Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 236: Chapter 233 Nurturing Prestige

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Chu Zhiyuan slowly walked through the Four Directions Pavilion, heading towards the Da Meng delegation.

His mind was still pondering Cheng Tianfeng’s words.

Heavenly Hidden Sect...

Heart Inquiry Saber Skill...

Li Hongzhao’s assassination.

Cheng Tianfeng’s words could not be completely trusted, but perhaps, as he was leaving, his words were kind.

On these three matters, he did not lie.

The dark ointment masked his face, yet it could not deceive the Insight of Super Sense, directly seeing through the ointment to reveal his expression.

And some of his small movements.

Now whether he lied or not, or which part he lied about, could not escape his Insight.

Is the Heavenly Hidden Sect here for revenge on behalf of the Secret Shadow Sect, or for some other reason?

In any case, their action meant another Evil Sect was involving itself in Yujing.

And this Evil Sect was from Da Zhen, fight and then flee, can’t chase them into Da Zhen, very troublesome.

Inside the Da Meng Embassy, shouts echoed continuously.

The Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry in green robes were gathered in a circle, sparring with high spirits.

His arrival was quickly reported to Li Hongzhao.

Li Hongzhao, in a peach-colored palace outfit, seemed like a blooming peony drifting over, carrying a lingering fragrance.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists and smiled: ”I heard that Your Highness was attacked, I came to offer my condolences.”

”The assassin was killed by me,” Li Hongzhao sneered: ”A bunch of blind fools, trying to assassinate me!”

As she led Chu Zhiyuan inside, speaking as she walked, her beautiful face showed no discernible emotion.

”The Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique is least afraid of assassination, they’re truly blind.” Chu Zhiyuan agreed: ”Who was responsible?”

”I can’t figure it out, doesn’t matter which sect, anyone who dares to kill me, I’ll kill them.”

”Could it be the Yuding Sect? Because they were purged, they took their anger out on you and Brother Cheng.”

”How would I know what sects you have in Da Jing?” Li Hongzhao said irritably: ”Could be any of your Four Great Sects, might as well not bother with it.”

”...Indeed.” Chu Zhiyuan was at a loss for words.

They arrived at a courtyard.

Plum blossoms grew in the courtyard, blooming even in this season, tender buds emanating fragrance.

They sat in a little pavilion in front of the plum blossoms.

A red clay stove on the stone table in the pavilion was bubbling with white steam, clearly indicating she had been drinking tea here for some time.

Li Hongzhao took a sip of tea, her bright eyes sparkling: ”Seeing I’m unharmed, you’re disappointed, aren’t you?”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand with a smile: ”Your Highness, how could this be, it’s not like that.”

Li Hongzhao continued: ”You were mighty formidable, recently going on a slaughter!”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with a smile: ”I heard Your Highness is looking for an opportunity to kill me.”

Li Hongzhao sneered: ”I wish I could kill you, you’re teasing me!”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”The matter with the Evil Sect of Taizhou?”

”The plan for exchanging prisoners?!” Li Hongzhao said impatiently: ”Still no sign of you!”

Chu Zhiyuan sighed: ”This matter requires some cooperation from your Da Meng.”

”Cooperation?”

”First temporarily withdraw troops, ease the tension between the two courts, otherwise, if the people find out, they will point their fingers at me.”

If this is achieved, it would be a significant merit.

Whether it works or not, it’s worth trying.

Though this is somewhat unscrupulous, dealing with an enemy like Li Hongzhao, there’s no need to be too meticulous.

If she had the chance, she wouldn’t play by the rules with me either.

Li Hongzhao huffed: ”Then forget it!”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Your Highness truly doesn’t want the prisoners?”

”Today you add this condition, tomorrow you’ll add another, letting you have your way step by step, might as well forget it!”

”Sigh...” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”Seems your highness has many misunderstandings about me.”

Li Hongzhao sneered coldly: ”No misunderstandings whatsoever, I see what kind of person you are clearly!”

”...Alright then, Your Highness issues the news, and I will let the Military Suppression Department cooperate, Your Highness can oversee it personally, I’m done, I have other matters.”

Currently constructing an altar, I still have time to wander around, probe into Li Hongzhao’s true intentions.

Once the altar is completed, I must devote more time to diligent cultivation.

Hasten to reach the Eighth Layer Heaven, Ninth Layer Heaven, and attain Grandmaster Perfection.

Of course, one cannot only immerse in cultivation, devoting all time to it.

First, one must move around, adjust the mood.

Second, one must wander, seek opportunities.

If I hadn’t participated in the purging of Yuding Sect, I wouldn’t have discovered those strange stones.

With my good fortune, how can I only bury myself in cultivation?

Still need to look up and seek opportunities and encounters.

Both are important, to achieve Great Grandmaster faster.

