Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 1131 - 1127: Scheming

He immediately said, "Senior Sister, you don’t have to go."

Lu Xiaolu suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Senior Sister, you go ahead first, I’ll catch up later."

Lu Xiaolu rolled her eyes and said, "Are you trying to avoid suspicion?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, "It’s good to avoid suspicion."

Guanghan Palace has always kept its distance from men; I shouldn’t be an exception.

This keeps the image of Guanghan Palace disciples as pure and untouchable, like fairies.

This benefits Guanghan Palace and, naturally, also benefits me.

"No need!" Lu Xiaolu snorted, "We don’t care how others see us."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "No need to show off in public either, Senior Sister, you go ahead and wait for me."

"You..." Lu Xiaolu shook her head, "Alright, I’ll go first, so hurry up and catch up."

She wasn’t worried that Chu Zhiyuan would lose track of her; she had great confidence in Chu Zhiyuan’s tracking technique.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.

Lu Xiaolu glanced at the small black dot in the distance, veered to the left, diverging from their path, and drifted away like a white cloud, gradually disappearing.

Chu Zhiyuan let out a sigh of relief.

He was continuously using Insight to clearly see where she was headed.

Then he floated forward, heading towards the crowd.

After walking about ten miles, he arrived in front of the experts of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The experts from the Three Sects weren’t completely gathered together; rather, they were divided into three groups, moving forward like spreading a carpet.

The experts of the Heavenly Sword Sect were in the center, moving along the mighty river from west to east.

The experts of the Guiyang Sword Sect were to the south, and the experts of the Fuyun Sect were to the north.

Chu Zhiyuan activated the Wind Riding Cloud Technique, swift as the wind, light as a cloud, and arrived in front of Zhou Chongming.

Once again, it was Elder Zhou leading the team, and the same experts were dispatched as last time.

Chu Zhiyuan stopped in front of him and cupped his fists in salute, "Elder Zhou."

Zhou Chongming chuckled, "Nephew Chu, you’ve come here delivering messages."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled bashfully and glanced around.

The experts of the Heavenly Sword Sect stood around Zhou Chongming, each in their positions, maintaining formation as they moved.

They curiously observed Chu Zhiyuan.

Zhou Chongming knew he went to Guanghan Palace to deliver a message, but they didn’t; they thought he was in secluded cultivation and didn’t expect him to be here.

Could he be scouting ahead? But his cultivation isn’t enough; it’s too dangerous.

Zhou Chongming said, "There are no outsiders here, say what you have to say."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan solemnly nodded, then his lips moved slightly.

The smile on Zhou Chongming’s face slowly faded, growing more serious with Chu Zhiyuan’s words, his eyes lighting up as he stared at his face, "Really?"

"How dare I speak recklessly?" Chu Zhiyuan said, "Nor deceive."

"No wonder it’s been so quiet on the way, Guanghan Palace came in first," Zhou Chongming said slowly, "If that’s the case, then last time was truly fortunate."

He thought of the Great Demons Zhao Zhiyuan mentioned, feeling secretly relieved.

Encountering two Great Demons last time was already a mess; if a Giant Demon were added, it would likely be disastrous.

Thinking about it now, they were indeed quite lucky.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Elder, should I stay here, or follow Senior Sister Lu there to explore?"

Zhou Chongming said, "Since it’s decided to go there, it’s not appropriate to go back on it."

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated, "But here..."

Zhou Chongming chuckled, "We’re prepared now, we won’t suffer losses, this time the Great Demon can’t ambush us."

Chu Zhiyuan showed a curious expression.

Zhou Chongming said, "The Flowing Cloud Sword Formation of the Fuyun Sect can sense disturbances in the surrounding air, the Great Demon can’t sneak past them."

Chu Zhiyuan glanced across the river at the experts of the Fuyun Sect, intermittently visible among the mountains.

