Imperial Cultivation

He glanced briefly, not looking too closely, and absorbed it directly into his sight.

Lu Wanshan laughed and said, "Your spiritual power is indeed strong enough to withstand it."

Chu Zhiyuan looked up at him.

Lu Wanshan said, "This token is the Phoenix Order, containing the Phoenix Realm, capable of burning the soul."

He remained unscathed because the Heavenly Sword protected him. Anyone else holding this token would surely have their soul burned, the pain unbearable, and would naturally let go.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "It is indeed a bit uncomfortable, but enduring it passes."

"Without enough spiritual power, you can’t endure it," Lu Wanshan shook his head.

If it were physical pain, burning, it could still be endured, but the burning sensation of the soul is unbearable.

This can only prove that his soul is powerful, his spirit strong, far surpassing ordinary people.

Even stronger than himself.

Thinking of this, he shook his head and sighed inwardly.

The strength of the soul is almost entirely determined innately, and while postnatal strength can boost the spirit, it is difficult to reach the soul.

Chu Zhiyuan naturally possesses a strong soul, truly a rare talent, a favored child of heaven.

He himself is such a favored child of heaven, but his aptitude is still a notch below Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Sect Leader, where is Senior Song’s Secret Land?"

Lu Wanshan shook his head: "No one knows. It doesn’t stay in any fixed location, and the Phoenix Order is the key to enter and exit."

Chu Zhiyuan took out the Phoenix Order again, concentrating his senses.

Suddenly, a flash appeared before his eyes, a flame materializing in his mind.

The raging flames grew larger, spread as if to burn the entire void in his mind, scorching the soul.

He slightly concentrated, without waiting to act.

The cool water he obtained from the Imperial Ancestral Temple instantly emitted light, like the sun suddenly appearing over a pool of autumn water.

Where the light reached, the overwhelming flames vanished abruptly, as if they were an illusion before.

He knew that it wasn’t entirely an illusion before; illusions couldn’t invade his mind.

That was the unique spirit secret technique, a form of will, similar to the will of the Undying Evil Venerable.

The miraculous object obtained from the temple, he had learned its true name from the memory of the white-robed evil venerable: Miao Jing Spirit Water.

Miao Jing Spirit Water is the water of purity, supremely pure and clean, purifying all spiritual webs, leaving the Spirit Platform untainted.

All flames quickly receded, ultimately condensed within the flaming red Phoenix, radiating seven-colored light at its center.

All the flames gathered within it, making it even more vibrant and splendid.

It floated slowly in the void, gently flapping its wings, surrounded by flickering seven-colored light.

Outside the seven-colored light, clusters of flames transformed into small birds, circling it, forming the phenomenon of a hundred birds paying homage to the Phoenix.

Chu Zhiyuan concentrated his senses, vaguely feeling the direction to the southwest.

He understood that following this direction would lead to the gateway of that Secret Land.

Lu Wanshan watched him, observing his changing expression, and finally seeing his smile, he asked, "Any clues?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I should be able to find it."

"Do you want to take a look?" Lu Wanshan asked.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Sect Leader, I want to take a look at her."

Lu Wanshan said, "Now that you’ve mastered Qinggong, you can go anytime. Don’t stay too long, and return quickly to the Imperial City side to avoid any changes."

It was obviously impossible for Chu Zhiyuan to lightly put down the matter of Li Hongzhao.

They both hail from Little Outer Heaven, in this Biyuan Heaven world, they rely on each other, being the closest.

Without personally seeing the state of Li Hongzhao, how could Chu Zhiyuan be at ease?

"I won’t delay too long," Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile, "Sect Leader, things should be almost over on the Imperial City side, the Evil Sect’s forces are at their end, the great tide has receded, and they are planning to flee for good."

"Is the great tide really over?" Lu Wanshan said, "It’s just two Evil Sects joining forces. As long as the Divine Artifacts guarding the Imperial City don’t recover, there might still be hope. If two sects don’t succeed, then three sects, or even a dozen Evil Sects could join hands."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a smile, "Sect Leader, the Evil Sect is different from us. They are too concerned with gains and losses and can’t stand taking a loss, so they naturally can’t join forces. The fact that two sects have united is already an anomaly, three sects are almost impossible, let alone more."

He sighed, "Seeing two sects join forces yet unable to shake the City Guards, all the experts of the Evil Sect are disheartened, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless more Evil Venerables descend, only then can the situation be reversed."

"Do you think more Evil Venerables will descend?"

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan said confidently.

Lu Wanshan asked, "Why?"

"With the Divine Artifacts malfunctioning, the Imperial City can be entered, and the Imperial City contains treasures they covet," Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Sect Leader, I want to look at the records of ancient era oddities."

