Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1456 - 1452: Departure

Inside the slab of bluestone, the cracks resembled a spider web.

The cracks caused by the earlier swordsmanship, however, were straight, like a sword stab.

He could not clearly perceive the differences between the two strange auras.

But by recalling the previous cracks and comparing them with the current ones, he made a preliminary judgment.

The two strange auras were different.

One was gentle, the other more fierce.

Combining this with his bodily sensations when activated, he had a faint feeling that these were two different attributes of aura.

Just like different mental methods in martial arts, the True Yuan acquired would also differ; these strange auras were the same.

Cloud Dragon Fist was softer, while the swordsmanship was sharper, with different levels of power.

It seemed now that the aura accumulated by Cloud Dragon Fist was not as robust as the sword tip’s.

Unfortunately, the aura accumulation of the swordsmanship had its limits, no matter how many times it was practiced.

But the Cloud Dragon Fist was different.

It could cultivate Qi, nourish the body, and also refine the spirit, more comprehensively.

As he pondered, he activated the strange aura, moving silently and lightly towards a Spirit Venerable.

The Spirit Venerable was located in a small courtyard, situated directly west of the main hall.

When he reached outside the courtyard, he could infer the circumstances of the Spirit Venerable inside, confirming that the other had not noticed him.

Inside the courtyard, a middle-aged beautiful woman was lying in a rocking chair, gently swaying, holding a book in her hand while dazing lazily.

The book was hanging limply to the side, almost sliding off the armrest of the chair.

Her oval face was as clear as jade, with bright round eyes glistening with radiant light.

Her lazy eyes seemed half-open, half-closed, as if she might fall asleep at any moment.

Chu Zhiyuan stood under the courtyard wall, observing her every move.

Her gentle breathing seemed about to cease, gradually merging with the world.

Chu Zhiyuan’s expression was solemn.

This Spirit Venerable Zhiyuan had reached the Fourth Transition Realm, surpassing Wang Miaoqiao.

The Fourth Transition was indeed different from the Third Transition.

Unconsciously, she concealed her aura, merging even deeper into the world.

Of course, this hidden aura was relative to those below Spirit Venerable.

To other Spirit Venerables, she was still like a blazing torch in the night.

He then smiled slightly.

He was to her as she was to other Venerables, undetectable by them.

It seemed this strange aura could indeed hide one’s aura, overcoming the greatest shortcoming of Spirit Venerables.

This meant he was invisible to other Spirit Venerables, capable of sneak attacks and covert actions.

The Venerables posed no threat to them, while the other Spirit Venerables were undeniable and unhideable.

In such a situation, the caution of the Spirit Venerables diminished over time.

It was at this moment that a sudden attack would yield remarkable effects.

For him, though, this was not so important, and not greatly valued.

Unless directly killing the target of a sneak attack, rendering them speechless.

Otherwise, the fact that he could hide a Spirit Venerable’s aura would be discovered and spread, inevitably becoming the enemy of all Spirit Venerables.

This would bring about a deadly calamity.

For him, stealth was more important than ambush, to not be constantly detected by other Spirit Venerables.

This provided him with a unique sense of security and superiority.

Since becoming a Spirit Venerable, he either stayed in the Heaven-Reaching Hall or the Profound Yin Palace, seldom going out.

It was precisely to avoid being targeted by other Spirit Venerables, to avoid having his movements constantly exposed to their eyes.

Now, he finally resolved this major issue.

He felt his mind instantly filled with peace, a tranquility akin to being submerged underwater, giving rise to an inexplicable sense of joy.

Beneath this tranquility, he felt he became more sensitive and agile.

He smiled and suddenly vanished.

...

Biyuan Heaven

Imperial City

Hands behind his back, he paced in the courtyard of the Heavenly Sword Branch, still using Super Sense to search the Imperial Palace, searching for the Divine Artifact.

He then shook his head.

Still no gain.

The Divine Artifact seemed to have disappeared.

His eyebrows suddenly rose.

Because he saw Huang Zhengyang’s two maids packing up luggage.

Huang Zhengyang was pacing in the courtyard, stopping and starting, with a face switching between gloom and brightness.

