Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

The back mountain.

Lush and verdant.

Amidst the encircling trees, a few graves came into view.

Three ten-thousand-year-old pines stood out, leaning against one another as if they were lovers, their trunks growing at an angle.

Beneath the trees,

was a cenotaph where, according to Luu Pu’s last wishes, he was buried with his wives.

Luu Pu, Zhu Shuang, and Wan Wenxin—the three of them had supported each other through life.

Choosing to be buried together after death suggested they were all quite content with the other two people in their lives.

WHOOSH...

The mountain wind blew, carrying a few fallen leaves with it, making the figure standing before the cenotaph seem even more solitary.

"Gone."

"They’re all gone..."

Staring at the cenotaph before him, Zhu Ju could still faintly sense the weak, familiar auras on the belongings within. His expression was complicated.

Besides his older sister, Zhu Shuang, he had almost no other relatives in this world.

He hadn’t seen her in decades...

The outcome had been sealed long ago.

WHOOSH!

Joss paper ignited without a flame, slowly dancing around the cenotaph in the mountain wind as if mourning something.

Just then,

a streak of Tunneling Light slowly descended from the sky, revealing a figure not far away.

The newcomer wore the unique Dao Foundation Robe of the Celestial Yu Sect. His face was like that of a youth, and his eyes were resolute and firm.

"Grand-uncle."

Luu Dingwang clasped his hands in salute.

"There’s no need." Zhu Ju shook his head gently.

"Let’s just address each other as Fellow Daoists."

Luu Dingwang was Luu Pu’s grandson, so by seniority, he should indeed address Zhu Ju as grand-uncle.

However, he was not of Luu Pu and Zhu Shuang’s bloodline, but a descendant of Luu Pu and Wan Wenxin.

The two of them had no blood relation.

Decades ago, the Luu Family produced a Qilin Child who possessed a Dao Body. He reached the Innate realm at the age of ten.

He achieved the Dao Foundation in his thirties.

Now, only in his fifties, it was said that as long as he didn’t die prematurely, he was guaranteed to become a Dao Foundation Perfection Cultivator, even if becoming a Golden Core Grandmaster was not a certainty. Placed anywhere else, he would be capable enough to establish his own sect.

It was precisely because of Luu Dingwang’s protection that the descendants of the Luu Family could live so comfortably, even having a cemetery exclusive to the Luu Family.

"Very well."

Luu Dingwang did not object. Calling someone ’grand-uncle’ was also a bit awkward for him. He paused for a moment before speaking.

"Early on, I heard First Grandmother mention you, Fellow Daoist. She said you were the one and only Cultivation genius of the Zhu Family."

"As a Loose Cultivator, you crossed the East Sea and even reached the Dao Foundation. It’s truly admirable!"

"It was a stroke of luck..." Zhu Ju sighed softly.

"My experiences in the East Sea... it’s best not to speak of them."

"Back then, I heard that the Dazhou Demon Dao was running rampant, so I went there intending to bring them back. I never imagined we would miss each other by a twist of fate. I was trapped in Dazhou and fled to the East Sea, while my sister and brother-in-law came here to the Ten Thousand Mountains. They couldn’t find any trace of me. All I can say is..."

"Fate is a cruel trickster!"

"It’s good that you’ve returned," Luu Dingwang said.

"If Grandfather and First Grandmother knew of this in the afterlife, they would be gratified."

"Fellow Daoist Zhu."

He pondered for a moment before speaking.

"There are a few descendants from First Grandmother’s line whose Talent is decent. I was wondering if they could follow you back to the Bright Void Sect?"

"Hmm..." Zhu Ju looked up.

"Compared to the Celestial Yu Immortal Sect, the Bright Void Sect is just a minor sect. It’s not exactly a great destination."

"Is it inconvenient for you to look after them?"

The Celestial Yu Immortal Sect could be considered the second-largest sect in the Immortal Alliance, second only to the Profound Clarity Sect. And Luu Dingwang’s status wasn’t low, so looking after a family should be a simple matter for him.

"..." Luu Dingwang’s eyes flickered.

"The Demon Sect’s Saint Monarch, ’Six Paths,’ has already brought all Six Demonic Sects under his complete control. The nature of the Demon Dao means they won’t stop at Dazhou. They will only rest when they have devoured and destroyed everything."

"To resist the Demonic Demon People, Dao Foundation Cultivators from the Immortal Alliance die every year. No one knows who will be next."

"Perhaps it might even be me. There is no one in the Luu Family’s younger generation who can take my place and look after them yet. If something were to happen to me, at least there would still be descendants of the Luu Family’s bloodline on your side, Fellow Daoist."

Zhu Ju frowned.

’With Luu Dingwang’s Talent, the Celestial Yu Immortal Sect would never let him face danger so easily. He’s not being truthful.’

’There must be another reason, one he finds inconvenient to mention.’

"You don’t have faith in the Immortal Alliance?"

Zhu Ju asked.

