Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1498 - 1494: Connection

"It’s different again." Zheng Zhenxing sighed helplessly, "Changed again! There wasn’t any thick fog back then."

Huang Zhengyang said, "The Grotto Heaven might be constantly changing."

Luo Yun said, "The Cave Mansion likely hasn’t changed location; it should still be there, just blocked by the fog."

Meng Xianda said, "Haha, if it did change, then we would have been laboring in vain, and that would be interesting!"

"Brother Meng, such ominous talk!" Huang Zhengyang quickly interjected, "This is not a joke to make!"

If it really were like that, they would be frustrated to no end.

Zheng Zhenxing and Luo Yun both glared at Meng Xianda.

Meng Xianda chuckled, "Just kidding, just kidding, that’s impossible."

"Let’s go and take a look then," Huang Zhengyang said, "Senior Song, inside that fog is the Cave Mansion, and there’s an Array before it. It’s quite troublesome too."

Song Chaoge frowned in contemplation.

She now felt a chill whenever hearing about Arrays.

Having experienced the previous Array, its power was astonishing.

If another occurred, she couldn’t possibly ask Chu Zhiyuan to help again, could she?

One assist after another, never-ending, she’d completely lose face.

Song Chaoge said, "Tell me then, what kind of Array is it exactly?"

Huang Zhengyang explained the previous Array once more.

Cheng Qian said, "Sounds okay, similar to a Mist Array, not very powerful."

Cheng Kun said, "But the Arrays in this Grotto Heaven cannot be judged by common sense, one must still be cautious."

Huang Zhengyang said, "Senior Song, let me go in and explore first. If I can’t come out and it’s really no solution, we can call Brother Chu to assist."

Cheng Qian laughed, "With Mr. Chu as such a trump card, one certainly feels bold."

Cheng Kun shook his head, "Mr. Chu may be formidable, but this Array is different from before."

Huang Zhengyang said, "I trust this won’t trouble Brother Chu."

Li Hongzhao said, "Master, let me go."

"You—?" Song Chaoge was momentarily stunned.

Unexpected that Li Hongzhao would suddenly step forward.

This Array clearly looks troublesome; getting caught inside would become endlessly problematic.

Li Hongzhao said, "At least, there’s a connection between Master and me."

Song Chaoge pondered.

The sensing between Phoenix Bloodline is indeed clear, surpassing even the sensing between Spirit Venerables.

As such, Li Hongzhao is indeed an excellent candidate.

Moreover, hearing from Huang Zhengyang and the others, this Array only misdirects, doesn’t harm.

Cheng Qian said, "Why not let me go, little brother, you keep watch outside, if truly trapped, sensing can still find me."

They not only have the sensing between Spirit Venerable but have also mastered Unity Secret Technique, far surpassing sensing between Spirit Venerables.

Cheng Kun was about to object, but saw Cheng Qian’s glance, hesitated.

Cheng Qian said, "It’s decided, Miss Li, you should not take this risk."

Li Hongzhao smiled, "Thank you, both seniors."

She saw through Cheng Qian’s careful thoughts.

Inside the Array is the Cave Mansion, where no one has entered.

Whatever fortuitous encounters there are inside, no one knows.

Being the first to enter, even if unable to steal treasures, holds great benefits.

If inside the Cave Mansion truly is the legendary Divine Race inheritance, being the first to enter gives the greatest chance to obtain it.

Latecomers might not get the opportunity for the inheritance, missing the greatest chance.

Moreover, judging by the encounters of Huang Zhengyang and others, it’s clear the danger level inside the Cave Mansion is limited.

Limited danger, unlimited encounters, such opportunities should not be missed!

"Senior Cheng!" Zheng Zhenxing boldly said, "Leading the charge should be left to us juniors."

Meng Xianda chuckled, "Exactly, exactly, this is when we have some use. If they don’t use us now, we’ll really be burdens and wastes."

He turned to Huang Zhengyang, "Brother Huang, isn’t it time for us to lead the charge?"

Huang Zhengyang nodded slowly.

Luo Yun laughed, "Old Meng is right, this is when we’re useful, leave it to us."

Cheng Qian frowned.

Song Chaoge said, "Alright then, Director Huang, you four lead the charge. If unsuccessful, Hongzhao goes in, Hong Zhao is also unsuccessful, then it’s up to Mr. Cheng and you."

"Miss Song." Cheng Qian frowned, "Earlier we didn’t contribute, this time still just watching, isn’t that too useless?"

Song Chaoge said, "You are the stabilizing force, only moving at crucial moments."

She immediately said solemnly, "This Array should not be too dangerous. Since Director Huang and the others discovered it first, let them go another round."

"This..." Cheng Qian wanted to contest.

If it were an ordinary encounter, as Spirit Venerable, wouldn’t care much.

After all, reaching Spirit Venerable, only Spiritual Treasures attract, and the Spiritual Treasure a Spirit Venerable can refine is limited too.

Both serving as Court Tributes, there’s no need to seek more Spiritual Treasures.

But this Grotto Heaven involves the Divine Race, and likely the Cave Mansion does as well.

This makes it different, worth fighting for.

Song Chaoge said, "Director Huang, you head in."

"Yes." Zheng Zhenxing excitedly cupped his fists, leaped up.

Luo Yun smiled, "I’ve brought some signal flares, if trapped, I’ll send a signal."

Song Chaoge nodded.

Luo Yun also leaped into the air, along with Huang Zhengyang and Meng Xianda who cupped fists, flying towards the fog-enshrouded mid-hillside.

Watching them disappear into the fog, Cheng Qian exhaled deeply, his face changed slightly, "What a waste, what can they accomplish."

Ultimately couldn’t contest further.

Knowing Song Chaoge had seen through the core of the matter.

