Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

The murder of several Dao Foundation Cultivators in their own Cave Mansions and estates was truly horrifying news.

Yunjing Island had existed for thousands of years. While such incidents weren’t completely unheard of, they were exceptionally rare.

The key was,

no one knew who the killer was!

’Doesn’t that mean...’

’...others could be murdered as well?’

Today was the Drunken Daoist and Huu Lishu’s wedding day, but after what had happened, none of the Cultivators were in the mood to celebrate. One by one, they made their excuses and left.

「On the way back.」

"Fellow Daoist Zhu."

Yu Lou sidled up to him. His usual playful winks were gone, replaced by a serious expression as he asked,

"You’ve been on Yunjing Island for a long time and know the Cultivators here well. Any idea who the killer might be?"

"..." Zhu Ju shook his head gently.

"Nothing like this has ever happened since I arrived on the island."

"In the last century, there have been very few murders here, and even when there were, the killer was always caught quickly."

"Hmm..." Yu Lou’s eyes glinted.

"There can’t be that many people who can bypass the island’s Tier Three Array and silently kill a Dao Foundation Cultivator, right?"

’Indeed, there weren’t many.’

’To be able to bypass the island’s Array, the killer must have some level of clearance. To silently murder a Dao Foundation Cultivator implies profound Cultivation and formidable strength—most likely a Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator.’

’If I count carefully, the number of people on the island who fit the criteria could be counted on two hands, and every single one of them holds a position of high esteem.’

’The Yann Family?’

’The Fang Family?’

’Or that person from the Sunx Family?’

’But they have no reason to move against the Dao Foundation Cultivators on the island.’

"You two."

As they were lost in thought, a man approached. It was Chen Tong, who lived nearby.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuang has been murdered, and the killer’s identity is unknown. It’s highly likely they will strike again," Chen Tong said.

"I’ve discussed it with a few other Fellow Daoists in the area. We plan on adjusting the Arrays around our estates to link them together. That way, if there’s any disturbance at one person’s home, the others will notice and can lend a hand."

"Would you two like to join in?"

"Why go through all that trouble?" Yu Lou’s eyes widened. "If you ask me, we should just move into one estate together. With Fellow Daoist Chen presiding, even a Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivator wouldn’t be able to escape our combined strength."

"Fellow Daoist Yu, you think too highly of me," Chen Tong said with a wry smile, shaking his head.

"However, your proposal is indeed safer. It’s just that many of our fellow Daoists are unwilling to live together."

"Let’s just..."

"Wait for the Yunjing Commerce Association’s investigation to conclude."

Dao Foundation Cultivators had exceptionally sharp senses. Even without extending their Divine Thought, they were keenly aware of their surroundings.

With more people,

a chaotic mix of smells and thoughts made it difficult to find peace.

Unless absolutely necessary, or if they were a pair of Daoist partners, most Dao Foundation Cultivators preferred to live alone in their Cave Mansions.

Many didn’t even keep their own children with them.

"What’s the big deal with that?"

Yu Lou pursed his lips. He was the type to leave his courtyard gates wide open even when entertaining women, never bothering to hide anything, so he naturally didn’t care about privacy.

He then said,

"Fellow Daoist Chen, would you mind if I moved in with you? I’m willing to pay rent."

"If you’d like to come, you are most welcome." Chen Tong’s expression stiffened. He wanted to refuse but was too embarrassed to say so, and could only sigh in resignation. "Forget about rent. Opportunities to learn from fellow Daoists are rare enough as it is."

"How about this!"

"I’ll host a small gathering at my home and invite the other Daoists nearby. There’s safety in numbers, and we can also exchange insights into our Cultivation. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?"

A small gathering of Dao Foundation Cultivators could easily last for ten to fifteen days. By the time it was over, the Yunjing Commerce Association would have likely found the real killer.

"Excellent!" Yu Lou’s eyes lit up.

"I’ll go pack my things right now. I’ll be imposing on you for a while, Fellow Daoist Chen."

"I still have some things to take care of, so it would be inconvenient for me to move," Zhu Ju said.

"But I can certainly link up my Array."

"That works too." Chen Tong didn’t press him. Linking the Arrays would be enough to handle most situations.

***

「A few days later.」

No news of any other Cultivators being murdered arrived, but the Yunjing Commerce Association also hadn’t announced their findings.

’The results must not be good.’

