Imperial Cultivation

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Walking on the streets of the Divine Capital, whether it was the architectural style on both sides, the dress style of the pedestrians, or even their demeanor, it all evoked a feeling of being in Yujing.

He smiled as he strolled leisurely among the bustling crowds, occasionally observing the shops and stalls on both sides.

All kinds of goods were dazzling, and various snacks and delicacies were everywhere.

The pedestrians on the street wore lazy expressions, but those in a hurry were often outsiders.

You could spot the difference at a glance.

There were also martial arts experts carrying swords walking arrogantly in the streets and alleys, though most were City Guards.

Chu Zhiyuan felt the abundance of martial arts experts, and the grandeur of their aura.

Compared to the martial arts experts in Tianjing, those in Yujing and the Divine Capital were much more grandiose.

Obviously, the Martial Arts Sects in the Da Jing and Da Zhen dynasties were less oppressed.

The martial arts experts of the two dynasties lived more comfortably.

Chu Zhiyuan was unable to determine whether it was good or bad, each had advantages and disadvantages. In theory, the two dynasties should have more Grandmasters.

But in the martial arts of the Da Zhen Dynasty, Wentian Cliff stood alone, far superior to the other sects.

So was it because their mental methods were not exquisite enough?

Da Zhen also had a Secret Land, and a new Secret Land had recently emerged, which both dynasties were exploring together.

Chu Zhiyuan strolled into a tavern, sat down, and drank while listening to the discussions of the people around him.

News in these top taverns often contained both street and court affairs, which was extremely beneficial for understanding the current situation in the Divine Capital.

Chu Zhiyuan listened to the conversations around and shook his head, finding nothing noteworthy.

When he was feeling bored, he suddenly perked up and listened intently.

"Have you heard? About that new Secret Land?"

"The White Crane Secret Land?"

"Yes, that Secret Land on White Crane Mountain, something major happened."

"What happened?"

"All the experts were wiped out, including two Grandmasters."

"Impossible, right? They were Grandmasters!"

"A Grandmaster is not an undying person, especially in such a Secret Land; a Grandmaster can still die!"

"Isn’t this new Secret Land the one we were exploring with the Da Jing Dynasty? Did their Grandmasters also die?"

"No."

"...Oh—it was a private exploration."

"Sigh—!"

The middle-aged men at this table all shook their heads and sighed.

Such underhanded actions were already disdainful, yet they suffered a huge setback.

Nothing much could be said about it.

"Is this new Secret Land so dangerous?"

"It’s said there is a type of demon beast, silent and invisible, that kills without a trace, much like the methods of the Fourth Prince of Da Jing."

"Hmm, ...could it be the Fourth Prince of Da Jing? Sneaking in and taking down our two Grandmasters and a group of masters."

"This..."

"There’s indeed a possibility!"

"What a wild imagination! At that time, he was in Da Meng and Da Jing breaking the main altar of the Evil-breaking Sect!"

"Indeed, it’s impossible, ...but how do we deal with such a demon beast?"

"Wentian Cliff is trying to find a way."

"Hopefully, they can come up with a strategy. Otherwise, this Secret Land is useless."

Such a dangerous demon beast, entering is courting death. No matter how good the Secret Land is, one must survive to benefit from it.

"Our new State Preceptor is so young, he might not necessarily find a solution."

"If he can’t, then invite the Fourth Prince of Da Jing. Since he has similar methods, he might be able to counter this kind of demon beast."

"Why would the Fourth Prince of Da Jing take this risk? Moreover, he is very busy."

"The Evil Sect’s main altar ... shouldn’t it be our turn next?"

"After finishing off the main altar in Da Meng, it’s Da Jing’s turn, and then ours, Da Zhen."

"This is too..."

"There’s nothing we can do, he’s the Princely Heir of Da Jing, not ours from Da Zhen."

"It always feels uncomfortable, the demon disciples of the Evil Sect have all come here, harming many people."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered.

Two Grandmasters were dead!

Don’t be deceived by the fact that so many Grandmasters from the Evil Sect had died, as if Grandmasters were worthless.

That’s because the Evil Sect had an easier time achieving Grandmaster with sacrifices, far easier than the world’s martial arts sects’ experts, and their strength was somewhat inferior.

The Da Zhen Court probably had only about twenty or so Grandmasters.

Losing two Grandmasters at once was a significant loss.

The opening of a Secret Land is indeed an extremely dangerous affair, so every opened Secret Land is extremely precious.

A single Secret Land can prosper a sect, even prolonging the prosperity like the four great Demon Sects.

He heard no more valuable information and returned to the Prince Mansion.

Upon returning to the Prince Mansion, Cheng Yifeng quickly found his small courtyard.