But if one does not wish to turn against the Court, can only swallow the dissatisfaction.

After all, Zhou Muyin had earlier confirmed letting Song Chaoge take charge.

Behind Song Chaoge is Prince Zhuang and the masters of Phoenix Lineage, cannot afford to offend.

Song Chaoge said, "Mr. Cheng, if it really is a Divine Race inheritance inside the cave, how could anyone under a Spirit Venerable bear it?"

Cheng Qian was taken aback.

Song Chaoge said, "Being a Spirit Venerable is the basic threshold for cultivating the Divine Race Heart Method."

"That’s true." Cheng Qian smiled.

Song Chaoge said, "If there is indeed a Divine Race inheritance, none of us could accept it, only the two of you could."

Cheng Qian’s smile grew, and he hurriedly waved his hand, "Miss Song, you are too modest. Although you are not a Spirit Venerable, you are not inferior to one in ability and may indeed handle the Divine Race inheritance."

Song Chaoge said, "Our bloodline cultivation follows a different path from the Divine Race, so their inheritance is useless to us."

Cheng Qian sighed, "Bloodline secret techniques are truly enviable."

Li Hongzhao remained as indifferent as ever and sneered inwardly.

Spirit Venerables really weren’t worth respecting, still calculating and nitpicking.

She suddenly frowned and said, "Why is there no movement at all?"

After the four entered the thick fog, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no further movement.

Song Chaoge said, "They must be trapped and are trying to break the array."

Song Chaoge said, "Master, can Director Huang and the others break the array?"

"They have to try." Song Chaoge said, "Even if they can’t break it, as long as they can enter the cave, we can follow them in."

Li Hongzhao shook her head, "They couldn’t get in last time, and they won’t get in this time either. It might have only been a one-time chance."

Song Chaoge said, "Maybe they will succeed, saving us the trouble."

As she spoke, she paced around, quickly making a circle before coming back.

Li Hongzhao used Sound Transmission into Secret, "Master, I want to choose here."

Song Chaoge pretended to look elsewhere but replied via Sound Transmission into Secret, "Here? Too hasty."

"This place is already quite good. If we can’t pass this stage, we might not have another chance. It won’t be us entering next time."

Song Chaoge pondered briefly, then unexpectedly flicked several Jade Pendants from her sleeve.

When the Jade Pendants hit the ground, they exploded with a puff, spreading into a sea of red light.

"Boom boom boom boom..."

The eight Jade Pendants transformed into eight pieces of red light, connecting to condense into a sea of fire.

The sea of fire, more than fifty meters in diameter, forced Cheng Qian and Cheng Kun to retreat.

They judged it was just a shadow, not real flames.

Yet the emanating heat was real, burning not the skin but directly the soul.

Li Hongzhao slowly walked towards the fiery pool.

While others found the heat unbearable, she felt extremely comfortable.

When she stepped into the center of the fiery pool, the flames had already climbed all over her red robe.

The bright red robe transformed into a Flame Robe, blazing intensely.

The flames rendered her beautiful face even more splendid and noble, impossible to gaze upon directly.

She smiled and said, "Master, I am going to open the Secret Realm now."

As she spoke, a Phoenix slowly appeared above her head in the Void.

A three-meter-high Phoenix hovered in the Void, its feathers radiating seven-colored light.

It seemed to have drilled out from another Void, light and silent, elegant and composed.

The cold and proud Phoenix Eyes etched clearly into Cheng Qian and Cheng Kun’s minds.

They instantly shivered, hair standing on end.

Song Chaoge said, "If it doesn’t work, just let it go, don’t force it."

"Okay." Li Hongzhao responded, her hands, as smooth as Mutton Fat Jade under the light of the flames, raised elegantly to form a handprint.

As soon as the handprint was formed, the seven-colored Phoenix above her vigorously flapped its wings.

A Phoenix cry echoed throughout the heavens and the earth.

Cheng Qian and Cheng Kun shivered, their bodies stiffening.

The suppression from the bloodline made them restrained despite their higher cultivation.

They hurriedly exerted their strength to resist this suppression, restoring their ability to move.

In the Phoenix cry, a door appeared before Li Hongzhao.

Initially indistinct, as if immersed in a rippling spring.

Gradually it became clear.

Finally transformed into two massive bronze doors.

The doors were three meters high, each two meters wide.

On each door, an engraved Phoenix faced the other.

Simple strokes, yet capturing spirit and form, resembling the seven-colored Phoenix above Li Hongzhao’s head.

Cheng Qian and Cheng Kun suddenly understood Song Chaoge’s ultimate goal.

Surprisingly, it was to connect the Grotto Heaven with the Phoenix Secret Realm!

Song Chaoge turned and said, "Gentlemen, please help guard."

Cheng Qian hurriedly said, "Miss Song, opening the Secret Realm here is too risky, isn’t it?"

Song Chaoge said, "It’s already quite good here."

She agreed with Li Hongzhao’s judgment, seeking stability now.

If a problem arose here, they would be ejected from the Grotto Heaven, and next time it would be the Green Lion Lineage, then the Heavenly Bear, and then the Flying Tiger entering.

Finding another chance to come in would likely take quite a while.

Turning the initial advantage into a subsequent opportunity.

Though this was not the best place, it was the site to open the Secret Realm Gate.

Cheng Kun watched the bronze door becoming clearer and couldn’t help but sigh, "Truly worthy of the Holy Vein."

Opening this door meant the Grotto Heaven was connected to the Secret Realm.

Phoenix Bloodline disciples could enter the Grotto Heaven at any time.

Come and go at will, stepping in with a single step.

Yet other experts wishing to enter the Grotto Heaven needed the Court’s review and approval.

The starkly different treatment was thought-provoking.

With the Phoenix Secret Realm, who knows how much great harvest awaits.