Imperial Cultivation

The Flying Heaven Sect was located on a lush, verdant mountain two hundred miles outside Jade Capital City.

Surrounding peaks stood tall, one after another, stretching endlessly as if without end. Each mountain was verdant and lush, the cold winter not diminishing their vibrant vitality.

The numerous peculiar trees that Chu Zhiyuan saw were different from those he had seen in Jade Capital City or Moon Invitation Palace.

These trees resembled pine trees, but were taller and sturdier, each one straight and upright, soaring towards the sky.

Chu Zhiyuan rode a white horse, accompanied by Huang Cheng and Zou Fang, along with four red-robed eunuchs.

Eighteen guards protected him, all palace guards, including four Grandmasters and fourteen Peak Experts. Chu Zhiyuan sat on his horse, surveying the mountain peaks before him, and smiled, "Has Eunuch Huang been here before?"

"This humble servant has visited a few times." Huang Cheng said with a smile, "These Flying Heaven Sect people are a bit straightforward, which is also due to their cultivation method. Their saber technique emphasizes directness, so there's no need to be too subtle when talking to them. No need to beat around the bush, it's best to say what's on your mind."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Isn't it easier to get along with such people?"

Huang Cheng smiled, "Sometimes they can be quite annoying, their words can be too direct and hurtful." Chu Zhiyuan was surprised, "Do they dare to say unpleasant things to you, Eunuch Huang?"

"Inevitably, there are some complaints. This humble servant doesn't think it's appropriate to pass them on to the Emperor. Alas… it's difficult."

"Is the Flying Heaven Sect quite dissatisfied with the Imperial Court?"

"They dislike the Imperial Court's excessive interference. They want more freedom and don't want quota restrictions."

"They want more disciples to enter the Town Protectorate?"

"Sect Leader Lu doesn't want so many disciples to enter the Town Protectorate." Chu Zhiyuan was curious, "If they don't enter the Town Protectorate, how can they improve?"

He originally thought that the Flying Heaven Sect was complaining about the limited number of spots in the Town Protectorate, not enough for their disciples to share.

But the opposite was true, they actually disliked having too many spots and didn't want so many disciples to enter the Town Protectorate. "Sect Leader Lu believes in cultivation without external objects, pure self-cultivation and self-certification."

Chu Zhiyuan asked curiously, "If they don't want to enter the Town Protectorate, will the Imperial Court force them to?"

Huang Cheng said, "The Town Protectorate's annual quota is divided equally among the four sects. If the Flying Heaven Sect doesn't want it, it will be distributed to the other three sects, but it's difficult to divide it evenly among the three sects."

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Distributing it evenly among the three sects is indeed troublesome."

Huang Cheng shook his head, "Moreover, once this becomes a rule, what if the Flying Heaven Sect wants it again in the future? Should we give it or not?… It will inevitably become a mess. It's best to follow the rules and maintain them consistently."

"Rules…" Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Indeed, we should abide by the rules. The Flying Heaven Sect must abide by the Flying Heaven Sect's rules, and the Town Protectorate must abide by the Town Protectorate's rules."

The Town Protectorate had a detached status and was governed by the Emperor.

The Emperor directly issued orders to the Town Protectorate, without having to go through the various departments of the Imperial Court.

The Town Protectorate was not subject to the control of the various departments of the Imperial Court, but usually worked with the Sect Affairs Department to manage matters in the martial world.

The Sect Affairs Department was responsible for civil affairs, and the Town Protectorate was responsible for military affairs, one civil and one military, each performing their respective duties.

He put aside his thoughts and smiled, "I wonder if I will be able to meet this Sect Leader Lu this time?"

"Sect Leader Lu must receive the Imperial Edict."

As the two were talking, they saw a group of people descending from the mountain in a mighty array.

A bluestone staircase led straight to the top of the mountain. These Flying Heaven Sect disciples wore blue robes and lightly touched the steps with their toes, like feathers fluttering down.

In a short while, they reached the foot of the mountain.

The middle-aged man at the head was a handsome middle-aged man with a face like jade and a refined demeanor. Chu Zhiyuan was surprised.

Judging from his appearance and temperament, he was certainly not a madman, but rather a righteous and clear-minded person.

Was it that one cannot judge a book by its cover, or was there something else mysterious?

