Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 744: Chapter 740: Entering the Residence

Li Yuzhen felt a bit uneasy from his smile and couldn’t help but say, ”Prince Consort, am I wrong?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”You think things through quite comprehensively, and beautifully too.”

Li Yuzhen looked at him, puzzled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Do you think I can take this and offer it to the Phoenix Dynasty?”

Li Yuzhen hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan continued, ”Once this mental method is spread, the Phoenix Dynasty will certainly know immediately, and it’ll spread widely.”

Li Yuzhen coughed lightly.

She felt that Chu Zhiyuan’s words were by no means an exaggeration.

The Phoenix Dynasty is well-informed on the Jade Dynasty, thanks to the formidable Rain Listening Platform.

Moreover, as the Twelfth Princess’s confidant and close friend, she knew some higher-level confidential information, aware that within the Jade Dynasty, there were many high-ranking officials inclined toward the Phoenix Dynasty.

”Sigh...”

Chu Zhiyuan helplessly shook his head.

The Phoenix Dynasty’s ears are like massive roots extending into every aspect of the Jade Dynasty, reaching everywhere.

Not to mention he’s just a mere Ninth Prince; even the Emperor couldn’t sever their ears.

”Prince Consort, then let’s wait a bit,” she murmured, ”Once you’re in the Imperial City over there, we can push it simultaneously.”

”Still too idealistic,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Cultivating demonic skills, complemented by the Heart-Clearing Technique, would enhance the dynasty’s overall strength.

Could this surpass the Phoenix Dynasty?

He assessed it and thought it unlikely.

But if he could control its spread and prevent the Yuanzhen Dynasty from acquiring it, there was hope to surpass the Yuanzhen Dynasty.

From the Jade Dynasty’s perspective, the goal wasn’t to exceed the Phoenix Dynasty but, more importantly, to surpass the Yuanzhen Dynasty.

But in the eyes of the Phoenix Dynasty, it’d be best if there’s no differentiation in strength; otherwise, the Jade Dynasty might truly ally with the Yuanzhen Dynasty against them.

Thus, the ultimate outcome is that all three dynasties would obtain the Heart-Clearing Technique.

As Li Yuzhen said, first go to the Phoenix Dynasty and present the Heart-Clearing Technique.

It would initially be seen as significant merit, but once it spread to the Jade Dynasty, this merit might turn into a deception, instead proving disadvantageous to his situation.

Hence, he couldn’t count on the Heart-Clearing Technique as a basis for success in the Phoenix Dynasty.

What could he gain through it?

At the very least, like in the Little Outer Heaven, it should enhance divine skills and harvest faith power from the three dynasties.

Besides this, were there other benefits?

He pondered carefully.

The two strolled through the noisy crowd, with Li Yuzhen emanating an intangible force that pushed away the approaching people, like two stones in a river.

Chu Zhiyuan sensed the surroundings and discovered many were cultivating demonic skills.

Unknowingly, the demonic skills had spread to such a degree, truly astonishing.

——

At noon

Qingfeng Cliff

Chu Zhiyuan stood alongside Chu Honglin, basking in the sunlight, lazily.

”Elder Brother has agreed; disciples of the Feiyun Sect may not have to abandon demonic skills.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

”But Elder Brother’s intent to ban demonic skills hasn’t changed.”

”Does Father know how many people are practicing demonic skills now?”

”Currently being tallied and investigated.”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, ”Last night, as I traveled through the city, among the pedestrians, at least five out of ten practiced demonic skills.”

”So many?”

”It’s estimated to be more elsewhere,” Chu Zhiyuan said. ”This is the Imperial City, the gathering place for talents.”

The talents in the Imperial City are more abundant, and those who can stay in the Imperial City usually have abilities, and their descendants inherit their aptitudes, far stronger than those outside the Imperial City.

”More than imagined,” Chu Honglin sighed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Father should reconsider; regardless, I’m about to leave.”

”Sigh...” Chu Honglin sighed again.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”If substitutes can’t be used, then so be it; no need to make it difficult for Father.”

”This matter is unlikely to change,” Chu Honglin shook his head, ”Once you’re there, your temperament...”

He was indeed somewhat worried.

In his view, Chu Liezhao’s temper was unwaveringly fierce and intolerant of offense.

Here, he’s a prince; whether favored or not, he remains a prince, coupled with his fiery temper, no one bothers to trouble him.

But in the Phoenix Dynasty, that wouldn’t be the case.

He would no longer be a prince, but a hostage, a prince consort; if he doesn’t adapt to the change in status, he might be at odds with others everywhere.

That’s the Phoenix Dynasty, not the Jade Dynasty; it’s their territory, and they have ways to deal with him.

Unless he truly steps into the Divinity Transformation Realm and becomes a Venerable, only then can he stabilize his position.

Otherwise, even with a Venerable sent to protect him, it wouldn’t ensure his establishment.

”Uncle, rest assured, I can indeed endure,”

”Easier said than done,”

”Under the eaves, one must bow,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed softly.

Chu Honglin felt a pang of sorrow.

He suddenly sensed a desolation, helplessness, and grievance in Chu Zhiyuan’s expression.

The dignified prince had to endure such grievances in the Phoenix Dynasty.

Elder Brother truly owes Zhao’er a lot!

The Jade Dynasty owes Zhao’er much!

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Uncle, there’s no need to be like this; I truly feel it’s quite fine.”

Leaving the Jade Dynasty, heading to the Phoenix Dynasty, allows him to stretch his hands and achieve things.

Prior to that, he should first elevate his cultivation to the Divinity Transformation Realm.

Unfortunately, as time drew near, the prospect seemed ever more dim.

Chu Zhiyuan subsequently spoke about the Heart-Clearing Technique.

Chu Honglin was greatly astonished.

