Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 204: Chapter 202 Heavenly Talisman

Even though no figure was visible.

But the Contemplation Realm never deceives.

The astonishing Golden Wheel had already appeared in the void above his head, clearly indicating that the Great Grandmaster had reached just outside the front hall.

"Third Brother has a good son!"

With a clear and bright laugh, a silhouette flickered, and a tall, slender, and elegant middle-aged man appeared below the steps, like a vigorous pine tree.

His hair was slightly gray, eyebrows thick and elongated, and his eyes seemed like gemstones with countless facets swirling, emitting lightning-like brilliance.

Under his gaze, one’s very soul felt illuminated.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists and said, "Is it Second Uncle?"

"Second Brother?" Chu Minghou quickly lifted the curtain and came out, seeing the elegant middle-aged man below the steps, was overjoyed, and hurriedly ran down, rushing towards the handsome middle-aged man.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed inwardly.

This was Second Uncle, King Jing, Chu Mingze.

The second Prince of the Court, King Jing, reputed to be the Spiritual Son of the Yongling Divine Sect, had been confined for thirty years, yet his demeanor remained unscathed.

Chu Mingze caught Chu Minghou’s arm, looking at Chu Minghou’s reddening eyes ready to shed tears, he couldn’t help but laugh, "Old Third, we brothers are finally reunited!"

"Second Brother..." Chu Minghou was speechless, tears already flowing.

Chu Mingze sighed, "Old Third, you have suffered all these years."

"What kind of words are these, Second Brother?" Chu Minghou discontentedly wiped his tears, pulling him inside, "Second Brother, let’s talk inside!"

"No need to go inside." Chu Mingze patted his shoulder, "I am about to see Father, just came by to talk with you first."

"Second Brother, have you really become a Great Grandmaster?"

"Yes, finally achieved Perfection." Chu Mingze smiled, "It’s heaven’s blessing... Sister-in-law, long time no see."

Bai Ningshuang bowed with a smile, "Congratulations to Second Brother on being freed."

Chu Mingze laughed, "I know Sister-in-law held a grudge against me... it was indeed my fault, not thinking it through."

Bai Ningshuang shook her head, "It was the Prince’s choice, Second Brother can’t be blamed, but with Second Brother’s release, even the Prince has finally found peace; otherwise, he would sigh constantly."

"Ha ha..." Chu Mingze shook his head with a smile, "Old Third, anyone else would have been filled with resentment long ago, but he still thought of me."

"Second Brother, how have you been all these years?"

"Very well, lacking neither food nor clothing, Father wouldn’t let me starve; it was just like a secluded retreat, a blessing in disguise perhaps."

"Father, His Majesty..."

"In this world now, the only one truly thinking of me is you, Old Third," Chu Mingze smiled, "After seeing Father, it may be a long time before we brothers meet again."

"Second Brother, you..." Chu Minghou now understood the whole story, knowing that Chu Mingze chose to become the Sect Hierarch of the Yongling Divine Sect.

"Old Third, don’t get involved in this matter." Chu Mingze waved his hand, "Before leaving, I have something to give to my nephew; if you can’t practice it, so be it."

Chu Mingze looked towards Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, "Second Uncle, my apologies, as soon as the Prince Mansion was unsealed, Father couldn’t wait to visit Second Uncle, but I stopped him."

"Hmm, you did well." Chu Mingze nodded, "Very well done."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Second Uncle is the first among the Princes to achieve Great Grandmaster status, with hopes of ascending the imperial throne."

"Ha ha..." Chu Mingze shook his head, "I am not destined to be Emperor; you, already a Grandmaster of the Fifth Layer Heaven at such a young age, are indeed a genius of the Chu Family line, with your Imperial Grandfather’s talents, you might as well strive for the throne."

Chu Minghou was stunned.

Bai Ningshuang quickly said, "Se—cond—Bro—ther!"

"Heh, even the fearless Sister-in-law knows fear now." Chu Mingze laughed, "Becoming a mother makes a difference."

"In Second Brother’s eyes, am I still that wild lass?" Bai Ningshuang laughed.

Chu Mingze laughed, "Fearless of heaven or earth, daring to scold and hit anyone; before coming here, I was really worried about getting a scolding."

