Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1201: Chapter 1197: The Course of Action

Chu Zhiyuan looked up at the distance.

The connection with Zhu Lingyun had been completely severed, yet the Super Sense still held Insight.

Through Super Sense, Zhu Lingyun’s body emanated a gentle light.

This layer of light blocked the Insight from Super Sense, and simultaneously cut off his heart and spirit connection with the Clone.

He was very curious whether Zhu Lingyun’s heart and spirit had been completely transformed at this moment.

The descent of the Evil Venerable, was it body seizing, or an overlay, was it to completely obliterate Zhu Lingyun’s heart and spirit or to merely push it into a corner.

Was this descent temporary, or permanent.

Was Zhu Lingyun this Divine Son, temporarily a tool borrowed, or fully transformed?

With this curiosity, he maintained Insight.

Twelve experts from the Giant Spirit Sect kneeled, not daring to look up, and shouted deeply: ”Greetings, Divine Venerable!”

”Heh heh...” A rough voice issued from Zhu Lingyun’s mouth.

Zhu Lingyun’s original voice was clear, yet the current voice greatly mismatched his elegant appearance, making it uneasy.

”Rise.” Zhu Lingyun raised a hand.

The twelve experts were immediately lifted by an invisible force, stretching their legs straight.

”Thank you, Divine Venerable!” The crowd respectfully clasped their fists.

Zhu Lingyun said faintly: ”I, the Venerable, descend here, your merits won’t be forgotten by me, rewards will be bestowed!”

”The descent of the Divine Venerable is a great joy and fortune for us, to invite the Divine Venerable is our duty!”

”Heh heh...” Zhu Lingyun laughed roughly again, waving his hand: ”Enough, I can’t stand this nonsense, is that the Imperial City?”

He pointed in the direction of the Imperial City.

One young man clasped his fists: ”Reporting to the Divine Venerable, that is indeed the Imperial City, the Divine Artifact is damaged, it’s our best opportunity to attack the city.”

”Hmm...” Zhu Lingyun nodded, said faintly: ”Imperial City...”

”Divine Venerable, when shall we enter the city?” another young man hurriedly asked.

Zhu Lingyun glanced at him, said faintly: ”When do you wish to enter the city?”

”The sooner the better!” that young man hurriedly said: ”Besides Divine Venerable, it seems Divine Venerables from Wanxiang Sect and Feiling Sect are also about to descend.”

”Them?” Zhu Lingyun frowned: ”Indeed gathering for the excitement!”

”We have the Divine Son, the descent of the Divine Venerable should be the fastest and smoothest,” that young man smiled: ”They should be a step late, yet if we act late...”

Zhu Lingyun said faintly: ”What about Zhao Ruilin and those Elders?”

The young man hurriedly said: ”Sect Master and Elders are dealing with the experts of the Four Great Sects.”

”Quite busy indeed.” Zhu Lingyun sneered.

The young man hurriedly said: ”The experts of the Four Great Sects are too rampant, and there’re treasures there, so...”

”What treasures?” Zhu Lingyun asked faintly.

The young man was stunned, hurriedly said: ”It’s said to be the Strange Treasure from Feixue Cave Mansion, extraordinarily mystical.”

”What’s the use of this Strange Treasure?” Zhu Lingyun asked.

”It’s said to assist in cultivation,” that young man said.

Zhu Lingyun chuckled lightly: ”Is it for Clear Heart and Calm Mind?”

”...seems to prevent going astray into demons.”

”Heh heh...” Zhu Lingyun emitted a strange laugh, shook his head: ”Concerned about the Venerable?”

”Definitely not, Divine Venerable should not misunderstand.”

”Humph, misunderstand!” Zhu Lingyun laughed coldly: ”Call them over, I shall personally ask if it’s a misunderstanding.”

”Yes!” the young man solemnly agreed.

He took out a bamboo tube from his chest, raised it to the sky, and pulled forcefully.

Instantly, an eerie whistle soared into the sky.

”Bang!”

The sky exploded with black light, forming a giant hand.

The giant black hand seal in the air remained intact, its direction was pointed precisely at them.

Chu Zhiyuan observed all this with curiosity, vaguely judging, the acts of this Evil Venerable were somewhat peculiar.

Could it be a power grab?

Or is it inherently domineering, intolerant of subordinates’ sloth and evasiveness?

Only through observation can discernment be achieved, it seems this Evil Venerable has come with ill intentions, aiming to rush into the Imperial City.

However, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This Evil Venerable hadn’t discovered his Insight, indicating he wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful.

Not overwhelmed to such an extent means he can be dealt with.

The black hand remained intact.

After a brief moment, a group of middle-aged hurriedly arrived, extremely fast.

Upon approaching, they saw Zhu Lingyun standing proudly, with a cold expression, gaze like electricity.

Hu Chengxiang at the forefront hesitated, looking at Zhu Lingyun in confusion.

Zhu Lingyun scoffed: ”At least you’re not entirely muddled.”

