Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

Just because the interrogation revealed no issues didn’t mean he was in the clear. Zhu Ju’s movements were still restricted, and the Circulation Envoy could summon him for further questioning at any moment should anything arise.

Fortunately, Zhu Ju didn’t mind.

’The materials needed for the Golden Saber Fierce Flame Illusion Array are almost all collected. It’s time to refine them into The Investiture of the Gods.’

This process would take a few months at least.

The Investiture of the Gods had been indispensable in killing Kou Wen this time.

If not for using The Investiture of the Gods to trap Kou Wen, let alone killing the man, Zhu Ju himself might not have survived.

’The Magic Altar from the Magic World was too restricted in the Main World. If he could replace it with the Golden Saber Fierce Flame Illusion Array...’

’He probably wouldn’t even need any other tricks. Just by activating the Array Power, he would’ve had a chance to kill Kou Wen.’

No!

’Perhaps not.’

Zhu Ju gently shook his head.

’Even though Yann Nanshuang had improved the Golden Saber Fierce Flame Illusion Array, it was still just a Tier One Array. It was more than enough to trap and kill an Early Stage Dao Foundation cultivator, but it was a bit too weak for someone like Kou Wen, who had a vast arsenal of techniques and formidable strength.’

’If it were a Tier Two Array...’

”I’m overthinking it.”

With a calm smile, Zhu Ju reined in his thoughts.

「Half a month later.」

Yann Nanshuang came to visit.

”Brother Zhu.”

”Miss Yann.”

The two exchanged greetings and sat down. The atmosphere was somber.

”My second grand-uncle is dead.” Yann Nanshuang took a deep breath, her voice slow.

”Yann Xi’s life flame hasn’t been extinguished, but it’s extremely weak, and his fate is uncertain. The family suspects he was captured by the Tribulation Cultivators. If so, I can’t imagine what kind of torture he’s enduring.”

”My condolences.” Zhu Ju could only offer,

”What’s done is done. There’s nothing anyone can do.”

”Mmm...” Yann Nanshuang looked contemplative and asked,

”I heard that Brother Zhu relied on a Secret Technique to escape the pursuit of the Tribulation Cultivators. I wonder if you would be willing to show me.”

”Of course.” Zhu Ju nodded. He activated the Four Symbols Star Ban, and the aura around his body vanished instantly. Even the fluctuations of his Divine Thought disappeared completely.

”What a powerful Secret Technique!”

Yann NSnuang’s eyes flickered as she said,

”Brother Zhu, would you be willing to sell this Secret Technique to me? I... the Yann Family is willing to pay a high price for it.”

”My Cultivation path has been smooth since birth; I’ve never personally experienced a truly perilous battle. This encounter with the Tribulation Cultivators was my first brush with death. I don’t want anyone else in the Yann Family to suffer the same. If we had your Secret Technique, Brother Zhu, future generations would have a better chance of survival when facing danger.”

”I understand how you feel, Miss Yann, but unfortunately...” Zhu Ju shook his head regretfully.

”This Secret Technique is called the ’Four Symbols Star Ban.’ It can only be cultivated by someone with a specific, special constitution. It would be useless to anyone else.”

”A special constitution?” Yann Nanshuang froze for a moment, then a bitter smile appeared on her face.

”So that’s how it is!”

”No wonder you were able to reach the Dao Foundation at such a young age without the support and resources of a Sect, Brother Zhu. It turns out you possess some kind of Dao Body.”

”...” Zhu Ju was speechless.

’She’s not wrong, I suppose.’

’It’s just that this Dao Body isn’t complete. I only gained these special traits because of a certain woman.’

”Miss Yann.”

Zhu Ju asked curiously,

”How did you manage to escape back then?”

At the time, you had the slowest reaction of the group. You were surrounded by the Tribulation Cultivators while everyone else scattered.

Theoretically.

You should have been the least likely one to escape.

”I once happened to acquire a Void Escape Spirit Talisman. I only managed to escape with its help.” Yann Nanshuang sighed softly.

”If only my second grand-uncle had the talisman, it would have been so much better. A Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator is far more important than I am.”

”You can’t say that. It was the will of heaven,” Zhu Ju said.

”Besides, Miss Yann, you are still young and have astonishing Talent for arrays. With time, your accomplishments will be limitless.”

’As things stand...’

’Yann Nanshuang is certainly less important to the Yann Family than Yann Huachang right now, but that might not be the case in a hundred years.’

”Hmph!” Yann Nanshuang’s eyes narrowed.

”When my Cultivation is strong enough, I will definitely avenge my second grand-uncle!”

”By the way.”

Her tone shifted as she said,

”I came here today for another reason. There’s something I’d like to ask for your help with, Brother Zhu.”

