Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1369 - 1365: Destruction

The destination was reached: a collection of small courtyards situated nearest to the valley's core.

Nestled amongst the trees, twelve tranquil courtyards were arranged in three orderly rows.

Each row contained three dwellings, totaling twelve structures.

The architectural designs varied from one courtyard to the next, featuring blue tiles with white walls, ornate glazed roofs, or traditional yellow tiles and red walls.

It was as though architectural styles from all across the land had been brought together, poised to welcome visitors from every corner of the world.

Zhu Lingyun selected a modest courtyard adorned with blue tiles and white walls, finding the other designs excessively flamboyant.

Mo Huaiyuan extended his hand, beckoning two elegant young women from a distance. With a smile, he addressed Zhu Lingyun, "Should you require anything, Mr. Zhu, please do not hesitate to summon them."

Upon observing the two young women, Zhu Lingyun inquired with a smile, "Are these two also disciples of your esteemed Divine Sect?"

"Indeed, they have only recently joined the sect and are currently undergoing the process of character tempering," Mo Huaiyuan replied.

"A true waste of precious heavenly resources," Zhu Lingyun remarked, scrutinizing the girls before shaking his head in slight disapproval. "Such exquisite jade and fine timber, being squandered in this manner."

"Haha..." Mo Huaiyuan chuckled heartily. "Precisely because they are fine jade and good timber, they must be meticulously polished. Otherwise, they amount to nothing more than a pair of unyielding stones."

Zhu Lingyun's expression held a trace of regret as he offered the two young women a polite nod. "I shall be relying on your assistance, young ladies."

"Sir, there is absolutely no need for such politeness," the two girls responded, forming their fists in greeting and offering charming smiles.

One possessed a slender build, while the other was voluptuous and full-figured; both approached with an air of natural familiarity to engage in conversation. "Sir, might we have the honor of knowing your esteemed name and the place from which you hail?"

Zhu Lingyun stated his name and revealed that he originated from Biyuan Heaven.

The slender girl let out a delicate giggle. "Biyuan Heaven—are there any particularly interesting places there?"

Zhu Lingyun glanced towards Mo Huaiyuan. "They are unfamiliar with Biyuan Heaven?"

"They have no knowledge of it," Mo Huaiyuan affirmed. "This information is classified within the sect."

"Then have I inadvertently spoken out of turn?" Zhu Lingyun apologized profusely. "A loose tongue and too many words invite misfortune. Please, pardon my indiscretion."

"Since they are now aware, then they are aware," Mo Huaiyuan declared, fixing the two girls with a stern gaze. "You two, you must completely internalize everything you have just heard. You are strictly forbidden from divulging any of it to your fellow disciples!"

"Yes, rest assured, Master Mo, our lips are sealed tighter than any vault," the two girls replied, their voices laced with amusement.

Mo Huaiyuan made a dismissive gesture with his hand.

The two girls gracefully withdrew, vanishing into the nearby woods in the blink of an eye.

Mo Huaiyuan stepped forward, pushing open the courtyard gate. He passed the decorative screen wall and gestured towards a jade plaque positioned near the front hall. "Should you require their assistance, simply knock upon this once."

Zhu Lingyun acknowledged with a nod.

Mo Huaiyuan offered a smile. "Mr. Zhu, you are permitted to roam freely between this location and the central great hall. However, beyond the precinct of the central great hall, outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering."

"Oh—?" Zhu Lingyun responded with a smile. "I had presumed that guests would be accommodated on the outer periphery of the valley. Your sect operates in quite the opposite manner—intriguing indeed."

"Mr. Zhu, I shall now take my leave," Mo Huaiyuan stated, cupping his fists in a gesture of farewell.

Zhu Lingyun reciprocated the gesture. "My gratitude, Mr. Mo. Please proceed."

Mo Huaiyuan turned and departed, a smile still gracing his features.

The moment his back was turned, the smile vanished, and his expression grew somber.

Zhu Lingyun observed this subtle shift with clarity, then shook his head and surveyed the small courtyard he now occupied.

Employing his Super Sensing Illumination technique, he peered beneath the bluestone slab situated at the courtyard's center, discovering several concealed Jade Pendants.

Intricate patterns were meticulously carved onto the surface of each Jade Pendant.

In addition to the courtyard's center, similar Jade Pendants, bearing carved patterns, were buried discreetly beneath the bedroom and the study as well.

These Jade Pendants had effectively enmeshed the entire courtyard, their influence permeating every corner.

He furrowed his brow slightly.

It seemed highly probable that the power emanating from these Jade Pendants was intrinsically linked to a force within the Void, acting as conduits to draw and direct that power to either assault or ensnare those within the courtyard.

This place bore more resemblance to a meticulously constructed cage than a mere guest courtyard.

Upon entering, one effectively transformed into a bird confined within its bars.

His Super Sense continued its penetrating Insight.

Meanwhile, Mo Huaiyuan proceeded to locate Zhou Tianji, and together with seven other individuals, they assembled atop the nine elevated platforms positioned before the immense central hall.

Once the nine had assumed their designated places upon the high platforms, they stood with profound solemnity, utterly still and motionless.

