Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 747: Chapter 743: Unification

More importantly, with Li Yuzhen taking action, it’s equivalent to having an additional Venerable.

With this additional Venerable, the Bamboo Sect essentially has four Venerables.

They can almost crush the Sunset Sect.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let’s do this as soon as possible, to prevent any complications.”

Fu Biqiong’s eyes burned brightly, and she said slowly, ”With Miss Li’s help, and with the Feiyun Sect, we will definitely severely damage the Sunset Sect.”

She couldn’t help but think of her disciples who were harmed by the Sunset Sect.

And the suffocation endured over these days.

The battle spirit surged in her chest, churned, boiling over.

Although she had already killed the culprit from the Sunset Sect, she no longer wanted to endure that suffocation.

She wanted to ensure that no Bamboo Sect disciple would be bullied or harmed.

And to achieve this, the strength had already reached, the remaining part was establishing authority.

Previously, there wasn’t a certainty of victory; now, with help from the Prince Mansion, it’s foolproof.

From now on, the Bamboo Sect will be entirely different!

She said slowly, ”Your Highness, let’s take action tomorrow; it’s just the day for the five-day meeting.”

Nine Hall Masters convene once every five days.

To discuss the current situation, deducing through intelligence where significant events may occur, to enhance gathering efforts.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded and looked towards Li Yuzhen.

Li Yuzhen nodded lightly.

”Disguise and impersonate as a Bamboo Sect disciple,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

”Yes.” Li Yuzhen nodded, she had this intention.

She came to guard the Prince Consort, not to do these things.

If Your Highness knew, she would definitely be scolded.

It’s best to disguise, not let anyone know it’s her doing, even the Rain Listening Platform should be fooled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”We don’t have much time.”

We must sort things out at Qianji Tower before leaving, the sooner the better.

Getting ahead will allow greater understanding of the Phoenix Dynasty.

The Court Inspection Department’s information on the Phoenix Dynasty is fundamentally unreliable.

——

The next day’s evening, at sunset.

Chu Zhiyuan returned from Great Bright Peak to the small courtyard, where two women were already waiting.

They wore dark green robes, their skin like snow, jade faces solemn.

While Xiao Lan and others attended to his washing, Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Not going smoothly?”

”Beyond expectations.” Li Yuzhen shook her head lightly, ”Instead, it’s unsettling.”

Fu Zheng said, ”Your Highness, upon our appearance, the Sunset Sect elder wilted, withdrew from Qianji Tower without hesitation, giving up the Hall Master position, letting Junior Master Zhu take over.”

Chu Zhiyuan sat down and took the snow porcelain tea cup from You Lan: ”Afraid they’re playing tricks?”

Fu Zheng said, ”They’re definitely up to something.”

”You think a fight is inevitable.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It’s just about when. If not now, it will be later, right?”

If we fight now, it’s straightforward: whoever wins becomes the Hall Master.

If they yield now, they’re playing a trick, more cunning and intricate.

Fu Zheng nodded strongly, ”The Sunset Sect isn’t just any Demon Sect.”

”It boils down to two things,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”either they are making trouble over the matter at Qianji Tower, setting obstacles, or they’re accumulating power, opting for patience. Which do you think it is?”

Fu Zheng said, ”The second one!”

She said hatefully, ”The Sunset Sect is arrogant and domineering, too lazy for intrigue, surely thinking of how to surpass us.”

”How many Venerables do they have now?”

”Two.”

”With two...seeing you four Venerables appear together, they can only back down.” Chu Zhiyuan pondered, ”It’s not necessarily about revenge...could they possibly be confident enough to have four or even five Venerables appear?”

Li Ningcui isn’t a Venerable, but Feiyun Sect still has one who has been in seclusion.

Feiyun Sect joined with Bamboo Sect, that’s five Venerables.

To surpass them, there must be at least five Venerables; it’s unlikely for Sunset Sect to go from two to five Venerables.

Fu Zheng’s eyes shone with Spiritual Wisdom, hesitatingly said, ”Your Highness, are you saying they would ally with other Demon Sects?...But they have always been domineering, never getting close to any sect.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”They used to be confident in their strength, now it’s different. Besides, other sects would also worry about the Bamboo Sect’s strength, wouldn’t they?...Especially since you’re allied with Feiyun Sect, they naturally need to learn from your example.”

”Which sect would they ally with?”

”Which one or which several, I suppose.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Isn’t Elder Zhu going to Qianji Tower? Gather some intelligence on this matter and see.”

”Yes.” Fu Zheng said bitterly, ”If they really do this, then we must also join forces!”

Li Yuzhen said, ”Prince Consort, if they all do this, won’t the Demon Sect develop into several factions?”

”Unity, long divided will unite, long united will divide.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It doesn’t matter if it forms several groups.”

He very much hoped the Demon Sect would end this chaos and form several major forces.

This would be more manageable.

Fu Zheng’s bright eyes lit up, hurriedly said, ”We must continue to ally with other sects!”

The Bamboo Sect already allied with Feiyun Sect, it’s easy to ally with other Demon Sects and forces.

Two sects are examples, maybe those sects are eagerly waiting, afraid they won’t qualify to join.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Then it’s up to you, make sure Qianji Tower is taken care of.”

”Don’t worry.” Fu Zheng said, ”Junior Master Zhu and Junior Master Li are watching, plus the three Hall Masters originally close to Feiyun Sect; among nine Hall Masters, five are on our side.”

Feiyun Sect has two Hall Masters, with three more, controlling five Hall Masters.

Having five out of nine is a definite majority.

Thus controlling the direction of Qianji Tower.

Now with the addition of Junior Master Zhu, that makes six out of nine.