"The records of such oddities? ... You’ll need to enter the Ancient Hall," Lu Wanshan said, "When do you plan to look?"

"Let’s take a look first," Chu Zhiyuan said, "To avoid being too hasty and having no time to look."

Understanding those oddities is crucial, to avoid encountering them without recognition.

From descending to the white-robed youth’s Evil Venerable, he learned these oddities are of great significance, holding the opportunity for breakthroughs, the foundation of surpassing the Undying Venerable.

The Undying Venerable has reached the pinnacle of cultivation, but with a mysterious object, there is hope to advance further, stepping into an unspeakable higher realm.

In the Imperial City Temple, there is Miao Jing Spirit Water. What about Outer Heaven? Little Heaven Beyond? And even other places within Biyuan Heaven?

What if there are more, and I encounter them without understanding their wondrous uses and avoidances? Wouldn’t that be a waste?

...

In the early morning, Chu Zhiyuan appeared above a cliff, gazing towards the hidden valley below.

The valley was shrouded in thick fog, its depths unseen.

Even with Super Sense, he couldn’t see the situation below the valley, clearly hiding some mystery.

The location sensed by the Phoenix Order was exactly this valley.

He didn’t hurry to jump into the valley, but lingered in front of the cliff for a moment, suddenly letting out a long howl.

The howl echoed within the valley.

The thick fog surged and rolled.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, confirming that his judgment was correct; the entrance to the Secret Land was here, and his voice could be heard inside.

A flash of red, and Li Hongzhao emerged from the thick fog, elegantly landing before him.

Like a phoenix folding its wings, a graceful and noble aura exuded forth.

An enchanting fragrance wafted, reaching his nose.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, sizing her up, "Congratulations."

Li Hongzhao gave a proud smile, twirling gracefully, "If you had come a day later, I would have reached the Nine Transitions."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Cultivating inside the Secret Land, your progress is faster?"

"Not only faster but more stable," Li Hongzhao replied, "The previous feeling of unease has completely vanished."

"Congratulations indeed," Chu Zhiyuan nodded, studying Li Hongzhao, reaching out his hand.

Li Hongzhao extended her jade-like hand.

Chu Zhiyuan placed his hand on her delicate wrist, instantly illuminating her inside and out.

In a flash, a vibrant and dazzling phoenix reappeared in his mind.

It was similar to what he saw when holding the Phoenix Order.

Chu Zhiyuan realized this was a bloodline vision.

He noticed that this phoenix lacked some of the spirituality of the one manifested by the Phoenix Order.

That phoenix was full of life and aggression, as if its gaze penetrated directly into his heart and spirit.

This phoenix, however, only had its form, lacking the divine intent and spirituality of the former.

Moments later, he released his grip, nodding, "Your realm is almost there, you’ve reached the Nine Transitions, but it feels somewhat empty."

"Empty in what way?" Li Hongzhao was puzzled.

Chu Zhiyuan explained, "Your spirit is insufficient, your heart and spirit are not firm and pure enough."

"How to remedy that?"

"Senior Song likely has a specialized secret technique," Chu Zhiyuan said, "You can ask Senior Song for it."

Even though he knew a spirit secret technique, it might not suit Li Hongzhao.

The cultivation with the Phoenix Bloodline follows a different path and cannot be handled carelessly.

It’s best to use a secret technique that aligns with the Phoenix Bloodline.

"Yes, I’ll ask my teacher," Li Hongzhao nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan was surprised, "You’ve already taken Senior Song as your teacher?"

Li Hongzhao nodded with a bright smile, "The Sect Leader facilitated it, so of course I agreed."

"...Understandable," Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

This Senior Song is a princess of the Imperial Family, noble and of royal blood. Li Hongzhao comes from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and by becoming her disciple, it could strengthen the bond between the Heavenly Sword Sect and Prince Zhuang’s lineage.

Therefore, the Sect Leader would arrange such a master-disciple relationship.

Li Hongzhao said, "Come with me, meet my teacher."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He wanted to see for himself what kind of person this Senior Song was.

He trusted Li Hongzhao’s judgment not to misjudge someone.

If she felt this Senior Song was unsuitable, she would defy an order from Lu Wanshan and refuse to honor it.

Li Hongzhao placed her hand on his shoulder and leaped down into the valley.

The dense mist obscured their vision, leaving them in a white void, even the Super Sense unable to penetrate it.

Suddenly, everything blurred, their surroundings transformed, first with a rich floral scent, then with towering trees forming a forest, obscuring the rolling hills.

Peaks like barriers separating heaven and earth.

Each colossal tree required three people to encircle it, stood about thirty meters tall, and reached straight into the sky.

With Super Sensing Illumination, everything within a radius of one hundred and fifty miles was within the covered range.