"Princely Heir, the Emperor invites you to the palace tomorrow for a discussion."

Chu Zhiyuan saw his gloomy expression and invited him to sit beside a small pavilion by the rock garden in the courtyard.

"Does the Emperor support the clearing of the main altars of the Evil Sect’s various sects?"

"Father naturally supports it. Like in Da Meng, he will send some experts to be under my command, at your disposal."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Princely Heir, I heard that there is trouble in the White Crane Secret Land."

"Oh—?" Chu Zhiyuan feigned ignorance.

"There’s actually a new type of demon beast in the Secret Land, killing invisibly, certain death upon sight."

"Then how are they aware of its existence?"

"A master used a treasure, the Sound Keeping Stone, before dying, stating these demon beasts resemble minks, with transparent bodies almost invisible, moving as fast as lightning, impossible to dodge."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned: "Transparent... mink...? What does Wentian Cliff say?"

"Wentian Cliff says this Secret Land has turned highly dangerous and is no longer suitable to enter."

"And is there no method to counteract such demon beasts?"

"Within the Secret Land, it’s impossible to see through the heavenly secrets, so Wentian Cliff has no solution either."

"...So neither Da Zhen nor Da Jing intends to send more experts to explore?"

This was just like the situation at the Flying Sky Sect’s Secret Land back then.

"Sigh—! From what Father implies, they’re not planning to explore further." Cheng Yifeng sighed.

Such a huge cost, only to give up halfway and fall short of the goal, was a disappointing feeling.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Would the Princely Heir not want to take a look?" Cheng Yifeng asked.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled: "I don’t want to court death."

Cheng Yifeng shook his head: "I know the Princely Heir’s skills. For others, entering would mean death, but not necessarily for you."

"Where is the Secret Land?"

"White Crane Peak, not far from the Divine Capital. Shall we go take a look?"

"...We might as well check it out; if it seems too treacherous, then forget it."

Chu Zhiyuan was curious about just how dangerous this Secret Land was.

More importantly, he had a sense of danger, able to perceive threats in advance. If it were too perilous, he wouldn’t enter.

"All the better, let’s go!"

"We still have to see the Emperor tomorrow." Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "It’s not too late to discuss after seeing the Emperor."

"There’s no rush to see Father." Cheng Yifeng quickly said: "I’ll have someone inform Father, and we’ll go to the Secret Land first."

"Isn’t that too casual?" Chu Zhiyuan said.

The Da Zhen Emperor agreed to send experts to help, which was already sufficient.

Whether to meet or not was no longer important.

"Trust me," Cheng Yifeng waved his hand: "Let’s go see the Secret Land first."

"Alright then."

The two didn’t mind it was night, didn’t ride horses, and directly used Qinggong to leave the Divine Capital, heading west.

The three times took an hour to perform Qinggong, arriving at a mountain peak just as the moon reached the zenith.

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Under the moonlight, the mountain peak resembled a white crane about to spread its wings and fly.

This was also the origin of the name White Crane Peak.

Chu Zhiyuan stood at the foot of the mountain, focused and sensed, frowning.

"Princely Heir?" Cheng Yifeng looked at him.

"Truly dangerous." Chu Zhiyuan slowly said: "Not suitable for entering."

Cheng Yifeng said disappointedly: "Does the Princely Heir also dare not enter?"

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Let’s look a bit further."

The three floated up the mountain, skimming over the pine forest, and stopped halfway up.

In the forest at midslope, there was a clearing with a bonfire.

In front of the roaring bonfire, six masters sat cross-legged around it.

Upon hearing the commotion, they all stood up, cautiously observing them as they approached.

Some of the masters recognized Cheng Yifeng, and everyone greeted him.

Cheng Yifeng waved his hand, signaling them not to bother with formalities, and looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

The blazing fire reflected on Chu Zhiyuan’s solemn face.

He stared seriously toward the east.

"Cannot go?" Cheng Yifeng asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "A bit dangerous, ... but perhaps worth a try. I’ll go in and take a look first."

Indeed a bit dangerous, but not excessively so, thus warranting exploration.

New Secret Lands often yield valuable items, worth a try.

"Then I..."

"Your Highness, you stay outside first." Chu Zhiyuan said, "Zou Fang, you stay too."

"Yes," Zou Fang responded.

"Princely Heir, be extremely careful," Cheng Yifeng hurriedly said.

He suddenly felt a bit regretful, thinking it would have been better to destroy the main altars of the Evil Sect first.

If anything were to happen to Chu Zhiyuan, who could then eradicate the Evil Sect?

Chu Zhiyuan’s serious face showed a hint of a smile, nodded, and walked east, suddenly disappearing.

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