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Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 542 - 539 Persuasion · Oct 14, 2026

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Chapter List (1679)

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501 Chapter 501 - 498 Silver Statue 2026-10-14
502 Chapter 502 - 499: Level 2026-10-14
503 Chapter 503 - 500 Achievements 2026-10-14
504 Chapter 504 - 501 Migration 2026-10-14
505 Chapter 505 - 502: Prevention 2026-10-14
506 Chapter 506 - 503: Jade Pendant 2026-10-14
507 Chapter 507 - 504 Trouble 2026-10-14
508 Chapter 508 - 505: Invitation 2026-10-14
509 Chapter 509 - 506: Strange Beast 2026-10-14
510 Chapter 510 - 507: Harvest 2026-10-14
511 Chapter 511 - 508: Gold and Jade 2026-10-14
512 Chapter 512 - 509 Heavenly Blade 2026-10-14
513 Chapter 513 - 510: Ingenious Use 2026-10-14
514 Chapter 514 - 511: Thunder 2026-10-14
515 Chapter 515 - 512: Taming 2026-10-14
516 Chapter 516 - 513: Leak 2026-10-14
517 Chapter 517 - 514: Advancing Again 2026-10-14
518 Chapter 518 - 515 Golden Flower 2026-10-14
519 Chapter 519 - 516: Accelerate 2026-10-14
520 Chapter 520 - 517: Return 2026-10-14
521 Chapter 521 - 518: Double Layer 2026-10-14
522 Chapter 522 - 519: Continuous Breakthroughs 2026-10-14
523 Chapter 523 - 520: The Successor 2026-10-14
524 Chapter 524 - 521 Siege 2026-10-14
525 Chapter 525 - 522 Purpose 2026-10-14
526 Chapter 526 - 523 Start 2026-10-14
527 Chapter 527 - 524 Crown Jade 2026-10-14
528 Chapter 528 - 525: Stone Attack 2026-10-14
529 Chapter 529 - 526: Capture 2026-10-14
530 Chapter 530 - 527 The Reason 2026-10-14
531 Chapter 531 - 528: Legacy 2026-10-14
532 Chapter 532 - 529: Destruction 2026-10-14
533 Chapter 533 - 530 Departure 2026-10-14
534 Chapter 534 - 531: Secret Deliberation 2026-10-14
535 Chapter 535 - 532: Heavy Blow 2026-10-14
536 Chapter 536 - 533: Terrifying Fear 2026-10-14
537 Chapter 537 - 534: Annihilation 2026-10-14
538 Chapter 538 - 535: Secret 2026-10-14
539 Chapter 539 - 536: Prediction 2026-10-14
540 Chapter 540 - 537: The Wind Rises 2026-10-14
541 Chapter 541 - 538: Meeting 2026-10-14
542 Chapter 542 - 539 Persuasion 2026-10-14
543 Chapter 543 - 540: Secret Rivalry 2026-10-14
544 Chapter 544 - 541: Certifying Secrets 2026-10-14
545 Chapter 545 - 542: Welcoming 2026-10-14
546 Chapter 546 - 543: Coping Strategy 2026-10-14
547 Chapter 547 - 544 Assassination 2026-10-14
548 Chapter 548 - 545: Painful Killing 2026-10-14
549 Chapter 549 - 546: Means 2026-10-14
550 Chapter 550 - 547 Trouble 2026-10-14

Chapter 542: Chapter 539 Persuasion

Chu Zhiyuan scrutinized her.

The Great Sword in the void above her head flickered in and out of sight, as if immersed in a deep pool.

Li Hongzhao’s phoenix-like eyes sparkled, staring intently at him.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”You actually know it, so I don’t need to say more.”

Li Hongzhao’s beautiful face showed a hint of helplessness.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Feel like you can’t hold on? This doesn’t seem like you, Your Highness.”

Li Hongzhao was a person of considerable pride, with a resilient spirit, able to stand firm despite heavy setbacks.

This undying will came from the Phoenix Bloodline, beyond the reach of ordinary people.

But even such a tenacious person showed a look of exhaustion and helplessness, indicating that the pressure was immense.

It seemed the pressure she was under was greater than imagined.

He couldn’t help but ask curiously, ”Everyone isn’t opposing you, right?”

”Pretty much.” Li Hongzhao gently nodded, ”Besieged on all sides, the world is my enemy.”

”At least the Phoenix Sword Sect supports you, right?” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The other sects should be on your side too, right?”

”They’re not useful.” Li Hongzhao shook her head, ”They have no voice at the imperial court.”

”The martial arts sects should be able to influence the military, right?”

”Martial arts experts make up a very small proportion of the military.”

”The military opposes you, the court opposes you...” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”That’s indeed quite miserable.”

Li Hongzhao shook her head, ”There’s nothing I can do, it’s just a mess.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”If it weren’t a mess, it might not have been your turn.”

”...Indeed.” Li Hongzhao was at a loss for words, nodding in agreement.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”As for the Emperor’s Sword...”

”The Emperor’s Sword is of great importance and cannot be used unless absolutely necessary,” Li Hongzhao said, ”Forget about the Emperor’s Sword.”

”These shouldn’t be difficult for you, right?” Chu Zhiyuan said coolly.

He had already realized.

Li Hongzhao telling him these things probably wasn’t hoping for his advice.

She wasn’t that weak at all.

