Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1353 - 1349: Preparations

With a polite bow and a smile, he addressed the six elders whose faces were alight with vitality: "Greetings to all esteemed seniors. Thank you for your patience."

An elder, preparing to speak with a clearing of his throat, was cut off by Huang Zhengyang’s exclamation: "Brother Chu, let us depart. We can converse as we travel."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a nod in agreement.

The elder’s countenance flushed crimson with vexation, and he shot a displeased glare at Huang Zhengyang.

Feigning ignorance, Huang Zhengyang amplified his voice: "Let us make haste."

"Depart, let’s depart!"

"We shall go..."

The remaining elders chimed in with their assent.

Only the elder with the ruddy complexion continued to cast an irate gaze upon Huang Zhengyang and then shifted it to the other five elders.

Without engaging further, Chu Zhiyuan followed Huang Zhengyang as they moved to depart.

Huang Zhengyang initiated his Qinggong technique, transforming into a wisp of ethereal smoke, with the others following suit.

...

While swiftly progressing, Huang Zhengyang relayed to Chu Zhiyuan, "We have finally located Black Tree Village, a modest settlement of five hundred and sixty li, concealed within the mountains, not widely known."

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a nod.

"Had it not been for your guidance, Brother Chu, it would have been nearly impossible to find it within such a brief period."

"It is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack; truly no simple feat," Chu Zhiyuan concurred with a slight nod.

In this era, unlike his former existence, pinpointing the name of a minor village was not as straightforward as entertaining a Ministry of Revenue official for a meal and requesting a convenient inquiry.

Even if the Ministry of Revenue were inclined to investigate Black Tree Village, it would necessitate considerable effort and the deployment of substantial resources.

"This time, we must apprehend those nefarious individuals from Dan Yang Heaven and extract all information through rigorous interrogation!" Huang Zhengyang declared, his teeth clenched.

Should they fail to capture their quarry and secure vital intelligence after expending such significant effort, the entire endeavor would be deemed a failure.

He cast a brief glance backward at the animated contingent of six tributes trailing a short distance behind.

The elder with the flushed face was audibly expressing his discontent to the other elders, but they artfully evaded the subject, engaging in their own petty squabbles.

Huang Zhengyang, with a rueful smile directed at Chu Zhiyuan, shook his head in resignation.

Chu Zhiyuan maintained his composure, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Elderly individuals, as they age, often revert to a childlike disposition.

Confined together perpetually within the Imperial City, seldom venturing out, they find ways to occupy their time.

Their bickering and disputes serve as a means to pass the hours.

It constitutes a peculiar sort of entertainment in itself.

Furthermore, given their elevated standing and cultivation level, they generally pay little heed to the opinions of those outside their circle.

...

The imposing peaks formed a majestic mountain range, stretching across the expanse of the heavens and earth.

Nestled within the embrace of these towering mountains, a small village lay hidden in the valley cradled between two prominent peaks.

The village comprised over a hundred dwellings, spread out along the twin banks of a gentle river that meandered through the valley floor.

As midday approached, tendrils of cooking smoke ascended skyward.

The smoke wove through the air, casting a thin, azure veil over the tranquil village.

The resonant crowing of roosters and the occasional barks of dogs could be heard, interspersed with boisterous calls urging children to return home for their midday meals.

The group descended gracefully, halting their approach midway up the mountain slope, observing the scene below through the arboreal screen.

Huang Zhengyang lowered his voice, inquiring, "Brother Chu, will the target manifest here?"

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a subtle nod.

His gaze became distant, unfocused.

Huang Zhengyang quickly fell silent, remaining perfectly still, lest he disturb the profound concentration.

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes soon regained their clarity, and he gave a slight shake of his head.

"What is it?" Huang Zhengyang pressed, his tone filled with anticipation.

"He is indeed present, but this time, there is more than one," Chu Zhiyuan stated.

"How many?"

"Three individuals."

"Three of those demonic cultivators!" Huang Zhengyang’s expression shifted drastically. "Can we manage such a confrontation?"

Chu Zhiyuan directed his gaze towards the opposing mountain peak, pointing, "They are expected to appear over there. We shall deploy the formation at that location."

"Understood," Huang Zhengyang affirmed, his demeanor grave.

He then proceeded towards the adjacent forest, where the six tributes were engaged in hushed conversation, and conveyed his instructions to them.

"I maintain that it would be more prudent to establish the array within the village itself."

"Precisely. If our objective is to safeguard the village, the array's placement there is most appropriate. Stationing it elsewhere might jeopardize the village’s protection... Xiaohuang, lives are on the line, you see."

Huang Zhengyang countered, "Elder Wu, let us proceed according to my strategy."