Lu Donghu smiled and clasped his fist from afar, "Haha… The Imperial Envoy has graced us with his presence. Lu has failed to greet you properly, please forgive me!"

Huang Cheng took a step back, highlighting Chu Zhiyuan. Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fist and smiled, "Sect Leader Lu, I, Chu, am ordered to announce the decree. The Imperial Grandfather is extremely satisfied with the performance of your sect's disciples in the Town Protectorate. The Imperial Grandfather also praises the fearlessness of your sect's disciples in the face of evil sect experts, and has specially bestowed an edict of commendation."

As he spoke, he uncovered the yellow silk from a sandalwood tray held by a red-robed eunuch and presented the Imperial Edict.

"Since the disciples have entered the Town Protectorate, they should naturally be loyal to their duties. The Emperor is too kind."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Not everyone who enters the Town Protectorate is as loyal and upright as your sect's disciples."

He had a good impression of the Flying Heaven Sect disciples.

Among the four major sects in the Town Protectorate, the Flying Heaven Sect disciples had the lowest profile, but they often ended up doing the most difficult and tiring work.

They didn't mind and worked diligently without complaint.

As for the other four major sects, Great Spirit Cliff was also like that, White Cloud Sword Palace was better at using their brains and were more clever, while the Green Deer Cliff disciples seemed somewhat mediocre.

"Is this Young Master… ?" Lu Donghu hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Chu Zhiyuan, the fourth in line."

"… Fourth Young Master, my respects." Lu Donghu immediately clasped his fist and said, "The Fourth Young Master's name is like thunder to my ears. Now that I have the honor of seeing your face, you are indeed worthy of being the Fourth Young Master!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and waved his hand, "Sect Leader Lu, you flatter me. It's just good luck."

"Young Master, please, Lord Huang, please."

Lu Donghu smiled and invited them in.

Seeing that he acted calmly and showed no unusual expression towards him, Chu Zhiyuan knew that he was not as rash and straightforward as he had imagined.

If he was really that kind of straightforward person, he would immediately change his expression upon hearing his name.

Even if there was no embarrassment, there would be something different.

But Lu Donghu didn't change at all, as if he had never refused his request to observe the Heaven Saber. Not just anyone could do that.

The group ascended the steps and arrived at a large hall halfway up the mountain, which was the guest hall. Chu Zhiyuan sat at the table in the hall, took the teacup, took a sip, and looked around. Sitting in the hall, the curtains had been lifted, and one could see the lush mountain peaks, with a wide and open view.

Chu Zhiyuan put down the teacup and smiled, "The most attractive thing about the Flying Heaven Sect is still the Heaven Saber. It's a pity that outsiders cannot observe it. Sect Leader Lu, I wonder where the Heaven Saber is?"

"Young Master, please forgive me." Lu Donghu smiled and clasped his fist, "Only disciples of our sect can observe and comprehend the Heaven Saber. This is a rule set by our ancestors."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, "Rules must indeed be followed and cannot be broken at will, otherwise the sect's prestige will be lost."

Lu Donghu smiled, "The reason why we have this rule is not because our sect is stingy, but to save trouble."

"What trouble?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Lu Donghu said, "Those who have not cultivated our sect's mental cultivation method will be attacked by the Heaven Saber upon approaching it. It is an attack comparable to a Grandmaster, and below a Grandmaster, death is almost certain."

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood, "So that's the case. I misunderstood Sect Leader Lu."

If he had not seen that silver-sheathed long saber, he would have been skeptical of his statement.

Having seen the silver-sheathed long saber and knowing the power of the saber intent, he didn't find it unbelievable that the Heaven Saber had such power.

Seeing him like this, Lu Donghu was rather surprised, thinking that Chu Zhiyuan would not believe him. But looking at Chu Zhiyuan's appearance, he already believed him.

"As for the Heaven Saber Pavilion, there is actually no saber there." Lu Donghu continued to explain, "All Grandmasters in the past have abandoned their sabers. The Heaven Saber Pavilion is only a place set up for comprehending the Heaven Saber. Our sect does not have a Grandmaster's saber."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "After practicing the saber for so long, abandoning the saber is too regrettable, isn't it?"

"Actually, there's nothing to regret. Like the White Cloud Sword Palace and Green Deer Cliff, they also abandon their swords when they reach the Grandmaster realm. The most advantageous is the Great Spirit Cliff, who practice fist techniques, but they suffer too much in the early stages."