Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1448 - 1444: Entering Once More

The moonlight was like water, yet the entire Imperial City was more bustling and noisy than in the daytime.

The Imperial Palace under the moonlight, adorned with tens of thousands of lanterns, was even more spectacular than during the day.

He always felt that the Divine Artifact should be in the Imperial Palace.

The palace could originally block the Insight of the Super Sense, unable to penetrate the city walls.

Now, however, the palace walls could no longer stop the Super Sense.

He scanned back and forth, seeing everything at a glance, except for the location of the Imperial Treasury, which he could not see clearly.

In other places, he didn’t feel there was a Divine Artifact. The only possibility was in the Imperial Treasury.

But he thought it should not be in the Imperial Treasury, rather it should be in the central position of the palace, controlled by two Spirit Venerables.

These two Spirit Venerables seemed aware, suddenly rising into the air, appearing in the void, looking down towards this direction.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed.

This is the most troublesome aspect of the Spirit Venerable; they can see each other clearly, unable to sneak around.

Facing the stare of the two Spirit Venerables, he could only float into the air, clasp his fists from afar, and then descend.

The distance between the Heavenly Sword Branch and the Imperial Palace was not far, and the Spirit Venerables had excellent vision, being able to see each other’s movements and even expressions.

Even under the moonlight, both sides could still see each other clearly.

They nodded lightly and drifted down.

Chu Zhiyuan also floated back to the small courtyard.

The Super Sense casually scanned and saw Huang Zhengyang of the Evil Extermination Department, pacing back and forth in his own courtyard.

Occasionally he would take out the Flying Knife and scrutinize it.

The exquisitely delicate Flying Knife glinted under the moonlight, its brilliance dazzling.

One look and it’s evident it’s no ordinary object.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

The time to enter the Grotto Heaven was approaching, and Huang Zhengyang was caught in a dilemma.

He could guess what Huang Zhengyang was thinking.

On one hand, knowing it’s extremely dangerous, with the risk of death at any moment.

On the other hand, having prior knowledge of the source of the danger and a method to counter it.

Huang Zhengyang worried about things going wrong; what if the prediction was inaccurate, what if the Flying Knife wasn’t effective?

Any mistake could cost him his life.

Yet, at the same time, this Grotto Heaven would likely yield great rewards.

If he withdrew now, the court would be displeased, and his position as the Director of the Evil Extermination Department wouldn’t last long.

The danger and the reward left him unable to be at ease, always in a state of conflict.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, set these aside, and continued searching for the Divine Artifact.

The palace revealed nothing further, then came the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Within the temple, indeed, there were powerful Spiritual Artifacts hidden, but he always felt they weren’t the Divine Artifacts.

Places that were unclear in the temple had now become open to him.

On the altar where the Miao Jing Spirit Water was located, within a few Strange Stones, a faint glow flowed slowly.

This was the newly emerged Miao Jing Spirit Water, extremely rare; without the Super Sense, it would be hard to detect their existence.

These few stones could be considered wonders then.

He was lost in thought.

If he were to take these Strange Stones into his Lao Gong Acupoint and enter the Jade Sea and Sky, what changes would occur?

This thought gave rise to an inexplicable impulse, eager to take action immediately.

He instantly understood, this was the Miao Ling Pearl at work, indicating that this matter would be greatly beneficial to him.

He then resolved to definitely acquire them into his grasp.

Only, he must carefully consider how to do it.

Right now, he was like a torch in the night sky, acting far too conspicuous.

Any movement, and the two Spirit Venerables in the palace would see, leaving no room for secrecy.

Taking action now would be akin to robbing the altar of the Imperial Ancestral Temple in broad daylight.

This was intolerable to the court, and the two Spirit Venerables couldn’t let it slide.

That was their responsibility.

How could he take them without anyone knowing?

By employing others?

Countless thoughts surged, and he ultimately shook his head; others would find it exceedingly difficult to access this altar.

Even with great merit, permission to touch the altar is impossible.

If there was a possibility before becoming a Spirit Venerable, there isn’t one now.

