Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 466: Kill Lu Yang First

In a new masterless cave domain, Great Yu cultivators steadily unpacked furnishings from their storage rings, decorating their new grotto. Even a palace was retrieved from the storage ring, its opulent halls towering in the barren cave domain.

Beside the palace was an unassuming thatched hut—the Imperial Preceptor’s dwelling.

As the Imperial Preceptor considered himself a mountain recluse, his abode was deliberately austere. Crouching on a low stool, his eyes were as deep as wells, displaying the image of an ascetic expert.

“Now we’re safe. The Dao-Seeking Sect forced us to relocate—what utter humiliation!”

Who am I? The second imperial preceptor of Great Yu, the successor and promoter of Great Yu’s golden age, and mentor to several virtuous Yu emperors revered by the people.

The first imperial preceptor had two outstanding disciples. The elder disciple conquered lands to establish the Great Yu Dynasty, and he was later known as the Founding Yu Emperor, while I was the second disciple.

Not only am I the second imperial preceptor, but also the junior brother of the Founding Yu Emperor. Who in the world would dare slight me?

And I myself am an expert with terrifying cultivation, single-handedly crushing six Transcendent Tribulation experts.

It’s all because of that damned Taciturn Daoist Priest’s scheme that Dawnbreaker was captured and our cave domain’s location was exposed!

The subordinate’s eyes burned with fury. How dare a mere sect challenge a dynasty? “Damn Dao-Seeking Sect!”

The Imperial Preceptor’s gaze darkened as he strategized. “Up to now, the Dao-Seeking Sect has obstructed Great Yu three times.

“At the Qing Province Grand Ceremony, one of the Dao-Seeking Sect’s cultivators intervened, but it’s unfortunate that the national fortune obscured their identity.

“The second time was when Lu Yang, that little disciple at the Golden Core Stage, saw through Huang Ming’s identity in the Corpse-Driving Sect.

“Finally, the Dao-Seeking Sect Leader, the Taciturn Daoist Priest, used himself as bait to capture Dawnbreaker.

“These three must die. We’ll start with the person with the lowest status—Lu Yang. If Great Yu hesitates further, Great Xia and that hidden Great Qian will mock us!”

Since both Great Yu and Great Qian intended to overthrow Great Xia, they were rivals. The Imperial Preceptor had searched for Great Qian’s hideout multiple times, hoping to pit Great Qian and Great Xia against each other and weaken each other, allowing Great Yu to reap the benefits from the sidelines.

It’s a pity we ended up empty-handed.

The Imperial Preceptor ordered, “Investigate this little disciple called Lu Yang and find out where he is now. Kill him if possible.”

“Understood!”

After the subordinate left, the Imperial Preceptor contemplated. According to the reports, a third faction had appeared during the Hanshui City battle, claiming to be the Supreme Grand Heavenly Sovereign, an immortal from the Heavenly Court Creed; she defeated Wu Youdao’s trio.

“What exactly is this Heavenly Court Creed? And who is Dou Heavenly Sovereign?” Despite the Imperial Preceptor’s extensive knowledge and investigation of power dynamics of the current era, he had never heard of the Heavenly Court Creed, much less Dou Heavenly Sovereign.

“This Heavenly Court Creed seems to have appeared out of nowhere. Strange. Why did the Heavenly Court Creed obstruct Wu Youdao? Do they also covet the national fortune’s power?”

Five days later, the subordinate returned.

“Found Lu Yang?”

“Yes.”

“Killed him yet?”

“About that...”

“You can’t even kill a mere Golden Core cultivator?!” The Imperial Preceptor seethed, clearly dissatisfied with his subordinate’s performance. If everyone is like this, how could Great Yu hope to restore its glory?

His subordinate wanted to cry, but no tears came. “Your Excellency, Lu Yang is now the acting sect leader.”

“Huh?” The Imperial Preceptor thought he had misheard. Although I despise the Dao-Seeking Sect, surely they couldn’t have fallen to a plight where their acting sect leader is a Golden Core cultivator.

I was reluctant to target the Taciturn Daoist Priest precisely because he is a sect leader. Making a move on him would be too conspicuous, and things could easily go wrong. Now that Lu Yang has become the acting sect leader, there’ll certainly be many people protecting him. Acting recklessly wouldn’t be wise.

“According to my investigations, this involves internal power struggles within the Dao-Seeking Sect. A cultivator named Yun Zhi has effectively controlled the sect for years, acting as de facto sect leader. She is the Taciturn Daoist Priest’s eldest disciple, and her cultivation is unclear. The Taciturn Daoist Priest was unwilling to let Yun Zhi hold power for too long and render him a figurehead, so he appointed his youngest disciple Lu Yang as acting sect leader.”

The Imperial Preceptor sneered. “Your analysis is too superficial. Lu Yang is merely a Golden Core cultivator. How could he possibly vie for power with his senior sister? This is clearly the Dao-Seeking Sect anticipating my move against him and elevating his status to acting sect leader preemptively as protection!

“Let me ask you, did Lu Yang’s appointment as acting sect leader happen after his return from Hanshui City?”

His subordinate gazed at the Imperial Preceptor with awe and admiration. “Your Excellency is astute! It was precisely after returning from Hanshui City that Lu Yang was made acting sect leader!” Isn’t this why we follow the Imperial Preceptor? It’s because of his brilliance in governing heaven and earth and his flawless foresight!

A knowing expression crossed the Imperial Preceptor’s visage. “Hmph. There aren’t that many coincidences in the world. Behind every coincidence lies a scheme.”

“Then this Lu Yang...”

“Kill him! We must kill him! So what if the Dao-Seeking Sect has seen Great Yu’s payback coming? Do they believe they can protect a mere Golden Core cultivator? I will let the Dao-Seeking Sect and all under heaven know that all schemes are reduced to nothing in the face of absolute power!”

The subordinate was overjoyed. He could already envision the Dao-Seeking Sect’s gobsmacked faces and helpless rage after they slaughtered Lu Yang. “I also learned that the Dao-Seeking Sect will be holding their sect celebration in two months for their 120,000th anniversary. Many factions will be invited then, and we could seize this chance to infiltrate!” Normally, the Dao-Seeking Sect’s defenses are impenetrable with strict entry protocols; only during such large-scale events will vigilance relax slightly.

“I didn’t know about that.” The Imperial Preceptor’s eyes glinted as his lips curled into a smile. “Looks like Heaven truly favors Great Yu.

“The Dao-Seeking Sect has been around for 120,000 years. Time for it to be extinct.” He casually sentenced the Dao-Seeking Sect to death. If we can’t even deal with this insignificant sect, what hope do we have of restoring Great Yu?

~~~

Meanwhile, Lu Yang remained unaware that he had been marked by the Imperial Preceptor and added to the must-kill list.

This was a misunderstanding born of asymmetric information.

At the Qing Province Grand Ceremony, the Calamity Venerable Lord could have escaped, but Lu Yang summoned Yun Zhi, who defeated him.

In Hanshui City, Wu Youdao’s trio was about to obtain the national fortune’s power, but the Everlasting Immortal Fairy residing within Lu Yang intervened and captured the three.

In Dingxin City, the paper crane that reached the Taciturn Daoist Priest had been written at Lu Yang’s directive.

Had the Imperial Preceptor known Lu Yang was involved in all three incidents, the latter would have been added to the must-kill list long ago. But even if Lu Yang knew he was already on the must-kill list, he wouldn’t pay much mind to it. After all, far more pressing matters demanded his attention now.

“Big Senior Sister, did you just say I have to attend a meeting in the imperial palace as acting sect leader?”