Hearing the voice, Li Yan's movements paused. He looked up toward the sound and saw a gentle-looking young man standing at the door, just stepping inside.
Li Yan watched the man enter. He now felt that this was neither a dream nor his sea of consciousness, but he still could not be certain where he was, so he simply waited to see what would happen.
"Hehe, greetings, little brother. My surname is Yu..." After entering, the gentle youth pulled a chair over, sat down slowly, and began to speak with a smile.
A quarter of an hour later, Li Yan understood his current situation. He was actually inside a legendary immortal sect. The reason he was here was that he had cultivated their sect's "Night Curtain Art" and had possibly even developed something called the "Fragmented Poison Body." That was why he had been brought here. He had no choice but to believe it, as the full recovery of his broken leg and the complete disappearance of the Fire Poison in his body seemed to prove it.
During this time, the cultivator named Yu repeatedly asked about his cultivation process. From his expression and the information revealed in his words, Li Yan guessed it was related to this "Fragmented Poison Body." He himself had no idea what this "Poison Body" was. He only remembered that after Strategist Ji had poured all his magical power into him at the end, the Fire Poison in his body had been triggered, and he had lost consciousness shortly after. However, he had a faint feeling that it might be related to the "True Scripture of the Nether Water," but he would never speak of that. After the life-and-death struggle of wits with Strategist Ji, who could he possibly trust? What kind of place was this immortal sect? What was the purpose of the man before him? How could he possibly know?
He only described how he had learned the "Wood Yin Art"—of course, he feigned ignorance of the immortal art's true name—and the subsequent reactions in his body, culminating in Strategist Ji's final, life-draining attack.
After listening, the cultivator named Yu frowned deeply. He could not figure it out either, but Li Yan's account was perfectly logical. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the cultivator surnamed Yu left.
Not long after, a scholar in his thirties and several old men walked in. Each of these old men gave Li Yan the feeling of a great mountain pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe. In contrast, the scholar gave him no such feeling at all.
After they arrived, the old men stood in the room with grim expressions, looking at Li Yan. The scholar did not speak either but simply walked forward, reached out, and grabbed Li Yan's wrist. A continuous stream of gentle force immediately began to travel throughout Li Yan's body. Li Yan instinctively wanted to pull away, but he was like a little lamb facing a wolf; there was no room to resist.
A short while later, the scholar released his hand, a look of disappointment on his face. He also asked a few questions, then stood there in thought for a moment before walking to the side and exchanging a look with the old men.
The old men then came forward one by one, each of them examining Li Yan. Li Yan simply let them do as they pleased; it was not as if he could resist anyway.
After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the scholar left with the old men. From beginning to end, not a single one of the old men had spoken a word.
After dawn, no one else came. Li Yan, upon waking, simply stared blankly out the window, feeling a sense of bewilderment about his current situation. He did not know what to do next, or what the future held.
At noon, the cultivator surnamed Yu brought him food and started chatting with him again. The content of the conversation was still focused on his past, as if he were curious. For the most part, the cultivator Yu asked, and Li Yan answered.
Li Yan felt that this person was inquiring about the "Poison Body." But he himself was unclear on the matter, and he could not reveal the "True Scripture of the Nether Water," so he could only answer the questions as carefully as possible.
Another half an hour passed like this, and Li Yan was starting to feel annoyed. Although this cultivator Yu was gentle and polite, his questions had become so detailed that they now covered every little aspect of his daily life back in the Strategist's Valley.
Just as he was reaching his limit, thinking that if this person asked any more questions, he would simply refuse to answer—after all, he did not even know his own fate, so what was there to be afraid of?
At that moment, a figure flashed in the doorway, and a person suddenly appeared in the room. Li Yan and the cultivator Yu were both startled. When they saw the newcomer's face, the cultivator Yu quickly stood up and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Martial Uncle Li."
The newcomer was tall and slender, appearing to be around twenty years old. His face was like polished jade, with red lips and white teeth, sword-like eyebrows, and star-like eyes. His black hair was casually tied back, cascading over his shoulders. He too wore a dark green robe and had an indescribable, otherworldly air about him.
Seeing this person, Li Yan could not help but exclaim inwardly, 'What a handsome face.'
The newcomer glanced at the cultivator surnamed Yu and waved his hand. "Oh, Martial Nephew, you've gone to great trouble over Junior Brother Li. You may leave. I have a few words to say to Junior Brother Li, and then I will take him back to Little Bamboo Peak. Martial Uncle Feng is aware of these matters."