He sighed, suppressing the intense urge and desire.

Continuing to search for the Divine Artifact.

But after searching over and over, he still could not find the Divine Artifact.

He was filled with doubt.

Had the Divine Artifact disappeared? Completely left the Imperial City, thus he couldn’t find it?

Or, had it gone elsewhere?

In his mind, the words Evil Suppressing Abyss suddenly emerged.

With this thought, he wanted to visit the Evil Suppressing Abyss to see whether the Divine Artifact was there.

And also look at Guan Zhengying and Hu Qixuan at the Abyss.

A thought led to action, and he vanished in a flash.

The next moment, he appeared at the Evil Suppressing Abyss.

Appearing suddenly at a mountain peak, he spotted the Undying Evil Venerable Statue atop it and felt an inexplicable force surge, pressing down towards him.

He raised his voice, "Elder Guan, Elder Hu, it’s me."

His voice was clear, floating between the dozen mountain peaks, crossing the abysses between them.

"Xiao Chu?"

"Xiao Chu?"

Two voices rang out, and the surging force dissipated, no longer pressing down.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I came to see the two elders."

Saying this, he appeared before a thatched cottage, which was Guan Zhengying’s hut.

In the enclosed garden surrounded by a fence, Guan Zhengying was weeding, putting down the hoe and looking at him with a smile.

By the stone table beside the well sat Hu Qixuan, his eyes bright as lightning, scrutinizing Chu Zhiyuan.

Time seemed to stand still here, and they hadn’t changed from before.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists with a smile, "Elders, are you well?"

Guan Zhengying laughed heartily, "We old bones, the sun is already setting."

Hu Qixuan, with frosty eyebrows, eyes flashed coldly, "Spirit Venerable?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "By luck, I just achieved Spirit Venerable."

"What a lad!" Hu Qixuan snorted, "He really became a Spirit Venerable!"

Even Guan Zhengying was intrigued while examining him.

While chatting with them, Chu Zhiyuan expanded his Super Sense to search for the Divine Artifact.

...

Chu Zhiyuan entered the courtyard, sat at the stone table, and the three sat face to face.

Chu Zhiyuan could clearly feel the difference in his status; they no longer had the demeanor of looking at a junior but regarded him as an equal, if not with more respect.

Guan Zhengying mused, "Xiao Chu, becoming a Spirit Venerable is an entirely different level, congratulations."

He glanced at Hu Qixuan.

Hu Qixuan snorted, "We have no hope, not that lucky!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "For someone as young as me to achieve Spirit Venerable, such a miraculous event could occur; it wouldn’t be surprising if you two achieved it by tomorrow."

"Haha..."

Guan Zhengying and Hu Qixuan laughed heartily.

The older they got, the more they clung to life and were eager to extend their lifespan, all the more keen to become Spirit Venerables.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan become a Spirit Venerable at such a young age filled them with a complex mix of feelings, hard to articulate.

Were it not for their age, it would be hard to conceal these feelings, not showing them on their faces.

The three laughed and chatted, Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze falling on the abyss beside the mountain peak, his gaze shifting.

"What, did you sense it?" Guan Zhengying smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Is it from the Divine Race period?"

The Super Sense had already seen it clearly; it was a fluctuating apparition.

At times like a snake, at others a dragon, or a tiger, or a fish.

It kept changing shape, lengthening or shortening, thickening or thinning, rising or lowering.

Seemingly without a fixed form, constantly changing, constantly moving, untouchable and elusive.

More importantly, it kept changing its state between virtual and real.

This time, with Insight, he clearly sensed its oddity and strength.

Hu Qixuan said, "It should be from the Divine Race period; don’t think that becoming a Spirit Venerable means you can handle it."

"Exactly," Guan Zhengying said, "Even a Spirit Venerable can’t deal with it, otherwise it would’ve been destroyed long ago."

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded, "Elders, I want to try."

Guan Zhengying and Hu Qixuan exchanged a glance and nodded, "Then give it a try, but be careful not to get caught."