"Master, everything is packed." A maid stepped forward and said with a bow.

Huang Zhengyang frowned at her.

The maid was of ordinary appearance, but her eyes were lively.

She did not lose composure due to Huang Zhengyang’s dark face, but instead looked at him with curiosity.

Huang Zhengyang frowned.

The maid asked, "Master, should we set off now?"

Huang Zhengyang shook his head.

"Then when do we depart?" the maid asked curiously, "Shall we dine first?"

Huang Zhengyang suddenly waved his hand, irritably, "Stop chattering!"

The maid immediately closed her mouth and retreated back to the main house.

Huang Zhengyang took a deep breath and turned to leave.

Another maid chased after him, "Master, aren’t we setting off now?"

"Later, what’s the rush!" Huang Zhengyang snorted.

He opened the courtyard door and waved to the four middle-aged men standing at the entrance, "No need to follow."

"Director..." The four middle-aged men immediately stepped forward.

Huang Zhengyang said solemnly, "I’m going out for a bit and will return immediately, you don’t need to follow!"

"But..."

"If I can’t beat them, I’ll run." Huang Zhengyang snorted, "Don’t worry, I won’t be reckless."

"...Yes, Director, be careful." A middle-aged man with a square face clasped his fists.

The other three middle-aged men looked worryingly at Huang Zhengyang as he strode away.

They were curious about what Huang Zhengyang was up to and why he was avoiding them.

Given the current unstable times, being the Director of the Evil Extermination Department was quite perilous.

But Huang Zhengyang had already spoken sternly, and any further objection would result in punishment, so they wisely held back.

Huang Zhengyang soon arrived at the Heavenly Sword Branch, gesturing that there was no need for a report, heading directly to Chu Zhiyuan’s courtyard.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped forward, opened the courtyard gate, and smiled at him.

Huang Zhengyang smiled back, "Brother Chu, you’re indeed back."

Chu Zhiyuan gestured for him to enter the courtyard to talk.

Once inside, Chu Zhiyuan collected his smile and shook his head, "Brother Huang, you shouldn’t have come."

This undoubtedly revealed when they would depart for the New Cave Heaven, essentially a leak.

Huang Zhengyang sighed helplessly, "I couldn’t help it, couldn’t get past my own mind. Coming here once would ease this feeling."

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "You’re overthinking it, but I understand."

Huang Zhengyang said, "Brother Chu, is there anything you want?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I want something from the Divine Race."

"Something from the Divine Race..." Huang Zhengyang nodded, "Like that piece of damaged clothing."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, "Indeed, no matter how ruined, as long as it’s from the Divine Race."

"Alright." Huang Zhengyang said, "If there really is something from the Divine Race, I’ll make sure to obtain it."

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes suddenly became vacant.

Moments later, he returned to normal, looking thoughtful.

Huang Zhengyang asked, "How is it?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded lightly, "No change, be careful of that valley, and use my Flying Knife timely."

"Understood." Huang Zhengyang responded solemnly, "Then I shall be going."

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists, "Brother Huang, take care."

Huang Zhengyang clasped his fists and turned to leave, quickly returning to his courtyard. He carried the bundle on his back, and with the escort of four guards, headed to the Imperial Palace.

The guards stayed outside while he entered the palace alone, arriving at the empty plaza in front of the Inner Governance Hall.

Originally, over a dozen middle-aged men had been gathering in discussion, and when they saw him approach, they continued their discussion.

Unnoticed, thirty-two masters had gathered in the plaza, all Venerables.

Two Spirit Venerables appeared gracefully.

Through Super Sensing Illumination, Chu Zhiyuan saw that these two Spirit Venerables were middle-aged men—one tall and robust, the other slender—not the original Spirit Venerables guarding the Imperial Palace.

The two Spirit Venerables walked slowly before the thirty-two Venerables, their eyes evaluating each of them.

The Venerables gradually quieted down.

"This time, the Cave Heaven is extremely special," the slender middle-aged man said slowly, "We are actually able to enter."

The Venerables looked at him in confusion.

The slender middle-aged man said in a deep voice, "This indicates that the Cave Heaven is extremely dangerous. You can still withdraw now!"