Divine Transcendence

"Zhang Zhi, what nonsense are you spouting? I've never been a playboy, and I am truly sincere towards Xiao Yun," Yu Qingli retorted angrily, glancing at the middle-aged male cultivator before turning to look at the maid Xiao Yun, who hadn’t walked far, and quickly added in defense.

Seeing his reaction, Zhang Zhi couldn't help but laugh, and the other two male cultivators at the table also showed amused smiles, while the only female cultivator's face displayed displeasure.

"You call that sincerity? Pah."

A scholar-dressed cultivator chimed in, "Fairy Hua is right. Yu Qingli, how many female cultivators have you been truly sincere with? Can you even count?"

Yu Qingli, both angry and anxious, could only fling his sleeve and say dryly, "If you don't believe me, so be it."

After a round of teasing and seeing Yu Qingli deflated and no longer retorting, everyone lost interest.

At that moment, one of the five, an elderly man with white hair, turned to Yuan Ming and asked, "This fellow Daoist seems unfamiliar. Have you just arrived in Xiaohu City?"

"I've been in the city for a while, but I've been in seclusion for cultivation and seldom go out," Yuan Ming shook his head.

"Oh? It seems you are a diligent cultivator. But if you ask me, it's good to get out more. Staying in seclusion too much can lead to mental stagnation, which isn't beneficial for cultivation," Yu Qingli perked up again.

"Yu Daoist's words are indeed wise. We cultivators must not isolate ourselves completely; otherwise, even if our cultivation improves, it's like building a castle in the air, easily shattered upon contact," the white-haired elder nodded.

"Lu Daoist speaks the truth. Take Shengye Sect for example; their disciples rarely venture out for experience, spending their days either concocting pills or in seclusion. Their cultivation might seem strong, but they're far from battle-ready. If it weren't for the Elemental Infant stage ancestor anchoring them, they would have been devoured long ago," Zhang Zhi agreed.

"Zhang Zhi, look at what you're saying. Isn't that contradictory? In the end, isn't Shengye Sect's stability in Leizhou thanks to the ancestor's seclusion and cultivation, culminating in the Elemental Infant? Doesn't that show cultivation is more important than anything else?" Yu Qingli chuckled.

"That's the Elemental Infant stage; can it be the same? Besides, if you rank the sects with Elemental Infant stage cultivators in the Central Plains, Shengye Sect is at the bottom, isn't it because their ancestor is not as strong as other Elemental Infant cultivators?" Zhang Zhi retorted.

"Indeed, Elemental Infant cultivators are on a different level from ordinary cultivators; they can't be compared generally," the Lu-surnamed cultivator nodded.

"Speaking of Shengye Sect, have you heard about their disciples being attacked during an outing recently?" the scholar-dressed cultivator suddenly interjected.

"Of course, the attacker was the soul cultivator Pu Zhengqing, who appeared in Xiaohu City a few years ago. It's all over the streets now. Shengye Sect has even offered a hefty reward for his capture, and many are eager to find him for the bounty," Yu Qingli said.

"Let me tell you, don't be blinded by spirit stones. A friend told me that the murder of a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Precious Spirit Sect was also his doing. Including the Shengye Sect incident, there have been three Foundation Establishment cultivators killed by him recently," the scholar-dressed cultivator said.

"Not just three, actually four. There was also a cultivator from Changchun Temple, named Xu Changqing, who died at his hands," Fairy Hua suddenly said.

This revelation surprised everyone.

"Is what Fairy Hua says true?" Zhang Zhi asked.

"Some time ago, Changchun Temple offered a reward at the loose cultivator gathering, which you all know. I have a friend from Precious Spirit Sect who mentioned this to me. It's said that Xu Changqing's body was found alongside their sect's deceased Gu Qiulong, with evidence of them joining forces against the same foe at the scene. It's unlikely to be false," Fairy Hua explained.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming was puzzled. He had disguised the scene to look like Xu Changqing and Gu Qiulong had perished in a mutual conflagration. When he later possessed a Precious Spirit Sect cultivator, they had confirmed this. How had it turned into them joining forces against an enemy?

Could it be that Precious Spirit Sect fabricated the scene to avoid Changchun Temple's blame?

"Tsk, if that's true, soul cultivators are indeed terrifying. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators from sects couldn't beat him alone," Yu Qingli shook his head.

"What did you expect? Why are soul cultivators taboo if not for their overwhelming strength against peers and their bizarre methods?" Zhang Zhi said.

"That may be, but soul cultivators aren't invincible. Look at the recent Shengye Sect incident. That Ha Gong not only single-handedly killed two of the soul cultivator's subordinates but also forced him to retreat, saving the Shengye Sect group. It's said he's just an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. I wonder how he cultivated," the Lu-surnamed cultivator remarked.

"Indeed, I've inquired too. He seems to be a loose cultivator, outstanding both in strength and character. His future is immeasurable," Fairy Hua said, admiration in her eyes.

