Demonic Cultivator (501-510) (Patreon)

Chapter 501: The Good Are Rewarded

After leaving the ruins of the Celestial Star Hall, they were greeted by the boundless azure sea. Chu Xuan released his spiritual sense without any hindrance. Clearly, the strange fog had indeed dissipated. The thought that he had easily avoided the perilous, almost inescapable fog brought a light laugh to his lips. Wang Tiancheng respectfully followed behind him, shuddering slightly at his laughter, wondering if his master was concocting another cunning plan.

"Which powers currently occupy Golden Thunder Island?" Chu Xuan asked casually.

"Heaven Demon Palace, Divine Sword Sect, and Serpent Buddha Temple all have a stake, with various powers carving out their territories," Wang Tiancheng quickly replied. "The Black Robe Bandits also own two establishments here, but rest assured, they are operated overtly by two minor powers. If you wish to stay on Golden Thunder Island, I can arrange it for you."

Chu Xuan shook his head, "It's too chaotic, not suitable for me."

Wang Tiancheng thought for a moment, "The northern Gold Phoenix Island is not bad; it is currently occupied by the Divine Sword Sect and is quite stable."

"Let's go to Gold Phoenix Island," Chu Xuan nodded.

"Keep a low profile for the time being, do not attract attention, or you may draw the Exquisite Treasures Alliance's interest," he advised. "The same goes for the members of the Black Robe Bandits; keep them under control to prevent anyone from tracing back to you."

He paused, then added, "That insect egg, unless you find a grandmaster of the Dao to intervene, no one can solve it. So, don't try any tricks."

Wang Tiancheng nodded respectfully, clearly understanding the wisdom in these words. If it were just about Song Tingfeng disappearing, the Exquisite Treasures Alliance might not react much, especially since Song Tingfeng had already been ostracized due to the Nine Yang Cauldron incident.

However, now that Song Tingfeng, Song Ruzhen, and Zhao Haijian—three Deity Transformation elders—had all disappeared simultaneously, the Exquisite Treasures Alliance would definitely investigate.

As the only survivor, Wang Tiancheng certainly couldn't afford to be seen often, or he would definitely attract their attention.

The two then went their separate ways. Chu Xuan took out a flying boat, slicing through the waves and heading straight for Gold Phoenix Island, while Wang Tiancheng took out another flying boat, heading in the opposite direction.

The Black Robe Bandits, being a force of robbers, always temporarily resided on various unnamed deserted islands. Naturally, he couldn't leave with Chu Xuan.

Gold Phoenix Island.

Like most ordinary cultivators, Chu Xuan arrived at the bustling port of the island. The port was not as vibrant as that of Golden Thunder Island but still far surpassed that of the Neon Garment Island in the Eastern Third Ring in terms of prosperity.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators waiting at the port, akin to porters, initially wanted to rush up to Chu Xuan as he disembarked. However, after catching his glance, they instinctively recoiled, perceiving an extreme coldness in his gaze. They knew that offending such a powerful cultivator could lead to dire consequences.

Seeing no one foolish enough to approach, Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction. With his hands clasped behind his back, he began to stroll leisurely around Gold Phoenix Island. He had not disguised himself, still using the identity of the alchemist He Liang. Now a Deity Transformation cultivator, he no longer needed to hide.

Excessively showing off one's cultivation could lead to collective hostility and attract the watchful eyes lurking in the shadows. Displaying just the right amount of power—neither too strong nor too weak—was the secret to surviving in the fragmented Starry Sea.

"Wang Tiancheng was right; Gold Phoenix Island is orderly and prosperous, perfect for dedicated cultivation," Chu Xuan thought, nodding as he observed the lively scenes around him. He felt somewhat emotional. Although the demonic path was the quickest way to enhance his own power, for the vast majority of ordinary people and low-level cultivators, having a power that upheld righteousness was a great blessing—even if it was only superficially righteous.

Soon, Chu Xuan arrived at the Divine Sword Sect's branch located at the highest peak of Gold Phoenix Island.

"Li Qingfeng died on Golden Thunder Island. Now, Yun Feijian is the only Deity Transformation cultivator left in the Divine Sword Sect," he pondered as he strode into the branch. The building was majestic and imbued with a sense of sword intent, inspiring awe.

As he stepped through the doorway, he saw an elderly man with white hair and a distressed expression, standing indecisively. The elder muttered, "Could you please convey a message to Master Sun? I will definitely repay the debt my grandson Ning Wangyuan owes. Please ask Master Sun to be merciful and not harm him."

A cold voice responded, "He borrowed many spirit stones from the sixth junior brother to open a shop and failed to repay them. Naturally, he must be punished. But rest assured, our master is kind-hearted and won't hurt him. He's currently making talismans, and as soon as the debt is paid, he'll be released. If you can repay these spirit stones promptly, he can return sooner."

The elder nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I'll do it as quickly as possible."

Chu Xuan looked closely. Wasn't this Ning Tai, the old Gu Master from Little Bug Pavilion? It had been a long time, but he was still alive.

As Ning Tai was about to leave the Divine Sword Sect's branch, he suddenly spotted Chu Xuan and exclaimed with surprise, "Fellow Daoist He! It really is you!"

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded, "Indeed, it's me. Fellow Daoist Ning, it's been several years. I hope all is well with you."

Ning Tai stepped forward, examining Chu Xuan up and down, clicking his tongue in amazement. "It's been many years since we last met, over eight, right? Last time, you left without a word to join Fellow Daoist Ji Canghai on Golden Thunder Island for the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference."

"I later heard that there were troubles at the convention, even involving a Deity Transformation cultivator taking action, and then the strange fog appeared. I can't believe after all that, you're still alive! Truly, the good are rewarded!"

Chu Xuan chuckled awkwardly. The phrase "the good are rewarded" seemed both inappropriate and fitting when applied to him.

Ning Tai asked, "Fellow Daoist He, what exactly have you been through these years? Could you share some of your experiences with this old man?"

"It's a long story," Chu Xuan began, then swiftly changed the subject, "But what's been happening with you, Fellow Daoist Ning?"

Ning Tai gave a wry smile and began to explain the situation with Ning Wangyuan. After listening, Chu Xuan shook his head. Ning Wangyuan was indeed overly ambitious. He had followed an old talisman master on Neon Garment Island to study talisman crafting but only managed to learn half-baked skills before deciding to open a shop selling talismans.

Ning Tai had disapproved, but Ning Wangyuan scraped together enough money to open the shop anyway. The outcome was predictable. With subpar talisman skills but attempting to run a shop, he inevitably ended up spending more than he earned.

In less than a month, not only did he fail to break even, but he also lost over a hundred large spirit stones. Most creditors might have been manageable, and Ning Tai could have used his influence to delay repayment for a while.

However, one of the creditors happened to be the grandchild of a Deity Transformation cultivator, Sun Chen, who had recently joined the Divine Sword Sect. As things escalated, Ning Wangyuan was taken to the sect's branch, locked in a small, dark room, and forced to make talismans day and night.

If he couldn't repay the debt, he would never be allowed to leave, effectively becoming a slave to talisman crafting.

Chapter 502: Deity Transformation Stage?

Hearing this, Chu Xuan simply sighed lightly, choosing not to comment further. Other people's troubles weren't his to meddle in. However, seeing old Gu Master Ning Tai, who was already of considerable age, likely nearing his grave, still so troubled over his grandson, stirred some emotions in him.

"Who are you? Non-affiliates should not enter the branch hall," a faint voice said.

Chu Xuan looked at the newcomer. It was a woman with a graceful figure and fine features, except for her thin lips, which seemed to hint at her harsh nature. As she assessed Chu Xuan, she also couldn't detect any strong aura from him, and his face was unfamiliar—not appearing to be a master of any sort.

Chu Xuan calmly stated, "It seems the rules of the Divine Sword Sect weren't like this before."

The woman gave a slight smile, "They are now, as newly decreed by our master. If you cannot state your purpose, please leave."

Chu Xuan casually tossed a token her way, "Oh? Then, may this token grant me entry?"

Upon glancing at the token, the woman's expression changed several times. Reluctantly, she bowed her head, "Greetings, Elder. I did not know of your arrival, please forgive the lack of welcome."

Although she had joined the Divine Sword Sect under Master Sun recently, she knew that there were only a few Guest Elders in the sect, all of whom were prominent Nascent Soul cultivators. This man possessing such a token meant his strength far exceeded hers. In the path of cultivation, the capable lead the way. With him holding this token, she dared not show disrespect.

Chu Xuan spoke indifferently, "I require a high-grade cave dwelling and a shop in the center of the marketplace."

