Imperial Cultivation-Chapter 176 - 174 Exchange

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly felt a blur before his eyes.

In that blur, he split into countless people, each practicing a different swordsmanship.

Some sword techniques were masterful, while others were mediocre.

Some were fierce and rugged, others were graceful and beautiful.

Some were gentle and elegant, some were awkward and clumsy.

Some sword techniques were like mountains, some like seas.

Some were like rain, some like lightning.

...

Countless sword techniques appeared in his mind simultaneously, nearly bursting his head, the headache was so intense that he wished to faint immediately.

This intense pain, he had never borne before, and felt he couldn’t bear it, wishing he could die at that moment.

Better to die than to live like this, not to mention the idea of eternal life.

Moments later, these sword techniques turned into rays of light, captured by beams of spirit light, and then extinguished in his mind.

When he slowly came to, he found himself sitting on a Luohan bed, motionless, but sweat was pouring from his whole body.

A cold wind blew past, sending chills through his body.

He hurriedly tried to operate his skills, only to find himself feeling empty inside.

He was taken aback.

Could something have changed, causing all his power and martial arts to vanish?

A cold sweat broke out all over him again.

So he performed the Earth Origin Technique, unceasing power rose from the earth, entered through his feet’s Yongquan points, and flowed into his Dantian.

Gang Qi circulated through his body once more, dispelling the cold.

He gave a light shake.

"Boom!" The sweat on his clothes was instantly shaken off, like a dog shaking its fur.

His clothes instantly became clean and dry, as if they had been under the sun.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly felt amazed.

Since when had he been able to do this?

Previously, he never had such exquisite vibrational power; Gang Qi vibrations could only shake off some moisture but couldn’t achieve such precision and subtlety.

He felt a certain ease and mastery, as if all the Gang Qi was under his control, allowing for meticulous and deft manipulation.

In this wondrous feeling, he noticed a Great Grandmaster staring curiously at him.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fists and smiled, "Greetings, senior."

The elderly man with white hair and beard resting on his shoulders stroked his silver beard and asked with a smile, "Fourth Prince, have you gained a sword technique?"

His voice was hoarse, yet full of clarity, clearly indicating an open nature.

Chu Zhiyuan replied with a smile, "Yes."

"Can you demonstrate it for this old man?" the elder asked with a smile.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Please forgive me, senior, but I plan to study this sword technique myself and do not wish for others to see it."

If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn’t have even made such a request.

Such a thing was taboo.

But this Great Grandmaster went ahead and asked anyway, ignoring the taboo completely.

This is how a Great Grandmaster acts, doing as they please, unconstrained.

Thick-skinned, openhearted, paying little attention to others’ thoughts, and completely unconcerned.

"I am always fair; I can exchange something for it," the elder said disappointedly, "Does the Prince wish for any treasures or Spirit Pills?"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Does the senior have Dragon Fat Fragrance?"

"Dragon Fat Fragrance..." The elder thought for a moment and said, "I’ve never heard of it, it must be something from a dragon, probably of Fifth Grade or above from the Court?"

"Fifth Grade can get it."

"How much do you want?"

"At least a hundred pieces."

"Well, Fourth Prince, you’re quite greedy, do you know who I am?"

"I suppose it must be the venerable Gu Qingshan."

"You know who I am, yet you still dare to ask for such a high price!" Gu Qingshan laughed, "You’ve got guts!"

"Senior Gu, I am the Princely Heir, what is there to fear?" Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "I merely feel that this sword technique I have obtained is worth that much."

"Ten pieces!"

"Senior, but you are a Great Grandmaster!" Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "And an elder at the White Cloud Sword Palace!"

"Twenty pieces!"

"Is a Great Grandmaster’s face worth only twenty pieces?"

"Is a Great Grandmaster’s face not worth eighty pieces? I’ll give you twenty pieces, the remaining eighty pieces are for my face as a Great Grandmaster!"

"Senior Gu, a hundred pieces are the minimum!"

