[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Imperial Cultivation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1054822,1365,"Chapter 13 - 13 12 First Encounter","imperial-cultivation-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>13: Chapter 12 First Encounter 13: Chapter 12 First Encounter “`html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the night sky, the streets of Yujing were bustling with activity, full of bustling crowds and traffic, with clusters of lanterns hanging high, illuminating the entire Yujing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passersby were carrying knives and swords, exuding a fervent aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groups of three City Guard soldiers in black robes patrolled continuously among the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cries of merchants from shops and stalls were incessant on both sides, and groups of pedestrians laughed and chatted as they walked, each enjoying their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Chi and eight others formed a circle, protecting Chu Zhiyuan in the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan walked leisurely, activating the Dragon Transformation Technique with each step, striving to quickly master the first layer and then begin the Qi Cleansing Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was relieved as he hadn’t noticed anyone following him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Military Suppression Department had already dealt with the trackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly worthy of being the Military Suppression Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liuyun Building had three floors, with three-tiered gates and flying eaves on each tier, exuding a grand and magnificent aura akin to piercing the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, one could see it standing in the night sky, brightly lit, with music and laughter drifting out, like a heavenly palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan, in a white mink coat, with a jade pendant at his waist and a hat adorned with white jade, walked with ease, emanating elegance and nobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Guo Chi and his eight companions arrived at Liuyun Building, four experts from the Military Suppression Department were already waiting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man in a gray robe approached, cupping his fist, “Are you the Fourth Prince?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Director has been awaiting your arrival, Your Highness, please.” The middle-aged man in gray robes bowed and led the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t bring the White Jade Dust Brush to conceal his identity, wearing a blue robe, with a clean-shaven face, resembling a wealthy gentleman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan followed, with Feng Xi guarding behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Chi did not move, leading the eight Prince Mansion Guards to hide in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan walked slowly up the stairs, already having seen the entire scene of Liuyun Building, noting each person and feeling each presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attention quickly focused on a room on the third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window of that room on the third floor faced the main street outside, allowing half of Phoenix Street to be seen from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting in a Taishi Chair near the window was a middle-aged man with a face as beautiful as Crown Jade, scanning the document in his hand with a solemn expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sky blue robe, with a snow-white longsword, he appeared spotless from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting upright like a sturdy pine, with refined eyebrows and bright eyes, his gaze was sharp and piercing, exuding a chilling aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Chu Zhiyuan’s view, three feet above the man’s head in the void, a white crane stood on one leg, its body spotlessly white, with a red crown, beak long like a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white crane would occasionally flutter, as if ready to fly away at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Grandmaster should be Jiang Qiuge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four middle-aged men in black robes guarded the staircase on the third floor, their expressions solemn, their eyes sweeping over Chu Zhiyuan and the others like cold lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan sighed inwardly: Another four Grandmasters, what a grand display by Director Jiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the power of authority; it’s indeed alluring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third floor was composed of elegant private rooms with excellent soundproofing; once the door was closed, outsiders couldn’t see or hear what was happening inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man in gray robes led him to the outside of a room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl in green stood at the door, with stunning features and a lithe figure like a willow in the gentle breeze, standing still yet seemingly swaying gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man cupped his fists, “Miss Huang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl in green nodded slightly, performing a curtsey to Chu Zhiyuan, speaking softly, “Your Highness, the Director has been awaiting you for quite some time, please follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan nodded, gesturing to Zou Fang and Feng Xi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was surprised, realizing that this girl in green, who seemed about his age, was already at Innate Perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself possessed Super Sense and the Miracle Technique from Mingwu Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the girl in green also have some abnormal skill to aid and accelerate her cultivation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world is indeed full of hidden talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, he thought Jiang Qiuge was formidable enough, but in terms of cultivation talent, this girl in green seemed even stronger by threefold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan stepped into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elegant middle-aged man put down his document, rose, cupping his fist with a smile, “My apologies for not welcoming you sooner, Fourth Prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Jiang, no need for formalities.” Chu Zhiyuan replied with a cupped fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both smiled, yet each could sense the other’s calm gaze, as if quietly observing and examining each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Your Highness.” Jiang Qiuge gestured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sat down, with Chu Zhiyuan taking the Taishi Chair opposite the round table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sandalwood round table could seat a dozen people, the two sat far apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl in green brought tea, then stood aside to serve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down, they exchanged a few pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Qiuge smiled warmly, like a spring breeze, without a hint of arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was also gentle and composed, without putting on airs as a princely heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the room was harmonious, with both host and guest enjoying their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Chu Zhiyuan picked up the teacup and took a small sip, then set it down, looking seriously at Jiang Qiuge, “Did Director Jiang capture those suspicious individuals?