Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1178: Chapter 1174: Prolonging Life

Compared to achieving meritorious deeds, he now desires even more to understand the wonders of the Golden Sword.

The more he refines it, layer upon layer, the more he can appreciate its marvel.

The two divine scripts are gradually merging with this Golden Sword step by step.

As the refinement deepens, the fusion of the divine scripts with the Golden Sword becomes more profound, and his integration with the Golden Sword also deepens.

Often, it gives rise to an illusion that the Golden Sword is himself, and he is the Golden Sword; man and sword as one.

It is the true fusion of essence, qi, and spirit into one.

In this state, the Golden Sword seems to disappear, leaving only his body.

”That is truly a pity,” Gu Junqi said, ”Do you know what treasure the Court has offered this time?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”From what I know, it’s some cultivation spirit pills and miracle techniques, like the Candle Demon Technique.”

Gu Junqi shook his head, ”That was the original reward. Now it has changed. The news just came, the Court has increased the reward.”

Chu Zhiyuan was curious.

Gu Junqi said, ”The highest reward is a Lifespan Extension Pill.”

”Lifespan Extension Pill? How much lifespan can it extend?”

”A jiazi, sixty years.”

Chu Zhiyuan was astonished.

He didn’t expect there to be such a spiritual medicine in the world that could extend lifespan by sixty years.

This was somewhat beyond imagination.

Chu Zhiyuan was half-believing and half-doubting, ”Elder, can it really extend lifespan by sixty years?”

”It can.” Gu Junqi nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Extending lifespan by a jiazi, is there truly such a spiritual medicine in this world?”

”The main ingredient of this Lifespan Extension Pill is Tongming Grass, a spirit grass produced in a uniquely exceptional place. Only with it as the main ingredient can such a miracle pill be made.”

”Tongming Grass...”

”A rare spirit grass in the world, only the Court possesses it.”

”So, that uniquely exceptional place also belongs to the Court?”

”Exactly.”

”Doesn’t that mean that high officials and even nobles of the Court can extend their lives by sixty years?”

”Indeed so,” Gu Junqi said, ”This Lifespan Extension Pill appears once every ten years. Those top nobles certainly have a chance to obtain it. This Lifespan Extension Pill typically only circulates among these top dignitaries, and this time the Court is intent on spreading it externally.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Once this news is out, I reckon everyone will go crazy.”

Not only the various martial arts sects but even the two departments and the City Guards will go insane.

The temptation is too great.

”This news just came out,” Gu Junqi said, ”I estimate many sects are unaware yet, and before they can react, you’ve already taken a big lead, with great hope of success.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Then how can one obtain this Lifespan Extension Pill?”

”The one who kills the most evil demons will get it.”

”What about the cultivation level of the evil demons?”

”It is calculated based on cultivation equivalences,” Gu Junqi said, ”There are certain rules, and both the Military Department and the two departments have set regulations.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

That makes sense, otherwise if it were solely based on numbers, everyone would just avoid experts and only kill evil demons with lower cultivation levels.

”How is it?” Gu Junqi smiled, ”You still have a great chance, having already killed nearly a hundred evil demons... My only concern now is when the count starts. If it starts now, you won’t have the leading edge. I’ve sent someone to find out.”

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment, ”I guess it won’t start now.”

Gu Junqi asked, ”Why?”

The Court has just issued this Lifespan Extension Pill. If it wants everyone to go all out and make the struggle more intense, it might start now.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Previously, the rewards from the martial arts sects were so perfunctory, the Court might hold a grudge over this.”

He subtly sensed this emotion through Huang Zhengyang and Qi Chunyu.

Though those two are just individuals, they can represent the officials’ annoyance towards this matter.

Gu Junqi laughed, ”If it counts from before, that would be ideal!”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Gu Junqi said, ”This Lifespan Extension Pill, a spiritual pill rare in the world, previously there was no chance to strive for it, now there is a chance, how can we let it slip?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Elder, if one cultivates to Nine Transitions, their lifespan reaches the limit, does this Lifespan Extension Pill still have a use?”

”For a Nine Transitions Venerable, it’s probably of little use.” Gu Junqi shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Gu Junqi said, ”But not everyone can cultivate to Nine Transitions... You also have friends and family, don’t you? If their cultivation doesn’t reach Nine Transitions, would you be willing to let them leave you early?”

Chu Zhiyuan entered the sect alone, solitary and free of attachments, so this Lifespan Extension Pill seemed to be of no use.

But being solitary now does not mean forever, for sure he will find a woman, get married.

If his wife’s cultivation isn’t enough, the Lifespan Extension Pill can be used.

Even if his wife’s cultivation is enough and doesn’t need the Lifespan Extension Pill, what about having children in the future?

