Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1354 - 1350: Taking Action

With all preparations complete, they remained utterly still as the surrounding environment fell back into silence.

The distinct aroma of burning firewood permeated the air.

Huang Zhengyang utilized Sound Transmission into Secret, remarking, "This humble village appears quite prosperous."

Chu Zhiyuan offered a simple nod.

It was evident that their thriving condition stemmed from the village's advantageous geographical location.

The area boasted ample water resources, fertile soil, abundant Spiritual Energy, and a plentiful supply of wild game.

Consequently, the village was home to many skilled hunters.

An ordinary, small village might not even provide a midday meal, subsisting only on morning and evening rations.

However, this village was different; every household partook in lunch, and meat graced every table.

Huang Zhengyang employed Sound Transmission into Secret once more, exclaiming, "To think such a flourishing village has been ravaged by the demons of Dan Yang Heaven – it is simply intolerable!"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly inclined his head.

For this very reason, he consistently chose to maintain a harmonious relationship with Huang Zhengyang and leverage his accomplishments through him.

Huang Zhengyang possessed a genuine heart of compassion, unaffected by the worldly pursuit of fame and fortune that corrupted other officials.

To hold the esteemed position of Deputy Director and yet retain such sincerity was an exceptionally rare quality.

Huang Zhengyang was on the verge of speaking when he abruptly halted, his eyes widening in astonishment.

Across the mountain expanse, a single beam of white light suddenly materialized upon a blue stone outcrop on the opposing peak.

It resembled several slender incense sticks inserted into a censer, with wisps of white light ascending, twisting into an intricate pattern about a foot above, before spreading outwards.

Had he not been observing that precise direction with his exceptional eyesight, he would have easily missed it.

These ethereal threads of white light drifted lazily, seemingly tethered by unseen forces, unable to extend beyond a meter's reach.

In mere moments, they coalesced into distinct orbs of light, each measuring a meter in diameter.

These three shimmering white spheres then rapidly condensed, taking the form of three ethereal white flowers.

Three white roses, each a meter across, stood in stark formation upon the vast blue stone.

Petal by intricate petal, they unfolded in breathtaking layers.

At the culmination of this unfolding, a figure suddenly materialized within the heart of each flower.

Standing centrally was a tall, slender individual, flanked by two shorter, more robust figures, collectively forming a silhouette reminiscent of a mountain.

They remained within the flowers' centers, draped in robes of white, their forms indistinct, as if submerged beneath the surface of a tranquil lake.

Their faces remained obscured, their shapes discernible only vaguely, much like viewing something through a shimmering water curtain.

As the water seemed to ripple, their outlines wavered continuously, appearing both tangible and ephemeral.

They brought their palms together, forming intricate hand seals.

A minuscule white flower, no larger than a pinky finger, materialized and pulsed with light just above the center of each of their brows.

The white petals commenced their movement once more, retracting layer by layer, each sealing itself within the flower's core before being absorbed into the bodies of the men.

As the petals vanished into their forms, the figures of the three men gradually became more solid and defined.

Their facial features steadily sharpened into clarity; all appeared to be middle-aged, with an aura of dignity and profound seriousness settling upon their brows.

The intricate embroidery of golden threads on their white robes began to faintly materialize.

These golden threads were exceedingly fine, almost elusive to the eye.

The gold-thread embroidered flowers shimmered, appearing to flicker with an inner light.

Their inherent noble elegance became strikingly apparent.

Huang Zhengyang's expression shifted subtly, his voice dropping as he transmitted via Sound Transmission into Secret, "Indeed, there are three! ... Could they be the ones?"

Chu Zhiyuan offered another nod.

"Then let us commence our action!" declared Huang Zhengyang.

Chu Zhiyuan responded with a confirmatory nod.

With a sudden surge, Huang Zhengyang launched himself towards the opposing peak, his voice ringing out, "Demons of the Flower God Sect, we have anticipated your arrival for a considerable time!"

Four skilled cultivators followed closely in his wake.

The three middle-aged men, previously engrossed in some unfathomable contemplation, remained momentarily frozen.

A sudden, sharp explosion echoed in their ears, causing them to turn their heads in startled surprise.

They beheld Huang Zhengyang and four other figures, clad in mystic robes, hurtling towards them.

A cold laugh escaped their lips, their gazes imbued with a disdain akin to that of adults observing mere children.

Slowly raising their hands, they executed intricate hand seals.

Before each of them, a concentrated mass of white light formed, transforming into a flawlessly clear rose.

These fist-sized crystal roses shot forth, aimed directly at Huang Zhengyang and the four cultivators in mystic robes.

Huang Zhengyang countered mid-air with a palm strike, unleashing a surge of scarlet energy shaped into a Hand Seal.

The other four middle-aged men in mystic robes also unleashed their own Hand Seals, each radiating a distinct and vibrant glow.

"Pop! Pop! Pop!"

