Imperial Cultivation

His bright eyes scanned Zeng Yun, full of curiosity.

Zeng Yun frowned and stared at him.

She had a Divine Artifact protecting her, isolating her aura, supposedly undetected.

But judging by the look of the gaunt middle-aged man, he had obviously noticed her.

Yet he might not have completely discovered her, just vaguely suspicious.

She anticipated what would happen next and floated backward lightly.

As she retreated, the gaunt middle-aged man’s gaze followed her.

Zeng Yun’s face changed slightly.

This gaunt middle-aged man could indeed sense her presence.

His movement technique was incredibly fast, far surpassing hers, and able to see through the concealing power of Divine Artifacts, his cultivation was evidently formidable.

If she were to truly confront him, it would not end well; she must escape quickly.

She floated backward, continuously retreating, while the gaunt middle-aged man’s gaze chased her until she reached a mile away before he withdrew his gaze.

Zeng Yun stopped on a mountain peak two miles away, her expression solemn.

Chu Zhiyuan sensed her thoughts through the Jade Pendant, as if observing his own mind.

This was the mystical aspect of the Jade Pendant.

Zeng Yun found herself caught in a dilemma, hesitant to leave when she had finally found this place, yet the gaunt middle-aged man posed significant danger.

The Divine Artifact had guided her here while concealing her aura.

But could the Divine Artifact shield her from the gaunt middle-aged man’s attack?

What she should do most is signal for the Court’s top tribute or other Spirit Venerables of the three veins to come.

But she knew that emitting a signal would not only expose herself but also anger the gaunt middle-aged man.

She pondered and decided to wait a little longer.

Chu Zhiyuan watched this, shaking his head.

Since the gaunt middle-aged man had already sensed something, he surely wouldn’t ignore it.

He must be employing some techniques; staying here was too dangerous.

Normally, Zeng Yun would not overlook this point, but the presence of the Taixu Tower’s projection disturbed her judgment.

The allure of benefits obscures wisdom, a commonality few can escape.

Even the wisest find it hard not to be affected, struggling to maintain calmness and agility.

Even the most composed individuals lose clarity when they encounter something important to them.

Zeng Yun stood on the mountaintop, looking at the peak two miles away.

As a Spirit Venerable, her eyesight was superior, allowing her to see the situation two miles away, and she saw the gaunt middle-aged man looking up, his eyes emitting strange light.

The strange light appeared like beams piercing through the clouds in the Void, seeming capable of breaking through the clouds and reaching deep into the projection of the Taixu Tower.

Chu Zhiyuan witnessed this mutation of the gaunt middle-aged man, marveling internally.

The vastness of the Thirty-Six Heavens was indeed full of extraordinary individuals, and this was one such encounter.

Equipped with the Donghuan Saint Technique and the Divine Eye, yet this gaunt middle-aged man possessed Pupil Skill, likely capable of seeing things others couldn’t, perhaps even at great distances.

That might be how he found this place.

Zeng Yun found this place through guidance from the Divine Artifact, whereas the gaunt middle-aged man might have found it through his mere Pupil Skill.

Not discussing cultivation, just the skill of seeking strange objects; he surpassed Chu by far.

Despite spending so much time, Chu had been unable to find this location.

Zeng Yun’s face shifted again.

She pondered whether to quickly call for people from the Four Holy Veins or the Court tribute.

If she delayed, would the Divine Artifact be taken by the gaunt middle-aged man?

With only one Divine Artifact, if snatched first by the gaunt middle-aged man, would there be a chance to reclaim it?

Her thoughts raced, and eventually, she gritted her teeth, taking something from her sleeve, which turned out to be an incense stick.

The incense stick was only a foot long and as thick as a finger.

She held the thick incense at the base with both palms, beginning to channel her Spiritual Essence.

Soon, thin wisps of bluish smoke emerged from the incense, curling and floating upward.

A peculiar fragrance naturally emerged.

Zeng Yun kept a close watch on the gaunt middle-aged man, observing his every move.

