Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 944 - 940: Invitation
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Brother, it may not necessarily be because of this."
"Then let us take a look," Li Cunren said with a smile.
Chu Zhiyuan raised his voice and said, "Please invite Miss Fan over, the Grand Princess is also present."
"Yes," Fu Zheng responded.
After a while, Fu Zheng led Fan Yuxuan into the courtyard.
Fan Yuxuan wore a plain cyan silk dress, looking simple and elegant, dignified and graceful.
Chu Zhiyuan stood up, cupped his fists for a salute, and invited her to sit with a smile.
After paying respects to Li Cunren, Fan Yuxuan sat opposite Chu Zhiyuan and softly asked, "Prince Consort, does Your Highness know when the Princess will exit seclusion?"
Chu Zhiyuan replied, "I’m unsure for now, are you looking for the Princess for something?"
Fan Yuxuan said, "It’s not me who needs something from the Princess, it’s my elder brother."
Chu Zhiyuan raised his brows and said with a smile, "What does Young Marquis want?"
"My brother is going to leave the Imperial City for the battlefield; he needs some instructions from the Princess."
"Then I’m afraid he won’t be able to meet her," Chu Zhiyuan said, "The lady will likely not exit seclusion anytime soon."
"Understood," Fan Yuxuan replied with a resigned shake of her head.
She accepted the tea offered by Fu Zheng, sipping it lightly, her expression serene.
Chu Zhiyuan knew right away that she had more to say.
Li Cunren asked, "Miss Fan, do you have words for which I should step aside?"
Fan Yuxuan put down her tea cup and smiled, "The Grand Prince’s words are too heavy, no need for that."
Li Cunren said, "If there’s anything, just speak it, my brother-in-law is straightforward and doesn’t play games."
"Certainly," Fan Yuxuan looked at Chu Zhiyuan and smiled, "I’m here on sect orders, to inquire with the Prince Consort."
"Inquiring about the Phoenix Sword Sect?" Li Cunren laughed.
"Yes," Fan Yuxuan replied, "It’s said that the Prince Consort has again imparted a sword technique to the Phoenix Sword Sect."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded slightly, "The Hundred Birds Phoenix Sword Technique was comprehended within the Phoenix Cave Heaven and thus must be conveyed to the Phoenix Sword Sect."
"Another sword technique comprehended by the Prince Consort? Congratulations," Fan Yuxuan said.
Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, "Comprehending the Divine Treasure of the Phoenix Sword Sect brought some insights."
Li Cunren laughed heartily, "Your Qingwu Sword Sect and the Phoenix Sword Sect are at odds, so be careful this time."
Fan Yuxuan asked, "How does the Hundred Birds Phoenix Sword Technique compare to the Phoenix Sword Technique?"
Chu Zhiyuan smiled silently.
Fan Yuxuan’s expression darkened slightly.
She understood Chu Zhiyuan’s meaning; it was evidently superior to the Phoenix Sword Technique.
Knowing Chu Zhiyuan is always humble and low-key, never boasting.
Chu Zhiyuan’s willingness to express such indicates the Hundred Birds Phoenix Sword Technique must surpass the Phoenix Sword Technique greatly.
This is beneficial for the Phoenix Sword Sect but detrimental to the Qingwu Sword Sect.
The Four Great Sects have always been engaged in both open and secret battles, but the Qingwu Sword Sect and the Phoenix Sword Sect are especially competitive, their hostilities fiercer.
With the Phoenix Sword Sect’s strength increasing, the Qingwu Sword Sect is likely to suffer.
Li Cunren laughed again and shook his head, "Looks like your Qingwu Sword Sect is unlucky. First, the Fallen Abyss Sword Technique, and now the Hundred Birds Phoenix Sword Technique, so miserable!"
Every additional sword technique enhances the Phoenix Sword Sect.
As one rises and the other falls, with the Phoenix Sword Sect stronger, the Qingwu Sword Sect appears weaker.
The situation rapidly favors the Phoenix Sword Sect, while the Qingwu Sword Sect’s disadvantage becomes pronounced.
Fan Yuxuan smiled bitterly, "Does the Prince Consort harbor any resentment against my Qingwu Sword Sect..."
Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, "I cannot think so much, nor do I have any enmity with the Qingwu Sword Sect."
Fan Yuxuan asked, "Would the Prince Consort be interested in seeing our sect’s Divine Treasure?"
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "I must clarify first, viewing the Divine Treasure does not guarantee insights."
