Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 902 - 898: Portal
In the grand hall sat four middle-aged individuals, two men and two women, cross-legged on the carpet in the center.
The immaculate white carpet was thick and soft, and they sat at the four corners, their expressions solemn and serene.
In the center of the carpet was an easel, with a scroll lying horizontally on it.
The scroll was two meters long, emitting a deep luster and permeating an ancient feel.
Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze fell upon the scroll, causing him to involuntarily frown.
Super Sense couldn’t penetrate it.
An invisible force enveloped the scroll, as if shrouded in a thick mist, vague and unreal.
It seemed like a scroll, yet not a scroll, a vast outline looming faintly.
This outline appeared to be a door.
He felt a sudden sense of familiarity, as if he had encountered this power before.
He closed his eyes, searching through his mind.
With a photographic memory, once seen, a sense of familiarity returns upon seeing it again.
So this feeling must have been something he had experienced before, but where had it appeared?
This required a search through vast memories, even memories of past lives.
Moments later, he opened his eyes, staring thoughtfully at the scroll.
In the blink of an eye, Zhuang Juyue noticed nothing unusual and spoke, "Prince Consort, this is the painting; we trouble you, Prince Consort."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "When I comprehend it, I need tranquility without disturbance."
"Does everyone need to leave?"
"Yes."
"...Alright." Zhuang Juyue pondered for a moment, looked at the four middle-aged individuals, and finally nodded slowly.
The four middle-aged men and women, with solemn and serene expressions, silently stood up and exited the hall.
Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Zhuang Juyue.
It seems this Dean holds enough authority, as the four Venerables had no objections.
Zhuang Juyue said, "We shall leave as well; if the Prince Consort needs anything, just give the order."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "If anything arises, I’ll have Xiao Zheng inform you."
"Thank you, Prince Consort." Zhuang Juyue, along with Lu Qingyuan and Mo Qing, left the hall.
Fu Zheng also followed them out.
She stood at the entrance of the hall, guarding like a door deity, to prevent disturbances.
Lu Qingyuan lowered her voice, "Sister Fu, thank you, how long will it take?"
Fu Zheng shook her head, "Sister Lu, don’t worry, Your Highness will understand it."
Lu Qingyuan looked at the hall and nodded.
The painting was extremely profound, with no way to comprehend or enter it, no matter how hard one tried.
This painting had been within the sect for over a thousand years.
Within those thousand years, all disciples had tried to comprehend it without any success.
Could the Twelfth Prince Consort’s comprehension surpass all Phoenix Sword Sect disciples of a thousand years?
It was merely an attempt at a hopeless situation, not giving up even a sliver of hope.
She didn’t leave, standing by as if accompanying Fu Zheng.
The two conversed through Sound Transmission into Secret, maintaining an appearance of calmness.
Chu Zhiyuan unfurled the scroll, revealing a landscape painting.
The painting depicted towering mountains, resembling a giant dragon coiled up.
The sky was shrouded with dark clouds, the mountains dense with forests, the mist from the woods mingling with the dark clouds above.
The entire painting exuded a chill and majesty, making one breathless.
He frowned, deep in thought.
Upon seeing the painting, one couldn’t help but be drawn to the mountains.
One might faintly feel that the shape of the mountains held a mystery.
Could there be some universal truth hidden in the shape and form of the mountains?
Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze fell onto the sky, looking at the dark clouds above.
He could feel something mysterious within these clouds, a secret was contained within them.
The earlier sense of familiarity had returned; it was the aura of the Secret Land.
The aura of the Secret Land in Little Outer Heaven was the source of familiarity given by this painting.
Could this painting originate from the Secret Land?
...
Time slowly passed, the sun moving from east to west, gradually setting.
Dusk spread.
Lights began to illuminate.
Fu Zheng and Lu Qingyuan stood like statues, motionless at the entrance of the hall.