The scholar-dressed cultivator, seeing this, couldn't help but say sourly, "He's just lucky to have made a name with one battle. Other loose cultivators might not be inferior to him."

"Heh, if Cui Daoist thinks so, why don't you name someone as formidable as him?" Fairy Hua glared at him.

Cui, the cultivator, blushed with provocation, his gaze darting around, but he couldn't think of another famous loose cultivator.

"Ah, I do recall someone who could give Ha Gong a run for his money. Have you heard of him?" Yu Qingli suddenly said with a smile.

Everyone looked at him curiously, but he leisurely took a sip of tea before speaking.

"This person was abandoned by Changchun Temple, then alone fell into the Southern Border, enduring hardships and near-death experiences. It took him three years to return to the Capital City of the Great Jin, by which time he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage and even publicly challenged the national teacher during the abdication ceremony, slaying him."

Fairy Hua realized, "You're talking about Yuan Ming, the author of 'Travels to the South,' Young Master Yuan? Indeed, he's on par with Ha Gong, but it seems he hasn't been heard from much in recent years."

"Alas, he offended Changchun Temple, and even with his talent, his days must not be easy now," the Lu-surnamed cultivator sighed.

Just then, Zhang Zhi looked at everyone with a strange expression and said, "Actually, I happened to meet Yuan Ming not long ago."

"Really?" Everyone was surprised.

Yuan Ming was startled and looked up at Zhang Zhi, but couldn't recall ever meeting him.

"I remember it was near the Capital City. I was being harassed by several cultivators when suddenly one appeared and helped me defeat them. He told me his name was Yuan Ming and not only refused the gifts I offered but also gave me a signed copy of 'Travels of the Noble Son.' Let me show you." Zhang Zhi said, taking out a book and placing it on the table.

Everyone crowded around, taking turns to examine the book, marveling at it.

After making its rounds, the book reached Yuan Ming, who upon opening it, immediately recognized that although the handwriting was somewhat similar to his, it was not his own.

Why would someone impersonate me?

Yuan Ming pondered as he handed the book back.

"Our Great Jin has indeed seen a surge of talents in recent years. Among the younger generation of cultivators, Yuan Ming and Ha Gong need no mention, but even the young emperor who abdicated a few years ago is said to have ascended from Qi refining to Foundation Establishment in just three years, his progress unimpeded. Such talent is truly enviable," the Lu-surnamed Daoist remarked.

"Indeed, and there are others like Changchun Temple's Gao Qian, Water Essence Palace's Fairy Haixiang, and White Deer Villa's Bai Chengnan. Isn't each of them invincible among their peers and renowned far and wide?" Zhang Zhi nodded.

"Alas, among these individuals, who do you think is the most formidable?" Yu Qingli asked.

"Obviously Gao Qian. He's a prodigy of Changchun Temple. There's a rumor that he's begun seclusion to prepare for Core Formation, and it won't be long before he's on a different level from the others," Zhang Zhi said.

"I'm not so sure. Fairy Haixiang once sparred with Gao Qian, and they were evenly matched. Plus, she's been out of sight in recent years, perhaps also preparing for Core Formation," the Lu-surnamed cultivator stroked his beard.

"Does that mean Bai Chengnan is the weakest among them? I wonder how Yuan Ming and Ha Gong compare to him," Yu Qingli laughed.

"Yuan Ming and Ha Gong may be strong, but they're just loose cultivators. Bai Chengnan has the entire White Deer Villa backing him; they can't possibly outmatch him," Zhang Zhi shook his head.

"Speaking of White Deer Villa, I heard their foreign affairs elder was assassinated recently. I wonder if they've found any clues," the Lu-surnamed cultivator mentioned.

"Who knows? White Deer Villa keeps tight-lipped. Even if they have clues, they won't disclose them. We'll probably only hear about it once they've caught the culprit and avenged the death," Zhang Zhi shrugged.

As they were talking, a male cultivator from the next table stood up and approached.

"Fellow Daoists, I am Jiang Xiong. Forgive my intrusion, but I have some questions and seek your guidance. May I trouble you for answers?" the male cultivator asked with a bow.

"Please speak freely, Daoist," the Lu-surnamed cultivator nodded.

"It's like this: I come from the Northern Wastes and have a son who has been cultivating with me for some time. He's now at the third level of Qi refining. As you know, the path of a loose cultivator is difficult, and I don't want my son to follow in my footsteps. I've long heard that the Central Plains is a holy land for cultivation, so I brought him here to join a sect. However, being new to the Central Plains, I'm unfamiliar with the various sects. I overheard you fellow Daoists seem to have extensive knowledge of the sects here, so I sought your advice," Jiang Xiong explained.

"If Daoist has the means, it's best to send your child to Changchun Temple, the foremost sect in the Central Plains. It's a choice you won't regret," Zhang Zhi suggested.

"I've also heard of Changchun Temple's reputation, but my son only has a three-spirit root talent. I fear Changchun Temple might not consider him," Jiang Xiong sighed with a wry smile.