Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1541 - 1537: Approval

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "Let’s forget it."

Huang Zhengyang widened his eyes, looking at him in confusion, puzzled by his refusal.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’ve also seen that place. It’s indeed strange, and I’m not confident."

Huang Zhengyang quickly said, "Brother Chu, you possess secret techniques and spiritual treasures, you might still have a chance to get something good, even something of the Divine Race."

He continued, "There are indeed traces of the Divine Race there."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded and said, "The things of the Divine Race are indeed tempting, but the more alluring it is, the more afraid I am that I won’t be able to resist the temptation and take risks, possibly losing my life."

"...What you said is true," Huang Zhengyang sighed. "If it weren’t for the Court’s pressure, I might also be tempted to enter again."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "For wealth, humans die; for food, birds perish. No one can resist their nature."

Huang Zhengyang said, "No matter how formidable the Grotto Heaven is, it will eventually be gradually explored. Along the way, there will always be some lucky ones who encounter fortuitous adventures. Brother Chu, your luck has always been extraordinary, you have a great chance."

"I have always been lucky, but luck is the most unreliable thing," Chu Zhiyuan laughed. "Who knows when it will stab you in the back?"

He now doesn’t need the Court’s permission to enter the Grotto Heaven.

Naturally, he wouldn’t stop exploring the Grotto Heaven, especially since it’s related to the evolution of Jade Sea and Sky.

The reason the Court agreed is likely because they realized they couldn’t stop him anymore.

After all, Song Chaoge was aware that he could enter and exit the Grotto Heaven.

Since Song Chaoge knew, Prince Zhuang probably knew as well.

And naturally, the Court would know too.

Huang Zhengyang slowly nodded, "That’s right, ...Brother Chu, the Court’s attitude towards you has changed."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "They should be more apprehensive about me, right?"

"Apprehensive, yes, but they also trust you more," Huang Zhengyang said.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him in confusion.

"The Court wants to recruit you as a Tribute," Huang Zhengyang said. "To truly become a member of the Court, that is indeed great news!"

After enduring so many trials, the Court finally accepted Brother Chu.

It’s really not easy.

To Brother Chu, it’s like achieving a perfect result.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Even if I become a Tribute, it will probably be the same; my origins can’t change, and I can’t betray the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Huang Zhengyang said, "The Court inviting you as a Tribute is because they trust you won’t harm them, and that you won’t cause damage due to favoritism towards the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "When it comes down to choosing between the Court and the Heavenly Sword Sect, I won’t favor the Court."

"Brother Chu, the Heavenly Sword Sect has always been righteous in exorcising demons and upholding righteousness, having no conflicts with the Court," Huang Zhengyang said. "As the Court, they’re naturally wary of overly powerful sects to prevent an uncontrollable situation."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "That’s right."

Everyone understands this reasoning.

If a sect is too powerful, it not only harms the Court’s prestige but also leads to arrogant actions by the sect’s disciples, provoking the Court’s dissatisfaction and suppression.

As their conflicts accumulate, a great war is inevitable.

Heavenly Sword Sect and the Four Sects are fine, as the ancestors are extremely wise and foresighted, avoiding this situation in advance.

The Four Great Sects have settled in remote areas, focusing on exorcising demons, refraining from meddling in secular affairs, and strongly avoiding interaction with the Court.

This way, the Heavenly Sword Sect can’t become too strong, and it stays out of the Court’s sight, reducing friction and conflict.

The effect is apparent now.

Yet the Court still harbors suspicions about the Four Great Sects.

After all, the disciples of the Four Great Sects are too strong, if they harbor ill intentions, the harm would be too great.

"Now that the Court trusts you, Brother Chu, you can become a bridge, communicating between the Four Great Sects and the Court, resolving misunderstandings and dissolving differences. I believe this is a rare opportunity."

"A Tribute..." Chu Zhiyuan pondered, "Let me think about it, and also discuss it within the sect to see the Sect Leader’s opinion."

"Of course," Huang Zhengyang said. "The Court permitting you entry into the Grotto Heaven and inviting you as a Tribute are both gestures of goodwill."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Why didn’t the Court extend goodwill earlier and is releasing goodwill now?

There’s no gain without a reason.

There must be some benefit involved.

The two had a casual conversation for a while, and as they were parting, Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes suddenly became hollow.

Even though Huang Zhengyang was uncomfortable, his spirit was suddenly invigorated, looking at him intently.

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes returned to normal, shaking his head, "Brother Huang, don’t go into that Grotto Heaven anymore."

"Yes, I won’t go in anymore!"

Huang Zhengyang immediately understood that if he went into the Grotto Heaven again, he would be trapped in there.

Chu Zhiyuan took out a Flying Knife from his sleeve and handed it to him, "Keep it for protection."

