Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

”Have a seat.”

”Serve the tea.”

The person in charge of questioning Zhu Ju was, surprisingly, an acquaintance.

Dong Ping!

She and Guu Xinglan had been the ones to oversee Zhu Ju’s induction assessment, but they had slowly lost contact afterward.

Besides Dong Ping, that Circulation Envoy Yuan was also present.

”Fellow Daoist Zhu, it’s been a while.”

Dong Ping smiled charmingly.

”It’s a shame you’re always out. I thought of visiting several times, but you were never there.”

’So...’

’What do you do when you’re always out?’

Dong Ping’s eyes were filled with inquiry.

”The East Sea is vast, with too many places to visit. It always makes one linger,” Zhu Ju began slowly.

”When I achieved my Dao Foundation, I thought I could go anywhere in the world. Now, I see that was careless of me.”

”Rest assured, you two.”

”From now on, I will not go out so casually. After all, I must preserve my life so I can return to my Sect.”

In just over a month, Yunjing Island would stop and moor for a while. That would be enough time for him to find a way to open the Divine Treasure, after which he wouldn’t need to frequent the Otherworld anymore.

Dong Ping and Circulation Envoy Yuan exchanged a glance, their expressions quietly relaxing.

’Not a big problem!’

Zhu Ju was different from the others. He was going to leave the Yunjing Commerce Association sooner or later, so he naturally wouldn’t be given any important responsibilities. The Tribulation Cultivators probably wouldn’t waste their efforts on him either.

Besides, many Dao Foundation Cultivators came and went from the Commerce Association; Zhu Ju was just one of them. If it weren’t for the recent troubles, he wouldn’t have been investigated.

The key was... his Cultivation and strength were too poor.

After all, it had only been a few years since he advanced to the Dao Foundation Realm, and he was practicing the Mixed Element Scripture, which wasn’t suited for Combat.

Although Dong Ping knew he possessed a decent Sword Control Technique, in the eyes of others, Zhu Ju’s strength was definitely at the bottom among Dao Foundation Cultivators.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a slightly stronger Nine Acupoints Innate cultivator.

”The seas aren’t very safe these days. It seems some Tribulation Cultivators are deliberately targeting our Yunjing Commerce Association. Staying on the island is your best bet, Fellow Daoist.”

Dong Ping nodded, then changed the subject. ”Have you seen Brother Guu recently, Fellow Daoist Zhu?”

”Fellow Daoist Guu Xinglan?” Zhu Ju shook his head.

”I haven’t seen him in a while. What happened to him?”

”Liuyunzi and Brother Guu have become good friends. They went treasure hunting together a while back and gained quite a lot,” Dong Ping said, rubbing her smooth chin.

”Brother Guu...”

”...feels like a completely different person lately.”

Zhu Ju agreed with this sentiment. It was precisely because he had noticed the change in Guu Xinglan that he had gradually distanced himself from him.

However,

’Guu Xinglan is good friends with Liuyunzi?’

’When did that happen?’

AHEM!

Just then, someone walked to the door and cleared their throat to get their attention.

”Miss Yann Nanshuang is here to see Fellow Daoist Zhu Ju. If you two are done, you should let the man go.”

”Understood.” Dong Ping stood up and cast an astonished glance at Zhu Ju.

”Brother Zhu, you certainly have some pull. We just invited you for a chat, and Miss Yann herself came to get you out.”

”Hee hee...”

She smiled sweetly.

”If you ask me, why bother going to the Ten Thousand Mountains? You’d be better off staying with Miss Yann at the Yunjing Commerce Association. If you were willing to change your surname, you might even have a shot at the Golden Core Path someday.”

”You’re joking, Fellow Daoist.” Zhu Ju rose to his feet.

”Farewell.”

Outside the Circulation Envoy’s office, a beautiful woman was waiting. They looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without a word.

...

The Yunjing, formed from a Tier Three Grand Array, towed the giant island forward across the calm sea.

Above Yunjing Island, mist billowed and white vapor swirled. Hidden within the thick clouds was a magnificent structure with bricks of gold, tiles of glazed glass, and walls of white jade. Its opulent splendor exuded an otherworldly, transcendent air.

”This is the heart of the Commerce Association, and also the core of the Array.”

Yann Nanshuang pointed.

”We call it the Cloud Tower.”

”The Cloud Tower?” Zhu Ju’s eyes filled with amazement.

”To think such a grand hall is hidden in the clouds high above. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.”

”It’s truly incredible!”

The Divine Capital One Hundred and Eight Workshops in the Otherworld was said to house nearly ten million people. The daily excrement alone could form mountains, a testament to its imposing scale.

But compared to the Cultivation World, it seemed so mundane.

A giant island roaming the East Sea, a palace hidden in the clouds, Cultivators who could fly through the sky and burrow into the earth—the two worlds were entirely different in style.