A great man might ill match a spendthrift wife or a disobedient child; children might not inherit his talents and opportunities, and might not manage to cultivate to Nine Transitions Venerable.

At that time, a white-haired person sending off a black-haired person is indeed painful, making the Lifespan Extension Pill crucial.

Thus, even Chu Zhiyuan cannot resist this Lifespan Extension Pill.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

He couldn’t help but think of his parents.

The Lifespan Extension Pill was useless to him, but very useful to his parents.

Previously, he didn’t know the Court had such a Spirit Pill. He expected the Court to have this type of Spirit Pill, but he didn’t expect it to be so potent, able to extend life by sixty years.

Just then, a voice came from outside: ”Dean.”

”Come in and speak!” said Gu Junqi.

A handsome young man opened the courtyard door and came in, cupping his fists in salute: ”Dean.”

”Did you gather the information?”

”Yes, I already found out. Starting this year, all results are counted.”

”Oh—?” Gu Junqi looked at Chu Zhiyuan and smiled, ”You guessed it right. So, are you going to start now?”

Chu Zhiyuan sighed.

He really didn’t want to waste time now, as he was at a critical stage in his study of the Golden Sword.

But the Lifespan Extension Pill was rare, and missing it would also lead to regret.

After weighing the options, he could only lean towards the Lifespan Extension Pill.

He thought for a moment: ”Elder, I’ll also go gather some information.”

He didn’t think he would necessarily have the chance to get this Lifespan Extension Pill and needed to understand the situation first.

To avoid wasting effort.

”Hmm, it’s also good to inquire at the Evil Extermination Department.” Gu Junqi laughed, ”Their information is more well-informed.”

”Yes.” Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Gu Junqi left his small courtyard.

Chu Zhiyuan also left his own small courtyard, exited the other courtyard, and went directly towards Prince Zhuang Mansion.

Since he wanted to gather information, he would naturally inquire directly with Prince Zhuang.

This move was abrupt and, considering his status, too reckless and presumptuous.

Yet he didn’t care at all.

After all, he was a Martial Arts person and didn’t need to follow officialdom’s rules or adhere to conventional formalities.

...

An hour later, he met Prince Zhuang, Song Shoufang, in the front hall of the mansion.

Song Shoufang, dressed in a purple robe, stood with his hands behind his back on the steps of the veranda, looking at him solemnly, and directly asked: ”About the Lifespan Extension Pill?”

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists: ”Yes, I wanted to seek your guidance, Your Highness.”

”Do you wish to obtain the Lifespan Extension Pill?”

”Who wouldn’t want this pill?” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”I just want to ask if there’s a chance.”

Song Shoufang slowly shook his head, ”Not much chance.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

”Your Four Great Sects and the Various Martial Arts Sects don’t have much chance.”

”Does the Evil Extermination Department have a chance?”

”Huang Zhengyang has the greatest chance.” Song Shoufang said, ”His mother is ill and needs this pill the most. The entire Evil Extermination Department will fully support him in obtaining this pill.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Song Shoufang said, ”Will your Four Great Sects unite the merits onto you?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

That’s impossible.

”Huang Zhengyang has high prestige and can achieve that.” Song Shoufang said, ”Moreover, the Evil Extermination Department is not something your Four Great Sects can compare to.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

The words made sense, the Evil Extermination Department’s strength was greater, information more well-informed, and manpower more abundant.

Even if top experts weren’t as many as the Four Great Sects, it was sufficient to eliminate the Evil Killing Sect.

Song Shoufang said, ”Qi Chunyu over there won’t sit idle either. He will also compete.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Then I have even less chance.”

”It’s good you understand.” Song Shoufang said, ”But the world is full of impermanence, and until the last moment, nothing is certain.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Highness, will there be other chances to obtain the Lifespan Extension Pill in the future?”

Song Shoufang smiled, ”Under normal circumstances, no, but who can say for sure... just like this time, it wasn’t even intended to be taken out.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Ordinarily, we wouldn’t even have a chance to obtain this Spirit Pill, right?”

Song Shoufang smiled without speaking.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered.

”Do you really want to obtain this pill?” Song Shoufang asked, ”You shouldn’t need it, right?”

”I really want to obtain it.” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Song Shoufang said, ”I can’t help with that, the Lifespan Extension Pill isn’t up to me alone, but I’ll remind you, don’t take shortcuts, the Court won’t recognize shortcuts.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”I have some friendship with Director Huang, I won’t act recklessly.”

He understood Song Shoufang was reminding him not to plot against Huang Zhengyang.

Song Shoufang said, ”You’ve already killed many Evil Demons, so just kill a few more. Until the end, it’s hard to say it’s a definite loss.”