Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 122: Chapter 120: Testing

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Chu Zhiyuan finished his cup of tea and then took his leave.

For a first meeting, it shouldn’t last too long nor be in haste.

They agreed to go shopping the following afternoon, and then have dinner at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, to see if they could lure out Song Tianhai.

After returning to the Prince Qing Mansion, Bai Ningshuang and Chu Yi approached, eager to inquire about the situation at the Duke An Mansion, filled with curiosity.

Chu Zhiyuan gave a couple of dismissive replies, saying he needed to cultivate, and then mentioned that they would go shopping together the next afternoon and eat at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Bai Ningshuang and Chu Yi beamed with delight at this.

As Chu Zhiyuan was speaking with them, Feng Xi came in to report that the manager from the Duke Kang Mansion had brought a box, specifically for the Princely Heir.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Bring it up."

Feng Xi soon brought in a small purple sandalwood box, and upon opening it, three Dragon Blood Pearls gleamed in Chu Zhiyuan’s smiling eyes.

His Super Sense had long since seen the three Dragon Blood Pearls inside the box.

The wealth of the Duke Kang Mansion was truly impressive.

However, this Duke Kang wasn’t very tactful; he could have added more while giving the three Dragon Blood Pearls.

Deep down, he still looked down on the Prince Qing Mansion.

Or perhaps it was to avoid suspicion, to prevent misunderstandings with the Emperor.

So concerned about the Emperor’s view, the explanation from Duke An wasn’t completely accurate; Duke Kang hadn’t truly resigned himself and still harbored ambitions.

He was still holding out hope for Song Tianhai.

Chu Zhiyuan closed the box and bid farewell to Bai Ningshuang and Chu Yi, reminding Chu Yi not to be lazy and to diligently practice the Xiao Guiyuan Steps.

"We’ve already practiced it well," Chu Yi protested, "We practiced especially fast with Sister Li."

Chu Zhiyuan scrutinized her.

Chu Yi puffed out her chest, "Sister Li is coming over later, you can come and see!"

"Forget it."

"Big Brother—!" Chu Yi immediately grabbed his arm, "Just watch for a little while, to see what more we need to improve."

"...Alright."

Chu Zhiyuan finally agreed.

——

Sitting on the couch in the Listening Waves Courtyard, looking at the four Dragon Blood Pearls in front of him, Chu Zhiyuan’s smile grew bigger.

It was as if he could see the state of perfection in the fourth layer of the Dragon Transformation Technique.

Simply absorbing the aura from the Dragon Blood Pearls didn’t advance marrow refining particularly quickly, but when combined with the aura from the Miao Ling Pearl, the progress was more than three times faster.

Additionally, with the activation from the Flying Dragon Ball, marrow refining could be nearly completed in about a month.

By then, Innate Perfection, marrow refinement would be complete.

Perhaps the path to becoming a Grandmaster would soon be found, and he could step into Grandmaster all at once.

The more he thought about it, the more delightful it became, with a smile spreading across his face.

He practiced the Dragon Transformation Technique for a while, and then the Jade Lock Gold Barrier Skill, using the water-grinding technique to overcome the final layer of the Jade Tower.

Alternating between the two skills, it didn’t feel monotonous.

...

This good mood persisted until the next morning when he went to the Ministry of Rites, poring over that stack of dossiers, and Gao Lingfeng reported that an elder from the Chengxin Sect sought an audience.

Through Super Sense, Chu Zhiyuan saw the elder from the Chengxin Sect outside, an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face.

He wasn’t tall, wore a gray robe washed to a faded whiteness, exuding simplicity and calm.

There was an inexplicable amiable aura around him, as if he melded well with anyone, without a trace of sharpness.

In the void above his head lay a turtle.

The turtle retracted its head and limbs, only showing its shell, which was crystal clear and glossy, as if carved from white jade, it was the White Jade Turtle Dharma Form.

The Dharma Form was clear, indicating a cultivation above the third heavenly level of a Grandmaster.

"Let him in," Chu Zhiyuan said.

Gao Lingfeng quickly brought the gray-robed elder inside.

After entering, the gray-robed elder cupped his fists, "The old one, Chu Yunxian, greets the Junior Minister."

Chu Zhiyuan returned the salute, "Elder Chu seeks me, what might be the matter?"

Chu Yunxian slowly took out a letter from his chest, carefully unfolding it, and presented it with both hands, "I am entrusted to deliver this letter to the Junior Minister."

