Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1493 - 1489: Trouble

~5 minute read · 1,362 words
Previously on Imperial Cultivation...
Zhou Muyin prevents cultivators from re-entering the Grotto Heaven, citing exhaustion and the dangers within. Huang Zhengyang and his companions depart, leaving the others with regret. Meanwhile, Chu Zhiyuan observes the lingering power of the fierce beasts and reinforces the Demon Suppressing Divine Tree. The next day, Huang Zhengyang and his group meet two Spirit Venerables, Elders Cheng Yi and Cheng Er, and prepare to enter the Grotto Heaven again. However, upon entering, they find their previously placed items are completely untraceable, leading the elders to suggest scattering new items and returning the following day.

Zhou Muyin saw their expressions and knew things were not going smoothly.

After listening to Huang Zhengyang’s words, he nodded slowly: "Let’s take a look again tomorrow."

Huang Zhengyang said, "Lord, I always feel something is not right."

"You think it’s not man-made destruction, or damage by other exotic beasts, but rather an anomaly with the Grotto Heaven?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, this Grotto Heaven indeed has some unique wonders."

"Lord, I have a suggestion..."

"Stop." Zhou Muyin waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Lord!"

"Alright, I know what you want to say, just hold off for now."

"I think the time is right," Huang Zhengyang leaned forward, staring into his eyes: "Lord, you are wise..."

"Wise my ass!" Zhou Muyin glared at him: "Stop saying untimely things!"

"...Yes." Huang Zhengyang shook his head and sighed.

The other few listened in confusion, not knowing what kind of riddles the two were playing.

Cheng Qian chuckled and said: "Old Zhou, what’s Xiaohuang saying?"

Zhou Muyin snorted: "He’s daydreaming, Mr. Cheng, how is the danger level over there?"

"You..." Cheng Qian shook his head: "Too tight-lipped!... Inside should be alright, not that dangerous."

Zhou Muyin said: "It might involve Ghostly Demon-like fierce beasts, sir, still be careful."

Cheng Qian’s face changed slightly, and he said slowly: "If that’s true, then it’s terrible."

Zhou Muyin sighed: "Let’s hope it’s not true, otherwise, it would be a perilous place, just like another Evil Suppressing Abyss."

Cheng Qian waved his hand: "Old Zhou, stop saying such ominous things!"

"Yes." Zhou Muyin nodded.

...

Early the next morning, when Huang Zhengyang and the four appeared again in the Imperial Palace square, their expressions were extremely gloomy.

"All gone." Zheng Zhenxing said: "Too eerie!"

Luo Yun said: "There are two possibilities, one is true power destroying all our things, or it’s people, or beasts."

Zheng Zhenxing shook his head: "That’s unlikely."

"Another possibility is the Grotto Heaven is erasing scents not belonging to the original world." Luo Yun said: "The scent on our items was erased, so we can’t sense them."

"This is most likely." Zheng Zhenxing nodded: "Think about the changes to my sword."

Huang Zhengyang said: "If it is this, it’s extremely dangerous too."

"What danger does this pose?" Luo Yun said: "Rather, it’s a good thing, it shows it’s not that perilous."

Huang Zhengyang said: "If this Grotto Heaven truly can erase scents of foreign objects, then what about us, would it erase our scent?"

"How would it erase our scent?" Luo Yun asked.

Huang Zhengyang said: "Brother Luo, how do you think it could erase our scent?"

Luo Yun frowned, thinking: "Use an array to trap us and isolate scent from escaping?"

Huang Zhengyang snorted: "Why not directly abolish our cultivation?"

"That’s impossible, right?" Luo Yun was stunned.

Zheng Zhenxing said: "I think it’s the array."

He looked at Meng Xianda.

Meng Xianda said: "It should be the array."

The three of them all looked at Huang Zhengyang, three against one, seeing what else he had to say.

"Even if it’s just the array, it’s still frightening." Huang Zhengyang said: "Trapped inside the array with no way out, what would happen then?"

The three expressions darkened.

Having experienced the oddity of that array earlier, if not for the Flying Knife breaking through, they would still be wandering confused inside, unable to escape.

Thinking of the potential outcome now, sends shivers down their spines.

Originally, they thought that even if trapped within the array, Court experts could find them, holding out a while would suffice.

Now they realize, there’s no chance of finding the four of them.

The array isolates the scents, making tracking impossible, this Grotto Heaven is so strange, how could Court experts find them?

Cheng Qian and Cheng Kun stood quietly aside without speaking.

