Imperial Cultivation Chapter 1542 - 1538: Golden Eagle

Chu Zhiyuan said: "I’ve been getting too close to the Court, which also makes the other Three Sects wary."

Xu Qianfan chuckled: "Zhiyuan, you’ve always been quite close to the Court, haven’t you?"

Zhou Chongming and Meng Xusheng nodded with a smile.

The statement is undoubtedly true, Chu Zhiyuan has always maintained close ties with the Court.

He has assisted the Court extensively.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Helping is one thing, being a Tribute of the Court is another."

"There’s no difference," Meng Xusheng laughed: "Zhiyuan, don’t think our Four Sects’ relationship is too fragile. We’ve all been tested."

"Rest assured, being a Tribute for the Court grants access to many treasures within the Imperial Palace Vault, otherwise how could they attract other Tributes?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "The mental method I am cultivating is adequate, I really don’t want to be this Tribute."

The position of Tribute is extraordinary, not bound by strict orders, with the freedom to act.

Moreover, being a Spirit Venerable Tribute, one need not concern oneself with mundane affairs, only acting at critical moments.

Virtually exerting no effort, yet reaping all the benefits can be considered a delightful arrangement.

If not for the growth of the Golden Sword, he wouldn’t agree to be this Tribute.

Zhou Chongming said: "If you don’t become this Tribute, the Court might think our Heavenly Sword Sect has grievances against them, right?"

"Humph," Xu Qianfan sneered: "Given what the Court has done, having grievances is quite normal, isn’t it? If you ask me, if you don’t want to take advantage of them, then don’t be this Tribute!"

"Junior Brother Xu!" Zhou Chongming looked at him helplessly, displeased with his hindrance.

Xu Qianfan said: "Zhiyuan is now a Spirit Venerable, he has the qualification to make his own decisions. If he wants to do it, he can, if not, he doesn’t have to, otherwise what’s the point of being a Spirit Venerable?"

Why become a Spirit Venerable?

One reason is the long lifespan, but more importantly, the status is extraordinarily free and carefree.

Look at the Spirit Venerables within the Sect, is there anyone who isn’t traveling across the world freely and leisurely?

Become a Spirit Venerable and be entangled with the petty disputes of the Sect and the Court, that’s just too distressing.

If it were him, he would have left a long time ago, not bothering with the Court.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Thank you, Elder Xu."

Xu Qianfan said: "Sect Leader, if you ask me, there’s no need to be polite with the Court. Regardless of your politeness, the Court’s attitude remains unchanged."

Zhou Chongming said: "Junior Brother Xu’s words are indeed true, the Court truly won’t change their attitude due to ours."

Meng Xusheng laughed: "Don’t make it too ugly. If you ask me, agree first, seize any advantage, and afterward, decide whether to obey or not based on your mood. After all, the Court can’t really do anything about Zhiyuan."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "The Court can’t do anything about me, but they can target our Heavenly Sword Sect."

"With you here, the Court will have scruples," Zhou Chongming said: "They dare not be excessively bold."

"Then just follow your heart," Lu Wanshan said: "Do it if you want, refuse if you don’t."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "Sect Leader, several uncles, allow me to think it through."

...

Phoenix Secret Realm

Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao sat at the stone table in her courtyard pavilion drinking tea.

He had just come from Xiao Ruoling and was now here to inquire about news.

After listening to Chu Zhiyuan’s words, Li Hongzhao raised a finely arched brow: "Tribute? And to the Imperial Palace?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"It’s peculiar." Li Hongzhao gently shook her head, letting out a cold smile: "The Court’s attitude towards you has never changed, why has it suddenly shifted this time?"

"That’s exactly what I want to know."

"What about your secret technique?"

"I can’t discern anything."

"Can’t even discern?"

"The secret technique is not omniscient; when it involves a Divine Artifact, it’s hard to see."