The cultivator Yu was greatly shocked to hear this. 'Junior Brother Li? Take him back to Little Bamboo Peak? This means this boy is going to become a disciple of Little Bamboo Peak. It seems the higher-ups have already made a decision about his 'Fragmented Poison Body.' Alas, since it's like this, I won't be able to get any more information from him. I was only arranged to take care of him because I was the first to discover him and personally saved him. Otherwise, with my status, it wouldn't be my turn to be here. I had hoped to use this convenience to see if I could find out anything about the cultivation method for the 'Fragmented Poison Body,' but now it seems he has ascended to the heavens in a single step. I just heard that he has a Miscellaneous Spirit Root, so why would the higher-ups let him enter Little Bamboo Peak?' He had many questions in his heart, but he did not dare to ask. Although he recognized this Martial Uncle, in this vast sect, this Martial Uncle Li certainly did not recognize him.
He quickly bowed to the newcomer again, and then also bowed to Li Yan, who was sitting on the bed, before turning and leaving.
Li Yan was completely bewildered. He saw the cultivator Yu suddenly become respectful towards him and was somewhat surprised, but he just smiled and cupped his hands in return without speaking.
The newcomer sized up Li Yan for a few moments, then broke into a smile. "Hehe, Junior Brother Li, what a coincidence. My surname is also Li. Who knows, maybe we were from the same clan a few thousand years ago. My name is Li Wuyi. From now on, we will belong to the same peak and the same master. You can call me Senior Brother Li or Eldest Senior Brother."
Li Wuyi laughed heartily. His few short sentences were as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Li Yan looked puzzled. "Eldest Senior Brother? The same peak and master? What do you mean?"
Li Wuyi smiled brightly. "It seems that martial nephew just now didn't explain things to you. Let me give you a brief introduction. Our sect is called the 'Malevolent Spirit Sect,' and it is one of the four top-tier cultivation sects on this continent. The sect is divided into five peaks: 'Lord Lao Peak,' 'Never-Parting Peak,' 'Four Symbols Peak,' 'Spirit Insect Peak,' and 'Little Bamboo Peak.' Each of these five peaks focuses on different immortal arts. 'Lord Lao Peak' primarily focuses on alchemy and planting. They mainly refine auxiliary immortal pills for cultivation and various strange and potent poison pills. They are also responsible for cultivating all kinds of rare immortal herbs and poisonous plants. This peak's immortal arts are mainly fire attribute, supplemented by wood attribute. 'Never-Parting Peak' is a place for secretly cultivating various strange and unique gu-insects. Because the vast majority of gu-insects, once implanted or invading a human body, merge with the flesh and bone and cannot be separated until death, appearing inseparable, the peak was named as such. This peak's immortal arts are mainly metal attribute. 'Four Symbols Peak' mainly deals with illusion formations, killing formations, and large-scale formations that use miasma, poison mist, and the like. This peak's immortal arts are mainly earth attribute. 'Spirit Insect Peak' primarily focuses on raising various types of poisonous insects and creatures. This peak's immortal arts are mainly wood attribute. 'Little Bamboo Peak' is more of a general duties type... hmm, you could call it logistics. They do a bit of everything, like cooking, watering, planting, and even raising some poisonous insects. This peak has immortal arts of all attributes."
Everything he described were sinister and harmful demonic arts, yet his expression remained calm and proper, as if he were talking about something very ordinary. After speaking, he glanced at Li Yan.
Li Yan's face was a little pale. He thought to himself, 'What kind of cultivation sect is this? They all walk the path of vicious demonic cultivation.'
Li Wuyi smiled and continued, "You will understand the specifics of each peak more clearly after you've been in the sect for a while. Because you have cultivated our sect's 'Night Curtain Art,' you are already a disciple of our sect. This cannot be changed. Originally, the technique you cultivated is the entry-level technique for 'Spirit Insect Peak,' but the best attribute in your constitution is water, not wood. So, the sect has decided to let you join 'Little Bamboo Peak.' However, because our Master is a great Golden Core cultivator, you can only be a Disciple-in-Name for now. When you cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage, you can become Master's formal disciple. This is not a problem; if you cultivate diligently, it will happen quickly."
Li Wuyi did not directly mention that Li Yan had a Miscellaneous Spirit Root, only that his water spirit root was slightly better. Instead, he offered a little encouragement. After speaking, he looked at Li Yan.
Li Yan's face showed no expression of pleasant surprise. He thought for a moment. "Can I not join? I want to go home."
