Imperial Cultivation
Chapter 428: 425: Income

Chapter 428: Chapter 425: Income

Her expression changed immediately.

The previous arrogant demeanor was gone.

A sense of reverence arose from within, even though Chu Zhiyuan was not yet a Great Grandmaster.

But anyone could see that his ascent to Great Grandmaster was inevitable.

With such talent, how could he possibly be stopped outside the realm of Great Grandmasters?

Chu Zhiyuan smiled at Song Xiangzhu: “Mr. Song, would you like to try my sword technique?”

He found that sparring with a Grandmaster solidified his Sword Soul, offering immense benefits.

This opportunity was rare and not to be missed.

“…Very well.” Song Xiangzhu approached him slowly and solemnly said: “Proceed.”

She was thrilled by the miraculous sword technique and eager to test it.

Chu Zhiyuan once again focused on the saber, merging with it to remain unaffected by the Grandmaster’s aura, and delivered a light strike.

This strike was extraordinarily fast.

It seemed to transcend space, landing in front of Song Xiangzhu with a single swing.

Song Xiangzhu had been prepared, and her right fist met the strike head-on.

When the Bright Moon Saber suddenly blurred, as if turning into a shadow, she flickered and disappeared, simultaneously appearing behind Chu Zhiyuan.

A fist aimed at the back of Chu Zhiyuan.

As Chu Zhiyuan sidestepped, the Bright Moon Saber was already above her head.

He seemed to have anticipated Song Xiangzhu’s move, with the Bright Moon Saber waiting there in advance.

Song Xiangzhu snorted, unwilling to concede, and flickered to Chu Zhiyuan’s right side.

The Bright Moon Saber appeared above her head again, about to strike the Bai Hui acupoint.

Song Xiangzhu’s left fist met the Bright Moon Saber, while her right fist continued towards his shoulder.

The Bright Moon Saber blurred once more, and when it cleared, it was already cutting her right fist.

“Ding…”

It was as if cutting iron or stone, emitting a clear chime.

Her Protective Spirit Energy rebounded, unleashing a torrent of force that pushed Chu Zhiyuan away.

Chu Zhiyuan’s skin briefly shimmered, the Biluo True Robe bulged momentarily, then slowly flattened.

He twisted in mid-air, landed gracefully, sheathed his saber, and, clasping his hands with a smile, said: “Indeed, not enough.”

He shook his head: “If a Great Grandmaster were prepared, I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Song Xiangzhu shook her head.

If that strike hadn’t been aimed at her fist, but her head.

If he entered the realm of Great Grandmaster, as fast as she was…

She absolutely wouldn’t be his opponent.

This sword technique was truly unfathomable.

Tan Guizhi laughed and asked: “Princely Heir, what sword technique is this?”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: “A bit from the East, a bit from the West, mixed together, it’s hard to say which sword technique it really is.”

“The Princely Heir is indeed a genius among geniuses.” Tan Guizhi marveled.

Song Xiangzhu didn’t want to utter such exaggerated flattery, yet had to agree.

This Chu Zhiyuan was truly a rare prodigy in the world.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand with a smile: “It’s also a birthright advantage… It’s time to question this one.”

He approached the thin old man.

Huang Cheng gave the old man a kick.

The old man immediately stood up straight as a rod.

The sweat on his body instantly evaporated into vapor, and his clothes dried in an instant.

All previous states seemed like illusions.

Chu Zhiyuan quietly watched the old man: “Sir, what is your esteemed name?”

“Alas…” The thin old man replied hoarsely, with a wry smile: “In the presence of the Princely Heir, this old man is Weng Qifeng.”

“Is this the handiwork of Old Mr. Weng?” He took a round pearl from his sleeve.

The pearl, the size of a fist, was now transparent, resembling an ice sculpture.

Weng Qifeng nodded: “The Bright Heart Pearl, indeed the possession of this old man.”

“Bright Heart Pearl…” Chu Zhiyuan smiled and asked: “Why is it called the Bright Heart Pearl?”

“This old man is the 563rd Sect Master of the Bright Heart Sect; this is a unique treasure for cultivation in our sect.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked: “What does ‘Bright Heart’ mean?”

“Observing this pearl can illuminate one’s true thoughts and feelings, thus it’s named the Bright Heart Pearl.”

“How is it made?”

“By infusing the Bright Heart Technique into the pearl continuously for thirty years, it can be condensed.”

