Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 748: Chapter 744: Shelter

The Eldest Prince and the Third Prince spoke little, while the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince talked incessantly.

Especially the Second Prince, Chu Lixuan, who was particularly excited to see new princes join.

He especially loved excitement, the more people the better.

Chu Lixuan chuckled and said, ”Fourth Brother, now that you’re here, the four of us are finally complete.”

Chu Liexi smiled, ”Being able to come to the True Martial Institute, I couldn’t sleep well last night.”

”Haha...” Chu Lixuan laughed, ”I was the same back then. The True Martial Institute is not like other places, cultivating here is exceptionally fast. Look at Ninth Brother, he’s already reached several transitions.”

”Ah, Ninth Brother,” he suddenly said, ”Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, what transition are you at now?”

Chu Zhiyuan, with his eyes closed, casually said, ”Seventh Transition.”

”Sev... Seventh Transition?” Chu Lixuan was taken aback and stammered out.

Chu Liexi narrowed his eyes slightly.

Chu Liechu and Chu Liyang looked towards Chu Zhiyuan.

”Ninth Brother, you’re so fast?” Chu Liechu said in a deep voice, ”Too fast.”

Chu Zhiyuan, with eyes shut, said, ”No matter how fast, it’s no use. Entering the Phoenix Dynasty, you still get bullied.”

”...” The four were speechless all at once.

This was a scenario they all anticipated.

Whoever goes to the Imperial City of the Phoenix Dynasty would be bullied and live a stifled life.

Only the Third Prince, enamored with the Twelfth Princess and her Divine Race bloodline, was willing to endure such grievances.

None of the others wanted to go there.

The Second Prince, Chu Lixuan, shook his head, ”Ninth Brother, you’ve reached the Seventh Transition, what a pity, such a pity.”

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t respond.

This Third Brother of his is too verbose, too much idle talk, there’s really no need to listen more.

The Fourth Prince, Chu Liexi, asked in support, ”Pity what?”

”If you become a Venerable, you won’t be bullied in the Phoenix Dynasty. In the Phoenix Dynasty, strength is respected.”

”It’s not that simple,” Chu Liechu shook his head, ”Becoming a Venerable only means being bullied less.”

”Big Brother, I think,” Chu Lixuan said, ”there aren’t many who dare to bully a Venerable.”

”That’s reasonable.” Chu Liyang nodded, then shook his head, ”Indeed a pity.”

Chu Zhiyuan remained silent.

In the support of a few Karma Stones, Xiao White Snake’s operation speed was even faster, absorbing spiritual energy more purely and quickly.

The shimmering brilliance flickered, seemingly solidifying and purifying slowly, ready to transform into a halo.

”However,” Chu Liexi said, ”cultivation shouldn’t be rushed, the more anxious, the more prone to mistakes.”

”Fourth Brother’s words are wise and mature.” Chu Lixuan hurriedly said, ”The more rushed, the less you should hurry.”

”Second Brother, forget it.” The Third Prince, Chu Liyang, shook his head, ”It’s better not to speak, lest it troubles Ninth Brother’s heart.”

He glanced at Chu Zhiyuan, ”Ninth Brother is already quite impatient, speaking more is just adding fuel to the fire.”

”Then I should advise Ninth Brother not to rush.”

”I advise Second Brother not to advise.” Chu Zhiyuan, with eyes closed, said irritably.

”Hehe... alright, alright, I won’t say more.” Chu Lixuan said with a laugh.

Chu Liechu said, ”Zhao Lie’s Heart-Clearing Technique, Ninth Brother, is this Heart Technique really effective?”

Chu Zhiyuan, eyes still closed, said nothing.

”Big Brother, I’ve tried practicing it, it’s quite wonderful.” Chu Lixuan laughed, ”The effect of clearing the heart and calming the mind is very strong.”

He then shook his head, ”But Ninth Brother, why did you spread this Heart Technique? In the court, some accuse you of currying favor, being ill-intentioned.”

Chu Zhiyuan, with his eyes closed, let out a cold laugh.