The woman hesitated, troubled, "Elder, the high-grade cave dwellings are only for Deity Transformation cultivators. And most of the central marketplace shops on Gold Phoenix Island are currently in operation. Only two are available, and both have already received deposits. I fear I cannot fulfill your request."

Ning Tai also whispered, "Fellow Daoist He, Gold Phoenix Island is not like Neon Garment Island. This place has some Nascent Soul families of its own. To appease and attract them, the Divine Sword Sect has had to make concessions. It's not just you; I've heard that even disciples of Flying Sword True Master are unable to secure better dwellings."

Chu Xuan frowned slightly. He had initially hoped to save some expenses by using his status as a Guest Elder of the Divine Sword Sect. It seemed, however, that this status was not as useful as he had thought. He was about to turn around and leave when he saw two figures emerging from a pavilion ahead.

One of them was the elegant and sharp Yun Feijian, a True Master of the Divine Sword Sect, and the other, a tall, pale-faced man, must be the recently joined Deity Transformation cultivator, True Master Sun. The two were laughing and seemed to be in good spirits.

"Eh, Cai'er, what's happening here?" True Master Sun noticed the group at the entrance and asked with curiosity.

The woman quickly bowed and hurriedly explained the situation. Finally, she said with difficulty, "Master, this Guest Elder demanded a first-class cave dwelling and a central marketplace shop right away, and I really couldn't accommodate his requests."

Yun Feijian stared at Chu Xuan for a while, his expression growing more astonished. He clearly remembered He Liang, the alchemist. He had suspected that He Liang was involved in the death of Yan Kun at the Blood Cloud Cave and had impulsively granted him the position of an Guest Elder. At the time, Li Qingfeng had disagreed, but he had gone ahead anyway.

The incident at the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference on Golden Thunder Island eight years ago had caused a stir throughout the Eastern Second and Third Rings. He hadn't paid much attention to He Liang's fate after that. After all, several Deity Transformation cultivators had died in that event, and Li Qingfeng had also perished. He Liang was just a Nascent Soul cultivator, and his prolonged silence had naturally been assumed to be his demise.

He had never expected to see this man again! And somehow, he felt even more surprised the more he looked at him. He had an instinctive intuition that He Liang was now far stronger than before, perhaps having reached a higher realm. However...

No Deity Transformation heavenly tribulations had been reported recently in the eastern seas. If a Nascent Soul cultivator had advanced to the Deity Transformation stage, it would surely have been widely known.

What was really going on?

"Guest Elder?" True Master Sun turned to Yun Feijian, "Fellow Daoist Yun, this must be the Guest Elder you appointed before."

He looked at Chu Xuan and casually remarked, "As an elder, you should consider the sect's needs. Now, when the sect is in need of revitalization, elders should set an example for the disciples..."

However, Yun Feijian interrupted True Master Sun, turning to Chu Xuan and suddenly asking, "Have you... entered the Deity Transformation stage?"

Chu Xuan just smiled faintly.

Indeed, Yun Feijian had keen insight. Back on Neon Garment Island, when the Blood Cloud Cave attacked, he had been forced to kill Yan Kun. Yun Feijian had sensed something amiss then but couldn't pinpoint his exact strength, so he offered him the position of Guest Elder as a gesture of goodwill. Now, it seemed he had also noticed the change in his aura.

Upon hearing Yun Feijian's revelation, True Master Sun was taken aback. "What? Did you say Deity Transformation stage? This man is at the Deity Transformation stage?" Ning Tai and the female cultivator named Cai'er were also astonished, both turning their gazes toward Chu Xuan.

Yun Feijian ignored True Master Sun's surprise and continued to look into Chu Xuan's eyes. Chu Xuan did not hide his capabilities and, meeting Yun Feijian's gaze, he nodded slightly, "By a stroke of luck, I have stepped onto the path of Deity Transformation."

Following this admission, he released a strand of Deity Transformation aura. Sensing this level of energy, Yun Feijian was greatly impressed and immediately clasped his fists with a smile, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist He, on advancing to the Deity Transformation stage! From now on, you are the third Deity Transformation True Master of our Divine Sword Sect!"

It took a moment for True Master Sun to gather his wits, after which he too spoke, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist He, on your promotion to the Deity Transformation stage..."

Ning Tai and Cai'er quickly bowed deeply, "Greetings, True Master He!"

Chu Xuan smiled lightly, "No need for such formalities."

Yun Feijian glanced at Ning Tai and then at Chu Xuan, suddenly remarking, "If I recall correctly, Fellow Daoist He, you were quite close with Master Ning, right?"

Chu Xuan nodded, "Indeed, I owe my place in the flourishing market of Neon Garment Island largely to Elder Ning's efforts."

True Master Sun's expression shifted slightly, and after a brief thought, he slapped his forehead, "Ah, so Ning Tai is actually a friend of Fellow Daoist He? This is indeed a surprise like a flood entering the Dragon King Temple." He immediately instructed, "Cai'er, release Ning Wangyuan immediately. Let's not spoil our relations over a few large spirit stones."

Cai'er nodded promptly, "Yes."

Ning Tai, overwhelmed with gratitude, said, "Thank you, True Master He! Thank you, True Master Sun!"

"Fellow Daoist He, shall we speak inside the pavilion?" Yun Feijian invited with a smile.

"Of course."

The three of them then quickly walked into the pavilion. Ning Tai watched Chu Xuan's retreating figure, filled with emotion. He hadn't expected that in just over eight years, He Liang would have ascended to the Deity Transformation stage! Befriending him had indeed been a wise decision. Otherwise, based on his own abilities, it would have taken much longer to secure Ning Wangyuan's release.

"Thank you." Ning Tai watched Chu Xuan's departing back, bowing deeply and speaking in a low, profoundly sincere voice.

Chapter 503: Unafraid of Death

Inside the pavilion of the Divine Sword Sect's branch, the surroundings were adorned with plants of various sizes. Some were majestic and placed on the ground, while others, delicate and miniature, sat on antique wooden shelves. Additionally, there were several gemstones and jades carved into the shapes of exotic and rare beasts scattered throughout the pavilion, enhancing the aura of treasure and dense spiritual energy.

Chu Xuan looked around and saw rows of sandalwood chairs. At the center was a square table, above which hung a grand landscape painting.

Yun Feijian and True Master Sun took their seats on opposite sides of the table, while Chu Xuan sat at the foremost seat on the left. Once everyone was seated, Yun Feijian began with a sense of nostalgia, "Back when you left for the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference on Golden Thunder Island, I thought you had perished. It's truly delightful not only to have you back but also to learn that you've ascended to the Deity Transformation stage."

His words were also meant to inform True Master Sun, who seemed puzzled, not even knowing who this Guest Elder was.

After pondering for a moment, True Master Sun also recalled the incident at the convention years ago. "That convention, I heard, was orchestrated by the Black Robe Bandits, and many Deity Transformation cultivators fell because of it. The subsequent appearance of the mysterious fog only added to the confusion."

"To survive such a perilous situation and even advance to a higher realm truly shows that you are a person of great fortune," he added.

Both of them lavished praise without stint. Had it been any other cultivator, receiving such compliments from two established Deity Transformation cultivators might have gone to their heads.

However, Chu Xuan, even during his Nascent Soul phase, was capable of assassinating Deity Transformation cultivators with his formidable physical strength up close. Thus, their flattering words went in one ear and out the other, not bothering him in the least. Still, he listened with a polite smile, understanding that cultivating relationships was part of the broader game of cultivation.

Once the pleasantries concluded, they moved on to discussing actual benefits. Chu Xuan, as a newly advanced Deity Transformation cultivator, was naturally worth courting. With him, the Divine Sword Sect could now stand toe-to-toe with the Demons' Palace, rather than being suppressed as before.

The three of them exchanged ideas and finally settled on Chu Xuan's compensation. He would take on the role of a Deity Transformation Elder of the Divine Sword Sect. His annual salary would be two hundred large spirit stones, along with two lower-grade Deity Transformation talismans and one lower-grade Deity Transformation pill. Additionally, he would receive a first-class cave dwelling for unlimited use without rent, and a shop in the center of the marketplace under the same terms.

As for whether Chu Xuan wished to take on disciples, that would be left entirely up to him. He could if he wanted to, but there was no pressure to do so.

Chu Xuan felt quite satisfied. While the salary was somewhat modest, especially the two hundred large spirit stones—which would take five years to accumulate enough to purchase a rudimentary lower-grade spiritual artifact—and nowhere near enough for selecting a fine lower-grade spiritual artifact or having one custom-made, which would cost around a thousand large spirit stones, he understood the Divine Sword Sect's limitations. After all, the sect was just a small black-grade power in the Starshatter Sea and couldn't afford lavish treatment.