"...I’ll go inquire about it." Li Hongzhao said.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Li Hongzhao suddenly chuckled: "I was initially planning to visit Little Sister Xiao, but it looks like I have to inquire about this first."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "I almost forgot to tell you the good news; Madam has also entered Spirit Venerable."

"Little Sister Xiao has become a Spirit Venerable too?!" Li Hongzhao said in shock.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded.

Li Hongzhao glared at him sharply: "You didn’t really want to mention it, did you?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "You didn’t ask, if I deliberately held it back, then that would be amusing."

Li Hongzhao snorted: "You helped, didn’t you?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.

Li Hongzhao cast a sidelong glance at him with a cold laugh: "Indeed, there’s a difference between close and distant, the internal and external."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "We’re from the same place, we’re one of our own, haven’t you considered going back at all?"

"No need to return." Li Hongzhao snorted, coldly saying: "There’s no point."

She has no attachment to anything in Little Outer Heaven.

No matter what Da Meng looks like now, how the current Emperor manages things, she doesn’t want to be involved.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Very well, fewer attachments mean fewer troubles... I shall take my leave."

"Leaving already?"

"There’s still other matters to attend to." Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, then vanished.

...

He returned to the Grotto Heaven and arrived outside the Elephant Beast Cave Mansion, laughing: "Let’s go, to Dragon Mountain."

A flash of white light, the Elephant Beast appeared again on his left shoulder, its long tail shaking vigorously: "Don’t want to go."

"Why not?" Chu Zhiyuan laughed: "If things go awry, just flee."

"Then what’s the point." The Elephant Beast said lazily: "Can’t defeat it, can’t enter, it’s all wasted effort."

"Don’t want to stay in my place for a while?" Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

The Elephant Beast snorted: "Not going."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "Seems like I’ll have to go alone then, well, it’s just a bit slower, nothing much."

As he spoke, he turned around, ready to leave.

The Elephant Beast snorted: "Can you move the entire Dragon Mountain into it?"

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Little by little, it can all go in."

The Elephant Beast said: "Before that happens, something more powerful will come to deal with us!"

"If trouble arises, just flee!"

"No time to run!... I’ve heard word, someone is coming."

"Who?"

"A Golden-winged White Eagle, very frightening."

"An eagle... fast?"

"Fast!... It’s even scarier than that little green bird!"

"Similar to my teleportation?"

"Not less than your teleportation."

"...Seems like we should avoid it." Chu Zhiyuan said: "When does it leave?"

"How would anyone know? It leaves when it wants, nobody can do anything about it!"

"Is it the strongest in Dragon Mountain?"

"Not necessarily the strongest, but it’s up in the sky, those below can only suffer its attacks without being able to hit it back, not to mention it’s too fast, even those flying can’t match it."

"The Golden-winged White Eagle..." Chu Zhiyuan pondered: "Then we shall wait for the storm to pass and refrain from going."

"That’s best," the Elephant Beast sighed in relief.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly looked up.

The Elephant Beast involuntarily looked up too, and its expression changed drastically: "Not good!"

Chu Zhiyuan pressed it down.

It quickly vanished, appearing within Jade Sea and Sky.

Chu Zhiyuan also disappeared, appearing within Tongtian Hall.

The Elephant Beast in Jade Sea and Sky breathed a sigh of relief, but was still somewhat worried.

Chu Zhiyuan’s voice echoed in its mind: "We’ve evaded."

"Luckily, you reacted quickly, almost lost your life!"

"You have an array, don’t you?"

"The array is useless against it, it also has a pair of sharp eyes."

"What else? Fast speed, sharp eyes, any other strengths?"

"The wings are the scariest; besides a True Dragon, no one can withstand its wings; also the claws, they ignore defenses and directly smash heads."

Chu Zhiyuan exhaled: "Good thing it’s left."

Through the Flying Knife in the grassland, he saw a golden light flash across the void, disappearing into the distance.

He teleported back to Elephant Beast Cave Mansion, the Elephant Beast appeared on his shoulder once more.