Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1344 - 1340: Precaution

It felt as if there was no available defense against an unseen blade pressed against one's throat.

Despite the strong premonition of impending chaos from the Dan Yang Heaven experts, their presence was unfelt, leaving only the inevitability of doom.

This pervasive sense of dread and impending danger plagued his nights, robbing him of restful sleep.

He awakened twice in the dead of night from nightmares, each time jolted by visions of cities utterly annihilated.

"Haa..."

A deep exhale escaped him, seeking to release the suffocating frustration stemming from his utter helplessness.

"...Let me attempt another glimpse."

Chu Zhiyuan massaged his temples, a dull ache throbbing at the center of his forehead.

Even after a full day, the residual exhaustion from employing the Donghuan Saint Technique had yet to subside.

His gaze fixed intently upon Huang Zhengyang, his eyes gradually losing their focus.

Feeling increasingly uneasy under Chu Zhiyuan's vacant stare, Huang Zhengyang had a strong urge to depart.

However, he remained rooted, unwilling to disrupt Chu Zhiyuan's concentration during his divination.

Unaware that Chu Zhiyuan possessed the ability to foresee the future, Huang Zhengyang had always perceived him as an all-capable figure, which instilled in him an unfailing sense of hope.

Suppressing his instinct to flee, he kept his eyes locked onto Chu Zhiyuan's unfocused gaze.

The Golden Pupil refracted light in a dazzling seven-colored display.

Time seemed to surge forward at an accelerated pace.

A brief moment later, clarity returned to Chu Zhiyuan's eyes, and his sharp brows knitted in thought.

Huang Zhengyang inquired with haste, "What did you see?"

Chu Zhiyuan deliberated, weighing the potential outcomes, and stated deliberately, "I caught a fleeting, indistinct vision; you received word that Flower God Sect disciples had reappeared, razing four villages."

"Curses, they've shown their faces again!"

Huang Zhengyang's countenance darkened like iron, his eyes flashing with cold fury.

He mused for a moment, "Could you discern precisely when they will strike again?"

Chu Zhiyuan considered this, his face tinged with paleness, before replying slowly, "In ten days... a village known as Black Tree Village."

"Blam!" Huang Zhengyang slammed his palm down forcefully, exclaiming, "Excellent!"

Gritting his teeth, he declared, "I shall recruit several skilled masters, bring forth that unique Spiritual Artifact, and lie in wait there!... When the time comes, we will apprehend them, extract all information through rigorous interrogation!"

Chu Zhiyuan's brow furrowed as he eventually shook his head, a sigh of resignation escaping him. "That is the extent of my foresight."

"That suffices, Brother Chu; do not overexert yourself. We have a lead, and we shall apprehend them!"

"The other three villages may not be so fortunate."

In truth, Black Tree Village is slated for destruction first; by securing it, we can intercept the culprits.

Huang Zhengyang responded, "We will endeavor to do our utmost; however, we are not omnipotent."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly, his hand returning to his forehead. "Brother Huang, I shall take my leave now."

"Hurry back and rest; are you feeling unwell?"

"I should recover within a couple of days."

"Then make haste, do not push yourself too hard, and take care not to sustain any injuries. Your abilities are of paramount importance."

"Please maintain the confidentiality of this matter."

Huang Zhengyang thumped his chest a few times, assuring, "You can trust my discretion implicitly!"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile and a nod. "I depart now."

Huang Zhengyang gestured a hasty farewell.

Chu Zhiyuan returned the gesture, vanishing instantly, leaving the hall utterly deserted.

"Summon an attendant!" Huang Zhengyang commanded.

A middle-aged man entered with quiet steps, offering a respectful fist salutation. "Director."

"Ascertain the existence of any village named Black Tree Village in the vicinity of the Imperial City; I must know, regardless of the circumstances!"

The lean and sharp-featured middle-aged man shook his head. "Director, to the best of my knowledge, within a hundred-mile radius of the Imperial City, no such village as Black Tree Village exists."

"None at all?"

"I am quite certain; there is no Black Tree Village."

"Then broaden the search perimeter and continue looking. I must have it located! You have three days!"

This Mo Qiuqiu possesses the uncanny ability to recall every detail he perceives, including a comprehensive mental map of all villages within a hundred miles.

If he states its absence, then it truly does not exist within that range.

Clearly, this Black Tree Village must be situated beyond the hundred-mile radius of the Imperial City.

Under any circumstances, locating Black Tree Village with utmost speed is imperative, allowing for meticulous planning.

"Director, three days?"

"Is three days insufficient?"

"I shall commence inquiries at the Six Ministries immediately!"

"Quickly, quickly! Remember, precisely three days!"

"Understood."

...

"Your Highness, the chosen successor to the imperial throne is not the Fifth Prince. Ha, your predictions were inaccurate."

Upon Chu Zhiyuan's sudden materialization within Xiao Ruoling's Glazed Heaven courtyard, Shen Hanyue's taunting laughter greeted him.

