Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1473 - 1469: Entering

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Previously on Imperial Cultivation...
Chu Zhiyuan reached the Third Transition after practicing Cloud Dragon Fist and integrating Abnormal Energy, which he named Divine Essence. Meanwhile, Huang Zhengyang and his companions prepared to enter a dangerous valley, anticipating poisonous snakes and strategizing their formation. Returning to himself, Chu Zhiyuan learned that the mysterious person encountered was from Li Huo Palace, a fact he found highly improbable given the opposing cultivation methods.

"Impossible?" Shen Hanyue was taken aback, "The Palace Master and the elders didn’t say so."

Xiao Ruoling looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "As a rule, Li Huo Palace disciples couldn’t possibly worship the Evil God, there’s really no need."

Shen Hanyue said, "But if it’s due to excessive greed, wanting to cultivate faster, or having reached the limit, wanting to break through?"

"Even then, there’s no need to worship the Evil God." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Just like your Profound Yin Palace disciples, would any of them worship the Evil God, has there been any exception over the years?"

"Of course not in our Palace." Shen Hanyue shook her head.

Xiao Ruoling said, "If Li Huo Palace disciples are also impossible, then who is he?"

Shen Hanyue tilted her head and said, "Then... could he originally be a follower of the Evil God, infiltrated into Li Huo Palace?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Your extreme mental method is inherently exclusive; it’s very difficult to practice other mental methods simultaneously. One might practice to the point of escaping the Evil God’s control."

"But what if this Evil God has some peculiar abilities and can control Li Huo Palace disciples?"

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "It’s not entirely impossible. Have you found him yet?"

"Not yet, we’re searching secretly." Shen Hanyue said, "We want to capture him and interrogate him properly."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "He indeed needs to be caught."

Shen Hanyue giggled, "Princely Heir, can you tell where he is?"

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes suddenly became hollow.

A moment later, they returned to normal, and he shook his head, "You haven’t been able to find him."

"Haven’t found?" Shen Hanyue was astonished.

She didn’t expect this result.

Xiao Ruoling softly said, "Could he be hiding inside Li Huo Palace?"

Shen Hanyue snorted, "This guy is very cunning, hiding inside Li Huo Palace, how can he be found!"

Xiao Ruoling looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a while, shook his head, and said, "Either he’s hiding in Li Huo Palace or somewhere else; the specific situation is hard to clarify. It seems futile now, you should turn your search elsewhere."

"Then what should we do?" Shen Hanyue frowned and thought for a moment, "Without that person, how do we investigate?"

Xiao Ruoling said, "We can only investigate from the direction of Forget Sorrow Valley."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "These are not things you should worry about, just focus on practicing martial arts, strive to advance to the Spirit Venerable Realm early."

"Spirit Venerable is not that easy." Shen Hanyue said, "We certainly aren’t like you, the Princely Heir. Besides, even though we practice fast, our master says our foundation, though steady, still lacks a bit of refinement and warns us not to rush."

Chu Zhiyuan said no more, "Do you have any tasks?"

Shen Hanyue sighed, "The Palace Master says we are now the most wanted people by Li Huo Palace, it’s not appropriate to go out."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

Shen Hanyue snorted, "In my opinion, we could still act as bait one more time, see if they dare to pursue us again."

Xiao Ruoling said, "Right now, all thoughts are on pursuing the Evil God in Forget Sorrow Valley, we can’t spare the mental effort."

If the pursuit eventually uncovers a mastermind, and it’s tied to Forget Sorrow Valley, the relationship with Li Huo Palace becomes complicated.

By then, they might have to deal with Forget Sorrow Valley together.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Continue investigating slowly, there’s no rush in this matter."

His mindset changed again, regaining calm and tranquility.

Not so eager anymore.

Through the Divine Artifacts of Biyuan Heavenly Court, enhance the Third Layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique, and elevate the Divine Essence through Cloud Dragon Fist.

The synchronization of spiritual power and Divine Essence can swiftly elevate the Spirit Venerable Realm.

This discovery made him less eager for the opening of the Inheritance Hall.

