[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-543":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},1055352,1365,"Chapter 543: 540: Secret Rivalry","imperial-cultivation-chapter-543",543,"\u003Cp>Chapter 543: Secret Rivalry\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, you’re late.” Li Hongzhao smiled with a hint of sarcasm, “No point in saying anything now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about all three parties together?” Chu Zhiyuan suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao shook her head, “Even if I agree, Da Zhen won’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “I’ll try to persuade Da Zhen. If you apply some pressure, both sides might agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao smiled and shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan spoke flatly, “Is your Da Meng trying to gain some advantage? There’s no advantage to be had.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why wouldn’t there be?” Li Hongzhao said, “If the two dynasties trade and open the borders, there’s plenty to gain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those are trivial matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trivialities are what’s important.” Li Hongzhao smiled, “Would you agree to open the border?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan frowned, pondering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Da Zhen has already opened its borders with us,” Li Hongzhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “Opening the border now is too soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you’ve already opened borders with Da Zhen.” Li Hongzhao snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s different,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact of opening the border is too great, especially since Da Meng’s spies are already unparalleled. Once the border opens, they would be unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “It seems your Da Jing is insincere, unwilling to cease hostilities for good, only resting temporarily to regroup and continue fighting, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve always been on the defensive, never starting a war,” Chu Zhiyuan said, “Trade across the borders and establishing trade markets are sufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not enough.” Li Hongzhao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “It seems we can’t reach an agreement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “It’s you who aren’t sincere, just trying to buy time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spies have continuously sent information from Da Jing, especially about the Martial Arts Hall and Phoenix Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grandmaster experts have been appearing in groups, and the Evil Sect’s members are being eliminated in batches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This news made her anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sadly, the ministers in the court and the arrogant generals in the military haven’t realized this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, Da Zhen has recognized this problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “This is already sincere enough, what more do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you are sincere, then open your Martial Arts Hall to Da Meng Dynasty and allow us to have slots.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Afraid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you at ease letting them enter the Martial Arts Hall?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you dare to open it, I will be at ease.” Li Hongzhao snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Has Da Zhen also opened their newly acquired Secret Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Li Hongzhao said, “Da Zhen’s sincerity is great, unlike yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “The new Secret Realm might not be a good place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He initially thought the new Secret Realm was a huge treasure, but now he realizes it also poses great risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering these new Secret Lands could potentially lead to losses of Great Grandmasters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what, opening the Secret Realm shows full sincerity, whereas your coming here to just set up a border market is too perfunctory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Da Meng?” Chu Zhiyuan asked, “How are you showing sincerity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hee-hee-hee…” Li Hongzhao laughed sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan looked at her coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao’s laughter was full of fluttering charm, her stately court dress couldn’t completely hide her enchanting curves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan focused intently on her beautiful face, on her gleaming eyes full of ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Hongzhao laughed a few times, Chu Zhiyuan snorted, “Speak, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sincerity?” Li Hongzhao restrained her laughter, her beautiful face flushed, smiling, “Inviting you was the utmost sincerity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan snorted, “Turns out you’re the most insincere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense, Da Meng is sincere about stopping the war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Do you believe that? Even if you’ve made an alliance with Da Zhen, if a conflict arises between us, Da Zhen won’t help you; they’ll stand by or even join us to deal with you first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t believe it!” Li Hongzhao snorted, “Da Zhen cannot tolerate your Da Jing rising to the top.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao’s words were not without truth; it seemed Da Zhen had already shown this tendency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Zhen truly wanted to side with Da Meng to restrain Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked solemn, frowning as he pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was indeed troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one is a fool; neither Da Meng nor Da Zhen are. Both are observing Da Jing’s rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They won’t allow Da Jing to rise quietly and step over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Da Zhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can accept Da Meng being the strongest, but not Da Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would radically change the regime of the three dynasties and impact Da Zhen itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems the Da Jing Court underestimated Da Zhen’s determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the greatest opposition to Da Jing could likely become Da Zhen, not Da Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Zhen won’t accept Da Jing as the most powerful, nor will Da Meng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao watched him with a thoughtful smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “Is the Emperor’s Sword as magical as they say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing magical about it,” Li Hongzhao looked up at the sky, “You can sense it, can’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only could he sense it, but he could also see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a tangible sword but an intangible one, invisible to the eyes of ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I were ruthless, I’d just strike you down with one sword,” Li Hongzhao sighed, “Then Da Jing would pose no threat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “The strength of Da Jing is irreversible, not solely because of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “The Martial Arts Hall and Phoenix Camp are closely tied to you; without you, Da Jing would still be the original Da Jing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “My tenth uncle is still around; he’s the key, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao pouted her fiery red lips, “Without you, Prince Ying’s array wouldn’t be possible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “My tenth uncle has been promoting the cultivation of arrays, with decades of deep tilling, finally gathering momentum. I’m not the key.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “Anyway, without you, Da Jing is no longer a threat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her head to look at the Emperor’s Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showing an eagerness to act, as if she could hardly resist striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan remained calm, saying, “Should you use the Emperor’s Sword on me, the Emperor’s Sword of my Imperial Grandfather will also strike you. Can you withstand it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally, I can.” Li Hongzhao nodded, “The Emperor’s Sword of Da Meng is stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the strongest would take damage, then it wouldn’t withstand Da Zhen’s Emperor’s Sword,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “In the end, Da Zhen benefits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then laughed, “Besides, do you really think the Emperor’s Sword can kill me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shall we try it?” Li Hongzhao snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She made a grasping motion with her right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s Sword in the void began to descend slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bright Moon in Chu Zhiyuan’s mind gradually brightened and started to rise slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s Sword descended further, creating an immense pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full bright moon emerged from the void of Chu Zhiyuan’s mind, appearing above his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world seemed to dim, to darken, as a bright moon rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright moon reached the back of Chu Zhiyuan’s head, a hazy clear light, resisting the immense pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s expression grew increasingly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, “What’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sword God,” Chu Zhiyuan said, “This strike can take your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao said, “The Emperor’s Sword can protect me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s see if it can,” Chu Zhiyuan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood that the Bright Moon Saber God was no match for the Emperor’s Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t show weakness, or else Li Hongzhao would belittle him, if not kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao squinted her phoenix eyes, looking toward the bright moon behind Chu Zhiyuan’s head that grew more and more luminous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan silently operated the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique, concealing his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yin Yang Return to Void Technique allowed him to slip into the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the best way to evade the Emperor’s Sword and prevent it from locking onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan snorted, “If I die, I will take you with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trying to scare me?” Li Hongzhao snorted, “Shall we try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s try then,” Chu Zhiyuan placed his hand on the hilt of the Bright Moon Saber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This equated to both of them exerting force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright moon behind him grew even more radiant, its clear light expanding significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to be engulfed in clear light, becoming phantom-like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan was now even further from being locked onto, the Emperor’s Sword couldn’t guarantee a direct hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gently shook her head, “Forget it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s Sword ascended slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immense atmosphere around them gradually faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said lightly, “Not going to try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You win this time,” Li Hongzhao snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`\u003C\u002Fp>",1465,"2026-06-03T09:58:18.416Z","2026-06-14T10:33:19.764Z",1,"novelbin.me","c09cf2cc328559ab3ae1a7702f1864774c43b0b096fd6e625c566a63e737e8cb","imperial-cultivation-chapter-544","imperial-cultivation-chapter-542",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]