Imperial Cultivation

Li Hongzhao fell silent.

She had previously purged her inner circle once, yet the news of Su Qiuyan's absence still leaked.

Almost everyone around her was someone she trusted, yet such a thing still happened this time. Could it be that it's truly impossible to defend against?

How did the people of the Devouring Heaven Sect learn of her whereabouts, how did they know that Mr. Su wasn't around?

If Mr. Su hadn't suddenly had a premonition and quickly returned, she would have been in grave danger this time!

They came with the intention of taking her life.

Who held such deep-seated hatred and animosity towards her?

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Besides the Devouring Heaven Sect, who else would want to kill you?"

"..."

"Could it be your siblings?"

"Impossible!" Li Hongzhao said decisively.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Her resolute answer indicated that he had hit the mark.

It was like this last time, and now they're back again, determined to put her to death.

Li Hongzhao remained silent.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "The path to the highest peak is inherently filled with thorns, countless hardships and difficulties. And this is just the beginning."

Li Hongzhao looked at him.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The path you're taking is destined to be even more treacherous than others'.

Li Hongzhao raised her head and looked at the sky.

A few leisurely white clouds were embedded in the azure sky, the sun emitting a bright light. Yet her mood was exceptionally gloomy. Chu Zhiyuan said, "In the future, you will encounter more obstacles. Will you be so listless every time?"

"Who's being listless?" Li Hongzhao snorted.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Bring out the spirit of overcoming adversity that you show in front of me, and fiercely strike back!"

"...You're just afraid the world isn't chaotic enough," Li Hongzhao tilted her head and looked at him, "No wonder you're so kindly encouraging me."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "If you hadn't collapsed under my repeated blows, but were broken by these things, wouldn't I be very incompetent?"

"You can't break me!" Li Hongzhao retorted.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then what about these things? Can they break you?"

Li Hongzhao said coldly, "If they want my life, they'll have to see if they have the ability!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "It's a pity you're constrained and can't retaliate."

"...There will always be a chance," Li Hongzhao said softly, her phoenix eyes narrowed, faintly flashing with cold light.

She could tolerate it once, but not twice. If she didn't retaliate, there might be a third, fourth, or even countless times.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "You should still think carefully. Those hopeless people are just trying to drag you down, to completely extinguish your hopes."

Li Hongzhao fell silent.

She knew that what Chu Zhiyuan said was correct.

If she dared to retaliate, she would commit a grave taboo, directly severing her chance of becoming the master of the Son of Heaven Sword.

The Son of Heaven Sword would never recognize someone who engaged in internal strife as its master, whether through direct or indirect actions.

These guys who were harming her were purely acting out of speculative motives.

Without authorization from others, they acted on their own, so it wouldn't implicate anyone else.

But she didn't have anyone like that to help her.

Thinking of this, her face darkened: "Is it destined that I can only passively take a beating and not retaliate?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "There is a way."

"What way?" Li Hongzhao frowned and pondered, looking at him. But Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said nothing.

Li Hongzhao snorted, "Don't worry, this time I will definitely find a good knife, the knife of a grandmaster who practices swordsmanship!"

Chu Zhiyuan revealed a smile, feeling that she was still sensible, and said, "Actually, it's easy. Recruit more followers. You don't need to order them; they will naturally protect you and eliminate threats for you."

"They don't have that much courage."

"Wealth and honor are found in danger."

"...Unfortunately, I can't have followers right now. No one has a good opinion of me."

"Then do something to make them think highly of you," Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

"What thing?"

"Let's start with destroying the Devouring Heaven Sect."

"Severely injuring them is also very difficult," Li Hongzhao shook her head, "They are elusive."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "I'll help?"

Li Hongzhao frowned and stared at him.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with a smile.

Their gazes intertwined in the air, colliding between the two lounge chairs. Li Hongzhao wanted to see through Chu Zhiyuan's thoughts.

Chu Zhiyuan was definitely not so kind, and would never help her for no reason.

She thought about it and felt that with Chu Zhiyuan's help, she might really be able to severely injure the Devouring Heaven Sect and slowly said, "What do you want?" Was it because he resented the Devouring Heaven Sect for daring to assassinate in Yujing City, so he was preparing to take action? And by the way, ask her for some benefits?

It could be said to be killing two birds with one stone.

"Information about Great Zhen."

"Great Zhen..."

"Especially information about Wentian Cliff," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Your Great Meng is known as the number one secret service, and you have many secret agents in Great Zhen, so your news must be more accurate."

"..." Li Hongzhao pondered.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Actually, this matter is beneficial and harmless to your Great Meng, right?"

"You are indeed wary of Wentian Cliff," Li Hongzhao chuckled, "You're not too stupid yet."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Did you already know that Wentian Cliff was secretly dealing with me?"

Li Hongzhao shook her head and said, "It's just a guess, I can't be sure."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

"Alright, I will give you the information about Wentian Cliff."

"Don't hide some of it. We might have more cooperation in the future."

"...Don't worry," Li Hongzhao snorted.

She was a little guilty.

In fact, she had already changed her mind and wanted to hide some key information. After Chu Zhiyuan said this, she extinguished this thought and simply gave it all to him. Wentian Cliff was indeed very difficult to deal with.

If Chu Zhiyuan wanted to deal with Wentian Cliff, he would fall out with Great Zhen, thereby destroying the alliance between the two dynasties.

This would be a great achievement.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Then let's clean up the Devouring Heaven Sect first. How about we chase these three guys first?"

"When?"

"Now?"

"Wait a moment, I'll go gather people!" Li Hongzhao snorted.

An hour later, when Chu Zhiyuan reappeared in a forest outside the south gate of Yujing City, he had already changed his clothes.

He wore a mask on his face, looking cold and expressionless.

Everyone could see that he was wearing a mask, concealing his true identity.

Li Hongzhao was dressed in a red outfit, strong and graceful, heroic and valiant.

Seven people stood solemnly beside her.

Six grandmasters, plus Su Qiuyan, a great grandmaster.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan appear, Li Hongzhao said, "Are these people enough? I can't spare too many experts in a short time."

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the seven people, and finally landed on Su Qiuyan's face, nodding slightly as a greeting, and slowly said, "Barely enough."

"Then let's move," Li Hongzhao said.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Follow me."

He led the way ahead, heading south all the way, rushing out a hundred miles in one breath.

Except for Su Qiuyan who recognized Chu Zhiyuan's identity, the other six grandmasters were somewhat suspicious.

The Devouring Heaven Sect was lawless, how could they escape so quickly?

Maybe they were still in Yujing City.

They were traveling above a forest, stepping on the treetops and flying.

"Your Highness..." A middle-aged man opened his mouth, looking around as he spoke: "Where exactly are the experts of the Devouring Heaven Sect?"