Zhu Lingyun observed their actions with keen Insight, meticulously observing their every movement and the subtle shifts in their auras.

As they remained stationary, the ambient Qi surrounding their bodies began to retract and concentrate, gradually making contact with the intricate jade patterns embedded beneath their feet.

After a duration equivalent to that of enjoying a single cup of tea, their auras had completely integrated with the high platforms supporting them.

In near unison, the nine individuals commenced forming intricate hand seals.As the handprints took shape, the patterns etched into the platforms began to shimmer faintly, like streams of light tracing paths within the lines. Their hand formations shifted nearly simultaneously, completing nine distinct handprints in rapid succession. With each successive handprint, the flowing light within the platform patterns intensified. Concurrently, the patterns within the central great hall also started to illuminate, mirroring the designs on the elevated platforms from afar. Zhu Lingyun’s spirit resonated with the unfolding events. The profound intricacies of this Array were revealing themselves before his very eyes. He observed that the nine experts from the Flower God Sect acted as conduits, bridging the power emanating from the high platforms and the central great hall. Yet, he sensed this was merely the initial phase. It was, as he had anticipated, only the beginning. Once the energies of the great hall and the high platforms successfully merged, they coalesced into a brilliant white pillar of light that ascended directly into the heavens. In the subsequent moment, the very fabric of the Void where the light pillar pierced seemed to ripple in concentric layers, akin to the surface of a lake disturbed by the wind. The pillar of light dissipated, leaving behind ripples that glowed with an intensifying shimmer, undulating gently before abruptly contracting and condensing into the form of a white flower. It appeared pure and flawless, as if sculpted from pure moonlight. This white flower emitted a serene luminescence that gracefully expanded, enveloping all nine high platforms. The high platforms turned translucent, their forms becoming ethereal and light. "Crack!" A sharp sound suddenly echoed, shattering the dreamlike tableau. "Crack!" "Crack!" "Crack!" ... One after another, crisp cracking sounds emanated from the high platforms. The sounds progressed from the leftmost platform, moving sequentially to the adjacent ones, until all nine platforms resonated with the sharp report. These nine elevated platforms, previously crafted from White Jade, had transformed into crystal, yet now a distinct, fine crack marred the surface of each. The fracture appeared precisely at the center of every platform, directly beneath their feet, perfectly aligned with their center of balance, neither to the side nor askew. "No—!" Zhou Tianji’s countenance contorted in shock, and he let out a roar of pure fury. The remaining eight disciples had no time to react; even Mo Huaiyuan was caught off guard as the nine high platforms suddenly detonated, erupting into nine blazing spheres of white light. It was as if nine suns had fallen, bathing the entire valley in an incandescent glow. Every disciple of the Flower God Sect acutely felt the outward surge of a violent, destructive power accompanying the blinding white radiance. "Rumble..." "Bang bang bang bang..." "Ah!" "Aaah!" Thuds, screams, agonizing cries, earth-shattering tremors—a cacophony of sounds blended into a terrifying symphony. Zhu Lingyun, having anticipated the danger, had already moved, positioning himself near the base of the wall within the small courtyard house. Upon impact, the courtyard walls disintegrated, crumbling as if constructed from mere powder. The decorative rockery within the courtyard scattered like brittle bean curd dregs, and the surrounding flowers and plants dissolved into dust, swirling in the air. His own bedroom met a similar fate, blasted into oblivion. In the very next instant, Chu Zhiyuan materialized before him. His entire being pulsed with immense power, and the Golden Sword materialized before his chest, projecting an invisible force field that successfully repelled the brunt of the destructive surge. Chu Zhiyuan could discern the Natures of this power: its unparalleled purity and its ferocious, untamed intensity, reminiscent of a power originating from a higher Realm. "Bang!" Zhu Lingyun expelled a mouthful of blood. His face instantly drained of color; he then promptly assumed a cross-legged position, initiating his cultivation techniques to regulate his breath and mend his injuries. He understood that without Chu Zhiyuan’s intervention, and without the Golden Sword dissipating the majority of the force, that single blast could have proven fatal, costing him half his life. Chu Zhiyuan had no desire to court such a perilous fate; joining forces to counter the blast was the only prudent course of action. His expression grew somber as the Golden Sword slowly returned to its sheath. His Super Sense continued its careful scrutiny, focusing particularly on this peculiar and potent energy. He perceived this power as immensely significant, warranting deep Insight and rigorous analysis; it undeniably transcended the level of a Venerable, strongly suggesting a connection to a Spirit Venerable. Could this, then, be the true power of a Spirit Venerable? He employed his Insight to observe, to comprehend, to dissect the energy’s destructive path as it ravaged the entire valley. He witnessed its devastating effects on inanimate objects, its ability to shred True Yuan, and its capacity to annihilate physical bodies. Simultaneously, he delved into the possibility of achieving such a level himself, questioning whether his Taihao Jade Void Scripture held the key to ascending to such a formidable state. In the following moment, he vanished in a blur of movement, retreating to the safety of the Heaven-Reaching Sect to avoid attracting the attention of a Spirit Venerable or being pursued by one. Zhu Lingyun assumed his position, steadfastly continuing his own profound Insight and analysis.