[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-537":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},1055346,1365,"Chapter 537 - 534: Annihilation","imperial-cultivation-chapter-537",537,"\u003Cp>```html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhongming remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just wanted to burst into laughter right now, but immediately thought of the proximity to Purple Sun Villa and dared not laugh out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon he realized that he was scared out of his wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was he any different from them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon smiled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a difference between him and them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they all were afraid of dying and didn’t want to die, he wasn’t afraid of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn’t he afraid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he died together with Chu Zhiyuan, by killing Chu Zhiyuan, he could be drawn into the Venerable’s world by the Venerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a stronger world, one that could only be entered through ascension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Chen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it, then go to Da Meng and assassinate him,\" Chen Zhongming realized that these people couldn’t accomplish the task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are wise, Young Master!\" Feng Rui sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at those stark white bones and seeing Zhao Shenggu’s remains among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found himself not so fearless, not that unafraid of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And couldn’t help but feel a chill of dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help wanting to escape from Purple Sun Villa, to escape Yujing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he got far away, even leaving the sect, he wouldn’t fear Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staying hidden, not revealing his identity, not returning to the main altar, pretending he was already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strong Chu Zhiyuan was, he couldn’t traverse the world alone, hunting him down in every corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he had such a thought, it became unstoppable and irrepressible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two returned floating to the forest at the foot of the mountain and sat by the bonfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woods at dusk were extremely dimly lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bonfire burned fiercely, illuminating the surroundings, dispelling the cold in people’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Chen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Zhao, he...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Feng, what happened to Mr. Zhao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two ignored the crowd rising to greet and question them, and sat down by the bonfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui sighed and shook his head before revealing Zhao Shenggu’s death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they had suspected, conjecture and reality were ultimately different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing firsthand of Zhao Shenggu, a Great Grandmaster of Demon Heart Sect, dying so suddenly, was still a strong shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Grandmaster was their lifelong pursuit, the source of their constant and fierce efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once achieving Grandmaster status, one gains great freedom, great independence, and a long lifespan, with no one able to kill them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great figure like Zhao Shenggu was their goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet to see such power, which they had pursued all their lives, easily crushed like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since Zhao Shenggu was among them just that morning and by dusk was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact was even stronger, shattering their mental state directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their faces were grim, and for a moment, they had a sense of hopelessness, what was the point of cultivating rigorously?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how hard they cultivated, they still couldn’t withstand a single move from Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get away from Chu Zhiyuan! Escape Yujing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought began flooding their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhongming said slowly, \"As long as this scoundrel remains, we can never find peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence spread around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhongming said, \"Do any of you want to stay worried and hiding in the shadows forever? To shrink away for a lifetime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sharp eyes swept over each face, seeing expressions that were either indifferent, fearful, or evasive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his heart, he understood; the situation was lost, and morale had scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathering them to assassinate Chu Zhiyuan together was impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it,\" he said as he stood up, shaking his head in disappointment. \"Since you want to hide, then hide for a lifetime. I’m leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Feng Rui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui reluctantly pulled out the Black Pearl from his sleeve and tossed it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Black Pearl was gone, he immediately felt as though he had shed a layer of clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight panic set in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhongming caught the Black Pearl and glanced at everyone. \"With this pearl, I can avoid Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze. Why shouldn’t I seize the chance to hide away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a light laugh. \"Because I don’t want to live like a coward for a lifetime!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw the Black Pearl back to Feng Rui, \"Consider this a parting gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Pearl traced a black arc before landing back in Feng Rui’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui caught it, extremely thankful and overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zhongming shook his head, \"Take care, we won’t meet again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and drifted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui watched him disappear into the dense forest, then turned back only to be met by a dozen intense gazes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui carefully tucked the Black Pearl into his bosom, sneering, \"Want to snatch it? Anyone brave enough can try!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen men had already surrounded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next moment, everyone froze, their eyes dimming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They saw a bright moon flash before their eyes went dark and they lost consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui’s expression changed slightly. He quickly looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought jumped to his mind: Chu Zhiyuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, his gaze hardened as he saw two figures gliding through the treetops of the opposite mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One wore a floating purple robe, strikingly handsome, and the other was clad in white, pure as snow, and exceedingly beautiful like an immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far behind them, a phantom drifted, easily overlooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a blink, they were near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui stared directly at the handsome young man and said bitterly, \"Chu Zhiyuan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan evaluated him and chuckled lightly, \"Since you know it’s me, why not flee?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can I escape?\" Feng Rui smiled wryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he didn’t want to escape, but his legs had turned to jelly, knowing it was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how fast he was, he couldn’t outrun Chu Zhiyuan’s secret techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan extended his hand, \"Let me see that pearl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui threw the Black Pearl from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Fang, behind Chu Zhiyuan, swung her whisk and caught the Black Pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan examined the Black Pearl and shook his head, \"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He currently possessed one of these Black Pearls, obtained from a Yuding Sect disciple, capable of concealing one’s aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t be discovered by Wentian Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also concealed the holder’s intent to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Black Pearl went further, not only concealing the aura but also distorting his Super Sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Similar to the situation at the Evil Sect main altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distorting his Super Sense meant it couldn’t lock onto him, couldn’t directly get killed by the Bright Moon Saber God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Feng Rui, \"How did you get this item? Speak specifically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I tell you, can I live?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You could die more peacefully. The one who threw this pearl probably doesn’t have good intentions, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"... I’ll talk!\" Feng Rui gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he realized that if Chen Zhongming truly wanted him to have the pearl, there was no need to have him take it out and throw it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to incite this group to kill each other, achieving the goal of silencing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Chen Zhongming was unkind, there was no need for him to be loyal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then recounted the events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling lightly furrowed her brows, \"Is this the Heavenly Heart Sect’s counterattack?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s because I’ve driven them to the edge; it should be a joint effort by the Venerables.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan scrutinized the Black Pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Super Sensing Illumination, the pearl was shrouded in thick smoke, making it impossible to see clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This density far exceeded any treasure he had seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its accumulated Outer Heaven Power was higher, comparable to the Venerable Statue at the main altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood that it had consumed the source energy of the Venerable Statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling asked, \"Is there a way to counter it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not for the time being,\" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head. \"I need to study it carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This time we were really lucky,\" Xiao Ruoling shook her head said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After grandly leaving, Chu Zhiyuan quickly returned to sweep around and made a trip back to Purple Sun Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, upon reaching Purple Sun Villa, he noticed something off and tracked it to these two individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"This is fate; the heavens intend to annihilate all Evil Sects through me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruoling smiled gently, her smile as beautiful as a flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Rui died silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the corpses of another group were rapidly turning into skeletal remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t you going to chase Chen Zhongming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That guy will come back to check; we can wait by the tree for the rabbit to come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Super Sensing Illumination, Chen Zhongming had already walked three miles, stopped, and stood on the top of a pine tree, looking back this way with his hands behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>```\u003C\u002Fp>",1476,"2026-06-03T09:58:18.416Z","2026-06-03T09:58:16.817Z",1,"novelbin.me","71d773cde011eb0be95e3c88ac02610f068978883086c4a886c877c294011cf3","imperial-cultivation-chapter-538","imperial-cultivation-chapter-536",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]