Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 137: Chapter 135: Double

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”Boom!”

”Boom boom boom!”

”Boom!”

...

Thunderous sounds echoed in Chu Zhiyuan’s ears.

The Copper Tower emitted a huge noise, reverberating between heaven and earth.

But it was only an illusion.

The shaking sound from the Copper Tower filled every part of his body, giving him the sensation that it echoed in the world, yet the outside was calm, without the sound of the Copper Tower’s rumble.

It felt like a hallucination.

Chu Zhiyuan thought the Copper Tower was hard to break, but he hadn’t expected it to be this difficult.

Twelve Binding Dragon Ropes struck again and again. Without the fusion of the Miao Ling Pearl and the Divine Dragon’s Thought, he could only complete one strike.

After failure, the twelve Binding Dragon Ropes would collapse and dissipate. He had to operate the Purple Sun Scripture again to condense the Binding Dragon Ropes, complete twelve, and then strike again.

Now, with strong mental power, his thoughts could split into dozens of parts, each guiding the twelve Binding Dragon Ropes into his meridians, dispersing the reverse rush, then gathering again for impact.

The twelve Binding Dragon Ropes struck again and again, as the Copper Tower boomed, shaking his body as if it were about to be torn apart.

Chu Zhiyuan found that in this process, he was actually strengthening his body.

The strengthening effect was far inferior to the Dragon Transformation Technique, but for ordinary people, it was already a huge improvement, a rare efficacy.

Time after time, until the twelve Binding Dragon Ropes were somewhat weakened, then replenished. During the replenishment, the twelve Binding Dragon Ropes continued to strike the Copper Tower.

He discovered that his thoughts seemed to be able to divide into countless parts, with no end, splitting one whenever needed.

When his spirit was exhausted, he would operate the Heavenly Yuan Technique; when his Gang Qi was insufficient, he would operate the Earth Origin Technique.

Without sleep or rest, no day and night.

”Boom——!”

In the earth-shattering noise, his mind went blank.

Upon regaining clarity, he found the Gang Qi circulating in his body like warm water, more warm and pure than before.

The first layer of the Copper Tower disappeared.

He had reached the Second Layer Heaven realm!

Super Sense insightfully scanned every part of the body.

Compared to the First Layer Heaven, the body had been strengthened, and the purity and density of Gang Qi increased by one-third.

This was already a huge change.

When Gang Qi clashed with Gang Qi, it was not like the Innate Realm and Postnatal Realm, which emphasized the sophistication and ingenuity of martial arts moves.

When Gang Qi collided, it was a direct confrontation, with no room for tricks; whoever was softer would be blasted away.

If attacked and the Protective Gang Qi was triggered, it was a comparison of spear and shield, clearly revealing who was weaker or stronger.

At the Grandmaster level, the role of moves was diminished, and the role of mental methods was more prominent.

Internal Cultivation Methods also had two types: one was the fundamental method, the cultivation of Gang Qi and realm; the other was akin to a martial skill’s Strange Skill Heart Method, which changed the Gang Qi to enhance power.

Like an iron bar and a sword.

The realm of Gang Qi is the material, while the method of crafting is the technique. The power of the same hardness of iron, whether made into a rod or forged into a sword, is completely different.

Even among blades, the hardness of the iron varies, and so does their power.

Moves are not that important, because with Protective Gang Qi, it’s like wearing armor.

As long as the armor is solid enough, no move can break through.

Chu Zhiyuan found that the martial arts he chose were all suitable for continued practice at the Grandmaster level, such as the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique, the Near and Far Steps, the Heart Inquiry Saber Skill, and the Heavenly Breaking Sword Technique.

The martial arts of the ancient three sects could finally be practiced when reaching the Grandmaster level with Gang Qi externalized.

The Great Heavenly Dragon Fist from the Dragon Subduing Scripture, the Sword Control Technique of the Yu Xu Sword Sect, and the All Streams Return to the Origin Palm of the Taiqing Primordial Sect.

——

The setting sun fell in the west.

Chu Zhiyuan left his new residence and strolled along Phoenix Avenue. When he reached the western section, he saw Huang Shiron among the crowd.

He was surrounded by guards, attracting more attention. Huang Shiron saw him from afar and gracefully approached to salute.

