Imperial Cultivation

"As long as experts of the Four Holy Veins enter..." Chu Zhiyuan mused, "it is equivalent to part of the Divine Artifact."

"That, I don’t know," Huang Zhengyang said, "Anyway, experts of the Four Holy Veins are already inside. Whether they can find the Divine Artifact, that’s hard to say."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "It seems asking me to search is indeed a facade; they are certain I won’t find it, and finding it would be troublesome."

"Heh." Huang Zhengyang shook his head and sighed, "I have nothing to say."

He felt the Court was being unreasonable.

Employed as a tribute to the Imperial Palace, requesting Brother Chu to explore the Divine Domain and seek the Divine Artifact, ensuring it does not fall into the hands of others.

Actually, without the Divine Artifact in hand, it is impossible to find the Divine Artifact within the Divine Domain.

Brother Chu doesn’t have the Divine Artifact, how can he possibly find the Divine Artifact inside the Divine Domain?

And it’s not just Brother Chu; even the tributes of the Court have been fooled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Is the entrance of the Four Holy Veins to search for the Divine Artifact all a facade?"

"...Unknown." Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly, "I really don’t dare to speak now, lest I mislead you, Brother Chu."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It’s probably true; the Divine Artifact grants experts of the Four Holy Veins unique power, allowing them to sense the Divine Artifact within the Divine Domain."

"Can they find it then?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If it were that easy, the Divine Artifact inside the Divine Domain would have been found long ago, not left to us, the Biyuan Heavenly Court."

Huang Zhengyang said, "I’m afraid other heavenly courts have already tried."

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, "Forget it, how is the Heavenly Shadow Sect doing?"

Huang Zhengyang frowned, his face becoming dark, "They have already laid low... Experts from the Four Sects have entered the Divine Domain; interference is futile."

"What about the Evil Extermination Department?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "We can only temporarily let them off this time; we can’t keep pursuing them."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Huang Zhengyang said helplessly, "We also wanted to give the Heavenly Shadow Sect a harsh lesson, but..."

He shook his head and sighed, "It’s not that easy; the cost is too high, not worth the gain."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The cost is indeed too great."

The Evil Extermination Department can probably disseminate some information through spies within the Heavenly Shadow Sect, delivering a heavy blow to experts from the Heavenly Shadow Sect in Biyuan Heaven.

Although the experts in the Evil Extermination Department have numerous secret skills, it’s difficult for them to break through Biyuan Heaven and reach the Heavenly Shadow Sect.

"Brother Chu, experts from the Four Sects were dispatched late?"

"Hmm, it was a bit late."

"Avoided danger but also missed opportunity." Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "Hard to say what’s good or bad; your Sect Leader indeed has responsibility."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "What can be done within the sect is just this step."

Huang Zhengyang sighed, "It must be said, your Four Great Sects are indeed different."

Clearly, the Four Great Sects prioritize their disciples’ lives over opportunity.

This forms a significant contrast with other sects.

Everyone has a balance in their heart and their own standards of judgment.

In his view, the Four Great Sects exhibit rare benevolence.

But to many experts, it’s seen as conservative, timid, cowardly, and risk-averse.

This might lower people’s evaluation of the Four Great Sects, weakening their deterrence.

Within the sect, many experts are certainly resentful.

Yet the Four Great Sects still acted this way, enduring much pressure, insisting on such, undeniably showing responsibility.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "No other thoughts, just want fewer disciples to die; it’d be best if none die."

"This way, we lose the chance to nurture more Spirit Venerables."

"Rather than having more Spirit Venerables, the sect would prefer fewer disciples die."

"Alas..." Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "Spirit Venerable... Among the tributes in the Imperial Palace, none have achieved Spirit Venerable."

What a stroke of bad luck.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Meanwhile, even possessing their own Jade Pendant or Jade Pendant, the Profound Yin Palace has achieved Spirit Venerable, but the Imperial Palace hasn’t.

...

"I wasn’t selected!"

