Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1025: Chapter 1021: Commencement

Within the Great Bright Peak, everything remained as before.

Time seemed to halt in this place, nothing changed.

Every time he returned here, he felt as if he had revisited the past.

His siblings were all present, some diligently cultivating, others slacking off.

Even though they were aware of the importance of cultivation, some Princes or Princesses still preferred to avoid hardship, indulging in temporary comfort.

Chu Liezhao didn’t hold any disdain for them, as everyone made their own choices.

In the Jade Dynasty, it was easier for Princesses, but if Princes chose idle living, their lives could become difficult.

Yet, this too was their own choice.

Everyone had their own way of living, and others were not in a position to criticize.

The main reason for their slack is the slow progress in cultivation.

Unless one possesses exceptional talent like Chu Liezhao, even those who diligently cultivate often only show progress over years, not months.

He arrived at Diwu Academy, looking for Uncle Chu Honglin.

Chu Honglin was basking in the sunlight, lying on a long chair in the courtyard, focused on a book in his hand.

Chu Liezhao sat down on the neighboring long chair: ”Uncle.”

Chu Honglin put down the book and smiled: ”You haven’t come back in a while.”

”I’ve been in closed-door cultivation,” Chu Liezhao said.

Chu Honglin laughed: ”Not closed-door cultivation, but accompanying your wife, enjoying yourself!”

Chu Liezhao had entered the Kunlun Cave Heaven in Yukunlun Palace with Li Miaotan, avoiding assassination attempts from the Yuanzhen Dynasty.

Though this news was secret, it was still discovered.

Chu Liezhao chuckled: ”You seem quite leisurely, Uncle.”

”Your matters are no mere leisure,” Chu Honglin said: ”Is everything settled on Yuanzhen’s side?”

Chu Liezhao shook his head: ”After all, a Prince was killed, one the Emperor Yuanzhen favored to succeed, they won’t let it go easily.”

”Then be careful, Yuanzhen’s ways are strange and unpredictable, but accurate—this Cheng Yunzheng truly deserved to die!”

”Let them come then,” Chu Liezhao smiled casually: ”I have already reached the Seventh Transition, not afraid of assassinations.”

”Seventh Transition already?” Chu Honglin sat up, eyes sparkling as he assessed him, showing a smile: ”Really Seventh Transition?”

Chu Liezhao nodded with a smile: ”I wouldn’t dare come out if I hadn’t reached the Seventh Transition.”

”Haha...” Chu Honglin burst into laughter: ”Finally reached the Seventh Transition!”

Chu Liezhao also beamed with joy.

The Seventh Transition is indeed worth celebrating, becoming a Great Venerable, a rank higher than a Venerable.

”There are some matters I can now tell you about.” Chu Honglin sighed and said.

Chu Liezhao quickly responded: ”Uncle, it might be better not to tell me these.”

Chu Honglin was taken aback.

Chu Liezhao said: ”I am now the Prince Consort of the Phoenix, my status has changed.”

”You are the Prince Consort of the Phoenix, but more importantly, you are still a Prince of our Jade Dynasty!” Chu Honglin said displeased: ”What do you mean?”

He darkened his expression: ”Is the Court or some scoundrels misbehaving?”

He vaguely knew of some sayings within the Court.

They claimed the Ninth Prince was a traitor, bewitched by beauty, acknowledging only his wife and not his father.

His heart belonged only to the Phoenix, having abandoned Jade completely.

Upon hearing these, he just wanted to curse them out.

Chu Liezhao waved his hand: ”Nothing much, avoiding suspicion, that’s all.”

”Avoiding what suspicion?” Chu Honglin snorted: ”What is there to avoid?”

”Uncle, I’m doing well now,” said Chu Liezhao: ”Released from the grievances of two Dynasties, living leisurely as a wandering free man, quite happily, so it’s best not to discuss confidential matters.”

”You...” Chu Honglin sighed, shaking his head repeatedly.

He understood that Chu Liezhao was somewhat disheartened.

Chu Liezhao had such extraordinary talent, yet was forcibly pushed towards the Phoenix to become a hostage and Prince Consort.

