He left the Sect Leader’s Hall, nodding to himself in thought.

Since the Heavenly Sword cannot advance my realm, it becomes somewhat superfluous, and being the sect leader is not that crucial.

But the relationship with the Heavenly Sword Sect cannot become distant; rather, it should grow closer and closer.

Becoming too close with the Court will instead alienate the Heavenly Sword Sect, which is a major taboo.

He had long realized that the Court isn’t reliable; the truly dependable ones are still the Heavenly Sword Sect.

His relationship with the Court was purely for mutual use.

He uses the Court to refine his Golden Sword and advance his own cultivation.

The Court uses him the same way.

It’s different with the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The Heavenly Sword Sect is genuinely the home where he can be at peace, and it must not be lost; the last thing he wants is trouble at home.

He must not, just because he has mastered the secret technique and his reputation is rising in the world, neglect the management of the Heavenly Sword Sect, especially the management of people’s hearts.

The next day, when he returned to the Heavenly Sword Branch, he saw Zhang Ji Yuan.

Zhang Ji Yuan stood resolutely in his small courtyard, as still as a statue, looking up at the sky.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head helplessly and cupped his fists together: "Mr. Zhang, it’s only been a day."

Zhang Ji Yuan turned his head to look over, assessing Chu Zhiyuan.

Feeling a bit uneasy under his gaze, Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "If Mr. Zhang has something to say, just say it."

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "Have you made your decision?"

"Yes, I don’t want to join the Heaven-Reaching Sect," Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

"Are you really sure?" Zhang Ji Yuan said solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan replied, "Mr. Zhang, if it were you back then, would you have agreed?"

"Yes." Zhang Ji Yuan said, "I joined the Heaven-Reaching Sect without any hesitation."

"Did you first master the secret technique before joining, or did you join first then master the secret technique?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

"I mastered the secret technique first," Zhang Ji Yuan said. "I was just lucky, mastering it in one go."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Then, Mr. Zhang, what sect did you originally belong to?"

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "I was originally learning martial arts passed down through my family."

"Then which ’sky’ does Mr. Zhang belong to?" Chu Zhiyuan asked. "Also from Biyuan Heaven?"

"No," Zhang Ji Yuan replied. "I originally was from the Outer Heaven."

"Outer Heaven..." Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

He didn’t expect to encounter someone from the Outer Heaven, it was the first time.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "It’s two levels higher than Biyuan Heaven; you don’t know now, but if you become a disciple of the Heaven-Reaching Sect and master the secret technique, you can enter."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I think the Heaven-Reaching Sect carries a mission."

Zhang Ji Yuan laughed.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "But this mission must be kept secret, not leaked to the outside."

Zhang Ji Yuan’s smile faded.

"This is the only explanation I can think of," Chu Zhiyuan said. "Otherwise, there would be no need to insist on recruiting me into the sect. It should be up to me whether I join or not. If I don’t join, it’s my loss, and I would be left to regret."

"Disciples of the Heaven-Reaching Sect are carefree, doing what they please without anyone to restrict them," Zhang Ji Yuan frowned at him. "You’re overthinking, being too cautious and suspicious."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

Zhang Ji Yuan snorted, "There’s no need for me to lie to you, besides I never deceive anyone."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If Mr. Zhang visits as a guest, I welcome it, but as for the Heaven-Reaching Sect, I truly don’t want to join."

"Truly not regretting?" Zhang Ji Yuan snorted.

Chu Zhiyuan slowly shook his head.

Zhang Ji Yuan cupped his fists, "Alright then, if that’s the case, so be it. It’s a pity."

He shook his head.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled without speaking.

Zhang Ji Yuan nonetheless persisted, "You mastered the Ascension Technique so quickly, you’ll definitely be able to master the other two secret techniques and thus step into the Spirit Realm."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said nothing.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "There is one more thing. I didn’t mention it earlier as I didn’t think it necessary."

