Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 695: Chapter 691: Fought to a Draw

The two young men in purple robes held their swords and glared at him coldly, ready to strike again at any moment.

Chu Zhiyuan paid them no mind, his gaze sweeping towards Fifth Prince Cheng Yunzheng and Sixth Prince Cheng Yunqi: ”Weren’t you looking to deal with me? I’ve come to you!”

Fifth Prince Cheng Yunzheng scrutinized Chu Zhiyuan from head to toe: ”Are you really Ninth Prince Chu Liezhao?”

Chu Zhiyuan snorted: ”Is there anyone daring enough to impersonate me? Who would have such guts?!”

Sixth Prince Cheng Yunqi stroked his chin and laughed: ”Chu Liezhao, you’ve got quite the guts.”

”When it comes to guts, you two outshine everyone.” Chu Zhiyuan sneered: ”You dare provoke us in the Imperial City, tired of living?”

Cheng Yunqi chuckled: ”Nothing to do with daring courage, you from the Jade Dynasty couldn’t touch us brothers.”

”You have protective treasures, don’t you?” Chu Zhiyuan gave them a sidelong glance: ”So what exactly are these treasures that give you such confidence?”

The two exchanged a look and smiled smugly.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted: ”Are these treasures bestowed by the Spirit Venerable? Do we not have treasures in our Imperial City?”

He was intensely curious about their protective treasures.

What kind of treasure gives them such unwavering confidence?

Sixth Prince Cheng Yunqi shook his head and said: ”Chu Liezhao, you are unworthy of Twelfth Prince.”

Chu Zhiyuan replied: ”I am unworthy, and you are?”

”Indeed.” Cheng Yunqi nodded naturally: ”I am far superior to you.”

”What makes you superior?” Chu Zhiyuan scoffed: ”You are just as mediocre, far worse than your Fifth brother.”

”I may not match Fifth brother, but I’m better than you!” Cheng Yunqi snorted: ”You have a terrible temperament, poor relationships, and lack talent, whereas Twelfth Prince is as beautiful as a fairy with exceptional talent. How could she marry a waste like you?”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”If she is so perfect, are you worthy?”

He looked towards Fifth Prince Cheng Yunzheng: ”Cheng Yunzheng, don’t you want to marry her?”

Cheng Yunzheng said solemnly: ”Why bother with so many words, let’s see the real skill on hand!”

”If you can’t defeat Fifth brother, give up on Twelfth Prince.”

”Absurd!” Chu Zhiyuan snorted: ”These matters pertain to national affairs, how can they be privately altered at will?”

Cheng Yunqi said smugly: ”We already have the Phoenix Dynasty Emperor’s promise that if we defeat you, we can take your place!”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

He didn’t expect the Emperor of the Phoenix Dynasty to act so frivolously, treating the Prince Consort for the Twelfth Princess like a game.

Wasn’t it said that this Twelfth Princess was deeply loved and favored?

What’s the story behind this?

Did Twelfth Princess offend the Emperor, or is the Emperor intentionally suppressing her?

Or does he simply believe the Prince Consort won’t truly become one, ultimately breaking his promise?

Chu Zhiyuan pondered various possibilities, his mind swirling with thoughts.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted: ”Cheng Yunqi, then let us see your skills!”

”It’s my turn.” Cheng Yunzheng said.

Chu Zhiyuan cast him a sidelong glance: ”Are you to become Twelfth Princess’s Prince Consort?”

”No.” Cheng Yunzheng snorted.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Then what does it matter to you? If you defeat me, does that allow Cheng Yunqi to become Prince Consort? ...Is Cheng Yunqi relying on you to help win the title? Is he replacing you as Prince Consort?”

”What nonsense are you talking!” Cheng Yunqi snorted: ”First, have Fifth brother test if you are worthy of facing me.”

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh, his face filled with a sarcastic smile: ”You’re really thick-skinned, truly admirable!”

”Thank you for the compliment.” Cheng Yunqi said smugly, looking at Cheng Yunzheng: ”Fifth brother, please if you would.”

Cheng Yunzheng stared at Chu Zhiyuan, his voice deep: ”Ninth Prince, shall we go outside to spar?”

Chu Zhiyuan glanced around the room: ”Isn’t your Heavenly Inquiry Sword supposed to settle matters with one strike? Let’s see, take my punch first!”

While speaking, he casually threw a punch.

”Bang!” A flash of white light suddenly appeared, reaching Cheng Yunzheng’s chest in an instant.

