Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1075: Chapter 1071: Turning Them Back

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The Da Meng Emperor is about to ascend, there’s no need for this.”

”Ascend? Haha...” Cheng Zhongming chuckled, ”Why would the Princely Heir claim such a lie?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Majesty knows, I wouldn’t lie about this. In a month, Your Majesty will see the truth.”

Cheng Zhongming frowned and said, ”In a month she will ascend?”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded and said, ”Not more than a month.”

Cheng Zhongming concentrated on him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Does Your Majesty truly believe that two Emperor’s Swords together can severely damage Da Meng’s Emperor’s Sword?”

”No matter how powerful Li Hongzhao is, she can’t withstand the joint efforts of you and your ancestor,” Cheng Zhongming said, ”But you, how will you explain this to Da Jing? Your ancestor might expel you from the Imperial Family.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”I stepped forward because I didn’t want to see my Imperial Grandfather suffer unnecessary damage, with a clear conscience.”

”Haha... What a clear conscience,” Cheng Zhongming said, ”Do you think we can retreat? Can we stop now after coming this far?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”The Da Meng Emperor is currently busy preparing for ascension. Once ascended, all grievances will dissipate, but if ascension is delayed due to action, it would be a great loss.”

He clearly understood Cheng Zhongming’s concerns.

Since their plans have been uncovered, they must commit fully to their path.

Otherwise, retreating would lead to being picked off by Li Hongzhao.

Even if they could withstand Li Hongzhao’s strength, they would suffer greatly.

Rather than that, it would be better to eliminate the danger before it occurs and together severely injure Li Hongzhao.

”Haha...” Cheng Zhongming shook his head and chuckled, ”I’m not a three-year-old child.”

Chu Zhiyuan sighed and said, ”Your Majesty, I truly don’t want to offend you.”

”Oh—?” Cheng Zhongming looked at him curiously, ”You want to fight me?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If Your Majesty wields an Emperor’s Sword with full force, I wonder if it can withstand Da Meng’s Emperor’s Sword.”

Cheng Zhongming smiled, ”I don’t need to use the full force of an Emperor’s Sword, do I?”

As he spoke, he reached out with a gesture.

In the void, a vast longsword suddenly shrank, transforming into a stream of light and falling into his hand, becoming an ancient sword.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at this sword.

It was exactly the same as the longsword in Li Hongzhao’s hand, the faintly emerging patterns were Divine Language, inscribed with the words ”Nation and Temple.”

These two words contained vivid scenes and images, crowds like ants, some laboring on the vast earth, hunting or farming in mountains and seas, some bowing on the ground in prayer.

Chu Zhiyuan solemnly said, ”Your Majesty, please!”

”Take my sword.” Cheng Zhongming swung out a sword, instantly arriving before him.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his sleeve lightly.

”Ding...” The Emperor’s Sword emitted a clear hum.

With this wave, the Lao Gong Acupoint absorbed the power of the Emperor’s Sword, while he flicked out a Startled Swan Divine Finger.

The power of the Spiritual Abyss wasn’t diminished within the Three Realms, yet here it seemed weakened.

But compared to the spiritual energy here, it was absolutely dominant.

The finger force of the Startled Swan Divine Finger landed on the Emperor’s Sword like a boulder striking.

The Emperor’s Sword emitted a clear hum while bursting into brilliant light, as if provoked.

Cheng Zhongming’s expression changed slightly, retreating while holding the sword, looking at Chu Zhiyuan with awe.

Chu Zhiyuan stood with hands behind his back, smiling, ”Your Majesty, how was it?”

Cheng Zhongming looked solemnly at him, focusing on his sleeve, trying to understand why it was so powerful.

Was it a treasure, or a Miracle Technique?

To withstand fifty percent of the Emperor’s Sword’s cultivation in one blow was truly astounding.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”Your Majesty, it’s not too late to stop now.”

Cheng Zhongming shook his head, ”It’s already too late. Li Hongzhao is a woman, and women are notoriously vindictive.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”As powerful as she is, she needs to give her all to deal with either of you alone and that would delay her ascension.”

Cheng Zhongming said, ”Even if she delays her ascension, she will come back for revenge.”

”It’s different,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Majesty hasn’t personally appeared before her, so it won’t provoke grievances.”

”How naive the Princely Heir is!” Cheng Zhongming said, ”Move aside for your ancestor’s sake. I haven’t used my full strength yet; you can’t withstand the Emperor’s Sword.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, ”Then I can only try.”

He suddenly appeared behind Cheng Zhongming.

Striking a palm against Cheng Zhongming’s back.

Cheng Zhongming’s Emperor’s Sword already reversed its thrust, aiming for his throat with lightning speed.

