Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

To think the Drunken Daoist was actually dead. He had died in the crusade led by the great families of the Yunjing Commerce Association against the Yann Family.

And he had just gotten married a few days ago...

His jubilant expression was still vivid in my mind.

One could only say that fate had a cruel sense of humor.

The fact that the Drunken Daoist, a direct descendant of the Yann Family and a Dao Foundation Cultivator, had been killed showed that the Yann Family’s situation was dire.

It was uncertain if they could even hold on to their ancestral home.

If the Yann Family were to collapse completely, Zhu Ju feared he would be implicated. He had to find a way to leave Yunjing Island.

「The next day.」

Chen Tong paid him a visit.

”Fellow Daoist Zhu, the Yunjing Commerce Association is in chaos. To ensure our safety, the fellow Daoists nearby are preparing to form a mutual defense pact.”

He extended an invitation:

”You should consider joining us, Fellow Daoist.”

Most of the people living in this area were Guest Ministers for the Yann Family.

Zhu Ju was one, as were Yu Lou and Chen Tong. Huu Lishu, as the Drunken Daoist’s cultivation partner, was even more deeply tied to them.

However, it was clear none of them intended to die for the Yann Family. They just wanted to ensure they weren’t caught in the crossfire.

The small alliance meeting was held at Chen Tong’s estate.

There were over a dozen Dao Foundation Cultivators in total. Besides Chen Tong and Yu Lou, there was also a Mid-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator named Yuann Mo.

There were also their own juniors, descendants, and affiliated Innate Qi Refiners. All together, they filled the entire courtyard.

”Everyone!”

As the initiator of the alliance and the one with the deepest Cultivation, Chen Tong naturally took the main seat.

He cupped his fists and began to speak:

”The times are turbulent, and people are unsettled.”

”You are all aware of the situation with the Yunjing Commerce Association. We don’t want to look for trouble, but we can’t be afraid of it either.”

”Today!”

”We gather here to form an alliance! Within this alliance, all fellow Daoists are brothers and sisters. If one family is in trouble, all others will come to their aid. We will work together to overcome this crisis. Does anyone have any objections?”

Hearing this, the crowd shook their heads repeatedly.

”None!”

”We’ll follow Brother Chen’s arrangements!”

”That’s right!”

”...”

”Brother Chen,” someone spoke up.

”We don’t have an issue with this.”

”But Fellow Daoist Huu is the Drunken Daoist’s partner. That makes her part of the Yann Family. What if the other families demand we hand her over on that basis?”

Huu Lishu’s face turned pale.

Upon hearing this, everyone subconsciously turned to look at her.

”Yann Family my ass!” Yu Lou cursed.

”The Drunken Daoist died right after they became partners! We don’t even know if they consummated the marriage. How can they be considered family?”

”AHEM!” Chen Tong coughed lightly and said slowly:

”Fellow Daoist Yu’s words are crude, but not without reason. Fellow Daoist Huu only just arrived on Yunjing Island and has had almost no contact with the Yann Family, let alone any interaction with the other families. It would be unreasonable for her to be implicated because of this.”

”Since we’ve formed an alliance, we must advance and retreat as one. How could we hand someone over just because others demand it?”

”Indeed,” Yuann Mo nodded.

”The alliance has just been formed. We must stand united as one.”

”If we abandon Fellow Daoist Huu now, does that mean we should abandon other fellow Daoists when the next problem arises?”

”If so, what’s the point of forming an alliance at all?”

Upon hearing this, Huu Lishu’s face filled with gratitude, and she thanked them repeatedly.

”That’s right.” Yu Lou clapped his hands.

”That’s how it is!”

”We have over a dozen Dao Foundation Cultivators here. On Yunjing Island, besides a handful of families, who is there to fear?”

”Who knows...”

His eyes flickered as he said:

”We could use this opportunity to make our alliance bigger and stronger, to establish a foundation for ourselves on this island!”

As his words fell, many people’s hearts were stirred.

Indeed. Chaotic times create heroes.

In times of peace, it would have been difficult for them to shine, but now they had a chance to rise to prominence.

Yuann Mo subconsciously glanced at Chen Tong, who looked back with a smile. Clearly, they were both thinking the same thing.

If they could win over the dozen or so Dao Foundation Cultivators present, they would have a certain amount of say on this island in the future.

Yunjing Island...

It was far more prosperous and wealthy than the backwater places they came from.

