Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

Guu Xinglan.

An Early Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator, and a Guest Minister of the Yunjing Commerce Association.

His features were sharp and his bearing was extraordinary. Dressed as a scholar, he held a Jade Fan in his hand.

The Jade Fan radiated a rich Spiritual Light, a clear sign that it was a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

Dong Ping.

An Early Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator, and a Circulation Envoy for the Yunjing Commerce Association.

A Circulation Envoy was the equivalent of a head of security for a Mortal Commerce Association, primarily responsible for the safety of the association’s caravans.

Her face was as pretty as a picture and her figure was graceful. As her eyes shifted, a hint of allure would surface, captivating the souls of men.

Bewitching Technique!

However, despite her high Cultivation, her Bewitching Technique was far inferior to the Core True Inheritance of the Joyful Sect. Her demeanor seemed a bit vulgar.

Of course.

This was only because Zhu Ju had lived in Wind Moon Valley for a long time, spending his days with Zhou Yuantong. That, combined with his powerful Divine Soul Power, allowed him to tell the difference. To others, Dong Ping was pure and transcendent, a fairy who had stepped right out of a painting.

Just like Guu Xinglan, whose expression remained impassive, but whose gaze would occasionally fall upon her.

The three of them transformed into three beams of Tunneling Light, streaking across the sky before stopping over an area riddled with hidden reefs.

”Fellow Daoist Zhu.”

Dong Ping offered a dazzling smile.

”Some time ago, one of the Commerce Association’s merchant ships was passing through here when it was attacked by a school of Thunder Heart Fish, suffering heavy losses.”

”Thunder Heart Fish are a type of Low-Tier Demon, but their Fish King possesses methods that can just barely threaten a Dao Foundation Cultivator. This school has a Fish King. If you can capture and kill it, you can sell it to the Commerce Association.”

Zhu Ju nodded and asked,

”Do I have to go into the water to catch it?”

”There’s no need.” Guu Xinglan folded his fan and tossed an object toward the water below, which transformed into a pellet drum.

Without anyone shaking it, the pellet drum began to emit a series of sounds, sending ripples spreading across the water’s surface.

”Thunder Heart Fish have keen senses and are particularly averse to noise. My Ghost Drum is perfect for luring them out.”

”Hm?”

He raised an eyebrow.

”So soon?”

”It seems the school is nearby. Fellow Daoist, it’s your turn to act.”

Below, the water suddenly churned as streaks of white Swimming Fish darted about at an astonishing speed.

WHOOSH!

A Thunder Heart Fish leaped from the water, its body crackling with a flash of electricity as it lunged viciously toward the Ghost Drum.

The momentum was startling!

”What a beast,” Guu Xinglan chuckled.

”This Magical Artifact was a gift from a good friend. I can’t let you destroy it.”

With a beckoning gesture, the Ghost Drum lifted from the water and landed in his hand, though the strange sounds continued unabated.

Meanwhile.

Zhu Ju flicked his finger, and the Cross and Vertical Saber flew out in a flash of lightning.

Immortal Demon Slash!

A gleam of saber light appeared from nowhere, instantly transforming into a multi-layered net of blades that descended upon the school of fish below.

SPLURT!

SPLURT! SPLURT!

In an instant,

countless Thunder Heart Fish floated to the surface, belly-up.

Seeing this, Guu Xinglan and Dong Ping couldn’t help but show surprise. They exchanged a subtle glance and nodded slowly.

’Though this Fellow Daoist Zhu has only just advanced to the Dao Foundation, his Sword Control Method is impressive. You could even call it extraordinary.’

’Give him some time, and if he masters the Divine Technique of Sword Light Division, he’ll be considered an expert among Early Stage Dao Foundation cultivators.’

BZZZT!

A thick bolt of lightning shot out from under the water, heading straight for Zhu Ju.

BANG!

A cloud of mist appeared around Zhu Ju’s body, blocking the lightning. The mist rippled, revealing a small banner.

The Dust Banner!

Shaking the Dust Banner, Zhu Ju entered a state of Human-Saber Unity and plunged into the water.

Not far in front of him, a white Thunder Heart Fish, about ten feet long, was spraying bolts of lightning from its wide-open mouth.

Thunder Heart!

It lived up to its name.

This fish’s heart was a crystal of thunder-attribute energy. As its heart beat, Thunder Power would gather.

When it opened its massive mouth, a bolt of plasma-like lightning shot out.

Its power was astounding.

If a Dao Foundation Cultivator wasn’t careful, they could be seriously injured by it.

However...

That was the extent of it.

Zhu Ju’s eyes narrowed. The Cross and Vertical Saber trembled slightly and sliced into the plasma like a hot knife through butter.

SWISH!

The saber light shattered the incoming plasma and continued on, undiminished, toward the Thunder Heart Fish King, whipping sharply around its head.

BANG!

The water’s surface exploded.

Zhu Ju leaped out of the water holding the corpse of the Thunder Heart Fish King, gesturing to the two Dao Foundation Cultivators above.

”I have fulfilled the task.”

”Fellow Daoist, your Artifact Control Method is quite impressive. I am truly in awe.” Dong Ping pursed her lips in a light smile, but then her expression changed dramatically.

