Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 101: Chapter 99: The Token

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He returned to Tingtao Courtyard, washed himself up, sat on the couch, and finally found some tranquility.

In his hand, he still held the Flying Dragon Bone, and on his chest, he still wore the Flying Dragon Ball. The Dragon Transformation Technique surged like a torrent, making the golden hues in his bones even richer.

He sighed at another busy and fulfilling day.

The most significant event was the confrontation with Cheng Tianfeng.

Even now, he found it exhilarating.

Moreover, the gains were substantial.

However, forcing Cheng Tianfeng into madness this time left him wondering how the Emperor and the Court would react.

Amidst alliances and negotiations, forcing Cheng Tianfeng into madness could cause some negative impacts.

But it still felt incredibly satisfying.

As the Princely Heir, he had the privilege of such recklessness, especially compared to Cheng Tianfeng’s madness, he was far behind.

He quickly set aside Cheng Tianfeng and pondered Mo Chunyu.

From the actions of this Great Grandmaster, it seemed like he only ensured Cheng Tianfeng’s safety without interfering with his cultivation and victories.

Is it because Cheng Tianfeng’s status is high enough?

Or is it because Wentian Cliff follows such a style?

He became increasingly curious about Wentian Cliff.

With too few disciples and too much secrecy, the Inspection Department could not uncover more news about Wentian Cliff, leaving him to investigate independently.

Wentian Cliff, Wentian Cliff!

He opened the window.

The piercing cold went straight through his skin, permeating his heart and invigorating his spirits.

A bright moon hung diagonally in the night sky.

Tinting a few dark clouds with silver.

He floated out into the courtyard, drawing the Qingying Sword.

Trying to mimic the swordsmanship Cheng Tianfeng displayed.

This swordsmanship wasn’t as powerful as the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill, how would it compare to the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique?

The True Qi circulation pattern within Cheng Tianfeng’s body materialized in his mind, he tried to reproduce it, mobilizing a True Qi from his Dantian along a unique path.

This True Qi rapidly generated a powerful suction, drawing out all the True Qi from the Dantian instantly, congealing into a mass, surging forward.

As it surged forward, the True Qi became more condensed and faster.

It swiftly passed through his legs and feet, which immediately ached sharply at thirty-two acupoints as if pricked by needles, making the body suddenly light.

”Swoosh!”

He and the Qingying Sword shot out together, drawing a streak of lightning.

He felt as if he vanished, completely integrated into the Qingying Sword, thrusting forward with it, as the scene before his eyes swayed sharply.

Fortunately, with Super Sense, even if his eyes couldn’t see clearly, he could still sense danger.

He staggered a step, striving to halt the forward momentum, barely stopping before the rustling bamboo grove.

The sword tip stopped three inches from a piece of green bamboo.

The thumb-thick bamboo exploded halfway with a bang, turning into fine powder.

Chu Zhiyuan clicked his tongue.

With his left hand, he pinched a sword-fingers gesture, brushing over the sword.

The sword was hard and cold, its light clear and bright.

The power of this sword far surpassed the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique condensed one’s entire cultivation into one sword, fast and decisive.

It was already a top-notch miracle technique.

The Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique needed to activate the Sword Gang first by circulating the Washing Sword Technique and using its aura to stimulate it.

If one wanted to exert the strongest power, it had to be combined with the Near and Far Steps.

But Cheng Tianfeng’s sword technique not only gathered the entire cultivation into one sword but also purified the True Qi to the level of Gang Qi while accelerating the body movement.

This sword effectively combined the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique, Washing Sword Technique, and Near and Far Steps.

It truly was Cheng Tianfeng’s trump card.

It was unclear what level this sword technique held in Wentian Cliff, whether it was the top sword technique.

Amongst the martial skills he knew, only the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill surpassed it, the rest were inferior, but it certainly was a trump card.

But he didn’t have the domineering effect on the body like the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill, not needing the Emperor Earth Scripture from the new residence for practice.

He performed the Heavenly Breaking Sword Technique over and over, getting more proficient with practice.

——

The next morning, he arrived at Mingwu Hall amidst the morning light, where Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan had already arrived.

Chu Mingxuan invited him over for drinks at home tonight, mentioning another jar of medicinal wine.

Chu Zhiyuan readily agreed.

Equipped with the Flying Dragon Bone in his hand and the Flying Dragon Ball on his chest, the surging Dragon Transformation Technique in its third layer, mundane affairs didn’t hinder his cultivation.

Once the third layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique reached perfection, he would practice the fourth layer, or ascend another layer, but by then, he might not be in such a state, needing to cultivate quietly and arduously.

When the sun rose and the purple light dissipated, he went to the Ministry of Rites’ government office to report for duty.

...

Upon entering his office at the Ministry of Rites, he saw Gao Lingfeng carrying a pile of dossiers to his desk.

There was already one stack of dossiers, and with this one, it was now two stacks.