If they could establish a firm foothold, forget reaching the Late-Stage Dao Foundation—they might even have a chance at Core Formation one day.

The only thing was, who would be the Association Leader?

”Um...”

A man slowly raised his hand:

”Does anyone know the current situation on the island?”

”The Fang Family and the Sunx Family are leading other families in a siege against the Yann Family,” Chen Tong said, snapping back to the present.

”The fighting at the Yann Family’s ancestral home is brutal, and chaos has erupted elsewhere. The Yann Family’s situation is not looking good at the moment, but it’s not certain they will be defeated.”

”Brother Chen,” a Female Cultivator in red robes said.

”Will the Yann Family make some concessions to the other families in exchange for peace talks?”

”It’s possible,” Chen Tong nodded.

”But definitely not now. Besides, as long as one side has a decisive advantage, they won’t sit down for talks.”

”I went to the edge yesterday to have a look. Yunjing Island has stopped moving, and the Tier Three Array is fully activated,” someone sighed.

”It’s impossible to leave the island now.”

”Not everywhere is in chaos, though,” Yuann Mo interjected.

”The rules in the Marketplace managed by the Fang Family on the back mountain are still in effect. It’s just that prices for everything have gone up. It’s safe inside the Marketplace, but not necessarily once you leave. If anyone plans on going, it’s best to invite a few fellow Daoists to go with you, just in case.”

”Exactly!”

”...”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, talking about the current situation on the island.

”Everyone.”

Zhu Ju spoke up:

”Has the murderer who killed several Dao Foundation Cultivators been caught?”

Hm?

The courtyard fell silent.

”That’s right!”

Chen Tong stroked his chin, a look of sudden realization in his eyes:

”Fellow Daoist Zhu brings up a good point. Everyone says the Yann Family Patriarch did it, but after all this time, there’s been no conclusive evidence, and the Patriarch’s whereabouts are unknown.”

”And...”

”It seems another fellow Daoist was killed yesterday. If it was the same person, it means the murderer is still at large.”

”What kind of situation is this?” someone asked with a bitter laugh.

”The murderer hasn’t been brought to justice, but the island has already descended into chaos. Are we just supposed to let the killer continue their rampage?”

Everyone started complaining.

It was just that each family only cared about its own interests, using the murders as a pretext to attack the Yann Family without any real intention of catching the culprit.

”Sister Huu.”

Time passed, and as the sky began to darken, Yu Lou turned his head and spoke:

”It’s getting late. Let’s go back and rest.”

”Watch your words, Fellow Daoist.” Huu Lishu’s expression changed.

”I already gave you the Spirit Wine yesterday. Brother Lai has only just passed. Why must you bully a wretched soul like me, Fellow Daoist?”

”Ah!” Yu Lou waved his hand dismissively.

”What are you talking about, Sister Huu?”

”I’m worried you’re in danger. Besides, there’s still a jar of that Spirit Wine left. Why don’t we go back and finish it today?”

”Fellow Daoist Yu.” Panic filled Huu Lishu’s eyes, and she subconsciously took a step back.

”This isn’t what we agreed on yesterday.”

”Sister,” Yu Lou said with a lecherous grin, leaning closer.

”What are you afraid of?”

”It’s not like I’m going to eat you. We knew each other before, and now that we’re on this island with no family, we should be even closer.”

”Fellow Daoist Yu,” Zhu Ju frowned.

”If she is unwilling, why force her?”

Hm?

Yu Lou’s eyes widened.

Before, Yunjing Island had rules, and he didn’t dare be too outrageous. But now that chaos reigned, why would he care what others thought?

He might be shameless, but he was a genuine Mid-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator.

”That’s right.”

Yuann Mo spoke up:

”Fellow Daoist Huu is likely in low spirits lately. We shouldn’t bother her too much. Fellow Daoist Yu, you should restrain yourself.”

”...” Yu Lou’s expression shifted, then he grinned and scratched his head.

”I was just joking. Why is everyone so serious?”

”Haha...”

”Just a joke!”

*

*

*

KNOCK KNOCK...

The sound of knocking echoed.

”Fellow Daoist Huu.”

Opening the courtyard gate, he saw Huu Lishu standing there in white mourning clothes, carrying a jar of wine.

”Fellow Daoist, thank you for speaking up for me today.”

Huu Lishu sighed and offered him the wine jar in her hands.

”This is the latest wine brewed by Brother Lai. It’s called Thousand-Day Intoxication. Consuming it has the benefit of enhancing one’s Cultivation. I hope you will accept it.”