He planned only to use the peaceful environment provided by the Divine Sword Sect to continue his cultivation. If the sect were frequently engaging in expansions and conflicts, he would leave without hesitation. This was one of the conditions he had discussed with Yun Feijian and True Master Sun.

"Fellow Daoist He, now that you are a Deity Transformation cultivator, you should choose a Taoist name," Yun Feijian suggested with a smile.

After a moment of thought, Chu Xuan responded, "Heartless, let's go with Heartless True Master."

Yun Feijian and True Master Sun mulled over the name and both nodded in approval.

True Master Sun then instructed someone outside, "Cai'er, lead Heartless True Master to my shop—it will belong to him from now on. Also, the Cloud Pavilion will be his cave dwelling henceforth. See to all of Heartless True Master's needs and make sure he is well attended to!"

Cai'er's respectful voice could be heard responding, "Yes."

With a smile, True Master Sun then said to Chu Xuan, "Please, Fellow Daoist."

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile.

After Chu Xuan had left, True Master Sun, watching his back, finally spoke, "Fellow Daoist Yun, how were you able to discern that he had entered the Deity Transformation stage? I couldn't detect it."

Yun Feijian chuckled, "Intuition. I've always felt there was something extraordinary about him, and now he truly astounds me."

True Master Sun nodded repeatedly, deeply moved, "Truly, the new waves push the old waves forward."

…

On the way down the mountain path, Chu Xuan walked ahead with Cai'er following half a step behind, careful not to overstep. She was anxious, her mind replaying the initial encounter with Chu Xuan. She fretted over her words, which might have carried a tone of disdain and arrogance, worried that this senior True Master might hold a grudge.

Chu Xuan asked casually, "What's your name?"

"Zhu Cai'er," she replied respectfully.

"How old are you? And your cultivation level?"

"I am four hundred and five this year, currently at the first layer of the Nascent Soul stage."

Zhu Cai'er said this with some pride. Reaching Nascent Soul at four hundred years was considered exceptional in the Starshatter Sea, only slightly below the talents from the first ring.

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. No wonder Zhu Cai'er was so proud and lofty.

Soon, Chu Xuan arrived at the center of the Golden Phoenix Market and saw the shop. Zhu Cai'er respectfully said, "Heartless True Master, how do you find this shop? With just a word from you, we can open for business tomorrow."

Just then, they heard Ning Tai's voice. "Greetings, True Master! My grandson is safe today, all thanks to you!"

Ning Tai knelt on one knee, his expression one of deep respect. Beside him stood his grandson, Ning Wangyuan, whose eyes still showed his astonishment.

"Quickly, pay your respects!" Ning Tai hissed.

"Yes, yes, yes." Ning Wangyuan hurriedly knelt down and bowed his head.

"Stand up," Chu Xuan said casually. "Zhu Cai'er, wait for me at Cloud Pavilion."

Zhu Cai'er had hoped to make a lasting impression on Chu Xuan, perhaps even becoming his companion in the future. But his dismissal stiffened her expression. Still, she dared not disobey a True Master and bowed before departing.

"Come, let's sit inside and talk," Chu Xuan said, smiling and helping Ning Tai to rise.

Once inside the shop, Chu Xuan was about to sit when Ning Tai solemnly declared, "True Master, for saving my grandson, I, Ning Tai, and the Ning family will follow you for life, unafraid of death!"

Ning Wangyuan quickly echoed his grandfather's loyalty, "Unafraid of death!"

Chu Xuan smiled, not quite reacting immediately. He understood what Ning Tai was thinking. Returning to the Divine Sword Sect as the weakest among its three Deity Transformation cultivators, he naturally needed to build his own faction. Ning Tai's declaration was clearly an offer of allegiance.

However, Chu Xuan thought to himself, just the Ning family alone—amounting to nothing more than a few individuals—was far too little. Too few indeed.

Chapter 504: The Three Family

As Chu Xuan was about to speak, Ning Tai continued, "After the news of your ascension to the Deity Transformation stage spread, a few old fellows contacted me, expressing their desire to serve under you and contribute their efforts."

"Liu Yong from Peach Blossom Island's Liu family, who is most skilled in alchemy. Song, the old man from Clear Wind Island's Song family, is a master of talisman making; he taught my grandson how to craft talismans. Additionally, several Nascent Soul Gu Masters I know, along with their disciples, upon hearing the news, also wish to join your ranks."

Hearing this, Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow and smiled. It was clever of Ning Tai. Communicating with smart people indeed saved a lot of hassle. Ning Tai understood that Chu Xuan would definitely need to build a solid foundation and knew that just the Ning family alone would not be sufficient to pique his interest. Thus, he had activated his network and pulled in everyone he knew.

The Liu and Song families, along with the Gu Masters, had all followed the Divine Sword Sect to the Eastern Second Ring to establish their own territories. But by aligning with Yun Feijian or True Master Sun, they would inevitably face exclusion by the existing families under those True Masters, and thus miss out on substantial benefits. Now with Chu Xuan, a newly minted True Master, they naturally flocked to him, considering him their leader. The message spread by Ning Tai accelerated this process.

Chu Xuan looked at Ning Tai with appreciation. The old man was indeed shrewd.

"You are thoughtful," Chu Xuan praised as he helped Ning Tai up.

Hearing this, Ning Tai's hanging heart finally settled back into his chest; he understood that Chu Xuan had accepted him. Afterward, Chu Xuan engaged in some small talk with Ning Tai and Ning Wangyuan.

Noticing Chu Xuan taking a sip of tea, the astute Ning Tai understood that Chu Xuan did not wish to continue the conversation. He immediately stood up, respectfully saying, "We won't disturb True Master any further. In a few days, I will bring the Liu family, the Song family, and those Gu Masters all together."

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile, "Good."

…

When Chu Xuan arrived at Cloud Pavilion, Zhu Cai'er was already waiting at the entrance of the cave dwelling. Upon seeing Chu Xuan approach, she immediately bowed respectfully, "Greetings, True Master."

"The Cloud Pavilion has been cleaned thoroughly. You can take residence whenever you wish," she informed him. She then presented a token with both hands, "This is the control token for the pavilion's protective formations."

Chu Xuan nodded, "Good." He took the token and strode into the dwelling.

"True Master! If you have any requests, just let me know!" Zhu Cai'er called out after him, but Chu Xuan had already entered the dwelling, evidently not hearing her.

Frustrated, Zhu Cai'er stamped her foot. Despite her beauty, it seemed the True Master hadn't even glanced her way. Could it be that her efforts were still not enough?

Inside the dwelling, Chu Xuan surveyed his new surroundings and nodded slightly. The decor and arrangement of Cloud Pavilion were quite impressive, clearly much effort had been put into it.

Though the space was somewhat small, it was fully equipped with a training room, alchemy lab, smithing room, talisman crafting room, and even a small insect breeding room. While smaller than some, it was a standard small-scale cave dwelling. Some cultivators who lived alone on an entire island often expanded their dwellings into mini sanctuaries that could accommodate even their disciples.

However, Chu Xuan did not view Cloud Pavilion as a mere shelter. To him, his true sanctuary would always be the Blue Star. He then spent some time setting up various arrays around the pavilion, ensuring that no one could detect his movements inside. Once satisfied that his privacy was secured, he relaxed.

"Golden Phoenix Island is quite stable, and with three Deity Transformation cultivators within the Divine Sword Sect, including myself, there aren't any significant conflicts. I should be able to cultivate peacefully for a while," Chu Xuan mused with a slight smile.

Furthermore, with the allegiance of families like the Ning, Liu, and Song families, these cultivation clans and their businesses would continuously generate large spirit stones, contributing a fixed proportion to him. This arrangement meant Chu Xuan wouldn't have to worry about earning spirit stones himself.

This was a mutually beneficial relationship. The cultivation families needed the backing of a Deity Transformation cultivator like him, and he needed others to handle the mundane affairs and earn spirit stones on his behalf. Each party got what they needed—why not indeed?

…

Inside the newly inaugurated Black Pill Pavilion, Chu Xuan had casually taken some pills from his storage bag, sufficient to meet the day-to-day operations of the store. The outside matters were naturally handled by the newly recruited alchemists.

At this moment, within the inner chamber of Black Pill Pavilion, Ning Tai, Liu Yong, Song Danqing, and others were waiting, their hearts filled with unease. Accompanying them were their most valued descendants, most of whom were at the Golden Core stage.

