Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 776: Chapter 772: Taking the Initiative

Li Miaotan looked at him in confusion.

She couldn’t believe Chu Zhiyuan was unaware of the danger involved.

Once the news of his mastery of the Heavenly Dragon Introduction leaked, countless assassinations were bound to follow.

Neither the Demon Clan nor the Magic Clan would allow him to grow.

They would spare no cost to assassinate him.

She was the best example; they would treat him the same way they treated her.

Even though she was a Venerable with top guards, she still couldn’t withstand it.

For him, the odds of survival were virtually none.

Was he not afraid of death?

Was it fearlessness, or had he lived long enough and sought death?

In an instant, she thought of many things, of many possibilities.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I am different from Your Highness. I don’t need to go everywhere; just staying quietly in the Imperial City is enough.”

”...Yes.” Li Miaotan nodded slightly.

If he were in the Jade Dynasty, he would have some princely duties to attend to.

Here, he became purely a wealthy idler, with no need to bother with mundane matters, able to focus solely on cultivation.

The Court’s prince consort sometimes bears heavy responsibilities, positions of importance.

But he, as the Ninth Prince of the Jade Dynasty, was also equivalent to a hostage.

Fated to never be trusted or heavily used.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If these Demon and Magic Clans want to assassinate me, they have to come into the city. It’s not so easy to get in, right?”

”Mm, the Phoenix Imperial City is not so easily infiltrated by Demon and Magic Clans.”

”That’s it,” Chu Zhiyuan said. ”Even if they can break in, their time is limited, and they can’t exert much power in a short time.”

”... I’m just afraid of inside collaboration.” Li Miaotan gently furrowed her brows. ”Luring you out of the city.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I will be cautious. If I must leave the city, I’ll bring more people, continuously guarding against Demon assassinations,...or even set up ambushes using myself as bait to lure them in!”

”...”

”After falling for this trick a few times, let’s see if they still dare.”

”... This trick...”

Li Miaotan looked at him in surprise.

She hadn’t thought of this move.

This was turning passive into active; it was a matter of mindset, almost as if looking down at the Demon and Magic Clans.

She felt that with her cleverness, she might have thought of this method.

But she hadn’t, due to her mindset.

Her attitude towards the Magic and Demon Clans was fundamentally different from Chu Zhiyuan’s.

She had a mindset of looking up, aware of the strength of the Magic and Demon Clans, so she was extremely cautious, careful.

But Chu Zhiyuan wasn’t like this. Instead, he looked down on them, viewing the Demon and Magic Clans as the weak.

Even if both could not withstand their assassination, he still looked for ways to hunt them, to trap them.

Unlike herself, who only thought of defense, of guarding against their assassinations, never thinking to strike proactively.

She judged that if she were really like Chu Zhiyuan, after a few times, it would be the Demon and Magic Clans who would be the ones fearing.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Of course, this requires the cooperation of greater strength.”

”No problem!”

Li Miaotan said softly.

Her bright eyes flickered with radiant light, like flames burning fiercely.

This assassination attempt nearly cost her her life. How could she not loathe the Demon and Magic Clans?

If there’s a chance to seriously wound them, whether on the Outer Realm Battlefield or inside and outside the Imperial City, she wouldn’t let it pass.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”This would require quite a few Venerables.”

Li Miaotan said, ”I can still mobilize a dozen or so Venerables.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Then shall we give it a try? Go big?”

Li Miaotan’s bright eyes shone intensely, staring at him.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Afraid?”

”... Really want to try?” Li Miaotan took a deep breath and asked slowly.

This involved life and death risks.

The die would be cast; there’d be no turning back.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s give it a try.”

”... Okay.” Li Miaotan thought for a moment, then slowly nodded, ”If you really get into trouble, I won’t marry again.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Don’t worry, my fate is tough. The Demon and Magic Clans won’t find it easy to kill me.”

Li Miaotan chuckled softly, looking seriously at Chu Zhiyuan, ”Are you really not afraid of death?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Even ants cling to life. How much more so for humans?”