The gaunt middle-aged man suddenly turned, looking in this direction, the strange light in his eyes akin to twin streaks of lightning, making Zeng Yun’s vision suddenly bright and her mind dizzy, unable to see clearly.

Realizing danger, she dared not move while her body tensed, ready to flee at any moment.

This stillness was to avoid detection by the gaunt middle-aged man, and her tense body was in preparation should she need to defend herself upon discovery.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Hehe..." The gaunt middle-aged man uttered a peculiar chuckle, "Interesting!"

He suddenly blinked and appeared before Zeng Yun, his eyes emitting strange light.

Zeng Yun’s vision turned silver-white once again, unable to discern anything.

She quickly darted backward in a zig-zag pattern.

"Thinking of leaving, too late!"

The gaunt middle-aged man sneered, as his right palm reached above her head, covering it like a fan.

Zeng Yun sensed the wind and raised her palm to meet it.

"Bang!"

She was propelled like a stone thrown, shooting toward the valley.

The peak where she stood was a sheer cliff, but her descent didn’t touch the mountainside.

Like a stone, she plunged toward the valley, spewing a Blood Arrow mid-air, while the other hand held the broken incense.

She was immediately alarmed and enraged.

The broken incense meant no way to summon other experts for help.

Alone, she had no chance against this gaunt middle-aged man.

She twisted mid-air, darting off in another direction to escape.

She knew in her heart, alone in battle now, if she didn’t flee, death was certain.

"Hehe..." The gaunt middle-aged man laughed, pulling a round iron ring from his sleeve and tossing it out.

The ring, the size of a palm, was perfectly round, bright silver-white, and highly exquisite.

Once tossed into the air, it began spinning rapidly, then shot out, transforming into a silver light, pursuing Zeng Yun.

While in mid-air, Zeng Yun attempted to dodge but couldn’t avoid it.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

...

Struck repeatedly by the Silver Ring, her speed gradually slowed as she fell to the valley floor, ultimately landing.

The valley floor was dim, chilly and damp, with Strange Beasts and insects occasionally emerging from crevices.

Landing on a large rock, she faced the incoming silver light, placing the broken incense back into her sleeve, and pushed out her palms.

"Bang!"

The silver light dimmed, revealing the ring.

The ring slowed its spinning, then picked up speed again, shooting toward her.

"Bang bang bang bang..."

Standing on the boulder, she managed to gain leverage, slightly better than being in the air, yet the situation hadn’t turned around, constantly meeting the ring with her palms, causing blood to seep from her lips.

The force from the ring far surpassed her; she had no choice but to stubbornly endure.

The Divine Artifact’s power failed to shield her from the ring.

Biting her lip, she contemplated whether to use the Jade Pendant.

But using the Jade Pendant now, if the gaunt middle-aged man personally acted, she wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

The Jade Pendant was best used against the gaunt middle-aged man, now to be used?

While resisting the ring, she weighed her options, then gritted her teeth and pulled out the Jade Pendant.

Once the Jade Pendant emerged, the ring abruptly halted, suspended in the air.

It leisurely spun in the air, slowing down as if examining the Jade Pendant.

Zeng Yun held the Jade Pendant in her left hand, her right palm ready to strike at any moment.

"Oh?" The gaunt middle-aged man’s voice echoed, flashing next to the ring.

The ring slipped back into his sleeve.

He fixed his gaze on the Jade Pendant, turning to Zeng Yun: "So, you have some background!"

Zeng Yun saw his apprehension and exhaled in relief, yet dared not relax, spoke slowly: "Regardless of your identity, it’s best you let me leave!"

"Hmph," the gaunt middle-aged man grunted, "I’ll let you go this once, now scram."

Zeng Yun retreated, floating diagonally upward, making her way far.

Her eyes continuously tracked the gaunt middle-aged man, watching his figure slowly dim until disappearing into the distance.

After traveling over thirty miles, Zeng Yun finally relaxed her breath, completely unwinding.

The gaunt middle-aged man truly let her leave!

Glancing at the Jade Pendant in her left hand, her expression became reflective.