Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1180: Chapter 1176: Reappearance

Chu Zhiyuan stood at the bottom of the steps in the front hall, smiling at the young man who arrived, ”Please inform Director Huang that I will be visiting tomorrow.”

”Yes, I’ll take my leave.”

The young man clasped his fists briefly and turned to leave.

Watching him turn behind the screen and exit the courtyard, Chu Zhiyuan shook his head continually.

Gu Junqi emerged from the grand hall, hands behind his back, ”Why not go see Director Huang?”

”It’s likely because of the reward,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

Gu Junqi was surprised, ”Are you possibly thinking of letting him?”

Chu Zhiyuan replied, ”Actually, he’s more assured in his grasp, while my chance is slim.”

If I were to summon my clone to assist, there might still be an opportunity.

But I shouldn’t do this, after all, I can’t act without restraint.

He didn’t want others to know he had additional support.

Gu Junqi nodded slowly, ”With the entire Evil Extermination Department assisting him, he indeed has a better chance of championing, rather than engaging in a hopeless struggle, why not go with the current and gain favor?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Gu Junqi said, ”This isn’t a foolish move, but you’re not willing, are you?”

Who would willingly let go of such an opportunity?

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let me think it over.”

”Sure, it’s worth careful consideration to avoid future regrets,” Gu Junqi wholeheartedly agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists and returned to his small courtyard to continue refining the Golden Sword.

Meanwhile, Chu Liezhao appeared frequently in Little Outer Heaven, transmitting the Tongming Grass map into the Imperial Palace, into each of the Great Sects, and even into Da Meng.

Then he had Li Miaotan mobilize all forces for search.

Leng Tieya also mobilized all forces to search for this Tongming Grass.

Chu Zhiyuan thought that there was more hope on Leng Tieya’s side of the Demon World.

After all, the name Tongming Grass sounds closer to the Demon World.

The integration between Chu Zhiyuan and the Golden Sword became increasingly tight, and his understanding of the wonder of combining the two Divine Languages deepened.

The state is equated with the people’s heart.

The Emperor’s Sword’s power is the congregation of Heaven and Earth’s Strange Power driven by people’s hearts.

But to trigger this Heaven and Earth’s Strange Power, special methods are needed, it’s not only people’s hearts that gather to achieve it.

He had been comprehending the state and people’s heart, continually seeking the method of triggering the Heaven and Earth’s Strange Power.

As time passed, he felt the spirit light before him growing increasingly bright, drawing nearer.

In this state of enlightenment, he lost the concept of time.

When he suddenly awoke, he realized it was already the dawn of the next day.

The ten-thousand-foot Golden Light shone on the windows, illuminating the room.

He rose from bed, pushed open the door, entered the courtyard, and breathed out a long breath facing the brilliant sunshine.

Exhaling stale air, inhaling the crisp Qing Qi.

He faced the ten-thousand-foot Golden Light, full of smiles.

Finally found this Tongming Grass, indeed discovered in the Demon World!

He had learned that the Demon World also has Lifespan Extension Pills, just that their effects were too overbearing for ordinary Demon Clan to endure, considered a Forbidden Pill.

This proving that Tongming Grass is precisely that Tongming Grass.

According to this region’s Lifespan Extension Pill formula, the effects can achieve the same as those here, without such overpowering results.

”Knock knock.”

A knocking sound came from outside.

Chu Zhiyuan went over to open the door and arrived at the front yard, seeing the young man from the Evil Extermination Department who had visited yesterday.

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, ”Please wait a moment while I freshen up and then I’ll go with you.”

”Yes.”

The young man respectfully agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan returned to the courtyard, washed up, changed into a blue robe, and then followed the young man out of the Heavenly Sword Branch.

”Have you all been busy these past two days?”

Chu Zhiyuan chatted with the young man as they walked.

”Everyone is eager and ready.”

”Because of the Lifespan Extension Pill? Trying to compete for this Lifespan Extension Pill?”

”And you, Mr. Chu, are you competing for this Lifespan Extension Pill?”

”Me, I haven’t decided yet, let’s see what Director Huang has to say.”

”Director Huang said Mr. Chu is a friend of our Evil Extermination Department, everyone should treat with respect, and there’s no need to be formal.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”Director Huang is really flattering me, I don’t deserve it.”

”Director Huang always speaks his mind, never lies.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and shook his head, ”I’m overwhelmed by such kindness.”

He hadn’t expected Huang Zhengyang to elevate him so, was this young man flattering him?

The two quickly arrived at the residence of the Evil Extermination Department and went directly to Huang Zhengyang’s courtyard.

