Imperial Cultivation

When the two approached Zhu Lingyun, he was examining the Golden Staff.

His expression was grave.

Originally, he planned for Chu Liezhao to use the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror. Despite Ji Qingyun and Zheng Pingzhang watching, he wanted Chu Liezhao to appear.

The soul of the Undying Evil Venerable was unwilling to give up.

Unexpectedly, the Golden Staff was so powerful that it directly shattered the soul of the Undying Evil Venerable.

Unable to catch it in time, it had already returned to You Meng Heaven.

This feud is thus established, so the No Heart Sect must be destroyed.

By destroying the No Heart Sect, the channel for the Undying Evil Venerable’s descent can be severed.

The greatest surprise was this Golden Staff, with power beyond imagination.

"Divine Venerable!"

"Congratulations, Divine Venerable!"

Ji Qingyun and Zheng Pingzhang floated closer, smiling and cupping their fists in congratulation.

Zhu Lingyun glanced at them, noting their pale and weak appearances, and said lightly, "Didn’t retreat far enough?"

Zheng Pingzhang replied, "We retreated a mile further, but still couldn’t withstand it. This Golden Staff is too strong!"

He looked at the Golden Staff with admiration, "It even defeated the Supreme Divine Venerable!"

Ji Qingyun added, "This staff is formidable, but it depends on the one controlling it. Without the Divine Venerable, its full power couldn’t be unleashed."

Zhu Lingyun said, "This time, you’ve indeed accomplished a great deed. ... I’ll pass a Secret Technique to you."

"Thank you, Divine Venerable!" Ji Qingyun hurriedly cupped his fists.

He wanted to modestly say that offering the staff to the Divine Venerable was his duty and did not require a reward.

But he feared losing the Secret Technique.

Zheng Pingzhang looked at Ji Qingyun enviously, noting that Zhu Lingyun had no intention of bestowing it on him, and rubbed his aching head, showing pain.

Zhu Lingyun pretended not to see, and said lightly, "The remaining task is yours."

He pointed with the Golden Staff at the opposite mountain peak, dense with forest, where houses and pavilions were concealed.

Zhu Lingyun said, "The people inside are likely powerless to resist."

The two were taken aback.

Zhu Lingyun continued, "Resolve them, then we’ll move to the next location."

"Yes!" The two respectfully cupped their fists.

They exchanged a glance and flew toward the opposite peak.

They did not doubt Zhu Lingyun’s words.

Even from over a dozen miles away, they felt as if their brains were about to explode.

The disciples of the No Heart Sect, who were closer, certainly couldn’t withstand it.

These disciples are probably already dead, and they merely need to count the corpses.

The buildings’ outermost edge had a pavilion, clearly a lookout post.

As they approached, four men in black robes emerged from the pavilion, their faces ashen.

The four men didn’t even ask their identities, attacking directly.

The two were momentarily stunned and countered with their palms.

With a "bang," the four men retreated several steps.

Suddenly, one of them pursed his lips and emitted a piercing whistle.

With the whistle, groups of experts emerged from the pavilions and courtyards, surrounding the two and attacking fiercely.

"What’s going on?!" Zheng Pingzhang shouted.

Ji Qingyun gritted his teeth, "There must be a treasure protecting the sect here, right?"

No matter the strength of a treasure, there is often another that can counter it.

This No Heart Sect likely possesses a treasure that can counter the Golden Staff, thus protecting them.

Unfortunately, this is when the two of them are weakest, with aching heads and sore, weak bodies, only able to utilize thirty to forty percent of their power.

"Let’s retreat!" Zheng Pingzhang said, "We can’t hold on!"

The experts of the No Heart Sect were not Venerables; they were below the Venerable Realm.

Otherwise, the two would be severely injured by now.

These non-Venerables had weak cultivation, and under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t be enough for the two to kill.

But now, it’s a case of many ants killing the elephant; if they don’t leave, they might not be able to.

"Retreat!"

Ji Qingyun gritted his teeth.

Zheng Pingzhang suddenly swung his palm, exerting all his power to repel several people.

The two dashed through the gap, transforming into wisps of light smoke, and rushed to Zhu Lingyun’s side.