Bai Ningshuang pressed her lips and laughed.

Chu Mingze looked at Chu Zhiyuan, soberly saying, "As your Second Uncle, I now possess little, and cannot impart some Secret Skills to you, lest it causes trouble."

"Second Uncle’s intentions, nephew understands."

"Then let me give you a talisman, it is an Ancient Spirit Talisman, passed down for millennia, thought lost to the ages."

He said while extending his right index finger, gently pointing towards Chu Zhiyuan’s forehead.

Chu Zhiyuan wanted to dodge but was too late.

He watched as the index finger gently touched him, then a thunderous roar exploded in his mind, followed by a flash of a pattern.

"This is the Spirit Summoning Talisman, capable of connecting with the spiritual nature of all things." Chu Mingze withdrew his finger, stepped back, and said warmly, "Though it can’t directly enhance your cultivation, it lays a foundation for becoming a Great Grandmaster, use it wisely."

Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, his expression solemn.

"This Spirit Talisman consumes a lot of energy, do not overuse it."

"Thank you, Second Uncle!"

Chu Zhiyuan bowed deeply, cupping his fists.

The Super Sense did not warn him, indicating that the Spirit Summoning Talisman was safe, presenting no danger.

Chu Mingze looked at Chu Minghou, then Bai Ningshuang, and finally at Chu Yi, who had a curious face, smiling, "This girl looks like Sister-in-law, very clever."

Chu Yi giggled, "Second Uncle, are you going to become the Sect Hierarch of the Yongling Divine Sect?"

Chu Zhiyuan helplessly shook his head.

Bai Ningshuang glared at her fiercely.

Chu Minghou looked at Chu Mingze curiously.

This too was what he wanted to ask.

Chu Mingze laughed, "What do you think?"

Chu Yi asked, "Which is better, being the Sect Hierarch of the Yongling Divine Sect or a Prince?"

"That depends on how you measure. If judging by power and status, naturally being a Prince is better. If judging by freedom, then being a Sect Hierarch is better."

The position of a Prince held highest power but above there was always the Emperor, with various Princes in between, and the Imperial Censors below watching closely.

The Sect Hierarch of the Yongling Divine Sect was akin to a feudal lord.

The Yongling Divine Sect naturally cannot compare to the Court in terms of power, but within its dominion, the Sect Hierarch is supreme.

"Second Uncle, which one will you choose?"

"If it were you, which would you choose?"

"A Prince." Chu Yi laughed, "Become a Prince and do nothing."

"Ha ha..." Chu Mingze burst into hearty laughter.

He looked at Bai Ningshuang and Chu Minghou, "The luckiest is this girl, there, take this, it’s the seed of the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree. Once planted, it will make the surrounding flowers and plants thrive."

"Thank you, Second Uncle!" Chu Yi joyfully extended her small hand to receive it.

Chu Mingze turned and said, "Third Brother, Sister-in-law, I am going now, until we meet again!"

He flickered and vanished.

"Second Brother!"

Chu Minghou called out, but the figure faded away.

Bai Ningshuang held his hand.

Chu Minghou’s eyes grew moist, tears threatening to fall again.

Chu Yi stuck her tongue out, examining the strange seed in her small hand.

At first glance, it looked like a round pearl carved from White Jade, but inside it was shiny black.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Doesn’t it look like an eyeball?"

"Big—Brother—!" Chu Yi immediately became displeased.

The bead that originally seemed beautiful to her now seemed less appealing after what Chu Zhiyuan said, more like an eyeball.

Holding it in her palm felt uncomfortable.

"Hurry and plant it," Chu Zhiyuan suggested.

Chu Yi immediately ran off.

Chu Zhiyuan excused himself to Chu Minghou and Bai Ningshuang before turning back to Listening to the Waves Pavilion.

Sitting down upon the bed, he visualized the strange pattern in his mind.

Compared to the Phoenix Pattern Jade Pendant, it had some similarities, yet was different.

The Spirit Summoning Talisman...

Chu Zhiyuan felt the name had a grandiose tone, but he wondered how effective it was.

Curiously, he focused his mind on contemplating it.