Huang Zhengyang was pacing back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, looking serious and heavy-hearted.

Seeing him appear, Huang Zhengyang clasped his fists in salute, grumbling, ”Mr. Chu, you’re finally here!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”What happened?”

Judging by Huang Zhengyang’s expression, it was evident something significant had occurred, likely unrelated to the Lifespan Extension Pill.

”Another two statues appeared!” Huang Zhengyang’s face was gloomy as he coldly stated, ”Much like the one before.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Huang Zhengyang said, ”It seems this is not a random incident but a major problem.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Where are they?”

”Follow me,” Huang Zhengyang turned to walk out.

Chu Zhiyuan followed alongside him.

They walked side by side, drifting out of the Evil Extermination Department and then leaving the Imperial City.

Eight masters followed behind them, surrounding them.

They headed north all the way.

After leaving the Imperial City, the two moved with Qinggong, engaging in small talk as they went.

Huang Zhengyang asked, ”Mr. Chu, did you think I called you to discuss the Lifespan Extension Pill?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled sheepishly and nodded.

”Regarding the Lifespan Extension Pill, let’s rely on our abilities; there’s no need to say more.” Huang Zhengyang laughed. ”Mr. Chu, you’re underestimating my broad-mindedness.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Lifespan Extension Pill concerns the life and death of family; no matter how broad-minded, one wouldn’t yield it.”

”...” Huang Zhengyang shook his head, sighing, ”Life and death are destined by fate; often, it’s beyond one’s control.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”This time, I will not compete; on the contrary, I can assist you, Director Huang.”

Huang Zhengyang stared at him sharply.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”If Director Huang needs my help, just say so... although you might not need my help, as you already have confidence.”

”...No words can express my gratitude!” Huang Zhengyang solemnly clasped his fists.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists with a smile, ”No need for formalities, Director.”

”We indeed don’t need to be formal,” Huang Zhengyang said, ”Just call me Old Huang, Brother Chu.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Brother Huang, the Evil Extermination Department will help you obtain the Lifespan Extension Pill, but the Demon Hunting Bureau will not stand by, right?”

”Old Qi and his people will fight for it too!” Huang Zhengyang gritted his teeth and hummed.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”And what about Director Zhou?”

Huang Zhengyang is only the Deputy Director; there’s also a Director, Zhou Chun.

Zhou Chun is older and certainly more eager for the Lifespan Extension Pill, even if he doesn’t need it himself, his relatives and friends might.

Huang Zhengyang smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Huang Zhengyang said, ”Director Zhou has already consumed a Lifespan Extension Pill.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”What about his family?”

”Director Zhou has no family left.” Huang Zhengyang shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”No family?”

”His parents died young, and his wife and children were killed by evil demons.” Huang Zhengyang’s expression was heavy.

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly stood.

Huang Zhengyang sighed, ”For the past two years, Director Zhou has been chasing evil demons, and the scale of the Evil Extermination Department today relies entirely on his efforts.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

He really hadn’t known this, only that the current Evil Extermination Department and Demon Extermination Bureau were formidable, far beyond the capability of the Four Great Sects.

Huang Zhengyang said, ”The Martial Arts Sect poses no threat; only the Demon Hunting Bureau could potentially ruin my plans, besides Brother Chu, of course.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”I don’t have much hope either.”

”Brother Chu, you’re different.” Huang Zhengyang shook his head, ”Even without the help of the Four Great Sects, you have the ability to claim the top spot based on your own skills.”

”I’m alone, having practiced the Nine Transitions, and don’t need the pill that much.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

Obtaining the formula for the Lifespan Extension Pill here, bringing the auxiliary herbs besides the Tongming Grass to the outer world, and asking the top Pill Masters there would naturally result in the creation of the Lifespan Extension Pill.

By then, it wouldn’t just be one or two pills, but enough for his parents to consume.

Huang Zhengyang shook his head, ”Regardless, I must thank you, Brother Chu, for your intentions.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Are the two statues this time the same as before?”

”All have three faces.” Huang Zhengyang’s face darkened, ”However, this time it was more significant, with more deaths.”

Chu Zhiyuan’s expression grew solemn, ”Where did it occur?”

Huang Zhengyang replied in a deep voice, ”On a mountaintop near a small city, attracting the curiosity of the townspeople, resulting in many civilian deaths.”

Chu Zhiyuan’s brow furrowed tightly.

Did the Evil Venerable Statues appear outside the city randomly, or was there another motive?

Were the civilians killed by the statues intentionally for some ritual, or was it to conceal their own existence?