Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 993 - 989: Outer Palace

Leng Tieya clasped his hands and said, "In that case, I’ll follow the steward’s arrangements."

He had no intention of taking this matter upon himself and prepared to report to the Inner Palace.

"Cold Nephew." Yu Zhengsheng chuckled, "Since you’ve encountered this Ghost Bone Sect, why not deal with them along the way?"

Leng Tieya shook his head: "I’ve only just entered the Ninth Grade, still far from enough, better wait for those two senior brothers to return from their travels before taking action."

"Ninth Grade is already sufficient," Yu Zhengsheng laughed, "It’s just a bunch of worthless, insignificant things. We only request the Inner Palace disciples to act to avoid any misstep. After all, the disciples of our Great Heavenly Demon Palace are valuable and cannot be needlessly harmed."

Leng Tieya revealed an embarrassed expression: "It’s my first time entering the palace; I need to meet the elders of the Inner Palace and ask for their thoughts."

Seeing Yu Zhengsheng’s disdain for the Ghost Bone Sect, he felt unease.

But Yu Zhengsheng wouldn’t be rash even if he underestimated them; no matter how disdainful, the Great Sky Demons from the Inner Palace should be deployed.

There’s no need for him to speak further.

"Well... if that’s the case, Cold Nephew may first meet the elders in Inner Palace. The reward this time is quite generous."

Leng Tieya smiled and stood up.

Yu Zhengsheng sat steadily on the cushion, speaking slowly: "If we can eliminate the Ghost Bone Sect, every participating disciple can cultivate in the Demon Abyss for a month."

Leng Tieya paused in his motions.

Yu Zhengsheng chuckled, "The time allocated to Inner Palace disciples is two months."

Leng Tieya continued to walk out.

Yu Zhengsheng said, "The Inner Palace disciples either travel or retreat, otherwise they’d definitely vie for participation. It’s rare that you’ve just entered the Inner Palace; it’s a good opportunity!"

Leng Tieya walked out of the hall at a slow pace.

He trusted his instincts.

Yu Zhengsheng watched his disappearing figure and helplessly shook his head.

Suddenly, three elders appeared on the previously empty cushion.

It seemed they had been sitting there all along, merely overlooked.

They all had white hair and beards, youthful faces, and were smiling.

The round-faced elder on the far right smiled and said, "Worthy of the youngest Great Sky Demon, cautious and resolute."

"More like timid?" the elder beside him laughed, "He doesn’t have the demeanor of high spirits at all."

"That’s rare."

"Once at Great Sky Demon, one could be high-spirited; there’s no need to be so cautious anymore."

"Being cautious doesn’t hurt."

"When the tail doesn’t curl up, cultivation becomes solid; advancing boldly, he even sacrificed the Soul Suppressing Seal for this very reason, which is indeed remarkable."

"His Soul Suppressing Seal wasn’t entirely sacrificed; he played a trick."

"This shows his cunning; other Inner Palace disciples don’t have such means, having intentions but lacking strength."

"What a pity, we can’t witness the power of this Breaking Space Demon Device this time."

"There will be opportunities; possessing such a weapon, one’s desire to kill naturally arises. Holding the Breaking Space, how could he be willing to remain obscure? He will definitely act."

A square-faced elder said sternly: "The Ghost Bone Sect must be swiftly eradicated; we cannot delay further. Each day of delay, many innocent civilians die."

"The remnants of Ghost Bone Sect have grown strong, this battle will be dangerous." The round-faced elder sighed, "Without deploying Inner Palace disciples, we absolutely can’t act."

The square-faced elder frowned: "Li Wuliang and Zhao Yuanfeng still not planning to return?"

"One had encountered disciples of the Heavenly Maiden Palace, the other tangled with a Spiritual Beast." The round-faced elder shook his head: "Entangled endlessly, not done yet."

The square-faced elder snorted coldly: "Losing aspiration to playthings, lacking depth!"

The round-faced elder nodded: "Spiritual Beast isn’t easily subdued, those disciples of the Heavenly Maiden Palace cannot be approached; a waste of effort."

He understood his senior brother’s discontent.

These two were quite different from Leng Tieya earlier.

Though the cultivation of Great Sky Demon is measured by centuries, their laxity seemed excessive, especially upon seeing Leng Tieya forsake the Soul Suppressing Seal for advancement in his Realm, making the contrast stark.

They lacked the sharp-minded courageous progress that Leng Tieya possessed.

...

Leng Tieya left the hall and met with Song Lianshuang.

Outside the hall were no longer the two guiding youths, only Song Lianshuang stood alone.

The gentle breeze stirred her dress, revealing her graceful and lithe figure.

He told Song Lianshuang about the situation inside the hall and said, "Junior Sister, I’ll escort you to report, and also take a look at your residence."

Song Lianshuang said, "Senior Brother, not to worry, this is the Great Heavenly Demon Palace and my Third Brother is here too."

Leng Tieya said, "Your Third Brother must be a genius, he’s been in the palace for five years, right?"

