Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 749: Chapter 745: Hidden Moves

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes again, refraining from speaking.

Chu Lixuan was caught up in a whirl of emotions, leaving him speechless too.

As he ceased speaking, the others lost their desire to converse.

Thus, True Martial Institute quieted down, and everyone focused on their own cultivation.

Time passed, and at noon, Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin met again at Qingfeng Cliff.

”Elder Brother has decided to lift the ban on Demon Sect martial arts.”

”We truly ought to thank Father for this.” Chu Zhiyuan sneered.

”Elder Brother hadn’t anticipated the sheer number of people practicing demon techniques.” Chu Honglin shook his head, ”I didn’t expect it either.”

Chu Zhiyuan had once mentioned that the practitioners of demon techniques constituted half of the crowd.

But it was only after seeing the information gathered by the Inspection Department that he realized Chu Zhiyuan hadn’t exaggerated; the reality was even worse.

The spread of the Demon Sect was so vast; it was unparalleled in the nation.

This scale has formed unknowingly, becoming a phenomenon.

If demon techniques were banned now, it would force the people to rebel.

Should someone seize the opportunity to stir the masses, it could lead to unforeseen events.

Therefore, Elder Brother had to cancel the decision to ban demon techniques.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Father must be wary of the Demon Sect, right?”

”Elder Brother believes your approach this time was correct.” Chu Honglin praised, ”It’s a great service to the court, showing broad and far-reaching insight.”

Chu Zhiyuan smirked.

Chu Honglin sighed, ”If not for Phoenix Dynasty’s refusal, Elder Brother almost agreed to the Third Brother’s request to replace you as Prince Consort.”

Chu Zhiyuan let out a cold laugh.

He didn’t believe this at all.

The Phoenix Dynasty didn’t hold him in such high regard; sending the Third Prince as a hostage would be more significant than him.

If Yujing Dynasty truly persisted and was determined, the Phoenix Dynasty’s Emperor might well agree.

The key is that this side lacks resolve.

”You named the Heart-Clearing Technique as Zhao Lie’s Heart Clearing Technique; this move is indeed inappropriate.” Chu Honglin shook his head, ”This is one of the factors why Elder Brother couldn’t decide.”

They all could see that the Heart-Clearing Technique would surely become the most renowned cultivation technique.

Naming it Zhao Lie’s Heart Clearing Technique would make it highly prestigious, overshadowing the Eldest Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, and others.

”Uncle, I have my own reasons.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

The name change was naturally for the divine skills.

With stronger divine skills, one could have more avatars.

The avatars would experience more lives, go through various environments, resulting in more insights.

These insights gathered together would significantly enhance his comprehension, far surpassing anyone in the world.

And these insights would be the best aid for his entry into the Spirit Venerable realm.

After entering the Divinity Transformation Realm and becoming a Venerable, cultivation advancement relies not on arduous practice but on comprehension.

If one can’t comprehend, a thousand years of painstaking practice is futile; with comprehension, one could break through from the First Transition to the Second Transition in an instant.

This comprehension isn’t raised by Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, but is the sparks and insights generated by human interactions and collisions with the world.

Avatars are the quickest path.

”Alright, it’s too late to change now.” Chu Honglin sighed, ”Handle Qianji Tower carefully, don’t stir trouble, otherwise Elder Brother won’t be lenient.”

”Understood.” Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

He relayed his approach to Chu Honglin, who was very supportive.

”Bringing Xuan’er in was the right choice,” Chu Honglin praised, ”He’s an excellent candidate.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I hope Second Brother can safeguard Qianji Tower.”

”He talks much but lacks courage,” Chu Honglin laughed, ”Defending is enough.”

”Indeed.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded lightly.

He didn’t expect Chu Lixuan to make great advancements; it was sufficient to maintain Qianji Tower without issues.

Qianji Tower was his rear guard, his eyes and ears, and couldn’t fail.

——

As the sun set in the west, Chu Zhiyuan had just returned to his small courtyard when You Lan reported that Chu Lixuan was already waiting in the main hall upfront.

Chu Zhiyuan personally went over and invited Chu Lixuan to his small courtyard.

The two sat by a stone table in the pavilion, eating as they listened to Zhu Yijing and Li Ningcui’s report.

Firstly, about the situation of the Sunset Sect.

The Sunset Sect appeared calm and unaffected by losing the Hall Master position.

Next, were the actions of court officials, who were attacking the Heart-Clearing Technique and the Demon Sect.

This made them somewhat worried.

They faintly sensed someone secretly targeting the Demon Sect, aiming to harm Qianji Tower.

Li Ningcui said, ”Your Highness, given the situation in court, they might try to weaken and suppress all demon sects.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Lixuan.

Chu Lixuan shook his head, ”These imperial censors are just stirring trouble, it’s unlikely they would suppress the Demon Sect.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered, ”Many imperial censors are talking about these things?”

Chu Lixuan said, ”It’s as if discussing Demon Sect matters shows current affairs understanding.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, looking at Li Ningcui, ”Which imperial censors?”

Li Ningcui took a thin booklet from a pile of books and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan, ”Your Highness, here is the list.”

Chu Zhiyuan passed it to Chu Lixuan, ”Second Brother, take a look at who’s behind them.”

Chu Lixuan examined each name in the thin booklet of imperial censors.

After going through it, he raised his head curiously, ”It seems like it’s Prince Huai and Prince Yue, why are they targeting the Demon Sect?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Prince Huai is related to Third Brother, and Prince Yue?”

Chu Lixuan frowned, ”Seems he’s also connected to the Third Brother.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked puzzled at Chu Lixuan, ”What is Third Brother planning?”

Chu Lixuan said, ”Maybe even Third Brother isn’t aware of this?”

Chu Zhiyuan sneered, ”Second Brother, do you think Third Brother is that naive?”

”Um...” Chu Lixuan hesitated.

He felt Chu Liyang should know, but Chu Liyang couldn’t possibly manipulate those two princes.

The princes must have their own interests to go to such lengths.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Looks like they are coming after me.”

Chu Lixuan was startled, ”What do you mean?”

”They must know the strength of the Demon Sect, truly aiming to weaken it.” Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”But more than that, they want to topple me.”

”They don’t have any grievances with you, Ninth Brother.”

”I’m a thorn in Father’s side, they can please him by taking me down.”

”Ninth Brother!” Chu Lixuan hurriedly said, ”You’re wronging Father.”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, unwilling to argue, ”Taking me down allows Third Brother to replace me.”

”Even if you collude with the Demon Sect, it wouldn’t affect your role as Prince Consort?”

”Not necessarily.” Chu Zhiyuan slowly shook his head, ”Phoenix Dynasty’s rule requires Prince Consorts to have a clean history, untainted by Evil and Demon Sects.”

”There’s a rule like that?” Chu Lixuan was amazed, ”Is Third Brother getting his way?”

He knew Third Prince Chu Liyang’s lifelong dream was to marry the Twelfth Princess.

Always aiming to replace Chu Zhiyuan.

Yet the Phoenix Dynasty wouldn’t budge, preventing his success, now finally creating an opportunity.

If Phoenix Dynasty relents, this side could change the candidate too.

After all, sending off an unparalleled martial arts genius about to enter the Divinity Transformation Realm, even if disliked, isn’t wise.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Third Brother’s really something!”

”Third Brother’s always been like this.” Chu Lixuan said.