While Chu Xuan had not yet arrived in the inner chamber, they were all quietly conversing amongst themselves.

Liu Yong whispered, "Ning Old Ghost, is this True Master easy to talk to?"

Song Danqing nodded, "Yes, tell us more, we know very little about this True Master, and you seem to know more."

Ning Tai chuckled, "What, if the True Master is easygoing, are you planning to lower the tribute percentage?"

Liu Yong and Song Danqing laughed awkwardly, obviously concerned about the tribute issue. If the master is weak and the vassals strong, they could get away with contributing less. But if the True Master is powerful, they would need to offer more. They had to adapt their strategy based on the situation, as no one likes to part with hard-earned spirit stones easily, even if Chu Xuan was their backer.

Ning Tai said gravely, "Seventy percent, my Ning family plans to offer seventy percent of our earnings to the True Master."

"What?!" Liu Yong and Song Danqing were shocked. Seventy percent was exceedingly high!

Yun Feijian and True Master Sun, who were initial stage Deity Transformation cultivators, only asked for fifty percent of the profits. If these two advanced to the middle stage, their affiliated cultivation families would wisely increase the rate to sixty percent on their own. Only if the cultivators achieved even greater heights would the rate increase to seventy percent.

Heartless True Master was just a newly ascended Deity Transformation cultivator. Why would they start with giving him seventy percent?

"Is this True Master... that greedy?" Liu Yong couldn't help but ask.

Ning Tai shook his head, "No, it's not that the True Master asked for it; I volunteered to give that much."

Liu Yong was stunned, then cursed under his breath, "Ning Old Ghost, by offering seventy percent, what are you leaving us to do? If we also offer seventy percent... we'll be operating at a loss for at least fifty years!"

Song Danqing gave a bitter smile, "Fellow Daoist Ning, you're being rather unfair, we've been old friends for many years!"

Ning Tai, however, calmly responded, "I actually think seventy percent isn't enough. Since the True Master is a newly ascended Deity Transformation cultivator, now is when he needs spirit stones the most. By contributing more, we are really helping in his time of need. Later, when the True Master no longer lacks spirit stones, or has advanced to a higher realm, increasing our tribute will just be gilding the lily. Everyone remembers the help given during hard times, who cares about the extra garnish? You are all old foxes who have lived for nine hundred years, do I really need to remind you of this?"

Chapter 505: Is the Twenty Percent Difference Just About Spirit Stones?

Liu Yong, Song Danqing, and the others fell silent at Ning Tai's words. While the reasoning was sound, doubts lingered. Could Heartless True Master truly continue to advance vigorously and ascend to higher realms?

Ning Tai, with his life nearing its end and managing a smaller family enterprise, was willing to take a gamble. However, for Liu Yong and Song Danqing, with their extensive family businesses and numerous descendants, the stakes were too high to risk their principal investment.

Liu Yong whispered a piece of advice, "Ning Old Ghost, I suggest you don't gamble. Just stick to the traditional and customary percentages. It's better for you and for us."

Song Danqing and the others nodded in agreement. In their view, they and Ning Tai were part of an interest alliance. At the end of the day, Heartless True Master was just a patron for them, a name they could use to facilitate their dealings more smoothly.

Despite the group's persuasion, Ning Tai remained calm, "Regardless of what you all think, I've made my position clear. The Ning family is willing to voluntarily contribute seventy percent of our profits. What percentage you wish to offer is up to you. I'm just fulfilling my duty as a friend."

Seeing Ning Tai's resolute stance, Liu Yong, Song Danqing, and the others sighed deeply and let the matter rest, albeit reluctantly. Some of the middle-aged Gu Masters, however, took Ning Tai's words to heart and pondered them deeply.

Just then, a respectful announcement came from outside, "The True Master has arrived!"

Immediately, the expressions of Ning Tai and the others turned serious, and they quickly stood up. The sound of footsteps approached as Chu Xuan strode into the inner chamber.

"Greetings, True Master!" Everyone spoke in unison, bowing respectfully.

Chu Xuan, however, did not respond but walked past them and took his seat at the head of the table. Once seated, he casually said, "Sit down."

"Thank you, True Master." Everyone sat down in unison.

Not waiting for them to speak, Chu Xuan stated plainly, "My time is precious, and I can only spare the duration of a single incense stick today. Let's hear it, how much of your family profits do you plan to contribute?"

His direct approach made Liu Yong, Song Danqing, and the others a bit uncomfortable. They found it a little awkward to deal so straightforwardly with matters of tribute.

Ning Tai was the first to stand, presenting a spiritual sense jade slip, "True Master, the Ning family is willing to contribute seventy percent of all our earnings. This jade slip contains all information about our properties and descendants for your review."

Chu Xuan took the jade slip, pressed it to his forehead, and scanned its contents in an instant. He nodded slightly, "Good, Elder Ning, you may sit down."

After a long pause, Liu Yong, Song Danqing, and others also presented their spiritual sense jade slips to Heartless True Master.

"True Master, the Liu family is willing to contribute fifty percent of all our earnings," Liu Yong declared.

"True Master, the Song family will contribute fifty percent of our family's income," Song Danqing added.

"I from the He family am willing to contribute fifty percent..." the cultivators stated in succession as they stood up.

Chu Xuan's expression remained unchanged throughout, his demeanor calm. The tribute from these families was within his expectations, and even at most, it would only provide him an extra hundred to two hundred large spirit stones per year.

Whether it was seventy percent or fifty percent, the difference wasn't significant in terms of spirit stones alone. But was the two percent difference just about spirit stones? No, it was also about relationships and showing willingness—or lack thereof—to make sacrifices.

Finally, two more cultivators stood up. "Our Wu family is willing to contribute seventy percent of our family's income."

"Our Zhang family is willing to contribute seventy percent of our family's income!" they declared.

Chu Xuan smiled faintly and casually asked, "What are your names?"

"True Master, my name is Wu Wei! I entered the Nascent Soul stage two years ago."

"True Master, my name is Zhang Chufeng, and I was promoted to Nascent Soul just last year."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "Good, I'll remember this."

He then turned to Ning Tai, "Old Ning, you will collect the tribute from each family annually from now on. This task is yours. Also, let these young men, Wu Wei and Zhang Chufeng, gain more experience."

With that, he stood up and left.

Ning Tai respectfully responded, "Yes, I shall not fail you!"

As Chu Xuan walked away, many in the room had mixed feelings. Especially Liu Yong and Song Danqing, they wondered whether their decision today was right or wrong. What would the future look like if they changed their tribute from fifty percent to seventy percent?

...

Blue Star.

Chu Xuan sat meditating in the Water Curtain Cave, absorbed in his cultivation. Ning Tai, Liu Yong, Song Danqing, and others like Wu Wei and Zhang Chufeng had each made their choices, a fact Chu Xuan understood well. No one likes to give up precious spirit stones, hard-earned as they are, to contribute such a significant portion to a Deity Transformation True Master.

However, the attitudes expressed today would determine the fate of their families for decades, even centuries to come. Chu Xuan was never one to indiscriminately show kindness. In times of crisis, whom he would protect and whom he would not would depend entirely on his discretion.

"For now, though, I should focus on my own cultivation," he thought. "There's no news from Wang Tiancheng; probably he hasn't found a suitable Deity Transformation period formation yet. I'll just wait; what I have plenty of now is time."

With that, Chu Xuan discarded all other thoughts and immersed himself in deep meditation.

Chapter 506: Five Years in the Blink of an Eye

Five swift years had passed, and even with the benefits of the turtle meat enhancing his physical conditioning, advancing in physical cultivation was not an overnight feat.

Additionally, Chu Xuan had to divide his attention to practice various physical cultivation techniques, which delayed his progress. Over these five years, his physical cultivation level remained stuck at the forty-fourth level. Yet, he could feel that reaching the forty-fifth level was not far off, estimating it might take another three to four years.

Stepping forward, Chu Xuan returned to Cloud Pavilion on Golden Phoenix Island. Not long after, he arrived at the Black Pill Pavilion located in the central area of Golden Phoenix Market. Thanks to his reputation as a Deity Transformation cultivator, Black Pill Pavilion thrived spectacularly. Since its opening, it had seen a daily bustle of traffic, with countless cultivators coming and going.

As soon as Chu Xuan landed, the surrounding cultivators were taken aback and promptly bowed in respect.

"Greetings, Senior!"

Two figures emerged from the Black Pill Pavilion, their excitement palpable upon seeing Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan glanced at them and smiled, "Tao Zheng, He Zhao, what are you doing here? Let's go inside and talk."

