Imperial Cultivation

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "I’m also very curious about what it will eventually become now."

The Golden Sword is constantly changing, and it evolves with every addition.

Every time it devours some Undying Golden Essence, it becomes stronger, an all-round enhancement.

How much Undying Golden Essence can it devour, is there a limit?

The No Heart Sect has found more Undying Golden Essence, and also that Golden Staff.

Especially that Golden Staff, though only palm-length and thumb-thick, it feels vaguely different.

Li Hongzhao pondered, "Spiritual... it seems I need to find a sword too and conduct a proper refining."

She didn’t care much about Treasure Swords, feeling that the Shadowless Divine Sword given by Chu Zhiyuan was good enough.

Having seen the Emperor’s Sword, no other sword impressed her, and she lost interest.

Plus, Biyuan Heaven’s Spiritual Energy was abundant, and most Cultivation Techniques involved True Essence Separation, more focused on the purity of the Sword Aura than the sharpness of a sword.

Only after witnessing Chu Zhiyuan’s swordsmanship did she understand the enhancement a sword brings to Swordsmanship.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "That’s not easy, do you want to refine the Shadowless Divine Sword?"

The Sacrificial Refining Method of the Emperor’s Sword was applicable to the Shadowless Divine Sword, possibly less effective, but with time, it should also gain Spirituality.

"I’ll ask my master for a Treasure Sword." Li Hongzhao said, "My master should have one."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "It better not be worse than the Shadowless Divine Sword."

The Phoenix Bloodline’s depth far surpasses the Heavenly Sword Sect, not to mention having the Court’s backing.

He was very curious about what Treasure Sword Li Hongzhao could obtain.

Li Hongzhao said, "How could it be!"

"Let’s wait and see," Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "I should get going now."

"So soon?" Li Hongzhao lightly furrowed her brow.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If I delay any longer, Senior Song will come personally to chase me away."

Li Hongzhao laughed, "My master means well too."

"This kindness is for you," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and said, "afraid I’ll disturb your mortal heart."

Li Hongzhao’s smile was as bright as a flower, "My master is overthinking. Can you still meet Little Sister Xiao?"

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Li Hongzhao was surprised, "Little Sister Xiao is also in this Biyuan Heaven?"

"She’s in Outer Heaven," Chu Zhiyuan said, "but she has a Spiritual Artifact, allowing her to travel through, she can be met anytime."

Li Hongzhao asked again, "Has Little Sister Xiao been here?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "She’s in seclusion, but once she’s out, she can come over."

Li Hongzhao looked at him with a look of surprise, half-believing, "I thought it would be difficult to see Little Sister Xiao again, fortunately, she’s coming, she must come over."

"Alright." Chu Zhiyuan said, "But her seclusion often takes years, even more than a decade, it’ll be a while."

Li Hongzhao smiled gently, "Then during those years or more, you’ll be alone?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "We cultivators do not concern ourselves with the days and nights."

Li Hongzhao pouted her red lips, "Truly heartless."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then I’ll be off."

"When will you come again?" Li Hongzhao hurriedly asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Next time I come, I’ll be able to teleport directly, no longer needing you to come out to guide me."

Li Hongzhao was surprised.

Chu Zhiyuan then told her about his mastery of the Earth Origin Technique.

Not only can he teleport himself, but he can also bring people along, which is very convenient.

"Then let’s try," Li Hongzhao said, "take me to teleport once."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Alright."

He placed his hand on Li Hongzhao’s fragrant shoulder, "Are you ready?"

"Let’s go," Li Hongzhao said.

Suddenly, her vision blurred, and the next moment, everything became clear.

She found herself standing on a mountaintop, looking around to see the vast ocean.

She looked around in surprise, then turned to look at Chu Zhiyuan, "Take me back."

Chu Zhiyuan placed his hand on her fragrant shoulder, and in a flash, they were back in Li Hongzhao’s courtyard.

"To Heavenly Sword Peak," Li Hongzhao said.

Then, with a flash, they appeared in Chu Zhiyuan’s courtyard in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Let’s have some tea before you leave," Chu Zhiyuan said.

He began preparing to brew tea.

Li Hongzhao looked around, walking and observing, and said emotionally, "I haven’t been away long, but it feels like it’s been a very long time."

Chu Zhiyuan filled the Red Mud Furnace with water, added tea, then started heating, laughing, "Does it feel like things have changed but people haven’t?"

"Yes," Li Hongzhao sighed, "everything’s changing too fast, before I could react, everything had already changed."

"This place hasn’t changed, nor has Heavenly Sword Peak, and you can come back anytime."

