Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 87: Chapter 85: Choices

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As one of the earliest Four Great Sects, Yao Yue Palace was already a top Great Sect during the previous dynasty, with a long heritage, far surpassing the founding time of Da Jing.

Its martial arts are profound and extensive, originally having four branches.

Later, because they assisted the founding Emperor of Da Jing, internal strife occurred within Yao Yue Palace, and through mutual slaughter, two branches were wiped out, leaving two branches remaining.

Originally, there was one branch for each gender, but five hundred years ago, changes occurred again, and Yao Yue Palace ceased to recruit male disciples, leaving only a single inheritance branch.

It is said that the founding patriarch of the Zhenyi Sect was the last male disciple of Yao Yue Palace.

This appearance of the Qionghua Nine Chapters here clearly confirms this rumor, as Zhenyi Sect was indeed created by a disciple of Yao Yue Palace, specifically a male disciple.

Qionghua Nine Chapters are the martial arts of one branch, rumored to have been lost, yet unexpectedly appearing here.

This secret chamber below is very deep, and it is filled with mechanical traps, which, once triggered, both heavily injure invaders and destroy the murals.

The founding patriarch of the Zhenyi Sect should have left a mechanical technique to avoid the traps.

But unfortunately, no one has come for a long time, and it seems that no one in the Zhenyi Sect practices it anymore, as what he sees with his Super Sense is not this.

Chu Zhiyuan was pondering as he slowly walked towards the Heavenly Treasure Department, contemplating the Qionghua Nine Chapters.

In the Heavenly Treasure Department, he found the directory and introduction of Fifth Grade treasures.

His gaze was finally drawn to two items: one was ten pieces of Dragon Bone, the other, one Miao Wu Pill.

The Dragon Bone is the Flying Dragon Bone.

He stood in the Heavenly Treasure Department for a moment, quickly making a decision to choose ten pieces of Flying Dragon Bone, temporarily giving up the Miao Wu Pill.

Now, it is no longer the time before the duel with Cheng Tianfeng. There’s no wool to exploit, so it’s impossible to quickly improve cultivation hoping for the Emperor’s support.

He can only rely on himself.

Although the Miao Wu Pill is good, it is ultimately for future use, and with his Super Sense, he may not necessarily use it. The Flying Dragon Bone is still more important.

Of course, if there were only one piece of Flying Dragon Bone, he might grit his teeth and switch to the Miao Wu Pill, but ten pieces of Flying Dragon Bone combined are far more attractive than the Miao Wu Pill.

He carried a box of Flying Dragon Bone out of the Heavenly Treasure Department, the box heavy, but his steps light, and he returned directly to Prince Qing Mansion, immediately beginning to absorb the Dragon Bone upon reaching his room.

He practiced in one breath until sunset, when Mo Yi came to call for dinner.

——

Front Hall

Chu Zhiyuan and his family of four sat around a table, eating simple and light dishes.

After feasting too much and drinking excessively at the Imperial Palace night banquet, Chu Minghou had not yet recovered after two days, appearing somewhat decadent and weary, needing plain food to nourish his stomach.

"Big brother, I went looking for sister-in-law today." Chu Yi said while speaking, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "Sister-in-law is really elegant, setting a painting boat on the lake, reading and playing in the boat, it’s really interesting!"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Did you talk to her?"

"I did, I did." Chu Yi waved her hand, "Sister-in-law said she originally didn’t plan to leave the mansion and would stay there without coming out."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "There may be some external disturbances, tempting her to go out, forcing her out, always be careful not to be deceived."

"Sister-in-law is so smart, she won’t fall for it." Chu Yi said, "Big brother, that painting boat is really nice."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Chu Yi blinked her bright eyes, smilingly said, "Big brother isn’t curious? ... When sister-in-law marries over in the future, shouldn’t we also get a painting boat?"

Big brother really knows how to play dumb, with his cleverness, how could he not grasp my hint?

He insisted on not taking the bait, forcing me to speak explicitly.

"We’ll talk about it in the future."

"Then why not get one now, and often invite sister-in-law over to enjoy it?"

"It’s not for your sister-in-law to enjoy, it’s for you to enjoy, right?"

"Big brother—!"

"Alright, alright, get one." Chu Zhiyuan said, "You can consult her on how to get such a painting boat."

