[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-544":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},1055353,1365,"Chapter 544 - 541: Certifying Secrets","imperial-cultivation-chapter-544",544,"\u003Cp>```html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"The Emperor’s Sword being used like this by you, it probably feels aggrieved, doesn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not doubt that Li Hongzhao would use the Emperor’s Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to kill him with the Emperor’s Sword, but to defeat him with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To thereby break the suppression he had long exerted over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the Emperor’s Sword, he could only defend, and counterattacks were difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel the vast and mighty power, even more grand and majestic than the Outer Heaven Power, unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for now being in the Sealing God Realm, he would be kneeling and at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, with the Sword God supporting him and the Yin Yang Return to Void Technique hiding himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was also because he had reached the Grandmaster of the Second Layer Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combination of the three allowed him to maintain independence under the Emperor’s Sword, with a chance to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, \"What is there to feel aggrieved about!... Chu Zhiyuan, truly my old rival!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never expected Chu Zhiyuan to become so strong, able to avoid the Emperor’s Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s Sword was slowly rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled, \"While you wield the Emperor’s Sword, I haven’t been idle. I’ve been diligently cultivating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rising higher and higher, no longer posing a threat or pressure, suspended in the sky unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you have another stroke of luck?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something like that,\" Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Shouldn’t the Emperor’s Sword be stronger than this? Haven’t you fully mastered it yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao lightly furrowed her eyebrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, \"Did I hit the mark? Is it because it doesn’t fully submit to you, or is it that mastering the Emperor’s Sword is a process?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then said, \"Rest assured, such secrets won’t be leaked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as you understand,\" Li Hongzhao snorted, \"If it gets out, your Da Jing won’t fare well either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand, I understand,\" Chu Zhiyuan said, \"The power of the Emperor’s Sword needs to be mastered step by step?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it because it doesn’t submit, or is this its inherent nature?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s inherently like this,\" Li Hongzhao said, \"In fact, I’ve mastered it the fastest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because of the Phoenix Bloodline?\" Chu Zhiyuan said, \"So you can master it quickly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly,\" Li Hongzhao said, \"If it were an ordinary person, they wouldn’t even be able to hold the Emperor’s Sword now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, \"How much have you mastered now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think I’d tell you?\" Li Hongzhao sidelong glanced at him, \"This is the secret among secrets!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan laughed, \"I think you’ve mastered about ten percent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it’s thirty percent,\" Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, \"That’s indeed quite fast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once I thoroughly master it, there’s no way you can escape,\" Li Hongzhao snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t expect to keep secrets from Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was within her expectations that he could see through her limited mastery of thirty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"How can you master more?... Forget it, this is also the secret among secrets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly!\" Li Hongzhao snorted, \"Don’t ask too much!... Anyway, you’ll hold the Emperor’s Sword in the future, then you’ll know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh, \"I wonder when that will be, can the Emperor’s Sword promote cultivation growth?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao pondered in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Then it can’t, but it’s said that wielding the Emperor’s Sword, one can ascend to a higher heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao frowned, \"Who said this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Heavenly Heart Sect... the one you gave me the address of,\" Chu Zhiyuan said, \"I find it intriguing, though it may not be idle talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is said that successive emperors entered the Secret Land, but never returned after entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some speculate they died within, others believe they reside secretly within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea of ascension seems beyond imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he faintly felt it might not be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father did not ascend,\" Li Hongzhao snorted, \"If it were true, it should be a passed-down secret, right? How could it spread? The Heavenly Heart Sect couldn’t know?... You, Chu Zhiyuan, as smart as you are, can’t you see?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Precisely because it sounds ridiculous and unreliable, I wanted to ask face to face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, \"Anyway, Father did not ascend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about your grandfather?\" Chu Zhiyuan said, \"The previous Da Meng Emperor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"It seems there truly is a way to ascend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just because it was once possible doesn’t mean it still is,\" Li Hongzhao snorted, \"Just look at my father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan pondered thoughtfully, \"Ascend with the Emperor’s Sword, but it becomes increasingly difficult, requiring cultivation to reach a sufficient realm... at least the Third Layer, right? It’s not easy to reach the Third Layer now. Didn’t your father have a demonic mishap because of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao gave him a sidelong glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, \"Truly the Third Layer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Third Layer is not enough,\" Li Hongzhao said, \"Alright, you will understand everything yourself when you hold the Emperor’s Sword, there’s no need to say more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already certain that with the Emperor’s Sword, one could indeed ascend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems this Emperor’s Sword cannot go uncontested!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the void, seeing a gigantic Emperor’s Sword floating quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sword was not quite the same as the Da Jing Dynasty’s Emperor’s Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Emperor’s Sword seemed to connect with the void, slightly trembling, communicating with the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While this one before him lay lazily, as if it wouldn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this related to cultivation, or the state of the Emperor’s Sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao said, \"I should go, meeting you privately already carries risks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled, \"You are the Emperor now, still afraid of others seeing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao said, \"Those Imperial Censors are eager to impeach me, make a name for themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can’t punish them severely, must show a broader stance than men?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to do that, it would only appear inferior. You are the Emperor; they should accommodate you, not the other way around.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You’re right, I’m leaving now.\" Li Hongzhao waved her hand and was about to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she paused, \"By the way, how long will you stay here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Depends on the progress of negotiations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then stay a bit longer,\" Li Hongzhao said, \"Our Tianjing is quite fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However good Tianjing may be, it can’t compare to Yujing,\" Chu Zhiyuan said, \"I still wish to return as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hongzhao snorted, \"I’m afraid things won’t go as you wish... Truly leaving now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, she drifted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan stood where he was, watching her leave in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his super sense, he could only see the towering Emperor’s Sword, but not Li Hongzhao beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was obscured by the Emperor’s Sword, beyond the reach of Super Sensing Insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, proving this secret, the Emperor’s Sword indeed aids in ascension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were all the past owners of the Emperor’s Sword sent to ascend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is the world of ascension like?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it isn’t better than now, there’s truly no need to ascend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Layer is not enough, at least the Fourth Layer, or even higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood there, hands behind his back, pondering deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The negotiations between Da Meng and Da Jing will not proceed smoothly; he feared he would be stuck here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to break the deadlock?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, he walked back, returning to the station where the three women were waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his heavy-hearted expression, they curiously bombarded him with questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan answered each one and then returned to his room, sitting on his bed, recalling the previous scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling how he operated his power under the pressure of the Emperor’s Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>```\u003C\u002Fp>",1302,"2026-06-03T09:58:18.416Z","2026-06-03T09:58:16.817Z",1,"novelbin.me","068bdaef325e0ad47a68c7be1980f07304d88f316437aad7923ebffecc002b34","imperial-cultivation-chapter-545","imperial-cultivation-chapter-543",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]