Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1179: Chapter 1175: Strange Grass

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Looks like we’ll have to leave it to luck.”

I’ve always been quite lucky.

Though I always do my utmost, others do the same; my successes can’t be entirely attributed to effort and wisdom—luck has favored me more.

Song Shoufang said: ”Your Four Great Sects are not familiar enough with the Evil Sect, unaware of the locations of top-tier demons. Killing many ordinary demons doesn’t compare to killing a few top-tier ones.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He immediately said: ”The Evil Extermination Department knows where these top-tier demons are but hasn’t killed them?”

Song Shoufang said: ”It’s inevitable; it’s human nature.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Much like how the various Martial Arts Sects dare not kill demons outside the Imperial City anymore.”

Song Shoufang snorted lightly.

He understood the implication of Chu Zhiyuan’s words.

The Evil Extermination Department knows the locations but doesn’t kill them to avoid risks, just like the experts from various Martial Arts Sects avoiding demons outside the Imperial City.

Understanding the Evil Extermination Department, yet blaming the Martial Arts Sects.

This is clearly a double standard, overly biased and unjust.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists and said: ”Lord, may I look at the Tongming Grass?”

Song Shoufang raised an eyebrow: ”It’s useless; Tongming Grass only grows in one place, which you cannot enter.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”I’m curious and want to see what this Tongming Grass looks like, as it’s so wondrous.”

”Tongming Grass can’t be taken out.” Song Shoufang shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Is there a picture of the Tongming Grass?”

”You are persistent.” Song Shoufang shook his head with a smile: ”You insist on seeing it to find it yourself?”

”Yes.” Chu Zhiyuan admitted frankly.

Song Shoufang said: ”You can’t return to Little Outer Heaven; even if you know, what use is it?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said: ”When I succeed in cultivation, there might be a chance to go back.”

”...Ha, you’re quite ambitious.” Song Shoufang chuckled.

He knew some wonders of the Heavenly Sword; becoming the Lord of Heaven Sword, the Sect Leader of Heavenly Sword Sect, allows one to send messages back to Little Outer Heaven.

This alone was enough motivation to drive Chu Zhiyuan to strive for the position of Sect Leader.

He thought for a moment: ”Alright, hold on.”

”Thank you, Lord!” Chu Zhiyuan solemnly clasped his fists.

Expressing his intention to compete for the position of Sect Leader was a decision made after careful consideration.

Especially in the presence of someone like Song Shoufang, there was no need to hide.

For Song Shoufang, the most valuable person in Heavenly Sword Sect is the Sect Leader.

Either the current Sect Leader or the future Sect Leader.

He showed this appropriately, enhancing his own value.

Song Shoufang waved his hand and turned to leave the hall.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned thoughtfully.

The former collaborator has now become a competitor; with the lives of relatives at stake, there’s no room for concession.

He believed Huang Zhengyang felt the same, trying every method to obtain the elixir.

But besides Huang Zhengyang, what of Qi Chunyu?

Qi Chunyu probably wasn’t as confident, but he wouldn’t be willing to give up.

And then there are the Four Great Sects.

Even other Martial Arts Sects would do whatever it takes to kill demons.

The Evil Sect is offering bounties, and the Court is raising bounties—are they gearing up for a great battle?

He pondered the sudden change in the situation and speculated on possible future scenarios.

Moments later, Song Shoufang returned, carrying a scroll and handed it to him.

Chu Zhiyuan accepted it with both hands and slowly unfolded it.

Within the painting, an odd small grass nestled in flowers, easily overlooked.

Its leaves were long and narrow, green like fresh leaves after rain, with tiny white spots on the underside.

At first glance, it seemed like any ordinary wild grass.

He closed his eyes, searching his memory.

Indeed, there was no other grass exactly like it.

It seemed common, yet wasn’t.

”Have you seen it before?” Song Shoufang asked with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”Never, but didn’t expect it to look like this.”

”Hearing its name and effect, you thought it would be exceptionally peculiar?”

”I thought I would recognize it at a glance once I saw it.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”Didn’t expect it to look so ordinary.”

Song Shoufang said: ”Even if you look at it, you’ll quickly forget.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered, closed his eyes, and indeed felt an invisible force blurring the memory of Tongming Grass.

What was once mundane suddenly became unusual.

He opened his eyes, curiously asked: ”Lord, is this the power of that Secret Land?”

”Indeed.” Song Shoufang nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”What is this Secret Land?”

”Can’t say.” Song Shoufang shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan was surprised: ”Can’t even say it?”

Song Shoufang said: ”Mentioning it would draw power, which would be bad for you.”

”I see.” Chu Zhiyuan realized: ”With this Tongming Grass, can Lifespan Extension Pills be refined?”

”The formula for Lifespan Extension Pills is not secret; you can find it.”

”Without Tongming Grass, the formula for Lifespan Extension Pills is just wastepaper?”

”Indeed.” Song Shoufang said: ”Ultimately, if you want Lifespan Extension Pills, you’d better think of a way through the bounty.”

”Thank you, Lord.” Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists.

Song Shoufang waved his hand: ”If you manage to obtain this elixir, it’s not just about it.”

”Yes.” Chu Zhiyuan understood.

Leading the pack would instantly make one famous across the world, known by all.

That’s immensely important to many martial artists.

Practicing martial arts is a painful process, and beyond security, name and profit are what sustain one.

With so many martial artists out there, being a renowned expert comes with countless tangible and intangible benefits.

Aligning with humanity’s ultimate pursuit.

When Chu Zhiyuan left Prince Zhuang Mansion, he felt several gazes upon him.

This time, it was again the guards and tributes of Prince Zhuang Mansion, lacking the previous hostility.

Prince Zhuang had already thoroughly resolved the previous issue of demons appearing in the mansion.

...

He returned to the Heavenly Sword Branch, arranged paper and pen, sat at the stone table, and began searching his memory with closed eyes.

The memory of Tongming Grass was indeed blurred, with an invisible force constantly interfering and wiping away the memory.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.

If it were before, he indeed wouldn’t manage; not remembering means not remembering.

But now it’s different.

The first layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique was complete, and upon concentrating, continuous flashes of light appeared in his mind.

The once blurry memories quickly became clear.

He closed his eyes, and the pen moved swiftly across the paper.

In just four or five breaths, a small cluster of grass appeared on the paper.

However, he used ink, unable to depict its fresh green state.

But its shape was identical.

With its shape alone, it’s sufficient.

He dried it, closed his eyes again, and began redrawing.

He drew more than twenty copies before the ink in the inkstone ran out.

He thought for a moment, went to the front yard, and had someone buy paints from the street.

He dyed them green again and added white spots.

This time it was completely identical, without error.

Then he left the Imperial City and reached a mountain peak.

Moments later, a Light Gate appeared, and Chu Liezhao stepped out, taking the stack of paper with him.

In just an hour, both Little Outer Heaven and Outer Heaven had images of Tongming Grass.

Chu Liezhao and Prince Qing Mansion used their channels to spread the pictures, prompting secret locations and grotto heavens to start searching.

He believed Tongming Grass could be found in these places.

Especially within those secret cave heavens, some wonders defy imagination.

Upon returning to the Heavenly Sword Branch, Huang Zhengyang sent someone over.

He immediately knew it was about the Lifespan Extension Pill, sighed helplessly.

He guessed Huang Zhengyang wanted him to withdraw from the competition.

He sighed inwardly—were they now going to fall out?