Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 441 - 438: Return

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After probing it with Insight, it still appeared to be an unremarkable iron token.

This made him feel it was even more extraordinary.

Yet he couldn’t discern why it was extraordinary.

It was as if there was a treasure before him, but he couldn’t find the entrance.

This was due to his Cultivation being insufficient, his Super Sense not strong enough.

Insight couldn’t penetrate deeply, even when he urged the Sword Soul to assist.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and reluctantly stored it in the Iron Ring.

Looking at the two skeletons, Chu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction.

This time’s gain, even without counting the Black Iron Token, was worthwhile with just the Thunder Sword.

Compared to those Flying Knives, which had become the Glazed Glass Blades, the advantage of the Thunder Sword was its speed and ferocity.

The two mixed together, supporting each other, made them even harder to defend against.

Besides, this Flying Sword hasn’t been refined yet, hasn’t been transformed.

After refining, its power will rise, and after being transformed by the Glazed Blade Scripture, its power will rise again.

By then, how strong will the Thunder Sword be?

He was very much looking forward to it.

Huang Cheng appeared in a flash, clasped his fists and smiled, "Congratulations, Your Highness the Princely Heir."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and shook his head, "It was just a bit of luck, nothing much."

If not for the Flying Knives ambushing in advance, killing these two wouldn’t have been so easy.

After all, they were True Disciples, at Grandmaster Perfection, surely possessing some unique Miracle Techniques others lack.

These Miracle Techniques, when unleashed, must be quite formidable and hard to defend against.

Just like Xie Wufeng secretly activating the Venerable Statue, he almost fell for it.

To deal with such, one must strike lethally, not giving the opponent a chance to turn the tables.

Huang Cheng smiled, "Even for us, facing such True Disciples from the Evil Sect, we must be cautious, lest we fall into an ambush."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He felt that if the Venerable Statue moved, even a Great Grandmaster wouldn’t withstand it.

Huang Cheng said, "Your Highness, should we pause or continue forward?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "You all stay hidden, I will walk alone and see if I can lure out more Evil Sect experts."

"Yes." Huang Cheng agreed.

For the next three days, Chu Zhiyuan slowly moved towards Yujing.

Along the way, no Evil Sect experts approached, no assassination attempts from Evil Sect experts.

This greatly disappointed Chu Zhiyuan.

Two True Disciples were dead, yet Huaisu Sect and Heavenly Heart Sect seemed unaware, indifferent.

Walking slowly and using Qinggong was like carrying a torch at night.

The Evil Sect couldn’t not see him, yet none made a move, as if blind to him.

They were truly terrified, retreating into their shells like turtles.

This Evil Sect, once they retreat, becomes more turtle-like than turtles themselves, truly frustrating.

Even so, he managed to capture more than ten experts secretly spying from the two sects with the help of the two Venerable Statues, allowing his Divinity Transformation Realm to advance again.

——

"Haha... Joyful! Joyful!"

"Well done!"

"Truly worthy as the first among Princely Heirs, unrivaled in battle!"

"Let’s see if the Evil Sect dares to show up now, we in Yujing needed such a grand slaughter!"

"Magnificent!"

"Kill, kill, kill, these Evil Sect demons should all be slain at sight!"

"A toast to Fourth Prince!"

"Cheers!"

...

Li Hongzhao left Bright Moon Tower, listening to the loud shouts of diners around, shaking her head.

She wore a red robe, like flames.

Her beautiful face was like congealed white jade, with a hint of red, complementing her red robe, breathtaking and hard to look directly at.

Beside her was Su Qiuyan, plain in appearance but composed in demeanor.

Seeing Li Hongzhao’s solemn expression, Su Qiuyan smiled and said, "The Princely Heir indeed gains much renown this time."

Li Hongzhao sneered.

Su Qiuyan chuckled, "Yet such killings are not entirely a good thing."

Li Hongzhao said, "Harder to advance to Great Grandmaster, right?"

