Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1171: Chapter 1167: Discovery

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”How can we be sure that it was caused by this white pearl? After the giant demon died, there was no white pearl inside its body.”

”There are ancient records,” Huang Zhengyang said. ”This is the Spirit Ascending Pearl.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and said, ”Then where does this pearl come from? What exactly is this ’outer world’?”

Huang Zhengyang said, ”It’s said to be from the outer world, but which ’heaven’ exactly, we don’t know.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”So what exactly are the realms beyond the heavens?”

Huang Zhengyang showed a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Although I know of the outer world, I don’t know what heavens are beyond.”

Huang Zhengyang pondered and said, ”As far as I know, there are quite a few heavenly realms, at least twelve.”

”What are they?”

”I don’t remember the specifics,” Huang Zhengyang shook his head and said. ”The connections between heavens have been severed. Except for your Heavenly Sword, there is no pathway.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Can this Spirit Ascending Pearl elevate demons by one level?”

”Correct,” Huang Zhengyang slowly nodded. ”Zhiyuan elevates by one level, from a great demon to a giant demon.”

”Can humans use it?”

”For humans, it is poison and can directly kill the Nine Transitions Venerable.”

”What about bloodline users?” asked Chu Zhiyuan.

Huang Zhengyang looked at him in surprise.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”For those bearing a bloodline, it should be a great supplement, right?”

Huang Zhengyang slowly nodded. ”Indeed, it’s greatly beneficial for bloodline users.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Is there no harm at all?”

He never believed there were only benefits without drawbacks.

His modern education from his past life ingrained a debating mindset in him.

In all things, Yin and Yang are unified, both benefits and harms exist.

This Spirit Ascending Pearl is the same; it certainly has its detrimental side.

Huang Zhengyang sighed, ”You are quick to react.”

He deeply admired Chu Zhiyuan’s clarity and wisdom.

Benefits cloud one’s judgement, human nature.

Not everyone can remain calm in the face of such great advantage.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”What is the harm?”

”The Spirit Ascending Pearl has infinite uses for beasts, almost all positive. However, if they can’t endure, they might die. For humans, the bloodline suddenly rises, affecting one’s psyche.”

”The backlash of the bloodline itself?”

”Bloodline bearers often have already achieved a peculiar balance,” Huang Zhengyang said. ”And this Spirit Ascending Pearl would disrupt this balance.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The consequences of disrupting such a balance are unpredictable, aren’t they?”

”Yes.”

”Are you planning to use it on fellow sect members?” Huang Zhengyang said, ”I’d advise you to think twice.”

”Thank you, Director.” Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded.

Initially, he considered giving it to Li Hongzhao, but now he sees it’s inappropriate for her.

But he can give it to Li Miaotan.

Li Miaotan’s cultivation technique is specifically to control the Phoenix Bloodline.

This Spirit Ascending Pearl is essentially enhancing the bloodline, greatly benefiting Li Miaotan.

Huang Zhengyang said, ”If you want the Spirit Ascending Pearl, you can find the Demon Hunting Bureau; they have quite a few.”

”A lot?” Chu Zhiyuan was surprised.

”It’s hard to say exactly how many. They fall from the sky unevenly; some places have none, some have many, and some have already been consumed. Once consumed, they can’t be retrieved again,” Huang Zhengyang said. ”The Demon Hunting Bureau is currently busy cleaning them up.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”Several were eaten to become giant demons in Qinglian Sea. So elsewhere, there might also be demons eating them to become giant demons?”

”As far as I know, quite a few,” Huang Zhengyang shook his head and said. ”Your Four Great Sects are exorcising demons, but the main force remains the Demon Hunting Bureau.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Indeed, they work tirelessly.”

The Four Great Sects have many disciples, but due to high qualification requirements, their numbers are far fewer than the Demon Hunting Bureau.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I want to get a few pearls. Can you help, Huang Director?”

”What do you want them for?” Huang Zhengyang asked curiously. ”They cannot be used on humans; they are a calamity and must not be shared.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I want to find out where they originally come from.”

”...How many do you want?”

”How about five?”

Huang Zhengyang said, ”Alright, wait a moment. I’ll go ask the Demon Hunting Bureau.”

