’In the Cultivation Realm, this paltry amount of Spiritual Power would be nothing. I’d only need to circulate my Cultivation Technique a few times to get it back.’
’But this is the Lower Realm, where Spiritual Qi is scarce.’
’Even if I circulate my Cultivation Technique at full power, I can’t absorb much Spiritual Power, let alone recover. Every bit I use is a bit I lose for good.’
’And I still have so much to do. Not only do I have to feed the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, but I also have to reserve enough Spiritual Power to test that World-Devouring Whale and see if I can capture it.’
’On top of that, my funds have been tight recently.’
’I didn’t bring many Elixirs to replenish my Spiritual Power, either...’
At this thought, the Cultivator felt things were getting a bit tricky. ’If all the Martial Artists in this Lower Realm are this tenacious, I might be in for a real fight this time!’
The Ten Thousand Souls Banner had devoured a great many souls.
But even more weapon-wielding Martial Artists had appeared outside the gate.
He killed one wave, only for another to arrive. Their numbers weren’t dwindling; they were growing.
The Cultivator was growing irritated and didn’t want to linger.
’I need to gather intelligence as soon as possible. At the very least, I have to figure out where these mysterious Martial Artists came from and who’s pulling the strings.’
’I need to cut off the head of the snake.’
’Once I capture the mastermind, these Lower Realm rabble will become a disorganized mob. Dealing with them then will be child’s play.’
’I wonder if the two hooks I planted last time I was here are still in place?’
After a moment of thought, the Cultivator’s form flickered and vanished.
He decided to go check on them.
Seeing the Cultivator vanish without a sound from Soul-Breaking Mountain, the newly arrived Martial Artists surveyed the chaotic battlefield, a chill running down their spines.
’He can wipe out nearly a hundred experts with a single kick.’
’Is this the might of a Cultivator?’
’How terrifying!’
’It’s just as you’d expect from a being who can live for countless ages!’
They didn’t linger either. Following Li Chang’an’s prior arrangements, they used a special device to send a message.
"The Cultivator has left Soul-Breaking Mountain!"
...
The Cultivator was swift. Shortly after leaving Soul-Breaking Mountain, he appeared in the courtyard outside the Cyan Mountain Sect in Shanghang Prefecture.
The Cyan Mountain Sect hadn’t changed much since his last visit.
The disciples within were still practicing the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Skill he had imparted.
This satisfied the Cultivator.
’Since they’re still practicing the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Skill, it means these dogs haven’t turned on their master. And if they haven’t turned, it’s time for my loyal hounds to do their job.’
He strode into the sect, appearing directly in the inner courtyard. He found a disciple in the middle of cultivating and ordered, "Go tell your Sect Leader that I have returned. Tell him to get his ass out here and see me, now!"
Hearing the Cultivator’s voice, the disciple seemed as if he was about to retort.
But upon feeling the oppressive might emanating from the man, he seemed to have a sudden realization and hurried back inside to report.
The Cultivator waited at the entrance for a moment.
Soon, a young man in his twenties came rushing out, his face a mask of fawning sycophancy. "Immortal Master! Immortal Master!" he called out from a distance. "It’s you! Please forgive my failure to greet you properly!"
The young man was quite handsome, and his aura was restrained.
It was clear his Cultivation was impressive.
The Cultivator sized the man up and down a few times, then frowned. "You’re the current Patriarch of Cyan Gate Mountain?"
The young man nodded. Bowing, he began to lead the way. "Your timing is a bit unfortunate, Immortal Master," he said as he walked. "My grand-master passed away some days ago. I’ve just taken over the Sect’s affairs. I’m so glad you’ve finally arrived!"
The Cultivator felt something was off, but he didn’t dwell on it.
His own complacency was his worst enemy.
After all, on his previous visits, Cyan Gate Mountain had always carried out his instructions perfectly. He had subconsciously come to regard this place as his personal waystation.
Once inside, the Cultivator sized up Li Chang’an and began his usual spiel. "I can see that while you are young, your Cultivation is quite profound. You must have a good measure of talent and a fate connected to the immortal path..."
"Once my business in this world is concluded, would you be willing to follow me to the Cultivation Realm?"
Hearing this, the young man was clearly taken aback.
An expression of utter disbelief spread across his face. His eyes widened as he stammered, "I-i-is... is this true? My aptitude is poor, my life as worthless as paper. Could I really follow the Immortal Master to the Immortal Realm?"
A smirk played on the Cultivator’s lips. He loved watching these natives become ecstatic over his most casual promises and handouts.
It gave him the pleasure that a superior being feels when toying with their inferiors.
The Cultivation Realm was just too much of a rat race.
Not only was it a rat race, it was also exceptionally dangerous.
He had to be on guard every single moment, wary of the Malice others might harbor.
With only a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation, he wasn’t at the very bottom of the ladder in the Cultivation Realm, but his living conditions were far from ideal.
Only here, in the Lower Realm, could he truly indulge his craving to be like an Emperor, holding the power of life and death in his hands.
Sometimes, all it took was a casual, verbal promise—tossing out scraps he wouldn’t even deign to look at.
And it would be enough to make the strongest experts of the Lower Realm bow to his every whim.
The first time he had spent all his savings to come to this world, he had been just a Junior Cultivator who had barely broken through to the Qi Refining Stage.
Even in the Lower Realm, he couldn’t completely overwhelm his opponents with raw power.
But by leveraging the title of "Cultivator," he had stirred up trouble everywhere. He single-handedly turned the entire Lower Realm upside down, instigating conflict among its top experts and playing them all like puppets.
It was precisely because of that success that he had amassed his initial fortune.