”Indeed,” Yann Nanshuang nodded.

”The first time I saw it, I was dumbstruck too. You’re handling it much better than I did, Brother Zhu.”

”Come!”

She strode forward, leading Zhu Ju to a side hall.

”I usually inscribe Array Maps and study Arrays here. Your ideas have given me a lot of inspiration, Brother Zhu.”

”Take a look at my improved Illusion Array.”

SWOOSH!

With a subtle move from Yann Nanshuang, the place where they stood suddenly transformed into a grassy meadow.

If one sniffed lightly, they could even smell the fresh scent of soil.

It was almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

”It can even distort the senses of a Dao Foundation Cultivator. This Array must be Tier Two, right?”

Zhu Ju’s voice was full of emotion.

”Miss Yann, are you a Tier Two Low Grade Array Master now?”

”That’s right.” Yann Nanshuang nodded.

”It’s all thanks to you, Brother Zhu. Otherwise, who knows how long it would have taken me to advance in my study of Arrays. Master Tang has been avoiding me more and more lately.”

SIGH!

She sighed softly.

”We don’t share the same surname, after all.”

The Master Tang she mentioned was a Guest Minister of the Yann Family and the only Tier Two High Grade Array Master in the Yunjing Commerce Association.

He was even a promising candidate to become a Tier Three Array Master.

Yann Nanshuang had studied under him in her early years, and almost all of her foundational knowledge of Arrays came from this Master Tang. But as her understanding of Arrays deepened and she revealed her astonishing Talent for them, she found it increasingly difficult to learn anything new from him.

In the path of Arrays, it was difficult to achieve much by relying on books alone; guidance from a master was best.

Although the Yann Family had Array Masters in every generation, there was no guarantee that each generation would produce a Tier Two High Grade Array Master.

Yann Nanshuang had the Talent.

Unfortunately, he was unwilling to teach her much.

Conversely, it was a chance conversation with Zhu Ju, benefiting from certain knowledge from the Magic World, that had given Yann Nanshuang a sudden breakthrough in the path of Illusion Arrays.

This was why she valued Zhu Ju so highly, not only personally getting him out of trouble but also bringing him to the Cloud Tower.

It was all because Zhu Ju’s insights into Illusion Techniques could very well help Yann Nanshuang take another step forward on her path of Arrays.

This wasn’t just important for her, but for the entire Yann Family.

”It might not be right for me to say this, but the Yann Family spared no effort in nurturing Master Tang back in the day.”

Yann Nanshuang’s voice was laced with dissatisfaction.

”Master Tang has achieved great things, yet he’s hiding his knowledge.”

The Yann Family currently had two other Tier Two Middle Grade Array Masters, but they were of little help to her anymore. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel a little resentful.

”Forget it!”

”Brother Zhu, take a look. Are there any flaws in my Array?”

”The smell is wrong.” Zhu Ju bent down, touched the grass at his feet, and shook his head.

”The smell of grass and soil isn’t like this; it should be fresher, more alive. Did you use Cyan Rattan Silk for the Array Hub, Miss Yann?”

”Yes,” Yann Nanshuang nodded.

”Cyan Rattan Silk can emit a scent that confuses the senses, and this scent is somewhat similar to soil.”

”Your perception is very sharp, Brother Zhu.”

”I think it should be a swamp,” Zhu Ju said, holding his chin thoughtfully.

”The smell of a swamp—decaying and rotten—is more suitable, and it would be easier to set traps.”

”Excellent!” Yann Nanshuang’s eyes lit up.

”I can incorporate an Earth Sinking Array. I knew bringing you here would help me, and I was right.”

”Brother Zhu, try controlling the Array. It will be clearer that way.”

”Alright.” Zhu Ju agreed, taking the Array Plate she handed him. As his True Essence flowed into it, an extremely complex Array appeared in his perception.

A Tier Two Array!

HMPH!

He let out a muffled grunt, sweat beading on his forehead. He hastily stopped pouring in his True Essence and shook his head with a wry smile.

”My Cultivation is just too poor. For me now, controlling a Tier Two Array is too taxing.”

”My apologies.” Yann Nanshuang looked apologetic and quickly took back the Array Plate.

”I forgot you only advanced to the Dao Foundation Realm a few years ago, Brother Zhu. It’s normal for your True Essence to be insufficient.”

”Even I have to use Spirit Stones to power the Array.”

Zhu Ju gave a bitter smile.

Early Stage Dao Foundation...

With his level of Cultivation, he could only be considered at the very bottom, and the Method he practiced was not good at accumulating True Essence.

These past few years, he had been regularly taking Elixirs to aid his Cultivation, but alas...

...increasing one’s Cultivation was not the work of a single day.

No wonder many Dao Foundation Cultivators were still in the Early Stage Dao Foundation after living for over three hundred years. The growth of one’s Cultivation was truly too slow.