"What?" Chu Zhiyuan felt a slight heaviness in his heart.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "The Ascension Technique is incomplete. Did you notice?"

"No," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. "There’s no aftereffect or danger, right?"

His intuition didn’t alert him to any danger; he felt the current Ascension Technique he practiced was safe.

"No danger, it’s just incomplete. Its power cannot be fully unleashed," Zhang Ji Yuan said. "Actually, it, along with the Ascension Technique and Void-breaking Skill, forms a set of secret techniques, and when combined, they constitute the true Taihao Jade Void Scripture, which is the Supreme Heart Method."

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "In theory, if one can master all three techniques and merge them into one, forming the Taihao Jade Void Scripture, one can step into the Spirit Realm without having to explore on your own."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and asked, "Then, Mr. Zhang, have you mastered it?"

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "I have mastered the three techniques, but I am still a bit short of completely merging them into one. Soon, I will be a Spirit Venerable."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Zhang Ji Yuan said, "It seems you don’t crave the Spirit Realm that much. After all, you’re young, thinking you’re inherently gifted and can step into the Spirit Realm without the Taihao Jade Void Scripture. But when you age and want to practice it again, it might be impossible to achieve it."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Let’s talk about it when that time comes; I don’t think it will take me long."

"Such bold words!" Zhang Ji Yuan let out a cold laugh. "Alright, as you wish, farewell."

Having said that, he vanished in a flash.

Chu Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He had prepared for the worst, for Zhang Ji Yuan to turn hostile and directly make a move.

As it turned out, Zhang Ji Yuan had no intention of acting.

...

He paced back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, contemplating whether his decision was right or wrong.

Once the move is made, there is no turning back; will I regret this in the future?

Can I achieve the Spirit Realm?

The greatest hope now lay with Zhu Lingyun, to see if Zhu Lingyun would have the opportunity to use the Undying Evil Venerable’s evil technique, utilizing the Heavenly Sacrifice Technique.

He turned back inside his house, preparing to refine the Golden Sword, when there was a knock at the door.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he went forward to open the courtyard door, his face beaming, "Senior Sister!"

Lu Xiaolu stood charmingly outside in a dress as white as snow, her smile as radiant as a flower.

She rolled her eyes at Chu Zhiyuan, "Did you forget to visit me?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I was in seclusion practicing a secret technique, couldn’t split my attention. Senior Sister, please come in."

"Finally mastered it, congratulations." Lu Xiaolu gracefully sat down by the stone table.

Chu Zhiyuan approached and poured a cup of tea, smiling, "Senior Sister, did you come just to congratulate me?"

"Yes," Lu Xiaolu replied.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Is there anything else?"

Lu Xiaolu said, "The Palace Master has been looking for information on the Heaven-Reaching Sect these days."

Chu Zhiyuan immediately became serious, concentrating his attention on her.

Lu Xiaolu said, "There have been no records of the Heaven-Reaching Sect, and it seems like nobody knows about them."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, "Is there something strange about the Heaven-Reaching Sect?"

"The Heaven-Reaching Sect is extremely powerful; otherwise, they wouldn’t possess such secret techniques."

"Indeed."

"But why has there been no record of them in the archives?"

"Why?"

"It’s said they have a secret technique," Lu Xiaolu said, "a technique that can erase one’s name."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her in astonishment, "Such a secret technique exists?"

Lu Xiaolu said, "It’s the Palace Master’s speculation."

"Is there truly such a secret technique in the world?" Chu Zhiyuan frowned, "It’s too incredible, isn’t it?"

"There are many incredible things in the world," Lu Xiaolu said. "Unbelievable yet not impossible."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Why would they do such a thing?"

Lu Xiaolu gently shook her head, "Since there is no record, there’s no way to know. By the way, did the Heaven-Reaching Sect approach you?"

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan recounted the events.

Lu Xiaolu said, "They didn’t take you to the Heaven-Reaching Sect? Nor did they retrieve the secret technique?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

"Strange." Lu Xiaolu furrowed her brows slightly.