"Sigh..."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Many fellow disciples envy your luck, rising to the top in one step, becoming a Tribute of the Imperial Family, your status is different now."

"Hehe, that is true." Li Hongzhao giggled.

Just as they were talking, suddenly Dong Muyu’s voice sounded from outside: "Li, is it you?"

"Senior Sister!" Li Hongzhao called out loudly.

She stepped forward to open the door, and Dong Muyu stood smiling at the entrance. Upon seeing Li Hongzhao, she reached out and grabbed her hand with joy, saying, "When did you return?"

"Just got back." Li Hongzhao smiled and pulled her into the courtyard to sit by the table.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded with clasped hands, the Red Mud Furnace was already spilling white steam.

He poured three cups of tea and sat by the stone table.

Dong Muyu asked about her experience since they last met, wondering how she was doing with Senior Song.

Chu Zhiyuan sipped the tea while listening to their laughter, though his thoughts wandered to Zhu Lingyun.

...

Zhu Lingyun and his party had already left the mountaintop, heading east.

After a dozen miles, Zheng Pingzhang finally couldn’t hold back: "Divine Venerable, there’s actually another way."

Zhu Lingyun glanced at him, continuing to walk.

Zheng Pingzhang said: "We could destroy it; there’s no need to throw it into the sea, right?"

Zhu Lingyun glanced at Ji Qingyun and was too lazy to respond.

Ji Qingyun quickly said: "This staff cannot be destroyed; blades and swords cannot harm it."

"What about the Treasure Sword?"

"That’s no use either."

"Is it truly so mystical?" Zheng Pingzhang was surprised: "Then... how about throwing it into the abyss?"

Zhu Lingyun replied coldly: "You wouldn’t want to fish it out?"

Zheng Pingzhang quickly said: "Since Divine Venerable wishes to discard it, how could we want to retrieve it?"

Zhu Lingyun responded sharply: "People are never satisfied with greed; you can’t control yourself."

"Divine Venerable..."

"Shut up and hurry up!"

"...Yes." Zheng Pingzhang replied reluctantly.

Ji Qingyun said: "Divine Venerable, besides the sea, there’s also a river; it could be thrown into that."

"Hmm—?"

Zheng Pingzhang quickly said: "Nu River?"

Ji Qingyun nodded: "This river’s torrent is astonishing and rushes straight into the sea. Throw the staff into the river, and it will be swept away immediately without a trace."

"Where is it?" Zhu Lingyun asked.

"The Nu River is not far." Ji Qingyun replied.

"Let’s go have a look."

...

Zhu Lingyun, Ji Qingyun, and Zheng Pingzhang stood on a mountain peak, looking down at the wide river below.

The ten-foot-wide river surged and roared, pouring down like it was mad.

He nodded with satisfaction and took out the Golden Staff from his sleeve.

The sunlight made it shine brightly.

Zhu Lingyun handed it to Ji Qingyun: "You do the honors."

Ji Qingyun took the Golden Staff and looked down at it, his expression complex.

Zhu Lingyun said calmly: "Reluctant?"

"...Yes." Ji Qingyun sighed: "It has accompanied me for so many years; suddenly having to discard it is indeed hard."

Zhu Lingyun replied: "It’s a curse!"

"Alright!" Ji Qingyun gritted his teeth and fiercely threw it.

A flash of golden light streaked through the air, diving into the raging Nu River.

The Golden Staff was so small it couldn’t withstand the river’s force and was instantly swept away.

Ji Qingyun and Zheng Pingzhang operated their eyes with Spiritual Energy, tenaciously watching the staff in the water as it drifted farther away, eventually vanishing into the distance.

Zhu Lingyun stood on the peak, watching its gradual disappearance with satisfaction.

Ji Qingyun and Zheng Pingzhang looked forlorn and despondent.

Chu Zhiyuan said to the two women who were chatting enthusiastically: "Senior Sister, I’m stepping out for a bit."

"Go on, go on." Dong Muyu waved her hand, continuing her chat with Li Hongzhao.

Chu Zhiyuan opened the courtyard gate and disappeared in a flash.

The next moment, he appeared by the rushing Nu River, drawing the Golden Sword, and thrust it into the river.

Suddenly, ten thousand strands of golden light burst forth from the river water, and shortly after, the Golden Sword emerged, carrying the Golden Staff.

It brought the staff nearby.

Chu Zhiyuan reached out to take the Golden Staff, examining it closely.

His instinct indeed didn’t give him any warning.

He frowned in contemplation, his gaze on the Golden Sword.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, and the Golden Sword burst brightly as it struck the Golden Staff.

The next moment, light blazed brilliantly, like the sun falling.