Imperial Cultivation

He looked up and gazed into the void.

The divine eye pierced through layers of the void, seeking to see further, tracing the source of the great tower’s power.

An elusive aura connected the great tower with the depths of the void.

The divine eye could only see this aura diving into the deep void, tracing upwards.

Layers upon layers of the void seemed like underground rock strata, penetrating one layer, and then another awaited.

Each time this aura passed through a layer, it faded a bit, eventually vanishing completely.

The divine eye traversed through the layered voids, but couldn’t pierce through all to reach the end, losing sight of this aura.

For a moment, the divine eye was actually lost in the layered voids.

The Miao Jing Spirit Water suddenly rippled.

He awoke abruptly, the divine eye retreated swiftly, returning to himself.

As his eyes returned to normal, his face had already turned pale as paper.

This tracing process exhausted a tremendous amount of spiritual power, which he could barely endure even with his current astonishing spiritual power.

He thoughtfully examined the great tower.

The great tower stood silently, seemingly having existed for thousands of years.

If it weren’t for the divine eye seeing through its reality, one would truly believe it was a divine artifact, an ancient divine artifact.

He accelerated the refining of his inner universe, constantly communicating with the spirituality of the Twelve Stone Towers, becoming increasingly harmonious.

He had discovered the knack of refining the Twelve Stone Towers was befriending the spirituality of these towers.

Like with the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Tree before, spending some playful time each day turned them into the best of friends, wholeheartedly supporting him.

These Twelve Stone Towers’ spirituality was not like the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Tree but rather like adolescents about fourteen or fifteen years old.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Moreover, they varied in temperament, wanting to draw near requires more than just company play; there must be competition, transforming spirituality into physical forms for sparring and comparing skill.

In this exchange and clash, they grew closer and gained mutual understanding.

Thus deepening the refinement.

If one day, he could completely subdue them, worshipped and revered, unwaveringly loyal, then the refinement would be entirely completed.

Currently, he couldn’t reach this step, because his spiritual power wasn’t strong enough to completely suppress them.

Only able to engage in mutual contests with victories and losses on both sides.

This spirituality seemed to be born with certain memories, especially martial arts memories.

When they sparred by embodying their spirituality, each move was extremely exquisite, with great power.

Every bout, they’d display different moves, brilliantly ingenious, hard to guard against.

Luckily, while refining them, Taixu True Scripture continuously advanced, along with enhanced spiritual power.

And as the inner universe strengthened, the Heavenly Yuan Technique progressed, with spiritual power enhancing alongside.

Therefore, the spiritual advancement rate of the Twelve Stone Towers couldn’t match his progress.

He left the jade pendant and then vanished in a flash, no longer worrying over the great tower.

With his current strength, capturing the great tower was impossible.

Only observe through the jade pendant, and see who might be able to accomplish it.

...

At dusk, he returned with Xiao Ruoling, Shen Hanyue, and Zhou Qingyu to the Profound Yin Palace.

He sensed Li Hongzhao’s longing to return to one’s roots, then thought of Xiao Ruoling.

With the Spirit Shuttle at Xiao Ruoling’s disposal, she could return to the State Duke Mansion anytime, frequently meeting.

Though at the Profound Yin Palace, not residing in the State Duke Mansion, there’s little difference from being at the State Duke Mansion.

Because she was the Holy Daughter, even having ascended, her influence lingered, and the State Duke Mansion was no longer desolate.

Lord State Duke was vigorous in health, living freely and leisurely, spending all day with several State Dukes cultivating, busy indeed.

Xiao Ruoyu was flirting sweetly with his betrothed wife, constantly visiting her, often away from the State Duke Mansion.

Eventually, Xiao Ruoling found little joy in returning to the State Duke Mansion.

Therefore, when Chu Zhiyuan spoke of returning to the State Duke Mansion after becoming a Spirit Venerable, she was disinterested, feeling the Profound Yin Palace was still better.

Not only lively with people, but gaining broader insights, hearing the experiences of her senior and junior sisters was better than staying at the State Duke Mansion.

