Imperial Cultivation

Chu Zhiyuan walked slowly in the Sifang Inn, heading towards the Mongolian delegation.

He was still pondering Cheng Tianfeng's words.

Heavenly Shadow Sect…

Heart Inquiry Swordplay…

Li Hongzhao's assassination.

Cheng Tianfeng's words couldn't be entirely trusted, but perhaps they were well-intentioned as he was about to leave.

He hadn't lied about these three things.

The dark ointment concealed his face, but couldn't fool his heightened senses, allowing him to see through the ointment and discern his expression directly.

And also some of his subtle movements.

Now, whether he was lying or not, and which words were lies, couldn't escape his perception.

Was the Heavenly Shadow Sect here to avenge the Secret Shadow Sect, or for some other reason?

In any case, their involvement meant that another evil sect had entered the Jade Capital.

Moreover, this evil sect was from Great Zhen; they would strike and run. He couldn't possibly chase them to Great Zhen to hunt them down; it was too troublesome.

Inside the Mongolian embassy, shouts and cheers rang out.

Those Cloud-Treading Iron Cavalry soldiers in green robes were gathered in a circle, sparring and competing, the atmosphere lively.

His arrival was quickly reported to Li Hongzhao.

Li Hongzhao, dressed in a peach-red palace gown, drifted gracefully like a blooming peony, bringing a refreshing fragrance.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fist and smiled, "I heard that Your Highness was assassinated, so I came to offer my condolences."

"The assassin was killed by me," Li Hongzhao snorted, "A bunch of clueless fools, daring to assassinate me!"

She led Chu Zhiyuan inside while speaking, her beautiful face wearing a smile that wasn't quite a smile, making it impossible to discern her joy or anger.

"Phoenix Cry Dominating the Heavens is the most resistant to assassination; they truly were blind," Chu Zhiyuan echoed, "Who was responsible?"

"I can't figure it out. I don't care which sect it is; if they dare to try to kill me, then I'll just kill them."

"Could it be the Jade Cauldron Sect? Because you purged them, they're taking their anger out on you and Brother Cheng."

"How would I know what sects you have in Great Jing?" Li Hongzhao said unpleasantly, "Maybe it's one of your Four Great Sects; I simply don't care."

The two sat down in a small pavilion in front of the plum blossoms.

In the small pavilion, a red clay stove on the stone table was bubbling with white steam, indicating that she had been enjoying tea here for some time.

Li Hongzhao took a light sip of tea, her bright eyes glancing around, radiant and sparkling: "Seeing that I'm alright, are you disappointed?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and waved his hand: "Your Highness, what are you saying? It wouldn't come to that."

Li Hongzhao then said: "You went on a killing spree a while ago, quite impressive!"

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with a smile: "I heard that Your Highness is looking for an opportunity to kill me."

Li Hongzhao sneered: "Of course I wish I could kill you; you were toying with me!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "The matter of the evil sects in Taizhou?"

"What about the prisoner exchange plan?!" Li Hongzhao said unhappily, "I still haven't seen you!"

Chu Zhiyuan sighed: "This matter still requires some cooperation from your Great Mongolia."

"Cooperation?"

"Temporarily withdraw the troops a bit, ease the tense atmosphere between the two dynasties; otherwise, the people will know and point their fingers at me and scold me.

If this matter succeeds, it will also be a great achievement.

One must always try, whether or not there is any chance of success.

Although this matter is a bit unethical, there's no need to be too particular with an enemy like Li Hongzhao.

If she had the opportunity, she would never follow the rules with him.

Li Hongzhao snorted: "Then forget it!"

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Your Highness really doesn't want the prisoners anymore?"

"If I add this condition today, you'll add other conditions tomorrow, being manipulated by you step by step, so I might as well forget it!"

"Alas…" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "It seems that Your Highness has many misunderstandings about me."

Li Hongzhao sneered: "There isn't a single misunderstanding; I see you very clearly!"

"…Alright then, Your Highness, send the message, and I'll have the Town Guard Office cooperate. Your Highness can personally supervise; I'll pass, I have other matters." He was currently building an altar, and he still had time to come and take a look, to probe Li Hongzhao's true intentions.

Once the altar was built, he would have to devote more time to diligent cultivation. He needed to break through to the Eighth Heaven and Ninth Heaven as soon as possible, and even to Grandmaster perfection.

Of course, he couldn't just cultivate blindly, spending all his time on cultivation. Firstly, he needed to move around and adjust his mood.

Secondly, he needed to venture out and seek opportunities.

Like this time purging the Jade Cauldron Sect, if he hadn't participated, he wouldn't have known about those strange stones. With such good luck, how could he just bury himself in diligent cultivation?

He still needed to look up and seek opportunities and serendipities.

Only by emphasizing both could he achieve Grandmaster status faster.

