Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 894 - 890: Countermeasures

He was surprised to find that Cheng Yunzheng was not in the Imperial Palace, not in the Prince Mansion, nor in the places he imagined.

He was in the annex of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion.

He had already transformed into a disciple of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, secluding himself with other disciples of the pavilion.

He had completely changed his cultivation heart method and reached the perfection of the Transformation Realm, just a step away from the Spirit Transformation Realm, achieving a venerable status.

If it wasn’t for the Super Sensing Illumination revealing his internal organs, he wouldn’t dare to recognize him.

They were completely two different people.

Chu Zhiyuan thought, this could be described as flawless; appearance, temperament, cultivation heart method, all completely different from Cheng Yunzheng.

Apart from himself, others likely wouldn’t be able to associate him with Cheng Yunzheng.

But he couldn’t fool his own eyes.

His mind raced, killing intent surged, yet he forced himself to hold back.

The more critical the moment, the less he should act impulsively.

Who knows what backup plan he might have.

More importantly, he might have treasure-protective items on him.

Having found him, there was no need to rush, finding him was the most troublesome part.

It’s necessary to observe carefully, discern the truth from the falsehood, and then act.

He took a few deep breaths, suppressed his strong urge, and slowly turned back to an inn.

Back at the inn, he sat cross-legged on the bed and thought for a moment, releasing a flying knife from his sleeve.

The flying knife was dull and lackluster, slicing into the night air lightly without a sound.

As it approached the annex of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, it became even slower and gentler, like a feline.

It swept over the wall, gliding down it, stopping halfway down, then moved forward along the wall, circled the yard, and arrived outside of Cheng Yunzheng’s room.

Then, silently, it attached itself to the eaves, remaining still.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

This flying knife was like an extension of himself; compared to a clone, it lacked spiritual wisdom but had clear perception.

Through it, he could keep track of Cheng Yunzheng’s every move without constantly using Super Sense or keeping a direct watch on him.

Once Cheng Yunzheng made a move, it would naturally relay the message.

Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment and decided not to use the Little Golden Sword, nor send that letter.

The next day, by combining Super Sense with the flying knife, he finally discerned Cheng Yunzheng’s current identity.

By evening, he turned and headed out of the city.

...

The sun hung high.

The bright sunshine blanketed the Phoenix Imperial City.

"Found him?!" Li Cunren looked at Chu Zhiyuan in astonishment, "Really found him?!"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "He disguised himself as a disciple of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion and is cultivating in the annex."

Li Cunren looked at him in surprise, as if unable to accept this fact.

"There are top experts guarding the annex of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion," Chu Zhiyuan said, "I didn’t make a direct move, didn’t have the confidence to withdraw unscathed."

"That was wise." Li Cunren nodded hurriedly.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The best way is to draw those Purple Sky Jade Pavilion experts out so that he has to come along, then it will be easy to act."

"Purple Sky Jade Pavilion..." Li Cunren shook his head repeatedly, "I would never have thought."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He never would have expected someone would hide in the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, it was unexpected.

Because it was said that out of the Four Great Sects, the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion had the worst relationship with the Yuanzhen Dynasty.

The grievances between Purple Sky Jade Pavilion and the Yuanzhen Dynasty are difficult to unravel, too entangled.

Even if Cheng Yunzheng sought refuge in the Four Great Sects, it shouldn’t have been in the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion.

This was truly unexpected.

Li Cunren paced with his hands behind his back, thought for a moment, suddenly stopped, and snorted, "The key now is to flush him out, since we’ve found him, that’s good!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "We can’t startle him into fleeing, he’s extremely cunning, definitely very cautious."

"Hmm, right, it has to be a fatal strike." Li Cunren said slowly, "How about holding a martial arts competition?"

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Li Cunren said, "A competition between our Four Great Sects and Yuanzhen’s Four Great Sects... That’s a bit tricky."

He shook his head as he spoke.

The Court’s influence over the Four Great Sects is limited, the Four Great Sects cherish their reputations, and might not agree to a competition with Yuanzhen’s Four Great Sects.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Big brother, he might not participate."

"Then what’s your plan, brother-in-law?"

"The most troublesome thing is that he’s always holed up in the annex without moving." Chu Zhiyuan said, "If he leaves the city, then there’s an opportunity."

"Lure him out of the city..." Li Cunren frowned, "What method do we have to lure him out?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If there’s news of a Spiritual Treasure, he won’t be able to resist."

Cheng Yunzheng can’t sense the Nine Dragon Shield now and must be puzzled and worried.

Hearing news of a Spiritual Treasure, he wouldn’t be able to help himself.

Li Cunren shook his head, "Spiritual Treasures can’t possibly appear in our world, they’re all in the Grotto Heaven."

"Then Spiritual Treasure won’t work." Chu Zhiyuan pondered, "Then we’ll wait, patience leads to opportunities, I don’t believe he can stay in the annex forever. Once he feels safe, he’ll come out."

"Once he feels safe..." Li Cunren said, "Then clear out his substitute!"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Cheng Yunzheng thinks this side hasn’t discovered it’s a substitute, once he sees the substitute disabled, he’ll lower his guard.

Once his mind relaxes, stuck in the annex, he’ll be eager to come out for a breather.

That will be the best opportunity.

"Do we act now?" Li Cunren asked.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Let’s leave it to your wife; she’s about to complete her seclusion."

He had previously checked, through Super Sensing Illumination, he faintly felt Li Miaotan’s state had reached perfection and was about to emerge from seclusion.

This time she would experience a huge boost, about to surpass him.

The Phoenix Bloodline is truly marvelous.

Li Cunren slowly said, "Fine, then wait for my little sister to emerge from seclusion before dealing with him."

"The Four Great Sects have been lively recently, haven’t they?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

"It’s chaotic." Li Cunren shook his head, "They... never seem to have a moment of peace, always stirring up trouble."

"Because of the Fallen Abyss Sword Technique?"

"The other three sects suspect the Fallen Abyss Sword Technique copy has issues, thinking the Phoenix Sword Sect deliberately caused trouble."

"Is there really an issue?" Chu Zhiyuan asked curiously.

He didn’t dare to be certain the Phoenix Sword Sect hadn’t played tricks, though the one Li Cunren had given him was complete.

But if the Phoenix Sword Sect gave the Imperial Family the complete version, while giving the other three sects an incomplete one, it wouldn’t be out of the question.

Li Cunren nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "There really is an issue?"

"What we got should be problem-free, but the copies given to the other three sects have alterations."

Chu Zhiyuan opened his mouth, at a loss for words, and in the end, said, "How do we know what we got has no problems?"

"We copied ours ourselves, the other three sects got theirs copied by the Phoenix Sword Sect."

"Why is that?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "If they truly didn’t want to share, they could have refrained altogether."

"They let them study the Fallen Abyss Sword Technique, but they can’t master it, wasting their mental energy, weakening the three factions."

"That’s quite a malicious move." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Aren’t they worried about exposure? Like this time?"

"It’s not that easy to expose, this time was just a blind cat catching a dead mouse." Li Cunren shook his head, "The Four Great Sects are constantly at odds with each other."

"Will they fight?"

"They’ve already started. Currently, it’s the Phoenix Sword Sect against the Li Huo Fist Sect. The other two will eventually get dragged in, but even if they fight, it won’t be to the death."

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.

Li Cunren said, "Your guard should best stay out of it."

"It’s too late for that now." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Just joining in on the fun, it’s alright."

Li Cunren slowly nodded.

Out of respect for the little sister, the Four Great Sects wouldn’t dare to act against his brother-in-law.