Chapter 447

410. Chapter 409: Etiquette

On the crystal-clear spaceship, cultivators from the Xuanyuan Continent critiqued everything about this world; they had long grown accustomed to being looked up to by mortals, their arrogance deeply ingrained, and they held no respect for cultivators of the Decline Era.

"All of you, be silent. Straighten your attitudes. We've come here to show sincerity, not to cause trouble. Anyone who dares act recklessly won't escape my wrath."

Hearing the cultivators on the spaceship chatter incessantly, a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe walked over, his expression stern, and suddenly barked.

"Have you all forgotten what happened just days ago? A god delivered a cross-world strike, severing a corner of the Xuanyuan Continent—Zixiao Sect, with three thousand years of lineage, was wiped out in that single blow. How dare you still speak of imprinting slaves? If you act recklessly and invite disaster, none of you will live."

This middle-aged man was Daoist Daoist Chongxu, tasked with monitoring every move of these cultivators; he would not let any troublemaker go unpunished.

"Master Daoist Chongxu, we're only talking, and the ship's formation seals us off—they can't hear us." Someone said with an embarrassed smile.

"If we wanted to strike, we'd have struck already. We wouldn't be sitting here quietly, letting these natives stare at us." The woman in pink sneered.

Daoist Daoist Chongxu glanced at them and said: "The top experts from all major sects on the Xuanyuan Continent have already withdrawn. Our mission is to investigate this world through friendly exchange, and to gather information on that god. From what we've seen, that god isn't from this world either—Zixiao Sect merely got unlucky by suppressing someone they shouldn't have, which drew the cross-world strike."

"Moreover, our investigations these past days show that it's not just Xuanyuan cultivators causing trouble here. Some beast spirits crossed over and have no intention of returning; they've killed plenty in just these few days. Yet that god hasn't intervened. Also, after the sky collapsed, floods poured in, drowning countless cities—and that god didn't appear to quell it. Similar cases abound."

"Thus, it's clear that the god doesn't care about minor disturbances. Also, avoid the city called Tianchang—don't risk running into someone connected to that god."

Then Daoist Daoist Chongxu shared more information and drew several conclusions.

Although the Xuanyuan people have been intimidated and dare not launch a large-scale invasion, sending a few individuals under the guise of friendly exchange to scout the situation surely won't provoke protest.

After all, how bored would a god be, watching over these minor cultivators day and night?

Besides, in terms of chaos, the Xuanyuan Continent doesn't even rank high—if a god were to intervene and purge, it wouldn't be them first.

"Yes, yes, yes, Master Daoist Chongxu speaks wisely. We've only come to exchange and learn, not to stir up trouble." The cultivators on the spaceship immediately nodded in agreement, humbly seeking guidance.

Meanwhile,

Inside a meeting hall within the Golden Hall,

The academy's top experts had gathered to discuss today's events.

"These Xuanyuan cultivators may be arrogant in attitude, but at least they're willing to exchange. Though their motives aren't pure, they're not yet enemies. Acquiring their cultivation methods would benefit our Golden Academy—overall, the advantages outweigh the risks," said Tan Zhong, the judge.

"It's because days ago, a god delivered a cross-world strike that nearly wiped out their continent. They assumed that god was from our Earth—or connected to it—so they came to the Golden Academy politely, under the guise of friendly exchange and mutual learning, even offering us free techniques. But they don't know we ourselves know: that god has nothing to do with Earth. He's a powerful being from another world. He helped us intimidate our enemies, then vanished."

Said Wu Wu Zuohua, the security officer, his face grim.

"So this is a misunderstanding. Once they stay longer and investigate thoroughly, they'll realize it. Then a great war is inevitable. If that god truly stood with us, he wouldn't have vanished after one strike—he'd have continued manifesting, sending a powerful envoy to firmly occupy Earth. But he didn't. In my view, that god didn't act to protect Earth—he acted because they provoked him. He disapproved of their actions, so he struck."

"Makes sense."

Nearby, Luo Luo Tianyou nodded: "Whether Xuanyuan cultivators or the cross-world god, all are outsiders. Whether they're polite or rude won't solve Earth's crisis. In the critical moment, we must rely on ourselves."

"Still, we must maintain the exchange. The longer we can deceive them, the better. Buy time for cultivation and cross-world preparation. As for the future—we'll take it step by step."

From the Golden Academy's perspective, the Xuanyuan cultivators crossing over and the god's cross-world strike were the same in nature—Earth had become the battlefield.