Huang Zhengyang looked at Zhou Muyin standing on the steps, hesitating to speak.

Zhou Muyin waved his hand.

Huang Zhengyang sighed helplessly: "Lord, what other ways are there? None, right?"

Zhou Muyin looked at Cheng Qian: "Mr. Cheng?"

Cheng Qian shook his head: "Can’t sense any scent, not a trace, no solution."

Zhou Muyin looked up at the sky.

The sun was rising from the ground, bursting forth with ten thousand rays of Golden Light, illuminating the Imperial Palace gloriously.

They were all shrouded in the Golden Light.

Cheng Qian said: "Is there anyone else?"

Zhou Muyin said: "Nowadays, only by inviting the Four Holy Veins’ tribute can we move forward."

"Four Holy Veins?" Cheng Qian frowned: "Would they do such a thing?"

Cheng Kun shook his head: "Experts from the Four Holy Veins are very precious, they don’t take risks easily."

"Mr. Cheng, Mr. Cheng Er," Zhou Muyin said: "Unless we watch and give up the Cave Mansion, only they can attempt to break through."

"Give up? It’s not that serious," Cheng Qian said: "It’s just a Cave Mansion after all, act like we don’t know, haven’t encountered it, explore elsewhere, there is always another Cave Mansion and more to explore and discover."

Zhou Muyin hurriedly said: "Without confirming the Six Ferocious Beasts’ life or death, it’s inappropriate for more experts to enter."

"Old Zhou, you are too cautious, overly careful," Cheng Qian waved his hand: "Exploring New Cave Heaven certainly claims lives."

Cheng Kun nodded.

Every new Grotto Heaven exploration is paved with lives.

Now this Grotto Heaven hasn’t claimed many lives, Zhou Muyin, the responsible one, becomes hesitant.

Zhou Muyin said: "I don’t know about the Six Ferocious Beasts, but knowing they exist, I can’t be careless, one mishap and it might lead to Biyuan Heaven’s destruction."

If these Six Ferocious Beasts are still alive, once they enter Biyuan Heaven, Biyuan Heaven would have no opponents.

The Spirit Venerable is supreme, with astonishing skills, but in front of the Six Ferocious Beasts, they are no match.

Reaching this point, he would rather give up this New Cave Heaven, than continue risking.

Cheng Qian chuckled: "Our Biyuan Heaven isn’t so easily destroyed!"

Zhou Muyin said: "Mr. Cheng, Mr. Cheng Er, will you follow the Holy Vein tributes when they act?"

Cheng Qian said: "Sure, it’s a good chance to witness the glory of Holy Vein experts."

Cheng Kun said: "Holy Vein inheritance is unique, extraordinarily powerful, but rarely used, always lacking the chance to see."

Zhou Muyin said slowly: "Good, then I’ll go invite the Holy Vein experts."

...

Huang Zhengyang stood in place, shaking his head.

Cheng Qian leaned over smiling: "Xiaohuang, Old Zhou kept you from speaking, what did you want to say?"

Huang Zhengyang hurriedly said: "Actually, it’s nothing much."

Cheng Qian snorted: "Cut the nonsense, I can’t stand suspense, spit it out!"

Huang Zhengyang forced a smile: "Senior Cheng, I..."

"Not saying anything, right?" Cheng Qian snorted.

Huang Zhengyang sighed: "I wanted to say let’s ask Brother Chu for help."

"Chu Zhiyuan?" Cheng Qian said.

Huang Zhengyang was surprised looking at him.

Cheng Qian said: "This Mr. Chu is Divine, indeed might break the deadlock."

Huang Zhengyang said: "Lord Zhou has reservations surely, after all, Brother Chu isn’t part of the Court, belonging to the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Cheng Kun said: "This Mr. Chu mastered Ascension Technique, truly promising for a breakthrough, Old Zhou, ... too rigid!"

"Court everywhere guards against Mr. Chu," Cheng Qian scoffed: "Like guarding against a thief!"

Cheng Kun coldly said: "Bad background, can’t rise for life."

Huang Zhengyang and Luo Yun exchanged a glance, looking at each other.

Is this the same plight?

Cheng Qian and Cheng Kun originate from humble beginnings, their mother a courtesan, even though their talents are astounding and cultivation profound, they can’t erase some inner imprints.

Finally achieving Spirit Venerable status, they truly solidified their positions, gained real confidence.

Cheng Qian said: "Just watch, if it really doesn’t work out, we’ll propose to ask Mr. Chu for help!"

Huang Zhengyang showed a bitter smile.

This is akin to giving Lord Zhou trouble.