Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1392 - 1388: Threat

"Master, are both sides going to war?"

Shen Hanyue’s eyes burned with eagerness, ready to leap into action.

She and Xiao Ruoling have made another breakthrough after this period of hard cultivation.

Xiao Ruoling is already at the Eighth Transition, while she is at the Seventh Transition.

Among the disciples of Profound Yin Palace, they are now of middle to upper level standards.

If they continue with rigorous cultivation, there’s hope of reaching the Nine Transitions.

Therefore, she has no hesitation about going to war with Li Huo Palace; instead, she is eager to showcase her skills and change her status within the palace.

Due to originating from Little Heaven Beyond, and Qin Ruolan’s low status among her generation, their lineage is quite looked down upon within the entire Profound Yin Palace.

Moreover, with Chu Zhiyuan’s matter, they faced even more exclusion.

The disciples of Profound Yin Palace are almost never entangled by matters of love.

Only Xiao Ruoling has Chu Zhiyuan, who often comes to visit Profound Yin Palace.

This annoys all the disciples of Profound Yin Palace.

But limited by Chu Zhiyuan’s power, coupled with Xiao Ruoling’s unprecedented talent, they can suppress the opposition.

However, she already feels that the voices of opposition are growing louder.

To weaken these dissenting voices, they must elevate their status, as one rises, the other falls.

Upon hearing this news, aside from worrying about Meng Yunyin, she is not concerned; rather, she is excited.

Qin Ruolan furrowed her willow brows and glared at her.

"Junior Sister," Xiao Ruoling said softly.

"Hanyue," Qin Ruolan snorted, "Li Huo Palace is not inferior to our Profound Yin Palace."

"Master, I know," Shen Hanyue said, "they’re quite similar to our Profound Yin Palace, same period, same level of sect."

"Once war breaks out, the result will usually be mutual destruction, causing heavy losses to both," Qin Ruolan said, "even if we can win, it would be a costly victory."

Xiao Ruoling softly asked, "Master, should the battle really commence, will Spirit Venerable partake?"

"No."

"Really won’t?" Shen Hanyue questioned, "in a life-or-death situation with intense fight, how could Spirit Venerable remain idle observing?"

Qin Ruolan replied, "Spirit Venerable will intervene in critical moments to stop it; they will not join the battle."

Shen Hanyue inquired, "Master, do we have more Spirit Venerables than them?"

"About the same as Li Huo Palace," Qin Ruolan shook her head, "Spirit Venerables deem such matters trivial and unworthy of their intervention."

Shen Hanyue widened her bright eyes, "This concerns the life and death of the sect; how could it be trivial?"

"It doesn’t involve justice or evil, nor enormous benefit, merely a straightforward vendetta between two disciples," Qin Ruolan gently shook her head, "that is regarded as a small matter."

Shen Hanyue snorted, "So you’re saying we can only seek revenge ourselves and can’t rely on Spirit Venerables?"

Qin Ruolan gave her a vexed glare.

Xiao Ruoling said softly, "That might not be a bad thing, but we must first find Senior Sister Meng, right?"

"Can’t find her," Qin Ruolan shook her head, "even with the Spirit Venerable’s intervention, we couldn’t trace her aura."

Xiao Ruoling asked, "Should we act without clearing up the matter?"

"Li Huo Palace won’t let it slide, they demand we hand over Meng Yunyin."

"They think we’re sheltering and pretending not to find her?"

"Yes."

"They won’t relent; are they planning to attack our Profound Yin Palace?"

"They won’t attack Profound Yin Palace; they’ll target our disciples, hence the urgent summon to prevent becoming targets of Li Huo Palace."

"Thank you, Master," Xiao Ruoling replied.

Qin Ruolan waved her jade hand, "For now, stay within the palace, don’t go out, and don’t respond to anyone’s call."

"Yes, Master," Xiao Ruoling nodded gently.

Qin Ruolan looked towards Shen Hanyue, "Hanyue!"

Shen Hanyue said, "I understand, Master, rest assured, I’m not foolish, also afraid of death."

"That’s good, go back and wait obediently," Qin Ruolan nodded in satisfaction.

Shen Hanyue queried, "Master, is the palace against the Princely Heir coming here?"

Qin Ruolan furrowed her willow brows.

Shen Hanyue remarked, "I’ve communicated with my senior sisters; they say the opposition within the palace is growing louder. These people are really meddlesome!"

"Just ignore them," Qin Ruolan waved her jade hand.

Shen Hanyue snorted, "Without the Princely Heir, neither I nor my senior sister would have our current cultivation!"

Qin Ruolan advised, "They mean well."

"They’re just idle!" Shen Hanyue snorted, "They should focus their well-intentions on themselves; my senior sister doesn’t need them!"

"When you go out, say less," Qin Ruolan instructed, "feign ignorance, avoid direct confrontation."

