Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 703: Chapter 699: Fourth Transition

The three of them felt a bit helpless.

Chu Liyang’s admiration for the Twelfth Princess was a bit over the top.

It seemed the Twelfth Princess was more important than his blood brothers.

Chu Zhiyuan ignored them and focused on observing the flow of his True Essence.

As the Infinite Brightness Scripture was activated, the True Essence descended from the heavens, and apart from the True Essence, three streams of breath entered the Xiao White Snake’s body.

Two were Karma Stones formed by White Jade Tokens, and one formed by the Karma Stone wall.

They caused the Xiao White Snake’s movement speed to suddenly increase by about twice.

He assessed the enhancement of cultivation speed by the Karma Stone’s aura, finding that a single Karma Stone inscribed with a Light Ode could boost speed by about seven percent.

Does this mean that by continuing to increase the number of Karma Stones, the speed will be even faster?

He was full of hope.

In the following days, he inscribed a Light Ode onto a Karma Stone each day.

Unfortunately, his wishful thinking ultimately failed because there was a limit to the enhancement of cultivation speed by Karma Stones.

Once the speed reached five times, it could no longer be increased, and adding more Karma Stones was useless.

He vaguely felt that adding too much Light Ode aura could bring some inexplicable danger.

Thus, he decisively withdrew some of the Karma Stones, leaving only seven.

The seven Karma Stones were tied together to form a cube-shaped Karma Stone.

He found some White Jade, about the size of the True Martial Institute’s warm jade mat, made it thin, layered it seven times, and created a White Jade mat.

Then he went to the True Martial Institute for cultivation, bringing this White Jade mat, and sat on it for cultivation.

Chu Liechu and the others were curious about his mat, but he only said it was a treasure to enhance cultivation, without revealing what it was.

The three became even more curious and even wanted to snatch it for a look, but unfortunately, they were not his opponents, especially given his extraordinary movement technique.

With the assistance of such a treasure, his cultivation speed surged dramatically.

A month after the Third Transition, he reached the Fourth Transition, feeling as easy and fluent as drinking water.

From the Fourth Transition to the Fifth Transition, the speed began to slow down.

But with a speed five times faster, he still advanced rapidly.

That day at noon, he was still chatting leisurely with Chu Honglin on Qingfeng Cliff.

”Recently, another Grotto Heaven is about to open, the Green Spring Cave Heaven.”

”Is there a competition for slots?”

”Naturally, there will be a competition for slots, with twelve slots in total, six for the descendants of the Spirit Guards, four for the military, and two for the heirs of princes... However, you don’t need to compete for a slot; you can enter directly.”

Chu Zhiyuan immediately felt a surge of energy.

Chu Honglin said, ”Unfortunately, I can’t accompany you inside.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Is Uncle afraid I’ll be dealt with by the Demon Clan? Is there a restriction in the Grotto Heaven?”

”This Grotto Heaven still can’t be entered at the Divinity Transformation Realm; the strongest can only be at the Transformation Realm.”

”Transformation Realm...” Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

He himself was currently just at the Fourth Transition, not yet at the Fifth Transition.

But luckily, he had the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe and the Great Brightness Fist, which were enough to cope.

”It’s estimated that the Demon Clan entering this time will be at the Ninth Transition of the Transformation Realm, so be careful.”

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded.

Chu Honglin laughed, ”But for you, it’s not much of a problem.”

He had great confidence in Chu Zhiyuan’s Great Brightness Fist Realm.

Moreover, he had defeated those two princes from the Yuanzhen Dynasty, displaying astonishing combat power.

Many people’s Cultivation Realms are high, and so are their Martial Arts Realms, yet they can’t exert full power in a fight.

Chu Zhiyuan was the opposite; with full power, he could exert twelve or even fifteen parts of it.

Even if his Cultivation Realm wasn’t enough, the Martial Arts Realm was enough to compensate, not to mention the Moon Silkworm Frost Robe.

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly said, ”I will find a way to locate the Demon Clan.”

”Do your best,” Chu Honglin said, ”but there’s no need to be too desperate; the Demon Clan won’t cause too much trouble in the Grotto Heaven.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Uncle, I’m thinking, is it possible that only one person from the Demon Clan can enter?”