"Hehe, thank you, big brother!" Chu Yi immediately beamed with joy.

Bai Ningshuang shook her head.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed all along.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Mother, don’t worry, Imperial Grandfather doesn’t intend for me to marry the Princess of Da Zhen, it will be someone else marrying."

"Really?" Bai Ningshuang asked hastily.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It’s the news from Thirteenth Uncle."

"Thank God!" Bai Ningshuang patted her chest, letting out a long breath, "The Emperor is wise! The Emperor is wise indeed!"

Chu Minghou laughed, "When Father agreed to Yuan’er marrying into Duke An Mansion, it already showed he wouldn’t let Yuan’er marry the Princess of Da Zhen, you’re worrying unnecessarily."

"Yes, yes, I’m worrying unnecessarily, worrying unnecessarily!" Bai Ningshuang hummed, "This time, it’s really frightening!"

She said this while glaring at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan buried his head in eating, pretending not to see, knowing she was displeased with him for hiding his duel with Cheng Tianfeng from them.

"Big brother, Suyue is coming over to play this afternoon." Chu Yi said, "Is it okay if she comes?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

The Flying Flower Sword Sect is still stable.

There is no need to contact other sects or individuals to avoid any malicious intent, it is a critical period now, and one can’t be too careful.

Bai Ningshuang said, "Oh right, a matchmaker came today, but I turned her down."

The three looked over.

"It was for the legitimate son of Marquis Jianchi, proposing to Yi’er."

"Marquis Jianchi?"

"A title promoted just last year, seems to have made great military achievements in the Northern Territory, wants his son to marry Yi’er."

Chu Zhiyuan furrowed his sword-like eyebrows.

Since the night banquet at the Imperial Palace, his situation had changed, with people around him becoming more enthusiastic and respectful.

But the situation for Prince Qing Mansion hadn’t changed much.

He knew the reason.

Despite such great achievements, there were no public rewards, no gifts, nor anything else, calm as if nothing had happened.

This indicates that the Emperor still doesn’t favor Prince Qing Mansion, still treats it with disdain.

Apparently, his potential can’t change the Emperor’s attitude towards Prince Qing Mansion.

Each Prince Mansion and other mansions, seeing this, wouldn’t dare to associate closely with Prince Qing Mansion, all maintaining a distance to follow the Emperor’s stance.

Under such circumstances, it takes enough courage to propose to the Commandery Princess of Prince Qing Mansion.

Chu Zhiyuan realized immediately, this is an act of opportunism and scheming.

Opportunism and scheming have come to him, this Marquis Jianchi is quite bold.

Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, whether it’s Prince Qing Mansion or himself, both seem soft, so it’s not surprising that the military-born Marquis Jianchi has such courage.

"I won’t get married!" Chu Yi pouted.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Mother, there’s no need to rush about little sister’s marriage."

"Yes, no rush." Bai Ningshuang said, "Instead of settling, it’s better to keep her by our side until you make achievements, then we’ll talk."

Yuan’er’s potential is excellent, he will definitely accomplish great things in the future. In the Imperial Family, the stronger the cultivation, the greater the power.

At that time, there will be no worry about not finding a good match for her.

Now, the situation for the Prince Mansion is unfavorable, it’s difficult to find a good family, rushing her marriage will harm Yi’er instead.

Chu Yi hummed, "Mother, I won’t get married, I’ll stay in the mansion with you all."

"Silly girl." Bai Ningshuang smiled and teased, "At that time, you’ll instead blame us for delaying your marriage."

Chu Zhiyuan continued to eat, letting the chatter and laughter of the mother and daughter pass through one ear and out the other, constantly pondering the Qionghua Nine Chapters.

After dinner, a waning moon already hung in the eastern sky.

He went to Tingtao Courtyard, letting Mo Yi and four other girls bring over lanterns, as he stood under the crescent moon, bathing in the clear radiance.

With the posture of the first image, he stood motionless, feeling the subtle changes. After a cup of tea, he found nothing unusual, so he moved to the second image, and after another cup of tea, still no change.

Until the ninth image, he still felt no change.

If the Super Sense detected no change, then there was absolutely no change, which means it’s not being practiced correctly.

Could it be paired with the visualization?

Or maybe there are heart method mantras?

Chu Zhiyuan stood under the moonlight pondering.

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