”Come.”

Yann Nanshuang gestured with her hand.

”The Golden Saber Flame Array is over here. Give it a try, Brother Zhu.”

Zhu Ju’s eyes brightened.

His purpose for this trip was twofold: first, to correct Yann Nanshuang’s mistakes and offer some suggestions, and second, to experience this Golden Saber Flame Array.

Incorporating the Golden Saber Flame Array into The Investiture of the Gods was no easy task. If he could experiment with it here, it would be much easier later on.

BZZZT...

As True Essence flowed in and Spirit Stones twinkled, the Golden Saber Flame Array activated.

”Brother Zhu, you were born with strong Divine Soul Power. Why don’t you like Illusion Techniques?” Yann Nanshuang asked curiously as he experimented.

”If you were to learn Illusion Arrays, you would surely progress at lightning speed.”

”Illusion Arrays aren’t good for killing enemies,” Zhu Ju said while trying to control the Golden Saber Flame Array.

”Perhaps it’s because I find Illusion Techniques easy that I dislike Illusion Arrays. I feel like they’re full of flaws and lack killing power.”

”Do you like Illusion Arrays, Miss Yann?”

”Yes,” Yann Nanshuang nodded.

”Even for a Cultivator, some things are impossible, but with an Illusion Array, one’s desires can come true.”

”Moreover...”

”I can no longer learn anything new from others. Illusion Arrays can help me reach the next level.”

Zhu Ju understood.

Personally controlling the Golden Saber Flame Array and just visualizing its Array Map were two completely different experiences. He gradually became engrossed in it.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Zhu Ju finally stopped what he was doing, closed his eyes, and compared what he had learned with the Array in his mind. He felt he had gained a great deal.

’Once I’ve gathered the materials, I can give it a try.’

When he turned around, he saw Yann Nanshuang talking quietly with a young man about something, likely related to Arrays.

”Miss Yann.”

Zhu Ju announced his departure.

”Take care, Brother Zhu.” Yann Nanshuang didn’t try to keep him, only saying:

”Don’t forget about that Magical Artifact. We’ll need it next year.”

”I definitely won’t be late.” Zhu Ju cupped his hands.

”Farewell.”

*

*

*

Divine Capital.

The matter of Geng Wenyong was officially concluded: it was a relapse of a serious illness, and treatment was not administered in time. The officials of the Celestial Prison were heavily punished for this.

But this was clearly not enough to quell the dissatisfaction in people’s hearts.

For a time, many righteously indignant scholars and students gathered in the Capital City, and all sorts of official memorials appeared on Emperor Chong’an’s desk.

They demanded severe punishment for the corrupt, an end to birthday tribute convoys, appeasement of the refugee rebels, and more...

Hundreds of students even staged a sit-in before the gates of the Imperial City, intending to follow Geng Wenyong’s example and prove their conviction with death, serving as a warning to His Majesty.

Alas, a handful of students were supported only by the indignation in their hearts, but in the end, actions still depended on strength.

With a single decree, dozens of officials were thrown into prison.

Hundreds of students were stripped of their opportunity to take the imperial examinations, dooming them to never hold official posts in their lifetimes.

Emperor Chong’an’s fury enveloped the entire Divine Capital.

The Unscrupulous People conducted a strict investigation of the capital. Anyone found to be forming secret societies, regardless of who they were, was thrown into prison.

For a time, even the theaters and taverns grew sparse with customers, as everyone feared being arrested by government officials under the pretext of forming a secret society.

An assassination attempt half a month later brought the situation to a boiling point.

At a banquet originally meant to honor the city’s centenarian paragons, an assassin had hidden among the guests to strike at Emperor Chong’an.

The assassin possessed the cultivation of a Peak of First-Grade Grandmaster, and his method for concealing his aura was so incredible that not even a Divine Treasure Martial Saint detected anything amiss, allowing him to get within ten paces of Emperor Chong’an.

A desperate, life-for-life strike that burned away his own lifespan struck fear even into the hearts of Martial Saints.

If not for the Seventh Princess Qii Wanyan sacrificing her life to save him, blocking the incoming blade with her own body, Emperor Chong’an would likely have been assassinated.

Emperor Chong’an was enraged.

On the spot, he executed dozens of Imperial Guards for their failure to protect him, and even Prime Minister Zhang was reprimanded and punished.

Immediately after, an investigation that swept through the entire Divine Capital was launched.

The Martial World factions and Martial Arts Masters hidden in every corner of the Divine Capital were rooted out by the Unscrupulous People.

During this period, several clashes between Divine Treasure Martial Saints erupted.

The head of the Unscrupulous Marshals, the most mysterious Chenn Dragon, killed a Divine Treasure Martial Saint with a single palm strike, revealing his Vajra Realm cultivation and shocking the world.

The Divine Capital,

descended into chaos.