Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 264: Chapter 261: Monopolize

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As the strange patterns inside the White Tripod infiltrated and fused, the White Tripod gradually formed a seamless connection with him.

No matter where it was placed in the room, he could sense it, finding it without relying on the Super Sense.

With the continued refining, the sensing distance increased, and the clarity of this perception deepened.

Chu Zhiyuan felt that this was not the most important thing. The most important thing was that with just a thought, it could open or close.

From then on, unless others could also perform the Sacrificial Refining Method to expel his power from these patterns and infuse their own, they could no longer touch the space inside the White Tripod or even sense its existence.

This exquisite White Tripod thus became his true Storage Bag.

After completing its refining, Chu Zhiyuan turned to the Heavenly Ganoderma Building Jade Pill and the Purifying Elixir.

The first he took was the Heavenly Ganoderma Building Jade Pill, and, as he expected, it had virtually no effect.

The enhancement of the Meridians was negligible, almost nonexistent.

The Purifying Elixir, however, brought him a surprise.

The Meridians strengthened by a fraction.

Although this fraction was small, the current Meridians were already at the extreme of extremes; having this fraction was already hard to come by.

The most wonderful thing about the Purifying Elixir was that it rapidly advanced the progress of membrane refining, giving a faint sense of Perfection.

He estimated that this Purifying Elixir saved him at least three years of arduous training; its efficacy was indeed extraordinary.

If he had another one, he would nearly achieve complete membrane refining and could move on to the next layer of Refining Tendons.

Refining Tendons was best for power enhancement.

Currently, he was already considered immensely powerful, and further strengthening would make his Swordsmanship and Flying Knife even more formidable.

He wouldn’t even need to pursue intricate Sword Moves; sheer power would be enough to crush opponents.

——

Chu Zhiyuan was refining the Black Pearl in the courtyard when Zou Fang entered to report that the Ninth Princess had arrived.

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow with a smile.

This Li Hongzhao finally couldn’t hold back; she was eager to wipe him out.

”Invite her to the front hall.”

”Yes.”

When Chu Zhiyuan arrived at the front hall, Li Hongzhao was already seated in the Taishi Chair, displaying her graceful figure and lazily casting a sidelong glance at him: ”Chu Zhiyuan, is this how you treat your guests?”

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists towards Su Qiuyan: ”Mr. Su, my apologies.”

Su Qiuyan smiled: ”The Princely Heir and Your Highness may discuss; I will not disturb you.”

With a flicker, she disappeared without a trace.

Chu Zhiyuan marveled: ”Worthy of a Great Grandmaster, coming and going without a trace, impressive.”

Li Hongzhao’s beautiful face bore a cold smile: ”Chu Zhiyuan, you’re getting more and more impolite.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Between us, do we still need to talk about these courtesies? Is it about the matter of Lu Yaofeng?”

”Haven’t decided yet?” Li Hongzhao snorted: ”If you dawdle any longer, I won’t wait for you. I’ll go investigate myself.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with a smile.

”What, you don’t believe me?”

”If that Cave Mansion of Lu Yaofeng’s was really that good, it wouldn’t be my turn, would it? You would have gone long ago.”

”Aren’t you known for your keen intuition? If there’s really danger, having you there would be reassuring; after all, it’s a Great Grandmaster’s Cave Mansion, so caution is necessary,” Li Hongzhao snorted: ”You’re only useful in this regard, offering half to you, and yet you’re still unsatisfied? Dragging your feet.”

She feared unexpected complications would arise the longer they waited and wished for Chu Zhiyuan to agree and go immediately.

Chu Zhiyuan stared at her.

Li Hongzhao looked at him candidly: ”You know whether I’m lying or not, right?”

”Half true, half false, I guess.” Chu Zhiyuan said: ”You hid your real intentions.”

”What intention?”

”To kill me.”

Li Hongzhao rolled her eyes dramatically, feigning annoyance: ”Even if I had the heart, I’d need the guts.”

Chu Zhiyuan secretly sneered, your courage is indeed not small, even to the point of being reckless.

But he smiled: ”You know about Lu Yaofeng’s woman, right?”

”Couldn’t find out.” Li Hongzhao frowned: ”It’s really strange; no one knows what kind of person his woman actually is, and no one has ever seen her.”

”The Wuyou Sect,” Chu Zhiyuan said: ”She is a disciple of the Wuyou Sect; naturally, he wouldn’t dare to admit it, even if he is a Great Grandmaster.”

Chu Zhiyuan found out this news from Leng Nanfeng.

The Inspection Department had no information on the Four Great Demon Sects; all were sealed, inaccessible to outsiders, including him.