It was hard to say when it started, but all sorts of rumors began to circulate around the island, creating the feeling of a storm on the horizon.

"Senior!"

"Master."

It was time for the monthly accounting, and Yann Yunying and Li Xingzhou had come to pay a visit.

Yann Yunying was the handmaiden the Yann Family had assigned to serve Zhu Ju personally when he was invited to become their Guest Minister.

They had also intended to bind the two of them together.

However, Zhu Ju had no intention of keeping a spy by his side, nor was he in the habit of leaving behind a bloodline, so he’d simply put her in charge of managing his shop.

Over the years, Yann Yunying had given up on the idea of latching onto Zhu Ju. Instead, her business had flourished.

Thanks to this, she had earned a good number of Spirit Stones, and her Cultivation had progressed from Three Acupoints Innate to her current Six Acupoints.

Given time, it wasn’t impossible for her to advance to the Dao Foundation Realm.

Going from being solely dependent on another to being independent and self-reliant, she had become more and more of a strong, capable woman, gradually distinguishing herself among the younger generation of the Yann Family.

However, her current focus was on breaking through to the Late-Stage Innate Realm, and she had little interest in settling down and starting a family.

"Master."

"These are this month’s earnings."

Yann Yunying presented a ledger, then pursed her lips and said,

"There is one other thing. My second uncle asked me to inquire if you would be able to refine a batch of Tier Two Low Grade Thunder Pearls."

"If it’s possible, the Yann Family will provide the raw materials and purchase them at a twenty percent premium above the market price. As for the quantity, the more the better. As long as you can refine them, the Yann Family will buy however many you can make."

"Thunder Pearls? Tier Two Low Grade?" Zhu Ju asked casually as he flipped through the ledger.

"I suppose I could refine them, but the success rate wouldn’t be high, and I’m afraid I won’t have the time for it lately."

"I see..." Yann Yunying nodded.

"I understand."

"Oh, right."

"There’s something happening in the family recently, so I need to go back for a while. I should be back in about half a month. The shop will be temporarily managed by Li Wang."

?

Zhu Ju looked up, watching Yann Yunying thoughtfully. After a moment’s pause, he nodded.

"That’s fine."

"Li Wang can handle it."

After Yann Yunying took her leave, Li Xingzhou tremblingly took out the monthly ledger for Jiupin Residence.

"How is your health?"

Zhu Ju asked.

"If you’re not well, you should take a rest."

"Thank you for your concern, Master. My body is fine," Li Xingzhou said, shaking his head.

"There won’t be any major issues for another two or three years."

He had been suffering from internal injuries since he first came to the island. After all these years, he didn’t have much time left.

But Li Xingzhou was content.

Over the years, he had married a wife and taken concubines on the island, having two sons and a daughter. He had continued the Li Family’s bloodline and had not failed his ancestors.

His children were still young, so of course he couldn’t bear to rest. He still needed to build a nest egg for his descendants.

"Master."

After some hesitation, Li Xingzhou said,

"Lately, rumors are spreading everywhere in the Marketplace that there’s a Demon or some evil creature hiding on the island, and that several Dao Foundation Elders have been murdered."

"It’s causing a panic."

He looked up at Zhu Ju, his expression one of surprise.

"Is it true?"

"It’s true that some Dao Foundation Cultivators have been murdered, but the talk of a Demon is just nonsense," Zhu Ju said, shaking his head.

"The Commerce Association is investigating the killer. There’s no need to worry."

"Yes." Li Xingzhou hesitated for a moment before continuing,

"There’s another rumor going around... I don’t know if I should mention it."

"Why shouldn’t you mention it?" Zhu Ju asked.

"Go on, let’s hear it."

Li Xingzhou spent all day busy in the Marketplace. He was well-connected and well-informed, so perhaps he really did know something.

"Yes." Li Xingzhou nodded and lowered his voice.

"Some people are saying... the thing that’s killing people is from the Yann Family. They say it’s probably some important figure from the Yann Family who is killing people because they’re practicing a Demon Skill. And they say the only reason the killer hasn’t been caught is because the Yann Family is covering for them."

’The Yann Family?’

Zhu Ju’s eyes narrowed.

’He’d heard this rumor before but had dismissed it. Now, however, the situation was becoming increasingly delicate.’

’The Drunken Daoist had just gotten married, yet he hadn’t been seen at his estate for the past few days.’

’Most of the more prominent juniors of the Yann Family had been recalled to their family grounds, like Yann Yunying, who had just left.’