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Qiuge replied seriously, “Your Highness played a vital role this time; I have already submitted a merit request to the Auditing Department.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of people are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeking assistance from the Military Suppression Department for this reason as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Military Suppression Department is extremely strict and fair with merits; they may be lenient in other aspects, but not when it comes to merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the Central Administration Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Qiuge replied seriously, “Have you ever heard of the Yuding Sect, Your Highness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are the evil disciples of Yuding Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did Your Highness discover them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My cultivation isn’t strong, but I have a sensitivity greater than most, perhaps a kind of intuitive sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a rare gift, with it, Your Highness will be safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compared to cultivation, it’s insignificant,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, then said seriously, “What exactly is this Yuding Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuding Sect is a top-tier Evil Sect, with Great Grandmasters in its ranks, once eradicated by the Military Suppression Department in collaboration with the Four Great Sects and six major factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s surprising that thirty years later, it could still revive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an affair of thirty years ago, before he was born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, being an Evil Sect, it is indeed troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Evil Sect is different from a Demon Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So-called Demon Sects, similar to Yao Yue Palace or Wuyou Sect, act with both righteousness and evil; their cultivation techniques lead to impulsiveness, with occasional criminal behavior, but rarely involving human lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evil Sects are entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard it mentioned by Zou Fang before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil Sects operate completely devoid of humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their actions are unimaginably cruel and bloody, deserving death a thousand times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evilness of an Evil Sect stems from its cultivation techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By practicing such techniques, one naturally becomes indifferent, numbed, and cruel, gradually losing their humanity and viewing human lives as trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the Yuding Sect, even after being jointly eradicated, survived and revived, indicating their extreme cunning and strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being targeted by such an Evil Sect is truly troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with protection from three Grandmasters, it couldn’t assure his safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, his expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Qiuge seemed to perceive Chu Zhiyuan’s concerns and smiled, “Rest assured, Your Highness, they’ve been eradicated in one fell swoop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This nest has been taken down, but aren’t there other nests?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scouring them completely won’t be so easy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they tracking me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Qiuge’s expression darkened, he replied slowly, “To kill Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Revenge?” Chu Zhiyuan frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Revenge for the eradication?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Court personally combined with major sects to eliminate Yuding Sect, it wasn’t solely because it was an evil sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were there other reasons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuding Sect had a cultivation technique called the Dragon Ascension Technique, a miraculous technique for breaking barriers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allegedly, by consuming the essence blood of ten royal disciples, one could break the innate barrier and become a grandmaster; consuming the essence blood of a hundred royal disciples could break the grandmaster barrier and ascend to become a Great Grandmaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!” Chu Zhiyuan laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was utterly absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read extensive Martial Arts Notes from Great Grandmasters and Grandmasters, gaining a deeper and broader understanding of martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a profound understanding of the four realms and three barriers; breaking these barriers couldn’t rely on external forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The innate and grandmaster barriers are invisible yet substantial, beyond the reach of external forces, whereas the Great Grandmaster barrier is intangible and insubstantial, impossible to breach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Dragon Ascension Technique supposedly breaking the grandmaster barrier, he found hard to judge, but claiming it could break the Great Grandmaster barrier was certainly fraudulent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such absurd claims could only fool the ignorant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`\u003C\u002Fp>",1596,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.104Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.531Z",1,"novelbin.me","149f048065a81adc53eab49bcb00f2f5f2b1040f777c9eca8b36984201cfd4d4","imperial-cultivation-chapter-14","imperial-cultivation-chapter-12",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]