"Naturally," Fan Yuxuan smiled, "No one would dare to assert that seeing the Divine Treasure guarantees mastering martial arts."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "I am very curious about the Divine Treasure, and wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity, should one arise."
"Then, on behalf of our sect, I invite the Prince Consort to visit the Grotto Heaven to observe the Divine Treasure."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Is your sect truly so generous?"
He hadn’t expected the Qingwu Sword Sect to respond so quickly and unconditionally.
The Divine Treasure is the most secret treasure, safeguarded by each sect.
"When will the Prince Consort visit?" Fan Yuxuan hurriedly asked.
Chu Zhiyuan pondered.
Li Cunren laughed, "To avoid future complications, why not head over directly?"
"Tomorrow then," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Today I need to visit the lady."
"Alright, tomorrow it is," Fan Yuxuan quickly confirmed. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
She seemed eager to share this news with her master and sect.
Chu Zhiyuan thought for a moment, "Unless there’s anything unforeseen, then tomorrow."
Fan Yuxuan said, "I’ll come tomorrow to accompany the Prince Consort."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
Fan Yuxuan downed her tea in one go, set the cup down, and smiled, "Grand Prince, Prince Consort, I take my leave."
She couldn’t wait to share the news with her master and sect.
Chu Zhiyuan stood and cupped his fists.
Fu Zheng escorted her.
As her graceful figure disappeared, Li Cunren laughed heartily, "What do you think?"
Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, "Brother is truly strategizing like a spiritual master."
Li Cunren proudly said, "I know the Four Great Sects too well."
"I shall go see the lady then."
"Yes, you should check on the thirteenth sister."
...
At dusk, Chu Zhiyuan returned to the Prince Consort Mansion, noticing Lu Qingyuan among those welcoming him.
Concluding she was there to visit Fu Zheng, Chu Zhiyuan paid little mind, merely nodding as he continued into the residence.
Lu Qingyuan, however, followed him into the backyard.
Chu Zhiyuan looked at her with curiosity.
Lu Qingyuan, slightly bashful, smiled, "Prince Consort, I heard the Qingwu Sword Sect invited you over?"
Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Your information is quite timely."
He glanced at Fu Zheng.
Fu Zheng hurriedly said, "Your Highness, don’t wrong me!"
Lu Qingyuan quickly smiled, "Prince Consort, Xiao Zheng didn’t tell me."
Chu Zhiyuan withdrew his glance aimed at Fu Zheng and smiled, "It’s true."
Lu Qingyuan pulled out an invitation card from her sleeve, offering it with both hands, "The Dean invites the Prince Consort for a visit."
Chu Zhiyuan took the invitation, "What does Master Zhuang have to communicate?"
Lu Qingyuan shook her head, "Not a command, but a gesture of gratitude."
Chu Zhiyuan gave her a glance of mixed amusement and inquiry.
"Prince Consort, rest assured, our sect is simply grateful, no ulterior motives," Lu Qingyuan said solemnly.
Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
Lu Qingyuan asked, "When shall we go?"
"After I freshen up, I’ll go."
"Please, Prince Consort."
...
Chu Zhiyuan arrived at the Phoenix Villa when lanterns lit up the evening.
The entire Phoenix Villa was enveloped in the soft glow of numerous lanterns, imparting a dreamlike quality.
Zhuang Juyue personally led a group of experts to welcome him to a rock garden within the courtyard.
The rock garden stood over ten meters high, with a pavilion whose corners soared like eagle wings, as if ready to fly at any moment.
Sitting inside the pavilion allowed a view over the entire villa, imposing despite its modest height.
Cool dishes and fine wine were already laid out on the stone table within the pavilion.
As they settled, maids served exquisite dishes, rich in color, aroma, and taste.
After Lu Qingyuan and others retreated, only the two remained in the pavilion.
Zhuang Juyue held the wine bottle gracefully, pouring him a cup personally, then pouring one for herself, setting down the bottle and raising her cup to toast him, before beginning to speak.
She expressed gratitude, then sentiment, and finally depicted the scenario after Lu Qingyuan mastered the sword and taught it to other disciples.
The Hundred Birds Phoenix Sword Technique was lauded enthusiastically.
Chu Zhiyuan listened with a smile, speaking little.
At last, Zhuang Juyue indeed mentioned the Qingwu Sword Sect’s invitation.
"Your Highness, be cautious of the Qingwu Sword Sect," Zhuang Juyue softly advised.
Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Why say this?"
Zhuang Juyue sighed, "The Qingwu Sword Sect’s style is starkly different from our Phoenix Sword Sect’s; trust them not too much."
