Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 766: Chapter 762: Beginning the Practice

”Almost impossible to practice...” Chu Zhiyuan pondered, ”Is it still due to the world’s anomaly, leading to human frailty?”

Li Miaotan shook her head, ”The Dragon Transformation Scripture was originally a Demon Clan cultivation technique, modified by a Human Race expert to allow humans to practice it. It was possible then, but not anymore. The spiritual energy of the Three Realms has changed, not just us; even the Demon Clan has lost it.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered, ”According to Chang Gong it’s not so, is it?”

”Aunt Chang only vaguely understands this method, without knowing its origin.”

”So it still depends on whether any Spirit Venerable returns.”

”Yes, let’s see what fate brings.”

”Your Highness.” Li Yuzhen frowned, ”Prince Consort possesses amazing insight and exceptional aptitude.”

”This has nothing to do with aptitude... If our lineage hadn’t kept the Heavenly Dragon Introduction, it would have been lost by now and is considered an Evil Skill.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”This Heavenly Dragon Introduction is painful to practice, shortens lifespan, and is difficult to master. Despite numerous flaws, it must have some benefits?”

With such severe drawbacks, it would not have existed initially without significant allure.

Such enormous drawbacks still have vitality, there must be astonishing efficacy.

”The Dragon Transformation Scripture can condense the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline.”

”What is the mystical use of the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline?”

”The Heavenly Dragon Bloodline can achieve rebirth, strengthen the body, enhance spirit, prolong lifespan, and can cast Dragon Curse, which is a power stronger than martial skills.”

”Dragon Curse...”

”Many people covet the Heavenly Dragon Bloodline and Dragon Curse, recklessly cultivating, ultimately meeting tragic ends.”

”Is it really that tragic?”

”During cultivation, it feels like burning oneself with fire, incredibly painful like undergoing fire torture, and it shortens lifespan, often leading to death before reaching the first layer.”

”Why does it shorten lifespan?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.

”Its cultivation involves the deepest essence, otherwise it wouldn’t have such a miraculous effect of rebirth.”

”Hmm... that’s true.”

”Painful to practice, shortens lifespan afterward; these are just two of its drawbacks. Its greatest drawback is its difficulty.”

”Why is it difficult?”

Li Miaotan said, ”It requires comprehension of the Dragon God, Dragon Spirit, and Dragon Essence, which cannot be understood by just viewing visualization.”

Chu Zhiyuan was in contemplation.

He couldn’t help but think of the Dragon Transformation Technique he practiced in Little Outer Heaven, and the Dragon Thought that ultimately merged into his divine thought.

It was the Dragon Transformation Technique, and this is the Dragon Transformation Scripture, the Heavenly Dragon Introduction.

Do they have any connection?

The Dragon Transformation Technique couldn’t be practiced in this outer world, it was ineffective.

I wonder how this Dragon Transformation Scripture would be?

He was suddenly filled with immense curiosity.

Li Yuzhen wanted to say something but hesitated.

She felt that others couldn’t master it, but Chu Zhiyuan might be an exception.

But the drawbacks of this technique were too great, she was embarrassed to suggest Chu Zhiyuan try it.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, ”Can I take a look at the secret manual of the Heavenly Dragon Introduction?”

”You want to practice it?” Li Miaotan said, ”Don’t risk yourself because of me, only to end up unable to save me, and shortening your life.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”How can I avoid shortening my lifespan?”

”Master the first layer in the shortest time possible. Once reaching the first layer, it not only doesn’t shorten lifespan, but rather extends it.”

”Before mastering the first layer, does it always shorten lifespan?”

”Yes, it always shortens lifespan,” Li Miaotan shook her head gently, ”Unfortunately, not being in the Divinity Transformation Realm, the Venerable can last a year, but now, you won’t last a month.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Even as a Venerable, you wouldn’t last a year.”

”Whether I can last a year or not, at least you still have a chance to master it, but now...”

She shook her head gently, ”Life and death are destined, I’ve already accepted it, no need to force it too hard.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Let me see the secret manual of the Heavenly Dragon Introduction first.”

