Imperial Cultivation

Chu Hongming's gaze finally met with the other four, then announced: "Alright, the spot to enter Yujing Cave Heaven this time belongs to the Ninth Prince, Chu Liezhao."

The scene fell silent for a moment.

The princes looked at each other, completely unexpected of this outcome.

Aside from the Seventh Prince who had a smile in his eyes, the Second Prince and Third Prince both had subtle smiles, occasionally glancing at the Eldest Prince whose expression remained unchanged.

Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao, about to cheer, had their mouths covered by several small hands, unable to make a sound.

They could only struggle, delightfully glaring at Chu Zhiyuan.

A few young ladies covered their mouths, preventing them from cheering at this moment.

"Congratulations, Ninth Brother." Chu Liechu clasped his fists with a sigh: "Indeed, man's plans are not as good as heaven's plans!"

This was his deepest realization.

Spending effort and labor, painstaking calculations, countless means, in the end the spot was seized by Chu Zhiyuan.

He sighed inwardly, fearing that no one had expected this outcome.

Never expected Ninth Brother to hide so deeply.

Actually it wasn't that he hid deeply, just good luck.

To train Great Brightness Fist to Entering Spirit level at this age is definitely not achievable by human effort, only by heaven's assistance.

This was heaven's gift after escaping death in the last disaster.

Never thought he could train Great Brightness Fist to Entering Spirit level.

If knew, what would one do?

Would he simply withdraw, abandon the reckless competition, or devise a way to wound Ninth Brother again?

Thinking to this point, he smiled.

Would probably devise a way to exclude Ninth Brother from contention, ensuring to get the spot.

After all, Void Secret Treasure is too important, once obtained it can alter destiny, destined to secure imperial throne.

For this, all means can be exhausted, as long as Ninth Brother isn't killed.

Ninth Brother is disliked by Father after all.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled: "Big Brother shows great composure. If it were me, I would have stormed off long ago. Big Brother is indeed worthy of respect!"

Chu Liechu sighed: "Ninth Brother, spare my feelings."

Chu Zhiyuan said: "Big Brother, man's plans are not as good as heaven's plans; even if you seize the spot, enter the cave heaven, you cannot obtain Void Secret Treasure. If it's not yours, it's destined not to be yours."

"...There's truth in those words." Chu Liechu thought it over, slowly nodding.

The words are indeed correct.

It's not that oneself is inactive, but fate toys with people, helplessly calling out.

Ninth Brother obtaining Void Secret Treasure isn't troubling, better than someone else obtaining it.

Ninth Brother will be the Prince Consort of Phoenix Dynasty, carrying this stain, destined not to contend for imperial throne.

Thinking of this, his mood calmed, slowly saying: "Ninth Brother, once inside Cave Heaven, do not covet Strange Flowers and Fruits, quickly find Heavenly Person Peak, or miss the hour, and it will vanish."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "If I truly obtain Void Secret Treasure, Big Brother wouldn't be jealous?"

"If you truly obtain Void Secret Treasure, it's a fortune for our Chu Family line, your cultivation stronger, enhancing our Chu Family."

"Alright then, I shall try." Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Eldest Prince treats the imperial throne as his own, hence possesses such magnanimity.

According to present circumstances, if other princes lack opportunities, indeed the imperial throne belongs to the Eldest Prince.

Proceeding both cautiously yet without losing bravery, character stable, truly heroic.

"Disperse, practice your cultivation, Ninth Prince, come with me." Chu Hongming said.

The princes scattered one by one, gathering in small groups, excitedly discussing.

Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao ran over, eyes shining with excitement, cheeks flushed.

Chu Zhen grasped Chu Zhiyuan's hand, shaking vigorously: "Big Brother, you are amazing!"

Chu Qiao also moved closer, looking at him with admiration.

Chu Zhiyuan proudly smiled: "Go back and tell Consort Mother, make her happy."

Chu Zhen eagerly nodded: "I'll immediately go and inform Consort Mother."

Chu Qiao said: "Big Brother, are you going in now?"

Chu Zhiyuan replied: "Let's see how Uncle arranges things."

"Then be careful, Big Brother." Chu Qiao said: "There's danger within Cave Heaven, do not be careless."

"Mm, don't worry, my luck is quite good." Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand with a smile.

Seeing Chu Hongming and them distancing, he waved: "You two hurry to report happiness to Consort Mother."

He quickened his steps to catch up with Chu Hongming and them.

Chu Honglin smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Uncle, do we need to enter the Grotto Heaven now?"