“Thirty years consistently…” Chu Zhiyuan asked: “How old is the gentleman?”

“I am seventy-five.”

“Then you must have two Bright Heart Pearls?”

“Yes.”

“Where is the other one?”

“Here.” Weng Qifeng gestured with his mouth towards his chest.

Chu Zhiyuan had already noticed this pearl.

The Bright Moon Saber reached out, slicing open his chest garment and lifting a pouch from his chest.

The pouch flew into the air, was sliced open by the saber tip, and a pearl the size of a Dragon Eye fell out.

The pearl hovered on the saber tip and was moved in front of Chu Zhiyuan.

The pearl was enveloped in a layer of red flames, seemingly burning fiercely within.

Chu Zhiyuan turned to Weng Qifeng: “This is the second Bright Heart Pearl?”

“Indeed.” Weng Qifeng replied: “This pearl is connected to my heart, different from the first.”

“The first one was stolen, or…?”

“It wasn’t really stolen, I accidentally lost it… When being pursued, I didn’t know when I lost it.”

“Pursued by the fiends of the Evil Sect?”

“…Yes.” Weng Qifeng replied embarrassedly: “I was lucky to escape with my life.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Meng Canglan.

Meng Canglan wore a bitter smile.

She never expected it to be this kind of situation; she originally thought it was crafted by some master of the Evil Sect.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed and said: “Does the old gentleman know how much carnage the pearl has caused in the hands of the Evil Sect?”

“Carnage?” Weng Qifeng was stunned.

“…Forget it.” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: “There’s no point in saying more; just keep this pearl safe.”

This matter is a muddled account.

We cannot blame all the Evil Sect’s murders on him just because he lost a Bright Heart Pearl.

It’s like a sword, which doesn’t kill; it’s the person holding the sword who kills.

He looked at Huang Cheng.

Huang Cheng released Weng Qifeng’s acupoint and snorted: “The Princely Heir is benevolent; if it were me, I’d surely not spare him.”

Weng Qifeng wryly smiled: “The lost Bright Heart Pearl caused such disaster?”

Meng Canglan softly said: “Sect Master Weng, the Evil Sect used it to confuse hearts, thereby making sacrifices, achieving the level of Great Grandmaster.”

Weng Qifeng’s face turned grim immediately.

Chu Zhiyuan said: “Sect Master Weng, did you stay here to temper both mind and body?”

Weng Qifeng said: “Only by abandoning all vanity can one see one’s true heart.”

“Has Sect Master Weng seen the true heart?”

“Almost.” Weng Qifeng said.

Chu Zhiyuan said: “Seeing the true heart allows one to reach Great Grandmaster?”

Weng Qifeng solemnly said: “Once the true heart is seen, one can directly attain the level of Great Grandmaster.”

“Has your sect produced any Great Grandmasters?”

“The 508th Sect Master was indeed a Great Grandmaster.”

“…Then Sect Master Weng should try again.” Chu Zhiyuan said: “Be sure to keep the Bright Heart Pearl carefully, lest it be taken again.”

“…The Princely Heir can just take it.” Weng Qifeng sighed: “Keeping it with me is also a potential danger… Never thought the Bright Heart Pearl could bring such harm to the world!”

“If given to me…” Chu Zhiyuan laughed: “Wouldn’t Sect Master Weng feel heartache?”

Thirty years of effort, who could bear to give it away to others.

Weng Qifeng said frankly: “No matter how much heartache, it doesn’t surpass valuing one’s life.”

This pearl can harm so many, it’s uncertain those Evil Sect members won’t come after me again.

Even as a Grandmaster Perfection, I cannot ensure my safety.

Rather than that, it’s better to give the Bright Heart Pearl to the Princely Heir.

At least it won’t fall into the hands of other Evil Sect fiends to harm more people.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and asked: “How many disciples does the Bright Heart Sect currently have?”

“Besides me, I had taken in two disciples.” Weng Qifeng said: “But they passed away before me; now I’m the only one left in the Bright Heart Sect.”

Chu Zhiyuan pondered: “Sect Master Weng, go to Yujing; I have a villa there, guard it for me.”

“Thank you, Princely Heir!” Weng Qifeng agreed without hesitation.

Chu Zhiyuan tossed the Bright Heart Pearl to him: “Depart soon.”

“Yes.” Weng Qifeng accepted the Bright Heart Pearl and said solemnly: “I’ll set off immediately.”

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand.

Weng Qifeng bowed his hands in salute, turned, and left.