Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 896 - 892: Assessment

Earlier, it was merely a thin paper window that needed piercing.

Through the strange map of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, that window was finally pierced.

He officially stepped into the Fourth Transition.

The first three transitions are Low Rank, four to six are Middle Rank, and seven to nine are High Rank.

He has finally stepped into the Middle Rank now.

The higher the cultivation, the fuller the Essence Qi and Spirit, the deeper the understanding of martial skills, and the easier it becomes to comprehend them.

Naturally, the power of martial skills also becomes stronger.

In terms of combat power prioritization, martial skill realm comes first; Entering Spirit Level is stronger than Divine Level, and Divine Level is stronger than Entering Intent Level.

The grade of the martial skill is the second factor, with First Grade being the strongest, of course.

The level of cultivation is the third, with Spirit Transformation Realm being stronger than Transformation Realm, which is stronger than Qi Transformation Realm.

For the same martial skill, at the same tier, the stronger the cultivation, the greater the power.

Among these three, it’s hard to say which is more challenging to upgrade, as it becomes quite difficult later on.

He restrained his smile and continued observing the White Cloud Map through the Flying Knife.

The white cloud seemed to flow, with the sun behind it, the golden light faintly appearing and disappearing.

The white cloud flowed, and the sun moved as well, a gentle breeze blowing; evidently, it was just a picture, yet everything within the picture appeared to be in motion.

He could even feel the mental realm of boundless time within the white cloud.

It was as if the world within the picture was another world, one filled with the essence of ages past.

Through gazing at a corner of this world, he gained some insights and stepped into the Fourth Transition.

...

While having breakfast, Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng appeared together, and seeing Chu Zhiyuan wave, they sat next to him.

You Lan stood by as usual, directing the maids to serve him during the meal.

After chewing and swallowing a piece of meat, Li Yuzhen spoke up, "Prince Consort, let’s continue discussing the Outer Realm Battlefield."

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, sipping a mouthful of wine.

He was preparing to head to the Outer Realm Battlefield, but he knew little about it, so he inquired with Li Yuzhen.

Li Yuzhen came over every mealtime, narrating the conditions of the Outer Realm Battlefield in detail while dining with him.

Through Li Yuzhen’s depictions, Chu Zhiyuan gained a general understanding of the Outer Realm Battlefield.

This was invaluable experience, knowledge summarized through life-and-death encounters.

He didn’t consider himself invincible, nor did he think of the Outer Realm Battlefield as not dangerous.

The more he knew, the better his chances of survival, so he valued Li Yuzhen’s experiences highly.

After the meal, Fu Zheng became excited and wanted to leave the Prince Consort Mansion.

"Xiao Zheng, you should seclude yourself for two days," Chu Zhiyuan said.

Fu Zheng was momentarily stunned, the excitement frozen on her hibiscus-like face.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The two sects are fighting fiercely, and the next time might be very dangerous."

Even six Venerables couldn’t defeat Lu Qingyuan, so Li Huo Fist Sect would surely act ruthlessly next time, aiming to heavily wound Lu Qingyuan.

They had almost figured out Lu Qingyuan’s strengths and weaknesses, and in the next confrontation, Lu Qingyuan was almost bound to lose.

He explained this analysis to her.

Li Yuzhen added, "Li Huo Fist Sect isn’t as easy to deal with as they seem; they’re not inferior to Phoenix Sword Sect."

Fu Zheng said, "But the more dangerous it is, the less I can avoid it!"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Fu Zheng said discontentedly, "Your Highness, to retreat in fear of difficulty is tantamount to betrayal!"

"Alright, then go," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Be careful, don’t get seriously injured or crippled."

"Understood," Fu Zheng replied solemnly.

Li Yuzhen shook her head helplessly and followed Fu Zheng out to give her some advice.

She knew more about Li Huo Fist Sect, especially the top experts within the sect, and intended to warn Fu Zheng about them.

——

"Mr. Sun, take a seat." Chu Zhiyuan gestured to a spot nearby.

Sun Qiying, clad in a blue robe, refined and carefree, cupped his hands in a respectful salute and sat opposite Chu Zhiyuan, saying with a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness, for bringing my family here."