The Fourth Prince, Chu Liexi, shook his head, ”This is nonsense, what need does Ninth Brother have to curry favor?”

Chu Lixuan hummed, ”These Imperial Censors are mad, they seize every chance to bite randomly, paying no regard to us princes at all!”

”Censors, well, there’s nothing to be done,” Chu Liechu shook his head, ”Not just us princes, but even Father, they still reprimand without reservation.”

”Their brains must be waterlogged, to say Ninth Brother is currying favor like this!”

Chu Liechu shook his head, ”Just exhibiting their integrity.”

The Third Prince, Chu Lixuan, said, ”Ninth Brother shouldn’t have changed the name to Zhao Lie’s Heart-Clearing Technique.”

They all curiously looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Everyone knew this name was forcibly changed by Chu Zhiyuan, indeed suspect of currying favor.

But he was going to the Phoenix Dynasty, there was no need to curry favor.

So what exactly was he planning?

”Ninth Brother places great importance on the Demon Sect, huh.” Chu Liechu said slowly.

Chu Zhiyuan, with his eyes closed, said nothing.

”Those practicing Demonic Skills are inept, what’s worth paying attention to?” Chu Lixuan dismissed, ”Ninth Brother, you must hold them in high esteem.”

They all were no fools; of course they could tell that Chu Zhiyuan aimed to win the hearts of all the Demon Sect disciples.

But they really couldn’t think of what these inept people, unable to practice martial arts, were worth associating with.

Chu Zhiyuan, eyes still closed, remained silent.

The Fourth Prince, Chu Liexi, said, ”These Demon Sects, they might gather some intelligence, but otherwise are of little use, right?”

Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes and sighed.

These Princes, none of them fools, each sharp and sensitive.

Within just a few words, they had guessed his intentions.

”Ninth Brother, are we disturbing you?” Chu Lixuan chuckled, ”Then we won’t say anything more.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”I indeed need to rely on the Demon Sect to gather information.”

Chu Lixuan asked, ”Ninth Brother, what information are you gathering?”

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Third Brother, now that I am at the Phoenix Dynasty, should I remain in the dark, clueless?”

The Eldest Prince, Chu Liechu, said in a deep voice, ”Ninth Brother, rest assured, you will not be alone, the Inspection Department will secretly assist you.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, a strange smile.

All four secretly sighed.

They understood Chu Zhiyuan’s meaning, obviously, he didn’t trust the Court, didn’t trust the Emperor.

They also understood Chu Zhiyuan’s actions.

”Ninth Brother, are they really useful?” The Second Prince, Chu Lixuan, said, ”Don’t let them mess up your big plans, moreover, these people are dissatisfied with the Court, may not truly help you.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”That depends on my methods.”

”Haha, Ninth Brother, I do trust your methods.” Chu Lixuan laughed, ”You will surely handle them well, making them obedient and honest, relieving Father of his worries.”

The Eldest Prince, Chu Liechu, said in a deep voice, ”The Court has been discussing banning Demon Techniques lately, but as soon as the Heart-Clearing Technique was released, the ban discussions disappeared.”

”Exactly,” agreed the Second Prince, Chu Lixuan.

The Eldest Prince, Chu Liechu, laughed, ”Ninth Brother, you are truly considered a benefactor to all Demon Sect disciples.”

”However, I’m afraid these folks don’t appreciate it,” the Second Prince, Chu Lixuan, snorted, ”many Demon Sect disciples don’t trust you, won’t practice the Heart-Clearing Technique.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let them decide their own fate, the path is chosen by themselves.”

The demonic intent accelerates cultivation in the early stages, progressing rapidly, but hinders cultivation in the later stages.

Practicing the Heart-Clearing Technique speeds up cultivation; not practicing lags far behind.

When compared, there’s actually no choice; they will certainly practice the Heart-Clearing Technique.

The time is not right yet.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Second Brother, would you be willing to collaborate with me to control the Demon Sect?”

”Me—?” Chu Lixuan pointed to himself in surprise, then looked at the Eldest Prince, Chu Liechu.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”It’s precisely you, Second Brother, not Big Brother.”

”Why?”