With three sharp, crisp sounds, Huang Zhengyang and the four mystically robed individuals were violently propelled backward, expelling streams of blood mid-flight.

He roared in frustration and unwillingness, "Elders, unleash your full might!"

He had been aware of the formidable nature of the demons from Dan Yang Heaven, but he had never anticipated them to possess such overwhelming strength.

They had been unable to withstand even a single direct assault.

Fortunately, they had the foresight to deploy six Tribute members to form an array; otherwise, the consequences would have been utterly catastrophic.

"Woo..."

With a howling sound, six colossal beasts materialized in the sky, each spanning three zhang in length.

One bore a resemblance to a lion, another a phoenix, a third a black bear, a fourth a white tiger, a fifth a massive serpent, and the last a gargantuan eagle.

Though merely apparitions, their collective aura was immense; together, the six beasts possessed the power to shatter the very heavens.

They launched themselves at the three middle-aged men clad in white robes, with two beasts assailing each adversary.

The three men in white robes responded with cold laughter, forming hand seals and conjuring crystalline roses. These roses bloomed before colliding forcefully with the charging beasts.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The resounding impacts echoed like thunder.

Fierce gales swept through, whipping up sand and stones, reducing lush trees and vibrant grasses to mere dust.

The spectral beasts and the three robed men clashed, their forms becoming a blur amidst the chaos.

Only swirling debris—mud, stones, grass, and branches—obscured all vision.

Huang Zhengyang, perched on a tree branch, wiped the blood from his lips and retrieved the Purple Box from his sleeve.

His initial intention was to reserve the Spiritual Treasure until the demons of Dan Yang Heaven were weakened.

However, it now seemed unlikely that the impressive formation of the six Tribute members could overcome the three demonic foes.

He realized using the God-Binding Rope prematurely was unavoidable.

The small Purple Lacquer Box was opened, revealing a thumb-sized piece of yellow jade nestled within.

Gritting his teeth, he extracted it and pressed it against the center of his brow.

Instantly, he invoked the Mnemonic to meld his spiritual power with his True Yuan, channeling it through his brow into the yellow jade.

Simultaneously, he sealed the Purple Lacquer Box, returned it to his sleeve, and produced a Jade Bottle.

This bottle held Soul Reviving Pills, all of which he promptly consumed.

After stowing the Jade Bottle, he closed his eyes, dedicating his full focus to activating the Mnemonic and mastering the God-Binding Rope.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The reverberating sounds from the mountaintop were incessant; gales roared, dust and rocks flew, and foliage was torn asunder.

At his brow, the intricate patterns within the tiny yellow jade began to luminescence, as if light was coursing through them.

As the patterns ignited, the yellow jade rapidly grew thinner and longer, appearing to soften and stretch under an unseen force.

It elongated further, becoming as fine as a strand of hair and extending to a length of thirty meters.

One extremity remained affixed to his brow, while the other dangled in the air.

It hovered, swaying gently, as if imbued with life.

Huang Zhengyang's countenance grew alarmingly pale, his spiritual power being rapidly siphoned by the God-Binding Rope.

Despite consuming numerous Soul Reviving Pills, he felt his spirit diminish, his vision flickering in and out of darkness.

He understood his cultivation was still insufficient, as wielding the God-Binding Rope proved excessively draining.

Seizing the moment while his sight was still clear, he commanded the God-Binding Rope to strike.

The rope moved, then vanished into the Void, as though it had pierced and merged with it.

In the subsequent instant, one of the white-robed middle-aged men on the peak became utterly paralyzed.

He was as if ensnared by unseen bonds.

With a resounding impact, he was struck by the black bear, sent hurtling through the air, and then assailed by the giant eagle with a pained cry.

One of his eyes burst, spilling blood.

Another strike from the giant eagle's beak rendered his other eye a bloody void, from which blood poured forth.

The eagle's subsequent assault targeted his brow center.

"Snap!"

However, the beak's descent was thwarted by a radiant rose.

"Boom!"

He was once more propelled backward, flying directly toward Huang Zhengyang.

The giant eagle beat its wings, catching up instantly to the falling man, its next strike aimed at his heart.

"Pop!"

A spurt of blood erupted from his chest. His eyes widened in pure fury, his body contorting mid-flight as he swerved toward Huang Zhengyang.

Having identified the source of his predicament, he resolved to Drag his attacker down with him, even in death.

Near Huang Zhengyang, a Shadowless Sword flashed, severing the man's neck and instantly beheading him.

This swift action was executed by the Golden Sword.

The headless corpse sailed past Huang Zhengyang, slamming violently into a nearby tree, becoming embedded within its trunk.

A thread of dark essence detached from the corpse, drifting before Huang Zhengyang.

His face ashen, he gazed at the floating Golden Sword with weary eyes and a rueful smile.

Had it not been for the Golden Sword's timely intervention, he would have been obliterated in the Jade and Stone Burning technique.