As soon as Li Hongzhao saw Chu Zhiyuan, she declared angrily.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "To enter the Divine Domain to find the Divine Artifact?"

"Yes, they selected Senior Sister Zeng!" Li Hongzhao huffed.

Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows, "The one who just became a Spirit Venerable?"

Li Hongzhao huffed, "They say Senior Sister Zeng’s luck is better within the Divine Domain than mine."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Li Hongzhao pouted, "I’m younger than Senior Sister Zeng, advanced to Spirit Venerable earlier, and even broke through to Spirit Venerable within the Divine Domain; why isn’t my luck as good as hers?!"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "What did Senior Song say?"

"Master said my breakthrough to Spirit Venerable relied on your assistance, so it doesn’t count as luck."

"Is this not considered luck?"

"Not like Senior Sister Zeng; hers relies purely on luck."

"...Makes sense." Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, shaking his head, "That’s not wrong."

"Absurd!" Li Hongzhao replied grumpily, "I think they just don’t trust me."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Because of me?"

"You’re just one aspect; another is due to our background." Li Hongzhao sneered.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced around.

Li Hongzhao huffed, "Even with Master present, I’d say the same."

"Better to say less of such things." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Li Hongzhao replied grumpily, "If that’s really the case, whether I say it or not makes no difference; they still won’t trust me."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If your cultivation in this vein is higher, it matters little whether they trust you or not; they’d still have to rely on you."

He never had hopes for the Court, never thought they’d trust him.

What he seeks is to establish prestige, firm confidence, and win people’s hearts.

Outwardly, he must appear beaten, as if eager for the Court’s trust and recognition.

Only this way can the Court feel they can handle and control him.

This way he can continue pursuing his goals and grow his Heavenly Sword.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Entering the Divine Domain to find the Divine Artifact is very dangerous; it’s good not to go."

"Senior Sister Zeng in danger?!" Li Hongzhao frowned.

She was dissatisfied with the Court but cared about her fellow disciples.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "With the Court’s Divine Artifact shielding, it’s hard to see her future clearly."

Li Hongzhao thought for a moment, gradually nodding, "It’s indeed good not to go."

If she were to go, with the Donghuan Saint Technique’s assistance, she could avoid bad luck.

But if the Court’s Divine Artifact obstructs, preventing the Donghuan Saint Technique’s use, it would indeed be too risky; it’s unnecessary to take this risk.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Even if I give her a Jade Pendant, she probably wouldn’t wear it, right?"

As he spoke, he took out a Jade Pendant from his chest and handed it to Li Hongzhao.

Upon seeing the Jade Pendant, Li Hongzhao felt vast power swirling around.

Appearing and disappearing, it pressed upon her.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "This is effective for most Spirit Venerables unless encountering the Nine Transitions."

"Encountering the Nine Transitions is indeed bad luck; nothing can be done." Li Hongzhao frowned, "Just afraid Senior Sister Zeng wouldn’t want it."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "She probably has the Court’s Divine Artifact for protection; she doesn’t need this, let her be."

Li Hongzhao took the Jade Pendant and sighed, "Whether to accept or not depends on Senior Sister Zeng; this is my token of kindness."

This Jade Pendant is equivalent to a life-saving Spiritual Artifact.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

This Jade Pendant is also his eyes and a portion of his heart and spirit.

We shall see if this Young Miss Zeng can, with the aid of the Court’s Divine Artifact, find the Taixu Tower.

Li Hongzhao rose, "I’ll go to Senior Sister Zeng now to prevent her from entering prematurely."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

A moment later, Li Hongzhao returned, red robe fluttering, and smiling, "Senior Sister Zeng accepted it."

Chu Zhiyuan’s heart relaxed, he smiled, "I thought she wouldn’t."

"Heh, the Court may not trust me, but Senior Sister and the others do." Li Hongzhao shot him a glance, "Didn’t do anything to the Jade Pendant, did you?"

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "At most, it can sense the location."