Imperial Cultivation

"There won’t be any mishaps, right?" Li Hongzhao said, "I hope there aren’t any traps."

The secrets of the Secret Technique are vast, traps are numerous, and difficult to guard against.

However, Chu Zhiyuan has an astonishing instinct; if there were indeed traps, it would be hard to conceal them from him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’ve removed the traps within."

If it weren’t for acquiring the souls of two Wanxiang Cliff disciples and gaining their memories, I truly wouldn’t dare practice it casually.

This Secret Technique contains several traps, each one potentially fatal.

Li Hongzhao nodded, actually not too worried, and softly said, "I heard from the master that the Four Royal Families all have inherited bloodlines."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He had already anticipated this.

Prince Zhuang’s lineage has the Phoenix Bloodline, so it’s not surprising that the other three lineages have theirs as well.

Li Hongzhao said, "All four lineages have Secret Land inheritances."

"What are the other three lineages?"

"Prince Su Mansion has the Green Lion Bloodline, Prince Cheng Mansion has the Sky Bear Bloodline, Prince Ying Mansion has the Flying Tiger Bloodline, each possessing its own power."

"None as formidable as the Phoenix Bloodline, right?"

"It does fall short, but compared to the average Nine Transitions Venerable, it’s much stronger."

"So the Court has numerous Honored Experts, who can easily suppress the Four Great Sects and all sects in the world, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then do you want to continue with cultivation, or venture out to achieve greater deeds?"

"It’s best to continue cultivating," Li Hongzhao said, "Ultimately, achieving great deeds is still for cultivation."

Her heart for achieving great deeds had long been fulfilled with becoming the Emperor.

Her current pursuit was cultivation, wanting to reach the peak of cultivation, breaking through the limits.

Possessing the Phoenix Bloodline provides such opportunity.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Breaking the limits might even ascend to a higher level of heaven."

Li Hongzhao nodded.

She also had such a thought, smiling, "Let’s see if it can be broken. How long can you stay here?"

"No problem for a short period," Chu Zhiyuan said, "A few days is fine."

"Then stay for a few days," Li Hongzhao smiled charmingly, "And witness my cultivation advancement."

"Sounds perfect," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.

...

Zhu Lingyun opened his eyes, coldly glanced at the bowing Zheng Pingzhang.

Zheng Pingzhang produced a scroll from his bosom, presenting it with both hands: "Divine Venerable, these are the locations of those sects."

Zhu Lingyun reached out to take it, flipping through page by page.

After going through everything, the locations of twenty-three Main Altars were recorded clearly.

The sect names, the number of Venerable experts, the number of regular disciples, the locations of the Main Altars.

He suddenly furrowed his brow.

Zheng Pingzhang had been observing with the corner of his eye, and his heart suddenly skipped seeing him frown.

Zhu Lingyun said faintly, "No Feiling Sect?"

"This..." Zheng Pingzhang hesitated.

Zhu Lingyun said, "Is this all?"

Zheng Pingzhang hurriedly responded, "It’s the complete record."

Zhu Lingyun coldly said, "What exactly is Ji Qingyun doing?"

Zheng Pingzhang hurriedly replied, "The Sect Master is in seclusion, at a crucial point."

"Convenient timing." Zhu Lingyun snorted, "Always at the critical moment!"

Zheng Pingzhang hurriedly bowed his head, "Divine Venerable, forgive me."

Zhu Lingyun coldly laughed, "Hah, all day scheming, scheming back and forth, don’t end up scheming away your own life!"

Zheng Pingzhang’s expression changed slightly.

This was obviously a threat.

If the Sect Master doesn’t show up soon, he’ll face consequences.

"First find the Feiling Sect!" Zhu Lingyun waved his hand.

"...Very well," Zheng Pingzhang gritted his teeth and agreed, then hesitated, "Divine Venerable, Feiling Sect is still quite friendly with us, considered allies."

Zhu Lingyun glanced at him sideways.

Zheng Pingzhang managed a forced smile.

Zhu Lingyun said, "What ties do you have with Feiling Sect?"

"Not me." Zheng Pingzhang hurriedly waved his hands.

Zhu Lingyun glanced sideways at him, "Then who?...Ji Qingyun?"

Zheng Pingzhang’s hands produced afterimages as he hurriedly said, "I never said!"

"What relation does Ji Qingyun have with Feiling Sect?" Zhu Lingyun said faintly, "We’re talking about it now, so no need for secrecy. Speak!"

Zheng Pingzhang showed a difficult expression, "Divine Venerable, I..."