"Are you really not coming?" Li Hongzhao glanced at him sideways: "This is a rare accomplishment!" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

The more Li Hongzhao wanted him to go, the more he had to act like he didn't want to go. Only in this way would there be an opportunity.

An opportunity to unearth more information. Even an opportunity to take advantage.

Li Hongzhao snorted: "Your Great Jing's cultivation resources no longer appeal to you?" Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Li Hongzhao was indeed quite perceptive.

It seemed she also felt the same way; the Phoenix Cry Dominating the Heavens didn't require so many cultivation resources?

Li Hongzhao said: "Then compete for the throne, competing for the throne requires cultivating prestige. Just becoming a Grandmaster isn't enough; the Son of Heaven Sword is very picky, not just any Grandmaster can be recognized as its master."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Your Highness has such ambition; I don't have it. Our Great Jing's throne is definitely Tenth Uncle's." This was another big secret: competing for the throne required cultivating prestige.

Prince Ying's prestige was extremely high, he was deeply supported by the people, and he was also a Grandmaster in perfection, only one step away from achieving Grand Grandmaster. After achieving Grand Grandmaster, taking over the throne would be a natural progression.

In the eyes of outsiders, Great Jing's throne was definitely Prince Ying's.

No matter how talented he was, it was impossible for him to seize the throne from Prince Ying; he could only become a powerful prince, like Chu Qingyan, like Chu Qingfeng. That was already extraordinary.

Li Hongzhao "chucked" and shook her head: "Chu Zhiyuan, you're so hypocritical!" Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Your Highness wants to take over the throne; I'm afraid it's even more difficult, right?"

"What's the harm in it being difficult!" Li Hongzhao snorted: "Who doesn't find it difficult to become an emperor? Of course, after leaving this door, I won't admit to these words." Chu Zhiyuan said: "Your Highness is a woman who doesn't yield to men; I admire you. Then I'll wait for Your Highness to ascend the throne!"

"You'll be able to see it!" Li Hongzhao picked up a snow-white porcelain teacup and took a light sip.

Before the snow-white porcelain cup, her red lips were like fire, her pearly teeth like jade, every move and every smile captivating the soul. Seeing Chu Zhiyuan's unenthusiastic appearance, she secretly grew anxious.

Judging by Chu Zhiyuan, he was clearly in a stage of cultivation where external forces could hardly help. When cultivation reached a certain stage, it would be like this.

At this time, one could only cultivate diligently on their own, with no shortcuts. If she didn't stir up his desire for merit, this matter would truly fall by the wayside.

"I heard that your Great Jing's Heavenly Treasure Department just came out with a kind of spiritual pill, similar to our Phoenix Undying Pill, that can extend life by a year?" "Your Highness's news is quite well-informed."

"Don't you want this kind of spiritual pill? Your father and mother both need it, right? Their lifespans aren't as long as yours." Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

With his current abilities, earning a first-rank merit was extremely difficult. If he stepped into the Grandmaster realm, it would be much easier.

Therefore, sharpening the axe doesn't delay the work of chopping wood; he still needed to cultivate diligently.

"If we really purge those evil sects this time, maybe there will be a first-rank merit." Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow: "There's a big fish?"

"Anyway, it won't disappoint you; do you want to give it a try?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Your Highness, I want to go into secluded cultivation; maybe I can step from the Seventh Heaven into the Eighth Heaven." "Seventh Heaven?" Li Hongzhao's beautiful face flushed red, becoming even more beautiful and dazzling.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled casually: "It hasn't been long since I passed the Seventh Heaven." "You deserve to die." Li Hongzhao squeezed out these words from between her pearly teeth.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed loudly.

The loud laughter spread out, and the Cloud-Treading Iron Cavalry soldiers in the distant training ground heard it clearly, looking at each other in dismay. Li Hongzhao stared at him fiercely with her phoenix eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan continued to laugh.

Ultimately, the reason for coming to see Li Hongzhao was just to say this sentence naturally. It was truly exhilarating.

Watching Li Hongzhao's face turn red with anger, her chest heaving violently, he felt indescribably happy and refreshed. Li Hongzhao gritted her teeth and said angrily: "Alright, if you're not coming, then forget it; I'll go myself!"

"Your Highness, you haven't made it clear why you insist on me going. The more unclear you are, the less I dare to go." "Coward!"

"Your Highness, please explain it clearly and dispel my doubts." "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid Your Highness will use me as a pawn to kill someone."

"...Alright, I'll tell you!" Li Hongzhao bit her red lips: "There's a powerful figure in that Fearless Sect that I can't handle alone." "Then hand it over to the experts in the Town Guard Office."

"I want to personally chop off his dog head!"

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood: "Personal grudges... I won't ask too much. You want me to help Your Highness kill him?" "That's right."

"Ten Phoenix Undying Pills."

"You die—!" Li Hongzhao drew her sword and stabbed.