Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

SPLASH...

Debris and mud splashed as the dying Zhai Qingfeng, wrapped in an Invisible Power, was slowly lifted from the bottom of the water.

"How is he?"

Pei Jingque's voice was laced with concern.

"The situation is dire." Zhu Ju shook his head, his expression grave.

"His Dantian was pierced by a Secret Spell, and his bones are shattered. Even if we can save his life, I'm afraid his Cultivation is ruined."

"His condition is much worse than Qianning's!"

After killing the two Fake Pill Cultivators, Yinn Bingtong and Ping Daochuan, the pair had followed their Sect Tokens to find Shui Qianning and Zhai Qingfeng.

Shui Qianning was fine, relatively speaking.

She was only seriously injured and unconscious, having fallen into a valley. After waking and some time to recuperate, she would be as good as new.

Zhai Qingfeng, on the other hand...

In fact, if the two of them hadn't arrived when they did, forcing Ping Daochuan—who had sensed their approach—to flee without confirming the kill, Zhai Qingfeng would never have been left with a final breath.

"Back to the Sect!"

Pei Jingque's expression was grim.

"We cannot let anything happen to Elder Zhai!"

"Agreed."

Zhu Ju nodded.

SCREEE!

A Vermilion Bird materialized from thin air, enveloped the four of them, and then transformed into a streak of fire, shooting toward the heavens.

The Fire Separation Escape Technique!

This Escape Technique was powered by the Vermilion Bird Heaven-Burning Flame, and its speed was astonishing.

Even if Zhu Ju went all out using his Wind and Thunder Blade Wings, his speed was no match for Pei Jingque's.

「A few days later.」

In the main hall of the Bright Void Sect.

Having awakened, Zhai Qingfeng was helped to a seat by Liuu Huang'er, panting from just the slight movement.

"Sect Leader, Brother Zhu."

His face was pale as he cupped his fists.

"Thank you for saving my life."

"We are of the same Sect; it was only right," Pei Jingque said, shaking her head with a complicated expression.

"Your body..."

"It's nothing," Zhai Qingfeng said with a carefree smile.

"Although I've lost my Cultivation, I've kept my life. To be able to live out my years in peace, surrounded by children and grandchildren—that's something I've always dreamed of."

"Senior Sister, Senior Brother," Liuu Huang'er said, her face also showing little sadness as she gave a faint smile.

"In this day and age, being a Dao Foundation Cultivator isn't necessarily much better than being an ordinary person."

"If I had the choice, I'd also be willing to be an ordinary person."

"It's all my fault." Tears welled in Shui Qianning's eyes.

"If it weren't for me, Elder Zhai wouldn't have ended up like this."

"You can't say that." Zhai Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively.

"It was a matter of fate. Plenty of our brethren have died at the hands of the Demon Dao over the years."

"I am already incredibly fortunate just to have survived!"

"Sigh..." Pei Jingque sighed.

"It's for the best that you can think that way."

"This time, Junior Brother Zhu and I killed Ping Daochuan. He was not only a Dao Foundation Cultivator of the Ping Family but also an Immortal Alliance Chief Steward. This will likely cause some trouble, so my Junior Brother and I have decided to enter seclusion for a while."

"Until we emerge, the Sect's Grand Array must not be deactivated."

Everyone's expression turned grave.

"Yes!"

"Rest assured, Sect Leader. We will guard the Sect with our lives!"

After giving their instructions, Pei Jingque and Zhu Ju walked into the rear hall.

Zhu Ju took out the storage pouch he had gotten from Ping Daochuan. With a gentle shake, a fist-sized object slowly floated out.

"An Inner Core!"

"An Inner Core from a Tier Three Demon Beast!"

His voice was filled with emotion, his expression complex.

"It's true what they say: it's nice and cool in the shade of a big tree. A Dao Foundation Cultivator like Ping Daochuan, who failed at Core Formation, would have been forced to give up on the path of cultivation and manage mundane affairs in any other Sect or Cultivation Clan."

"But in the Ping Family of Star-Picking Tower, he got a second chance at Core Formation, and even had a Tier Three Demon Pill to boost his Cultivation!"

The Tier Three Demon Pill before them had already had a good deal of its Pill Essence absorbed, but most of it still remained.

It was more than enough to advance his Cultivation to the Late-Stage Dao Foundation.

"Indeed."

Pei Jingque turned and sighed.

"To attempt Core Formation again, Ping Daochuan even colluded with the Demon Sect, using a Secret Technique from the Joyful Sect to seize another's life essence."

"He deserved to die, but our troubles are far from over."

She let out a long breath, her expression hardening.

"We will perform Refinement on this pill together. It should be enough for me to reach Dao Foundation Perfection and for you to reach the Late-Stage Dao Foundation."

"Senior Sister," Zhu Ju began.

