Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1377 - 1373: Harvest

Zhu Lingyun inquired with curiosity, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but rather that I am incapable?"

"Indeed, incapable. This old man has not yet lived enough, cease your nagging. Do you dare to touch it?" Ma Santan grunted.

A chuckle escaped Zhu Lingyun, "Then I shall try."

As he uttered these words, he extended his hand.

This spherical object, much like the Miao Jing Spirit Water, posed no threat to him.

Furthermore, he had previously absorbed other souls, albeit indirectly. Their essences were purified by the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror or the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree, allowing him to absorb only their memories.

Naturally, he harbored no fear.

Ma Santan's frosty brows knitted together as he fixed his gaze upon Zhu Lingyun's right hand. He watched as the index finger of that hand, without a trace of hesitation, pointed directly at the luminous, soft, round bead.

Upon contact with Zhu Lingyun's index finger, the Soul Cleansing Pearl, shimmering like a Bright Pearl, remained unchanged.

It neither intensified nor diminished in brightness.

Ma Santan's attention shifted back to his own palm.

Zhu Lingyun retracted his finger and extended his palm, saying, "Uncle Master, please place it here."

Ma Santan complied, setting the pearl into Zhu Lingyun's palm.

The Soul Cleansing Pearl retained its soft radiance, and Zhu Lingyun showed no adverse reactions.

He offered a smile, "Well?"

Ma Santan frowned, uttering, "Strange!"

"Uncle Master, personal feelings can sometimes be mistaken. Surely, this Soul Cleansing Pearl would not err?"

"That is true."

"Then, could my soul be tainted?"

"...What did you encounter during your previous expedition?"

"A movement technique, extraordinarily wondrous," Zhu Lingyun replied.

"No other treasures? Such as this Soul Cleansing Pearl?"

"None whatsoever."

"Hmph..." Ma Santan appraised him several times, reclaimed the Soul Cleansing Pearl, tucked it into his sleeve, and gestured with his hand, "Enter."

Zhu Lingyun chuckled, "Does Uncle Master now admit I have not practiced the Descent Technique?"

"Hmph, we shall consider that you have not. This time, you are fortunate," Ma Santan retorted, his tone sullen.

He remained convinced that his initial intuition was correct; this young man must have indeed practiced the Descent Technique but encountered a fortunate turn of events that possibly nullified its repercussions.

Whether he would attempt the Descent Technique again in the future and further corrupt his soul was a matter beyond his control now.

As he was currently free of taint, he could proceed into the Qiling Tower.

...

Zhu Lingyun tilted his head upwards, observing the two-story structure before him. It was fashioned from bluestone, appearing grey and unremarkable.

The walls of the modest building bore the undeniable marks of time, weathered and aged.

It offered no particular invitation to step inside.

He advanced with purposeful strides, pushing the door open to reveal a few sparsely populated bookshelves within.

The central collection comprised four bookshelves, arranged to form a square.

He stepped closer, perusing their contents, aware that each of these four shelves held works authored by a Spirit Venerable.

Surrounding these core shelves were others, which, upon inspection, contained various peculiar tales and anecdotes.

These detailed the exploits of Spirit Venerables across the realms.

Reading these accounts drastically altered one's perception of these revered figures.

The overwhelming sentiment was: they were not worthy of respect.

Initially, it was presumed that reaching the level of Spirit Venerable and attaining immense strength would instill a sense of restraint. However, the reality proved quite the opposite.

They seemed to fully embrace their true nature, disregarding societal norms and scrutiny.

These societal norms and scrutiny, in essence, represented morality.

Reverence had vanished entirely.

A complete disregard for established rules prevailed.

Witnessing these revelations, Zhu Lingyun's expression turned solemn.

The world inhabited by Spirit Venerables was evidently far more terrifying than the one he currently knew.

He grasped a crucial understanding: the reason Spirit Venerables refrained from acting against those who were not Spirit Venerables.

If they were truly so unrestrained, why wouldn't they target Venerables or those of lower cultivation?

He had once assumed that some form of restraint or set of rules caused Spirit Venerables to hesitate.

Only now did he realize that a Divine Law did indeed exist, prohibiting Spirit Venerables from acting against non-Spirit Venerables.

However, with the demise of the Divine Race, this Divine Law had become practically nullified, disregarded by them.

The fundamental reason was that the weaker beings had already been vanquished, leaving only those entities whom Spirit Venerables themselves feared.

