Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

「Two months later.」

「Divine Capital.」

「Forbidden Area of the Imperial Palace.」

Dressed in black stealth gear, Li Ningxue slipped past the Hidden Guards and appeared silently beside a pool.

Like a Spirit Fish, she leaped into the water without making a single splash and dove toward a hidden underwater channel.

CLICK...

After she touched an unknown stone, the wall below suddenly split open, revealing a pitch-black passage.

Li Ningxue quickly darted into the passage. The stone wall closed behind her, and the surrounding water quietly receded.

Continuing along the passage, she soon arrived at a secret chamber.

Ouyang Chengxuan, the Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect who had long since vanished from the Martial World, was sitting cross-legged in the center of the chamber.

”Sect Leader!”

Li Ningxue knelt on one knee, bowing her head.

”Baiyun Temple is the same as ever. Daoist Ziju has not returned.”

”Mmm...” Ouyang Chengxuan slowly opened his eyes, a trace of relief flashing through their bloodshot depths.

”It seems he was injured as well and has gone into seclusion somewhere. I suppose my defeat wasn’t too humiliating after all.”

Li Ningxue said nothing.

’It might not be the case,’ she thought. ’After all, Zhu Ju has always had a habit of disappearing from time to time over the years.’

’His absence doesn’t necessarily mean he was injured by Ouyang Chengxuan.’

But of course, she didn’t dare say this aloud.

”I never expected this.”

Ouyang Chengxuan sighed softly.

”That I would one day end up in such a sorry state. For a moment, it feels as if I’ve gone back several decades.”

”Back then, I was still a Saint Heir of the Celestial Intent Sect, competing with the other Saint Heirs and Saintesses for the position of Sect Leader. I was framed and hunted by the people from Fuhu Hall, and I was on the run for nearly a month before I finally escaped with my life.”

”What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Li Ningxue said hurriedly.

”Back then, Sect Leader, you were surrounded and attacked. After escaping, your strength grew immensely. You successfully defeated the other Saint Heirs and Saintesses to become the Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect, and within a few years, you single-handedly annihilated Fuhu Hall, which had dominated the Martial World for a century.”

”This time will surely be the same!”

”Hah...” Ouyang Chengxuan let out a soft laugh, his expression complex as he shook his head.

”Though I am unwilling to accept it, I have no choice but to admire Daoist Ziju’s methods. When it comes to strength...”

”I am truly no match for him!”

Huh?

Li Ningxue’s head snapped up, her face filled with astonishment.

She had never heard the Sect Leader admit weakness. In her eyes, he had always been invincible.

’To think...’

”Is that Daoist Ziju really so formidable?”

Even when speaking of the old monster deep within the Imperial Palace or Xuan Chengzi of the Celestial Intent Sect, Ouyang Chengxuan had always been respectful, but he had never admitted to being inferior.

”Yes.”

Ouyang Chengxuan nodded, his eyes dark.

”And that’s precisely what’s so abnormal. The Martial Arts Path is vast and profound; resources, companions, techniques, and location are all indispensable.”

”Even if he obtained some incredible inheritance, it’s impossible for someone to reach such a Realm by cultivating alone in seclusion. Moreover... I have never seen many of the techniques Daoist Ziju used. He must be hiding a very deep secret.”

”Sect Leader.” Li Ningxue thought for a moment before asking.

”What do we do now?”

”Hmph!” Ouyang Chengxuan’s expression was strange.

”Although I am no match for him, this life-and-death battle has given me new insights into the Celestial Intent Technique. Perhaps I can take that final step and enter the legendary Realm.”

’The legendary Realm?’

Li Ningxue’s heart trembled.

’A Land Immortal!’

”I must enter seclusion.”

Ouyang Chengxuan took a deep breath and said in a low voice,

”This period of seclusion could last five or six years at the shortest, or as long as ten to twenty. The Celestial Intent Sect needs someone to lead it.”

”And you are currently the best candidate.”

THUMP!

THUMP!

...

Li Ningxue’s heart raced, her face flushed red, and a fervent light appeared in her eyes.

”Master, can I?”

”If I say you can, then you can.” Ouyang Chengxuan’s expression turned serious as he barked,

”Circulate your Heart Method! I will pass the Celestial Intent Technique on to you!”

”Yes!” Li Ningxue’s spirits soared. She quickly sat cross-legged on the spot and began circulating the secret Heart Method of the Celestial Intent Sect.

This Heart Method was a prerequisite for the Celestial Intent Technique.

All Saint Heirs and Saintesses cultivate it, so that when one of them succeeds as the Sect Leader, they can naturally transition to cultivating the Celestial Intent Technique.

The Cultivation Technique began to circulate.

Her skin slowly began to turn red, gradually becoming transparent, like a statue carved from Blood Jade.

At a certain moment.

PFFT!

A finger pierced the center of Li Ningxue’s brow, plunging deep into her brain.

”Sect Leader!”