They moved through the forest with ease, gracefully like floating clouds and flowing waters, exuding an indescribable elegance.

Zhou Chongming said, "We haven’t seen any demons yet, so we’re splitting into three paths to maximize the search area; once we encounter demons ahead, we’ll converge."

"That would be best," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.

"You go ahead," Zhou Chongming said with a laugh, "Cherish the opportunity, don’t take advantage of them."

All Three Sects are here, even the Giant Demon can’t stir up trouble; he valued Chu Zhiyuan’s connection with Guanghan Palace more.

Besides, if they could eliminate the Myriad Blood Sect, it would be a great merit.

If the Heavenly Sword Sect exterminates both Qinglian Sea and the Myriad Blood Sect, its reputation will soar.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, "In that case, I’ll go."

Zhou Chongming waved his hand, "Don’t be reckless, be able to advance and retreat."

"Yes." Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists again and saluted the surrounding experts before drifting away.

Beside him, Elder Meng Xusheng chuckled, "Nephew Chu, coming and going in such haste, what’s he up to?"

Zhou Chongming’s lips moved slightly.

The smile on Meng Xusheng’s face slowly faded, and his expression turned solemn.

Meng Xusheng said slowly, "It seems Qinglian Sea is a big trap."

Zhou Chongming said, "I didn’t expect it to be so strong, with so many Great Demons. We originally thought there were only three or five, but there are even Giant Demons."

Meng Xusheng’s expression was grim.

Zhou Chongming was puzzled.

Meng Xusheng said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother, we didn’t come to Qinglian Sea for no reason; we were recommended by someone to come here."

"The Court?" Zhou Chongming frowned.

The Heavenly Sword Sect always consulted with the Court for the location, not choosing freely.

This time was also the result of consulting with the Court.

Does the Court know the details of Qinglian Sea?

If they didn’t, that would underestimate the Court.

The Court’s talented individuals surpass any sect; it’s impossible for them to be unaware of Qinglian Sea.

Knowing the hidden dangers of Qinglian Sea and still recommending the Heavenly Sword Sect to come.

Their intentions are clear at a glance.

With a cold laugh, Meng Xusheng said, "Are they trying to use a borrowed knife to kill?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Senior Brother, be careful with your words!" Zhou Chongming hurriedly advised.

Meng Xusheng sneered, "They can do it, but we’re not allowed to talk about it?"

Zhou Chongming sighed, "Senior Brother, better to pretend we don’t know."

Meng Xusheng frowned and glared at him.

Zhou Chongming said, "Speaking out won’t help anyway. Do you dare to really tear our faces apart?"

"... Truly despicable, so hateful!" Meng Xusheng sneered.

Zhou Chongming sighed, "The Court is fond of scheming, unlike us. It’s our fault for being unprepared."

"Who would have known they’d be so shameless and unscrupulous!" Meng Xusheng snorted, "Next time, we definitely won’t consult with the Court; we’ll decide ourselves where to guard."

"We need the Court’s support," Zhou Chongming said, "On our own, it’s too mentally draining and not efficient enough."

The disciples’ time should be spent on cultivation, not on these trivial matters.

When first stationed in a place, for food and clothing, one cannot always hunt for oneself; external supplies and various news are necessary.

In such a vast world, with countless demons, and the limited number of Heavenly Sword Sect disciples, most information must come from the Court.

Hence, even if the Court plots against them in secret, they can’t do anything about it.

Therefore, how could the Court have any scruples?

Meng Xusheng said, "Junior Brother, are we just going to suffer the plot for nothing? Won’t we retaliate?"

Zhou Chongming shook his head.

If they don’t retaliate this time, it will continue in the future.

But how to retaliate, and to what extent, needs careful consideration.

Meng Xusheng coldly laughed, "If worse comes to worst, let’s cripple those Demon Hunting Bureau guys!"

"Don’t act recklessly," Zhou Chongming shook his head, "We should report this to the Sect Leader and discuss it thoroughly."