Li Miaotan said, ”Actually, there’s no need to rush. Your aptitude is exceptional; making a name for yourself is easy.”

”What do you mean by making a name for yourself? Becoming a Venerable, or something else?”

After wandering around the Phoenix Imperial City, he already understood, and his mindset naturally changed.

Originally, he just wanted not to be bullied, not to live too aggrievedly.

After mastering the Heavenly Dragon Introduction, he wanted not just to avoid grievances but to live with dignity in the Phoenix Dynasty’s Imperial City.

And wanting to live with dignity, becoming a Venerable was not enough.

Becoming a Venerable was not enough to astound everyone in the Phoenix Imperial City, not enough to cause a stir.

But mastering the Heavenly Dragon Introduction could.

As for fear of assassination by the Demon and Magic Clans, he had Super Sense, the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror, and the Heavenly Dragon Introduction, and he was instead eager for them to attempt an assassination.

The Magic Clan could become a resource for his cultivation, and so could the Demon Clan.

The Magic Clan’s souls could be devoured to augment his own, and the Demon Clan’s Demon Crystals could be consumed to strengthen his vitality.

The Dragon Transformation Scripture was originally the supreme Cultivation Technique of the Demon Clan, modified so humans could cultivate it.

Now, with the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline within him, he was among the supreme bloodlines within the Demon Clan.

And in the Demon Clan, bloodlines are fundamental strength.

High Rank bloodlines can suppress Low Rank ones; the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline is enough to suppress most bloodlines.

This suppression is reflected in the ability to detect them even if one’s cultivation is insufficient.

With the Heavenly Dragon Introduction, Demon Clan experts approaching could not escape his notice.

Much less with Super Sense.

It is also reflected in the ability to devour.

With the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline, he could grow stronger by devouring Demon Crystals from the Demon Clan.

Unfortunately, he only had the Ganlin Spell; having more Dragon Curses, especially those that counter enemies, would be even better.

—

”Then, as you wish, let everyone know you’ve mastered the Heavenly Dragon Introduction!”

Li Miaotan already understood Chu Zhiyuan’s words, comprehended his meaning.

Even if it meant risking life and limb, he wanted to live with dignity, not to live oppressively.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”All the better!... Shall we wait for the Spirit Venerable?”

”Mm.”

Li Miaotan immediately averted her bright gaze, looking elsewhere, with a rosy blush creeping up her jade-like face.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled internally.

He hadn’t expected Li Miaotan to be so easily embarrassed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Can Dragon Curses still be found?”

”I’ve been sending people to search, but it’s quite difficult.”

Li Miaotan’s complexion returned to normal.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Dragon Curses are indeed a special power,... let Yuzhen come and test the power of my Heavenly Dragon Divine Palm, to see if it can break through Young Master Xiao Ming’s defense.”

”You don’t have to duel with him.” Li Miaotan said.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”I don’t want to clash with him, but I must be prepared, lest I’m caught off guard.”

Who knows what tricks the other two Princes might have to force me into a corner.

Perhaps, at the next moment, Young Master Xiao Ming might challenge me directly.

Li Miaotan raised her voice, ”Yuzhen.”

”Here.” Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng appeared gracefully.

”Test his Heavenly Dragon Divine Palm to see if it can break through Young Marquis Ming’s defense.”

Li Yuzhen looked at Chu Zhiyuan with curiosity.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Take two of my palms, let’s see.”

As he spoke, he sent out a Heavenly Dragon Divine Palm, which Li Yuzhen steadily blocked, looking at him quizzically.

This palm clearly felt too weak for her, like scratching an itch through a boot.

Chu Zhiyuan sent out a second Heavenly Dragon Divine Palm. After blocking it, Li Yuzhen took a step back, then another.

Her jade-like face immediately turned solemn, astonished, ”This palm force...”

So strong and overbearing, full of penetration power, it was unstoppable.