Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 265 - 262: Fake Pearl

Chu Zhiyuan had already discussed this matter with Chu Qingyan earlier.

He also mentioned the extreme danger he sensed in Lu Yaofeng’s Cave Mansion.

It is best not to open it lightly; several Great Grandmasters should act together, or investigate by other means.

People must not approach carelessly.

Furthermore, it is best not to investigate it at all, just let it remain there, unopened, as if unaware of its existence.

We must not let experts from Da Meng acquire it.

At that time, we could even let Da Meng’s experts lead the way, while we reap the benefits.

Sadly, this Cave Mansion is well-hidden and has not been found.

Li Hongzhao had long anticipated this trick; the given position of the Cave Mansion is problematic.

His guessed direction is correct, but the position is off, perhaps shifting some distance east or west.

Watching Li Hongzhao leave in frustration, Chu Zhiyuan continued to study the Black Pearl, persistently refining it.

Although he felt refining this Black Pearl was of little use, since it merely masked one’s aura, simply wearing it was enough.

Even if refined, it must still be worn, and there’s little difference from an unrefined one.

Yet he couldn’t resist wanting to refine it.

The Sacrificial Refining Method was like a toy to him, irresistible to use and play with.

...

Three days later, when his refining reached perfection, his whole body surged as if invisible energy filled his insides, making his body subtly larger, Li Hongzhao reappeared.

Chu Zhiyuan only felt he had boundless strength, capable of punching a hole in the sky or flattening mountains with his fist.

He struggled to calm this impulse and illusion, hearing Li Hongzhao’s return, he could only go to the front hall.

Li Hongzhao smiled, her phoenix eyes twinkling with sarcastic amusement.

Chu Zhiyuan sat in a chair, helplessly saying, "What’s the matter again? I still need to focus on cultivation."

"Are you not the Vice Minister of Rites?" Li Hongzhao snorted, "Do the officials of the Da Jing Court lounge around all day?"

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Did you figure it out?"

"You are indeed despicable, sending people to find Lu Yaofeng’s Cave Mansion to hog the profits for yourself." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"The feeling is mutual." Chu Zhiyuan remained unmoved, smiling, "You’re not sincere either, so there’s no need to blame each other. What else?"

"I’ve already asked my father; it’s untrue. Da Meng’s ancestor never did anything to Lu Yaofeng, allowing him to leave. Lu Yaofeng often came back, only to end up buried with his woman here."

Chu Zhiyuan remained indifferent.

"You don’t believe it?"

"I trust the Emperor of Da Meng won’t speak falsely. If that’s the case," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Shall we go check it out?"

"Exactly!" Li Hongzhao snorted, "You still haven’t found it? Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!"

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t mention her faulty map, smiling, "How could Lu Yaofeng easily disclose his burial site, allowing outsiders to disturb him and his woman? It’s no fault they couldn’t find it."

"Absurd excuse." Li Hongzhao pursed her rosy lips.

An excuse for his incompetence; Da Jing can’t compare to Da Meng when it comes to gathering intelligence.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "When shall we set off?"

"Let’s go now," Li Hongzhao said, "Don’t play tricks again, and don’t have anyone follow us!"

She believed that this was just the kind of thing Chu Zhiyuan would do. If he couldn’t enjoy the spoils alone, he might switch to stealthy plundering.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Do you know the means of the Wuyou Sect?"

"Poison?" Li Hongzhao smiled confidently, "I have the Detoxification Spirit Pearl."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at her.

Li Hongzhao flipped her hand, revealing a Bright Pearl in her palm, Dragon Eye-sized, perfectly round and flawless.

Chu Zhiyuan’s eyes lit up with envy.

"Do you want it?"

"Another one?"

"None left." Li Hongzhao laughed, shaking her head, "There is only one of such a Spirit Pearl."

Finally teasing him for once, she felt particularly pleased.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, "Then you better go yourself. If I’m poisoned, you’d surely watch indifferently."

"I wouldn’t be so ruthless." Li Hongzhao smiled, "You Da Jing also have such treasures."

"The merits aren’t sufficient to exchange for it."

"Tsk, truly pitiful!... How about trading for a First Grade Spirit Pill?"

