Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1408 - 1404: The Outcome

She slowly opened her bright eyes, glittering like cold stars.

Shen Hanyue also opened her eyes, looking at her with envy: "Congratulations, Senior Sister."

Xiao Ruoling smiled radiantly: "You’re almost there too, aren’t you?"

"Just a little bit more."

Shen Hanyue raised her little finger, lightly pinching it between her rosy fingernail.

Chu Zhiyuan had already withdrawn his hand.

"Congratulations to Junior Sister then," Xiao Ruoling said with a smile, turning her head to Chu Zhiyuan: "Husband, are you closer to becoming Spirit Venerable?"

They could feel the changes in Chu Zhiyuan’s spiritual power.

Originally, his Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique flowed like a trickling stream, then like a bubbling spring, then like a rushing small river, and finally like a rolling river; now it raged like a flood.

Its momentum was so swift and unstoppable that it made them anxious, fearing they might soon fall into madness.

But the mysteriousness of the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique manifested at this time; despite such astonishing operation, it remained incredibly stable, even more effective.

They finally discovered a feature of the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique: the effect multiplies with the speed of operation.

If the operation speed doubles, the effect can increase three to four times; if the speed triples, the effect increases tenfold.

Under such characteristics, their progress soared at a shocking, unimaginable speed.

Originally needing a month to progress, now it is completed in two days and a night.

They felt that no one would believe them if they spoke of it.

All this stemmed from the sudden surge of Chu Zhiyuan’s spiritual power.

This abrupt surge made her somewhat suspect whether he had already stepped into the Spirit Venerable realm.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "Almost."

He could feel the thin layer of separation between Perfection and Spirit Venerable.

A window paper that can be easily pierced.

Shen Hanyue was curious: "How long will it take?"

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment, slowly said: "Around three months."

Originally, with the current progress, it would take about a year to step into Spirit Venerable.

But now, the Second Layer of Heavenly Yuan Technique progresses rapidly, and the Heavenly Marrow Talisman’s benefits are boundless.

According to the current spiritual power and progress of the Second Layer of Heavenly Yuan Technique, it should take about three months.

The Taihao Jade Void Scripture is somewhat similar to the Taoye Marrow Cleansing Technique; the faster it operates, the more effective it becomes.

"Three months, alas, it’s such a pity," Shen Hanyue regretted.

"Indeed a pity," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "It’s almost impossible to step into Spirit Venerable before the great battle."

"No need to rush," Xiao Ruoling advised: "Just after becoming Spirit Venerable is the most dangerous time."

"Seems so," Shen Hanyue nodded.

Xiao Ruoling said: "Husband, don’t rush it, take your time."

Shen Hanyue scoffed: "Those Spirit Venerables love to destroy new Spirit Venerables, attacking ruthlessly while the new ones are still naive and unaware of the dangers."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

He was aware of this, planning to go into seclusion outside the Heaven-Reaching Sect once he became Spirit Venerable.

Protected by the Heaven-Reaching Sect and twelve other Spirit Venerables’ wings, enduring the initial period.

Once his cultivation is consolidated, understanding those Spirit Venerables’ tactics, it won’t be too late to face them.

Shen Hanyue said: "I’ll go and ask the Palace Master about what to do, whether to borrow a Spiritual Artifact."

With that, she fluttered away.

"I’ll prepare some food and drink," Xiao Ruoling rose gracefully and left the courtyard.

Moments later, she returned to the courtyard with a purple wooden box.

She placed the four-layered purple wooden box on the stone table, opened it, and took out six dishes, a soup, and a small jar of wine from within.

As the two began eating, Shen Hanyue returned to the courtyard with an agitated expression.

Upon entering the courtyard gate, she sighed: "Senior Sister, Princely Heir, the Palace Master didn’t mention borrowing a Spiritual Artifact."

She looked at Chu Zhiyuan: "Nor did she indicate she would seek help from the Princely Heir."

Suddenly, Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes turned hollow.

After a moment, he raised his eyebrows with a light laugh.

