Cultivation Online

“You want to contact an Outer God? Are you sure that’s… safe?” Ren Xia wore a worried frown on her face after hearing Tian Yang’s words.

“It should be. Nothing happened last time, and he didn’t seem annoyed by it. If anything, he’s probably expecting me to contact him again,” he replied.

“Be careful then…” Ren Xia left the room a moment later.

Once he was prepared, Tian Yang recited the communication technique.

“O ancient gods beyond the veil of reason, where time coils and the stars weep—heed my call! I invoke the Nameless, whose shadows consume light, whose whispers unravel fate! Through the fracture of all that is, through the silence where even Dao crumbles… descend and make this world your own!”

Nothing happened for a few seconds, but Tian Yang wasn’t as impatient as last time.

After several minutes of waiting, he finally felt his consciousness being drawn out of his body and speeding into the heavens.

After what felt like an eternity, he was in the starry sky again, and hovering before him was a massive entity with ten arms, surrounded by an unfathomable aura.

“I knew you’d seek me again, but to think you’d do it so soon,” said the Outer God.

“It’s been several thousand years, though…”

Tian Yang wasn’t as overwhelmed by the god’s presence this time.

“I have lived for billions… trillions of years. A few mere thousand years is no different than yesterday.”

“Trillions of years…?” Tian Yang was left speechless by its casual remark.

His world wasn’t even a million years old, yet the god before him had lived trillions of years? As ridiculous as it sounded, he didn’t doubt it.

“So, why have you contacted me this time, mortal?”

“I have a question—a favor of sorts. But first, if I am bothering you, you can send me away, and I won’t bother you again.”

“It’s fine, I am not bothered. It’s not like there’s anything else for me to do. I left behind a method to contact me for a reason.”

“In that case, may I ask for your help? I have this friend who…”

Tian Yang proceeded to tell the god about Kulas’ situation and the communication technique hidden within the Great Mammoth Body Refinement technique.

“Have you tried contacting the being through the technique yet?” The Outer God asked.

“Of course not. If Kulas’ situation was caused by that technique and Outer God, I don’t want to get involved with them.”

“Yet you didn’t hesitate to contact me?”

“I was curious at that time, and I had put so much effort and sacrificed so much of my lifespan. With that said, you don’t seem dangerous.”

“That is a foolish thing to assume. Fortunately for you, I am unlike the others, who wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice your kind for their own entertainment.”

“How many Outer Gods are out there? And why are they doing this? Is it just for entertainment?”

“I cannot answer your first question, as you lack the longevity to know. As for your second question, it is true for some, but now all of them are trying to be entertained.”

“So if I want to learn about the Outer Gods, I need sufficient longevity? Does this apply to everyone?” Tian Yang asked.

“Yes, all beings in your world require sufficient sacrifice to learn about us.”

“Then how come someone I know managed to learn about the Outer Gods’ existence without any sacrifice? At least that’s what she said.”

“That is not possible,” said the Outer God. “They have either already paid the sacrifice before, or they don’t realize it.”

‘There’s no way Ren Xia already knew of the Outer Gods based on her reaction after reading Han Zexian’s diary. Does this mean she simply didn’t realize her longevity was being sacrificed? Like how some people can’t feel pain?’ Tian Yang wondered inwardly.

“Let’s get back on topic. About your friend’s issue… it is definitely caused by another Eternal—what you call Outer Gods. However, there’s nothing I can do to help unless I confront that Eternal directly.”

“That’s…”

Tian Yang didn’t even need to ask to know that this Eternal wouldn’t go through the trouble for a mere mortal, so he didn’t say anything.

However, the Eternal continued, “Even if I want to help you, I would need to know the identity of the one behind it.”

“Huh? You’re actually willing to help me?”

“Well, that will depend on whether you’ll return the favor and the identity of the Eternal.”

“What do you need from me?” Tian Yang asked.

He wasn’t surprised to hear that the Eternal wanted something from him, almost as if he’d anticipated it somewhere in his consciousness.

‘There’s nothing that is truly free in this world, after all,’ he sighed inwardly.

“I am looking for something. That is the most I can tell you right now, due to your lack of longevity.”

“The only ways for me to extend my lifespan are through treasures or cultivation,” Tian Yang said. “The amount of treasures required to gain enough longevity is simply unfeasible, leaving cultivation as the only option. But the entire cultivation world has been stalled at the True Immortal Realm for thousands of years, unable to advance further despite our awareness of Celestial Qi.”

“I am aware of the situation in your world. Since I need you to improve your cultivation to achieve my own goals, I shall assist you with reaching the next realm.”

“Really?!” Tian Yang was ecstatic to hear such words.

“I cannot directly improve your cultivation,” the Outer God said. “So instead, I will show you what you need to ascend.”

As one of its ten arms pointed at him, Tian Yang felt something click within his mind—a sudden, profound realization, almost as if he had an enlightenment.

“This will be all for now. If you want me to help your friend, learn the identity of the Eternal behind him. Until next time, mortal. Ah, one last thing before I send you away. You may call me…”

When Tian Yang came back to it inside his room, he muttered, “Shura, huh? I wanted to ask him about the gift he gave me, but I guess that will have to wait until next time.”