Imperial Cultivation

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and asked, "Grandfather can ascend to the Outer Heavens without the aid of the Son of Heaven Sword?"

"Yes, I can," Chu Qingquan nodded. "However, the Eternal Spirit Divine Sect's method of ascension has drawbacks."

Chu Zhiyuan cast a curious gaze.

Chu Qingquan said, "The Eternal Spirit Divine Sect's ascension is not a physical ascension, but an ascension of the soul."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Chu Qingquan said, "After the soul ascends, there are two paths: one is reincarnation, and the other is possession."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "If one reincarnates, can one decide where to be reborn?"

Chu Qingquan shook his head. "That depends on the will of Heaven, and there will also be the mystery of the womb. It is unknown how many lifetimes it will take to break this mystery and fully awaken."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Then will one eventually awaken?"

"One can awaken in no more than ten lifetimes," Chu Qingquan said. "The Eternal Spirit Divine Sect has ways to find these Divine Sons."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "This method is not bad. What about possession?"

"Possession is entering a body that has just died, taking advantage of the moment when its soul dissipates to seize the body," Chu Qingquan shook his head. "This method is the most dangerous. A slight carelessness will result in the soul being scattered."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "But with this, one can choose which person to possess, right?"

"It also depends on luck. How can one just happen to encounter such a person in this vast world?"

"There should be many in medical clinics, or on the battlefield."

"That's right."

"...Is it better to avoid using the Eternal Spirit Divine Sect's ascension method if possible?" Chu Zhiyuan asked. "Is the Son of Heaven Sword more stable?"

"That's exactly the case," Chu Qingquan nodded.

"Second Uncle has already ascended, completely leaving this place using the Eternal Spirit Divine Sect's ascension method?"

"Hmph, he has indeed ascended," Chu Qingquan let out a cold laugh.

Chu Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment, then asked frankly, "When does Grandfather plan to ascend?"

"Are you anxious?" Chu Qingquan asked. "Do you want to ascend early to find that Xiao family girl?"

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "Grandfather, I am quite conflicted now."

"How are you conflicted?"

"I don't want to leave Father and Mother, nor do I want to leave Ruoling."

"You are greedy enough."

"Yes."

Chu Qingquan pondered, "Actually... Xuan Yin Palace disciples have the opportunity to return."

Chu Zhiyuan's spirits lifted, "Xuan Yin Palace disciples can travel back and forth to the Outer Heavens?"

Chu Qingquan nodded, "If one's aptitude is strong enough to become a True Disciple, one can even be granted treasures and return to the Moon Invitation Palace, and can return at any time."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, "It should be extremely demanding, right?"

The Holy Maiden from ten thousand years ago was definitely not an ordinary person; her aptitude was absolutely extremely high.

The Holy Maiden's aptitude was never lacking.

But she has never been seen returning.

Moreover, in all these years, no one has ever heard of anyone returning from the Outer Heavens.

If one could really return, it would be impossible for there to be no news at all.

"As far as I know, the Four Great Sects all have means to travel back and forth, but the spiritual energy of this world is too weak, causing later generations of disciples to become increasingly weak and their aptitudes not strong enough to do this."

"Then Ruoling, she...?"

"If it were you, there would be a possibility, but for that Xiao family girl, it's a bit uncertain."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned in thought.

"Your aptitude is extremely good here, the key is that your comprehension is good, but when you get to the Outer Heavens, that's not necessarily the case," Chu Qingquan said. "The two worlds are similar, but there are still differences."

"Yes," Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Chu Qingquan looked at him with a smile, "If that Xiao family girl can return, that's good, but if she can't, will you abandon her for the sake of your parents, or abandon your parents for her sake?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled wryly.

Chu Qingquan said, "There are too few perfect things in the world; one always has to make a choice."

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "If the Son of Heaven Sword ascends, can it return?"