If there’s an opportunity to bring in the remaining three, it would be a unified Qianji Tower.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Regarding news about the Phoenix Dynasty Imperial City, the Prince Mansion, the Prince Huai Mansion, and the situation of First and Second Grade officials, all should be clarified.”

”Yes.” Fu Zheng nodded solemnly.

She couldn’t help but glance at Li Yuzhen.

Li Yuzhen said: ”Prince Consort, these things don’t need to trouble Qianji Tower to investigate; Your Highness can provide them.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Comparing both can also make things clearer. After all, the Princess Mansion can make mistakes too.”

”... Yes.” Li Yuzhen could only nod.

She knew this was Chu Zhiyuan unwilling to overly rely on the Princess Mansion, wanting to maintain an independent perspective and mindset.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Fu Zheng: ”This is also an opportunity to understand the depth of Qianji Tower’s infiltration into the Phoenix Imperial City.”

Li Yuzhen said: ”Your Highness, no matter what, they cannot surpass the Princess Mansion.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded: ”It should be like this, then let’s see the actual situation and determine their usefulness.”

Fu Zheng’s delicate face was solemn, tightly clenched, her eyes flickering continuously.

This is a test of Qianji Tower’s worth, whether it’s worth Your Highness’s support.

If it proves of little use, Your Highness might abandon them in disappointment.

If it’s of significant use, Your Highness will support them vigorously, including in-depth martial arts and Strange Flowers and Fruits.

These are cultivation resources unattainable by the Demon Sect and Martial Arts Sect, crucially important.

Having seen the Green Bamboo Sword Technique taught by Chu Zhiyuan, having seen Chu Zhiyuan elevate Zhu Yijing to Venerable through secret techniques.

She felt Chu Zhiyuan could strengthen the Bamboo Sect significantly, even dominate the entire Demon Sect.

The Bamboo Sect would truly rise, with no one daring to bully or harm them.

Disciples sword dancing at the Imperial City’s taverns is true cultivation, not merely for sustaining the Sect’s expenses.

In her dreams and expectations, her cherry lips slightly parted, the corners of her mouth uplifted.

...

The next day when Chu Zhiyuan arrived at the True Martial Institute, the Third Prince Chu Liyang was already there.

Chu Zhiyuan sat on the furthest warm jade mat and said indifferently: ”Third Brother, have you done something to wrong me again?”

He used Super Sensing Illumination, perceiving everything clearly, instantly knowing his heart.

”What?”

”Shouldn’t I be the one asking Third Brother what the matter is?”

”No.”

”Third Brother, can’t even bear responsibility?”

”... Truly not me.” Chu Liyang snorted.

While the two were talking, the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince arrived together.

Upon hearing the conversation, the Second Prince Chu Lixuan chuckled: ”I know what Third Brother did.”

Chu Zhiyuan turned to him: ”Second Brother, what is it?”

”It’s not really much.” The Eldest Prince Chu Liechu hurriedly said: ”Just a discussion, a suggestion.”

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Chu Liechu, then stared at Chu Lixuan.

Chu Lixuan couldn’t hold his words.

Sure enough, seeing him look like this, Chu Lixuan laughed as he looked at Chu Liyang: ”Today, someone suggested replacing Ninth Brother with Third Brother to go to the Phoenix Dynasty.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned: ”Ridiculous.”

”If it were ordinary courtiers, indeed ridiculous and laughable, but this time it wasn’t ordinary courtiers suggesting it.” Chu Lixuan said: ”It was Prince Huai.”

”Prince Huai?” Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered.

”This Prince Huai is not an ordinary person.” Chu Lixuan shook his head: ”He is a battlefield-established prince, with hereditary title, his words carry weight.”

Chu Zhiyuan scrutinized Third Prince Chu Liyang: ”Third Brother possesses such capability?”

Chu Lixuan said: ”Prince Huai has old ties with Third Brother’s maternal grandfather, they are close.”

Chu Liyang said solemnly: ”Second Brother, there’s no point in bringing up all this; this wasn’t my idea!”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Was it your maternal grandfather’s idea, or Princess Ju’s idea?”

Chu Liyang frowned: ”No need to know whose idea it was, it won’t happen anyway.”

Chu Lixuan chuckled: ”Given Prince Huai’s character, he wouldn’t speak recklessly without certainty.”

Chu Liechu said: ”Is it deliberately expressing an attitude? Deep brotherhood or sacrificing for the Court?”

He shook his head: ”There’s truly no need.”

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Did you get the latest secret information that becoming Prince Consort would bring great benefits?”

Chu Liechu and Chu Lixuan immediately became spirited.

As the four were speaking, footsteps sounded again.

Then Chu Honglin led the Fourth Prince Chu Liexi in slowly.

With a glance, Chu Zhiyuan discovered that Chu Liexi’s cultivation had greatly increased, already entering the Transformation Realm.

After lingering at the Ninth Transition of Qi Transformation for so long, he finally broke through.

”Fourth Brother broke through, congratulations.”

”Fourth Brother, congratulations.”

”Henceforth we can cultivate together, welcome Fourth Brother to join.”

...

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his hands and smiled: ”Fourth Brother.”

Chu Liexi smiled: ”Ninth Brother, long time no see.”

The two hadn’t met for quite some time, both feeling pleasant.

Meeting again, they both felt uncomfortable.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”I hope Fourth Brother is well, no lingering issues from the last injury?”

”No.” Chu Liexi said: ”Misfortune turned into blessing, and instead led to a breakthrough.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: ”Congratulations, Fourth Brother.”

Chu Honglin didn’t say much, quickly leaving.

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, not participating in the four’s discussion, remaining detached.

He wished to spend every moment on cultivation, raising his cultivation to the Divinity Transformation Realm, becoming Venerable.