Ma Tianhe, desperately currying favor with him, dared to risk passing this news; otherwise, just this alone would be enough to have him dismissed.

”Wuyou Sect?” Li Hongzhao’s expression slightly changed.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Scared, aren’t you?”

Li Hongzhao frowned: ”How is this possible? Even if Lu Yaofeng were foolish, he wouldn’t get involved with a disciple of the Wuyou Sect, would he?”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”A Great Grandmaster’s actions cannot be fathomed; they just follow their heart.”

If an ordinary Martial Arts expert, a Da Meng Martial Arts expert fell in love with a Da Jing’s Wuyou Sect disciple, it wouldn’t have such a big impact.

But it’s different for a Great Grandmaster.

A Great Grandmaster knows too many secrets, holds a crucial position, and being with a woman from an enemy country could lead to unguarded moments, unwittingly leaking many secrets.

Moreover, pillow talk can be very powerful.

”Why didn’t Lu Yaofeng return to Da Meng after his woman died?” Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Doesn’t Your Highness suspect that he holds a grudge against Da Meng?”

”...What do you mean by that?” Li Hongzhao’s phoenix eyes narrowed: ”Are you saying Da Meng harmed that woman?”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Not impossible, right?”

Li Hongzhao’s narrowed eyes glittered, quickly contemplating.

If she were the Emperor of Da Meng, upon hearing that a Great Grandmaster fell in love with a Wuyou Sect woman, would she harm that woman?

In the end, she shook her head: ”Impossible.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”A Great Grandmaster’s actions can’t be fathomed, and your Da Meng Emperor is also a Great Grandmaster.”

He believed that Martial Arts experts should be divided into three levels: pre-Grandmaster Realm, Grandmaster Realm, and Great Grandmaster.

Before the Grandmaster Realm, most Martial Arts experts are dominated by emotions, and rationality takes a back seat.

The Martial Arts Heart Method greatly affects them; strong blood energy suppresses their emotions, leaving them easily out of control.

Upon reaching the Grandmaster Realm, one can control the blood energy, and rationality gradually takes the upper hand.

When at the Great Grandmaster Realm, once again emotions take the upper hand.

But this is not due to Martial Arts constraints but is rather spontaneous and uninhibited.

A Great Grandmaster’s reactions can’t be predicted through Martial Arts Heart Method like lower-level experts.

Their responses are more unpredictable, dictated by personality and the present situation.

No one could judge if the Da Meng Emperor would have killed Lu Yaofeng’s woman.

”An ancestor is a Great Grandmaster, yet also an Emperor,” Li Hongzhao snorted: ”Won’t act out of line.”

Offending a Great Grandmaster so deeply in love is truly unwise.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”That’s because you’re not a Great Grandmaster and don’t understand what they really think. What we consider important may not even warrant mention in the eyes of an Emperor or Great Grandmaster, and what we find trivial may be of utmost significance to them.”

He understood this because he had read quite a few Great Grandmaster Martial Arts Notes.

While noting their Martial Arts enlightenment, they inevitably inserted a few other words, revealing hints of their thoughts.

This greatly shook Chu Zhiyuan, expanding his mind considerably.

Li Hongzhao pursed her red lips, her clear phoenix eyes steadily watching him.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”If you don’t believe me, you can write and ask the current Da Meng Emperor.”

”Of course, I will ask.” Li Hongzhao snorted: ”And what does this have to do with finding Lu Yaofeng’s Cave Mansion?”

”If this is truly the case, then having you open the Cave Mansion with me isn’t wise,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”There could be too many of your Da Meng’s secrets or treasures.”

Li Hongzhao slightly frowned, her phoenix eyes flickering.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Shall we continue?”

”... You’re scared, right?” Li Hongzhao snorted.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a smile: ”I’m afraid your Da Meng will recklessly act out then.”

”...I’ll ask and see.” Li Hongzhao thought for a moment and finally answered slowly.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

Li Hongzhao said irritably: ”How did you know she was a Wuyou Sect disciple?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled without answering.

”Is it Xiao Ruoling?” Li Hongzhao snorted: ”A Holy Daughter is indeed different.”

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile: ”Let’s hurry up, lest our Da Jing Great Grandmaster finds the Cave Mansion first.”

Li Hongzhao suddenly looked slightly changed.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”I believe it won’t take too long.”

”Chu Zhiyuan, you’re truly despicable!” Li Hongzhao realized: ”No wonder you’ve been stalling; you’ve been secretly looking to take it all for yourself!”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Wouldn’t taking it all suit your interest better?”

”Nonsense!” Li Hongzhao snorted.

But she secretly hummed, ”He who eats alone dies quickly; let’s see how you die!”

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