Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 710: Chapter 706: Assassination Attempt

”Joined the Spirit Guard?” Chu Honglin, upon hearing Chu Zhiyuan’s words, exclaimed in surprise, ”She actually joined the Spirit Guard?”

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”With unparalleled talent, how could she not want to step into the Spirit Transformation Realm?”

The two stood side by side on Qingfeng Cliff, basking in the bright sunlight, chatting leisurely.

Chu Zhiyuan spoke about the message sent by the Twelfth Princess.

He had no intention of keeping it secret from Chu Honglin.

Because he suspected the Twelfth Princess sent the message intending to relay it to the Emperor.

It served as a notification to avoid a fallout if discovered later.

Informing them in advance and discovering it later would surely elicit different reactions from the Jade Dynasty.

Moreover, he wanted to send a substitute, leaving himself in the Imperial City.

Now that he had the Karma Stone, it could substitute for the True Martial Institute, but the Great Bright Peak was still significant.

More importantly, staying in the Imperial City was safer, while going to the Phoenix Dynasty was fraught with peril and distractions, hindering peaceful cultivation.

”Courage worthy of praise,” Chu Honglin remarked, ”She is stronger than I am.”

Joining the Spirit Guard was a gamble, but of course, he also aspired to climb higher.

The situation on the Outer Realm Battlefield was scarcely known to the public, but as a prince and princess, they were well aware.

The public vastly underestimated the dangers of the Outer Realm Battlefield.

For a prince and princess to dare to join the Spirit Guard and step onto the Outer Realm Battlefield, it was nothing short of extraordinary bravery.

Once on the Outer Realm Battlefield, revealing their identities as prince and princess would ensure a quicker death.

The Demon Clan and the Demon Clan would stop at nothing to hunt them down.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Is she not afraid that the Demon Clan and the Demon Clan would find out?”

Chu Honglin shook his head, ”On the Outer Realm Battlefield, everyone has to change their identities; it’s impossible to be discovered.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Regarding my substitute...”

”Elder Brother directly rejected it,” Chu Honglin said, ”Even if you achieve great merits, it’s useless.”

Chu Zhiyuan sighed heavily.

Chu Honglin said, ”Better give up on this idea. Even if the Twelfth Princess uses a substitute, you cannot. The Fengtian Palace of the Phoenix Dynasty is no mere decoration; they cannot be deceived, and the Phoenix Dynasty would turn hostile directly.”

”...”

Chu Zhiyuan once again felt stifled.

The officials are allowed to set fires, while the commoners cannot light lamps—a reflection of the disparity in status that defies reason.

Chu Honglin said, ”Actually, this is good news since you won’t have to face her for now.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”And if I have to face her?”

Chu Honglin shook his head, ”With her unparalleled talent, pampered since childhood, strong-willed and domineering, I reckon you won’t endure.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If I am not as strong, what choice do I have?”

Chu Honglin studied him, smiling, ”Even if your skills fall short, you won’t endure.”

Having gradually understood Chu Zhiyuan’s proud and unyielding temperament, his reluctance to be subjugated was clear.

With such a disposition, entering the Phoenix Dynasty would indeed leave one uneasy.

But things had come to this point and could not be changed; all he could do was advise him.

Yet, changing one’s inherent nature is challenging, and advice often goes unheeded.

All one can do is hope he recognizes reality and avoids unnecessary suffering.

With this thought, a trace of pity manifested in his eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Fifteen, worry not, I will act judiciously, not recklessly.”

”Let’s hope so,” Chu Honglin said.

——

In the early morning, when Chu Zhiyuan arrived at the True Martial Institute of Great Bright Peak, he found that no one else had arrived.

He was puzzled.

This time of day was not early; usually, the Third Prince should have arrived long ago.

The Eldest Prince and Second Prince should have been there too; he should be the last to arrive.

He closed his eyes and began cultivating.

After a quarter of an hour, still no one arrived, and after an hour, still not a soul arrived.

Chu Zhiyuan finally sensed something amiss.

He left the True Martial Institute and, passing by the Diwu Academy, found it unusually empty as well.

Frowning, he descended the mountain and returned to the Prince Mansion.

You Lan was pacing anxiously in the courtyard, and upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, she hurriedly approached, ”Your Highness, something’s happened!”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her.