Li Ningxue’s eyes flew open, filled with horror. Then, her consciousness plunged into endless darkness.

”Hmph!”

Ouyang Chengxuan snorted coldly, his face like ice.

”Did you really think I didn’t know? You’ve long been that Daoist Ziju’s Puppet. I would give the position of Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect to anyone but you.”

THUD!

With a wave of his hand,

the corpse, now a desiccated husk, fell heavily to the ground.

”Was that necessary?”

Just then, a soft, gentle voice came from behind, and a beautiful woman in palace attire walked out slowly.

The newcomer was none other than the former Seventh Princess, the current Duke.

Qii Wanyan!

She was dressed in luxurious palace robes, her long skirt embroidered with pearls and precious gems trailing on the floor. She frowned at the corpse on the ground.

”Ningxue served me well and was quite useful. Even if you didn’t like her, there was no need to kill her.”

”You don’t understand.”

Ouyang Chengxuan shook his head.

”Every generation, the Celestial Intent Sect establishes the positions of Saint Heir and Saintess, but only one can inherit the seat of Sect Leader. Do you know what happens to the others?”

Hmm?

Qii Wanyan raised an eyebrow.

”They die!”

Ouyang Chengxuan retracted his finger, his face devoid of expression. A crimson drop of blood, strangely bizarre, appeared on his fingertip.

”The Cultivation Technique they practice allows them to nurture a single Blood Tempering Pearl within their bodies. Once extracted, it can allow someone practicing the same technique to undergo a complete Washing of Marrow and Sinews, a total rebirth. Only then can one meet the conditions to cultivate the Celestial Intent Technique.”

”Is that so?” Qii Wanyan’s eyes showed surprise.

”The Celestial Intent Sect...”

”...is truly worthy of being called a Demon Sect!”

”It’s not like that.” Ouyang Chengxuan shook his head.

”The Celestial Intent Technique is simply too unique. Even someone with extraordinary Talent would find it difficult to even reach the Entry Level of its Cultivation.”

”This is the only Method that can build the necessary foundation.”

”Furthermore, the Refinement of a Blood Tempering Pearl can also cause one’s Cultivation to soar. That is why every Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect has been a top expert in the Martial World, without exception.”

”Duke!”

”Are you willing to become the Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect?”

”...” Qii Wanyan’s beautiful eyes twinkled.

”The Celestial Intent Sect was founded by the royal family of the previous dynasty for the sole purpose of overthrowing Daqi. I, however, am a woman of the Daqi Royal Family. Senior, are you truly willing to place the Celestial Intent Sect in my hands?”

”Heh...” Ouyang Chengxuan chuckled lowly.

”Several hundred years have passed. The obsessions of our ancestors may not apply to people today. Besides, although your surname is Qii, you will marry one day. Your children and grandchildren may not share that name. Wouldn’t that be equivalent to the fall of Daqi in a way?”

”I promised the one in the Imperial Palace that I would live a life of solitude and never marry.” Qii Wanyan shook her head.

”I’m afraid I cannot fulfill your wish.”

”Besides, I am only the Duke, not the Emperor. There is no precedent in Daqi for a woman to become emperor.”

”If there’s no precedent, we can be the exception.” Ouyang Chengxuan took an exquisite Jade Bottle from his robes, placed the Blood Tempering Pearl he had extracted from Li Ningxue inside, and it made a clear, tinkling sound.

It was obvious.

There was more than one Blood Tempering Pearl in the Jade Bottle.

Qii Wanyan stared at the Jade Bottle, her breathing growing ragged. Her beautiful eyes darted back and forth before she finally knelt slowly to the ground.

”Disciple Qii Wanyan pays her respects to Master!”

”Haha...” Ouyang Chengxuan laughed heartily.

”Good!”

”Come closer, and your master will pass on the Celestial Intent Technique to you!”

*

*

*

「Several days later.」

In the underground chamber.

Qii Wanyan had changed into plain clothes and was sitting cross-legged on a cushion. A mist-like Qi rose All Over the Body, making her look like an immortal ascending.

The aura around her also began to change gradually.

From the imposing noble air she started with, it transformed into an ethereal, immortal-like presence, as if she were a magnificent treasure favored by heaven and earth.

WHOOSH...

She opened her eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid Qi. The breath shot out like a sword for over a hundred feet, carving a moderately deep hole into the hard rock wall.

”Excellent!”

Ouyang Chengxuan stood nearby with his hands behind his back, clapping lightly.

”You have finally reached the Entry Level of the Celestial Intent Technique. With your foundation, it won’t be long before you can step into the Vajra Martial Saint Realm.”

”Given time, achieving the Sumeru Realm will not be difficult!”

”Thank you, Master.” Qii Wanyan stood up, bowed to Ouyang Chengxuan, and said with a captivating smile,

”In that case, I’ll have to trouble Master to be on his way!”

”Hmm?” Ouyang Chengxuan froze.

”What do you mean?”

Before he could finish his sentence, his expression changed drastically. He had sensed a familiar aura in the chamber.