I didn’t expect there to be such a Miracle Technique, with such power.

Chu Zhiyuan passed the Heart Technique to him, and the two studied it together for a while.

When they were about to part ways and return, he shared his thoughts.

He wanted to spread this Heart Technique across the world, so everyone could practice it.

Not only those cultivating Demon Techniques, but also cultivators from other sects could benefit from practicing it, enhancing their cultivation of other mental methods.

This Heart Technique should be renamed to Zhao Lie’s Heart Clearing Technique, adding his name to it.

After hearing this, Chu Honglin hesitated.

Then, thinking of Chu Zhiyuan’s contributions to the Yujing Dynasty, he gritted his teeth and said, ”Alright, let’s do it this way, I will explain it to Elder Brother.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Thank you, Uncle.”

Chu Honglin waved his hand, ”Zhao’er, being so entangled with the Demon Sect is ultimately not a good thing.”

”I can’t control that much,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”At least I want to ensure I’m not deaf and blind in the Phoenix Dynasty, being sold without knowing it.”

”Indeed.” Chu Honglin nodded slowly.

He understood Chu Zhiyuan’s thoughts well and felt that he would do the same in his place.

In a strange environment, full of hostility, if one’s senses are not sharp, it would truly be like being beaten under a blanket, it would be miserable.

One might even die without knowing how it happened.

Never assume a Prince cannot die.

There are always some deranged individuals eager to incite a war between the two dynasties.

——

At dusk.

The setting sun cast a layer of red glow over Chu Zhiyuan’s small courtyard.

”Greetings, Your Highness.” Fu Zheng, dressed in a green robe with a sword at her waist, bowed and saluted.

Chu Zhiyuan examined her spirited demeanor and said with a smile, ”Fu Sect Leader disagreed, right?”

”... Master didn’t want me to come, but couldn’t refuse me.”

Fu Zheng hesitated for a moment and decided to tell the truth.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Her idea is understandable, If I were your master, I would be the same.”

Fu Zheng said softly, ”Master is overly concerned about me, afraid I might face danger.”

”You are her most beloved disciple, regarded as a daughter, so naturally, she is particularly worried,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Have you truly made up your mind?”

Fu Zheng’s eyes shone brightly, and she said slowly, ”I have made up my mind, I am willing to be Your Highness’s guard.”

”Good!” Chu Zhiyuan slapped the stone table, ”Starting today, you will follow Miss Yuzhen, learning how to be a Guard Leader and a personal guard.”

”Yes!”

”You should disguise yourself and not reveal your true identity, I need you to handle some secretive tasks for me.”

”Yes.”

”And, ... keep an eye on Li Yuzhen,” Chu Zhiyuan said slowly.

Fu Zheng was taken aback.

Her bright eyes flashed with doubt.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Do you know her true identity?”

”Isn’t she Your Highness’s Guard Leader, personal guard?”

”Yes, she is,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”But at the same time, she is also one of the closest aides to the Twelfth Princess of the Phoenix Dynasty.”

”Sent by the Twelfth Princess of the Phoenix Dynasty?”

”Yes.”

”The Twelfth Princess wouldn’t harm Your Highness, would she?”

”She is, after all, a person of the Phoenix Dynasty, her heart ultimately leans towards the Phoenix Dynasty.”

”I see...” Fu Zheng nodded gently.

But in her heart, she sighed.

She didn’t expect that before they even married, the two already had their own calculations, each guarding against the other.

It was evident that they weren’t the fairy-tale couple that people imagined.

Chu Zhiyuan seemed to have sensed her thoughts and chuckled softly, ”Disappointed?”

Fu Zheng hurriedly shook her head.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Do you think I got quite the bargain marrying a favored princess of the Phoenix Dynasty?”

”Isn’t that true?” Fu Zheng asked.

She possessed a high qualification for cultivation but generally focused on it, caring little about worldly matters.

It was through the sect disciples’ discussions that she learned of the Ninth Prince’s reputation and deeds.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If bringing the Twelfth Princess here to settle, that would be truly marrying, but now it’s not marrying.”

Fu Zheng’s bright eyes flickered, pondering deeply.

Thinking it over carefully, it really felt off, why must he go to the Phoenix Dynasty?

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”All in all, it’s about being a hostage, for the sake of face, the Court wouldn’t put it like that.”

Fu Zheng’s bright eyes flashed, looking at him in astonishment.

”Given that I’m a hostage, the status is self-evident,” Chu Zhiyuan said calmly, ”Moreover, the status of a Prince Consort in the Phoenix Dynasty is far inferior to that in our Yujing Dynasty.”

”Your Highness, if the Twelfth Princess...”

”For now, she seems fine, but anyhow, she is a princess of the Phoenix Dynasty, and her allegiance is firstly to the Phoenix Dynasty, not me, the Prince Consort.”

”... Yes.” Fu Zheng nodded slowly.

She tried hard to understand this subtle relationship.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Miss Yuzhen is also excellent, but she is also, after all, of the Phoenix Dynasty.”

”... Yes.”

”Having you watch her doesn’t mean taking action, your task is only to observe, not act.”

”Yes!” Fu Zheng readily agreed.

She let out a long breath of relief.

If it came to fighting, she doubted she could beat Li Yuzhen; she felt a strong danger approaching her from Li Yuzhen, reminding her to stay away.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Miss Yuzhen is from the Spirit Guard, has been on the Outer Realm Battlefield, you can consult her often.”

Fu Zheng’s spirits lifted immediately.

The Outer Realm Battlefield was always a place she longed to visit, unfortunately, it was impossible for her now.

It would be great to learn about the Outer Realm Battlefield from Li Yuzhen’s stories.

Moreover, Li Yuzhen, being from the Spirit Guard with rich combat experience, was indeed worthy to learn from.