Li Yuzhen hesitated, her red lips moved, but no sound came out.

She was caught in a dilemma.

Unable to watch Li Miaotan wither away and die, yet also not wanting to watch Chu Zhiyuan go to his death.

All she could do was remain silent.

Li Miaotan gazed steadily at Chu Zhiyuan, her bright eyes like autumn water, shining clearly.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Does Your Highness think I’m going to sacrifice myself to save?”

Li Miaotan chuckled softly, ”You’re not that sentimental.”

She already knew Chu Zhiyuan well, appearing irritable on the outside, but gentle inside.

Of course, this was according to Li Yuzhen’s view, which might not be accurate, and could be deceived by him.

But at least he wasn’t as evil and ruthless as rumored outside.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I’m just curious about the Heavenly Dragon Introduction, just want to take a look.”

Li Miaotan smiled and looked at Li Yuzhen, ”Yuzhen, go fetch it.”

”Yes.” Li Yuzhen got up and left.

The room was left with only Chu Zhiyuan and Li Miaotan.

It was so quiet that even a needle drop could be heard.

Li Miaotan’s bright eyes quietly watched Chu Zhiyuan, seemingly trying to see through to his heart.

Chu Zhiyuan broke the silence, not letting the atmosphere turn awkward, bringing up the old topic slowly, ”Why did they want to assassinate you, paying such a huge price?”

Li Miaotan furrowed her brows lightly, ”That’s what I’ve been wondering too.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”First they tried to assassinate me, then you. Could it be they’re retaliating against our dynasty, just coincidentally targeting both of us?”

”What do you think?”

”I think it’s no coincidence.”

”If it’s not a coincidence... then it’s deliberate, not wanting both of us to live.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, ”If the two of us live, if we get married, what consequences will it bring them?”

”With your help, I might master a miracle technique, becoming extremely difficult to deal with... very few know of this matter, it shouldn’t be known.”

Only a few in the world know about the Phoenix Nirvana Guide.

Like father, like consort mother, like Li Yuzhen beside me, besides them, no one knows.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”They might not have heard from anyone; the Demon Clan and Demon Clan also have organizations like your Fengtian Palace and our Yujing Qintian Observatory, right?”

”Naturally they exist, the Demon Clan’s Wanyan Palace is even more formidable.”

”It’s very likely deduced.”

”...They really put a lot of effort.” Li Miaotan nodded thoughtfully.

She felt this speculation was probably correct, and it’s the only explanation that made the most sense.

Her bright eyes sparkling, looking at Chu Zhiyuan intently.

If it weren’t for their assassination, I could have really mastered the Phoenix Nirvana Guide with his help!

Unfortunately, all of this got destroyed.

Damn Demon Clan, damn Demon Clan!

Her heart surged with anger and unwillingness.

What a wonder it would be to master the Phoenix Nirvana Guide and reverse life and death?

Footsteps sounded, and Li Yuzhen pushed the door open, holding a pitch-black box.

Chu Zhiyuan saw the box and immediately sensed something unusual.

The black lacquer iron box looked ordinary.

But its material was unusual, isolating Super Sensing Illumination and even blocking the flow of air.

In the super sense, it was an isolated space, a sealed vacuum state.

It was faintly engraved with strange patterns, almost indiscernible.

Li Yuzhen placed the black lacquer iron box on the bed, in front of Li Miaotan.

Li Miaotan lightly bit her index finger, her jade white finger squeezing out a bright red blood pearl, like cinnabar.

The blood pearl was dripped onto a petal of a flower in the iron box pattern.

One drop, two drops, three drops.

Falling on three petals separately.

”Snap!”

A crisp sound suddenly came from inside the iron box, and then it snapped open.

The box lid flipped open, revealing a thin sheet of yellow paper inside, its luster brilliant, as if made of golden silk paper.

Chu Zhiyuan knew it wasn’t actually made of gold, but a different kind of unusual material.

The super sense couldn’t penetrate it, couldn’t illuminate its interior.

