Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 672: Chapter 668: Soul Pearl

He only needed to give a command, and the Flying Knife avatar would naturally obey.

It doesn’t have an independent soul but possesses enough intelligence.

Just like a computer from a past life.

It chooses when to leave by itself, finds the most suitable timing, hides its energy by insights, and silently evades all monitoring and detection.

It reacts at any time; when sensing power sweeping over, it remains motionless like a stone, appearing as a normal Flying Knife.

Once the power sweeps past, it continues on quietly to avoid being discovered.

If detected, it will suddenly accelerate and dive into Prince Nine’s Mansion.

When the avatars are near each other, the speed is unbelievably quick, far surpassing most Qinggong in the world.

Inside Prince Nine’s Mansion, it will dive into Chu Zhiyuan’s sleeve, aligning its aura with his.

This way, it can avoid any kind of power’s inspection and detection.

...

The next morning, when Chu Zhiyuan arrived at True Martial Institute, he saw Third Prince Chu Liyang there.

Aside from Chu Liyang, he also saw Second Prince Chu Lixuan.

Chu Lixuan sat in the spot where Chu Zhiyuan sat yesterday, both maintaining the farthest distance from Chu Liyang.

After Chu Zhiyuan arrived, he clasped his fists and said, ”Second Brother, Third Brother, so early.”

Second Prince Chu Lixuan sized him up, shook his head, ”The fourth to enter True Martial Institute is actually you, Ninth Brother!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Second Brother wanted Fourth Brother to come in?”

Chu Lixuan said, ”Who comes in makes no difference, we’re all brothers!”

”Really hypocritical, Second Brother!”

Chu Lixuan countered seriously, ”I’m truly not being hypocritical, you and Fourth Brother are both my brothers.”

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, ”Utterly hypocritical!”

Chu Lixuan said, ”Ninth Brother, you need to adjust your temperament.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed heartily.

Chu Lixuan looked at Chu Liyang, ”Talked with Third Brother yet?”

”Third Brother...” Chu Zhiyuan glanced into the distance, smiling, ”He’s also very eager.”

Chu Liyang closed his eyes, seemingly deaf to everything, motionless and practicing martial arts.

”Third Brother eager?” Chu Lixuan seemed to have heard something remarkable.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Second Brother, better to cultivate, more talk is futile.”

It seems the Second Prince isn’t surprised, holds no hostility towards me.

While they were conversing, the Eldest Prince hurried over.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan, he was momentarily stunned.

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly clasped his fists, ”Greetings, Eldest Brother.”

Eldest Prince Chu Liechu blinked, glancing at Chu Zhiyuan, then at the other two princes.

Second Prince Chu Lixuan chuckled, ”Eldest Brother, it’s really Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother has joined us at True Martial Institute.”

Chu Liechu quickly composed himself, smiled, ”Congratulations, Ninth Brother.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It’s thanks to Eldest Brother, advancing to Nine Transitions in Yujing Cave Heaven and then entering Heavenly Intent Pavilion, stepping into the Transformation Realm.”

”Heavenly Intent Pavilion?”

”Alas... it’s bestowed by Father, can’t decline.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head helplessly.

The three looked at his demeanor, their teeth gritted, wishing to throw a Great Brightness Fist at him.

”That’s why I’m here, to cultivate with Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother.”

”Congratulations, Ninth Brother, you’ve finally emerged from the trough and embarked on the bright path.”

”Eldest Brother, I still have to become a Prince Consort, pose no threat to your imperial throne.”

”Ninth Brother, stop talking nonsense!” Chu Liechu quickly said.

”There’s nothing that can’t be said openly, why not speak of it? It’s just the throne, who doesn’t want it? If I had the chance, I’d want to vie for it too.”

”The throne isn’t something vied for!” Chu Liechu huffed, ”It’s decided by Father.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”How Father decides still depends on everyone’s performance. I think Eldest Brother is bound to be Emperor, however, Second Brother also has a chance, Third Brother doesn’t, Fourth Brother has a chance.”

