Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1406 - 1402: Heavenly Marrow

All he could do was to inform the Profound Yin Palace that the Black Tortoise Shield of the Heaven-Reaching Sect could counter the Red Sun Needle.

As to whether the Palace Master of Profound Yin Palace would opt to borrow the Black Tortoise Shield, and whether the Sect Master of Heaven-Reaching Sect would lend it, was beyond his control.

Do your best, and leave the rest to fate.

However, he believed that the Palace Master of Profound Yin Palace would attempt to borrow it, and Heaven-Reaching Sect would likely lend it.

The key was the cost involved.

If Profound Yin Palace wished to overturn its position against the Li Huo Palace, achieve a great victory, and prevent significant casualties among their disciples, it could bear a certain cost.

Ning Dongge looked at Zhang Ji Yuan, "Junior Brother Zhang, try not to cause trouble when the time comes."

"Alright, alright." Zhang Ji Yuan said, "If the Sect Master asks me, I’ll say I can’t be bothered with Profound Yin Palace."

Ning Dongge smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Zhang Ji Yuan waved his hand, "What else can I do, when Profound Yin Palace is my Sister-in-law’s sect."

Ning Dongge nodded in approval.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "We’ll see how they negotiate the rest."

"Junior Brother, go choose a Spiritual Artifact at Ten Thousand Knowledge Tower," Ning Dongge said, "Make sure my sister-in-law refines it quickly."

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists again, refrained from saying more, activated the Heaven-Reaching Order, and stepped through the Light Gate that appeared on the wall, entering Ten Thousand Knowledge Tower.

...

In the Ten Thousand Knowledge Tower

Chu Zhiyuan stood in front of a bookshelf for an hour, holding a thick ancient book in his hand.

After selecting a Spiritual Artifact, a flash of insight suddenly crossed his mind.

He didn’t leave immediately, but instead turned towards a bookshelf on the first floor, closed his eyes, and trusting his instincts, reached out and pulled out a book.

He began to read carefully, not missing a single word.

This book was also written in ancient texts.

Yet the text was familiar to him, being ancient Biyuan Heaven script.

He read the records, which contained various tales and anecdotes from ancient times.

When he reached the middle, a picture on the page made his heart leap.

It was a depiction of a Black Iron Token, resembling the Jade Pendant he received from Wang Miaoqiao.

Now, it had transformed into a bright moon within the Jade Sea and Sky in the Lao Gong Acupoint.

The clear and bright moon slowly emitted its light.

The light constantly melded into the sun, enhancing the sun’s radiance.

He had always been unsure of the Jade Pendant’s true nature, though his intuition didn’t warn of danger, indicating it was safe.

Yet he remained uneasy, consistently curious about its true essence.

Wang Miaoqiao, being a Spirit Venerable, hadn’t figured it out, and even its original owner didn’t, despite the long years of experience. Could he possibly understand it?

Recognizing the difficulty, he didn’t force himself too much, adopting an attitude of letting fate decide.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, he stumbled upon its records.

A smile appeared on his face.

Indeed, his luck was quite favorable.

Heavenly Marrow Talisman.

It gathers the essence of heaven to nourish one’s Primordial Spirit.

However, activating this talisman requires profound understanding of the world.

His comprehension of this particular realm wasn’t sufficient; indeed, no one truly grasped it entirely.

But his understanding of the Jade Sea and Sky within the Lao Gong Acupoint was profound.

Since it was a realm he himself conjured.

Such understanding far exceeds merely existing in the realm and trying to comprehend it.

Though he couldn’t articulate the myriad aspects of Jade Sea and Sky, he possessed an exceptionally deep and profound understanding of it effortlessly.

Much like the level of a demi-creator.

Under such circumstances, the Heavenly Marrow Talisman proves effective, drawing on the power of Jade Sea and Sky, nurturing the Primordial Spirit.

Thus, his progress in the Second Layer of the Heavenly Yuan Technique is swift.

He meticulously scanned the records, but they only noted the name and use of the Heavenly Marrow Talisman.

Nothing else was mentioned on how to activate or utilize it.

Chu Zhiyuan returned the thick ancient book to the shelf, and appeared in Xiao Ruoling’s courtyard.

Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue approached him.

