[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-499":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},1054458,1365,"Chapter 499: 496: The Lair","imperial-cultivation-chapter-499",499,"\u003Cp>Chapter 499: The Lair\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan gently shook the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter turned into powder, carried by the breeze out of the small pavilion, sprinkling between the cracks in the stones outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan stood up, hands behind his back, and paced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling sat quietly to the side, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was well aware of the complex relationship between Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both rivals and collaborators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Li Hongzhao had become the Emperor of Da Meng, their relationship had evolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan sighed, shaking his head, “She can actually guess my choice; she’s deliberately making it hard for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan showed a look of disappointment: “The princely heir won’t agree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “I cannot possibly agree. I cannot abandon Da Jing’s interests for personal connections. She must have more to say, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This came from his understanding of Li Hongzhao, never resting with one approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan took another letter from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This letter was much thicker than the previous one, about five to six times thicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, “She loves playing these tricks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan said, “The Emperor mentioned that dealing with you requires multiple strategies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had engaged in numerous rounds of confrontation, both knowing each other’s methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan accepted the thick letter, “Is there really no more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is indeed only this one left,” Su Qiuyan said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan took it, opened it, and quickly scanned the content of the five pages, his brows gradually furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling looked at him intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan pondered, “She really put in great effort. Despite being busy over there, she still keeps an eye on me here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan laughed, “The Emperor said, the future of Da Jing lies with the princely heir. Watching the heir is watching Da Jing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She certainly thinks highly of me,” Chu Zhiyuan snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan asked, “Princely heir, what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll inform the Emperor and cooperate with your Da Meng,” Chu Zhiyuan said. “The conditions for entering the Secret Land will be the same as with Da Zhen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling looked at Chu Zhiyuan in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “There’s no way around it. She truly understands me and has pinpointed my weak spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling grew even more curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan cupped her hands with a smile, “In that case, I won’t disturb the princely heir any longer. Farewell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Su traveled from afar, and to leave hastily would seem rather rude of me.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Have a meal before you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiuyan said, “The Emperor is waiting, … won’t you write a reply letter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan replied, “No need for a letter. Mr. Su can convey my message directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… Alright.” Su Qiuyan nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Tell her that I’ve already found the path to the Second Layer, and it won’t be long until I step into it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… Very well.” Su Qiuyan looked at him helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemed like a remote battle of wits with the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “As the wielder of the Emperor’s Sword, she better not let me surpass her, lest she can’t defeat me even with the Emperor’s Sword in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Su Qiuyan remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan continued, “If the imperial throne becomes a shackle to cultivation, then it’s not worth having. Don’t let her lose her true self, that’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… Very well.” Su Qiuyan cupped her hands and prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flying knife floated out of his sleeve and landed gently before Su Qiuyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Consider this a return gift for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously given Li Hongzhao a flying knife, saying that having this knife would repay the favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, Su Qiuyan clearly didn’t plan to use that flying knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, giving her another flying knife was equivalent to giving another favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Li Hongzhao indeed provided extremely important information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the inheritance of the Evil Emperor but also the location of an Evil Sect’s Main Altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the true old nest of the Yuding Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also revealed some secrets about the Evil Sects in Da Jing, most of whose old nests were within Da Meng or Da Zhen, not Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Equally, the old nests of Da Zhen or Da Meng’s Evil Sects were instead within Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interchangeably situated, it prevented their roots from being uprooted, truly cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was most focused on the location of the Yuding Sect’s old nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uprooting Yuding Sect would thoroughly reveal the foundations of the Evil Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To completely eliminate the Evil Sect, one must first uncover their true power source and find a way to sever it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way just hadn’t been found yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Yuding Sect’s old nest was his hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there’s also the Sect Master of the Demon Heart Sect, his gaze cast afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Sect Master of the Demon Heart Sect was shifting his position, uncertain if it was his true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the Yuding Sect’s old nest, Li Hongzhao would not deceive him, and the information Li Hongzhao held was top-secret only visible to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan reflected, he could now see information from the Inspection Department and the God Punishment Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was still far from the messages the Emperor could access.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was far too much he could neither see nor hear, nor even imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Li Hongzhao mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected that not only Li Hongzhao knew this information, but also the Emperors of Da Jing and Da Zhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possibly, this is why they were hesitant to forcefully eradicate the Evil Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that their bases lay in another country made eradication impossible. Attempts could repeatedly fail, wasting efforts while undermining the Court’s authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did the Ninth Prince say?” Xiao Ruoling asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan recounted the content of Li Hongzhao’s letter to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling gently furrowed her brows, “Is this really good? Court negotiations should not be interfered with, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “This is actually what the Court originally intended.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan explained, “The Court doesn’t want to go to war with Da Meng and is inclined towards peace, not wishing to push Da Meng too far, … of course, this is just the Emperor’s thought and has not been discussed with the court ministers yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This came up unintentionally during a conversation with Chu Qingyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Qingyan lingered at Prince Qing Mansion, often chatting and playing chess with Chu Minghou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan would sometimes join their conversations when returning to the Prince Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This topic arose inadvertently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were classified top secrets, yet Chu Qingyan did not hide them from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, Chu Minghou was a loyal and filial Prince, and Chu Zhiyuan the future Emperor, all part of his circle, with no need for secrecy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling smiled with pursed lips, “You’re being generous with others’ resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s coincidental,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Besides that, there will be some statues sent, truly earnest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling nodded lightly, “With so much from the Ninth Prince, it really is hard to refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the White Bone Tower grew taller, there were almost no more Evil Sect disciples around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brave ones had already turned to bones upon the tower; the timid ones dared not come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purple Sun Villa became a forbidden ground for the wicked of the Evil Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anticipated Evil Sect Grandmasters did not appear; instead, no Evil Sect disciples dared approach Purple Sun Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once unknown Purple Sun Villa was now renowned throughout Yujing City and even the entire realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villa’s master, Chu Zhiyuan, the Fourth Prince of Da Jing, consequently gained renown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People had known about Chu Zhiyuan’s great talent, but it was only spread within a small circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the whole realm knew of Chu Zhiyuan’s extraordinary talent in cultivation, single-handedly intimidating various evil sects.\u003C\u002Fp>",1348,"2026-06-03T09:58:02.814Z","2026-06-14T10:33:16.322Z",1,"novelbin.me","32700ba8366b84ec06ecef7b1c634777f034ff658f323c155f824124ee7ce275","imperial-cultivation-chapter-500","imperial-cultivation-chapter-498",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]