Inside the inner chamber, Chu Xuan sat while Tao Zheng and He Zhao stood respectfully.

"…Ever since Senior disappeared at the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference, I have been inquiring about you everywhere. I never believed that Senior could have truly perished," Tao Zheng spoke with a respectful tone. "Of course, I didn't neglect managing the Black Pill Pavilion on Neon Garment Island either. Here are the account books for the past eight years; I have kept every record intact."

He respectfully presented a thick stack of account books to Chu Xuan, who nodded with a smile.

Tao Zheng continued, visibly excited, "Just half a year ago, news of Senior's advancement to Deity Transformation reached the Eastern Third Ring. He Zhao, who has a knack for gathering information, was the one who told me."

"I was overjoyed. I entrusted the Black Pill Pavilion on Neon Garment Island to a trustworthy alchemist and immediately took a flying ship with him to Golden Phoenix Island in the Eastern Second Ring."

"Not long after arriving here, I met Elder Ning, who brought me here to work diligently and wait for your return from seclusion. You have finally come out of seclusion."

"Tao Zheng, at your service, Senior!" By the end of his speech, Tao Zheng was overwhelmed with emotion, dropping to one knee.

He Zhao also knelt respectfully, "He Zhao, at your service, Senior!"

Chu Xuan looked at both of his followers, seeing in their actions not just loyalty but a deep connection forged over the years, strengthened through the trials and turbulence they had each endured. This moment was not just a reunion but a reaffirmation of their dedication to their path under his guidance.

Chu Xuan gently raised his hand, and a soft breeze lifted Tao Zheng and He Zhao to their feet. "Tao Zheng, you are clever and capable, with good aptitude. You've managed the Black Pill Pavilion on Neon Garment Island diligently for eight years. Well done. From now on, you'll work here. The Black Pill Pavilion on Golden Phoenix Island is in need of capable hands."

"I see you are close to reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Continue your cultivation diligently. If you can advance to Nascent Soul, I'll leave the management of the Black Pill Pavilion entirely in your hands."

"Yes!" Tao Zheng responded, visibly moved. It was clear that the True Master saw him as one of his own and was nurturing him accordingly. He was naturally elated.

Chu Xuan then turned his attention to He Zhao. He remembered how He Zhao had volunteered to be his guide upon his initial arrival at Neon Garment Island and had willingly gathered intelligence for him afterward.

As the saying goes, snakes have snake paths, and rats have rat paths; the information gathered from the common folk by the seemingly insignificant figures often proved invaluable. Many major incidents were often hinted at by various small details that high-ranking figures might overlook, while those at the bottom could feel these changes more acutely. It was similar to how, before an earthquake, humans remain unaware, but mice might flee in droves.

Chu Xuan chuckled, "He Zhao, I remember you were only at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment back then, and now you have reached the late stage."

He Zhao respectfully replied, "Thanks to the spirit stones gifted by Senior, my progress has been rapid. I also owe much to Senior Tao's guidance over time."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. He Zhao was not only articulate but also capable. If not for his being at the Foundation Establishment stage, given time, he could undoubtedly manage a cultivation family to prosperity.

Chu Xuan casually tossed a storage bag to him, "Continue your cultivation. Your current level of Foundation Establishment is too low; you'll need at least a Golden Core cultivation to be of any significant use to me in the future."

He Zhao caught the storage bag with both hands, his excitement palpable, "Yes! I will do everything within my power to serve you, True Master! I will spare no effort!"

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded, "Go now. There's nothing specific you need to do at the moment, just regularly report what you observe and hear."

"Yes!" Both Tao Zheng and He Zhao bowed respectfully and retreated.

Watching their departing figures, Chu Xuan's expression remained neutral. The Black Pill Pavilion was his most profitable enterprise, yet it was currently staffed mostly by descendants of the Liu family. This was not ideal. Having one of his own people inside would give him peace of mind.

Certainly, if Tao Zheng could handle these Liu family members, it would confirm Chu Xuan's good judgment of him. Should Tao Zheng need a push to advance to Nascent Soul in the future, it wouldn't be difficult for Chu Xuan to assist, as Nascent Soul-level spiritual items were easily accessible to him now.

However, if Tao Zheng couldn't handle the Liu family members, there was no need for Chu Xuan to intervene. Being a Golden Core period alchemist focused solely on alchemy wouldn't be a bad life either.

Five years had swiftly passed on Blue Star, and during that time, Chu Xuan found himself deeply engrossed in mastering the complex Cold Nether Heaven-Sealing Formation, a Deity Transformation stage array that spanned a vast area and involved thousands of array flags.

This formation, unexpectedly retrieved from the secret stash of the Black Robe Bandits, was exactly what Chu Xuan had tasked Wang Tiancheng to find. It wasn't procured through traditional means like from array masters or the black market but was a fortuitous discovery among treasures that even the thieves did not fully appreciate.

As Chu Xuan contemplated integrating this new array with the existing one, he realized that if an overlay was not feasible, he would have to start from scratch. Acknowledging his own limitations in array knowledge, Chu Xuan had collected various texts on Deity Transformation stage array methods to elevate his understanding and capabilities.

"Although I lack innate talent in array manipulation, I firmly believe in the principle that diligence compensates for one's shortcomings," Chu Xuan mused with resolve, burying himself in the array manuals.

Seasons changed, and another five years whisked by. Even though the Deity Transformation stage arrays were significantly more abstruse than those of the Nascent Soul stage, Chu Xuan had conquered them through persistent study.

"Indeed, even ordinary talent can achieve extraordinary feats through hard work," he nodded to himself in satisfaction, a testament to the virtues of perseverance and diligence.

Now, revisiting the Cold Nether Heaven-Sealing Formation, Chu Xuan felt as if he had shifted from a preschooler watching a university-level mathematics lecture to understanding at least two-thirds of the content. With further dedicated study, he was confident he could fully grasp it.

Another two years passed in what seemed like moments. Chu Xuan, laughing joyously, emerged from the Water Curtain Cave, his spirits high. "I have fully mastered the Cold Nether Heaven-Sealing Formation!"

He immediately enveloped the array disks and flags with his spiritual sense, linking them with the Myriad Realm Mirror, and transported himself to the Soul Star. There, he began layering the new array onto the existing one.

"This pattern needs tweaking here... Add a layer there... Well, even though it looks like a mess, as long as it functions, that's all that matters," Chu Xuan remarked, satisfied as he viewed the newly modified array.

The enhanced formation was now capable of spawning even more powerful ghost kings. These higher-level ghost kings could nurture Ice Soul within them, securing the resources Chu Xuan needed for his cultivation of the "Mysterious Heavenly Ice Soul Scroll."

"Everything is on track now," Chu Xuan nodded in contentment. He relished the pace at which resources were being produced, akin to watching crops grow and mature in the fields, each day bringing closer the joy of a bountiful harvest.

…

In the Divine Sword Sect's branch on Golden Phoenix Island, Chu Xuan, Yun Feijian, and True Master Sun were gathered. Such small-scale meetings were held every few years among the three, serving dual purposes. Firstly, they exchanged resources and conducted a sort of mini-trade fair. Secondly, they shared intelligence, preparing for any potential threats that might emerge, ensuring they were not caught off-guard.

Yun Feijian took a sip of the spiritual tea before speaking softly, "There haven't been any major incidents in recent years, but the activity of the Black Robe Bandits has notably decreased, which is odd. Do you think they might be brewing some mischief, similar to what happened last time at Golden Thunder Island?"

True Master Sun nodded in agreement, "I've been thinking the same. Lately, there have been rumors that Wang Tiancheng has been severely injured, and others say he has been overthrown by his subordinates. I believe these are rumors deliberately spread by the Black Robe Bandits, a trick to make us let our guard down!"

Both turned their gaze towards Chu Xuan, "Wuxin fellow daoist, what do you think?"

Chu Xuan feigned deep thought for a while before responding, "What you both say makes a lot of sense. I too suspect that the Black Robe Bandits are plotting something sinister. We absolutely cannot afford to be complacent."

Chapter 507: A New Planet on the Other Side of the Rift?

After listening to Chu Xuan's statement, Yun Feijian and Master Sun both nodded repeatedly.

"It seems True Master sees eye to eye with us!"

Master Sun looked at Chu Xuan, "Fellow Daoist Heartless was once pursued by the Black Robe Bandits. Now that they have temporarily vanished, it seems he cannot avenge himself."

Chu Xuan smiled, "No matter, I am not one who delights in combat. The disappearance of the Black Robe Bandits for now is indeed fortunate."

