Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 726: Chapter 722: Discovery

Chu Honglin and twelve Venerables appeared like thirteen wisps of smoke, drifting along yet moving incredibly fast.

They seemed to shrink the ground into inches, appearing leisurely but actually incredibly swift.

What Chu Zhiyuan’s Super Sense perceived was that streams of Spirit Cloud were gathering in the sky.

Where they passed, the Spirit Cloud in the sky constantly gathered—before one stream dispersed, another formed.

At first glance, it seemed like thirteen silver dragons winding through the sky.

The twelve Venerables regarded Chu Zhiyuan with a rather indifferent expression.

As Venerables, their status was already transcendent, and they were proud at heart.

Chu Zhiyuan, the Ninth Prince, was soon to go to the Phoenix Dynasty as a Prince Consort, serving as a Hostage.

He might never return to the Jade Dynasty for life, so his noble identity was only a fleeting sight.

Moreover, he was merely at the Transformation Realm, not yet at the Divinity Transformation Realm to become a Venerable.

Therefore, they only nodded lightly at Chu Zhiyuan and addressed him as Ninth Prince without saying more.

Chu Zhiyuan had no intention of befriending them either.

Mr. Zhu and his two companions, being Tribute from the Observatory, also appeared carefree and unperturbed.

Chu Zhiyuan walked side by side with Chu Honglin.

Chu Honglin moved extraordinarily fast, not accommodating Chu Zhiyuan’s Cultivation Realm.

Because he knew the depth of Chu Zhiyuan’s Moon Silkworm Frost Robe and wasn’t worried about him lagging behind.

Chu Zhiyuan appeared relaxed and at ease, walking alongside Chu Honglin, yet his breath was even.

This aroused great curiosity among the Venerables.

Particularly since he remained unaffected as if not using Operating powers at all.

Chu Zhiyuan had no intention to explain to them; after all, the pride of a Prince must be maintained.

The group of fourteen swiftly sped southward, and in half a day, they arrived at a mountain range.

This was indeed the Feiyun Mountain Range.

The entrance to Feiyun Sect was located here.

Upon entering the mountains, they immediately concealed their breath and condensed their Qi, quietly approaching Feiyun Sect.

Under Super Sense, the Spirit Cloud above their heads dissipated and ceased to appear.

Only the breath within their bodies flowed, hidden beneath the skin without escaping.

Clearly, these were secret Cultivation Techniques for concealing breath, highly effective.

If it weren’t for the Super Sense, it would be impossible to discover them or feel their presence.

There is indeed a qualitative difference between the Divinity Transformation Realm and Transformation Realm.

No wonder the Transformation Realm can only be called skilled while the Divinity Transformation Realm can be called Venerable.

Silently, they approached the entrance of Feiyun Sect.

They had all viewed Chu Honglin’s map and knew the location of Feiyun Sect’s entrance.

They ventured deep into the woods, avoiding branches, leaving no trace or breath.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly frowned, looking at Chu Honglin.

Chu Honglin’s expression turned serious, and he used Sound Transmission into Secret: ”Is something amiss?”

Chu Zhiyuan’s lips moved, also employing Sound Transmission into Secret: ”There’s a Great Sky Demon!”

Chu Honglin’s face immediately turned dark, his eyes blazing as he stared at him.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Chu Honglin once more used Sound Transmission into Secret, while Chu Zhiyuan’s lips moved.

The two discussed a while.

Chu Honglin suddenly waved his hand.

The crowd quietly stopped, silently and with no sound, all eyes turning to them.

Chu Honglin gestured again.

The group slowly gathered together.

Naturally, Chu Zhiyuan would not reveal his skills before them, keeping his lips tightly shut, saying nothing.

Chu Honglin said slowly, ”I’ll go ahead with the Ninth Prince to scout; everyone wait for now.”

”Prince, may I follow along?” a middle-aged man said softly.

Chu Honglin shook his head: ”I and the Ninth Prince will go—if anything happens, I’ll howl twice, and you can come to rescue me.”

”...Be extremely cautious.”

”Rest assured,” Chu Honglin nodded solemnly.

Twelve Venerables watched as Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin quietly disappeared into the depths of the woods.

Their eyes met, filled with doubt.