He didn’t think the Demon Clan’s entry would stir too much trouble.

Instead, he felt there would be endless trouble that needed to be completely eradicated.

But the Demon Clan’s actions were very strange and couldn’t be judged by common sense.

Chu Honglin said in a deep voice, ”You’re saying they might enter in groups?”

”Isn’t it necessary to be cautious?”

”...Looks like we’ll have to find someone to coordinate with you,” Chu Honglin slowly said.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

”I will report to Elder Brother to find a solution,” Chu Honglin said solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

——

Seven days later in the morning, Chu Zhiyuan left the Prince Mansion, surrounded by the guards led by Li Yuzhen, and arrived at a government office in the eastern city.

It looked like an inconspicuous government office, with the words ”Divine Martial Bureau” written above.

To most people in the Imperial City, this Divine Martial Bureau seemed like a powerless, redundant office, and they didn’t even know its function.

Only a few knew that this Divine Martial Bureau was specifically responsible for managing the Thirty-Six Cave Heavens of the Jade Dynasty.

The Yujing Cave Heaven was directly managed by the Imperial Family, had a transcendent status, and opened only once every century, not under the jurisdiction of the Divine Martial Bureau.

Chu Zhiyuan reached the entrance of the Divine Martial Bureau, and several people came out from within, cupped their fists, and saluted, welcoming him inside.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped inside, turned past the shadow wall, and arrived at the vast front courtyard.

The front courtyard was planted with more than a dozen strange flowers, with hundreds of blossoms competing in beauty.

The fragrance floated around, intoxicatingly aromatic without being garish, making one feel as if drunk when inhaled.

In the open area in front of the hall stood eleven people, all young, looking at him curiously.

Among them were eight men and three women, one of whom recognized him and stepped forward, cupping his fists, ”Greetings to Your Highness the Ninth Prince.”

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at him and nodded slightly.

The other eleven then realized his identity, the renowned Ninth Prince, Chu Liezhao.

Recently, Chu Liezhao’s name had been spreading like wildfire through the Imperial City and even extending to the entire Jade Dynasty.

”Song Kangnan of Nanfeng Camp greets Your Highness the Ninth Prince.”

”Zheng Duo of Nanli Camp greets Your Highness the Ninth Prince!”

...

The others all greeted with cupped fists.

Chu Zhiyuan rather perfunctorily cupped his fists in return, ”There’s no need for these formalities, it’s troublesome.”

The crowd ceased their polite exchanges, noticing his lack of interest in conversation, and did not embarrass themselves further.

They were all young talents, prominent figures in their own right, curious about him, but not willing to ingratiate themselves where it wasn’t wanted.

Chu Zhiyuan responded perfunctorily with a fist-to-palm salute and watched the entrance of the hall.

From the entrance soon emerged several officials, led by a short and strong old man.

He recognized this old man as the Prince of the previous generation, Uncle.

The old man gave him a passing glance, saying, ”There is no need for formalities, Your Highness.”

Having said that, he scanned the other eleven, speaking solemnly, ”You are all young elites, selected through numerous rounds, but for most of you, this will probably be your first time entering a Grotto Heaven. It is necessary to make the rules clear in advance to avoid taboos.”

Chu Zhiyuan took a step back, watching him intently.

The old man looked at the others and said in a deep voice, ”You are about to enter dangerous territory, and the greatest taboo is greed, as once you enter it, you cannot resist becoming greedy!”

Everyone’s expressions became serious.

They knew it was hard to avoid such feelings.

For who wouldn’t be tempted by strange flowers and exotic fruits? Entering is for the purpose of seeking them to enhance their cultivation.

Chu Honglin glanced at Chu Zhiyuan and, seeing him calm and composed, slowly added, ”Especially don’t let any skills foster arrogance.”

Chu Zhiyuan pretended not to notice his look and did not pick up on the true meaning behind his words.

”Now, let’s introduce the Strange Flowers and Fruits in the Grotto Heaven.” He waved his hand, ”Remember them well, so you don’t miss an opportunity due to negligence.”

”””