"Yes, the Grotto Heaven has undergone a mutation, and it has opened earlier than expected. You have to enter today."

"What kind of mutation?" Chu Zhiyuan's eyes immediately brightened, "Is something good emerging?"

Chu Hongming said solemnly, "Ninth Prince!"

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly felt a headache and quickly said, "Fifth Uncle, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

Chu Hongming glared at him coldly, "When you hear about mutations, the first thing you think of isn't danger but the emergence of something good!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Wouldn't rare phenomena accompany the emergence of good things?"

"But it could also be dangerous!" Chu Hongming said, "Without considering the chances of victory first, think of the defeat, planning your retreat in advance is the way to safety!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Life and death are destined by heaven. If one is truly meant to die, one will die regardless, but if not, one won't die."

"Absurd!" Chu Hongming snorted, "Such nonsense! With your kind of thinking, entering the Grotto Heaven means certain death!"

Chu Honglin said, "There are indeed many dangers within the Grotto Heaven, especially near those rare and exotic fruits, which are often guarded by Strange Beasts."

Chu Zhiyuan nonchalantly waved his hand, "Just deal with them with a punch, could they withstand my Entering Spirit Level Great Brightness Fist?"

"...They probably wouldn't be able to withstand it," Chu Honglin said.

Chu Zhiyuan spread his hands and laughed, "There you have it, within Yujing Cave Heaven, I can walk freely."

Chu Hongming's face was as dark as water.

He was frustrated and suffocated by Chu Zhiyuan's ignorance and fearlessness.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Fifth Uncle, can those Strange Beasts withstand my Great Brightness Fist?"

"Such negligence and arrogance, I'm afraid you won't even get the chance to punch!"

"Alright, alright, I'll be careful," Chu Zhiyuan quickly said.

It was obvious that he was just trying to brush it off to stop the nagging.

Chu Honglin laughed, "Fifth Brother, let it go, saying more won't help if he won't listen. The hour is getting late; we must let him in quickly."

"...Let's go." Chu Hongming cast a resentful glance at Chu Zhiyuan, strode forward, and quickened his pace.

Chu Zhiyuan and his group quickly left the palace, ascending the ice-carved steps.

The mountain became steeper and higher, but the temperature grew warmer.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Fifth Uncle, where is the Grotto Heaven located?"

"At the mountaintop," Chu Hongming said in a deep voice.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "This Great Bright Peak could be considered a Grotto Heaven, right? Can a Grotto Heaven be outside another Grotto Heaven?"

Chu Hongming snorted, "You do know quite a bit!"

That Great Bright Peak is a Grotto Heaven was something hardly anyone knew.

Compared to Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, Great Bright Peak is too simple, with only one mountain peak.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Just a wild guess, is there no Treasure inside the Grotto Heaven I can see?"

Chu Hongming took out a thick booklet from his bosom and handed it to him, "There was originally a whole day left for you to read and remember slowly, but there's no time now, ...The reason we started determining the quota early on was precisely because time is tight."

Chu Zhiyuan took the Silk Book, flipping through the pages as he walked, saying, "What else?"

"The Eldest Prince is right, if you are aspiring for the Void Secret Treasure, don't waste time, keep moving inside, Heavenly Person Peak should be at the deepest end, you only have three days, after three days, the entrance will close."

"What about the other two?"

"They are entering from somewhere else, you won't meet them inside."

"Interesting," Chu Zhiyuan laughed.

Seeing his indifferent manner, Chu Hongming couldn't help but remind him, "Be careful, encounters are minor, your life is important!"

"Got it, got it." Chu Zhiyuan continued to flip through the Silk Book, absentmindedly replying.

Chu Hongming sighed.

They finally reached the mountaintop.

On the smooth ice surface, a vertical eye-shaped Light Gate flickered in and out of sight.

The Light Gate was about the height of a person.

It seemed to be lurking in a deep lake, swaying unpredictably with the water's movement.

Six people stopped in front of the Light Gate.

Chu Zhiyuan curiously examined the Light Gate, not daring to use his Super Sense to probe it.

He intended to reach out and touch it but was blocked by Chu Hongming.

Chu Hongming said in a low voice, "Begin."

The five of them stood in a line, pressing their palms against the back of the person in front of them.

Chu Honglin stood at the front, his clothes gently billowing.

Chu Zhiyuan immediately felt that it was difficult to breathe, as if a massive wave was crashing over him, threatening to drown him.

He exerted himself to circulate the Yin Yang Fish, promoting his blood flow to prevent stagnation.