If the Xuanyuan world collapses, its cultivators may flee en masse to Earth. Likewise, if the god's world is destroyed, its people may cross over too.

Though the Golden Academy gathers many strong ones, currently even Qi Refining and Spirit Soul realm cultivators are merely mid-tier forces—unable to sway the fate of a world.

That's the consequence of shallow roots.

"We know they come with ill intent, yet we must still treat them well—even refuse them? Impossible. How tragic. In my view, we should abandon Earth and each cross over to escape."

Ouyang Bing chuckled bitterly, seeing no future for this world—its destruction was inevitable; crossing over was the wise choice.

"You're such a coward. At the first sign of trouble, you think of running. Even Fish Egg has more backbone than you." A tall, burly man with a square face sat upright, expression stern.

Ouyang Bing glared at him: "Wang Hu, you've just broken into Qi Refining. You have no right to speak here."

"You piece of trash, you're only fit to lick my boots." Wang Hu snorted heavily.

"You want to die."

Ouyang Bing flew into rage—immediately, a searing flame erupted around him, four-colored, capable of melting metal the moment it appeared.

"Enough." A low roar echoed, deafening.

The cosmic energy around vanished instantly; the flame extinguished.

Seated in the main seat was a middle-aged man around fifty, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, expression grave.

He was Sun Sun Boxiu, vice-president of the Golden Academy, an elite Spirit Soul realm powerhouse, personally in charge of the Xuanyuan cultivators' visit.

At the vice-president's anger, everyone fell silent.

"What you've said is reasonable. Whether cultivators or gods, none belong to our Earth. To survive the Skyfall disaster, we must work together," Vice-President Sun Sun Boxiu said calmly. "Thanks to that god's terrifying strike, our enemies are intimidated. We must seize this rare, brief peace and do what we must."

"We cannot refuse their visit—it would look suspicious. So let's pretend to borrow their power. First, stabilize them. Since they're offering us techniques and wish to exchange cultivation methods, let's be generous: trade our Evolution Method for their cultivation arts. We won't lose anything."

"Besides, threats from other worlds are no less severe. In short: when soldiers come, meet them with soldiers; when water floods, block it with earth. Hope still exists for the future."

"The president is right," everyone echoed.

Sun Sun Boxiu said: "Prepare yourselves. Time is nearly up. It's time to receive our otherworldly guests. No matter how they test us, we must respond. If we can't even handle their first probe, they'll grow even more brazen. You all understand: small devils are hard to deal with."

After the supreme cultivators and gods exchanged blows over the Skyfall event, both sides would vanish for a time—after all, their strikes could shatter worlds. Now, the struggle falls to us, the lesser warriors.

Fortunately, these cultivators have restrained themselves. Otherwise, if their top experts had all descended, the Golden Academy might as well surrender now.

After brief discussion,

Sun Sun Boxiu led the Golden Academy's key experts out of the meeting hall and toward the Golden Hall, preparing to receive the Xuanyuan cultivators.

The cultivators, in turn, sent an esteemed elder to handle the matter.

Amidst celestial music, female cultivators held ornate canopies, played zithers, struck jade bells, and danced, descending along a glowing staircase from the spaceship. Male cultivators held jade axes, blew ritual horns, beat great drums, and wielded swords. Spirit beasts pulled carts piled high with jade scrolls and treasures, radiating multicolored light.

Clearly, this was a form of etiquette from the Xuanyuan Continent.

At the forefront walked an elderly man with white hair and a ruddy complexion, his beard and eyebrows pure white, his expression benevolent. He held a purple jade scroll, leading the group as they slowly advanced toward the Golden Hall. With each step, golden flowers and silver leaves bloomed beneath his feet, making him appear like a true immortal.

Nearby,

Crowds of onlookers gathered.

Li Yi blended in, utterly unremarkable.

"Not many people, but the pomp is enormous," he couldn't help mentally grumbling.

One must admit—the cultivator world is different. Even etiquette has evolved into a formal system. Only those with deep roots can achieve this. Like a nation: only ancient ones have elaborate rituals, ceremonies, and rules. Nations with shallow roots just say "hello" when they meet.

Though they clearly had ill intent, the Golden Academy had no grounds to refuse such a formal visit.

We can't act like the Qing Dynasty and seal ourselves off.

Besides, they arrived with carts full of gifts—even Yang Wei himself couldn't find fault with them.