Li Yan did not call him "Senior Brother." After sitting here for half a day, his mood had calmed down. He now had a little understanding of cultivation and naturally knew the benefits of joining an immortal sect. Moreover, Dong Fuyi had also asked him to join a sect first. Now, not only did he have the chance to join a sect, but it was one of the top-tier sects on the continent. From any perspective, this was the best possible outcome.
But right now, he was most worried about his family back home. The marshal and strategist of Green Mountain Pass were both dead. The State of Meng would definitely take the opportunity to attack. The Li Family Village was too close to the border; it would only take them half a day to get there. What would happen to his parents, brother, and sister? He was anxious. Besides, he had the complete "True Scripture of the Nether Water." After dealing with his family's affairs, he could find a place with spiritual energy and be a rogue cultivator.
"Go home?" Li Wuyi's handsome face froze. He had not expected this answer. "The Malevolent Spirit Sect," this was the "Malevolent Spirit Sect"! Although it wasn't a so-called reputable and orthodox sect, it was one of the most powerful on the continent. There was actually a cultivator who did not want to join. It was obvious that the person before him was not some pedantic scholar. Moreover, he already had a certain level of cultivation. He should have at least some understanding of cultivation. How could he have such thoughts?
"Hehe, I can see that Junior Brother should be at the second layer of Qi Condensation. I have also heard about your situation from Master. You mistakenly stepped onto the path of cultivation after being deceived. I imagine you are unaware of some matters in the cultivation world. But cultivation... cultivation... its greatest function is to grant longevity, to give you a lifespan several times, or even dozens of times, longer than a mortal's. If you can find that sliver of opportunity, it's even possible to live as long as the heavens and earth. Look at me, your senior brother. I am actually seventy-four years old now. This is the benefit of cultivation. Hehe! At the same time, you will possess immense divine powers, to overturn rivers and seas, to swallow clouds and spit mist. You could say you'd be omni..."
Li Wuyi thought Li Yan had given such an answer because he knew nothing about cultivation, so he chuckled and began to explain, but he was interrupted after just a few sentences.
"Thank you for your kindness. It's like this: the marshal and strategist of my hometown's border have both died. The enemy State of Meng will likely invade any day now. My parents, brother, and sister are not far from there. I must go back as soon as possible to tell them to move." Li Yan was not a wishy-washy person. He knew the other party did not understand his thoughts, so he did not beat around the bush and stated the reason directly.
At the same time, he was stunned. 'Second layer of Qi Condensation? I've reached the second layer of Qi Condensation?' Ever since he woke up, he had been in a dream-like state, being questioned left and right, constantly thinking. He really had not paid attention to his own cultivation. With a thought, he felt a surge of spiritual power several times stronger than before welling up inside him. The next moment, he instantly dispersed his probing sense. This was not the time to check his cultivation.
Hearing Li Yan's words, Li Wuyi could not help but smile.
"Oh, so it's about that. You don't need to worry about it. Our four great immortal sects manage different regions of this continent. The area where your hometown is located falls under the jurisdiction of a subordinate sect of the 'Malevolent Spirit Sect.' The mortal dynasties in those places are all supported or assigned by us. You don't have to worry about the State of Meng raising an army. Because you possess the 'Fragmented Poison Body,' the martial nephew who brought you back was fairly certain you would be joining the sect. So, he has already notified the subordinate sect that governs that region to prevent the enemy country from attacking your dynasty and to await further notice. Otherwise, their so-called State of Meng would cease to exist. This is a special privilege for disciples of immortal sects. Of course, this privilege is only for sects of the second-rate and above, to prevent accidents from happening to their families, which could lead to retaliation later."
"But this is limited to immediate family. As for descendants or extended relatives, we do not interfere. Otherwise, if you trace it back, over hundreds of millions of years, which country hasn't had a cultivator? No country would be able to make a move."
"Most importantly, you are a disciple of my 'Malevolent Spirit Sect.' Calculating the time, the subordinate sect should have already found your parents, brother, and sister and placed them under protection. Now, even if a normal war breaks out between the two countries, it won't affect them." As he said this, a trace of pride appeared in Li Wuyi's star-like eyes.
Li Yan refused to believe these words. He just thought they were trying to keep him here to get something from him.
At the end of the day, he was still a cultivation rookie who only knew the basics. How could he believe that a huge country could be constrained by an immortal sect, let alone that so many countries were all managed and controlled by one?
Besides, he had a deep-seated fear, which was another reason he wanted to leave.