You Lan followed him into the small pavilion, urgently saying, ”Prince Gan was assassinated!”

”Uncle Fifteen?” Chu Zhiyuan’s expression shifted slightly.

You Lan quickly added, ”His life or death is unknown, the Prince Mansion is now sealed off, and the news can’t get out!”

Chu Zhiyuan’s face instantly darkened.

He hadn’t expected this development.

Uncle Fifteen, Chu Honglin, was a Divinity Transformation Realm expert; even if injured on the Outer Realm Battlefield, he was still Divinity Transformation Realm.

To assassinate an expert of such caliber, one must be of Divinity Transformation Realm too.

Such an expert entering the Imperial City would surely be under the Observatory’s surveillance, so how could they successfully assassinate?

Was the Observatory really just idle then?

Or did the Observatory fail its duty, or did someone avoid its surveillance?

Who could possess such capability?

A Great Sky Demon!

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t rush to move but closed his eyes to begin sensing.

After activating the Soul Pearl, he extended his senses but perceived nothing.

Within a ten-mile radius, there were no demon experts, everything was clean.

Did the demon experts all flee, or were there originally no demon experts?

If there were demon experts, he should have sensed them already.

That implied the demon expert came briefly and then fled a thousand miles away?

Or maybe, it wasn’t the work of the Demon Clan?

”Your Highness?” You Lan asked, puzzled as he stood still, showing no movement, ”Aren’t we going to check?”

Chu Zhiyuan looked towards Prince Gan Mansion and said sternly, ”Let’s go, take a look.”

It was likely the Observatory that took action, employing unusual techniques, enveloping the entire Prince Gan Mansion, making it undetectable by Super Sensing Illumination.

A layer of mist shrouded the Prince Gan Mansion, obscuring its reality, making the inside unclear.

”Yes,” You Lan quickly replied.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let Li Yuzhen rest.”

”...Yes,” You Lan was momentarily stunned, then nodded.

Li Yuzhen’s identity was indeed sensitive at this moment, unsuited for approaching Prince Gan Mansion.

Chu Zhiyuan walked with hands behind his back, slowly leaving the Prince Mansion, heading south for a mile, and stopped in front of another Prince Mansion.

By now, the Imperial Guard had encircled the mansion, yet Chu Zhiyuan was not hindered.

He ascended the steps, slowly crossing the high threshold, turned past the screen wall, and entered the mansion’s interior.

Inside the mansion was utterly silent.

In the spacious front courtyard, beneath the steps of the main hall, stood a group of princes and princesses.

They anxiously gazed at the hall, uninterested in conversation, silently glancing around.

Upon hearing footsteps, they all looked up, seeing it was Chu Zhiyuan, then averted their eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan approached the steps and stood before the Eldest Prince among the group, ”Elder Brother.”

Chu Liechu sighed, ”I don’t know if Uncle Fifteen can make it through this time.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”With the Great Bright Heart Protecting Pill, it will be fine.”

”The Great Bright Heart Protecting Pill...” Chu Liechu shook his head helplessly, ”Coincidentally, there’s no more Great Bright Heart Protecting Pill, the last one was consumed by you.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Chu Liechu lowered his voice, ”The necessary herb for the Great Bright Heart Protecting Pill happened to be missing, delaying its refinement, unable to keep up.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”There must be other Miracle Pills and Spiritual Medicine, right?”

In such a vast court and imperial family, there couldn’t possibly be no life-saving spirit pills.

At least the Emperor and those important ministers must have spirit pills for protection.

Chu Liechu said, ”The unusual flowers and exotic fruits of the Grotto Heaven don’t match the wondrous effects of the Great Bright Heart Protecting Pill.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked toward the hall, stepping up the steps, but was blocked by two Imperial Guards.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the two, ”I have a spirit pill that can save Uncle Fifteen.”

The two middle-aged Imperial Guards hesitated, exchanged glances, then one guard turned to report.

Chu Zhiyuan stood with hands behind his back, waiting quietly.

Moments later, Chu Hongming came out solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Five, how is Uncle Fifteen?”

Chu Hongming’s face was stoic, ”Come in.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and followed inside.

The hall still resisted Insight.