”Divine Venerable?” Hu Chengxiang hesitated while clasping fists.

”Do not wish to see me, the Venerable?” Zhu Lingyun said coldly.

”Greetings, Divine Venerable!” Hu Chengxiang hurriedly clasped fists, respectfully saluting.

He then noticed Sun Haoyang was staring, dumbfounded, and tugged him.

Sun Haoyang just then reacted, hesitated: ”Truly the Divine Venerable?”

Zhu Lingyun grumblingly said, ”It seems I’m truly not welcome here!”

Sun Haoyang replied, ”Lingyun, are you causing trouble again?”

”Junior Brother Sun!” Hu Chengxiang shouted.

Sun Haoyang said, ”How could the Divine Venerable arrive so quickly? We haven’t even held the grand ceremony yet. It’s too soon.”

Several elders and masters went into action, while these young people were only conducting routine rites.

How could such daily rites possibly summon the Divine Venerable’s presence?

”Noisy!” Zhu Lingyun waved his sleeve.

Sun Haoyang was instantly sent flying, crashing heavily into a nearby tree.

”Bang!”

Leaves scattered.

He was embedded in the tree, a look of pain on his face.

An unusual aura surged through his body, like countless small knives cutting at him.

”Divine Venerable, please pardon him!” Hu Chengxiang quickly said, ”Junior Brother Sun is rash and outspoken but meant no disrespect.”

Zhu Lingyun snorted, glancing at him indifferently, ”Where is Zhao Ruilin?”

”The Sect Master has returned to the sect to handle an urgent matter.”

”What urgent matter?”

”A statue appeared near our sect,” Hu Chengxiang said.

”What kind of statue?”

”This... ”

”Hesitating, are you trying to be like that fellow?”

He glanced at Sun Haoyang, who was struggling to extract himself from the tree trunk.

Sun Haoyang’s dark face turned even darker, gritting his teeth as he landed on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The others’ hearts tightened.

This Divine Venerable has a ruthless hand!

Hu Chengxiang said helplessly, ”It seems it’s also a Divine Statue, reportedly with three heads.”

”Three heads...” Zhu Lingyun frowned, ”These fellows are making a fuss too!”

”Does the Divine Venerable recognize it?”

”We must deal with it quickly,” Zhu Lingyun said seriously, ”How far is it from the sect?”

”It’s said to be within ten miles.”

”... Return!” Zhu Lingyun pondered, then spoke sternly.

Hu Chengxiang opened his mouth, looking towards the direction of the Imperial City.

Zhu Lingyun’s gaze swept coldly over.

”... Very well.” Hu Chengxiang respectfully cupped his hands.

Sun Haoyang walked over slowly.

Hu Chengxiang said, ”Junior Brother Sun, we’re returning to the sect!”

”Is that statue so important?” Sun Haoyang asked, puzzled, ”Could it pose a threat to us?”

”Nonsense!” Zhu Lingyun glared at him, snorting, ”Is this Venerable to listen to you?”

Sun Haoyang cupped his hands, ”Divine Venerable, shouldn’t we first invade the Imperial City and take the lead?”

”No rush,” Zhu Lingyun replied indifferently, ”The Imperial City isn’t so easy to enter. If they’re in a hurry, let them have it.”

”Understood.” Sun Haoyang respectfully cupped his hands.

Hu Chengxiang quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He feared that Sun Haoyang’s stubbornness would cause trouble, challenging the Divine Venerable out of spite.

The Divine Venerable is not the Sect Master; who knows if such insolence would be tolerated.

Thereafter, Hu Chengxiang and Sun Haoyang led the way, accompanying Zhu Lingyun towards the direction of the Giant Spirit Sect.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, pondering.

He drifted out of the tavern, heading towards the other courtyard.

He first met Gu Junqi and mentioned his intention to leave the city for a while, possibly delaying a couple of days.

Gu Junqi hurriedly asked for the reason.

Chu Zhiyuan said he intended to investigate the Evil Sect’s activities outside the city.

Gu Junqi, having been instructed by Lu Wanshan not to interfere with Chu Zhiyuan’s actions, simply cautioned him to be careful.

Chu Zhiyuan headed out of the city, trailing at a distance behind the group from the Giant Spirit Sect.

Meanwhile, he used Insight to survey a hundred-mile radius, spotting the masters from the Four Sects.

They were hastening on their way, without engaging the Evil Demons.

However, several of them were already wounded, tending to their injuries while traveling.

Yet their spirits were high and invigorated, having slain a large number of Evil Demons, their morale was strong.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

They might clash with the Evil Venerable; clearly, Hu Chengxiang was deliberately leading them that way.

Thinking this, he vanished suddenly, appearing midway through.

In another flash, he appeared a mile away.

On the road, Zhou Chongming’s expression shifted, glancing to the left ahead, whispering a few words to a middle-aged man beside him, then heading towards the left-front direction, separating from the group of masters.

He quickly appeared before Chu Zhiyuan, just outside a small forest.