Yun Feijian sighed deeply, "The Black Robe Bandits are not such a great threat anymore. The true danger lies with the Heaven Demon Palace nearby, alas..."

Chu Xuan appeared thoughtful. He had also received quite a bit of intelligence about the Heaven Demon Palace from Wang Tiancheng. An elder from the Heaven Demon Palace had even approached Wang Tiancheng, hoping he would work for them, but Wang had declined.

The Heaven Demon Palace had three Deity Transformation cultivators. The strongest among them was Xue Mozi, at the mid-stage of Deity Transformation. The other two called themselves Corpse True Master and Ghost True Master, obviously skilled in refining corpses and nurturing ghosts, respectively.

Most of the territory of the former Frost Sword Sect had been taken over by the Heaven Demon Palace. Only a small part was divided between the Divine Sword Sect and the Serpent Buddha Temple.

As for the islands close to other sea regions, they were opportunistically occupied by cultivators from those areas. After all, they were too far from the center of the East Second Ring to be within reach.

Master Sun whispered, "The Heaven Demon Palace has been unusually active recently. They've reportedly found a Nascent Soul cultivator's cave and even clashed with the Serpent Buddha Temple over it."

"However, the Heaven Demon Palace didn't gain much advantage because the Bone Concealing Hall also took part in the loot."

"Heh, I guess the Heaven Demon Palace only managed to secure a small portion of the treasures."

Yun Feijian's expression grew serious, "That's no good thing. Once Xue Mozi believes he has the strength to dominate the East Second Ring, he will surely strike like thunder, aiming to annihilate us and the Serpent Buddha Temple and completely take over the East Second Ring."

Master Sun nodded, his expression grave.

"Also, there's something else rather perplexing," Yun Feijian suddenly said.

"There have been strange phenomena in the First Ring: skies filled with blood, multicolored clouds, golden flowers falling in chaos, and an unusual fragrance. Every time someone approaches, it vanishes without a trace."

"These occurrences have happened five times in the past two or three years. At first, people thought it was the emergence of a major treasure, causing a big commotion, but each time they returned empty-handed."

Chu Xuan and True Master Sun also looked puzzled.

Such sudden strange phenomena? If it's not the emergence of a treasure, then it could very well be a sign of an impending natural disaster.

The three talked for a long time but could not figure it out and eventually stopped discussing it. In the end, they exchanged some cultivation resources and declared the meeting over.

True Master Sun watched Chu Xuan's departing figure and murmured softly, "Our fellow daoist Heartless seems not to be entirely on the same page with us. I'm worried that if the Demon Palace truly attacks, he might just stand by passively."

Yun Feijian chuckled, "That's normal. After all, he's only a newly ascended Deity Transformation cultivator. Even if he fights, how effective can he really be? He would do well just to hold his own against Corpse Master and Ghost Master, let's not expect too much of him."

True Master Sun nodded, "You're right, we should prepare the Deity Transformation formation first. As long as the formation is ready and waiting, even if the Demon Palace attacks, they won't be able to easily invade the island."

Yun Feijian agreed deeply with a nod.

...

"Skin, blood, bones... all are insufficient," Chu Xuan shook his head repeatedly.

With all his treasures, he must seize this idle time to quickly advance to the lower grade spiritual weapon tier.

However, the White Bone Stele requires a large amount of bones. The Blood Demon Flask needs a significant amount of blood. The Evil Soul Chain requires iron metal steeped in yin and ghost qi. The Sky-Shielding Umbrella needs a larger, more complete piece of beast skin for the umbrella surface.

All these requirements demand higher cultivation resources. The small zombies of Blue Star are no longer sufficient. If he were to slaughter all the zombies on the entire planet, it would be both too cumbersome and too slow. It would be like painstakingly collecting mosquito meat from every nook and cranny. Chu Xuan is unwilling to engage in such foolish, draining actions.

"If only the giants I saw in the deep sea before could appear in large numbers."

Chu Xuan couldn't help but sigh softly. Mermaid zombies have been scattered for hundreds of years; why haven't they found anything unusual in the deep sea yet? What are they doing? It must be the laziness of the Zombie Empress and Zombie Matriarch!

Thinking of this, Chu Xuan nodded deeply in agreement and immediately went to the zombie farm, gently urging them on. He didn't really say much. Just gave them another twenty years. If they still can't locate the specific whereabouts of the deep sea anomaly, they would be turned into fodder for other zombies.

After all, Black Blade has also brought him quite a few zombies similar to Zombie Empress and Zombie Matriarch over the years.

However, their levels are far from as high as those of Zombie Empress and Zombie Matriarch, nor are they as intelligent.

But now, stern measures must be used. Otherwise, these two zombies might think they are unique and irreplaceable. Sure enough. After seeing their master's kindly smile, the somewhat lazy Zombie Empress and Zombie Matriarch immediately worked overtime.

Like a sow birthing piglets, they continuously produced mermaid zombies and threw them into the vast ocean. As it turns out, beings can unleash infinite potential at the brink of death.

Zombies are no different. After all, they are not true corpses but a new species that mutated from humans.

After Chu Xuan issued his command, it took less than five years to locate the specific position of the deep sea anomaly. It is unknown whether it was the tremendous potential of the Zombie Empress and Zombie Matriarch in a desperate survival situation that played a role, or if it was Chu Xuan, who has always been deeply fortunate, influencing the mermaid zombies.

However, since it has been found, whatever played a role in the discovery doesn't really matter.

...

In the depths of ten thousand meters beneath the Western Ocean of Blue Star, Chu Xuan arrived with ease at this depth. With his current Qi cultivation and physical conditioning, he was fully capable of withstanding the immense water pressure here.

Following the guidance of the mermaid zombie, Chu Xuan soon reached his destination. Indeed, there was a giant's corpse here.

However, there were no deep-sea zombies around. Next to the giant's corpse, there was a crack more than a meter high!

Chu Xuan watched a small, uniquely shaped deep-sea fish swim past and disappear into the crack.

"A spatial rift."

He was astonished. Now he understood. Why giants, completely foreign to Blue Star, appeared here. They had traveled through!

However, their landing was far from ideal. So they perished on the spot.

"This rift is slowly closing; it must have been large enough for giants to pass through before, but now it's only a little over a meter high."

Chu Xuan thoughtfully pondered. One could imagine that the other side of the rift might very well lead to a brand-new planet! However, to be cautious, Chu Xuan decided to have someone else check it out first.

"You'll do."

Chu Xuan grabbed a nearby mermaid zombie, imprinted it with his spiritual sense, and threw it into the rift.

Chapter 508: Another World

The mermaid zombie, in a daze, was thrown by Chu Xuan into the rift. As the world spun and bizarre lights flashed, a pitch-black environment appeared before Chu Xuan. There was not a single speck of light around. However, he could sense that the mermaid zombie could roam freely. Clearly, this place was also a body of water.

"It's too dark here."

Chu Xuan shook his head, guiding the mermaid zombie to wander around.

Dark...

Dark...

Still dark.

Just as Chu Xuan was about to conclude that this place was purely dark, a faint light suddenly appeared. His eyes lit up, and he immediately led the mermaid zombie towards it.

The gentle light drew closer. Eventually, Chu Xuan could see what the light was. It emanated from the tip of a flexible, vine-like seaweed, swaying with the ocean currents. Below the seaweed were jagged, protruding rocks of the seabed.

"Strange, there's nothing around here. Why is there suddenly a piece of seabed rock and glowing seaweed?"

Chu Xuan furrowed his brows. Almost in that instant, he realized what it truly was. He quickly guided the mermaid zombie to flee.

At that moment, the sound of water rushing fiercely came. A giant mouth bristling with teeth slowly opened, ready to swallow the mermaid zombie!

Chu Xuan looked back and saw, as he had suspected, that it was not just some rocks and light-emitting seaweed. It was clearly a gigantic sea creature fishing!

Its head was like a small hill. Its eyes were larger than a human's. Each tooth was over a meter long.

At that moment, as Chu Xuan and the creature locked eyes, he felt the terrifying pressure of the massive sea beast.

"Good thing I reacted quickly..."

Chu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. This massive sea creature indeed exerted a formidable pressure, but it also had a major flaw. It was slow to react and turn.

Compared to it, the mermaid zombie was very small. By just slipping under its belly, it could easily escape the giant beast's pursuit and find safety.

However, just as he was guiding the mermaid zombie to dive under the belly of the sea beast, a tremendous surge of vitality burst forth from within the creature.

With a thunderous roar, the mermaid zombie was shaken disoriented and lost consciousness.