"Even so, if that person from the Ping Family is determined to make trouble for the Bright Void Sect, I'm afraid we won't be able to withstand it."

The Ping Family has a Golden Core Grandmaster, after all.

Moreover,

he's Ping Daochuan's grandfather.

We don't even know for sure if it was just Ping Daochuan colluding with the Demon Sect, or the entire Ping Family.

If the Ping Family was colluding with the Demon Sect, then the Bright Void Sect is now undoubtedly a thorn in their side.

And with the Bright Void Sect's current strength, we would be utterly powerless against a Golden Core Grandmaster.

"I know."

Pei Jingque nodded.

"Even if I reach Dao Foundation Perfection and become a Fake Pill Cultivator, we still couldn't fight a Golden Core Grandmaster, even with the Sect Array."

"That's why I plan to..."

"...directly attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm!"

Huh?

Zhu Ju looked astonished.

Theoretically, one could advance to the Golden Core Realm after reaching Dao Foundation Perfection, but that was only in theory.

Advancing to the Golden Core was a monumental step; how could the success rate possibly be high when done in such a rush?

As for the Core Formation Spiritual Object...

...that wasn't a concern. Xi Chen had obtained three of them from the Void Secret Realm, including a pair with opposing attributes.

Looking at Pei Jingque's determined face, Zhu Ju wanted to stop her but couldn't find a reason to object.

...

Streaks of light shot over the mountain range, landing in a place where a forest fire had not yet died out, revealing several figures.

Two auras, belonging solely to Golden Core Grandmasters, emerged.

Ping Chengze, the old ancestor of the Star-Picking Tower's Ping Family.

Hong Kan of the Profound Clarity Sect.

"Senior."

"Greetings, Senior!"

...

The few people who had been waiting there all bowed to the newcomers.

"Cut the nonsense!" Ping Chengze said in a gruff voice.

"Who killed Daochuan?"

Ping Daochuan had been the Ping Family's most promising candidate to reach the Golden Core Realm in a century, the designated next Patriarch.

Although he had failed his previous attempt at forming a Golden Core, he had since stabilized his foundation and could try for Core Formation again.

His death was a devastating loss for the Ping Family, meaning an enormous investment of resources had gone to waste.

"Replying to Senior,"

Dong Yuelan took a step forward and cupped her fists.

"This junior, Fellow Daoist Xu, and the others arrived too late. We only sensed the aura of a Demoness from the Demonic Joyful Sect."

"If our suspicions are correct, the one who killed Fellow Daoist Ping was the Joyful Sect Demoness, Yinn Bingtong."

"Yinn Bingtong?" Hong Kan's eyes flickered.

"The Joyful Sect's Forget Love Lineage has few disciples, but any who achieve success possess extraordinary strength."

"This generation's Yinn Bingtong and Zhou Yuantong are known as the Forget Love Twin Sisters. They certainly have the power to kill Ping Daochuan."

Ping Daochuan was not just a cultivator from the Star-Picking Tower's Ping Family; he was also an Immortal Alliance Chief Steward, responsible for the Immortal Tax in an entire region.

With him dead, it was only natural for an Immortal Alliance Golden Core to step in and investigate.

"Besides those two, there are other auras here," Ping Chengze said, his expression unchanging. "Whose?"

"Replying to Senior," answered Xu Canglan, the Sect Leader of the Seeking Immortal Sect.

"They belong to a few Fellow Daoists from the Bright Void Sect."

"I have already communicated with Sect Leader Pei. She said the Joyful Sect Demoness was about to attack her disciple, Shui Qianning. Fortunately, Steward Ping intervened to help, allowing them to narrowly escape."

"The Bright Void Sect?" Spiritual Light flashed in Ping Chengze's eyes.

"Where are they?"

"They were seriously injured and have returned to their Sect to recuperate." Xu Canglan cupped his fists, his expression shifting as he sighed.

"The Joyful Sect Demoness's methods are formidable. According to Sect Leader Pei, Fellow Daoist Zhai and disciple Shui Qianning's fates are unknown. She and Fellow Daoist Zhu were also gravely injured and will likely need a long time to recover."

"Is that so?" Ping Chengze looked up.

"Then I must go and see for myself."

"Senior," Dong Yuelan said, gently shaking her head.

"The Bright Void Sect suffered heavy losses this time. Most of their Dao Foundation Cultivators have lost their combat strength, and they have already announced they are sealing the sect and will not be seeing visitors."

"If you wish to ask about the specifics, why not wait until Sect Leader Pei and the others have recovered from their injuries?"

"Hmph!" Ping Chengze snorted coldly.

"Who knows when they'll recover?"

"It could be as short as ten days to half a month, or as long as two or three months," Dong Yuelan said.

"Senior need not worry. The Demoness Yinn Bingtong is also dead. Fellow Daoist Ping has been avenged!"

"Oh?" Ping Chengze's expression remained unchanged.