The elder scoffed, "If any mishap occurs, how will you be held accountable for these lives?!"

Huang Zhengyang replied, "Positioning the array within the village would render it impossible to achieve the complete annihilation of these demonic individuals."

"Annihilate these demonic cultivators? How many are there?"

"At least three, by my estimation."

"Three..." The elder’s brow furrowed as he turned to consult the other five elders.

"Are there truly that many?"

"Is it not usually just one of them?"

"How can you be so certain there are three?"

A barrage of questions descended upon Huang Zhengyang.

Huang Zhengyang, having already devised a plan to handle the situation, bypassed individual questions and stated, "We must make preparations for the arrival of three Seniors. Let us establish the array on that peak."

"If those demonic individuals are not atop the peak, the array cannot be adjusted on the fly. Do not hold us accountable if complications arise!"

"Naturally, I shall not blame the Seniors. The fault will lie with my own inadequacy as the Director."

"Xiaohuang, you certainly accept responsibility. Very well, let us proceed with setting it up on that peak."

"Thank you for your commendation, Elder Wu. Seniors, let us commence without further delay."

"Alright, let’s set it up."

...

Returning to Chu Zhiyuan's side, Huang Zhengyang inquired in a low voice, "Do we stand a chance of victory this time?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, replying, "I could not discern clearly; I only caught a vague glimpse of three demonic figures."

"Three..." Huang Zhengyang murmured, shaking his head. "That remains uncertain."

He did not exude confidence.

"I fear I cannot offer my full assistance," Chu Zhiyuan stated calmly.

The Golden Sword at his waist drew itself from its sheath, hovering just above the treetop, then gently gliding into the treeline of the opposite forest, gradually vanishing from sight.

Chu Zhiyuan continued, "I must prepare the Ascension Technique to ascertain if I can track them."

"Indeed, yes, the Ascension Technique is of paramount importance!" Huang Zhengyang nodded with urgency.

It was more critical than interrogating captured demonic individuals.

To completely neutralize the threat posed by the Dan Yang Heavenly Flower Divine Sect, their hidden base of operations absolutely had to be discovered.

At present, within the entirety of Biyuan Heaven, only Chu Zhiyuan possessed the capability to achieve this feat.

The six Elders silently emerged from the forest, passing by the area, infiltrating the adjacent forest, and continuing their ascent.

Ultimately, they encircled the entire mountaintop, commencing their arrangements.

Each of them dug into the rocky terrain, burying a small object – a miniature effigy of an animal sculpted from jet-black stone.

These diminutive animal figures, each no larger than a fist, were exquisitely detailed, radiating an aura of divine mystique, with a subtle black luster shimmering across their surfaces.

Concealed beneath the stones, they emitted no discernible aura, merging flawlessly with the surrounding earth.

The six figures then retreated thirty meters, assuming cross-legged positions, each occupying a designated spot, forming a Pincer formation.

Huang Zhengyang withdrew a small, dark purple lacquer box from his sleeve and slowly unveiled it.

Resting upon crimson silk within the box lay a piece of yellow jade, the size of a thumb, emanating streams of radiant light.

Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze lingered on this yellow jade, detecting its unusual nature.

Faintly discernible within the yellow jade were intricate patterns, making it difficult to fathom how they could have been carved, let alone formed internally.

It seemed more plausible they occurred naturally.

However, their natural formation seemed improbable, as the patterns contained a peculiar energy – potent and poised, ready to transform into even greater power at any given moment.

He observed the yellow jade intently, his skin prickling, his instincts screaming a warning to keep his distance.

"This is the God-Binding Rope," Huang Zhengyang declared softly. "A rare spiritual artifact, it is the most vital treasure for confronting these demonic individuals."

Chu Zhiyuan responded slowly, "It is exceedingly potent.">

Huang Zhengyang gazed at the God-Binding Rope, stating, "Without it, I lack the confidence to engage the Flower God Sect's demonic forces. But with it, they are guaranteed to be ensnared without fail!"

Chu Zhiyuan offered a smile, "Let us witness its divine power in action shortly."

Through the application of the Donghuan Saint Technique, he perceived the formidable capabilities of the God-Binding Rope.

As anticipated for a spiritual treasure specifically designed to subdue the masters of the Flower God Sect, it possessed the ability to forcibly extract them from underground when they employed their Miracle Technique to escape. This rendered the Flower God Sect’s Miracle Technique utterly ineffective.

This Earth Escape Miracle Technique was their means of fleeing at will and engaging in combat when desired, allowing for unpredictable arrivals and departures, making them impossible to defend against.

Conventional methods like Swordsmanship, Sword Technique, and Hand Skills were rendered useless against it, but the God-Binding Rope offered an effective means of restraint.