”You’re really not coming?” Li Hongzhao glanced at him: ”This is a rare opportunity for merit!”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

The more Li Hongzhao wanted him to go, the more he pretended not to want to go.

This way, opportunities arise.

Opportunities to gather more information.

Even to seize advantage.

Li Hongzhao huffed: ”Da Jing’s cultivation resources no longer attract you?”

Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows.

Li Hongzhao was indeed sharp.

Seems she also felt the same, that the Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique doesn’t have much demand for cultivation resources?

Li Hongzhao said: ”Then you might as well vie for the imperial throne, contending for it requires prestige; merely becoming a Great Grandmaster is insufficient, the Emperor’s Sword is quite picky, not any Great Grandmaster can bind with it.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Your Highness has such ambition, I do not. In Da Jing, the imperial throne is definitely for my tenth uncle.”

This is another big secret: vying for the imperial throne requires prestige.

Prince Ying has very high prestige, deeply loved by the people, and is at Grandmaster Perfection, only one step away from achieving Great Grandmaster.

Once he achieves Great Grandmaster, assuming the throne would follow logically.

In the eyes of outsiders, Prince Ying’s claim to the throne of Da Jing is certain.

No matter how talented I am, it’s impossible to seize the throne from Prince Ying, I can only become a prince with real power, like Chu Qingyan or Chu Qingfeng.

That would be remarkable already.

Li Hongzhao sneered and shook her head: ”Chu Zhiyuan, you are truly hypocritical!”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Your Highness wants to take the throne, I’m afraid it’d be even harder?”

”So what if it’s hard!” Li Hongzhao huffed: ”Whoever wants to become Emperor has it easy? ...Of course, once I step out of this door, I won’t admit to saying this.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Your Highness, so admirable, not conceding to men. I look forward to the day you ascend to the throne!”

”You’ll see it!” Li Hongzhao raised the snow porcelain tea cup and took a sip.

Before the snow porcelain cup, her red lips like fire, pearly white teeth like jade, every movement and every smile captivated the soul.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan’s unenthusiastic demeanor, she was secretly anxious.

Judging that Chu Zhiyuan was evidently in a stage of cultivation where external forces offered little aid.

Upon reaching a certain stage in cultivation, this would happen.

At this point, one can only diligently cultivate oneself, with no shortcuts.

If his desire for achievement isn’t spurred, this matter will indeed fall by the wayside.

”I heard your Da Jing’s Heavenly Treasure Department recently released a Spirit Pill, similar to our Phoenix Immortal Pill, that can extend life by a year?”

”Your Highness indeed has keen information.”

”Aren’t you interested in such a Spirit Pill? Your father and mother surely need it, their lifespan isn’t as long as yours.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

With my current ability, achieving First Grade Merit is extremely difficult, but if stepping into Great Grandmaster, it will be much easier.

So honing the axe before chopping wood is essential, still must strive in cultivation.

”This time, if we truly purge those Evil Sects, perhaps there could be a First Grade Merit.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows: ”A big catch?”

”You won’t be disappointed, want to give it a try?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Your Highness, I plan to enter seclusion for cultivation, perhaps advancing from the Seventh Layer Heaven to the Eighth Layer Heaven.”

”Seventh Layer Heaven?” Li Hongzhao’s beautiful face suddenly blushed, becoming even more dazzling.

Chu Zhiyuan casually smiled: ”Just passed the Seventh Layer Heaven not long ago.”

”You should really be damned.” Li Hongzhao grit her teeth and squeezed out this sentence.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed heartily.

The sound of laughter spread far, the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry on the distant Martial Arts Training Ground heard it clearly, looking at each other.

Li Hongzhao’s phoenix eyes glared at him intensely.

Chu Zhiyuan’s laughter was unending.

After all, visiting Li Hongzhao was primarily to smoothly mention this phrase.

Truly delightful and exhilarating.

Seeing Li Hongzhao’s face flushed with anger, her chest heaving vigorously, he felt a satisfaction beyond words.

Li Hongzhao clenched her teeth and said angrily: ”Fine, if you won’t come, I’ll go myself!”

”Your Highness hasn’t made it clear, why do you insist I go, the less clear you are, the less daring I am to go.”

”Coward!”

”Your Highness had better explain clearly, dispel my doubts.”

”What are you afraid of?”

”Afraid Your Highness might borrow a knife to kill.”

”...Alright, I’ll tell you!” Li Hongzhao bit her red lips: ”There’s a formidable figure in the Fearless Sect, I can’t handle him alone.”

”Then just leave it to the masters of the Military Suppression Department.”

”I want to personally take his head!”

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood: ”Personal vendetta, ...I won’t ask more, you want me to assist Your Highness in killing him?”

”Exactly.”

”Ten Phoenix Immortal Pills.”

”Drop dead—!” Li Hongzhao drew her sword and stabbed.

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