Reaching this point was not the end; they continued pushing him outward, insisting on completely handing him to the Phoenix.

It was simply disgraceful!

Chu Liezhao said: ”I plan to cultivate on the Great Bright Peak for a while, are there any Martial Arts Notes and insights from the Great Venerables?”

”Closed-door practice is good, it lets you leave these troubles behind, ... those Great Venerables’ books are underground, follow me.”

...

Wanjiang City lies in the southwest of the Demon Realm, with a humid climate, warm like spring throughout the year, attracting many from the Demon Clan to reside.

The rivers crisscross around Wanjiang City, each vast and mighty.

Cities connect to Wanjiang City through these rivers.

Being at the intersection, Wanjiang City’s prosperity surpasses ordinary cities.

As the sun set, a sturdy middle-aged man walked with a leisurely stride into the city, directly heading towards a small alley in the south, stopping outside the courtyard at the alley’s end.

Leng Tieya inspected the courtyard before him.

This alley was paved with stone plates, reflecting light, a path he had walked many times.

The alley led straight to a bustling avenue, twisting and turning just enough to obstruct vision.

Surpassing his impressions of the Demon Clan.

Could it be that the Demon Clan had such ingenious architectural style?

He knocked on the door, a hoarse voice replied from inside: ”Who’s there?”

Leng Tieya responded: ”Uncle, I’m Sun Changyue from the old home.”

”Changyue...” Footsteps echoed, and an elderly man with white hair and beard opened the door.

He surveyed Leng Tieya with surprise, chuckling: ”Changyue, come in quickly, it’s been a long journey?”

Leng Tieya waved his hand, looking proud: ”Over two thousand miles, it’s nothing.”

”Come in quickly.” The elder invited him in, chuckling: ”You’ve finally come, if not, I would have set off to return, alas... the leaves fall to their roots; old age makes one want to die in the homeland, buried beside the parents...”

As he rambled, he shut the courtyard door, swiftly glancing at the left wall of the yard.

That side was an adjoining yard.

Leng Tieya understood at a glance, this was meant for the neighboring yard to overhear.

This man was indeed cautious.

He had lived here for so long without arousing suspicion, yet still maintained the act.

No wonder he hadn’t exposed any flaws for so long.

”Uncle, these possessions, just discard them, what’s there to be unwilling about.”

”I can discard other things, but this courtyard, it’s what I’ve earned through hard work all my life, how can I abandon it?”

”Just a courtyard, sell it and buy another in West Tower City when you return.”

”I am old and don’t want to trouble myself anymore; this courtyard shall be yours, and I’ll live in my own courtyard back home, where the presence of my parents is felt.”

”Alright, Uncle, rest assured, I’ll live here, witnessing the bustling Wanjiang City, enough to sustain myself.”

”Indeed, Wanjiang City has no lack of jobs; you have your strength, you won’t starve.”

...

Next morning, Leng Tieya saw off the elder, returning alone to the courtyard.

Throughout the night, the elder had briefed him on various attentions.

Their Soul Pearls now linked, allowing direct communication about uncertainties or inquiries.

The elder’s cultivation was insufficient, staying here would only hinder Leng Tieya, limiting what he could do.

He needed to find the Ghost Bone Sect’s whereabouts, locate their bases for the Great Heavenly Demon Palace to raid.

This wasn’t an easy task, as the critical point was not to miss any base, lest remnants cause endless troubles.

He didn’t rush to start but leisurely explored Wanjiang City to understand it.

Wanjiang City was a hub for travelers, the clouds of guests being excellent sources of information.

He went to a tavern for breakfast, focusing on the multitude of rumors, seeking the information he wanted.

He then spread a rumor within the city of Ghost Bone Flower appearing in Wanjiang City.

This rumor instantly sparked widespread discussion.

This made Leng Tieya realize the immense notoriety of the Ghost Bone Sect among the Demon Clan.

It was a feared existence, its name far more renowned than in the Demon World.

Two days later, he spotted a disciple of the Ghost Bone Sect within the city.