Chu Zhiyuan, along with her and Shen Hanyue, visited Little Outer Heaven briefly and soon returned, unaffected by longing.

The most important thing was being able to return anytime.

A step out crosses the boundary, just like passing through a door.

Zhou Qingyu, following them back to Little Outer Heaven, found greatly enlightened.

Unexpectedly, there’s a place with such sparse spiritual energy, unimaginable how her master ascended from there.

If it were her, she absolutely couldn’t achieve such a step.

At Chu Zhiyuan’s courtyard, Zhou Qingyu brewed tea and served: "I truly didn’t expect your cultivation conditions to be so harsh, Master."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "It wasn’t too harsh, also same for your mistress."

"Not the same for me." Xiao Ruoling shook her head and smiled.

Shen Hanyue laughed: "Princely Heir, we ascended with the Profound Yin Palace, not like your own ascension."

"Exactly." Zhou Qingyu praised: "Such sparse spiritual energy, almost impossible to ascend, no wonder Master soared to heights here, quickly becoming a Spirit Venerable; I think achieving Spirit Venerable is less arduous than ascending."

Xiao Ruoling said: "The ascension path is virtually blocked, indeed harder."

Shen Hanyue said: "Just thinking about it is terrifying, if it were me, I couldn’t muster the thought."

He forcefully traversed an impassable ascension path.

Simply unfathomable.

It’s likely none will ever ascend alone again.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

He felt it owed much to luck.

Luck had to be sufficient, otherwise, ascension wouldn’t be possible.

After some more casual chat, footsteps sounded outside, Chu Zhiyuan rose to personally open the courtyard gate, cupping his hands jovially: "Palace Master, Elder Zhu."

Lu Qingfeng appeared solemn, clad in a cyan robe, accompanied by the charming and captivating Zhu Yuxia.

Lu Qingfeng clasped her hands: "Mr. Chu, let’s speak inside."

Chu Zhiyuan gestured an invitation.

The three women also clasped hands in greeting.

Upon entering the courtyard, Lu Qingfeng and Zhu Yuxia sat by the stone table.

Chu Zhiyuan sat across from them, puzzled by their presence.

Zhou Qingyu withdrew to the small pavilion, practicing martial arts at the Martial Arts Training Ground.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue stood behind Chu Zhiyuan, curious about Lu Qingfeng.

Lu Qingfeng spoke slowly: "Regarding the matters of the divine artifact, more memory has been found."

Chu Zhiyuan was serious: "Palace Master, please share."

"An ancient legend once spread, the division of heaven and earth, Taixu dividing boundaries."

"...Never heard of it." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Lu Qingfeng said: "This legend is recorded in ancient books, not in Martial Arts Secrets, but in miscellaneous writings, thus not emphasized, considered only as a legend."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Such legends varied greatly, only to be entertained.

Taking it seriously, one would realize one’s own absurdity.

Lu Qingfeng said: "As for this legend, the palace’s library mentions it in more than one book."

Chu Zhiyuan asked: "True or false?"

"Looking now, it’s likely not entirely false. This Taixu, very likely Taixu Tower, and this division, very likely caused by Taixu Tower, ...This tower held by the Divine Race, and within the current Divine Domain, should be this Taixu Tower."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "The Divine Race still exists, truly able to seize Taixu Tower?"

"It’s possible," Lu Qingfeng said: "The Divine Race cannot decide who’s Taixu Tower’s owner."

Chu Zhiyuan was surprised.

Lu Qingfeng said: "Taixu Tower chooses its master itself, cannot be forcibly taken, even by the Divine Race."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned in thought.

Lu Qingfeng said: "Researching all the passed-down ancient books, we speculate that Taixu Tower’s owner likely perished, hence its emergence, otherwise, others couldn’t discover Taixu Tower."

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes burned brightly: "Taixu Tower to choose a new master?"

Lu Qingfeng nodded slowly.

Zhu Yuxia smiled charmingly: "Mr. Chu, this is your opportunity."