Initially, they chatted idly, conversing casually, but gradually fell silent, growing serene.
Now, they were entirely silent, their bodies relaxed, their energy lively, ready to spring into action at any moment.
They even closed their bright eyes, as if sinking into sleep.
"Xiao Zheng, Miss Lu, please come in." Chu Zhiyuan’s voice suddenly rang out.
The two women immediately opened their bright eyes.
"Your Highness?" Fu Zheng said softly.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Prepare some food and drink."
"Yes." Fu Zheng quickly responded.
Lu Qingyuan swiftly carried the tea cup and snacks from the table to the side.
Every few moments, the tea cup would be replaced with a new one, keeping the cup steaming.
Fu Zheng carefully pushed open the hall doors, and the two entered.
Chu Zhiyuan was still sitting cross-legged on the thick, soft, spotless white carpet, his expression calm.
"Your Highness."
Fu Zheng knelt and handed over the tea cup, while Lu Qingyuan offered the snacks.
Chu Zhiyuan took the tea cup, sipped lightly, and picked a piece of snack to eat.
A day of comprehension had drained his spirit significantly, his body heavily burdened, thirsty and hungry.
Yet, no matter the thirst or hunger, a sip of tea and a snack was enough relief.
"Your Highness, do you intend to continue comprehending?" Fu Zheng whispered, "Perhaps rest for today and return tomorrow?"
Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "No need."
Fu Zheng quickly said, "An extra day or two doesn’t matter, does it?"
"No further comprehension is necessary, I have already realized something," said Chu Zhiyuan.
Fu Zheng instantly smiled.
She turned to look at Lu Qingyuan.
Lu Qingyuan, surprised with a hint of doubt, asked, "The Prince Consort realized something?"
Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "This painting is a gateway, but to where it leads, one must explore to find out... possibly a Grotto Heaven, or somewhere else in our world."
Lu Qingyuan’s spirits lifted, "A Grotto Heaven?!"
If it were truly a Grotto Heaven, it would be a great opportunity.
The Four Great Sects stand out among their peers, with their unrivaled status due to Grotto Heavens.
Each possesses its own Grotto Heaven, providing vast cultivation resources and a place of retreat.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "In my perception, even if it is a Grotto Heaven, it may not be a good thing; it could be dangerous."
He sensed danger, so he was not in a hurry to explore the world beyond the gateway.
Realizing the gateway in this painting meant the task was complete; there was no need for further complications.
Less is more, sometimes.
As for chance encounters, he wasn’t desperate for them, given the existence of the Spirit Communication Pavilion, the Outer Realm Battlefield, and the Spiritual Treasure.
Fu Zheng said, "Sister Lu, His Highness’s intuition is very accurate; if he says it’s dangerous, then it is very dangerous and should not be ignored!"
Lu Qingyuan nodded seriously, "I understand."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Please bring Master Zhuang over."
"I will find the Dean," Lu Qingyuan gracefully exited.
Fu Zheng lowered her voice, "Your Highness..."
Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, "No need to rush ahead."
Fu Zheng nodded reluctantly.
Zhuang Juyue and Lu Qingyuan soon arrived, and after hearing what Chu Zhiyuan had to say, Zhuang Juyue looked solemn.
She focused intently on the opened scroll, looking at the painting hanging on the stand, her expression serious, "A gateway..."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Behind the door should be a place of danger; exercise the utmost caution."
Zhuang Juyue nodded slowly.
Chu Zhiyuan continued, "If there happens to be a formidable expert behind the gateway, be wary of an intrusion."
Zhuang Juyue’s expression was grave, as she nodded slowly.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "In my opinion, it’s best not to enter at all."
Zhuang Juyue slightly furrowed her brows, carrying a pitiful look.
Chu Zhiyuan sighed, "The inside of that gateway surely contains extreme danger; entering will certainly result in casualties."
He knew that persuading was futile, as the Phoenix Sword Sect could not keep calm.