"Yes, it’s been five years." Song Lianshuang sighed, "He doesn’t focus on practicing martial arts all day and night, distracted by other things, wasting his natural talent, his Realm is even worse than mine."

"Accumulated strength doesn’t mean he won’t surpass you." Leng Tieya said with a smile.

The original host deeply appreciated the genius of Song Family’s Third Prince, incomparable.

From a young age, he showcased astonishing talent, leaving those of his generation far behind.

Five years ago, he entered the Great Heavenly Demon Palace, never seen again, presumably already at the level of the Heavenly Demon First Grade.

Now hearing Song Lianshuang said his Realm is still inferior to hers, he was quite surprised.

Song Lianshuang sighed, "Hopefully."

She didn’t hold much hope.

As the two walked a few steps away, they saw a tall and handsome young man floating towards them.

His blue robe fluttered, exuding an air of elegance.

"Second Sister."

He waved casually at Song Lianshuang, his expression calm, without excitement.

Song Lianshuang smiled, reached out to smooth the wrinkles on his shoulder, then lightly sniffed: "Did you drink?"

"Just a little." Song Shaohui nodded awkwardly.

Song Lianshuang’s smile faded, lightly furrowing her dark eyebrows: "Drink less... let’s go, take me and Brother Leng to report."

Leng Tieya greeted at this moment: "Shaohui, long time no see."

Song Shaohui clasped his fists: "Third Brother Leng, you came too, let’s go."

Song Lianshuang said: "Brother Leng entered the Inner Palace."

Song Shaohui paused, stopped turning around, and looked at Leng Tieya.

Leng Tieya laughed: "Fortunate, fortunate."

Song Shaohui solemnly clasped his fists: "I apologize for my disrespect."

The difference between the Inner Palace and Outer Palace is vast, not only in residence but also in the position atop different peaks, holding widely different statuses.

Leng Tieya said: "I believe we’ll soon meet in the Inner Palace, let’s go."

Song Shaohui chuckled self-mockingly, turned, and continued to lead the way.

He remained silent throughout, showing a heavy-hearted demeanor.

Leading the two to stand outside a magnificent hall.

About ten meters tall, covering an area of two to three hundred meters, over a dozen red-lacquered pillars as thick as a person embraced to support the roof, the glazed tiles glittered in the sunlight.

The hall was inscribed with the words "Wan Tong Hall" in large characters, archaic and heavy.

He stopped outside the hall, pointed at this hall, then at the adjacent hall: "This leads to the Outer Palace, Third Brother Leng, the Inner Palace is next door in Wanling Hall."

Leng Tieya said: "I’ll first accompany you to the Outer Palace, then go to the Inner Palace."

Song Shaohui was somewhat puzzled, turned to look at Song Lianshuang.

Song Lianshuang blushed and said shyly, "Let’s listen to Brother Leng, let’s go."

"... Oh, alright." Song Shaohui noticed her blush, vaguely sensed something, and glanced at Leng Tieya.

Leng Tieya was smiling amicably.

Song Shaohui took out a token from his sleeve, pressed it against the hall’s tightly closed door.

The two violet doors slowly opened inward, a bright and gentle light pouring out.

The hall was empty, with an unusual pattern drawn in the center.

The pattern was slowly lighting up, illuminating the entire hall.

"Let’s go through."

Song Shaohui stepped into the hall, standing at the pattern’s center.

At this point, the pattern had formed a dazzling light, resembling an autumn pool under the sunlight.

He stood within the light as if stepping into an autumn pool.

Leng Tieya and Song Lianshuang followed him inside.

The light suddenly intensified.

Then the three were taken aback, their bodies feeling weightless, quickly concentrating to steady themselves.

The scenery before them changed.

Already at the foot of a towering giant peak, at the edge of a lush forest.

The giant peak was floating in mid-air.

They stood precisely at the edge of the peak, taking one step back would lead to the void, falling would shatter them.

Clusters of white clouds floated beneath them like mountain peaks.

Looking through the gaps between the clouds, one could see the ground below, lakes, and peaks.

Song Shaohui looked up, eyes fixed on a winding white jade staircase, weaving through the trees, ascending eternally, like a jade cord hanging from the sky.

He gestured upward: "This is the location of the Outer Palace, divided into nine layers, First Grade resides at the highest layer, the grand hall at the top."

He climbed the white jade steps while talking about the Outer Palace’s situation.

Not only is there a difference in residence, but there are individual dining halls and martial arts training grounds.

The hierarchy is stern.

He is currently Third Grade, while Song Lianshuang is Second Grade, residing one layer higher.

The first step is to enter the grand hall, receive an estate, along with various disciple supplies.

Passing the first row of residences, they saw several disciples.

Curiously looking over, upon seeing Song Shaohui, they waved in greeting.

Song Shaohui, however, remained aloof, hardly responding to them, continuously climbing.

Ultimately arriving at the mountain-top hall, glinting with golden light.

The air suddenly thickened.