Moreover, he vaguely felt that Divine Essence was the true cultivation method of the Divine Race, most suitable for the Spirit Venerable’s mental method.

The inheritance methods in the Inheritance Hall might not necessarily be Divine Race cultivation methods.

If not, it would just be an empty joy.

Besides, with the training of Cloud Dragon Fist and the Divine Artifacts of Biyuan Heavenly Court, his progression was already fast enough.

He glanced at Zhou Qingyu, who was practicing absent-mindedly, and shook his head.

In the current situation, he wouldn’t be so eager to force Zhou Qingyu under his tutelage.

He could take his time, make her willing, and let her beg to join his sect.

Zhou Qingyu saw Chu Zhiyuan shaking his head at her, and her heart sank.

She presented herself as stubborn and assertive in front of Chu Zhiyuan, but she cared most about his opinion.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan’s seemingly dissatisfied expression made her a bit anxious.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Qingyu, take a break. If you can’t continue practicing, don’t force it. It’s not only futile but also harmful."

"Yes, Master."

Zhou Qingyu withdrew her stance and stood beside the stone table behind Chu Zhiyuan.

"Qingyu is very diligent in cultivation right now," Xiao Ruoling said.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Haste makes waste, let’s take it slow for a few days... These few days, follow me outside to expand your horizons."

"Yes, Master." Zhou Qingyu immediately displayed a beaming smile.

Xiao Ruoling laughed, "My husband, it’s good for you to go out and relax too."

She also felt that Chu Zhiyuan had been too tense recently and needed some relaxation.

More importantly, he now had the skill to conceal his aura, alleviating unnecessary worries.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.

...

Early morning

Zhou Qingyu surveyed a valley before her, looking at the towering stone walls on both sides, then turned her puzzled gaze towards Chu Zhiyuan, "Master, where is this?"

"This is a New Cave Heaven," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Just discovered Cave Heaven."

He looked towards the direction of the valley.

Scarlet serpent-shaped giant stones stood tall, the strange stones faintly visible, devoid of any vegetation.

Before the two of them arrived, Huang Zhengyang and his companions had just safely passed through Snake Valley.

The sight of myriad snakes writhing was indeed astonishing.

Especially with some palm-length, finger-thick crimson snakes, as swift as lightning.

If it weren’t for the Flying Knives, they could scarcely react in time.

"Cave Heaven..." Zhou Qingyu tilted her head and pondered.

She recalled the common knowledge she had heard while around Shen Hanyue and Xiao Ruoling recently.

There seemed to be something about Cave Heaven, she tried her best to understand and said, "New Cave Heaven, does it have many treasures and some fortuitous encounters?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Zhou Qingyu showed a look of excitement.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It also harbors deadly dangers."

"Is it very dangerous here?" Zhou Qingyu asked.

Chu Zhiyuan pointed to the steep stone wall on the left, "You can now perform Qinggong, try to see if you can ascend."

"Alright." Zhou Qingyu unhesitantly dashed out, lightly stepping onto the stone wall.

Her feet tapped diagonally, her body slanting and drawing an arc, forming parabolas, allowing her feet to repeatedly land on the stone wall.

In the blink of an eye, she leaped a hundred meters, but her expression changed.

She sensed something unusual.

Her toes unexpectedly absorbed a strange energy.

With its presence, True Qi in her meridians refused to circulate obediently and began to scatter chaotically.

The sudden disorder turned her previously agile body heavy.

She struggled to resist but was powerless, thus fell straight down.

In a flash, as she fell dozens of meters, she glared at Chu Zhiyuan.

However, Chu Zhiyuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at another stone wall.

"Master!"

"Master!"

"Ma——ster——!"

She exclaimed in dissatisfaction.

On the first and second calls, Chu Zhiyuan didn’t react, forcing her to shout.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head helplessly and flicked his sleeve.

Her plummeting momentum abruptly halted, and an invisible force instantly caught her.

She twisted her body dramatically and reversed herself, landing upright in the air.

At this moment, the strange energy inside her body vanished.

She then lightly kicked off the invisible support and was able to perform Qinggong again, propelling towards the stone wall.