Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

A black hover car was parked by the side of the road. Thanks to its superior suspension, it could travel swiftly and smoothly through a complex network of roads, and its passengers wouldn’t feel the slightest bump.

HISS...

The car door slid open.

Qian Lan, dressed in a gorgeous gown, stepped out of the car and slipped her arm through Zhu Ju’s.

"A little over a hundred years ago, the Qian Family was nothing special. But by getting in with Celestial Sound Entertainment, they became one of the city’s most prominent families in just a few short decades."

"The Yinying Theater, the Yeying Hall..."

"The Qian Family has a stake in pretty much any business you could call high-end entertainment."

Funeng City has only two truly top-tier families.

The Wang Family and the Xie Family.

With a Martial Saint in their ranks and a lineage of special Secret Techniques, these two families have stood for a millennium.

Below them are families like the Hex Family of the Celestial Wealth Commerce Association, the research-focused Lin Family, and the Qian Family with their entertainment empire.

These families also possess considerable wealth and influence.

However, since none of them have ever produced a Martial Saint, they can’t be considered truly top-tier, no matter how much money they amass.

This is a post-apocalyptic society, after all.

Might makes right.

"Mr. Zhu?"

"Councillor Cao!"

Zhu Ju smiled and shook the hand of the man who had hurried over to greet him.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Not at all, not at all." Cao Youche bowed repeatedly, gesturing inside with his hand.

"This way, Mr. Zhu."

A nearby guard held out his hand, and an invisible force field expanded like a sheet of frosted glass, blocking the paparazzi on the street from taking photos.

"I heard that you’ve taken over Boss Jiao’s businesses, Mr. Zhu. As the councillor of this district, I should have paid you a visit immediately."

Cao Youche began.

"After all..."

"Thousands of people in Licheng District depended on Boss Jiao for their livelihood."

Zhu Ju gave a faint smile.

Boss Jiao had numerous enterprises to his name. Thousands worked for him, and his influence spread even wider.

His every move could affect tens of thousands of families and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Of course.

Now, all of that belonged to Zhu Ju.

"Of Funeng City’s nine major districts, Licheng District is the poorest. It’s thanks to great entrepreneurs like you, Mr. Zhu, that the common folk have a chance to make a living."

Cao Youche’s expression was solemn.

"I came from the slums of Licheng District myself, so I know how hard life is for the people here. I hope you and I can work together to protect and improve the district, Mr. Zhu."

"Entrepreneur?" Zhu Ju chuckled, not about to take such empty pleasantries to heart.

"You think too highly of me, Councillor Cao."

"But it’s the truth," Cao Youche said.

"Everyone has their own way of getting by. As long as people can survive, you, Mr. Zhu, are the great benefactor of Licheng District."

"There’s no need for such flattery." Zhu Ju waved a dismissive hand.

"The reason Licheng District is so chaotic is because of all the fighting and killing. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I decided to bring it all under unified control. That should be a good thing for maintaining order in the city, shouldn’t it?"

"So why are you so determined to stop me, Councillor Cao?"

’Bullshit!’

Everyone knew that the Safe City had a dark side—an Underworld.

The major families and corporations left it alone, partly because there wasn’t much money in it, and partly because it was a lot of trouble.

But some aspects of it were indispensable, which was why councillors turned a blind eye to men like Boss Jiao.

Turning a blind eye didn’t mean they weren’t watching, however.

In fact, figures like Jackal Wolf, the Doctor, and Baldy all had corporate backing; the corporations simply didn’t interfere openly.

They didn’t mind—in fact, they preferred it—when several factions in the Underworld kept each other in check.

But someone capable of suppressing all those factions and uniting the Underworld? That was something they would never allow.

"Hee-yah!"

THUMP!

On stage, men and women in sci-fi-esque costumes were bouncing and leaping about, shouting nonstop.

To Zhu Ju, a man from the Cultivation Realm, this thing called a "play" was utterly foreign, yet full of novelty.

But as for actually *appreciating* it...

He couldn’t see the appeal. He casually asked,

"What play is this?"

"Saga of the Galactic Heroes."

Cao Youche took a deep breath and explained,

"It’s a story that came from another Safe City seven years ago. It became immensely popular the moment it was released. There have been movies and games, and now it’s been adapted for the stage."

"You’re truly well-informed, Councillor Cao." Zhu Ju gave a slight bow with his hands clasped.

"I’m impressed."

"I just did a little research," Cao Youche said with a forced smile.

Though he came from the slums, his life had been complex, and he was a man of vast knowledge. He was also a meticulous planner. Before arriving, he had naturally researched the play and studied its background material.

He’d assumed Zhu Ju had invited him because he was interested in the story and wanted to find some common ground for conversation.

Now it was clear the other man had no such intention.

"Licheng District has been too chaotic recently."

Composing himself, Cao Youche said in a low voice,

"People are dying every day. Local shopkeepers are afraid to even open their doors, terrified of attracting trouble."

"This can’t go on."

"When is there ever a day in Licheng District that someone *doesn’t* die?" Zhu Ju shook his head.

"Don’t worry. It’ll all settle down soon."

"Mr. Zhu." Cao Youche’s brow furrowed.

"Yesterday, that ’Mad Tiger’ from the Wang Family came to the council hall. He was asking about you."

"Oh?" Zhu Ju slowly sat up straighter.

"Are you threatening me?"

The Wang Family’s Mad Tiger.

A Martial Saint of Funeng City!

The man was eccentric, bloodthirsty, cruel, and vicious, yet he was also the Guardian of Funeng City.

He commanded both respect and terror.

If he decided Zhu Ju was a threat to the safety of Funeng City, he would undoubtedly make a move.