’Moreover...’

’Among the several murdered Dao Foundation Cultivators, not a single one was connected to the Yann Family. They were all Guest Ministers or clan members of other families.’

’All the signs pointed to something being wrong.’

’Could it be?’

’Was it really someone from the Yann Family who was behind this?’

*

*

*

「Cloud Tower.」

The majestic structure, hidden within thick layers of cloud, stood tall and aloof like a Celestial Court Palace, far removed from the conflicts of the mortal world.

「On this day.」

"CRASH!"

A glazed cup was smashed heavily onto the floor, shattering the hall’s tranquility.

A cold, Stern Slaughter Intent permeated the great hall.

Patriarch Fang of the Fang Family, Fang Wang, had a grim expression. He unleashed the aura of his Dao Foundation Perfection Cultivation, his eyes fixed on the man opposite him.

"Yann Yu!"

"What is the meaning of this? What is your Yann Family playing at?"

"There are only five people on this island who can bypass the Array and silently murder a Dao Foundation Cultivator. The other four have already proven their innocence. So, other than Yann Weiran, who else could it possibly be?"

"Impossible!" Yann Yu snorted.

"As Patriarch of the Yann Family, Weiran has guarded Yunjing Island for nearly three hundred years. He would never do something like this."

"Brother Yann," Sunx Gan, the Patriarch of the Sunx Family, said slowly.

"We have known Patriarch Yann for hundreds of years, and we trust his character. But the situation being what it is, everyone else has an alibi. It seems the only one who could have committed the murders is Patriarch Yann."

"If he doesn’t make an appearance, it will be impossible to investigate this matter thoroughly, and we won’t be able to give an answer to the other people on this island."

"That’s right," someone else in the hall chimed in.

"These successive murders of Dao Foundation Cultivators have caused a panic. If this continues, there’s no telling what the consequences will be."

"No!" Yann Yu still shook his head, refusing.

"Weiran is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Golden Core Realm. He is at a critical juncture and must not be disturbed."

"If all his efforts are wasted because of this..."

"Absolutely not!"

"Breaking through to the Golden Core Realm?" Fang Wang sneered.

"It’s been so long. If Patriarch Yann still hasn’t succeeded in his Core Formation, shouldn’t he have come out by now?"

"Or perhaps..."

"...something has happened to him."

"Fang Wang!" Yann Yu’s eyes flew wide, and a violent Qi surged from him.

"You’re courting death!"

"Bring it on!" Fang Wang rose to his feet, Spiritual Light flaring around him.

"You think I’m afraid of you?!"

"Enough!"

Just as the two were about to come to blows, a white-haired old man leaning on a cane spoke in a low, heavy voice.

"Both of you, be silent!"

"Elder Miao!"

"Elder!"

"..."

This Elder Miao was the most senior person on Yunjing Island, a full two generations above the various family Patriarchs.

He had lived for more than four hundred years.

This was all because he had mistakenly consumed a Longevity Spirit Fruit in his youth, which was why he hadn’t yet died of old age.

Having lived for so long, his Cultivation was, of course, at Dao Foundation Perfection, but he had long since abandoned any hope of reaching the Golden Core Realm.

"The Yunjing Commerce Association has been able to traverse the East Sea for thousands of years thanks to the united efforts of our families, but it is also because the safety of Yunjing Island is deeply trusted, attracting countless Cultivators to our shores."

"I, for one, came to Yunjing Island all those years ago seeking a place of stability, and it’s the same for many others."

Taking a deep breath, Elder Miao continued in his heavy voice,

"Now, that has changed."

"Yunjing Island is no longer safe. We must find out why. Otherwise, once we lose the people’s trust, the very foundation of the Yunjing Commerce Association will be shaken."

"Yann Yu!"

He stared directly at Yann Yu and said slowly,

"Take us to see Patriarch Yann. We will do our best not to disturb his Cultivation. We simply need to confirm that he is still in seclusion in his Quiet Chamber."

"..." Yann Yu’s expression shifted. Under the forceful stares of the others, he finally gave a helpless nod.

"Fine!"

「A short while later.」

Several figures arrived at the Yann Family’s ancestral home.

"GRRRR..."

With a low rumble, the heavy stone door slowly slid open to either side.

Inside.

It was empty!

Yann Weiran, who was supposed to be in seclusion attempting to break through to the Golden Core Realm, had vanished!

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