Su Qiuyan lightly nodded, "Killing intent too intense harms oneself."

"That’s good." Li Hongzhao sneered, "When he returns, I’ll give him a surprise."

Hearing news of Chu Zhiyuan but not seeing him, she instead made rapid progress.

Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Technique showed great power, advancing directly to the Eighth Layer Heaven.

Only two layers away from Perfection, truly swift.

When Chu Zhiyuan returns, she must share the news with him.

As she reached the first floor of Bright Moon Tower, three women approached gracefully.

Each veiled, concealing their faces, but their figures indicating they were exceptional beauties.

Li Hongzhao instantly recognized one of the women’s identity, lightly chuckled, and called out, "Eighteenth Prince."

The three women paused, turning to see Li Hongzhao.

"Ninth Prince." The central woman bowed gently, with eyes gleaming.

It was Princess Cheng Miaozhen of Da Zhen.

"Eighteenth Prince, since you have time, why not visit my place as a guest?" Li Hongzhao said with a smile.

"Sure." Cheng Miaozhen nodded slightly, clasped her fists, and ascended the stairs gracefully.

The other two women cast brief glances, exchanged nods with Su Qiuyan as a greeting, and followed her upstairs.

Li Hongzhao left Bright Moon Tower, gently shook her head, "The Eighteenth Prince now truly lives a carefree life."

Su Qiuyan sighed softly, "Also a pitiful person, likely never to marry in this lifetime."

Li Hongzhao said, "Not marrying is fine too, free and unrestrained."

Su Qiuyan said, "Without a child, ultimately still regrettable, lonely in old age."

Li Hongzhao pursed her lips and smiled, "With so many disciples to warm the bed, how could one be lonely?"

Su Qiuyan said, "Without a bloodline connection, it’s still less satisfying."

Li Hongzhao laughed and shook her head continually.

Su Qiuyan glanced at her, also helplessly shook her head.

Talking about bloodlines with her indeed wasn’t suitable, the most heartless is the imperial family.

With so many princes in Da Zhen, few are of one mind with the Emperor.

Her good relationship with the Emperor and Empress was due to currying favor; her existence was to balance the princes, preventing them from gaining enough power or achieving sufficient merit.

Without enough merit, they cannot be recognized by the Emperor’s Sword.

The Emperor was in his prime, the princes already grown, how could there be harmony between father and sons in such conditions?

As the two just left Bright Moon Tower, they saw Chu Zhiyuan from a distance.

He appeared weak, walking slowly, flanked by Zou Fang, surrounded by Guo Chi and three others.

Li Hongzhao’s bright eyes lit up with a smile, "He’s injured."

Su Qiuyan said, "After fighting so many Evil Sect demons, how could he be unscathed?"

Li Hongzhao scoffed, "These Evil Sects, merely scary in words, yet in the end? So useless!"

"...Yet, the Fourth Prince is formidable." Su Qiuyan sighed.

She thought even if it were her, she couldn’t have accomplished this. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Li Hongzhao eagerly prepared to greet him, to tease Chu Zhiyuan, to see if she could rile him up enough to worsen his injuries!

Just as she waved to speak, Chu Zhiyuan turned and entered a nearby alley, where his new residence was.

"That guy!" Li Hongzhao knew Chu Zhiyuan did it on purpose.

She angrily glared and stomped, "Determined to go find him!"

"Your Highness." Su Qiuyan hurriedly said, "Perhaps best to avoid confrontation for now, I noticed the Princely Heir’s Cultivation has advanced further."

"He improved too?" Li Hongzhao was taken aback.

Su Qiuyan slowly nodded.

Now, Chu Zhiyuan gave her a dangerous feeling, as if threatening her life.

This was no different from facing a Great Grandmaster.

It was evident that Chu Zhiyuan’s Cultivation had surged.

Li Hongzhao bit her lip in frustration, "He’s infuriating!"

It’s always like this, she advances, he advances as well, always overshadowing her, never allowing her to turn the tide.

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