"There’s nothing that can’t be spoken. His connection with Feiling Sect, is it still a secret? Any disciple can inquire, right?"

"Yes, the disciples all know."

"Then no need to be long-winded. Speak!"

"Ah..." Zheng Pingzhang sighed and helplessly said, "Divine Venerable, since you inquire, I can only tell the truth."

"If you keep dragging your feet, just don’t speak!"

"Yes, yes, the Sect Master’s wife is a disciple of Feiling Sect."

"What else?"

"The Sect Master’s daughter is also a disciple of Feiling Sect, admitted to Feiling Sect."

"Not keeping his daughter within the sect, but rather sending her to Feiling Sect, thinking their mental method is better?"

"The daughter staying within the sect, the Sect Master feared she’d be unruly and hard to teach."

"Hmm, there’s some sense in that."

"Divine Venerable, we’ve always had good relations with Feiling Sect, continuously helping each other."

"Hah, actually acknowledging this collaboration." Zhu Lingyun’s lips curled, seemingly mocking.

"Divine Venerable, our relationship with Feiling Sect spans generations."

"You’re trying to say this relationship is hard-earned and losing it would be regrettable?"

"...Yes." Zheng Pingzhang nodded slowly under pressure.

Zhu Lingyun glanced at him sideways.

Zheng Pingzhang bowed deeply, saying nothing, sweat quickly seeping from his forehead.

"Haha..." Zhu Lingyun suddenly laughed heartily.

Zheng Pingzhang’s body trembled.

Zhu Lingyun laughed, "We shouldn’t be called Wanxiang Sect, but Sentimental Sect!"

Zheng Pingzhang offered a forced, awkward smile.

Zhu Lingyun laughed and shook his head, "Haha, hahaha, I’ve truly widened my horizons, gained great insight!"

Zheng Pingzhang laughed awkwardly along.

Zhu Lingyun waved his hand, "Alright, alright, let’s preserve this relationship, don’t deal with Feiling Sect."

"Divine Venerable, wise!"

Zheng Pingzhang expressed overwhelming joy, hurriedly clasping his fists deeply and bowing.

"Then which sect do you think should be eliminated first?"

"Disciple thinks, the No Heart Sect, with whom we have the worst relationship, should be eliminated first."

"No Heart Sect... about a thousand miles away from here, right?"

"Yes." Zheng Pingzhang hurriedly said, "They practice a secret technique that can see through our Wanxiang Sect’s Disguise Technique, repeatedly sabotaging our efforts, making them prime for elimination."

"Being so far away, why constantly sabotage your efforts?"

"Because of a grudge between us."

"Hmm, understood." Zhu Lingyun nodded, "Very well, then let’s choose this No Heart Sect...bring Ji Qingyun here to see me."

"Yes." Zheng Pingzhang solemnly agreed.

Zhu Lingyun waved his hand, "First probe the reality of No Heart Sect, to critically determine if any Divine Venerable has descended."

"Yes!" Zheng Pingzhang clasped his fists, gave a solemn salute, and bowed out of the hall.

Upon exiting the hall, as he looked up intending to turn and leave, he instinctively glanced at Zhu Lingyun.

Met with Zhu Lingyun’s indifferent gaze.

He hurriedly bowed again, only turning after leaving Zhu Lingyun’s sight.

Quietly leaving the hall, walking a hundred meters away, he finally straightened his body, exhaled deeply.

Wiped his forehead, sweat beads covering.

Two youths approached, "Elder."

"Handle things carefully; I’ll be taking my leave for now."

"Elder, rest assured."

Zheng Pingzhang waved his hand, hurriedly leaving the valley.

...

At sundown, the evening sun casting its last light upon the tranquil valley.

Zheng Pingzhang and another middle-aged man gracefully approached the valley.

"Sect Master, be cautious."

Close to entering the valley, Zheng Pingzhang cautioned with a serious expression.

The middle-aged man had a face like Crown Jade, handsome and uncommon, standing tall.

He smiled faintly, "I know, what’s there to fear from our own Divine Venerable? Look at you, so frightened!"

Zheng Pingzhang shook his head, "I always feel this Divine Venerable is quite different from the previous ones; just seeing him makes my heart uneasy."

"Alright, I’ll be cautious." Ji Qingyun smiled.

After they floated into the valley, the disciples inside greeted them one after another.

Ji Qingyun cheerfully waved his hand.

Zhu Lingyun sat in the hall, frowning.

This Ji Qingyun seemed rather peculiar.