"So, you're saying that everything on Daochuan and that Demoness is now in the hands of the people from the Bright Void Sect?"

"Well..." Dong Yuelan's eyes flickered.

"Theoretically, yes, that's correct."

"Since they have sealed their mountain, forcing a visit would be inappropriate," said Hong Kan, the Golden Core from the Profound Clarity Sect.

"Let's send a message to the Bright Void Sect, telling them to hand over Ping Daochuan's belongings. We can discuss the details of what happened later."

"Fellow Daoist Ping."

"What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Ping Chengze narrowed his eyes. He glanced sideways at Hong Kan's faint smile and, after a long moment, slowly nodded.

*

*

*

Bright Void Sect.

A Quiet Chamber.

A Tier Three Demon Pill floated silently in mid-air.

Zhu Ju and Pei Jingque sat with their palms pressed together, a Yin Yang Qi circulating between them as they devoured the Demon Pill's Essence.

A massive amount of Essence was devoured and underwent Refinement, transforming into pure Magical Power True Essence that increased their Cultivation.

Their two intertwined auras grew at a visible rate.

Haaa...

Pei Jingque slowly opened her beautiful eyes, a complex look shimmering within them.

"The Joyful Sect's Methods are truly the most suitable for dual cultivation. It seems my dear Junior Brother learned quite a bit about these things in Wind Moon Valley."

"Ahem..." Zhu Ju coughed lightly.

"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat."

"I was trapped in a perilous situation back then. Naturally, I learned whatever I could to strengthen my foundation."

"Junior Brother, I don't mean to blame you." Pei Jingque pursed her lips, her gaze shifting before she asked,

"If we get through this crisis, what are your plans, Junior Brother?"

"My plans?"

Zhu Ju reached out and caught the Demon Core, pondering for a moment before replying,

"To find an opportunity for Core Formation, of course."

"Is that so?" Pei Jingque murmured.

"If I succeed in this breakthrough, then all will be well. But if I fail, my death will be the only way to appease the Ping Family's wrath."

Zhu Ju frowned.

Pei Jingque's plan was clear.

If she succeeded in reaching the Golden Core Realm in one go, the Bright Void Sect would have its own Golden Core Cultivator and would no longer have to fear the Ping Family's retaliation.

If she failed...

At best, her Cultivation would regress; at worst, she would be left grievously injured and near death. At that point, facing the Ping Family's targeting—be it overt or covert—the Bright Void Sect would be unable to hold out. Only she, as the Sect Leader of Bright Void Sect, could offer her own life to appease their fury.

"Senior Sister."

Zhu Ju began, his voice low.

"Heaven never closes all doors. Even if you don't succeed in forming your Golden Core, nothing will happen to you."

"When you come out of seclusion..."

He took a deep breath and said solemnly,

"...we will get married!"

Pei Jingque's eyes lit up, and ripples of emotion appeared in her once-tranquil gaze.

"Alright!"

"When I come out of seclusion, we will get married!"

...

「One month later.」

Zhu Ju slowly opened his eyes.

The once-plump Demon Core was now shriveled, its internal Essence completely devoured.

Pei Jingque had already reached Dao Foundation Perfection half a month ago and had taken two Core Formation Spiritual Objects with her into seclusion.

As for Zhu Ju,

his Cultivation had now reached the Late-Stage Dao Foundation.

With a flick of his finger,

SWOOSH!

the Ten Directions Cross Sword materialized out of thin air.

'Late-Stage Dao Foundation and Mid-Stage Dao Foundation may seem to differ by only a minor realm, but the gap in Magical Power is like that between a child and a grown man.'

'Now when I use Sword Qi Thunder Sound, I finally don't have to conserve Magical Power like I used to.'

He shook his head slightly.

'Before, my Sword Control was powerful but difficult to maneuver with precision. Now, it's much easier.'

Zhu Ju was confident.

At this very moment, he could fight a Fake Pill Cultivator to a standstill using only his Sword Control Technique, without needing any other tricks.

In fact,

he would likely have the upper hand!

However...

his expression was complex, tinged with regret.

'Advancing to the Late-Stage Dao Foundation increased my Divine Soul Power, but it's still not enough to connect to the Fifth Spirit.'

If he could connect to the Fifth Spirit, Zhu Ju's Physical Body would grow even stronger, becoming comparable to an Outer Body Incarnation.

Moreover,

his Mutated Left Hand would also advance, likely gaining the power of a High Grade Magical Treasure.

Body Refining Fifth Realm, a High Grade Magical Treasure, Sword Qi Thunder Sound...

With these abilities combined, perhaps he could even hold his own against a Golden Core Cultivator for a time and resolve the Bright Void Sect's crisis.

"Martial Uncle!"

Shui Qianning's voice rang out.

"The Array has detected the aura of a Golden Core Grandmaster passing nearby."