The Spirit Ascending Pearls must not be shared; after all, they can create giant demons with immense destructive power.

But Chu Zhiyuan is different from the average person. As a disciple of the Four Great Sects, he is trustworthy and especially reliable given his relentless slaying of demons.

...

A quarter hour later, Huang Zhengyang returned, handing him a small jade box.

He took the palm-sized jade box, opened it, and inside were five white pearls.

Each the size of a Dragon Eye, round and flawless, like ice and snow, with faintly shimmering inner light.

Chu Zhiyuan was about to bid farewell and leave when suddenly footsteps echoed from outside.

”Director, there’s an urgent matter.”

”Come in and speak!”

”Yes.”

A young man in a green robe strode in, his face solemn.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, ”Director, I shall take my leave.”

Huang Zhengyang waved his hand, ”No need to see you off.”

Chu Zhiyuan exited the small courtyard, closed the gate, and walked alone outside.

Just as he reached the threshold of the Demon Hunting Bureau’s main entrance, the young man in the green robe strode over, ”Mr. Chu, hold on!”

Chu Zhiyuan turned to look at him.

The young man had an ordinary appearance, but a steady demeanor, giving a sense of calmness.

”The Director requests your presence.”

”Director Huang?”

”Yes.”

”...Alright.” Chu Zhiyuan turned around, heading back to Huang Zhengyang’s small courtyard.

Huang Zhengyang beckoned, ”They found a divine statue; can you help take a look?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”An Evil Venerable Statue?”

”Indeed, this statue is unlike the others,” Huang Zhengyang said. ”We’ve never encountered one like this before; let’s see what’s peculiar about it.”

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated, ”Director, am I suitable?”

Huang Zhengyang said, ”Help us see if it can be destroyed. The more we encounter such statues, the faster we need to destroy them; leaving them around is a big problem.”

”Alright.” Chu Zhiyuan readily agreed.

He was curious too.

”Let’s go; it’s not in the city,” Huang Zhengyang said. ”We might have to travel a bit.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and agreed.

...

Three hundred miles away atop a mountain peak.

A ten-zhang tall golden statue is dazzlingly shining.

Chu Zhiyuan stood beneath the statue, surveying the surroundings.

The statue was forged from gold.

Under sunlight, it glimmered, visible from nearly two miles away.

Yet within a two-mile radius, there was no one, far removed from the bustle and dust.

If there were people, it likely would have been taken long ago.

But the ground had several piles of white bones, indicating that even without a settlement, people found their way here.

All ended up dying here.

The piles of bones weren’t disturbed, nor were the surrounding rocks.

Evidently, the experts from the Evil Extermination Department were cautious and experienced, reporting directly without rash actions.

He looked at the statue’s face.

Unlike a typical Spirit Venerable statue, this statue had three heads conjoined, each facing outward.

Each head’s visage was different.

The body, however, was human, with human feet, distinct from other Evil Venerables.

Beneath this golden statue stood Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Zhengyang, along with two elders.

The two elders were fixated on the statue, while Huang Zhengyang and Chu Zhiyuan examined the area.

Huang Zhengyang said, ”A bit strange, isn’t it?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

”Is it an Evil Venerable?” Huang Zhengyang said. ”We first need to determine that.”

Though there were piles of bones by the statue, this alone couldn’t confirm it was an Evil Venerable statue.

”It’s an Evil Venerable.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Through the aura from the Lao Gong Acupoint, he could ascertain the statue was also an Evil Venerable.

Huang Zhengyang’s face turned grim, ”Is this a new Evil Venerable?”

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the two elders.

Huang Zhengyang said, ”Elder Yu, Elder Guo, have there been records of this Evil Venerable before?”

Still murmuring lowly, the elders were captivated, seemingly in frenzy.

Chu Zhiyuan whispered, ”These two seniors are not quite right.”

Huang Zhengyang sighed, ”Is it caused by the statue?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

”Indeed, something’s odd!” Huang Zhengyang snorted.

He took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, pressing it on each elder’s forehead.

The palm-sized jade pendant shimmered, and they awoke from a nightmare, opened their eyes wide, and inhaled deeply.

Suddenly drenched in sweat.