Gao Lingfeng stepped forward to take the letter, passing it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Zou Fang stepped forward to take the letter, carefully inspecting it, finding nothing unusual, then handed the plain paper inside the envelope to Chu Zhiyuan.

Sitting behind the desk, Chu Zhiyuan took it and scanned the plain paper, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

Chu Yunxian calmly watched Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan quickly finished reading, frowning, "What is written here is so veiled and confusing."

Chu Yunxian smiled, "Sir, what is unclear?"

"Exchanging treasures for spirit pills, how many spirit pills and what kinds?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Also, what do you want in exchange?"

Chu Yunxian replied, "Exchanging for the item on He Jiujie’s body."

"He Jiujie’s relics were stolen; was it your doing?" Chu Zhiyuan said coldly, "Chengxin Sect, you dare!"

"Sir, there’s a misunderstanding." Chu Yunxian shook his head, "We are also investigating the theft of He Jiujie’s relics."

"And what is He Jiujie’s relation to you?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "You hired him to assassinate Elder Bai Jingmang of the True One Sect?"

"Sir, we merely sought He Jiujie to retrieve something for us, not to kill."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Chengxin Sect has a decent reputation, but now entangled with He Jiujie, it calls into question the integrity and authenticity of Chengxin Sect."

Chu Yunxian remained unprovoked, still maintaining calmness, smiling, "Sir, you are nearing the Grandmaster level, aren’t you?"

"Still a bit short."

"Sir is of exceptional aptitude, surely not long now to be a Grandmaster, which requires discovering the path to becoming a Grandmaster."

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"If aided by spirit pills, the path could be more easily found."

"Is it the Miao Wu Pill?"

"Sir, indeed, but besides the Miao Wu Pill, there are other treasures or spirit pills with similar effects in this world, do you know?"

"Oh—?" Chu Zhiyuan pondered, then smiled, "What treasures and spirit pills compare to the Miao Wu Pill?"

He already understood that Chu Yunxian came to test if he knew about the Miao Ling Pearl.

To be able to quickly trace it to him, the Jiuli Divine Sect was indeed adept.

But to learn that the Chengxin Sect is secretly backed by the Jiuli Divine Sect was a revelation, likely a well-kept secret.

"I know of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Pearl, Viewing Sunset Pearl, and Qi Immortal Grass."

"...I’ve never heard of any of them, can they be exchanged at the Heavenly Treasure Department? What grade of merit do they require?"

"These are otherworldly rare items, not within the Heavenly Treasure Department."

"Then there’s nothing more to say!" Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Alright, stop beating around the bush, I don’t have that much free time. If there’s nothing else, please leave."

"I’ve troubled you much, I will take my leave then."

"I won’t see you off," Chu Zhiyuan waved, signaling Gao Lingfeng to escort him out.

Once Gao Lingfeng returned, seeing Chu Zhiyuan intent on studying the plain paper, he couldn’t help but be curious, "Sir, who is behind this?"

Chu Zhiyuan handed it to him to read.

Gao Lingfeng glanced at the signature at the bottom of the plain paper, his face changed slightly, "Jiuli Divine Sect?!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Master Gao, well done, not revealing any oddity."

When Chu Yunxian mentioned He Jiujie’s relics, Gao Lingfeng showed no reaction, as if he wasn’t aware of the matter of He Jiujie’s relics.

Although Gao Lingfeng was upright, he wasn’t without subtlety.

Even without subtlety, after a few years in officialdom, he would develop it.

"What could He Jiujie have that interests the Jiuli Divine Sect? The Jiuli Divine Sect..." Gao Lingfeng’s expression fluctuated.

He certainly knew the Jiuli Divine Sect and that they, one of the Four Great Demon Sects, operated independently, free from court jurisdiction, living at ease.

This is also a source of trouble.

Throughout history, it’s not uncommon for criminals to escape into the territories of the Four Great Demon Sects, thereby eluding court capture.

The existence of the Four Great Demon Sects is a challenge to the court.

And for the Jiuli Divine Sect to personally pursue something, it is certainly no ordinary treasure.

He glanced at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Master Gao also wishes to know what this treasure is? Why not directly ask Chu Yunxian."

"Elder Chu Yunxian of the Chengxin Sect is very reputable," Gao Lingfeng shook his head, "He’s highly esteemed in Yujing."

"Chengxin Sect’s entanglement with the Jiuli Divine Sect?"

"To my knowledge, none."

"Then it’s personal entanglement? Or has it been hidden from the world?"

"...I’ll go investigate!" Gao Lingfeng said with seriousness.

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