Mr. Zhu and his two companions were unsurprised, closing their eyes without moving.

”Mr. Zhu?” the earlier speaking middle-aged man lowered his voice.

Mr. Zhu, eyes closed, said calmly: ”Though the Ninth Prince’s cultivation is low, his Martial Skill is strong; his attacking methods are not inferior to ours.”

The middle-aged man was amazed: ”Is he really that strong?”

”It’s said he beat the two princes of Yuanzhen to a pulp, indeed formidable.”

”If those two princes from Yuanzhen came over, they must have exceptional skills, yet still suffered a humiliating defeat by the Ninth Prince.”

”Then we’ve underestimated the Ninth Prince.”

”Prince Gan is extremely prudent this time, deploying us Upper Three Transitions Venerables; he wouldn’t let favoritism hinder the Ninth Prince.”

Even if Prince Gan greatly values the Ninth Prince, he wouldn’t jeopardize this significant matter because of him.

After all, the Ninth Prince is soon going to the Phoenix Dynasty, almost never to return.

Running this mission to earn some merit is truly unnecessary.

Thus, the Ninth Prince is not sent here for accolades, but for his utility.

They vaguely sensed that their operation’s shift was caused by Chu Zhiyuan.

”Best remain vigilant; Feiyun Sect won’t fall easily.”

”Indeed, lest we capsize in the ditch; that would be laughable, especially with Prince Gan and the Ninth Prince.”

If a Prince and a Prince were to fall here, they would be too ashamed to remain in the Court.

——

Chu Honglin and Chu Zhiyuan drifted along, lightly navigating between branches and grasses.

Speeding onward while exchanging Sound Transmission into Secret.

”Are there really two Great Sky Demons?”

”The Soul Pearl’s sensing shouldn’t be wrong.”

”Two Great Sky Demons...”

”It must be Body Seizing, the Great Sky Demon seizing a Demon Sect expert, practicing Demon Technique; it couldn’t be more fitting... If they could become an Elder or even Sect Master of Feiyun Sect, it’d be perfect!”

Chu Honglin’s face turned extremely grim.

He couldn’t help but think that Chu Zhiyuan’s conjecture was probably true.

If he were the Great Sky Demon, doing so would indeed be the best plan.

The Great Sky Demon seizing a body in the Imperial City had the aim of gathering information to understand the Dynasty’s reality.

Becoming an Elder or Sect Master of Feiyun Sect, establishing Qianji Tower to gather information, could achieve the same purpose.

It would be even more concealed, safer, with no one from the Observatory meddling - nothing could be better.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be the best point of attack.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”But it may not necessarily become Sect Master or Elder.”

After Body Seizing, the aptitude is affected, and cultivation slows down.

Even if practicing Demon Technique, it’s still inferior to other Demon Sect Disciples.

But the Demon Sect has the Inheritance Pearl, capable of absorbing cultivation and Cultivation Experience, then rapidly elevating it.

If the Great Sky Demon obtains the Inheritance Pearl after Body Seizing, then becoming an Elder may not be difficult.

This requires a great deal of luck.

”This needs clarification,” Chu Honglin said solemnly, ”With Feiyun Sect like this, what about other Demon Sects? Without clearing this, I can’t eat in peace!”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Uncle Fifteen, you’re worrying too much; the Demon Sect, no matter how formidable, can’t overthrow our Chu Family’s empire.”

The Demon Sect may have numerous eyes, and be mysterious and unpredictable, but compared to the Four Great Sects, it’s negligible.

Otherwise, the Court wouldn’t so easily investigate and suppress the Demon Sect.

”Alas...”

The two continued to sneak closer, soon stopping midway up the mountain.

Across from them, nestled within the woods, faint outlines of buildings and houses emerged.

This was the entrance to Feiyun Sect.

Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan perked up, whispering, ”A Great Sky Demon is coming out!”

Both immediately further concealed their breath, slightly closing their eyes, only glancing sideways at the opposite side.

Two middle-aged men were emerging from the mountainside opposite, speeding away into the distance.

Chu Honglin didn’t rush to pursue; with the Soul Pearl, Chu Zhiyuan could track them.

Moreover, the Soul Pearl could lure them over.

Only after a cup of tea’s time did Chu Honglin and Chu Zhiyuan pursue them.