”Daoist Ziju!”

”Correct.”

At some unknown point, a figure had appeared in the corner. It was Zhu Ju, holding his Duster.

He stood atop The Investiture of the Gods and gave a light wave of his long sleeve.

”This poor Daoist will see you on your way, Benefactor.”

Inverted Five Elements Array!

A Tier Two Low Grade Array.

A thick fog silently appeared, clouding the senses, as countless Golden Sabers, Fierce Flames, and Earth Dragons surged forth.

When he had hunted Ouyang Chengxuan before, he hadn’t used The Investiture of the Gods.

BOOM!

A moment later.

The smoke and mist cleared.

Zhu Ju retrieved The Investiture of the Gods, and Ouyang Chengxuan was gone.

”Master’s Divine Techniques are boundless. The Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect was nothing more than a buffoon.” Qii Wanyan smiled captivatingly.

”Congratulations, Master. For killing Ouyang Chengxuan single-handedly, the title of the world’s greatest expert is well-deserved.”

Two months ago, when Ouyang Chengxuan, the Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect, was hunted by Zhu Ju and fled for more than half a month, the world already began to regard Zhu Ju as the greatest expert alive.

After all, that was the Sect Leader of the Celestial Intent Sect!

Even the top experts from both the Buddhist and Daoist sects would only dare claim they could defeat him; none would dare to hunt him down so brazenly.

However, since he hadn’t actually killed him, his reputation as the world’s number one wasn’t firmly established.

Only Qii Wanyan knew that it wasn’t that Zhu Ju couldn’t kill Ouyang Chengxuan, but that he had shown mercy.

He was after the Celestial Intent Sect’s Celestial Intent Technique.

And just as expected!

The heavily injured Ouyang Chengxuan fled back to the Divine Capital, chose Qii Wanyan as the next Sect Leader, and passed down the Celestial Intent Technique.

Now, Zhu Ju had made his move, effortlessly killing a Sumeru Martial Saint.

Qii Wanyan lowered her head, hiding the fear in her eyes.

’The strength of this ’Master’ of mine far exceeds my imagination. He killed a Sumeru expert so easily.’

’In that case, even if I ascend to the throne, won’t it be difficult to keep him in check?’

’Doesn’t that mean I’ll be just like the Saintess Li Ningxue, a mere Puppet in someone else’s hands?’

”This poor Daoist has no interest in worldly power.” As if sensing her thoughts, Zhu Ju spoke slowly,

”Once I have the Cultivation Technique I seek, I will naturally take my leave.”

He held out his hand.

”The Celestial Intent Technique.”

”Yes.”

Qii Wanyan complied, handing over a copy of the Celestial Intent Technique she had prepared in advance. She said,

”Master, according to Ouyang Chengxuan, unless one is a member of a certain, extremely special group of people, even a once-in-a-century Martial Arts prodigy cannot succeed in cultivating the Celestial Intent Technique.”

”I know.” Zhu Ju unrolled the silk scroll. His eyes swept over it, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

”It’s real!”

The Celestial Intent Technique directly points to the Celestial Impact (Celestial Wisdom) Spirit. It is the only Method in the Human Immortal Martial Arts that targets the Celestial Impact Spirit.

It was well worth all the scheming it took to obtain.

”There’s also the Celestial Essence Skill and the Pure Yang Qi Technique.”

”The Ghost Tower Master was Ouyang Chengxuan. Now that Ouyang Chengxuan is dead, the Ghost Tower has also fallen apart. Consider my promise to you fulfilled.”

”As for Prime Minister Zhang...” Zhu Ju began.

”He was assassinated the day before yesterday. That has also been taken care of for you.”

The day before yesterday, on his way back to his residence from the Imperial Palace, Prime Minister Zhang was attacked by an assassin at the Divine Treasure Martial Saint Realm.

He was killed on the spot.

The incident threw the Imperial Court into chaos, and the turmoil has yet to subside.

”Master’s methods are incredible. Your disciple is thoroughly impressed.” Qii Wanyan was genuinely convinced.

”Those two Cultivation Techniques will be delivered to Baiyun Temple tomorrow.”

Prime Minister Zhang died at the hands of Shen Ming, the Soul Chasing Life-Taking Sword.

And Zhu Ju had promised Shen Ming he would spare his life, so long as he went into hiding and never returned to the Martial World.

Thus, aside from the Tathagata Heart Spell, which points to the Spiritual Wisdom Spirit, Zhu Ju had now obtained all the Cultivation Techniques that connected to the Seven Spirits.

As for the Tathagata Heart Spell,

he already had a lead on it.

”Master.”

Qii Wanyan said in a low voice,

”The Third Prince has amassed his own army and is throwing the world into turmoil. Could I ask you to...”

”Don’t you already have a way to deal with him?” Zhu Ju glanced at her.

”This poor Daoist is a man beyond the mortal world. It is not proper for me to be tainted by Cause and Effect.”

”Farewell!”