: "Princely Heir, Senior Sister Guo has indeed managed to persuade the Emperor to host a Heaven-Sacrificing Grand Ceremony and extend an invitation to the Heavenly Chosen Emperor."

Xiao Ruoling added with a slight nod: "Senior Sister Guo's influence is still considerable. The ceremony is slated for tomorrow."

Such a rather unconventional proposition had received approval with remarkable speed.

It necessitated not only the Emperor's consent but also the ministers' endorsement; for it to be resolved so swiftly indicated a unified court from the highest echelons to the lowest.

Only an individual possessing substantial prestige could have orchestrated such a swift outcome.

"So abrupt?" Chu Zhiyuan remarked with a smile. "Does this signify that your stay here will be quite brief?"

"Mm, once the Heaven-Sacrificing Grand Ceremony concludes, I anticipate Senior Sister Guo will depart."

Shen Hanyue mentioned, "Princely Heir, you have been absent for three days. Preparations have been underway for four days already; that is hardly rushed."

"Four days..." Chu Zhiyuan mused.

"Will Senior Sister Guo truly return to the Imperial Palace so soon? What if those Princes disregard the outcome of the ceremony?"

"I doubt they can create significant unrest," Xiao Ruoling replied, gently shaking her head.

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "Whichever faction she backs, the overall situation is essentially decided."

Guo Mingxue, serving as Great Wei's most formidable deterrent, was akin to the Emperor's Sword wielded by a Lesser Outer Heaven.

The allegiance she lent would undoubtedly secure the position for that particular side.

Shen Hanyue voiced her concern, "I do not believe they will readily accept it."

Xiao Ruoling countered, "Then they can only scheme in the shadows, incapable of causing any major disruptions."

"One can still capsize in a shallow ditch," Shen Hanyue insisted, unwilling to concede.

Xiao Ruoling let out a laugh. "With such abysmal fortune, how could they possibly contend for the imperial throne?"

Chu Zhiyuan inquired, "When is the imperial throne of Great Wei slated for succession?"

Xiao Ruoling responded, "According to Senior Sister Guo, once the selection is finalized, to preempt any unforeseen circumstances, the new Emperor will ascend the throne within a year."

Chu Zhiyuan fell into deep contemplation.

After a moment of reflection, he still resolved to employ the East Wall Sacred Technique.

He ascended to the roof with a light movement, his gaze directed towards the distant Imperial Palace.

The structures of the Imperial Palace stood three meters taller than those in his vicinity, and the palace walls, in particular, rose majestically, obstructing his view.

His 'Super Sense' was also repelled beyond the walls by an unseen force.

This was the formidable power emanating from that National Guardian Spiritual Artifact.

Refraining from forcefully probing inwards with his 'Insight', his attention shifted to a contingent of Imperial Guards stationed before the main gate of the palace.

The 'Golden Pupil' situated deep between his brows ignited with a Seven-Colored Light, and his eyes adopted a vacant, unfocused appearance.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue glided to his side, their white garments resembling snow, their sleeves fluttering gently.

A short while later, Chu Zhiyuan's gaze regained its clarity. He turned his head towards Xiao Ruoling and transmitted his thoughts through Sound Transmission into Secret: "It is the Fifth Prince who will ascend."

He descended gracefully to the ground, followed by the two women who floated down after him.

"The Fifth Prince..." Xiao Ruoling murmured via Sound Transmission into Secret.

Shen Hanyue clearly heard the transmission as well.

"The Fifth Prince?" Shen Hanyue exclaimed. "Does this mean the Fifth Prince is the one who will be chosen?"

Chu Zhiyuan sent another message through Sound Transmission into Secret: "In eight months' time, the Fifth Prince will take the throne."

Shen Hanyue expressed her astonishment: "Princely Heir, your capabilities are becoming increasingly remarkable."

Given the incident with the Strange Stone previously, she no longer found it extraordinarily difficult to believe that Chu Zhiyuan possessed the ability to foresee the future.

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile. "It is an ability derived from that Strange Stone."

"To be able to glimpse the future..."

"It is merely one potential future. Once it is spoken aloud, its accuracy diminishes."

"That is also true."

"Let us commence our training," Chu Zhiyuan proposed.

The trio embarked on their 'Cultivation'.

Chu Zhiyuan could still perceive the substantial advancements with each instance of cultivating the Taihao Jade Void Scripture.

His physical body continued to improve at a rapid pace.

His objective was to elevate his physique to its utmost limit as swiftly as possible, to determine if he could approach the threshold of the 'Spirit Venerable' realm and subsequently push open that door.

The following morning, he departed discreetly and made his way back to the Heavenly Sword Branch.

It was there he encountered Huang Zhengyang again.

Huang Zhengyang's demeanor was serious. He stood from behind his desk, approached him, and let out a breath. "That individual likely hails from Dan Yang Heaven."

"Dan Yang Heaven..."

This particular heavenly layer was unfamiliar to him.

"There was one documented instance approximately two thousand years ago."

"And nothing since?"

"No subsequent records exist."

"What sort of Evil Skill does he employ, and what is his origin?"

"The last person to emerge was similar. He is believed to have been an accomplished cultivator of the Flower God Sect, and it's speculated he practiced the Taihua Thick Earth Technique."

"Dan Yang Heaven... Flower God Sect... Taihua Thick Earth Technique..." Chu Zhiyuan expressed his lack of knowledge.

He hadn't encountered even the slightest piece of information regarding them.

"That individual instigated a significant upheaval. Ultimately, he breached the Imperial City without hesitation, was apprehended, and subjected to intense interrogation, yet he still managed to escape back."

"Who managed to apprehend him?"

"Several Tributes combined their efforts, orchestrating an Array in conjunction with specialized Spiritual Artifacts. It required an extraordinary expenditure of power."

Chu Zhiyuan commented, "He doesn't seem exceptionally powerful, does he? ...Ah, I comprehend. That individual must have engaged in a period of reckless Cultivation, felt himself invincible beneath the heavens, and only then dared to storm the Imperial City."

While the Golden Sword possessed immense power, it was uncertain if it could withstand the combined might of several Tributes stationed within the Imperial City, augmented by Spiritual Artifacts.

Especially considering those Artifacts were far from ordinary.

"Precisely."

"So, did they discover a method to counter him?"

"No."

"..." Chu Zhiyuan found himself at a loss for words.

"Alas..." Huang Zhengyang sighed deeply. "Those affiliated with the Flower God Sect are even more formidable than the Undying Evil Venerable."

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "There was a single occurrence two millennia ago, and none thereafter. Perhaps that individual merely arrived by chance, and no others will follow."

"One can only hope so." Huang Zhengyang shook his head, his expression rapidly growing somber. "However, I cannot dispel this lingering sense of apprehension."

His instincts strongly suggested that additional experts from the Flower God Sect were poised to arrive.