Shen Hanyue hurriedly asked: "Is there any good news?"

Xiao Ruoling was also curious, looking at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "The Palace Master eventually borrowed the Black Tortoise Shield."

"Really borrowed it?" Shen Hanyue was surprised: "I hardly saw any actions from the Palace Master."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "When exactly it was borrowed, how it was borrowed, is unclear. In the end, the Black Tortoise Shield was borrowed to block Li Huo Palace’s Red Sun Needle."

"Then what happened?" Shen Hanyue asked eagerly: "After blocking the Red Sun Needle, what next?"

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Once the Red Sun Needle’s attack was blocked, Li Huo Palace had no choice but to retreat."

Shen Hanyue remarked: "Li Huo Palace is persistent, did they just leave?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Shen Hanyue turned to Xiao Ruoling: "Senior Sister, is it possible?"

Xiao Ruoling said: "They must have realized they couldn’t win, so they wisely retreated to avoid heavy losses."

Shen Hanyue clapped: "That’s certainly it!... If we seize the chance for a brutal strike, would we not greatly defeat them?"

Xiao Ruoling frowned slightly, looking at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "That depends on how much the Black Tortoise Shield consumes. If it’s greatly depleted, chasing them might be impossible."

Shen Hanyue sighed: "That should be the case."

"If we can avoid a fight, it’s best not to," Xiao Ruoling hurriedly said: "Fighting inevitably leads to death."

Shen Hanyue retorted: "If there’s a chance to strike back hard, seriously injure them, henceforth no one will dare harm our Profound Yin Palace disciples!"

Xiao Ruoling grumbled: "Junior Sister, you are too greedy."

Previously, all she sought was self-preservation, not fierce battles. Now, hearing of Li Huo Palace’s retreat, she wants to greatly defeat them.

Shen Hanyue chuckled: "Yes, yes, I’m too greedy, but we can’t be reconciled! If it weren’t for the Princely Heir’s help, we’d have suffered great losses, so many senior sisters would have died!"

She said, her complexion darkened, grunting: "If there’s a chance to hit them back, we must seize it!"

Xiao Ruoling shook her head: "We are still lacking in strength; if both of us could achieve Spirit Venerable, the situation would be vastly different, and by then Li Huo Palace would be forced to bow down."

"When will that happen," Shen Hanyue sighed: "We don’t even know if we can become Spirit Venerables!"

"I believe it won’t be too long," Xiao Ruoling said: "No need to rush."

Shen Hanyue looked at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Barring any accidents, you two can become Spirit Venerables within ten years."

"Ten years!" Shen Hanyue’s eyes sparkled suddenly.

If one could achieve Spirit Venerable within ten years, that would be wonderful indeed.

Becoming Spirit Venerable requires not only aptitude, comprehension, but also luck and timing.

These conditions are indispensable.

The Profound Yin Palace’s cultivation techniques are profound, yet Spirit Venerables remain rare.

The number of Spirit Venerables in the palace is a secret, even they are unaware.

She speculated it couldn’t exceed twenty.

Xiao Ruoling said: "So there’s no need to rush; in any case, Li Huo Palace cannot be utterly defeated."

"Alright."

Then, Chu Zhiyuan sternly said: "Though most of Li Huo Palace has retreated, some experts remain hidden in the white clouds, so don’t be careless."

"These guys just won’t give up!" Shen Hanyue sneered.

Xiao Ruoling softly said: "Seeking revenge, perhaps?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "To repay blood debts."

Shen Hanyue asked: "Did they succeed?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Shen Hanyue frowned: "Did they harm any of our senior sisters?"

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Still the same two."

Shen Hanyue said: "Senior Sister Zhou and Senior Sister Lu?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Shen Hanyue sighed: "Senior Sister Zhou and Senior Sister Lu are really unlucky!"

Then she angrily said: "Then let’s wipe out these ambushers!"

Xiao Ruoling nodded lightly.

She also deeply detested these ambushing Li Huo Palace experts.

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes suddenly became hollow.

After a moment, he returned to normal, shook his head: "You won’t be able to kill them."