The Emperor’s Sword was connected to his heart and spirit, moving with his thoughts, astonishingly fast and rivaling his movement technique.

Chu Zhiyuan’s left palm transformed into fingers, flicking and aiming at the Emperor’s Sword, while his other palm continued towards Cheng Zhongming.

”Bang!”

”Ding!”

Each took a step back.

Cheng Zhongming’s face looked grim, glaring at Chu Zhiyuan, while Chu Zhiyuan also looked in wonder at the Emperor’s Sword in Cheng Zhongming’s hand.

This Emperor’s Sword was indeed marvelous.

It was both a weapon of attack and a tool of defense, combining both functions.

Without the protection of the Emperor’s Sword, Cheng Zhongming would have been seriously injured if not killed by that palm.

This palm contained the immense power of the Spiritual Abyss, which even with Cheng Zhongming’s Great Grandmaster cultivation couldn’t possibly resist.

Even a Venerable from Outer Heaven would be severely injured by taking this palm solidly.

Yet Cheng Zhongming remained unfazed, the overwhelming palm force was absorbed by the Emperor’s Sword.

The Emperor’s Sword in Cheng Zhongming’s hand grew brighter, flickering continuously.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head and vanished, moments later appearing next to Cheng Zhongming’s left side, precisely at the Emperor’s Sword’s flank.

Close enough to give no space for the Emperor’s Sword, needing to retreat and create distance to stab him.

But Chu Zhiyuan trailed closely, Cheng Zhongming retreated and he followed, always maintaining a position beside the Emperor’s Sword.

The Emperor’s Sword grew increasingly dazzling and intimidating.

Chu Zhiyuan sensed the power surging from the sword, growing stronger.

Suddenly, he vanished and appeared two steps away.

The Emperor’s Sword instantly unleashed a powerful thrust, like light and lightning.

Cheng Zhongming’s face changed dramatically.

He sensed that the Emperor’s Sword had missed its target.

Chu Zhiyuan appeared behind him, shaking his head, ”Your Majesty, the Emperor’s Sword is not invincible.”

As he spoke, he sent out a light palm strike.

The Emperor’s Sword once more thrust at his throat, which he dodged with a sidestep, simultaneously striking with his fingers.

”Chichichichi...”

Finger force shot out, crisscrossing incessantly, landing all over Cheng Zhongming.

Cheng Zhongming kept wielding his sword.

Yet the Emperor’s Sword, however swift, could not hit Chu Zhiyuan, who continued flickering and delivering finger strikes.

After over a hundred finger strikes, he halted ten meters away, shaking his head.

The Emperor’s Sword was brimming with immense power; such consumption made it hard to exhaust.

Continue fighting like this would be meaningless, ultimately it’s a draw.

Cheng Zhongming’s face turned sour, glaring coldly at him.

The previous warmth came from a position of looking down from above.

But now, realizing Chu Zhiyuan could withstand the Emperor’s Sword, and bafflingly the Emperor’s Sword couldn’t harm him, his mental state changed dramatically.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Your Majesty should go back.”

Cheng Zhongming coldly said, ”Princely Heir, you truly intend to stick with Li Hongzhao? Resolute in aiding Da Meng?”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, ”I won’t fight my Imperial Grandfather, I’ll just hold Your Majesty back.”

Cheng Zhongming said, ”If Li Hongzhao harms your grandfather, it will be your sin.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”It’s no matter if my Imperial Grandfather is injured, he doesn’t intend to ascend.”

Cheng Zhongming said coldly, ”Princely Heir, you are a sinner of Da Jing!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Right and wrong, success and failure, let others judge.”

”... Very well, very well,” Cheng Zhongming gritted his teeth, releasing his grip.

The Emperor’s Sword instantly transformed into a stream of light and shot towards Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan vanished.

The Emperor’s Sword soared through the sky, appearing like a flash of lightning.

Yet it couldn’t strike Chu Zhiyuan, ultimately ascending to the sky, growing larger and spanning the heavens.

Chu Zhiyuan reappeared, clasped his fists towards Cheng Zhongming, ”Your Majesty, farewell.”

Cheng Zhongming sneered, ”Let’s see how you face the consequences!”

He turned to leave, drifting like clouds, disappearing in the blink of an eye into the distant mountains.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, looked up at the Emperor’s Sword.

He felt the Emperor’s Sword still watching him.

He smiled slightly at the sky, vanished, and the next moment appeared in the Da Meng Palace.

As for the Emperor of Da Jing, he believed Cheng Zhongming’s withdrawal would soon be reported.

No doubt Cheng Zhongming would run to complain.