The speed was exceptionally fast, too quick to react.

Cheng Yunzheng was already prepared, dodging sideways, his right hand thrusting a sword diagonally.

A sword light appeared instantly at Chu Zhiyuan’s chest.

The sword tip and white light reached each other’s chest simultaneously, surpassing physical limitations.

Chu Zhiyuan’s clothing suddenly inflated, dispersing the sword light, while he threw several more punches.

White light flickered, striking towards Cheng Yunzheng repeatedly.

Cheng Yunzheng’s figure flashed, seemingly turning into a phantom.

Each time the white light struck, it seemed to hit only his shadow rather than his real body.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

This was a masterful movement technique, surely aided by a treasure.

Just like he had the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe, the opponent also had treasures enhancing movement and defense.

The mighty Great Brightness Fist at Spirit Transformation level was no joke, their Transforming Intent Realm was certainly overwhelmed.

Several sword lights struck his chest, each one bizarre and abrupt, offering no chance to dodge.

Yet Chu Zhiyuan made no attempt to dodge, relying on the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe to withstand.

This method disregarded the nuances of the Heavenly Inquiry Sword, focusing only on its level.

He sensed that the Heavenly Inquiry Sword was at Entering Spirit level through the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe, just like his own understanding during Great Brightness Fist training.

This was astonishing enough.

Without the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe, even a Divinity Transformation Realm expert couldn’t withstand the Heavenly Inquiry Sword at Entering Spirit level.

Cheng Yunzheng’s expression turned solemn, suddenly withdrawing his sword, he said sternly: ”Stop!”

Chu Zhiyuan halted his punches, shaking his head disdainfully: ”Heavenly Inquiry Sword is nothing special, I thought it was stronger than this!”

The other three in the room appeared incredulous, unable to believe.

They had expected Chu Zhiyuan might dodge one strike, but not a second, eventually being injured or killed.

The reality was they were evenly matched, which was utterly strange.

The Fifth Prince was known as Yuanzhen Dynasty’s most perceptive among princes, with an innate understanding of the Heavenly Inquiry Sword surpassing ancestral masters.

He had trained the Heavenly Inquiry Sword to Entering Spirit level, shockingly strong.

Yet incredibly, this formidable swordsmanship couldn’t defeat the rumored inept prince.

Is this really the Ninth Prince Chu Liezhao as rumored?

Cheng Yunzheng said solemnly: ”Are you truly Chu Liezhao?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Is the Heavenly Inquiry Sword so weak, do you want to give it a go, Sixth Prince?”

Cheng Yunqi said: ”Are you truly Ninth Prince Chu Liezhao?”

Chu Zhiyuan replied irritably: ”Don’t ask stupid questions; can’t you tell if I’m Chu Liezhao? ...With your mere abilities, you wish to steal Twelfth Princess from me? Know your limits, utterly laughable!”

”Impossible.” Cheng Yunqi shook his head: ”You can’t possibly be Chu Liezhao.”

Chu Zhiyuan snickered: ”Ridiculous, if you want to challenge me again, come to the Prince Mansion!”

He turned and walked out of the elegant room.

Once outside, his face turned a shade pale, his chest faintly ached.

The power of the Heavenly Inquiry Sword was astonishing, though the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe blocked it, he felt the pain endured by the robe due to their connection.

The elegant room remained silent.

Cheng Yunqi still couldn’t accept the outcome, turning his head to ask: ”Fifth brother, is he really Chu Liezhao?”

Cheng Yunzheng looked at the two young men in purple robes: ”Their cultivation is at Transforming Intent Realm, correct?”

The two young men in purple robes nodded slowly, their expressions grave: ”Fifth Prince, Sixth Prince, we’ve been misled, deceived!”

Cheng Yunzheng said solemnly: ”Was it Jade Dynasty’s deliberate false news? Deliberately tricking us into coming here?”

The two young men in purple robes moved to the window, glanced outside quickly, and withdrew their gaze.

Cheng Yunqi said: ”I think he also deceived others, didn’t he?”

Cheng Yunzheng said: ”We should leave... quickly depart the Imperial City!”

Cheng Yunqi said: ”No need to rush, we should clarify this strange person’s truth first before leaving.”

Cheng Yunzheng shook his head: ”Since there’s no hope, no need to linger, let’s hurry up.”

Cheng Yunqi was puzzled.

Cheng Yunzheng said: ”I sensed his killing intent.”

”...Alright, let’s leave then.” Cheng Yunqi gritted his teeth and reluctantly agreed.