"The Immortal Alliance has three Nascent Soul True Men, while the Demon Dao has only one Saint Monarch. Although that Saint Monarch’s Cultivation is higher, it doesn’t mean we can’t win."

"Heh..." Luu Dingwang chuckled, a trace of bitterness in his smile.

"I hope so."

Zhu Ju’s heart stirred.

’It’s not just that Luu Dingwang doesn’t have faith in the Immortal Alliance. He might have lost all hope in it completely.’

"Alright."

Sighing, Zhu Ju said,

"Which ones are they? I’ll take them with me later."

*

*

*

「Bright Void Sect.」

Half a month had passed since his return from the Celestial Yu Immortal Sect. During this time, Zhu Ju had completely converted the True Essence in his body to that of the Primordial Heart Technique.

He also took Spirit-Expelling Powder to purge the Pill Poison from his system.

The effects were remarkable.

As he took the medicine, Zhu Ju felt certain impurities being expelled from his Dantian and Meridians.

His Cultivation, which had been stagnant for several years, finally began to advance again.

He was already not far from the Mid-Stage Dao Foundation. He figured it wouldn’t be more than a few years before he could take a Realm-Breaking Pill and attempt a breakthrough.

However, he couldn’t stop taking the Spirit-Expelling Powder in the meantime.

"Senior Brother Zhu?"

"Come in!"

Liuu Huang’er, dressed in a shimmering golden Magical Robe, stepped inside.

"That fellow Xu Hanzhi has successfully brewed two types of Spirit Wine. Do you want to go take a look?"

"Oh!"

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow and stood up.

"Let’s go together."

...

On the way,

Liuu Huang’er glanced at him sideways and said,

"Ever since you returned, Senior Brother Zhu, you first took on a disciple, then brought back several members of the Luu Family from the Celestial Yu Sect."

"And now, even True Disciple Xu Hanzhi follows your every word..."

"Junior Sister," Zhu Ju said with a smile,

"what are you trying to say?"

"I’m not trying to say anything," Liuu Huang’er said, shaking her head.

"But the disciples in the sect have been spreading rumors lately, saying you want to seize power, Senior Brother, and establish your own faction within the Bright Void Sect. Many disciples are thinking of siding with you."

"..." Zhu Ju was so surprised he couldn’t help but laugh.

"Where did such a rumor come from?"

"So, you truly have no such intentions, Senior Brother?" Liuu Huang’er narrowed her eyes, a scrutinizing look in them.

"The Bright Void Sect may be small, but it’s still a sect of the Immortal Alliance and has many privileges, like purchasing Core Formation Spiritual Objects. Besides, Senior Sister is deeply in love with you. Even if you proposed to become the Sect Leader, she might not necessarily disagree."

"Nonsense!" Zhu Ju’s smile faded as he began to address the topic seriously.

"There’s no need to mention this again. If anyone in the sect is spreading rumors, Junior Sister, you can deal with them according to the sect’s rules."

"Next time I recruit disciples, I will be sure to inform you and Senior Sister first, and only accept them after getting your approval."

Liuu Huang’er raised an eyebrow, a smile appearing on her face.

Through their recent interactions, she had come to agree with Pei Jingque’s assessment of Zhu Ju.

A Cultivator truly devoted to the Great Dao!

He had no great desire for power and influence.

’But you can know a person’s face, not their heart. A test was necessary. The current Bright Void Sect can’t afford any more turmoil.’

"We’re here."

The brewing area was located on the back mountain, right next to a waterfall that cascaded from the heavens. According to Xu Hanzhi, brewing required a large amount of mountain spring water, and brewing Spirit Wine in particular required Spiritual Spring Water.

This was the only place in the Bright Void Sect that met the requirements.

"Martial Uncle!"

"Martial Uncles!"

"..."

Seeing the two of them, everyone present stopped what they were doing and bowed in greeting.

Stepping into the simple brewery, a pungent smell assaulted their noses. It was similar to wine, yet not quite.

It made Liuu Huang’er frown subconsciously.

"Xu Hanzhi!"

"Coming, coming!"

Xu Hanzhi, shirtless with his long hair tied up in a head covering, came jogging out of a room.

He was covered in sweat, his pants sticking to his legs, looking utterly disheveled.

"What a disgrace!"

Liuu Huang’er’s eyes flew open. She formed a sign for a Purification Spell and cast it on him, then chided irritably,

"If I had known this place was such a mess, I wouldn’t have come."

"Martial Uncle, this is just how brewing is," Xu Hanzhi shrugged, then held up his fingers to list the steps.

"Selecting ingredients, steaming, adding the starter, fermentation, extracting the liquor, blending, bottling..."

"This is my first time doing any of this, so it’s normal for things to be a bit crude. It will definitely get much better once I’m more familiar with the process."

"That’s enough," Liuu Huang’er waved her hand dismissively.

"No need for such a detailed explanation. Where is the wine you brewed?"

"Over here!" Xu Hanzhi’s eyes lit up as he led the two to a relatively spacious wooden hut.

