[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-381":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},1054540,1365,"Chapter 381 - 378 Assassination","imperial-cultivation-chapter-381",381,"\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan had already sheathed the broken blade, his face still looking somewhat unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang spoke softly, \"Your Highness the Princely Heir...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s nothing.\" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked to the window, gazing at the restaurant’s exit below, watching as the red-clad Li Hongzhao was surrounded by people and merged into the bustling crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao suddenly stopped, sensing something, and turned to look over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze collided with Chu Zhiyuan’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pursed her red lips, gave him a sidelong glance, then turned and continued to walk forward, quickly disappearing from Chu Zhiyuan’s view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much she suffered, she would never yield, always hoping to turn the tables next time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more setbacks, the braver she became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was somewhat bothersome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan stroked his chin, pondering what move to completely crush her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he take down the Linglong Bookstore?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was already wary, might not be able to strike her crucial point, defeating her once more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be hard to achieve; she had already accepted failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time and again, using realms to suppress her, she had become accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he continued to ponder, there was suddenly a muffled \"bang\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan focused his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out a group of people had let out screams, as if a monster had rampaged through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan frowned, releasing his Super Sense, covering an area of a thousand meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the progress of his Glazed Blade Scripture, the range of his Super Sense expanded unconsciously to a thousand meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Li Hongzhao wielding a sword, her guards besieging two people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao was fiercely battling an elder, while Su Qiuyan was slowly exchanging blows with a middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the middle-aged man’s head was a giant toad, looking up to the sky, seemingly absorbing the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan was evenly matched with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Li Hongzhao’s longsword was blazing with purple flames, her power at its peak, with a faint image of a Fire Phoenix appearing amidst the sword shadows, dancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her opponent, the elder, had a small golden snake above his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan contemplated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao’s cultivation was inferior to the elder’s, but she could still stand her ground due to the Phoenix Sword Technique’s potency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mastery of the Phoenix Sword Technique was indeed profound, its power formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, over time, it was ultimately insufficient; her Phoenix Sword Technique couldn’t bridge the gap in cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their fundamental difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skills approached the way of the sword, enabling martial skills to compensate for cultivation gaps, but she couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how deep her Phoenix Sword Technique became, it couldn’t push beyond its boundaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It ultimately remained confined within the Phoenix Sword Technique itself, unable to surpass the realm gap due to its power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away, experts from the Military Suppression Department were already swooping in, and within a few breaths, four Grandmasters would be upon her, rescuing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assassinating Li Hongzhao on the street really was a genius idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the cultivation was strong enough, that would be fine; no matter how rough the means, success is all that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the cultivation wasn’t strong enough to create an overwhelming advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the strength to dominate and without choosing an ideal location, the attempt was hasty and relied purely on luck for success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly baffling what they were thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head repeatedly, while two phantoms flew out from the sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two phantoms instantly crossed several hundred meters, ignoring the elder’s sword light, piercing through his shoulders in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stopped above the elder’s head, revealing themselves as two flying knives hovering in the air, glaring down at the elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao seized the opportunity to unleash a killing move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a clear cry, the image of the Fire Phoenix reappeared in the sword light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword tip abruptly accelerated, stabbing into the elder’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Withdrawing the sword, she backed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder, clutching his chest, stared wide-eyed in disbelief at Li Hongzhao, then glanced down at his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao’s beautiful face was covered with a layer of frost, glaring at him coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at the two flying knives hovering mid-air, then looked at Su Qiuyan and the other guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry had already fallen, leaving twelve surrounding the two middle-aged men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s voice echoed from afar, \"Need any more help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No need!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao gritted her teeth, ignored the slowly falling elder, and charged into the Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry, attacking the two middle-aged men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, experts from the Military Suppression Department had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go!\" The middle-aged man fighting with Su Qiuyan sharply commanded, his form flickering as he pulled the two middle-aged men swiftly into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swoosh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flying knife suddenly appeared at the center of his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back to evade, but didn’t expect the flying knife to turn, make an arc, and rapidly accelerate, hitting his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clang...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His finger was in front of his forehead, with an iron ring on it, sparks flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Grandmaster flickered again, disappearing into the crowd with the two middle-aged men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Chu Zhiyuan’s flying knives were fast, it was too late to chase them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regretfully shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao stomped her foot, both anxious and angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan’s expression slightly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that Great Grandmaster’s fingers hadn’t been ringed and the ring wasn’t so strong, he would have been struck by the knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move piercing his forehead would have wounded him even if it didn’t kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving her a chance to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s flying knife, as rumored, was already outrageous; in reality, it was even more so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could she avoid this flying knife?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Difficult!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast enough, it could turn, impossible to guard against, and more importantly, Chu Zhiyuan wasn’t affected by the Great Grandmaster’s spiritual energy, accurately striking the Great Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the truly terrifying part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The core advantage of the Great Grandmaster, the fundamental power to crush other realms, was ineffective against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the arrival of the Military Suppression Department experts, this sudden assassination ended abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two fallen Stepping Cloud Iron Cavalry members were saved by Li Hongzhao’s Spirit Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They naturally felt immense gratitude toward Li Hongzhao, their loyalty soaring even higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After settling them, Li Hongzhao turned to the Bright Moon building but found Chu Zhiyuan was already gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then headed to the new house next to the Bright Moon building, Chu Zhiyuan’s new residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knocked, and Zou Fang opened the door, respectfully inviting her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao entered the courtyard and was led by Zou Fang to the second courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was leisurely basking in the sun on a reclining chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her appear, Chu Zhiyuan gestured to a nearby chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, lay down on the chair, her graceful figure rising and falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She instantly felt at peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous boiling emotions suddenly sank to her feet, no longer agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Who were those assassins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swallowing Heaven Sect!\" Li Hongzhao said angrily, \"Didn’t expect they’d follow us here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan pondered, \"Swallowing Heaven Sect...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought through the information on Swallowing Heaven Sect, seen both in the Inspection Department and Tongtian Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, he nodded in realization, \"They should share origins with the Yuding Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yuding Sect improves cultivation by consuming Essence Blood, and Swallowing Heaven Sect is similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are both lawless, especially liking to swallow the Essence Blood of Imperial Family disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuding Sect is like that, and so is Swallowing Heaven Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for their strength, such sects would have been wiped out by the Court long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To survive until now illustrates the formidable power behind them, even the Emperor’s Sword is ineffective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why not assassinate sooner or later, but choose to do it now, what’s the reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe they just arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did this Swallowing Heaven Sect take advantage of Mr. Su’s absence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha...\" Chu Zhiyuan laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao gave him a sidelong glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, \"The top spy organization of Da Meng, undone by spies themselves, isn’t it amusing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps it was just a coincidence.\" Li Hongzhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed again.\u003C\u002Fp>",1387,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.105Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.813Z",1,"novelbin.me","75fefd75a07ca56bc5b31349723ec9d88ebef34f4a89722540544530f0dfdac1","imperial-cultivation-chapter-382","imperial-cultivation-chapter-380",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]