Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 762: Chapter 758: Eighth Transition

”Old Xu, hold on.” Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand.

Xu Qingyun immediately wore a bitter expression, looking at Chu Zhiyuan eagerly.

Chu Zhiyuan, slightly smiling, said, ”How did Father retract his decree, sparing me from the whip?”

Only by doing so could it align with the nature of the Ninth Prince, Chu Liezhao, all along.

Chu Liezhao could become smarter, more meticulous, more profound, but could not change his true nature.

He could be broad-minded to others, but towards the Emperor, he was petty, vengeful.

The father and son seemed like enemies.

”Well...” Xu Qingyun sighed inwardly, showing a bitter face, ”Ninth Prince, don’t make it hard for this old servant.”

”What’s difficult for you?!” Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Just speak the truth.”

Xu Qingyun cupped his hands pleadingly, bowed, ”Your Highness knows, this old servant cannot say much.”

”Heh, you old fox, slippery as an eel!”

”Heh heh, thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness, this old servant takes his leave!”

”Get out.” Chu Zhiyuan waved him off with a hand.

Xu Qingyun expressed gratitude and quickly backed out of the courtyard.

Chu Zhiyuan knew in his heart that Xu Qingyun must be cursing inwardly, but didn’t mind.

Others cared about the steward of Jiaming Palace, but he didn’t care at all.

Knowing that this old man was cunningly cautious, he’d stay clear of any troubles between father and son.

Chu Zhiyuan opened the envelope.

The wax seal and imperial seal were intact, untouched by anyone.

Inside was a Jadeite Ring and a letter with just a few words.

Chu Zhiyuan placed the Jadeite Ring on his left thumb, nodding in satisfaction.

Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng curiously observed the Jadeite Ring.

Chu Zhiyuan gently shook it.

The letter fragmented, floating into countless pieces, a gust of wind scattered them into powder.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Li Yuzhen with satisfaction, ”Father agreed, I will go secretly.”

Li Yuzhen let out a sigh of relief, smiling, ”The Emperor is wise.”

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Whether wise or not, time will tell... You and Fu Zheng accompany me for protection.”

”Yes.”

She and Fu Zheng spoke in unison.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at You Lan, ”Aunt, you stay and oversee the mansion.”

You Lan lightly frowned, ”Your Highness...”

It was indeed previously agreed, but she had changed her mind.

Your Highness going alone to foreign lands, without anyone to care for him, was too miserable.

If it were a month or two, it might be bearable, but who knows how many years this journey might take.

She couldn’t bear it, nor face the Imperial Concubine above.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Fine, once I’ve settled there, you can come over.”

”When?”

”Once I become a Venerable.” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Without becoming a Venerable, he wasn’t truly strong. The Ninth Prince of Jade Dynasty title wouldn’t scare the prestigious of Phoenix Dynasty.

But the title of Venerable could.

”How long will that take?”

”Soon, very soon.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked towards the Imperial Palace, smiling.

With the Karma Stone present, it was like being at the True Martial Institute of Great Bright Peak.

The powerful soul could handle the consumption of cultivating the Infinite Brightness Scripture without the need to enter Great Bright Peak.

Still, he felt a little regret.

Leaving the Imperial City meant he couldn’t enter Great Bright Peak or see Chu Honglin.

As for not spending time with the four princes, he felt no regret.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”You all prepare, we’ll depart tomorrow morning.”

”Prince Consort...”

”I also need to make preparations,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Don’t worry, one night won’t matter.”

”...Yes.” Li Yuzhen could only nod.

She wished Chu Zhiyuan would set off now, the sooner the better.

Her heart hung in suspense, worrying that Li Miaotan’s injuries might worsen at any time.

Even knowing he couldn’t help much if the injuries worsened, she felt he somehow could handle it.

She esteemed Chu Zhiyuan more than ever, full of confidence.

——

Chu Zhiyuan appeared at Prince Gan Mansion.

Chu Honglin had not yet returned to the mansion, and the steward welcomed him into the main hall with tea.

Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand, letting the steward attend to his own affairs, and waited alone.

He examined his mind’s void, where the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror shone like the sun.

The distant seven-colored light became clearer and brighter, almost glaring.

He closed his eyes, sitting in the Taishi Chair, circulated the Infinite Brightness Scripture, unwittingly entering a meditative state.

...

When he opened his eyes, his state was both dazed and joyous, unknowingly having stepped into the Eighth Transition.

Everything flowed naturally.

His spiritual power was robust, visualization effects clearer and stronger, the spiritual energy vortex larger and faster.

”Good lad, moved into another transition?!”

His ears resonated with Chu Honglin’s voice.

Chu Honglin sat at the entrance of the main hall, preventing anyone from disturbing them.

He had witnessed the change in the spiritual energy vortex, knowing Chu Zhiyuan advanced another transition.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Uncle.”

Chu Honglin was deeply moved, ”Your talent is truly intimidating.”

Compared to Chu Zhiyuan’s cultivation speed, he was slow, mundane.

Often he doubted if he was truly a martial genius.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Killed those demon clan masters with substantial gains.”

”Ah, the Great Demon Suppressing Seal,” Chu Honglin said.

He also knew the origins of the Great Demon Suppressing Seal, knowing demon suppression brought rewards.

Either insights or improved cultivation, a shortcut in practice.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Fifteen, how is the secret library of ancient texts?”

”Alas...” Chu Honglin sighed, showing a look of shame.

”Does Father not allow me to enter?”