"Haha," Huang Zhengyang happily accepted it, caressing the crystal-clear Flying Knife with satisfaction, "Then I won’t be polite."

Having this Flying Knife is equivalent to having an extra life, giving him immediate confidence.

Originally hesitant to speak, Chu Zhiyuan took the initiative to offer again, fearing a polite refusal might lead Chu Zhiyuan to withdraw the offer.

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Brother Huang, remember, no matter what, do not enter that New Cave Heaven!"

"Understood."

"Even if you are really forced to go in, at least delay it for a month."

"A month... understood, understood."

Huang Zhengyang’s expression grew increasingly solemn.

He already understood that the future Chu Zhiyuan saw was that he would fall in the New Cave Heaven within a month.

Knowing it would be sending himself to his death, of course, he couldn’t go.

...

"Tribute?"

The Sect Leader’s Hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Lu Wanshan paced with his hands behind his back, his burly figure walking back and forth, face serious.

Chu Zhiyuan sat in a high-backed chair inside the room: "Sect Leader, what do you think?"

"Afraid of your strength?" Lu Wanshan frowned and shook his head: "That shouldn’t be it."

The Spirit Venerables of the Heavenly Sword Sect weren’t weak either, yet they weren’t invited by the Court as tribute.

This tribute invitation from the Court was highly unusual.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Trying to win over our Four Great Sects?"

The three elders present shook their heads one after another.

Xu Qianfan snorted, "Zhiyuan, the Court has always been wary of us, so why suddenly try to win us over?"

Zhou Chongming said slowly, "The Court must have encountered some difficulty..."

Meng Xusheng said, "Could it be they want our Four Great Sects to take the lead in entering the New Cave Heaven?"

Xu Qianfan snorted, "Senior Brother Meng, that’s impossible, the New Cave Heaven holds endless opportunities, why would the Court fatten us up?"

Zhou Chongming said, "If this New Cave Heaven is really as Zhiyuan describes, it might be more dangerous than fortuitous. The Court, after some weighing, may very well open it to us."

Meng Xusheng chuckled, "Brother Zhou, the Court should be more worried that we’ll gain too many opportunities and increase our strength substantially, right?"

He shook his head and said, "If I were the Court, I’d rather the Cave Heaven remain wasted than let our four sects benefit."

Zhou Chongming pondered for a moment and looked up at Chu Zhiyuan, "Zhiyuan, do you think the Court is just trying to win you over, so as to win our Four Great Sects, or only to win over our Heavenly Sword Sect?"

Xu Qianfan’s face changed, and he said loudly, "Brother Zhou, do you mean the Court wants to sow discord among our Four Sects? To stir up our relations?!"

Zhou Chongming asked, "Is there such a possibility, Zhiyuan?"

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment and finally shook his head, "In their eyes, there’s no need to use such means, besides, they know the subtle relationship among our Four Sects."

Just like the subtle relations among the Four Holy Veins, the Four Sects cannot be united as one.

The Court has the Divine Artifact, so they’re not worried about the Four Sects uniting against the Court.

Even if the Divine Artifact had issues now, the Four Sects combined couldn’t suppress the Court.

Zhou Chongming said, "If only we are allowed to enter the Cave Heaven, and the other three sects are not, what would happen?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I suppose we will have to divide the gains evenly, right?"

Zhou Chongming said, "They’ll suspect us of hiding most of it, only sharing a little, inevitably breeding resentment."

Xu Qianfan nodded quickly, "They’ll definitely suspect, if it were us, we’d think the same way."

"Haha, then should the Four Sects advance and retreat together?" Meng Xusheng laughed, "If the other three sects are not allowed in, should we not enter either?"

"Not really enter?" Xu Qianfan said, "This opportunity is incredible!"

They all looked at Lu Wanshan.

Lu Wanshan continued pacing with his hands behind his back, silent and serious.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Three elders, it may not necessarily be that way, perhaps the invitation is for all four sects to enter."

"That would be for the best." Xu Qianfan laughed, "Then there would be no problem."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Lu Wanshan: "Sect Leader, should we agree?"

"What do you think?" Lu Wanshan stopped and looked at him.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

"Not agree?!" Xu Qianfan quickly said, "Zhiyuan, this is the New Cave Heaven."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I think our Heavenly Sword Sect is already good enough, no need to venture for more opportunities, ... entering that Cave Heaven will cost disciples’ lives, I cannot bear to see my senior brothers and sisters die for this."

"Zhiyuan, you’re too soft-hearted." Xu Qianfan shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If the Court really means it, we should discuss it with the other three sects, Sect Leader, should I become this tribute?"

"Do it." Lu Wanshan said slowly, "It would be beneficial and not harmful."

Xu Qianfan laughed, "Zhiyuan, being the Court’s tribute, has many benefits."

Zhou Chongming and Meng Xusheng both nodded in agreement.