"Prince, a hundred pieces are a hundred Fifth Grade merits, don’t you think that’s outrageous?"

"Senior Gu, then forget it, I really don’t want to leak this sword technique, it’s a matter of life and death."

"Actually, you don’t want to pass on this sword technique, that’s why you are asking for so much, right?"

"It’s not asking too much, this sword technique is worth a hundred Fifth Grade merits! If your sect gets this sword technique, forget a hundred, you could even earn a thousand Fifth Grade merits!"

"Heh, you dare say that, Prince!"

"If you don’t want it, then forget it, a willing buyer and a willing seller, no need to force it!"

"Thirty pieces!"

"Fifty pieces, that’s the minimum, and senior will owe me a favor, otherwise, forget it!"

"...Then I must see if it’s worth fifty pieces before saying more."

"No problem!"

Chu Zhiyuan gracefully got off the couch, drew out the Qingying Sword, and immediately his expression became solemn, a burst of clear light suddenly shone, then enveloped him.

Only the clear light was visible, the sword itself was unseen.

Moments later, the clear light stopped abruptly, and the Qingying Sword was already sheathed.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Gu Qingshan, "Senior, how is it? Is it worth a favor and fifty Dragon Fat Fragrance?"

"This sword technique..." Gu Qingshan stroked his beard and pondered.

Chu Zhiyuan was not worried he would renege on the deal.

This sword technique was one among countless techniques, three levels stronger than the Great Snow Mountain Sword Technique, and two levels more powerful than the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique.

This was already the most top-tier sword technique in the world.

Chu Zhiyuan watched him with a smile, as he slowly walked down the palace steps, arrived in front of him, then stretched out his hand, and the Qingying Sword floated out of its sheath into his grasp.

The sword light turned into clear light, instantly enveloping him.

Chu Zhiyuan focused his gaze and could not help but nod repeatedly.

The same sword technique, in his hands, had even more power.

"Clang!" The Qingying Sword transformed into a beam of light and shot back into Chu Zhiyuan’s waist scabbard.

It was accurate and perfect, yet it made him tense up.

If it had deviated even a bit, it would have pierced his waist or abdomen.

This move was too risky.

He understood that this was also Gu Qingshan’s small act of revenge.

"What a sword technique!" Gu Qingshan stroked his beard with admiration, "Truly no wonder you’re the Fourth Prince, with extraordinary insight, and such astonishing swordsmanship!"

Chu Zhiyuan said, "My thirteenth uncle originally exchanged a great favor for this opportunity, but ended up making a bridal gown for your sect, I wonder if he will find senior Gu to reason with you."

"Haha..." Gu Qingshan laughed heartily, "The thirteenth master isn’t you, Fourth Prince."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "I’m awaiting fifty Dragon Fat Fragrance treasures, the favor will remain for now, but don’t back down in the future, senior!"

"Hehe, rest assured, when I, Gu Qingshan, speak, I keep my word!"

"Then I shall continue my comprehension."

"In my view, better not." Gu Qingshan quickly stopped him.

The disturbance just now was too great, too frightening, he feared Chu Zhiyuan would continue his comprehension and truly cause a major incident.

If something happened to the Sword Stele, the impact on the White Cloud Sword Palace would be too great, and he, as the elder guarding the Sword Stele, could not escape responsibility.

"Isn’t it a day?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

Gu Qingshan said, "Having gained something, that’s enough; isn’t this sword technique already sufficient? Fourth Prince, one must not be too greedy!"

"Alas... in that case, I’ll sell you a face, senior Gu."

"...Am I supposed to thank you?"

"Just be sure to get me the Dragon Fat Fragrance soon."

"Rest assured, you won’t be missing any!" Gu Qingshan snorted, "Huang girl, Huang girl, come up here!"

Huang Shiron floated in gracefully, clasped her fists and smiled, "Master Ancestor."

"Escort the Princely Heir back, and don’t bring him here again."

"Yes." Huang Shiron said with a mild smile.