Spirit Venerables, it turned out, were not entirely invincible; each celestial layer possessed a Divine Artifact designed to counter them.

Even within the relatively weak Little Heaven Beyond, an artifact known as the Emperor's Sword existed, capable of slaying Spirit Venerables.

The formidable power of the Emperor's Sword stemmed from the collective will of the people. When a Spirit Venerable manifested in the Little Heaven Beyond, their strength waned, rendering them unable to withstand the Emperor's Sword.

Under the might of the Emperor's Sword, the distinction between Spirit Venerables and those of lesser cultivation like Venerables or Great Grandmasters blurred; all were susceptible to its blade.

A Spirit Venerable not native to a layer of heaven enters, truly stirring trouble, would be slain by these Divine Artifacts.

A Spirit Venerable native to the layer, when acting, often faces resistance from other Spirit Venerables.

Like the Heaven-Reaching Sect.

Like Wanxiang Cliff.

Those small sects have no such protection, can only hope for good luck, not to provoke a Spirit Venerable.

Fortunately, general cultivators rarely have the chance to encounter Spirit Venerables, naturally lacking the opportunity to offend.

Having seen these records, he felt an urgent sense of crisis.

These Spirit Venerables are such, without sufficient strength, it is hard to truly protect oneself.

He then perused the records of those four Spirit Venerables, some cultivation insights and experiences.

Soon tossed aside.

Knowing the conduct of Spirit Venerables, he lost interest in these Spirit Venerable notes on martial arts.

Jiao Hengtian’s words were correct.

Reading these, might be not necessarily beneficial, rather possibly harmful, leading astray.

Every Spirit Venerable has their own path, none follows the same old route.

All carve out their own new path.

Sometimes, knowing others’ paths is worse than being ignorant.

His current path is the Taiqing Primordial Sect’s Three Elements Technique and Taihao Jade Void Scripture.

The Donghuan Saint Technique can predict fortune or disaster, also the foundation for becoming a Spirit Venerable.

And there’s the Cloud Stepping Leopard, unknown if any gains will come.

The essence of achieving Spirit Venerable is surpassing limits, causing secret acupoints to emerge.

Little Heaven Beyond’s cultivation greatly aids him, this breakthrough to Spirit Venerable is akin to Little Heaven Beyond advancing to Great Grandmaster.

His rich experience instilled confidence.

Thinking this, he turned and left Qiling Tower, outside he saw Ma Santan on a recliner, covered by the sunset’s afterglow.

Ma Santan opened his eyes, glanced at him, coolly asked, "How was it?"

"Uncle Master, I’ve gained much!"

"Oh——?" Ma Santan chuckled.

Zhu Lingyun said, "Uncle Master, this Qiling Tower is indeed worth entering."

"Not feeling like reading led to nothing?"

"Benefits are countless!" Zhu Lingyun said, "Unaware of the Spirit Venerable world’s rules, upon becoming one, it’s easy to make mistakes and lose one’s life."

"Hehe, kid thinks surely he can become a Spirit Venerable?"

"Certainly!" Zhu Lingyun said firmly, "Having seen this, I’m full of confidence. It’s simply a matter of understanding oneself, continually surpassing oneself."

"Understanding oneself, these words are easy to say but hard to achieve, otherwise, everyone would be Spirit Venerables."

"Innate talent, comprehension, and spirit, all are indispensable; I believe I possess these."

"Get out of here." Ma Santan waved dismissively, "No need to hear you boast!"

Zhu Lingyun chuckled, clasping his hands, turned and left.

...

"Here, this is the translation."

Li Hongzhao handed a thin booklet to Chu Zhiyuan, sitting by the stone table, took up a tea cup and drank it all.

Then let out a long sigh.

Chu Zhiyuan accepted the booklet, smiled, "Took quite a bit of effort?"

"I learned the Great Wilderness Text in one breath to translate this booklet."

"Taught by Senior Song?"

"Master doesn’t know this either," Li Hongzhao shook her head, "A friend of Master’s happened to visit, can’t deny your good fortune."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Such coincidence?"

"This Uncle Master besides the Divine Language, knows many other languages." Li Hongzhao said, "He enjoys studying languages, what Master knows was imparted by him."

Chu Zhiyuan’s spirit was uplifted.

Li Hongzhao said, "This Uncle Master is reclusive, doesn’t see outsiders, he’s already gone."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Li Hongzhao said, "You want to learn this Great Wilderness Text?"

"Of course."

"Then I’ll teach you."