Imperial Cultivation

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, not saying much.

Huang Zhengyang thought for a moment with a gloomy face, then raised his head and said, "These people can’t take action anymore?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Only send those who have succeeded?"

Huang Zhengyang sighed, "We can’t force them to take action knowing they will fail?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Huang Zhengyang looked at him.

Chu Zhiyuan let out a sigh.

Huang Zhengyang smiled, "Brother Chu, you indeed have a plan."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Use my Jade Pendant; it should keep them safe. If they don’t succeed, their lives can still be saved."

"Thank you, Brother Chu!" Huang Zhengyang quickly clasped his fists.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The Court is forcing the Evil Extermination Department too much, isn’t it?"

Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly, "How the Court operates is decided by the four Princes and Important Ministers. We can only act according to orders."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Brother Huang, you need to resist when you can, otherwise even more difficulties await the Evil Extermination Department."

"If it were another matter, I wouldn’t agree so readily, but this is different," Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "I can see the Court is furious too; if we resist, all their anger will fall on us!"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "It’s likely so."

The Court has deployed the Divine Artifact and Four Holy Vein experts, yet couldn’t obtain the Divine Artifact, encountering defeat and feeling frustrated, filled with anger.

If Huang Zhengyang indeed avoids this, he will surely be blamed.

Without my help, what choice would Huang Zhengyang make?

Would he grits his teeth and undertake the task, sacrificing greatly?

Or stand firm and get punished?

"Court matters..." Huang Zhengyang showed a bitter smile, shaking his head, "I originally planned to be perfunctory. Even if ineffective, being punished is lighter than direct evasion."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Brother Huang’s tactics, admirable."

This is indeed a wise move.

Facing it head-on versus gritting his teeth and undertaking it with inadequacy are two attitudes.

With insufficient strength, the Court can say nothing.

Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly, "It’s truly challenging in the officialdom."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed heartily.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Brother Chu, you don’t know how hard it is for me to be the Director."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Doesn’t seem that hard, does it? Now that the Evil Sect has quieted down, the Evil Extermination Department should be quite idle."

Huang Zhengyang shook his head, "Though the Evil Sect has quieted, the Heavenly visitors are increasing; we’re defenseless against them, causing severe headaches."

"Many?"

"Originally only the Heavenly Shadow Sect, we just had to guard against the Heavenly Shadow Sect. A few days ago, we tracked four Heavenly visitors," Huang Zhengyang said solemnly, "Each with Perfection in cultivation, differing Martial Arts styles, making me suspect they come from different realms."

"Caught?"

"They escaped."

"Was it the Venerable’s saying, that they have Spiritual Artifacts for protection?"

"Yes." Huang Zhengyang said solemnly, "Each had a Spiritual Artifact to escape, otherwise, we would’ve captured them! ...They descended also using Spiritual Artifacts."

"Spiritual Artifacts... is it one sect?"

"Not one sect, Spiritual Artifacts differ, and the aura is different, they aren’t even from the same realm."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

"Sigh... this Divine Artifact is stirring the clouds, Heavenly visitors increasing, making the Evil Extermination Department like a sieve—full of loopholes everywhere!"

"No injuries after they descended?"

"No injuries, I feel they are investigating our Biyuan Heaven."

"Investigating..." Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

"This step is investigation, what’s the next step? Can’t bear the thought!"

"Will there be a full invasion?"

"Who knows!... If they get a clear understanding, it won’t be good. They can withdraw anytime, and we’re too passive!"

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Did they leave anything behind?"

"Couldn’t keep anything." Huang Zhengyang smiled bitterly, "They react too swiftly; once they sense something wrong, they immediately maneuver their Spiritual Artifacts to vanish, beyond pursuit."

"Where did they escape to?"

"Straight into the sky, higher and higher, likely returning to their realm."

Chu Zhiyuan stood solemnly, pacing with hands behind his back.

His eyes suddenly turned vacant.

Huang Zhengyang hurriedly sat upright, watching him solemnly.

Moments later, Chu Zhiyuan returned to normal.

Huang Zhengyang hastened to ask, "How is it?"

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, "There isn’t a full invasion."

Huang Zhengyang breathed a sigh of relief.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "But sporadic harassments are countless, defenseless against them, causing great losses for the Evil Extermination Department."

Huang Zhengyang frowned.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The future of the Evil Extermination Department isn’t bright."

"Harassment..." Huang Zhengyang frowned, "Why is it like this?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

He speculated it likely has something to do with the Divine Artifact.

Once entangled with the Divine Artifact, troubles aren’t just minor.

But since this is just speculation, there’s no need to say more.

"Divine Artifact?" Huang Zhengyang asked.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly.

Huang Zhengyang snorted, "So, not only did we fail to seize the Divine Artifact but also caught a lot of trouble?"

"Whether the Divine Artifact was seized, I can’t see clearly; the Divine Artifact has its own concealing power." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Two Divine Artifacts in hand, who dares to stand against?

But after obtaining the Divine Artifacts, a long period of refinement is required.

Before refinement is completed, the Divine Artifacts’ power can’t be fully unleashed.

Seizing them back before refinement is completed is an exceptional choice.

Could these numerous visitors from Exotic Realms be because the Biyuan Heavenly Court obtained the Divine Artifacts?

If truly so, the Biyuan Heavenly Court’s luck is indeed good.

Because among the heavens, Biyuan Heaven’s strength isn’t prominent, it shouldn’t be them to seize the Divine Artifacts.

Huang Zhengyang pondered, "Harassment..."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The Evil Extermination Department cannot cope."

"Harassment..." Huang Zhengyang stood pacing, pondering with a furrowed brow.

Chu Zhiyuan remained silent.

Huang Zhengyang sighed and shook his head, "This is a real trouble, we truly cannot handle it."

Previously, when the Undying Evil Venerable descended, it was Brother Chu’s assistance that allowed precise location.

This time, can we count on Brother Chu again?

Currently, Brother Chu is no longer the same as before, being Spirit Venerable and a Tribute at the Imperial Palace.

Helping the Evil Extermination Department with such efforts is no longer appropriate.

He thought for a moment and said solemnly, "In the Court’s Secret Vault, there should be this type of Spiritual Artifact; I must find a way to extract it, refine it promptly, and prepare to cope."

Chu Zhiyuan showed a smile.

He has continuously helped Huang Zhengyang, not only for the Heavenly Sword but also because Huang Zhengyang knew his limits well.

Knowing this time he couldn’t rely on him, opting to not inconvenience him.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Brother Chu, then I will take my leave."

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists, "Brother Huang, go slowly."

After Huang Zhengyang left, he returned to his courtyard in the Profound Yin Palace.

Zhou Qingyu and the others were laughing incessantly.

Once Chu Zhiyuan appeared, they approached and offered tea.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Tell the Palace Master, have the senior sisters withdraw from the Divine Domain."

"Is something going to happen in the Divine Domain?" Xiao Ruoling asked.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "The appearance of the Divine Artifact leads to bloody chaos, no need to join in the commotion."

The three women immediately perked up, curious about the details.

After hearing Chu Zhiyuan’s account, they became even more excited.

They speculated on the Divine Artifact’s ownership, wondering who would ultimately obtain it.

Among the Thirty-Six Heavens, which heaven has the greatest chance?

In the end, after much calculation, they felt it was still Outer Heaven.

Among the heavens, Outer Heaven’s Spiritual Energy is the most abundant, and its strength most formidable. Once they get the news, they will certainly seize it.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

It seems the Profound Yin Palace has far better understanding of the Thirty-Six Heavens than ordinary places.