”Big Brother is too prominent, and his status is distinguished, it is not appropriate to get involved with the Demon Sect.”

Chu Liechu nodded, ”Hmm, Ninth Brother is right, I should indeed not get involved with the matters of the Demon Sect.”

”So many people in the Demon Sect, so chaotic, how can it be controlled.”

”I have my own ways,” said Chu Zhiyuan.

”I want to first see how the Demon Sect is controlled, to avoid bringing trouble to myself.”

Chu Zhiyuan then explained his methods, and the four listened with constant admiration.

With these maneuvers, he had preliminary control of the Qianji Tower, thereby controlling most of the Demon Sect.

”Ninth Brother, I never realized you had such methods,” laughed the Second Prince, Chu Lixuan, ”Now I am not worried about you suffering a loss in the Phoenix Imperial City.”

”Compared to cultivation, these are just minor details, not worthy of great recognition,” said Chu Zhiyuan, ”No matter how powerful the methods, they are useless in the Phoenix Imperial City.”

Chu Lixuan said, ”I understand, saying you collaborate with me, always controlling the Demon Sect, but actually, you want me to cover the Demon Sect, to give them secret intelligence, right?”

The Fourth Prince, Chu Liexi, laughed lightly, ”That’s indeed interesting.”

The Third Prince, Chu Liyang, sneered, ”This isn’t about controlling them, it’s about protecting them.”

”Ninth Brother,” said Chu Liechu, ”Father doesn’t have a good impression of the Demon Sect and always seeks to disperse them.”

The Third Prince, Chu Liyang, shook his head, ”A dignified prince, mingling with these Demon Sects, it’s against the rules.”

The Fourth Prince, Chu Liexi, nodded lightly in agreement.

”Ninth Brother, better tread the righteous path,” said Chu Liexi warmly, showing no signs of previous conflict with Chu Zhiyuan, and urged in a heartfelt manner, ”The Inspection Department is your ally.”

Chu Zhiyuan gave him a sidelong glance.

”Ninth Brother, you should trust Father and trust the Court, they would never harm you,” said Chu Liexi.

Chu Zhiyuan said plainly, ”Hypocrite, Fourth Brother, you’re still the same hypocrite!... Do you even believe your own lies?”

Chu Liexi said seriously, ”I have always trusted Father and the Court.”

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”If you do, then continue, I will never entrust my life to anyone else, I only trust myself.”

”Ah—!” Chu Liexi shook his head, ”Ninth Brother, you’re too extreme, no wonder you value the Demon Sect so much.”

Chu Zhiyuan said coldly, ”Fourth Brother, you mean I’m one of the Demon Sect, is that it?”

”Alright, let’s say less,” Chu Liechu stopped them, said in a deep voice, ”The Inspection Department is strong, but can still make mistakes, using the Qianji Tower for checks and balances is good, but Ninth Brother, remember, the Demon Sect is not to be trusted, you must be wary.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”Rest assured, Big Brother, I naturally know that.”

Chu Liechu said, ”I am still confident in your actions, Ninth Brother.”

Ever since Ninth Brother had faced death once, his actions had been reassuring.

He trusts neither the Inspection Department nor the Qianji Tower.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Lixuan, ”Second Brother, how about it?”

”...Alright, I’ll give it a try,” said Chu Lixuan, gritting his teeth, and agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Demon Sect had many people and infiltrated everywhere, their status was too low.

Without sufficiently powerful protection, they couldn’t withstand the storms.

He could protect them well in the Jade Dynasty, but he was soon leaving.

The Eldest Prince, Chu Liechu, wouldn’t do, being too close to the Demon Sect would be harmful rather than helpful.

The Third Prince and Fourth Prince were obviously unreliable, so the Second Prince was the best choice.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Second Brother, first observe in the shadows, there’s no need to reveal yourself yet.”

Chu Lixuan said, ”Should I protect them from the shadows?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Is there anything wrong with that?”

”...It’s fine,” said Chu Lixuan, ”It’ll save the Imperial Censors from nagging.”

Operating from the shadows is more thrilling and enjoyable.