"Martial Uncle Zhu, the two types of wine I’ve brewed so far are Hundred-Day Intoxication and Coconut Wine. Hundred-Day Intoxication is a Spirit Wine that can help Innate Qi Refiners advance their Cultivation, while Coconut Wine is a mortal wine."

"It’s these stacks here."

On a huge table were several dozen jars of bottled wine. The Hundred-Day Intoxication was stored in expensive Jade Altars.

"Not bad." The rich aroma of wine filled the air, and Zhu Ju nodded in satisfaction.

"What’s the cost?"

"The cost for one jar of Hundred-Day Intoxication is three Low Grade Spirit Stones, while the cost for ten jars of Coconut Wine is only one Spirit Stone," Xu Hanzhi said.

"I plan to sell the Hundred-Day Intoxication for five Spirit Stones a jar, and the Coconut Wine for two Spirit Stones per ten jars."

"Can you actually sell it?" Liuu Huang’er frowned.

"That price isn’t low."

Although she didn’t mind spending money on wine, she still had some knowledge of Spirit Wine prices. This top-tier price was something only very famous Spirit Wines could command.

"It shouldn’t be a problem."

Xu Hanzhi rubbed his hands together and said,

"Through a few senior and junior sisters from the Hundred Flowers Sect, I can get the wine into several Flower Workshops they operate."

"The people who go there are mostly not short on money."

’Flower Workshop?’

"Hmph!"

Liuu Huang’er’s pretty face turned cold, and she snorted.

"A disgraceful business."

"Flower Workshop?" Zhu Ju asked.

"The kind that’s in the flesh trade?"

"Yes," Xu Hanzhi nodded, glanced cautiously at Liuu Huang’er, and lowered his voice.

"I’ve never been to that kind of place."

"Although the Hundred Flowers Sect runs Flower Workshops, their disciples maintain their purity. Otherwise, it would be difficult for them to cultivate their legacy Cultivation Technique."

"They raise and nurture flowers, so they inevitably come into contact with the women of the Flower Workshops. They only run the workshops to earn more income. If they didn’t do it, someone else would. In fact, the way the Hundred Flowers Sect does it is more regulated; most of the women only sell their talents, not their bodies."

"Hmph!" Liuu Huang’er sneered.

"If you stay in the mud long enough, how can you prove you’re clean?"

"Besides, to attract customers, many of the women in the Flower Workshops cultivate Demon Techniques from the Joyful Sect."

Hmm?

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.

"The Immortal Alliance allows such things?"

"They just turn a blind eye," Liuu Huang’er said, seeming reluctant to discuss it further.

"Since it’s being sold to Flower Workshops, a higher price is fine."

Zhu Ju lowered his head in thought.

’The Immortal Alliance actually allows women who cultivate the Joyful Sect’s Demon Techniques to operate Flower Workshops in its territory? These women could become disciples of the Joyful Sect at any moment. With such a laissez-faire attitude, how could they possibly ever eradicate the Demon Dao?’

’Or perhaps...’

’...the Immortal Alliance itself is well aware that they can’t eradicate the Demon Dao?’

"Next, I plan to improve the brewing techniques and process to try and lower the production costs."

"Then I’ll prepare one or two superior Spirit Wines to build our reputation..."

Xu Hanzhi grew more and more excited as he spoke.

"Given time, brewing and selling wine might just become a pillar of support for the Bright Void Sect."

"Good." Zhu Ju nodded, then pointed to a wine jar packaged in a brocade box nearby.

"What are these few jars of wine for?"

"They’re gifts." Xu Hanzhi scratched his head and said,

"I know a few drinking buddies, and they all have their own channels. I’m giving these to them to see if we can open up the market."

"Martial Uncle, there are some for you two as well."

"That’s very thoughtful of you." Zhu Ju smiled, reached out to pick up a jar, and his expression suddenly changed.

"Something’s wrong!"

"What’s wrong?" Xu Hanzhi looked bewildered.

"What is it?"

"This wine is wrong." Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes, suddenly tossed the wine jar into the air, and flicked a finger, shooting out a ray of Spiritual Light.

BANG!

The wine jar shattered, splashing liquor everywhere, and a black shadow shot out from within.

HISS...

The black shadow flashed, lunging straight for Xu Hanzhi’s face.

SHIING!

Beside them, Liuu Huang’er’s eyes narrowed. A flash of sword light streaked past, and the black shadow was sliced in two.

The two halves of the corpse writhed on the ground after landing. It was a black, venomous snake.

"A snake?"

"No." Zhu Ju shook his head.

"It’s a Gu!"

"Someone must have placed a Gu Insect in the wine during the brewing process. It’s a good thing the wine wasn’t sent out, otherwise..."

He shook his head gently.

Xu Hanzhi’s face, however, was deathly pale.

The thought of a Gu snake leaping out as someone opened a jar to pour a drink, or even drink straight from it...

...even an Innate expert who had completed the Breaking Nine Acupoints might not be able to dodge it.

"Bastard!"

He gritted his teeth and roared, his eyes shifting.

"It was Old Jii!"

"He must be behind this!"

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