A major reason Boss Jiao never dared to leave his own territory was his fear of this Mad Tiger.

And now...

It seemed he had set his sights on Zhu Ju.

"No."

Cao Youche waved his hands hastily.

"When a man of your caliber appears in the city, it’s bound to arouse curiosity. It’s only normal for people to ask about you."

"Mr. Zhu..."

He lowered his voice.

"Boss Jiao may have been one of the Underworld leaders, but he didn’t actually carry that much weight. After all, Jackal Wolf and the other two were just his partners, not his subordinates."

"But you!"

"You not only took over their territories and businesses, but you’re also going after the other bosses. You’ve made everyone feel unsafe. Right now, there’s no shortage of people who dislike you or want you dead."

"Why not stop here? Your current territory is already sizable. You’ll earn more by managing it well than by fighting and killing all day."

"Hmm..." Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes.

"That does make some sense."

Cao Youche’s face lit up at his words.

"This is a pretty good play," Zhu Ju said, suddenly changing the subject.

"Councillor Cao, do you think technology would have enabled interstellar travel if it weren’t for the Great Catastrophe?"

"Well..." Councillor Cao hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Probably not. Due to energy limitations, our Flying Artifacts can’t yet travel on a light-year scale, and our spatial teleportation technology is still incomplete. A Martial Saint, however, might have a chance."

The energy of a Martial Saint’s Physical Body is virtually limitless. They also possess Secret Techniques to manipulate various forces. Combined with their vastly longer lifespans, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to use existing technology for short-range interstellar voyages.

"The world is changing, and technology is advancing with it."

Councillor Cao continued,

"The Great Catastrophe turned our planet into an isolated island, placing all sorts of restrictions on our original technology. But it also led us to discover Source Energy Technology. From that, we created Source Energy Martial Skills, which allow us to fight back against the Exotic Beasts and... Evil Gods that came after the Great Catastrophe."

Zhu Ju stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Change!

The path forward!

...

"Mmph!"

A sultry moan came from the stage.

The play reached its climax as the lead actor’s and actress’s costumes tore open and they fell into an embrace.

The other men and women on stage also found partners, unleashing their passions.

"Why must they express romantic feelings so directly?"

Zhu Ju shook his head.

"Would it really detract from the art if they kept their clothes on?"

"Artistic expression must be bold," said Councillor Cao.

"If your mind is pure, you won’t be bothered by it."

"..." Zhu Ju shrugged.

"Few people truly understand art. I doubt even many of the actors on stage grasp the play’s deeper meaning. But everyone understands this kind of blunt, direct expression."

His Divine Soul Power was so immense that he could even perceive glimpses of the thoughts of everyone present.

So he knew very well.

The spectators lost in the artistry were few and far between.

The vast majority were just watching the steamy scenes, while a small minority, like Cao Youche, weren’t paying attention at all.

’Hm?’

A strange presence entered his perception.

Zhu Ju’s brow twitched. Before he could react, a thumb-sized bullet abruptly appeared before his eyes.

The golden bullet was cone-shaped, its surface dotted with countless tiny holes, and a strange gem was embedded in its tip.

A Curvature Armor-Piercing Bullet!

Time seemed to freeze.

The Armor-Piercing Bullet, which emanated a terrifying aura, was reflected in Zhu Ju’s eyes, the warhead appearing with unprecedented clarity.

"Look out!"

Beside him, Councillor Cao’s eyes went wide and his mouth opened, but the sound of his voice hadn’t even reached them yet.

Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered.

He saw a transparent shield of light materialize around Cao Youche.

The Legislator Shield!

A product of the Federation.

Every councillor possessed a Trait Medal that concealed a Micro Mecha within.

The Mecha had its own Protective Force Field that automatically activated when it detected danger, capable of briefly resisting an attack at the Martial Saint Level.

Myriad Phenomena Celestial Attraction!

Zhu Ju’s eyes shifted again.

In that instant, an Invisible Power surged from his body, twisting space and unleashing a giant force that pressed down on the approaching bullet.

In the next instant.

BANG!

The moment Zhu Ju’s power made contact with the bullet, the Curvature Armor-Piercing Bullet detonated.

The violent force instantly shattered the void several meters around them.

At the same time.

Billions of viral particles formed a cloud of smoke that lunged at Zhu Ju’s face like a living creature.

His Myriad Phenomena Celestial Attraction had already been shattered, and the explosion of the Armor-Piercing Bullet prevented him from dodging in time.

’Hm?’

His heart leaped, and a searing pain spread across his face as his Skin and Flesh and even his skull began to rapidly dissolve.

His Physical Body, comparable to that of a Mid-Stage Golden Core Cultivator, was almost useless against the viral particles.

However...

Zhu Ju’s remaining right eye narrowed, and a sharp Sword Intent erupted from every cell in his body.

FZZT!

With only half of his face left, his body swayed, and all the viral particles that had landed on him were annihilated.

"Mr. Zhu!"

Beside him, Cao Youche’s face was a mask of horror. His hand was still outstretched, not yet having had time to retract it, but everything was already over.

The area around Zhu Ju was in chaos. Only half of his head remained, and the clothes on his upper body were in tatters.

He twisted his neck and slowly stood up. His ghastly white jawbone clacked open and shut, and the flesh of his face regenerated at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Councillor Cao was right. It seems plenty of people want me dead. But as for actually killing me..."

A cold sneer spread across Zhu Ju’s newly-formed features.

"It’s not that easy!"

WHOOSH!

With a push of his foot, he vanished. The next instant, he reappeared inside an apartment.

In front of the apartment window, a unique sniper rifle was propped up on a table. The assassin, however, was long gone.