”Oh?” Zhu Ju asked.

”What is it?”

”Jiupin Residence in the Marketplace is run by you, isn’t it, Brother Zhu?” Yann Nanshuang took an item out and placed it on the table.

”This is called a Void Bone. It’s the skull of an Exotic Beast and a necessary component for refining a certain material.”

”I’d like you to list it for sale in the Dark Workshop under the name of Jiupin Residence, Brother Zhu. Someone will come to buy it for a high price. No matter what price that person offers, you must sell it to them. As a reward, you can keep whatever they pay.”

Hmm?

’A strange request.’

”If that person needs this item, why don’t you give it to them yourself, Miss Yann?” Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered.

”Is it inconvenient?”

”It is a bit inconvenient.” Yann Nanshuang’s expression didn’t change.

”My relationship with that person is... unusual. Even if I gave it to him, he wouldn’t accept it. So I must trouble you with this, Brother Zhu.”

With that, she stood up to leave, leaving no room for refusal.

Zhu Ju watched Yann Nanshuang’s retreating figure until she disappeared from view, then his gaze returned and he fell into deep thought.

’It seems this woman has matured a lot after the disaster. Her thoughts have become darker, and she’s more wary of me now.’

’A Void Bone?’

’This is good stuff!’

...

The Demons in the Magic World were endless. With such a vast treasure trove, he couldn’t just let it sit there.

Jiupin Residence.

Besides selling the Magical Artifacts that Zhu Ju refined, it also sold the flesh and bones of various Demon Beasts, and had even gained quite a reputation in the Marketplace.

The Dark Workshop.

It was the counterpart to the public Marketplace.

Many shady goods were sold here. Only after changing hands several times would they flow into the main Marketplace.

”A Void Bone?”

A person wearing a menacing mask stopped in front of Jiupin Residence. Their gaze paused on the crystalline white bone as they asked,

”How much?”

”Two hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones, or an item of equivalent value.” Zhu Ju said, his face expressionless.

”Are you buying, Fellow Daoist?”

”...” The other person’s voice was tinged with indignation.

”A Void Bone may be rare, but without a specific use, it’s not even as valuable as a Tier Two Demon Bone.”

”Aren’t you asking for way too much?”

”Heh...” Zhu Ju chuckled lightly.

”You said it yourself, Fellow Daoist, this item has a special use. In that case, how can it be compared to common goods?”

”Jiupin Residence has a rule: no bargaining.”

”Take it or leave it. If you’re not buying, please make way for the next customer.”

”You...” The person’s voice caught. They seemed to have never encountered such an unconventional seller. After a pause, they took out an item.

”Take a look. Can this be traded for the Void Bone?”

”This is...” Zhu Ju took it, his expression changing slightly.

”A damaged Array Plate?”

”Correct.” The person nodded.

”A Tier One High Grade Array Plate for the Fire Separation Array. It’s only slightly damaged; it wouldn’t be hard for an Array Master to repair it. Although it’s a relatively common Five Elements Array, for a Cultivation Clan without a Dao Foundation expert, it could serve as the foundation of their legacy.”

”A good item!” Zhu Ju’s voice was filled with admiration.

”We can trade.”

”Are you an Array Master, Fellow Daoist? I have a few deals that require the participation of an Array Master. I wonder if you’d be interested?”

”Not interested!” The visitor flicked their sleeve, put away the Void Bone, and strode off.

”Heh...” Zhu Ju chuckled.

’To be able to casually produce a Tier One High Grade Array Plate... there weren’t many on the entire Yunjing Island with such means. Besides, although the person had concealed their aura, they hadn’t completely fooled him.’

’Master Tang?’

’But as a Guest Minister of the Yann Family, what couldn’t he get?’

’Why would Yann Nanshuang take such a roundabout way to get the item into his hands?’

’Ah, whatever.’

’It has nothing to do with me.’

’The array I got, on the other hand, is a pleasant surprise. With this, in a short time, I can inscribe two parts of the Inverted Five Elements Array. It could barely be considered a Tier Two Array then.’

*

*

*

「Otherworld.」

「Divine Capital.」

Since the rebellion of the Dukes was suppressed, only three Marquises with heavy troops and immense power remain.

Marquis Jinghai of the Wang Family, Marquis Zhenyuan of the Zhao Family, and the Marquis of the West of the Tuoba Family.

All three families have a Hostage in the Capital City.

Among them, the Zhao Family’s Hostage, Zhao’an, is still young. Furthermore, repeated assassination attempts have damaged his foundation, leaving him with only a Fifth-Grade Cultivation.