The giant sea beast then leisurely turned its body around, took a deep breath, and sucked in the mermaid zombie along with the surrounding seawater into its belly.

Chu Xuan shook his head repeatedly, cutting off that strand of spiritual sense. No hope, he gave up.

"This sea beast actually knows how to crudely manipulate its vitality. That must be an instinct it was born with. The world beyond the rift is indeed marvelous."

Chu Xuan was somewhat amazed. After a moment of thought, he grabbed another mermaid zombie, repeated the process, and threw it into the rift. This time it went smoothly, heading north without encountering any formidable sea beasts.

Just when Chu Xuan thought everything was going smoothly, that familiar faint light appeared ahead.

"Damn..."

Chu Xuan cursed softly, immediately guiding the mermaid zombie to flee. But a tremendous suction force came from behind. The vast ocean waters were being sucked in.

The mermaid zombie naturally had no resistance. It didn't last long before, like other fish, it again became a meal in the belly of the gigantic sea beast. Undeterred, he tried several more times, but each time the gigantic sea beast discovered and swallowed the mermaid zombie.

"I understand now, that entire area is the domain of that gigantic sea beast. This mermaid zombie, it's never tasted before, must be addictive to it. I swear I will slay you one day!"

Chu Xuan gritted his teeth.

"That giant beast's vitality is extraordinarily abundant, far surpassing mine, and the sea is its home turf. Even if I were to confront it personally, I might not be its match."

He thought it over and decided to hold off. The giant beast couldn't possibly never sleep. There would always be a chance to escape. As long as he could get the mermaid zombies to the surface, that would be enough.

Ten days later.

Chu Xuan returned to the vicinity of the rift. Compared to ten days ago, the rift had narrowed slightly in length and width. During these ten days, he had made multiple attempts and had roughly figured out the pattern of the giant beast. It hunted every two days and slept for one.

This time he came fully prepared, bringing a hundred dazed mermaid zombies. Each mermaid zombie was imbued with a strand of spiritual sense. Once through the rift, they immediately headed in different directions.

In this way, even if the giant beast was inclined to chase, it couldn't possibly pursue so many mermaid zombies at once. Splitting one hundred strands of spiritual sense, an ability not just anyone could manage. If it weren't for Chu Xuan having reached the Deity Transformation stage, he could at most split just over twenty strands of spiritual sense. His strategy proved effective.

The giant beast only managed to chase down a dozen mermaid zombies, and it stunned another dozen to death before it could go no further. It could only watch helplessly as the remaining mermaid zombies escaped. Those left swam in various directions.

Some mermaid zombies died in the mouths of other marine giants. Some were chased and eaten by other sea fish. Others were accidentally caught in whirlpools and shredded to pieces.

But ultimately, six mermaid zombies survived and reached the surface. A bright world unfolded completely before Chu Xuan's eyes. In the distant sky, a massive sun hung high. Surrounding it were boundless seas in every direction, with no islands in sight.

At first glance, it seemed not much different from Blue Star. But the gigantic seabirds swooping down from above reminded Chu Xuan that this world was starkly different from Blue Star.

Big!

The characteristic here was its outrageous size. Whether beasts or vegetation, all were enormously vast and rich in vitality.

Grit.

The last sound Chu Xuan heard before severing the spiritual sense was that of a seabird crunching on a mermaid zombie. The few mermaid zombies that floated to the surface were all consumed by the seabirds.

Chu Xuan shook his head. He had a rough idea of what the world beyond the rift was like. It was probably a world where giants and monstrous beasts coexisted.

However, it was likely also fraught with danger. Not to mention, if he wanted to cross the rift to reach that world, he would probably have to contend with that anglerfish-like giant fish. If injured, he would need a long time to recuperate.

Too unworthy.

"This rift won't do, it would be better if it opened up on land."

Chu Xuan shook his head, somewhat regretful. For him, safety was always the priority. So, it was time to give up. This rift, no more.

With this thought, Chu Xuan suddenly had an idea and took out the Myriad Realm Mirror. The Myriad Realm Mirror was always deeply submerged in his dantian, obscured by surging Spiritual Qi. Even if someone searched, they would not detect the Myriad Realm Mirror.

Chu Xuan rarely took it out. But now, he had a sudden inspiration. The Myriad Realm Mirror was a treasure capable of traversing myriad realms, inherently possessing effects similar to a teleportation array, surely containing tremendous spatial power. It acted like a medium between one realm and another. And so was this rift, connecting Blue Star with that beastly planet.

Given that, the two might share something in common. If the Myriad Realm Mirror were brought close to the rift, who knows what changes might occur?

Chapter 509: Go Directly to That World Through the Myriad Realm Mirror!

Chu Xuan stretched out his hand. The Myriad Realm Mirror lay quietly in his palm. It was still as inscrutable as ever, exuding an ancient and weathered aura. Holding this treasure, Chu Xuan couldn't help but feel emotional. His journey from a humble Qi Refining cultivator to his current status had been largely thanks to the Myriad Realm Mirror.

He carefully held the Myriad Realm Mirror and approached the rift. Nothing happened. No reaction. Chu Xuan pondered. Had he guessed wrong? Just as he was about to retract the Myriad Realm Mirror, it began to vibrate slightly. Threads of energy peeled from the rift above and merged into the Myriad Realm Mirror! As these energies entered the Myriad Realm Mirror, the rift began to shrink visibly to the naked eye!

Chu Xuan raised his eyebrows, a sense of joy surging within him. This was the first time he had seen the Myriad Realm Mirror actively drawing in external power. Did this mean that the spatial rift was a source of power for the Myriad Realm Mirror?

Chu Xuan suddenly recalled his time in the extraterritorial battlefield. The battlefield was collapsing then, riddled with spatial rifts of various sizes. However, why hadn't the Myriad Realm Mirror shown an urgent need for power at that time? Yet now, it was actively drawing power.

Chu Xuan compared these two types of spatial rifts and, after some thought, managed to form a tentative hypothesis. Perhaps the spatial rifts in the extraterritorial battlefield had been too transient, appearing briefly and vanishing quickly. In contrast, the rift deep within Blue Star had been stable for a long time, evidently containing stronger spatial forces.

Of course, this was just Chu Xuan's speculation. The Myriad Realm Mirror, a treasure of immense power, held many secrets. He had a feeling that he had only begun to uncover the tip of the iceberg.

Before long, the spatial power was completely absorbed by the Myriad Realm Mirror, and the spatial rift completely disappeared. Such a rift was not safe, and Chu Xuan wasn't saddened by its loss. On the contrary, discovering that the Myriad Realm Mirror could absorb spatial forces was more meaningful to him.

"If the spatial forces accumulate to a certain extent, could there be other anomalies?"

Chu Xuan was instantly invigorated. He flipped his palm and retracted the Myriad Realm Mirror into his body. Once back at the Water Curtain Cave, he immediately sat down in meditation and spread his spiritual sense without limit. He had a premonition. Since a spatial rift had appeared in the deep sea, it was also likely to occur on land.

Moreover, he had noticed in the deep sea of the Western Ocean that the water around the rift was noticeably heavier and hotter. The farther from the rift, the weaker this effect.

Clearly, the atmosphere from that world was subtly altering Blue Star. This could explain why the seawater of Blue Star had become unusually dense; even in his initial physical cultivation state, he had felt the pressure. Now at the forty-fourth level of physical cultivation, he could easily traverse the deep sea.

He now understood that spatial rifts had likely been appearing on Blue Star for a long time, but in small numbers. The atmosphere from that other world had been leaking into Blue Star.

"However, this way, I can also quickly locate the positions of various spatial rifts!" Chu Xuan smiled. At his level, it was easy to discern where the energy differed from other places. From there, he could easily locate the regions with spatial rifts and gradually narrow down their precise locations.

Chu Xuan closed his eyes. His spiritual sense expanded rapidly in all directions. In an instant, his spiritual sense enveloped the country.

A few moments later, it extended west to the Caspian Sea, east to the Pacific Ocean, north to the Arctic Ocean, and south to the South Sea. But this was still far from his limit. His spiritual sense continued to expand until it enveloped the entire Blue Star.

He could see the first dewdrop under the sunlight. He could see a fisherman from Izumo despairingly swallowed by a sea beast. He could see the Black Blade division recruiting, with countless humans breaking their heads just to be a member of Black Blade. Every inch of land was under his surveillance.

However, for efficiency, he did not extend his spiritual sense into the deep sea, only covering the land. Even so, just maintaining this for one day, he felt exhausted. It was a fatigue that stemmed from the depths of the soul, making one irresistibly want to sleep.