The three sat at the stone table in the pavilion, each sipping tea.

Chu Zhiyuan took out a Jade Small Bell from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Ruoling.

This bell is called Bihua Bell.

About the size of a fist, it was carved from Jade, its body inscribed with peculiar patterns.

This Bihua Bell was entirely different from his Dragon Soaring Bell; it appeared lighter but shared similar protective functions.

The Dragon Soaring Bell excelled at blocking spiritual assaults, while the Bihua Bell specialized in defending against True Yuan attacks.

It could form a barrier outside of them, even withstand an attack from a Spirit Venerable.

But it can only block a single blow.

Under the level of a Spirit Venerable, breaking through this defense is considerably challenging.

It’s not meant to be used at the very start; instead, it’s for moments of injury, to save oneself.

Shen Hanyue and Xiao Ruoling should not separate, as this Protective Spiritual Artifact can safeguard them both.

After giving them this artifact, before Xiao Ruoling could say much, he shared about the Black Tortoise Shield.

Their eyes immediately burned with keen interest.

"This is splendid!" Shen Hanyue’s eyes gleamed, excitement hard to suppress.

Then she inquired with surprise, "Can this Black Tortoise Shield actually restrain the Red Sun Needle?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Our senior brother wouldn’t deceive me."

After he spoke, his eyes suddenly turned vacant.

Moments later, he returned to normal but his brows furrowed.

Xiao Ruoling asked, "Palace Master couldn’t borrow the Black Tortoise Shield?"

Shen Hanyue queried, "Or did the Black Tortoise Shield fail to stop the Red Sun Needle?"

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "No Black Tortoise Shield used... seems they couldn’t borrow it."

Shen Hanyue said, "Princely Heir, our relations with Heaven-Reaching Sect are not great; the sisters and elders at the palace find Heaven-Reaching Sect frivolous and untrustworthy."

Xiao Ruoling glanced at her.

Shen Hanyue commented, "Sister, it’s not like the Princely Heir is an outsider, can’t I say this?"

"No need to discuss this," Xiao Ruoling replied.

Shen Hanyue said, "Why be courteous with the Princely Heir?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded, "Indeed, there’s no need to hide words from me... Hanyue, do you think the Palace Master wouldn’t ask our Heaven-Reaching Sect for the Black Tortoise Shield?"

"Yes." Shen Hanyue said, "Palace Master wouldn’t borrow it, knowing full well it’s unattainable. How could such a Spiritual Artifact be loaned to others?"

Xiao Ruoling said, "Afraid of losing it?"

"If we used it and then forcibly kept it, Heaven-Reaching Sect couldn’t do anything, right? They couldn’t just snatch it back."

"That would ruin their reputation; it wouldn’t come to that."

"They could find an excuse and create conflict to seize the artifact," Shen Hanyue suggested.

Xiao Ruoling shook her head, "The Palace Master wouldn’t act like that."

Shen Hanyue said, "But the Sect Master of Heaven-Reaching Sect will surely guard against such action."

She looked at Chu Zhiyuan, "So the Palace Master might just avoid insulting themselves, would they not?"

"This hasn’t been revealed," Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Nothing in this world comes easy or simple.

Even achieving the Spirit Venerable status wouldn’t guarantee power over all, living at ease; it’s clear life isn’t so.

Mastering the Donghuan Saint Technique, one might foresee destiny and future, but can’t change all unfortunate events; even knowing it’s sometimes more tiring than ignorance.

Just watching hopelessly as oneself steps into disaster without any power to avert it.

He shook his head, "You need only inform Elder Qin of this issue, and the choice lies with the Palace Master... If the Palace Master indeed goes personally to borrow, I believe there’s significant hope."

All he could do wasn’t much; protecting Xiao Ruoling and Shen Hanyue was more than enough.

"Hmm." Xiao Ruoling gently nodded, "I’ll inform Master immediately."

She got up gracefully.

Shen Hanyue hurriedly said, "Sister, I’m coming too."

The two women departed from the courtyard together.

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t rush to leave, sipping his tea leisurely, starting to delve into the Heavenly Marrow Talisman within Jade Sea and Sky.

How could the Heavenly Marrow Talisman be activated to enhance its effects?

Should it be left to operate spontaneously?