Chu Zhiyuan saluted back and walked alongside him.

”Has the Princely Heir left seclusion?”

”I’ve reached the Second Layer Heaven.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

”...As expected of the Princely Heir!” Huang Shiron remarked, looking at him admiringly.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”It was also a bit of luck... How about you?”

Huang Shiron frowned slightly, ”Deng Tonghe and Deng Yifan are no problem, but that brown-clothed elder is a demon of the Fearless Sect.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows, ”Fearless Sect!”

The has records of the Fearless Sect.

Fearless, meaning both fearless of death and the Fearless Realm.

The disciples of the Fearless Sect can enter the Fearless Realm after death, achieving an immortal state.

The Fearless Realm is said to manifest in the world, which every disciple of the Fearless Sect firmly believes.

The Fearless Sect disciples require special talents that allow them to see the Fearless Realm, confirming its reality, making their hearts as steadfast as a rock, and their cultivation advances rapidly.

The cultivation of Fearless Sect disciples relies on killing, traversing the line between life and death repeatedly, leading to rapid advancement in cultivation realm.

The higher the realm, the higher the status in the Fearless Realm.

This immortal status is extremely stable and difficult to shake, so every disciple of the Fearless Sect is obsessively pursuing higher cultivation.

They challenge stronger opponents one after another, breaking through realms in narrow escapes from death. Their practiced methods are also peculiar, with extremely strong vitality and exceptional escape skills, making them nearly impossible to kill.

Often, when thought dead, they survive; when thought unable to escape, they manage to flee.

”It’s Zhu Qiuyu, an elder of the Fearless Sect, a master at the Grandmaster level.” Huang Shiron said gravely, ”Once we surround him, we might suffer heavy losses.”

”So how should we handle him?”

”...Lure him out of Yujing before surrounding him.”

”Since he’s come to Yujing, how can he leave so easily?” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I fear it’s not so easy to lure him out.”

Huang Shiron replied, ”The problem is not knowing his goal.”

If we knew his goal, we could use it to lure him out.

”Which sect does the Fearless Sect have enmity with?”

”These evil sects all have grudges against each other.” Huang Shiron said, ”Has the Princely Heir discovered other evil sects?”

”What about the Yuding Sect?”

”Has the Yuding Sect’s demon entered the city too?”

”Yes, encountered one.” Chu Zhiyuan jerked his chin.

Huang Shiron looked over.

It was an ordinary middle-aged woman among the crowd, standing at a stall selling small ornaments, selecting pearl hairpins.

Huang Shiron glanced at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”She’s carrying a little jade cauldron.”

Huang Shiron frowned, then turned to Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu, ”Have people watch her closely, don’t alert the snake.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”A mix of fish and dragons, too lively. In my opinion, we should directly encircle the Yuding Sect member in the city. The Inner City should focus mainly on deterrence.”

”...Allow me to report to the Central Office Director.” Huang Shiron said.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands in farewell.

By pointing out these two locations, he proved that the fishy aura detected by Super Sense was indeed not of any good. That was enough.

If the Military Suppression Department couldn’t handle the rest, it was none of his business.

If the Military Suppression Department eradicated these four evil sect demons, he would have some credit too, though too little credit.

Between the Ninth Grade Merit and the Eighth Grade Merit, it was a bit beneath his notice now.

——

The following morning, Chu Zhiyuan leisurely arrived outside Bilin Pavilion.

He already knew that today Xiao Ruoling and Li Hongzhao were savoring tea here.

Sitting down at a distant tea shop, he sipped his tea while insightfully observing Li Hongzhao’s realm.

He needed to understand the gap between him and her, and his chances of winning.

If there was no chance of victory, he must train his Miracle Techniques intensely.

Best if he could find Li Hongzhao’s weakness.

The Emperor’s wool wasn’t easy to shear.

If he couldn’t defeat Li Hongzhao this time, there might be no chance to shear the Emperor’s wool again, exchanging merit for Dragon Fat Fragrance, which required Fifth Grade Merit.

Acquiring Fifth Grade Merit was too difficult, whereas shearing the Emperor’s wool was more swift.

After finishing a cup of tea, he proceeded to the Inspection Department.

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