Even Chu Xuan, with his powerful primordial spirit, felt tired, let alone other Deity Transformation cultivators. Few Deity Transformation cultivators would spread their spiritual sense to its maximum. Doing so was too exhausting and not conducive to their cultivation. It might also offend other Deity Transformation cultivators.

"Found them!"

Chu Xuan's efforts soon paid off. He discovered a total of thirty-five spatial rifts across Blue Star. The environments around these rifts had undergone significant changes. The vegetation was denser, the leaves larger, and the trees taller. The changes in the extraordinary animals were slower, but they too were larger than their counterparts.

"These spatial rifts are particularly stable and won't disappear easily, but they're only about half a meter each, nowhere near as large as the rift at the bottom of the Western Ocean. However, every little bit counts, and many a little makes a mickle."

Chu Xuan smiled slightly as he noted down these locations. After retracting his spiritual sense, he rested for a day and then immediately flew to various places on Blue Star. In just one day, he had drained all the spatial energy from these rifts using the Myriad Realm Mirror.

"Not enough, still not enough."

Chu Xuan looked at the unresponsive Myriad Realm Mirror and shook his head. Those were thirty-five half-meter-long spatial rifts. Still not enough to satiate it. It seemed that it would take more time to accumulate the necessary power.

Chu Xuan then headed to a small island in the East Sea, where he obtained a jar of blood honey from the Taotie Tree in exchange for ten years of his lifespan.

It's okay, I have a long life! I can wait!

...

In the blink of an eye, Chu Xuan had spent ten years on Blue Star. During these years, he occasionally spread his spiritual sense. Every few years, he would discover quite a few spatial rifts. These rifts varied in size. The largest were no more than a meter across, and the smallest were as thin as a strand of hair, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Chu Xuan visited each stable rift, allowing the Myriad Realm Mirror to drain the spatial energy within.

One day, as Chu Xuan discovered another half-meter-long rift and was about to set off, he noticed a change in the Myriad Realm Mirror! Holding the unchanging Myriad Realm Mirror, he was startled to see a new image appear on its surface!

At the center of the image was a vigorous giant and a fierce, enormous beast locked in combat! Their struggle was intense, a real clash of flesh and power. Every muscle and vein displayed the beauty of strength!

However, at the edge of the image, a persistent gray fog lingered, within which pairs of red eyes flickered in and out of view.

Chu Xuan sensed it slightly and immediately realized that he could now travel directly to that world through the Myriad Realm Mirror!

Chapter 510: The State of This Giant

Chu Xuan gently caressed the Myriad Realm Mirror but did not immediately travel to that world in his true form. Instead, he set it aside for the time being and began preparations. He already knew that the world was one where giants and massive beasts coexisted, with animals and plants of enormous size.

This indicated potential dangers that could threaten him, as exemplified by the anglerfish-like giant fish he had encountered in the ocean. Entering an unknown danger was not wise. Thus, he needed to understand that world better and be fully prepared before he could truly travel there in his true form.

With a thought, Chu Xuan grabbed a soldier bee from the Myriad Insects Nest, imbued a strand of his spiritual sense onto it, and said, "You go first, take a look at what's going on over there."

A flash of white light from the Myriad Realm Mirror, and the fire bee successfully arrived in that world. An immense primeval forest immediately came into view. Everywhere were thick, ancient trees that seemed to touch the sky.

Occasionally, large birds of prey soared high, their piercing cries echoing long and loud. "Such a dense primeval forest is unlikely to be inhabited by giants," Chu Xuan muttered, shaking his head as he continued to guide the fire bee through the forest.

Along the way, he saw many powerful creatures. A giant dragonfly skimmed low, only to be snatched up by a massive eagle as a meal. Winged silver wolves battled with red giants, destroying swathes of ancient trees. Herds of massive apes aggressively charged to the base of a towering mountain, hurling huge boulders toward the summit, only to be scattered by the mountain winds.

Upon closer inspection, what seemed like natural mountain winds were actually the fierce gales generated by the flapping of wings that blotted out the sun!

The fire bee, only the size of a palm, appeared as minuscule as a sesame seed to these creatures, making it difficult to notice. However, due to its small size, it was several times swept away by the aftermath of the clashes between these titanic beasts. If it weren't for these insects being enhanced, with strength far surpassing their past, just the residual effects of the clashes would have turned it into a small mound of mush in the blink of an eye.

"Hey, there seem to be buildings ahead?"

Chu Xuan raised his eyebrows, immediately hastening the fire bee towards the area. He had not seen wrong; there lay a sparse row of buildings. However, they were hidden among overgrown grass and trees and were severely dilapidated. They looked like an abandoned village. Each dwelling was at least sixty meters high. From the perspective of the fire bee, they were immensely tall, almost like towering high-rises.

Chu Xuan guided the fire bee to fly into the building, discovering various household items like pots, pans, chairs, and tables, all of enormous size. Clearly, this was a village inhabited by giants. Judging by the scale of the houses to humans, the giants living here would have been about twenty meters tall. The village, now abandoned for unknown reasons, was overgrown with wild grass.

Chu Xuan was pleased; this meant he was on the right track. The primeval forest was not uninhabited. Continuing the search would surely lead to a populated giant village. However, just as he was about to direct the fire bee to leave, he noticed some movement inside one of the dwellings.

"Could someone be visiting their old village to reminisce?" he wondered. "This could be good. If I can follow them, maybe I can find the location of the current giant village."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow and instructed the fire bee to approach silently. The bee slowly flew into the dwelling, now overgrown with wild grass, obscuring the view inside. Chu Xuan had noticed the grass moving without any wind and guessed there might be something inside.

The fire bee navigated through the thick undergrowth, almost as if entering another forest. Soon, it hid beneath a large leaf. There was nothing visible at first, only several large bones with remnants of flesh on them. While Chu Xuan was still pondering, a dark shadow suddenly burst out and began voraciously gnawing on the large bones.

Upon closer inspection, it was a gigantic black wildcat. Chu Xuan shook his head; the earlier noise must have been made by this cat. Just as he was about to direct the fire bee to leave, the ground shook violently.

A massive shadow rushed into the dwelling with incredible speed and power. In the blink of an eye, it pounced on the black cat, knocking it to the ground. The wild grass was thrown into disarray.

The fire bee, reacting quickly, took shelter on a large pot, avoiding the commotion. The black cat let out a pitiful scream, which was abruptly silenced. When Chu Xuan looked again, the cat's neck had been bitten through, blood seeping out. The shadow then crouched down and, like a wild beast, began devouring the blood and flesh of the black cat.

In no time, the sizable black cat was completely consumed. When the creature finally lifted its head, Chu Xuan saw that it was indeed a giant, nearly twenty meters tall. However, its face showed no sign of rationality.

With disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, and elongated canine teeth dripping with saliva, the giant, not satisfied after eating the cat, quickly dashed out of the dwelling, seemingly in search of more prey.

Chu Xuan furrowed his brows deeply. The state of this giant... it was eerily similar to the zombies of Blue Star! Could it be that this planet had also experienced an outbreak similar to the zombie virus on Blue Star?

"There's no conclusion yet; more evidence is needed." Chu Xuan shook his head, deciding not to send the fire bee any further. Instead, he recalled it. The fire bee wasn't specifically designed for reconnaissance and was mainly used for storing and deploying fire attacks.

To explore the surroundings more effectively, the best approach would be to deploy numerous insects that wouldn't alert the giant creatures of this land. Chu Xuan had already prepared various types of insects to deal with extreme situations.

The acquisition of numerous demon insect cultivation techniques in the cave world had accelerated this process. Now, his Myriad Insects Nest was like an automated armory, ready to produce the appropriate insect at his command.

"Light Spirit Caterpillar, it's your turn." After some selection, Chu Xuan found the most suitable insect. This insect was even smaller than the blood bee, about the size of a thumb. It could fly silently, only needing a small leaf or a drop of water to sustain itself for a long time. Its shell was very tough, equivalent to the fortieth level of physical cultivation, and it could adapt to extreme conditions such as high heat, cold, toxic gases, and acidic fogs, making it an ideal scout.

With a thought, the morning light began to breed eggs of Light Spirit Caterpillars. Soon, tiny pale green insects flew out of the Myriad Insects Nest and entered the Myriad Realm Mirror under Chu Xuan's guidance. He released ten thousand Light Spirit Caterpillars in one go. These little creatures would explore and map out everything within a thousand miles for him.

This information would ultimately be collected by Morning Light and presented to Chu Xuan, providing him with a detailed map. With this map, Chu Xuan would be able to navigate around dangerous areas and head straight for the villages when he entered that world in the future.