I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 325: Chapter 45: The Emperor’s Nectar

Ye Long was, after all, a prince, and many in the Capital City knew him. As such, when Zhou Heng descended, a tremendous stir arose within the royal city of Liang Country.

People knew that half a year ago, Prince Ye Long had gone out to cultivate with an Immortal Master who was passing by. They had not expected that in just half a year, the prince would have already become an Immortal Master himself.

He even rode a Double-winged Fierce Tiger as he flew through the sky, a sight even more imposing than the Immortal Master who had taken him away.

Consequently, many of the powerful in the Capital City started to strategize about how to court this newly established Immortal Master, seeking to gain more benefits for themselves.

And those who had once offended Ye Long were terrified, fearing that Zhou Heng would come after them for retribution.

In the past, seeking the Emperor’s mercy might have been slightly useful when Ye Long was just a prince, but now that the prince had become a bona fide Immortal Master, even the Emperor’s persuasion might not work.

An Immortal Master was, after all, someone who stood above not only the sovereign but also the entire nation.

However, they soon discovered that after Zhou Heng landed in the Capital City, he did not seek anyone out. Instead, he transformed the Double-winged Fierce Tiger into a palm-sized kitten and headed towards Jiahe Tavern.

Before Zhou Heng had even landed, while still high above the Capital City, he had already received a Spirit message from Cheng Jianjian, telling him that she was there.

Walking into Jiahe Tavern, Zhou Heng ignored the curious gazes of the people around him and went straight up to the top floor. His gaze swept across the room and settled on the girl sitting by a table at the edge.

She was a girl who appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features and a complexion like ice and jade. She looked only slightly less exquisite compared to the original Cheng Jianjian, truly breathtaking.

“Zhou Wei,” the girl said with a beaming smile, “I’ve long heard of your great reputation, fighting monsters and exorcising demon entities. You’ve made me quite envious.”

“Cheng Bei,” Zhou Heng also smiled, sitting opposite the girl and giving her a quick assessment. His eyes showed surprise as he said, “Your current level of Cultivation seems quite profound.”

Under the perception of his Divine Sense, he could clearly feel the immense power of Cheng Jianjian’s Divine Soul, which even bore a chilly and icy sensation.

Such a perception, without direct confrontation, was enough to sense the strength of this Divine Soul Power.

“This was my early arrangement,” Cheng Jianjian said with a light smile. “It was only after I arrived and inherited the memories that I realized this body belonged to none other than the Holy Maiden of the ancient immortal sect Guang Han Dao.

“In her ice coffin, there was also a Guang Han Heavenly Maiden Visualization Diagram. After two or three months of contemplation, relying on my original realm, I reached the True Form Realm of this world and began to quietly eliminate monsters.

“A month ago, I felt it was about time. After hearing your name, Zhou Wei, I stopped concealing and openly used the name Cheng Bei to wait for you to find me.”

As they conversed, they had already cast a soundproofing spell, ensuring that their conversation in the tavern would not be disclosed.

“It seems you also recovered quite quickly,” Zhou Heng laughed. “Mine was different; without a suitable Visualization Diagram, I had to sort it out myself…”

He briefly shared with Cheng Jianjian his plans to establish his own path in this world and his intention to spread it, which immediately earned him admiring looks.

“Creating a new method, impressive indeed!” Cheng Jianjian’s smile bloomed like a flower, her eyes bright with admiration, endlessly praising, “The Seven Steps to Longevity, solidifying the Divine Soul as the core and fusing it with True Qi to strengthen both together—what a brilliant idea.

“Though it’s an innovation based on existing Martial Arts and visualization techniques, for the cultivators of this world, this represents a novel and viable path.

“Moreover, this path also remedies many of the flaws found in visualization methods. It holds great promise and could benefit the perfection and development of the cultivation system of this world. Perhaps it might even earn considerable merit.

“Hmm, right, now that we’ve regrouped, what are your plans?” she asked.

“Jiang Jian, you’ve already spent some time in Capital City, so you must have already decided on the next course of action,” Zhou Heng said with a light chuckle, whilst glancing outside, “Perhaps, we don’t need to make any plans ourselves.”

“Mm, I didn’t expect him to be so impatient, actually coming to us,” Jiang Jian nodded slightly, standing up and gazing outside, “Killing Wu Cheng, however, isn’t simple; he’s almost at the Heavenly Heart Realm—a formidable monster. We must be cautious.”

“He’s almost upon us,” Zhou Heng nodded, resting his hand on the railing, and said, “Actually, I have a nagging doubt. Why does slaying monsters earn us merit?

“Monsters are different from evil creatures and Demon Entities. They’re not foreign invaders. From the perspective of the natural laws of heaven and earth, monsters and humans seem to be just creatures nurtured by the world. How could there be merit in killing them?”

“After you return to Ta Hua, you’ll need to catch up on your studies, Little Martial Uncle,” Cheng Jianjian said with a covered laugh, “Do you really think it’s normal, a part of natural evolution, for ordinary animals and plants to suddenly become self-aware and, without any guidance, start cultivating and turn into monsters?”

“Monsters are also influenced by external forces?” Zhou Heng was taken aback, somewhat puzzled.

His understanding of monsters was mostly based on legends and stories he had heard or read about in his previous life on Earth; he didn’t know much about the specifics.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Mm,” Jianjian nodded, about to explain further, when suddenly her expression turned serious, “He’s here.”

“Then let’s take him down first!” Zhou Heng said sternly.

At the same time, State Preceptor Wu Cheng had already arrived outside the Jiahe Tavern, riding the clouds. Fierce winds howled, bringing layers of dark clouds that covered the sun, turning day into night.

He stood above the clouds, materializing a colossal Daoist figure over a hundred feet tall, clad in a Purple Robe, exuding a majestic aura, causing many citizens to kneel and worship.

“Prince Ye Long, fortunate to have the Emperor’s permission to cultivate in exile, has now achieved some success. Yet he arrogantly rides a tiger, stomping upon the heavens, disrespecting his sovereign, intending rebellion, an act of flagrant treachery!

“Prince Ye Long, please come out and accompany this State Preceptor back to the palace to await your punishment!”