Chu Zhiyuan waved it off, "A small favor, now you have no more worries, and can recuperate here in peace."

Sun Qiying no longer expressed gratitude, filling the wine cups for both himself and Chu Zhiyuan.

"Mr. Sun, are you familiar with the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

"One of the Four Great Sects, known by all under heaven; I am somewhat familiar with it."

"Are you aware of a treasure map at the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, depicting white clouds?"

"Is Your Highness also aware of the Taixu Cloud Sky Map?"

"Have you seen this Taixu Cloud Sky Map, Mr. Sun?"

Sun Qiying shook his head, "This map is one of the most important inheritances of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion and cannot be seen by outsiders; does Your Highness wish to view it?"

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "What is the profound mystery of this map?"

"It is said that this map contains the most important mental realm of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion; observing it is essential for the cultivation of the Purple Sky Divine Sword."

"The Purple Sky Divine Sword... what other secrets does this map hold?" Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Every disciple of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion’s branch takes turns entering the pavilion to observe the map.

One person each night, staying in the pavilion for an hour, then changing to another person the following day for an hour.

"Secrets..." Sun Qiying mused, "I’m not aware of any other secrets, as those who are not disciples of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion cannot see it, making it difficult to comprehend its mysteries."

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "Pity I cannot see it... Are the disciples of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion branch punished disciples from within, or are they training disciples?"

"They are disciples at the Perfection of Transformation Intent Realm, honing themselves in the mundane world to break through into the Divinity Transformation Realm and become Venerables."

"And after breaking through?"

"After breaking through, they must return to the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion to seclude themselves for a while, then go out into the world again, continuing to refine their hearts through worldly experiences."

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "How long does it usually take these external disciples to advance to the Divinity Transformation Realm and become Venerables?"

"As short as a year, as long as ten years."

"A year... ten years..." Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.

Cheng Yunzheng somehow managed to wash away most of his cultivation and, after cultivating the mental method of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, reached the Perfection of Transformation Intent Realm.

He is now tirelessly progressing, and at this rate, he is estimated to become a Venerable within a month.

The Imperial Family has countless secret techniques and miracle techniques, and the root systems for cultivation practiced by the princes are comprehensive, with rich cultivation experience.

Other secret techniques and miracle techniques are often not practiced, due to limited time and energy.

If one really wants to practice a particular miracle technique, it often comes as a surprise.

Cheng Yunzheng’s secret technique is just such, altering his appearance and even changing his mental method, a feat akin to stealing the heavens and changing the sun.

Sun Qiying said, "Your Highness is very interested in the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion, I see?"

With the Four Great Sects in Yuanzhen, why be especially interested in the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion?

He thought there must be a reason.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Cheng Yunzheng is hiding in the branch of the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion."

Sun Qiying, who was about to raise his cup to his lips, paused mid-air upon hearing this, his hand gripping the cup tightening with veins bulging.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Surprising, isn’t it?"

Sun Qiying furrowed his brow in contemplation, gently shaking his head, "Impossible..."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "The fact that even Mr. Sun thinks it’s impossible is what makes it capable of deceiving the world."

Sun Qiying frowned, "Hiding in the other three sects seems possible, but in the Purple Sky Jade Pavilion..."

He shook his head repeatedly, "It’s almost impossible."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly, "He changed his appearance and mental method, but he couldn’t disguise from my perception; it is indeed him."

He wondered internally: Would Sun Qiying leak this information?

If it were leaked, then indeed, it couldn’t be used; if not leaked, further observation could continue.

He had plenty of time, no need to rush.

Sun Qiying wouldn’t be needed for now, slowly observing; time would reveal true intentions.

"...Truly the Fifth Prince." Sun Qiying finally sighed, "Able to do what others cannot, thinking what others have not, this is truly a clever move."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Encouraging the Demon Clan to kill my wife, is that also a clever move?"

"That was a risky move," Sun Qiying shook his head, "I tried to stop His Highness, but unfortunately..."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "He wouldn’t make such a risky move without substantial gains, would he? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked it all and fallen to such a predicament now?"