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t plan to spend the morning in the office, intending to practice the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill at the new residence, thus he asked, ”Lord Gao, what are these about?”

”Sir, they are some troubles caused by the martial arts masters, and in just one day, more than a hundred people were arrested by the Military Suppression Department.”

”More than a hundred... that’s over ten more than yesterday?”

”Yes,” Gao Lingfeng replied solemnly, ”These martial arts masters are becoming more unruly, causing more trouble.”

”You can handle these issues.”

”Sir...” Gao Lingfeng hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, ”I leave these to you, Lord Gao. For those troublemakers, punish them severely!”

Gao Lingfeng was puzzled.

He always thought Chu Zhiyuan would go easy on them.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”They’re just being reckless, unable to control their temper. No need to indulge them, let them know that this is Yujing, not a place for them to act high and mighty. Keep their tails tucked in!”

”Yes!” Gao Lingfeng replied solemnly, feeling a surge of joy.

He couldn’t wait for this.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”As for those who still harbor thoughts of revenge and assassination of the Da Zhen mission, expel them directly.”

”...Yes.” Gao Lingfeng agreed reluctantly.

He thoroughly understood Chu Zhiyuan’s thoughts.

The Princely Heir still bore animosity towards the Da Zhen mission and Da Zhen itself, contrary to the overall direction of the Court.

Now, the entire Court was guiding public opinion, with the scholars making their views known.

Without wars with Da Zhen, fewer would die. Engaging in trade with Da Zhen would make the people wealthier, and an alliance with Da Zhen to confront Da Meng could repel Da Meng.

It seemed to have only benefits and no drawbacks.

As for past blood feuds, the dead are gone, and bygones should be bygones. Looking forward is necessary, and the deceased would wish for their descendants to have better lives.

In such a great trend, the Princely Heir still saw Da Zhen as an enemy, deemed out of time.

But it suited his preferences well.

If true reconciliation was reached, the ancestors might jump out of their coffins.

The current alliance was merely to address the threat of Da Meng, not the disappearance of blood feuds.

Someday, accounts would be settled, maybe on the day we defeat Da Meng.

”How’s the employer investigation from the Military Suppression Department going?”

”Still investigating.”

”...Did any Great Grandmasters take action?”

”Two Great Grandmasters already took action, they can’t escape!”

”That’s good.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Without finding this mastermind, there’s no way to explain it to Zhenyi Sect, and he couldn’t rest easy, desperately wanting to know who it was.

”Alright, that’s all.” Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, leaving directly.

...

He practiced the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill in the new residence all morning, getting more skilled, with higher precision, making no mistake, every strike hit.

But he wasn’t satisfied.

As a trump card, one can’t be too proficient.

While practicing the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill, he also practiced the Heavenly Breaking Sword Technique, comparing the two, with deeper insights.

...

On his way back to Prince Qing Mansion for lunch, Ji Dongxiao approached to report that the youth they encountered at the Four Directions Pavilion yesterday was from the Da Lie mission.

He was Da Lie’s twelfth prince, Xu Jingren.

Chu Zhiyuan walked slowly while pondering, ”The twelfth prince... the twelfth prince’s cultivation isn’t low.”

It should be the cultivation of the Innate Third Layer, quite the genius indeed.

Ji Dongxiao said, ”Yes, an innate master. It’s said this twelfth prince is a famed prodigy in Da Lie’s imperial family as well.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Old Ji, where did you find this out?”

”I have some connections in the military and the Military Suppression Department, and I also asked at the Inspection Department... but I used the Princely Heir’s name card.”

”Well done.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded with satisfaction.

As long as he didn’t use his name to cause trouble and behave unscrupulously, it was fine.

Ji Dongxiao’s ability to find out so much in such a short time was indeed impressive.

”Princely Heir, is something wrong with this twelfth prince?”

”Mm, if he’s a prince, something’s not right.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s leave it at that.”

...

After walking a few more steps, Ji Dongxiao retreated, and Gao Jiong leaned closer, lowering his voice, ”Princely Heir, I saved that young man’s life.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him.

Gao Jiong said helplessly, ”He was seriously injured, without my help, he would have died.”

”Is he able to speak now?”

”He’s the disciple of White Jingmang, the deceased elder of Zhenyi Sect, the only disciple... He got a map from his master, knew about the secret chamber, but the map lacked details about the chamber’s mechanisms, nearly costing him his life.”

”Quite a fortune.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems he overthought it, not related to Yao Yue Palace.

”Once recovered, he plans to join Yao Yue Palace, seeking vengeance for his master.”

”...Yao Yue Palace wouldn’t pay heed to him, would they?”

”He claims to have a guarantee that Yao Yue Palace will act.”

”What guarantee?”

”His master left behind a token, take this token to Yao Yue Palace, and they will agree to help him.”

”Interesting...” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, casting a meaningful glance at Gao Jiong.

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