Li Hongzhao sighed, ”Top to bottom, they’re all like an iron wall. I can only let them fight among themselves.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, ”Inciting them to kill each other?”

”I wish to form a camp of my own, modeled after your Phoenix Camp, as the Emperor’s trusted aide.”

”Let them compete for places?” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”But they might not give in to that.”

”They won’t have a choice,” Li Hongzhao said coolly, ”In name, it will be the Divine Dragon Camp, with high treatment, high standards, and unlimited prospects.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

Li Hongzhao said, ”I can’t command them, but establishing my own camp isn’t a problem. These guys have their own factions and their own plans.”

”Your Highness is wise,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”So has the Divine Dragon Camp already been formed?”

”It’s not completely built yet. I’m preparing to make all soldiers grandmasters.” Li Hongzhao said blandly, ”In line with your Phoenix Camp.”

”If it’s grandmasters...” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”That might not be so easy, right?”

Grandmasters are the backbone wherever they are, and are top strength in any camp.

Even if the Emperor orders the recruitment of grandmasters, the various military units below wouldn’t willingly let them go.

They would definitely resist in every way possible, let alone with her as the Empress.

Li Hongzhao snorted softly, ”This counts as an overt scheme; they are reluctant to release people, but are those grandmaster experts willing to stay? Who wouldn’t want to join the Divine Dragon Camp?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”It will still be difficult, I suppose... This is to keep them too busy to deal with anyone else, right?”

Li Hongzhao’s real goal probably wasn’t to truly establish this Divine Dragon Camp.

Nor was it to have the various military camps fight each other, but to make them apprehensive, lacking confidence, and unable to join forces.

The Da Meng army was likely thinking of ways not to let their grandmasters enter the Divine Dragon Camp, trying to conceal or persuade their subordinates to give up the idea.

They would worry that Li Hongzhao would forcefully gather them, lacking confidence, fearing and trembling.

Thus, they would lose the initiative to trouble Li Hongzhao, unable to spare the effort to make trouble for her.

This move was a reverse strategy: to defend by attacking first.

From intending to trouble Li Hongzhao, it turned into fearing that she would trouble them.

”That’s just like you.” Li Hongzhao laughed lightly, her phoenix eyes sparkling, ”How do you find my strategies?”

”Impressive,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Since ascending to the throne, Your Highness has become more adept... it seems you have a master aiding you.”

Li Hongzhao waved her jade hands nonchalantly, ”I figured it out myself, partly because I had no choice.”

Her smile was radiant and charming, displaying a proud demeanor.

”Haha...” Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, shaking his head, ”You’re showing off... Even as Emperor, you’re still determined to settle your old scores?”

It was all going in circles, seeming like complaints but really showing off.

”If it were you, what would you do?” Li Hongzhao snorted, ”Would you show off?”

”... I would,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I’d be eager to boast in front of Your Highness... Hasn’t it been difficult to hold it in so long, Your Highness?”

”Indeed, finally, you’re here for me!” Li Hongzhao laughed gleefully.

Her laughter echoed far into the forest.

Chu Zhiyuan showed a look of helplessness.

He knew she would pull something like this.

After the giggling subsided, Chu Zhiyuan finally spoke, ”It seems that Your Highness is not worried about your position at all.”

Li Hongzhao snorted with pride, ”No matter how they prance around, they can’t do anything to me.”

With the Emperor’s Sword in hand, public support was with her, and others didn’t dare to act rashly.

No matter how displeased they were, overthrowing her was impossible.

If they couldn’t overthrow her, they’d have to listen to her.

Paying lip service a few times was fine, but over time, it would naturally lead to backlash.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Da Meng is currently unable to wage war.”

”That might not be certain,” Li Hongzhao snorted, ”If I set a bounty, there will surely be brave men.”

”Even if Da Meng’s army wins, it won’t bring Your Highness any benefit,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The people will credit the army, not you.”

”Da Zhen is about to conclude talks with us.” Li Hongzhao said, ”You reacted too slowly.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Da Zhen won’t agree to join forces with you against us.”

”That’s where you’re wrong,” Li Hongzhao snorted, ”Da Zhen wants to deal with you; they are most wary of you.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Da Zhen’s goal is to prevent you from allying with us against them, not to ally with you against us.”

Li Hongzhao snorted, ”Our alliance agreement is about to be negotiated.”

She had to admit, Chu Zhiyuan’s perception was spot on.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Do you think Da Zhen will honor the alliance?”

”Once agreed upon, it will naturally be adhered to.”

”Too naive,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”Da Zhen just wants to stabilize your Da Meng. Once things turn unfavorable, they’ll tear up the alliance; backtracking has always been Da Zhen’s style.”

Li Hongzhao furrowed her dark eyebrows slightly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”As Emperor, you can review Da Zhen’s history of honoring treaties, and compare it with our Da Jing’s record. Compare them, and you’ll know how to choose.”

”It seems Da Jing frequently breaches treaties too, doesn’t it? Half a pot calling the kettle black.”

Chu Zhiyuan sternly said, ”Quite the opposite, we are always the party to have our terms violated.”

Li Hongzhao gave a knowing smile.

She had evidently looked at the information on this matter.

It appeared that Da Jing and Da Zhen were similar, both prone to breaching treaties.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”We are always the pressed side; it’s Da Zhen that takes the initiative.”

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