Merit could not only be absorbed and transformed by the Golden Sword; his clone Divine Ability and the second layer of the Three Yuan Art also required merit.
"I'll send word to Palace Lord Xiao," Lu Wanshan said gravely. "But don't get your hopes up. If they truly had it, we would have heard of it long ago."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled. "There may not be no hope. Since they have the previous secret art, they may not lack a more advanced one."
That previous secret art could withstand the Undying Evil Venerable's attacks and kill the Undying Evil Venerable.
What they needed now was not to kill the current Undying Evil Venerable, but the Undying Evil Venerable in Youmeng Heaven.
The requirements for the secret art were even higher.
Since Guanghan Palace possessed the first, it might not lack the second.
Lu Wanshan shook his head. "We'll see. Even if Guanghan Palace has it, they may not be willing to pass it on to you."
Chu Zhiyuan said, "We have to try."
Lu Wanshan nodded slowly.
Heavenly Sword Branch Courtyard
Within Chu Zhiyuan's small courtyard, Huang Zhengyang sat across from him at a stone table.
The sun was setting, and crimson clouds dyed the courtyard rose-red.
Bathed in the rosy glow, the two men absentmindedly watched the flowerbeds in silence.
After a long while, Chu Zhiyuan said, "So the Imperial Court's treasury does have a legacy in this regard, but it cannot be passed outside?"
Huang Zhengyang nodded helplessly.
"Why can't it be passed outside?" Chu Zhiyuan asked. "Because I'm a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, or for some other reason?"
Huang Zhengyang said, "It is indeed because you're a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect."
Chu Zhiyuan gave a mirthless laugh and shook his head in disappointment.