So this material was naturally peculiar, seeing that air couldn’t invade, indicating its strong corrosion resistance.

No wonder it remained so pristine.

On this thin sheet of paper, there was only one picture, no text.

The picture depicted a dragon, faintly visible amidst clouds and mist.

As soon as Chu Zhiyuan saw this dragon, a dragon’s roar echoed in his ears.

At the same time, he was suddenly in a trance.

In the trance, he transformed into a golden dragon, moving freely through the clouds, soaring through the universe unrestrained.

He saw mountains like mounds, white clouds like mountains, crowds like ants, green forests like carpets, and great rivers like small streams.

All things in heaven and earth, the vicissitudes of life, were laid out before his eyes.

Everything in the world lay beneath his feet, all could be looked down upon, all could be observed.

Meanwhile, in Little Outer Heaven, sitting cross-legged in Prince Qing Mansion, Chu Zhiyuan suddenly opened his eyes.

He couldn’t help but open his mouth, letting out a long howl towards the sky.

The howl resounded like thunder, shaking the surroundings.

The entire capital could hear it.

The dragon scales on his body’s surface gradually emerged, clearly visible and entirely realistic.

At the same time, a faint golden dragon appeared behind his body.

This golden dragon had only a segment, its scales clear, the rest of its body hidden in void.

This golden dragon seemed no different from reality.

The Dragon Transformation Technique had already neared the state of perfection.

...

Li Miaotan and Li Yuzhen looked at Chu Zhiyuan in shock, watching him glance at the golden silk before closing his eyes, slowly assuming an unusual pose, motionless.

Li Miaotan looked at Li Yuzhen.

Li Yuzhen shook her head in surprise, indicating she didn’t understand either.

Li Miaotan curiously scrutinized Chu Zhiyuan.

After Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes and posed unusually, his aura began to change.

His heartbeat slowly grew louder, doubling, tripling in volume... finally sounding like a drum, booming.

Li Yuchun outside the door called out loudly: ”Your Highness, Sister Zhen...”

Li Yuzhen stepped forward, opened the door, and put a slender finger to her red lips, indicating for her not to make a sound.

Li Yuchun curiously peered inside.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan in a crouching or not, a stooping or not pose, ready to pounce at any moment.

But both hands formed a handprint each, his body twisted like a snake.

No matter how you looked, it seemed strange.

But this bizarre manner exuded an immense, grand aura of majesty.

”What is this...”

”Shh!”

”Alright.”

Li Yuzhen closed the door again, returned to the bed, and stared at Chu Zhiyuan.

Li Miaotan watched for a while and found that besides his heart beating loudly like a drum, Chu Zhiyuan’s breathing had also changed.

The breathing turned long, the sound gradually louder, each inhalation and exhalation like a roaring gale.

Though the room was sealed tight, the whirlwind howled, blowing their hair and robes to flutter.

”Your Highness, lie down first,” Li Yuzhen whispered.

Li Miaotan shook her head.

Li Yuzhen lifted the brocade quilt high, completely wrapping it around her, preventing the wind from invading her jade body.

Li Miaotan stared at Chu Zhiyuan in amazement.

Li Yuzhen was equally curious yet extremely worried.

This was clearly the start of practicing this Heavenly Dragon Introduction.

This was embarking on a path of no return!

She whispered, ”Should we interrupt him? Will he make a mistake practicing blindly like this?”

”This isn’t blind practice.” Li Miaotan shook her head, her bright eyes still fixed on Chu Zhiyuan: ”He has realized the true way of practice... the secret manual only has this one picture, no one knows how exactly to practice it, all relies on one’s own insight; I haven’t seen anything, even Father hasn’t seen anything.”

”The Emperor tried practicing too?”

”He didn’t intend to practice. He just wanted to see the secret manual and was equally curious.”

Li Yuzhen exclaimed, ”So to say... ”

Li Miaotan said, ”It’s different, you can’t generalize; insight has its focus.”

Li Yuzhen chuckled.

So it seems the Prince Consort truly surpasses the Emperor in insight.