Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 613: Chapter 353: Encounter

Li Shiming looked at the stretch of mountains before him. These peaks were utterly lifeless, barren hills devoid of vegetation and wildlife, as if they belonged to a realm of the dead.

It wasn’t just one mountain that was like this, but a continuous range of peaks.

This was the territory of the Earth Evil Sect, appearing as a scene from the apocalypse.

Li Shiming had entered the Earth Evil Sect’s domain through clandestine means, bypassing the great formations of both the Righteous and Demonic Paths.

He was somewhat familiar with the Earth Evil Sect—it was the least favored amongst the three major Demon Sects.

The main reason was their Inheritance Technique, the “Earth Evil Demon Skill,” which required the absorption of Earth Evil Qi during the Golden Core Stage, and the qi from the mountains was optimal.

The Earth Evil Sect also protected their mountains, but even with their mighty strength, they couldn’t withstand the internal demand from their own Golden Core cultivators.

The mountains before him had, over time and after being overly drained of Earth Evil Qi again and again, completely lost their spiritual essence, turning into this deadened state.

Golden Core cultivators who practiced the “Earth Evil Demon Skill” needed better Earth Evil Qi if they hoped to make significant progress with this technique.

They extended their reach towards the territories of the Righteous Path, but since many of the finer mountains in those regions were claimed, their other choice was the Ten Thousand Great Mountains controlled by the Senluo Sect.

It could be said that the Earth Evil Sect’s Golden Core cultivators, whether they aimed for the territories of the Righteous Path or the Ten Thousand Great Mountains of the Senluo Sect, were given the highest priority.

They would never allow Golden Core cultivators from the Earth Evil Sect the chance to use the Earth Evil Qi to cultivate the “Earth Evil Demon Skill.” Of course, some Earth Evil Sect Golden Core cultivators were successful, which only increased the other sects’ disdain towards those who practiced the “Earth Evil Demon Skill.”

These matters flashed through Li Shiming’s mind, but they were not his concern.

His mission this time was relatively easy: to release ten drones. Considering the size of the Earth Evil Sect’s domain, five drones would have been sufficient, but to account for any unexpected damage and the inability to replenish promptly, he decided to deploy ten in one go.

Moreover, all ten drones were equipped with the latest 27-nanometer CPUs. The precision of their components had improved greatly due to the control he had achieved at a nanometer scale in his machine room space, allowing for 27-nanometer precision in the lenses of the cameras and the sensitivity of some critical photoelectric parts.

The drones’ energy system utilized mid-grade Spirit Stones in their spirit stone motors. Each drone carried a hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones, enough for over twenty years of airborne operation.

Once linked to the drone satellite system, they would send a prompt to Li Shiming through the system when the level of Spirit Stones dropped to a pre-set warning level.

This ensured the long-term operation of the drone satellite system, and eventually, he would update all other regional drones to the latest version.

Li Shiming didn’t release the drones here as this place was still too close to the safeguarding formations.

He didn’t conceal his presence. This area showed no signs of life, and he hadn’t even seen another cultivator’s shadow.

The Earth Evil Sect’s domain was not as prosperous as other major sects, but of course, this might be because he was still on the edge of the Earth Evil Sect’s territory and had yet to penetrate deeper into their realm.

As he was contemplating, his gaze shifted in a particular direction.

Originally intending to avoid the area, he paused when he saw the fleeing cultivator.

“How could she be here?” murmured Li Shiming to himself.

A thousand li away, a female cultivator was flying at full speed on her sword light, with six Foundation Establishment cultivators hot on her trail. Behind them, a Flying Boat followed leisurely.

The ability to observe the situation from a thousand li away was thanks to the ability of “Telepathy.”

Li Shiming could even see the female cultivator’s face—it was Ren Fei’er, whom he had met on Sky Sea Island.

Ren Fei’er, now a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had her beautiful face masked with terror. She knew the consequences of being caught by the pursuers. Even as her Spiritual Power waned, she continued to flee with all her might.

At this moment, her heart was filled with despair, unsure how much longer she could hold on.

The cultivators chasing her were merely subordinates of a more powerful figure, who was essentially playing a game of cat and mouse with her.

Ren Fei’er suddenly sensed someone appearing ahead. If that person hadn’t blocked her escape route, she might not have even noticed their presence.

First, she was startled, then overjoyed.

Since arriving on the Beishu Continent, she had wanted to see Li Shiming, but she had never imagined their first meeting would be under these circumstances.

“Ma… Master Li!” Ren Fei’er wanted to cry out “big brother,” but the words changed to “Master Li” as they reached her lips.

“Fei’er, what are you doing here?” Li Shiming asked in a grave tone.

He paid no mind to the approaching cultivators behind her.

He could sense that even the Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the approaching Flying Boat were merely at Late-stage Foundation Establishment—a presence he could easily dispense with a flick of his hand.

“I…” Ren Fei’er wanted to reply, but considering Li Shiming’s identity as a Shushan Sect Elder, she didn’t know how to answer.

Li Shiming frowned slightly. He didn’t like to use “Telepathy” to probe into the minds of those he was familiar with, but Ren Fei’er’s hesitation made him feel uneasy.

Activating his “Telepathy,” he immediately heard Ren Fei’er’s inner voice.

It turned out that since arriving on the Beishu Continent, failing to meet Li Shiming, she had befriended a female cultivator who promised to help her join a major sect. However, it required Ren Fei’er to provide some resources.