”Yes, Elder Brother says you’ve been practicing in a haphazard manner, not suitable for flipping through the ancient texts in the secret library.”

”Interesting, now he’s concerned about me!”

Chu Zhiyuan sneered with sarcasm.

Chu Honglin said, ”Zhao’er, don’t say that, Elder Brother still cares about you.”

Chu Zhiyuan repeatedly sneered.

He frowned and said, ”How can I go in and take a look?”

”No matter what you say, it’s useless.” Chu Honglin sighed, ”I’ve said everything I could.”

What Elder Brother has decided, even nine oxen can’t pull back.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”What if I sneak in?”

”...That is indeed a method.” Chu Honglin mused.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Punish me with twenty lashes then.”

Chu Honglin immediately shook his head.

The previous twenty lashes almost landed, if really inflicted, that would be a joke.

Ignorance means there’s no crime, and Elder Brother would revoke the punishment once he knows.

However, for such great merit, Elder Brother seems to have the intention to avoid it.

In other matters, Elder Brother is wise and just, but he is so harsh with Zhao’er, it’s quite exasperating.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle Fifteen, let’s go in tonight.”

”So urgent?”

”Very urgent.”

”...Follow me then.” Chu Honglin thought for a moment and decided to help Chu Zhiyuan.

He would definitely be scolded by the Emperor afterwards, but he didn’t care, couldn’t bear to see it.

——

At dawn the next day, Chu Zhiyuan reappeared at Prince Nine’s Mansion.

He hadn’t slept a wink all night, yet his spirit was bright, with no sign of fatigue.

He had spent all night in the Secret Vault reading books, skimming through them indiscriminately, planning to slowly ponder and digest them later.

Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng were both waiting in his small courtyard, one wearing a white shirt, the other in a green gauze dress, standing gracefully.

Seeing him striding back, they were suddenly astonished.

Chu Zhiyuan said to You Lan, who was following closely, ”I won’t go over to the Madame.”

You Lan slightly furrowed her eyebrows.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let her think I might come back at any time. As for Zhen’er and Qiao’er, if they see me, they’ll shed tears.”

You Lan hurriedly said, ”Your Highness, leaving without saying goodbye like this, they will be even more heartbroken.”

She could imagine, upon hearing the news, Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao would definitely cry in sorrow and blame him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Not meeting is less heartbreaking. Let them practice well, when they become Venerables, the vast world can be theirs to travel, they can come to see me at the Phoenix Dynasty’s Imperial City.”

”...Understood.” You Lan sighed and nodded.

Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao also had high potential, but achieving Venerable status seemed nearly impossible.

Even with the Spirit Fruit sent by Chu Zhiyuan, their cultivation rapidly progressing, Venerable status was still a distant goal.

This was just a thought for them, which would cool down in a few days.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Aunt, we’ll meet again in a few days, let’s go.”

You Lan hurried inside, brought out a bundle and handed it to Fu Zheng.

Fu Zheng took the bundle, grinning as he found the contents quite heavy.

You Lan then brought out a small box, opened it at the pavilion, and let Chu Zhiyuan sit down.

Chu Zhiyuan sat down and let her work, quickly transforming his appearance.

His high nose turned into a flat one, his mouth widened by two degrees, and his eyes also enlarged.

From a handsome youth, he turned into a dark-skinned, rugged-looking middle-aged man.

Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng gazed at him in surprise.

With Insight, Chu Zhiyuan could see everything clearly, and said with a smile, ”Aunt has such skills.”

You Lan shook her head dissatisfied, ”I haven’t used it for many years, I’ve become rusty.”

Fu Zheng said with a grin, ”Chief, your Disguise Technique is really unique.”

You Lan pointed to the opposite stone stool, ”Miss Li, sit down.”

Li Yuzhen sat across from Chu Zhiyuan, and under You Lan’s skillful hands, she quickly became an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman, not drawing any attention.

Fu Zheng transformed into a little girl, appearing five or six years younger, also ordinary-looking.

Fu Zheng was full of praise for this skill, very envious, wishing to learn it.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Alright, let’s go quickly, lest it’s too late.”

He felt if they didn’t leave soon, Chu Zhen, Chu Qiao, and Consort Hui might come.

At that time, it would inevitably be another emotional scene of familial love.

He didn’t like such scenes.

——

The three of them exited the East City Gate.

Like a family of three, they first followed the official road, moving eastward with groups of people.

After walking two miles, they turned into the forest and began to perform Qinggong.

Chu Zhiyuan was relaxed, letting the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe carry him smoothly.

The two women’s garments were flowing, and their Qinggong skills were remarkable.

The three of them glided over the treetops like shadows, heading straight east through the forest.

They crossed mountains, passed through forests, waded through water, moving at a rapid pace.

”At our current speed,” Li Yuzhen said, ”we’ll arrive by tomorrow morning.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Are we not going to eat or drink, nor sleep or rest?”

Li Yuzhen said, ”With our physique, it’s no problem, right?”

”Is it necessary?”

”Prince Consort, it’s better to be early.”

”...Alright.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”You’re worried and confused.”

Li Yuzhen pressed her lips tightly, not uttering a word.

Chu Zhiyuan no longer persuaded, looking at Fu Zheng, he asked, ”How’s your side?”

Fu Zheng said, ”Rest assured, Your Highness, once we arrive, there will naturally be contact.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with satisfaction.

He touched the jadeite ring on his left ring finger, feeling the coolness seep into his being.