”Look out!”

Guu Xinglan flicked his wrist even faster, sending a Magical Artifact stabbing toward Zhu Ju’s back.

BANG!

The water’s surface exploded again, and a Thunder Heart Fish, a full twenty feet long, shot out, wreathed in dense electric light.

Shockingly, there were two Fish Kings here!

This second one was even bigger, fiercer, and more cunning than the first, and the Thunder Power it controlled was stronger.

If that attack landed, even a Dao Foundation Cultivator...

Would die!

Zhu Ju spun around, but it was too late to dodge. A divine light flashed in his eyes, and an Invisible Power slashed down.

Soul-Stabilizing and Soul-Slaying Divine Light!

Before advancing to the Dao Foundation, he could kill a Six Acupoints Innate cultivator with a single glance. Now, the technique was even more powerful.

The Thunder Heart Fish King was also killed in a single blow.

THWACK!

The charging Thunder Heart Fish King’s body went stiff, and now devoid of conscious control, it fell rigidly back into the water.

Its belly turned white, all signs of life gone.

”Hm?”

”How could that be?”

Guu Xinglan and Dong Ping looked astonished. When they looked at Zhu Ju again, their eyes held a faint trace of fear.

A Divine Soul Secret Technique!

This type of Secret Technique, capable of ignoring most Defensive Spiritual Artifacts, posed a huge threat even to Dao Foundation Cultivators.

Even if it couldn’t inflict serious damage, a moment of daze was enough to decide a battle.

CLAP!

CLAP!

Dong Ping was the first to recover, clapping her hands lightly in praise.

”Fellow Daoist Zhu’s methods are truly impressive! I’m in awe, truly in awe!”

”You flatter me.” Sweat beaded on Zhu Ju’s forehead and his face was pale, giving him the exhausted appearance of someone who had overexerted himself.

”In the end, my Cultivation is too weak. I’ve already used up all my tricks. If another one came, I would have had to rely on you two.”

Saying this, he quickly collected the corpse of the second Thunder Heart Fish King from the water.

The two above exchanged a smile.

’That makes sense!’

’He did just advance, after all. His foundation is too shallow.’

”Fellow Daoist, you’re being too humble.” Guu Xinglan opened his Jade Fan and waved it gently.

”In another ten or twenty years, once your True Essence is more abundant and your Artifact Control Method has been cultivated into Sword Light Division, you will be a significant figure in the Commerce Association.”

”Let’s go!”

”We’re heading back.”

*

*

*

A giant island came into view.

The island was dozens of li long and over ten li wide at its narrowest point, floating silently on the water’s surface.

Zhu Ju’s expression was complicated. He pointed at the island and asked in a low voice,

”This... is the Yunjing Commerce Association’s merchant ship?”

”That’s right.”

Yann Ying nodded.

”Don’t doubt it. This island is enveloped by a Tier Three Array. Not only can it sail the seas, but it can also fly through the heavens at critical moments.”

”This is the power of a Tier Three Array!”

A Tier Three Array!

Zhu Ju’s eyes showed his shock.

He had thought the Yunjing Commerce Association’s merchant ship would be a particularly large vessel that sailed around to trade unique goods from various parts of the East Sea with local Cultivators, just like a Mortal traveling merchant.

He never imagined.

It was a giant island, one that even had a large city with six active Marketplaces.

”The Yunjing Commerce Association is a first-rate power, second only to top-tier powers like the East Sea Alliance and Qunxing Island,” Yann Ying said with a smile.

”Having such means is nothing special.”

”Actually, hundreds of years ago, when the Yunjing Commerce Association had a Golden Core Grandmaster, it was a top-tier power.”

”Come!”

”I’ll take you to your residence.”

As a Dao Foundation Guest Minister, Zhu Ju’s residence was arranged in a secluded spot on a mountain, near a cliff.

Stepping outside, he could gaze upon the vast sea.

A stream babbled through the two-courtyard residence. Two Spiritual Plants, several times the height of a person, cast their shade, and a few Immortal Cranes circled in the sky above.

”This is a set of High Grade Magical Robe. It’s inscribed with a Protective Spell and a Vajra Talisman, can repel water and fire, and cleans itself of dirt.”

”Oh!”

”It can also change its appearance.”

Zhu Ju took the Daoist Robe and tossed it onto his body, where it fitted itself to him automatically. Its Defensive Power wasn’t high, but it was extremely convenient.

”This is the lease for a shop in the Marketplace. The Yann Family has waived twenty years of rent for you, so you can do business.” Yann Ying handed over another item.

”I remember, Junior Brother, that you are skilled in Artifact Refining?”

”Yes,” Zhu Ju said.

”Currently, I can reliably refine High Grade Spiritual Artifacts. Setting aside special cases, I don’t have much confidence in refining Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts.”

”You’re being modest.” Yann Ying shook his head.

”Didn’t you refine that Cross and Vertical Saber yourself?”

”Well...” Zhu Ju gave a bitter smile.

”The Cross and Vertical Saber is rather special, and its successful creation was somewhat of a coincidence. I might not succeed if I tried to refine it again.”