Wang Yutang of the Wang Family is a First-Grade Grandmaster.

Tuoba Ji of the Tuoba Family is currently a Second-Grade Grandmaster, but it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a First-Grade Grandmaster.

「Night.」

Wang Yutang slipped past the guards and went to the Marquis Mansion’s garden, where he found a secluded spot to practice his saber forms.

Marquis Jinghai made his name fighting in the sea regions, battling countless Water Thieves and Fish Demons. His Wave-Treading Dragon Slayer Saber technique was considered one of the best in the world.

When Wang Yutang wielded this Saber Technique, it naturally lacked the ghost-and-god-startling power of his father, but it was still extraordinary.

The light from his saber danced, forming an impenetrable defense. His figure was a blur within the flashing steel, and from time to time he would unleash a furious slash of Sword Qi more than ten meters long.

Hard granite, merely grazed by the wind from his blade, crumbled into fine dust.

CLAP!

CLAP!

Just as he was engrossed in his practice, the crisp sound of clapping rang out.

Wang Yutang’s expression remained unchanged. He achieved Human-Saber Unity and slashed toward the source of the sound. The hum of his blade was like a dragon’s roar.

CLANG...

A hand as translucent as jade appeared out of thin air, stopping the long saber and silently suppressing the incoming Sword Momentum.

”Senior.”

Far from being alarmed, Wang Yutang was delighted. He sheathed his saber and smiled.

”You’ve returned.”

”Mm.”

Dressed in a black robe and disguised as a mysterious figure, Zhu Ju nodded slowly.

”It’s been a while. Your Saber Technique has improved greatly, but your Sword Intent is blocked. What’s troubling you?”

Several years ago, he had made a grand appearance before Wang Yutang and offered him guidance on his Saber Technique.

In the eyes of this Crown Prince, Zhu Ju was a reclusive and eccentric senior who guided his Saber Technique because of some old connection to the Wang Family.

Of course.

In reality, Zhu Ju wasn’t targeting just him. He had contacted several young experts in the Divine Capital who showed the potential to advance to the Martial Saint realm, using the opportunity to collect Secret Techniques for opening the Divine Treasure.

”Yes.” Wang Yutang nodded, his expression complicated.

”Your Dharma Eye misses nothing, Senior. Recently, His Majesty has been seeking a husband for the Seventh Princess, Qii Wanyan. I want to try.”

”Qii Wanyan?” Zhu Ju chuckled lowly.

”A beauty like jade—it’s only natural for a young man to be smitten. However, I’ve heard that this Seventh Princess keeps many male companions in her mansion and is as debauched as her father. You don’t mind that?”

”Those are just rumors and slander spread by ignorant people.” Wang Yutang’s face darkened.

”The Seventh Princess carries herself with dignity and self-respect; I have seen it with my own eyes. She has male guests in her mansion because she doesn’t get hung up on trivial matters, which is the way of a heroine of the Martial World. Senior, you shouldn’t be prejudiced by rumors.”

”Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Perhaps it’s true, or perhaps someone is intentionally slandering her. But what does it matter?” Zhu Ju smiled and continued to ask,

”But the Emperor dotes on the Seventh Princess so much. Would he really be willing to let her leave the capital and return with you to your North Sea fiefdom?”

”He would.” Wang Yutang said.

”This time, His Majesty said it himself. He wants the Seventh Princess to marry into a Marquis’ Mansion, to one day support her husband and raise a family.”

”Heh...” Zhu Ju shook his head.

”A Prince Consort has never been allowed to hold political power, which is why an Emperor would never marry a Princess to the son of a Marquis, and a Marquis would never let his Crown Prince marry a Princess. Yet this time is an exception. Do you know why?”

”Hm?” Wang Yutang frowned.

”What’s the reason?”

”It’s better that you don’t know. You just need to know that the Seventh Princess will absolutely never leave the Divine Capital,” Zhu Ju said.

”Unless you can give up your status as Crown Prince, you will never marry her.”

”So what if I give it up?” Wang Yutang’s brow twitched.

”I’ll write to my father right now. He can give the Marquis’s position to my older brother. All I want is the Seventh Princess.”

”Tsk, tsk...” Zhu Ju clicked his tongue.

”What a romantic, choosing beauty over power. Though in my opinion, the Seventh Princess, Qii Wanyan, is not a good match.”

”But...”

”I wish you good luck.”

”How have things been in the Capital City recently?”

”Things?” Wang Yutang frowned, thought for a moment, and said,

”Because the drought hasn’t broken in years, there are more and more refugees. The rebellion has already spread across several provinces, and even the Capital Region has been greatly affected. I heard the Crown Prince recently requested a decree to lead troops to suppress the rebellion.”