"Better forget it."

He thought a First Grade Spirit Pill was worth far more, not to mention he didn’t have one.

"... Fine, I’ll lend you one."

She tossed the Spirit Pearl to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan knew she was deliberately teasing him but didn’t mind.

This time let her win, the next time he’d reclaim the field.

He examined the Detoxification Pearl, Insight probing deeply, then tossed it back to her.

"Don’t want it?" Li Hongzhao asked with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan replied moodily, "Surely you know it’s a fake Pearl?"

Li Hongzhao’s smile froze.

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh heartily, "Really didn’t know?!"

Li Hongzhao immediately sneered, glancing at the Bright Pearl in her jade-like hand, snorting, "Tricking a fool!"

"Haha..." Chu Zhiyuan was overjoyed, laughing continuously, "Seems like someone intends to harm you secretly,... haha, I suppose I saved your life?"

"... This Detoxification Pearl is really fake?" Li Hongzhao furrowed her brows.

Chu Zhiyuan stopped laughing, "Let Mr. Su take a look; Mr. Su ought to discern the truth."

"Mr. Su." Li Hongzhao stared at Chu Zhiyuan.

Su Qiuyan appeared instantly.

Li Hongzhao handed the Detoxification Pearl over, "Mr. Su, is this Detoxification Pearl fake?"

Su Qiuyan took the Detoxification Pearl, concentrating to sense it, then raised it to look beneath her eyes.

She operated her cultivation into it, causing a flash of light that expanded outward.

Su Qiuyan doubtfully shook her head, "Fake?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Well then, just try it with poison."

Su Qiuyan said, "Then let’s try it."

She couldn’t detect any anomalies and was curious to see if Chu Zhiyuan’s intuition was indeed more accurate than her own as a Grandmaster.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Zou Fang."

Zou Fang stepped forward.

"Get someone to bring some poison over, the more toxic, the better."

"Yes."

Zou Fang floated away.

A moment later, she returned with a deerskin cloak and opened it, revealing a row of Flying Knives inside.

These Flying Knives were different from Chu Zhiyuan’s knives, all Willow Leaf Knives with tips gleaming in a ghostly blue light.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Where did these come from?"

"Sun Jisheng likes to fiddle with these."

"Fetch a bowl of water too."

Zou Fang set down the deerskin bag and brought a large sea bowl of water.

Chu Zhiyuan pointed with his mouth.

Zou Fang took a Willow Leaf Flying Dagger, dipped it in the water, and instantly the clear water turned blue.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "He’s not worried about accidentally hurting himself."

This poison was extremely potent, truly capable of sealing the throat upon contact with blood.

Zou Fang smilingly pulled out a small porcelain vial from her sleeve, "Sun Jisheng carries the antidote with him."

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, signaling to Li Hongzhao.

Li Hongzhao pinched the Detoxification Pearl with her thumb and middle finger, elegantly placing it into the water.

The bright glow entering the water made the already blue water even darker, turning more beautiful.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, gazing at Li Hongzhao.

Li Hongzhao’s beautiful face was covered with a cold frost.

Su Qiuyan also furrowed her brows, her expression serious.

This really was a fake Detoxification Pearl.

In critical moments, this could be fatal!

Who had the audacity to do such a thing, plotting against a princess equates to treason, a crime punishable by extermination of one’s entire clan!

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, looking at Li Hongzhao, "This must be done by someone close to you, right? Need help ferreting them out?"

Li Hongzhao bit her jade teeth, glaring at him.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Aren’t you thankful for my life-saving kindness?"

"... I truly appreciate your good intentions!"

"A bit insincere, a wasted rescue!" Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, "Leaves one cold at heart."

"Weren’t you just looking out for yourself!?" Li Hongzhao snorted.

If anything happened to her, and she was poisoned and died because the Detoxification Pearl was fake, he might not escape blame either.

If both died, it would be mutual destruction.

But if he lived and she died, all the blame would fall on him, and Da Meng would certainly seek revenge.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

"Alright." Li Hongzhao snorted, "Consider this a life-saving grace from you, rest assured, I’ll repay it!"

Chu Zhiyuan beamed with a smile.