”You’re too kind, Fellow Daoist.” Zhu Ju thought for a moment, then reached out and took it.

”My Cultivation is indeed too low, and I urgently need to improve it. How many Spirit Stones for this wine? I’ll consider it a purchase.”

”No!” Huu Lishu waved her hands frantically.

”How could I ask for Spirit Stones?”

”Brewing wine was Brother Lai’s hobby. Whenever he had a new batch, he would invite his friends to taste it. Now that he’s gone, it’s the same for me to do it on his behalf.”

”That Yu Lou, this is the kind of wine he wants.”

”The wine?” Zhu Ju asked.

”Just the wine?”

”Of course not,” Huu Lishu blushed.

”The wine will eventually run out, but the recipe can be the foundation of one’s livelihood. And... the estate Brother Lai left me is quite nice, too.”

The implication was clear.

Yu Lou coveted more than just a jar of wine; he wanted the entire inheritance left behind by the Drunken Daoist.

The recipe, the estate, and...

The woman!

”Well, well!”

Just then, Yu Lou’s shrill voice rang out:

”So that’s why you wouldn’t let me in for a drink today! You’ve found yourself a pretty boy, have you, Sister Huu...”

”You really are insatiable!”

”You!” Huu Lishu’s face turned pale. She shot him a glare, then flicked her sleeves and returned to her own courtyard.

”Fellow Daoist Huu is just shy.” Yu Lou grinned, gave Zhu Ju a deep look, and turned back to his own courtyard.

Zhu Ju rubbed the wine jar, lost in thought.

...

A gulp of Satori Wine refreshed the mind and cleared the consciousness.

A sip of Thousand-Day Intoxication brought on drowsiness and a sense of tipsiness.

「A few days later.」

”GULP...”

Zhu Ju put down the Thousand-Day Intoxication, took a few more sips of Satori Wine, and only stopped his movements after completing his daily Cultivation.

”Fellow Daoist Zhu.”

A voice called out from outside the courtyard.

”Fellow Daoist Yuann.”

Zhu Ju rose and opened the courtyard gate:

”A rare guest! Please, come in!”

”The aroma of wine fills the air,” Yuann Mo said, raising an eyebrow.

”You’re truly living a carefree life, Fellow Daoist.”

”You jest. I’m just idle, drinking to pass the time,” Zhu Ju said, fetching a wine bowl and pouring some for his guest.

”Have a taste, Fellow Daoist. This is the Thousand-Day Intoxication brewed by the Drunken Daoist himself. It’s considered a holy grail among wines.”

”The Drunken Daoist’s wine is legendary on this island. It seems I came at the right time today.” Yuann Mo’s eyes lit up as he lifted the cup and took a sip.

”Excellent wine!”

Putting down the wine cup, his expression turned serious as he spoke:

”Fellow Daoist Zhu.”

”What is your opinion of the alliance?”

”It is excellent,” Zhu Ju nodded.

”The situation on the island is deteriorating. Only by uniting with other fellow Daoists can we ensure our own safety. It’s a good thing for everyone involved.”

”Yes,” Yuann Mo nodded.

”Then in your opinion, who should be chosen for the position of Association Leader?”

Hm?

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.

The alliance was formed by Chen Tong, whose Cultivation and strength were the highest among them. Theoretically, he should be the Association Leader.

But Yuann Mo was clearly not content with that.

”While Yu Lou’s Cultivation is not bad, he is a man of low character—greedy and lecherous. I have never liked him.”

Yuann Mo continued:

”I believe you feel the same way, Fellow Daoist.”

”Fellow Daoist Chen is very close to Yu Lou and is too indulgent with him. I feel this is not a good thing.”

”Mm,” Zhu Ju nodded slowly.

”Before coming here, I paid a visit to Fellow Daoist Huu. She promised to cast her vote for me in the election for Association Leader,” Yuann Mo said.

”I hope that you will support me as well, Fellow Daoist Zhu!”

As things stood, Chen Tong naturally had the advantage for the position of Association Leader, but Yuann Mo was not without a chance.

Yu Lou,

was his opportunity.

Many people disliked Yu Lou—Zhu Ju and Huu Lishu were prime examples. By seizing on this point, he could gain the support of quite a few people.

”Hm?”

Just as Zhu Ju was about to speak, both men looked up at the same time, their faces showing surprise:

”Something’s happened!”