"Master, if they are truly blind, I don’t care if they are senior sisters; I will scold them nonetheless!"

"Don’t act rashly!" Qin Ruolan snorted, "Are you trying to sever yourself from the palace?"

"I cannot tolerate them forcibly tearing apart the Princely Heir and senior sister; it’s outright bullying!"

"If you don’t want to suffer, then cultivate diligently," said Qin Ruolan. "Achieving Spirit Venerable, who would dare to speak against you?"

"The princely heir will soon become a Spirit Venerable," said Shen Hanyue.

Qin Ruolan chuckled and shook her head, "How could it be so fast?"

"For the princely heir, no speed would be surprising," said Shen Hanyue. "He could become a Spirit Venerable in less than a year!"

Qin Ruolan looked at the silent Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling nodded gently.

Qin Ruolan furrowed her slender brows, "Within a year?"

Xiao Ruoling said, "My husband said it should be within a year."

"A year..." Qin Ruolan sighed, gently shaking her head, "Unbelievable!"

She had never seen someone become a Spirit Venerable so quickly.

Moreover, in the long heritage of the Profound Yin Palace, there was no such fast record.

In fact, in all the years of history and records of the Profound Yin Palace, no one has become a Spirit Venerable so quickly.

This means Chu Zhiyuan is the first of his kind in history.

Such a person is indeed best not to offend.

A Spirit Venerable is strong, but not invincible, with ranks among them.

If you truly offend him, and he becomes invincible among Spirit Venerables, it would not be good for the Profound Yin Palace.

"Master, just think about it," said Shen Hanyue. "The princely heir and Senior Sister are a perfect pair. If you break them apart forcefully, how can it be left unresolved?"

"Hmm, I will speak to the Palace Master," Qin Ruolan nodded.

"Master, if you explain the stakes to the Palace Master, I believe the Palace Master won’t be so short-sighted..."

"Junior Sister," Xiao Ruoling waved her hand. "Don’t say any more."

If they continued, it would become a threat.

The Profound Yin Palace’s pride and confidence are strong and do not allow threats. Speaking too bluntly could anger the Profound Yin Palace.

That would backfire.

"Alright then." Shen Hanyue closed her mouth.

Qin Ruolan rolled her eyes at her, "Hanyue, you... you need to watch your mouth."

"Hehe, Master, I understand. I say what I mean in front of you, and won’t speak out carelessly in front of others."

"It better be so." Qin Ruolan huffed, "I’m leaving, you stay put and don’t wander around."

"Thank you for your effort, Master," Shen Hanyue laughed.

Xiao Ruoling cupped her fists.

Qin Ruolan left lightly.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue returned to her small courtyard and went into the flower garden.

Xiao Ruoling began tending to the garden.

Having not returned for a while, some flowers in the garden had wilted while others were freshly blooming.

Dead leaves and withered flowers lay scattered on the soil, appearing somewhat desolate and messy.

Shen Hanyue, assisting by her side, smiled smugly, "With Master speaking like this, those gossiping words should fade away."

"There’s no need to say such things," Xiao Ruoling replied. "The Palace Master and elders are aware."

If it weren’t for the princely heir showing such extraordinary potential, the palace would have started obstructing already.

The fact that they hadn’t acted means they have some apprehension.

"Hmph, I think it’s better to speak clearly. The Palace Master and elders may be aware, but the uncles and senior sisters might not be."

"Let’s talk about Senior Sister Meng instead." Xiao Ruoling furrowed her eyebrows lightly, "Even the Spirit Venerable can’t find her?"

"Then she must have been killed by the Li Huo Palace!"

"If she was truly killed by the Li Huo Palace, the Spirit Venerables would sense it unless a Li Huo Palace Spirit Venerable acted, which is impossible."

The Spirit Venerables of Li Huo Palace would not act against the disciples of Profound Yin Palace.

This would be a major taboo.

If Senior Sister Meng was truly killed by a disciple of Li Huo Palace, the Spirit Venerables of Profound Yin Palace would sense it.

Yet it is still determined as missing, indicating that Senior Sister Meng is not dead.

"Then how can they not find Senior Sister Meng? If a Spirit Venerable acts, even if she entered another world, they should find her, right?"

"Hmm."

"...Hey, can the princely heir help find her? The princely heir has many wondrous means."

"It’s worth a try."

"If the princely heir can help find Senior Sister Meng, it would be a great favor to our Profound Yin Palace. How could they then bear to separate you? That would be ingratitude!"

Xiao Ruoling nodded gently, "Let my husband try."

After speaking, she had a thought.

Moments later, Chu Zhiyuan appeared in the small courtyard.

In flowing green robes, his handsome face wore a smile, and his eyes were clear.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue left the flower garden, sat at the stone table, and spoke about the matter concerning Meng Yunyin.