This was the truth.

The materials were all provided by a Dao Foundation Cultivator from the Joyful Sect, and many of the rare ingredients are hard to find elsewhere.

Furthermore, he had no idea where to find a Celestial Fire Domain.

He truly had little confidence in refining a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

”Being able to refine High Grade Spiritual Artifacts already makes you a Tier One High Grade Refiner.” Yann Ying nodded and smiled.

”Even if you weren’t a Dao Foundation Cultivator, the Yann Family would welcome you all the same.”

”If the Yann Family needs you to refine an artifact, Junior Brother, I hope you won’t refuse. Of course... we will offer appropriate compensation.”

”Of course,” Zhu Ju said.

”I couldn’t ask for more than to have business come to my door.”

”Additionally...” Yann Ying’s expression turned solemn.

”The Yann Family can currently offer its Dao Foundation Guest Ministers three inheritances: the Primordial Yang Qi Technique, the Mixed Element Scripture, and the Cloud Thunder True Understanding.”

”Which one will you choose, Junior Brother?”

”What are the differences between the three?” Zhu Ju asked.

”In your opinion, Senior Brother, which one should I choose?”

”Of these three inheritances, the Primordial Yang Qi Technique is the most powerful, but it has no follow-up technique,” Yann Ying said.

”The Mixed Element Scripture is average in effect and progresses slowly, but its advantage is that you can switch to another technique at will.”

”The Cloud Thunder True Understanding connects to the core inheritance of the Yunjing Commerce Association. If you aspire to the Golden Core realm and are willing to stay with the Yunjing Commerce Association, this is the best choice.”

”If you return to the Bright Void Sect, Junior Brother, you can receive the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Evils inheritance. It would be best to choose the Mixed Element Scripture.”

Zhu Ju understood.

”Then I’ll choose the Mixed Element Scripture.”

”As long as you’ve thought it through, Junior Brother.” Yann Ying sighed, both regretting that Zhu Ju wouldn’t stay with the Commerce Association and envying that he would receive a Golden Core Inheritance upon his return.

”The Mixed Element Scripture is extremely slow to cultivate. It’s normal to practice for one or two hundred years and still not reach the Mid-Stage Dao Foundation.”

”It also has no special effects in Combat.”

”However, it can extend one’s lifespan. A normal Dao Foundation cultivator lives for about three hundred years, but practicing the Mixed Element Scripture can extend that to four hundred.”

An extension of several decades!

That effect was already quite good.

He accepted the Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll and made an oath never to spread it, and with that, the Mixed Element Scripture was in his hands.

......

After seeing Yann Ying off, Zhu Ju returned to his residence.

A group of handmaidens came forward to greet him.

”Master!”

”Master.”

Zhu Ju’s gaze paused on the pretty leading handmaiden, his eyes flashing slightly.

”Three Acupoints Innate?”

”Master’s Dharma Eye is sharp.” The handmaiden curtsied.

”My name is Yann Yunying, a woman from a side branch of the Yann Family. I have been ordered to serve you, Senior, and take care of this courtyard.”

”The Yann Family is truly generous,” Zhu Ju sighed softly.

”To have someone of Innate bloodline serve as a handmaiden.”

”Master.” Yann Yunying bit her lip, her pretty face blushing.

”It is getting late. Allow me to help you change and rest.”

She said this as she was about to step forward.

”Wait a moment.”

Zhu Ju looked at her with a half-smile.

”I have no intention of leaving behind any offspring here.”

”Senior.” Yann Yunying bit her lip gently and said in a low voice,

”I dare not hope for the grace of bearing your child. Simply being allowed to serve you is enough to satisfy me.”

Serving a Dao Foundation Cultivator was hardly a chore. If she weren’t still a virgin, the opportunity wouldn’t have even fallen to her.

After all, anything that slipped through his fingers would be more than enough for her to benefit endlessly. If she could conceive a child with his bloodline and tie him completely to the Yann Family’s ship, she would be handsomely rewarded by the family.

Even if none of that happened,

given Zhu Ju’s looks and bearing, Yann Yunying wouldn’t feel she was getting the short end of the stick. In fact, it was more like she was the one benefiting.

’My luck is pretty good. I got a newly advanced Dao Foundation Cultivator who’s also handsome. If I had run into one of those seventy- or eighty-year-old, psychologically twisted old Demons, my life would have been ruined.’

”There’s no need for you to serve me. I am not that delicate.” Zhu Ju looked up and spoke slowly.

”I have a shop in the Marketplace. Why don’t you go and manage it? I’ll give you a share of Spirit Stones every month.”

”As for your Cultivation Technique, you can also come ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand.”

Huh?

Yann Yunying’s face was filled with regret.

But on second thought, her family would give her benefits for coming here, and she would also receive Spirit Stones from Zhu Ju. Two sources of Spirit Stones would be more than enough to support her future Cultivation, not to mention the guidance from a Dao Foundation Cultivator.

She immediately gave a sweet smile.

”I will follow Master’s orders.”

Zhu Ju nodded.

He couldn’t keep a spy by his side. After all, it was about time he went to explore the third Otherworld.