Zhu Lingyun sat cross-legged on a green stone, appearing calm, and watched coldly as they collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily, blood gushing from their mouths.

He said nothing, simply observing the two.

Zheng Pingzhang grimaced, wiped the blood from his mouth, "Divine Venerable, those guys are all intact, not even injured, vigorous, and nearly had us beaten!"

Zhu Lingyun frowned, looking down at the Golden Staff.

Zheng Pingzhang said, "Could it be restrained by some treasure?"

Zhu Lingyun replied coldly, "They haven’t suffered a scratch?"

"No, absolutely not injured!" Zheng Pingzhang affirmed.

Zhu Lingyun looked at Ji Qingyun.

Ji Qingyun frowned in deep thought.

Zhu Lingyun asked, "Anything unusual?"

Ji Qingyun looked at Zheng Pingzhang, "There seems to be no Venerable Realm experts; they all are below the Venerable Realm."

"...Indeed, there are no Venerables," Zheng Pingzhang said, "Otherwise, we’d be in big trouble!"

"Where did their Venerable experts go?" Ji Qingyun asked, "Did they all deploy at the Undying Divine Venerable’s command, leaving none within the sect?"

"No way?" Zheng Pingzhang said, "Despite the prowess of the Undying Divine Venerable, surely two would remain to guard the sect, not all sent out."

Ji Qingyun’s face changed, "Could they be targeting us?"

"Impossible!" Zheng Pingzhang said, "They wouldn’t have... the courage?"

His words trailed off, losing confidence.

It’s not impossible.

As they planned to eliminate No Heart Sect, the No Heart Sect would likely seize any opportunity to eliminate Wanxiang Sect.

Then he shook his head, "If really targeting us, wouldn’t the Undying Divine Venerable move?"

Ji Qingyun said solemnly, "We must concede! ... Divi...

He interrupted himself, saying, "Divine Venerable?"

Zhu Lingyun shook his head, "You’re overthinking. ... Go inspect again to see if there are Venerable experts inside."

"Yes," Ji Qingyun agreed without hesitation, "I’ll check."

He waved a hand to stop Zheng Pingzhang from speaking, "That’s settled!"

Zheng Pingzhang nodded reluctantly, "Alright, I’ll recover a bit, can’t hold out."

The injuries worsening, they couldn’t delay any longer, even consuming a Spirit Pill requires some adjustment.

"Divine Venerable, I’m going." Ji Qingyun cupped his fists.

Zhu Lingyun coldly nodded, storing the Golden Staff within his sleeve, and closed his eyes again.

As Ji Qingyun turned to leave, Zhu Lingyun’s indifferent voice sounded, "They might have already been eliminated."

Ji Qingyun paused, surprised.

Zhu Lingyun had already shut his eyes and mouth, saying nothing more.

Ji Qingyun hesitated, cupping his fists again, turned, and floated away.

He contemplated Zhu Lingyun’s words as he moved.

Venerable experts all eliminated?

Who eliminated these Venerables? Was it the Undying Divine Venerable, or the Divine Venerable?

If it was the Undying Divine Venerable, what exactly was he planning?

If it was the Divine Venerable, how was it accomplished?... With the Golden Staff?

His form grew increasingly dim, seeming to merge with the surrounding trees, breath and wood in consonance.

He circled, cautiously slipping into the No Heart Sect from another pavilion outside.

.....

A quarter of an hour later, he returned to Zhu Lingyun, eyes blazing, "Divine Venerable, those Venerables are indeed all dead, bleeding from seven apertures."

Zhu Lingyun said calmly, "The wonder of the Golden Staff."

Zheng Pingzhang couldn’t help but speak, "But those individuals are unscathed... Could the Golden Staff only kill Venerable experts and not those below Venerable?... That’s too far-fetched, impossible!"

Zhu Lingyun glanced at him.

Ji Qingyun solemnly asked, "Divine Venerable, could it truly be so?"

"Below Venerable, Divine Essence does not arise," Zhu Lingyun stated flatly, "It causes the Divine Essence to backfire upon itself."

"I see..." Ji Qingyun realized.

Zheng Pingzhang’s eyes sparkled with excitement, "Divine Venerable, then wiping out other sects becomes easy, even directly eliminating the Evil Extermination Department!"