"As for the Son of Heaven Sword, it cannot," Chu Qingquan shook his head. "It can only go, not return."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The Eternal Spirit Divine Sect can, right?"

Chu Qingquan nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "In that case, the Son of Heaven Sword is not as good as the Four Great Sects?"

Chu Qingquan smiled, "The Son of Heaven Sword is still stronger than the Four Great Sects. After ascending with the Son of Heaven Sword, one directly enters the Prince's Mansion. The imperial dynasty of the Outer Heavens is also stronger."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "But one can only become a young prince. If Grandfather goes up..."

A young prince at this age would be a bit ridiculous.

Chu Qingquan said, "Therefore, I don't plan to go up."

Chu Zhiyuan was stunned, "Not going up?"

Chu Qingquan smiled, "Why not be a good emperor and go up to be a nominal young prince?"

In an instant, Chu Zhiyuan thought of many things and felt that Chu Qingquan's decision was not wrong.

His own desire to ascend was to pursue a higher realm and a longer lifespan, ultimately achieving immortality.

If one could cultivate to immortality in this world, there would be no need to leave.

But the spiritual energy of this world is scarce, cultivation has an upper limit, and one cannot cultivate a long lifespan.

One is forced to go to the Outer Heavens.

As for Chu Qingquan, as a Divine Son, even if he dies, he can continue to reincarnate and will eventually awaken, become a Grandmaster, and then ascend.

So there is no need to rush to ascend.

Since he can be an emperor in this life, then he should enjoy the beauty of being an emperor to the fullest.

Such an opportunity is too rare, and there will almost never be another one in the future, so of course, one must seize it well.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "I see."

"Very disappointed, right?" Chu Qingquan asked.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled wryly, "If Grandfather doesn't want to abdicate, then I can't ascend through the Son of Heaven Sword. I am indeed disappointed."

Hearing such news, how could he not be disappointed? It's impossible.

All hope of ascension was shattered at once; this feeling is hard to describe.

Chu Qingquan said, "Since the path of ascension with the Son of Heaven Sword is impassable, I have helped you think of another path."

Chu Zhiyuan suppressed his surging thoughts, regained clarity, and slowly said, "It wouldn't be the path of ascension of the Eternal Spirit Divine Sect, would it?"

His extrasensory perception allowed him to possess absolute calmness. Even if he suffered such a big blow, he could still quickly regain his composure.

Chu Qingquan nodded, "The Eternal Spirit Divine Tree in your mansion is growing well, right? King Jing is really good to you; that is a true Divine Tree."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "What is the mystery of this Eternal Spirit Divine Tree?"

Chu Qingquan said, "It is one with the Eternal Spirit Divine Sect of the Outer Heavens. When it grows to a certain extent, it will form its own world, connecting to the Outer Heavens. This is also the root of why souls from the Outer Heavens can enter."

Chu Zhiyuan's spirits lifted.

Chu Qingquan said, "If you ascend under the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree, the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree will protect your soul after you go up. Your soul will not be shattered by the treasures of the Outer Heavens, nor will you be captured and refined by evil sect experts."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, "Evil Sects?"

Chu Qingquan said indifferently, "The evil sects here are the evil sects of the Outer Heavens."

"What about the incense divinity path?"

"It's the same. This place is a smaller version of the Outer Heavens."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled wryly.

He was quite disappointed, not expecting this to be the final result.

If he ascended using this method, reincarnated, and grew up again, who knows how many years it would take.

Would Xiao Ruoling wait for him all along?

Furthermore, who knows what he would look like when he grew up?

Chu Qingquan said, "You can use the method of possession and then change your appearance to become what you are now."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered, "If I were to possess someone..."

"It's best to do it in the wilderness. If it's really not possible, go to a small city. Don't go to a big city. Even with the protection of the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree, there is still danger."

Chu Qingquan said, "Actually, there is another way."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him.

Chu Qingquan said, "The Cliff of Asking Heaven also has a method of ascension."