"Alright," Meng Xusheng agreed, "We have to thank Nephew Chu this time."

"Nephew Chu is truly our lucky star," Zhou Chongming’s stern face showed a smile.

Meng Xusheng said, "His cultivation is not sufficient now; we must find a way to accelerate his cultivation so he can take on important responsibilities soon."

"Don’t rush too much," Zhou Chongming said, "He has outstanding aptitude, the speed is already fast enough; too fast might result in an unstable foundation."

"With Guanghan Palace, there will be no problem," Meng Xusheng said, "Guanghan Palace has secret techniques to solidify his foundation."

Zhou Chongming smiled.

...

Chu Zhiyuan and Lu Xiaolu glided swiftly, covering over five hundred miles in one go, stopping at a mountain peak.

Standing on a giant rock atop the mountain, he pointed into the distance, "Senior Sister, can you see that direction?"

"Yes." Lu Xiaolu, dressed in flowing white, examined the direction Chu Zhiyuan pointed.

The peaks stood in layers upon layers.

"In this direction," Chu Zhiyuan said, "I guess it must be one of those mountains."

"So it’s here." Lu Xiaolu surveyed the surroundings, trying to discern where exactly they were.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I estimate there’s a town nearby."

He already saw a prosperous small town fifty miles away.

This small town was situated on a crossroads, with frequent travelers coming and going.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

This indeed was an ideal location for the Myriad Blood Sect; the disappearance of travelers wouldn’t easily raise suspicion.

If a traveler suddenly disappeared on the road, or a group went missing, in such a world, how could one possibly investigate?

Devoured by demons, killed by robbers, or other reasons, there are too many possibilities.

"What town is it?" Lu Xiaolu asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Shall we go over and take a look first?"

"Let’s take a look," Lu Xiaolu said.

The two turned and floated away, quickly reaching the outskirts of the small town.

From afar, they saw the characters carved on the city wall: "Tongyuan City."

"Tongyuan City... Tongyuan City..." Lu Xiaolu murmured, searching her memory.

Finally, she slowly nodded, "I remember now... this is East Splendor Dao."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Of the sixteen paths in the world, this being East Splendor Dao, it’s towards the eastern end."

Biyuan Heaven is larger and broader than Little Heaven Beyond, with the world divided into four parts.

The Four Great Sects and the Court are located in the eastern Sky Dragon Dynasty.

And the Sky Dragon Dynasty divides its entire territory into sixteen paths, equivalent to sixteen provinces of the previous world.

But each path’s territory far exceeds that of a province from the previous world, comparable to a nation.

Among the sixteen paths, the easternmost is East Sun Dao, with East Splendor Dao adjacent to East Sun Dao.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Judging from the city, it doesn’t seem to be controlled by the Evil Sect."

Lu Xiaolu snorted, "They don’t want to arouse suspicion, surely they wouldn’t dare."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

If the Myriad Blood Sect caused trouble in the city, it would definitely invite suppression from the Court’s Demon Extermination Bureau.

But outside the city, causing chaos among the mountains, even if the Demon Hunting Bureau and Demon Extermination Bureau come, they probably won’t be able to do much.

"Do we enter the city to take a look?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Lu Xiaolu said, "Forget it, let’s find the Myriad Blood Sect first and not alert them too soon."

"Let’s go."

Chu Zhiyuan and she left Tongyuan City and once more arrived at a mountain peak.

Standing in the forest atop the mountain, Chu Zhiyuan pointed toward the opposing valley, his lips moved slightly, utilizing sound transmission into secret: "There it is."

Lu Xiaolu frowned slightly.

The valley appeared lush and green, no different from others, with no signs of human activity.

She glanced at Chu Zhiyuan, then towards that valley, speculating it might be an array.

Chu Zhiyuan had already seen through the array, observed the situation inside, his expression solemn.