"Not the Fifth Prince?" Chu Zhiyuan inquired.

Shen Hanyue emphatically nodded, chuckling, "It is the Sixth Prince!"

Chu Zhiyuan then turned his gaze towards Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling offered a gentle nod in agreement.

Shen Hanyue huffed, her tone laced with disbelief, "Young Master, do you truly not credit my words?!"

"It actually concerns the Sixth Prince..." Chu Zhiyuan voiced, his surprise evident.

"So, your divination was inaccurate!" Shen Hanyue declared with a charming laugh, "Even you can err, ha!"

A wave of elation washed over her; Chu Zhiyuan making a miscalculation was a delightful prospect.

Chu Zhiyuan gracefully ascended, positioning himself on the rain gutter of the roof ridge, his gaze directed towards the Imperial Guard positioned not far off.

His eyes briefly lost focus, but a slow blink restored their clarity.

Shen Hanyue inquired, "Did you discern something? Will you retract your earlier statement?"

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a shake of his head, "Indeed, it is the Fifth Prince who shall ascend to the throne as Emperor."

"Then what of the Sixth Prince?" Shen Hanyue pressed, "Can their destiny be altered once chosen?"

Xiao Ruoling softly interjected, "Will conflicts arise after their selection?... Senior Sister Guo would surely not permit such a thing, would she?"

Senior Sister Guo's cultivation prowess surpassed all others within the Glazed Heaven Sect.

Should she choose to intervene, the outcome of the Heaven Worship Ceremony would be rendered unassailable.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head once more, affirming, "It remains true, the Fifth Prince will rightfully be Emperor."

Shen Hanyue tilted her head, posing a question, "Can the Princely Heir not perceive the true sequence of events?"

"A mere general outline..." Chu Zhiyuan disclosed, "The Sixth Prince's cultivation path leads to deviant practice."

"Ah—!?" Shen Hanyue exclaimed in astonishment, "What an extraordinary coincidence?... Could this be their machination?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "That, I cannot ascertain, only a faint glimpse of the final outcome."

"Deviant practice..." Shen Hanyue mused, shaking her head, "Too coincidental, it must be a conspiracy, perhaps orchestrated by the Fifth Prince?"

Her gaze shifted to Xiao Ruoling, "Senior Sister, what is your assessment?"

"Not necessarily the Fifth Prince; the perpetrator could be someone else entirely... Should the Sixth Prince meet with misfortune, it would naturally reignite the imperial succession struggle. Perhaps the Fifth Prince was merely fortunate, and the imperial throne fortuitously fell to him."

Shen Hanyue tilted her head, lost in thought, "Hmm..."

Chu Zhiyuan elaborated, "Once the Sixth Prince falls victim to deviant practice, the established procedures become void, and the conclusive verdict of the Heaven Worship Ceremony loses its authority; the imperial contest will intensify, plunging the realm into chaos."

The heavens favored one Prince, yet this very Prince succumbs to deviant practice.

Does this signify that heaven's choice was flawed, or was it never heaven's will to begin with?

Regardless of the interpretation, such a method cannot possibly garner the populace's trust, inevitably leading back to an era of conflict.

Xiao Ruoling inquired, "Dearest, when is the imperial throne slated to change hands?"

"Within one month's time," Chu Zhiyuan responded.

"One month..." Xiao Ruoling pondered, "Then, we must inform Senior Sister Guo. Urge her to keep vigil over the Sixth Prince, and prevent him from embarking on a path of deviant practice."

"Initially, Senior Sister Guo intended to remain here for a full month," Shen Hanyue concurred, "Keeping him under observation for this duration should pose no difficulty."

Xiao Ruoling turned her attention back to Chu Zhiyuan, "No room for error, correct?"

Chu Zhiyuan stated, "If further complications arise, then it is a matter of fate; beyond our capabilities to intervene."

He harbored no ambition of becoming a savior, his sole aim was to offer assistance to those around him whenever circumstances permitted.

Shen Hanyue expressed her concern, "I merely fear that Senior Sister Guo might dismiss our words as unfounded tales, and neglect the matter."

"In that event, there would be nothing further we could do," Chu Zhiyuan conceded, "It would also be attributed to fate."

Shen Hanyue turned to Xiao Ruoling, "Senior Sister, you must persuade Senior Sister Guo. She holds your words in high regard."

"Mm," Xiao Ruoling affirmed with a nod.

Approximately a quarter of an hour later, she approached Guo Mingxue, conveying her apprehension and suggesting it would be prudent to remain in close proximity to the Sixth Prince.

Guo Mingxue readily consented without a moment's hesitation.

However, Xiao Ruoling also cautioned Guo Mingxue to be wary of the Sixth Prince's potentially excessive cultivation, which could lead to deviant practice.

Guo Mingxue let out a soft chuckle, yet she nodded, assuring Xiao Ruoling that she would maintain a diligent watch.

Internally, Xiao Ruoling sighed, shaking her head slightly.

It remained uncertain how much of her warning Guo Mingxue had truly absorbed.