Chu Lixuan remarked discontentedly, ”Ninth Elder, shut up!”

He was astonished by Chu Zhiyuan’s unrestrained commentary.

How can these words be spoken publicly?

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Alright, alright, you all just vie among yourselves. I’m off to Phoenix Dynasty, when the two dynasties clash again, my life may be forfeit, probably won’t see who becomes Emperor.”

Then he laughed, ”Eldest Brother, if you were to enter Yujing Cave Heaven this time, you’d probably die, so this time count it as me saving you.”

”Hmm—?”

”This matter can’t be leaked, Eldest Brother will find out someday; in short, I blocked a calamity for you, thus entered Heavenly Intent Pavilion.”

”... Then many thanks, Ninth Brother.” Chu Liechu smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan exclaimed, ”Eldest Brother’s magnanimity, I must say, remarkable!”

This Eldest Prince truly has a good temperament, regardless of the heart, his display is impeccable.

”Ninth Brother, shame you didn’t get the Void Secret Treasure.”

”I’m indeed disappointed, had I obtained the Void Secret Treasure, perhaps Father would change his mind, not send me to Phoenix Dynasty.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

That’s the best way to prove whether I got the Void Secret Treasure.

”Indeed regrettable.” Chu Liechu shook his head.

”Eldest Brother is dreaming too.” Chu Lixuan chuckled, ”How many get the Void Secret Treasure in the world?”

”One must try.” Chu Liechu smiled.

He then said, ”Let’s end idle chat, let’s cultivate; we must cherish our time in True Martial Institute.”

”Listen to Eldest Brother.”

Everyone began to quiet down.

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, started contemplating.

Now thoroughly understands Eldest Prince’s temperament.

As long as there’s no threat to his throne, he won’t truly get angry, won’t take it to heart.

So no matter how reckless I act, he won’t truly hold it against me.

Currently, it seems indeed Eldest Prince is most likely to inherit the throne.

But here, unlike Little Outer Heaven with Emperor’s Sword, the throne is decided by Emperor’s whim.

The Emperor’s mind is unfathomable, outsiders hardly guess it, and it changes anytime.

——

At noon.

Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin arrived at Qingfeng Cliff, basking in the sunlight, chatting.

Chu Honglin took out a Seven-colored Orb from his sleeve, the size of a Dragon Eye, and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan through insight examined the Seven-colored Pearl; material was peculiar, hidden with an inexplicable aura, felt familiar.

Then recalled, it’s the aura of the pale handsome youth.

Is it Heavenly Demon’s aura?

”This is Heavenly Demon Soul Pearl.” Chu Honglin coldly glared at the Seven-colored Pearl in Chu Zhiyuan’s hand, disdainfully said, ”It’s their own creation, can replenish their soul, manifest Miracle Technique.”

Chu Zhiyuan’s face turned solemn, ”Forged by soul?”

He couldn’t help but think of the time the pale handsome youth killed those creatures in Cave Heaven and absorbed seven-colored light.

”Forged by soul.” Chu Honglin said, ”Extremely evil!... Also tainted with their aura, you can compare this to sense Demon aura.”

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes.

The Flying Knife was lurking on a willow tree branch, insight covering ten miles.

Through this Flying Knife, he found a peculiar aura in a house.

A naive youth was boiling bone broth, busy.

Clearly preparing for a stall, running a snack stall.

Ordinary, no one would think he carries a faint trace of Demon aura.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle, if I discover a demon, let’s go together.”

”No problem.” Chu Honglin readily agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan just felt a surge of coldness in his chest, a killing intent.

The original owner’s killing intent, endless and irresistible against the Demon Clan.

Chu Honglin said, ”Against Demon Clan, don’t let emotions move, they’re adept at affecting mood,... don’t treat all Demon Clan like the one you caught before, it was just luck then!”

”Yes.” Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded.