Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty-Nine: Gathering and Exchange

During the gathering, Old Medic awoke, and after Xiao Yan explained everything, Yao Chen realized his disciple had such a tremendous fortune.

However, Xiao Yan did not tell Yao Chen about the book Dou Po Cang Qiong, only mentioning the chat group.

Xiao Yan’s greatest gain from this trip was exchanging knowledge of alchemy and herbs from different worlds with Ye Fan and Han Li.

Yao Chen’s alchemical knowledge still far surpassed everyone else’s, and he gave these promising disciples a thorough lesson.

Everyone’s backgrounds were now clear, and Han Li didn’t hide anything—he pulled out the little green bottle and used it to grow numerous spiritual plants on the peak; after witnessing its power, Ye Fan, Xiao Yan, and Yao Chen quickly brought out their own precious spiritual plants and immortal herbs.

Aside from Wei Gong Shilang and Su Lin, who struggled terribly with learning, Yao Chen didn’t forget their lack of foundation and made time to give them individual lessons on basics.

Wei Gong Shilang shared his limited magical knowledge with the group; everyone found his method of extracting the so-called aether element fascinating and also examined his innate constitution.

“I said this guy was suited for sword cultivation.”

“Isn’t that obvious? Change the phrasing and it’s ‘born with a sword bone’—though there’s still a big difference.”

Under everyone’s guidance, Wei Gong Shilang trained his projections while attempting beginner-level cultivation; by the fifteenth day, he touched the threshold of entry.

“......”

In fact, Ye Fan and Han Li were already considering how to sell counterfeits in their own worlds.

Wei Gong Shilang’s ability to project weapons is intriguing; once he cultivates to a certain level, he could disguise himself and sell fakes to his enemies or the Ancient Royal Clans.

That time won’t be long—according to Wei Gong Shilang’s future trajectory, his ability can grow rapidly by sharing it with his future self; with diligent cultivation afterward, perhaps within decades, he could establish an entire industry.

This is a reliable source of income.

Ninety days passed swiftly, with no scheming or intrigue—everyone helped each other, exchanged knowledge and abilities, and used their own fortunes and skills to aid one another; during these days, all were joyful, forming an excellent atmosphere.

“The cultivation system within Water Mirror Peak is very similar to that of my world, but vastly different from Ye Brother’s world,” Han Li’s voice came from beside him, as he held a jade tablet, examining its contents.

“Moreover, I feel that from Foundation Establishment onward, everything changes,” Han Li’s expression was incredulous: “More...”

Han Li seemed to be searching for the right words.

Ye Fan added: “Perfect.”

“Yes, exactly perfect.”

Had he not seen it with his own eyes, Han Li would never have believed that the Foundation Establishment techniques of his world, compared to this one, were entirely different—this was another path, similar yet distinct.

It was as if he had been walking a rural dirt road, and now before him lay a grand imperial highway.

“The inheritance within Water Mirror Peak can carry one to the Great Ascension realm without issue, but the method of breaking through to Immortality...”

“The key lies precisely in that breakthrough step,” Ye Fan spoke up. “It’s incomplete, flawed.”

“Too extreme,” Han Li evaluated.

“Perhaps they had no other choice and were forced to forge a new path,” Ye Fan speculated.

“Is there a way to complete it?” Su Lin sat on a wooden chair, refilling tea for himself and the two beside him.

“Not now,” Han Li sighed and shook his head. “Su Brother, perhaps future versions of me and Ye Fan can manage it.”

“But now...”

“One is Golden Core, the other is Dao Palace,” Ye Fan pointed at Han Li, then at himself. “Big Shot, right now we’re both beginners—not the powerhouse levels from the books.”

Su Lin nodded, acknowledging that perhaps in a few centuries they could help him correct the technique—but that was far too long.

Sufficient strength was the material guarantee for enjoying a laid-back life.

He could temporarily cultivate it, and later switch to another method if a better one emerged.

“Besides the method of becoming immortal, there are side effects,” Ye Fan said seriously. “I don’t know where you got this inheritance, but to reach the end and lose all desire whatsoever is too dull.”

“Preserving Heavenly Principle, extinguishing Human Desire isn’t wrong per se, but I feel this technique’s effect is excessive,” Han Li agreed with Xiao Yan. “Cultivate only up to Nascent Soul; after that, switch to another technique.”

Even so, Han Li might still practice this technique upon returning, since unlike those in his world, it didn’t require discarding his current cultivation—he could use it compatibly and synergistically.

‘I owe him more and more,’ Han Li thought.

“I understand. Thank you,” Su Lin said gratefully upon hearing their words.

But since he could practice it, he’d continue—Nascent Soul was still far off.

This [Heavenly Forgetting] technique was truly top-tier, highly efficient; no need to directly exchange for a technique from the system.

Techniques in the system could be learned instantly with cultivation attached, but prices rose sharply later—for example, a complete Grand Taiyi Star Scripture cost 5,000 to enter and 500,000 to reach Great Ascension; though cultivation was included, the price jumped to 20 million from Human Immortal to Heavenly Immortal—he’d have to visit countless worlds to afford it.

Items in the system followed a pattern: those granting power directly to the self were expensive; items or time-limited ones were cheap.

“By the way, Ye Brother, have you noticed anything?” Han Li asked Ye Fan.

“Yes, I’ve noticed,” Ye Fan nodded.

“What have you noticed? Don’t be cryptic,” Su Lin asked, puzzled.

“It’s not us being mysterious—this world belongs to Su Brother, so he likely doesn’t feel it,” Han Li smiled. “Our cultivation speed is gradually slowing.”

Su Lin realized belatedly: “Rejection?!”

Ye Fan calmly picked up a spiritual fruit he’d brought from his fruit tray and took a bite: “I feel it’s more like a restriction—the chat group’s restriction on us.”

Ye Fan and Han Li exchanged a knowing smile.

Su Lin had no direct sense of this chat group restriction—naturally, since his return point remained unchanged; if he cultivated for centuries in another world and returned, he’d leave his rivals far behind.

“Then, it’s time to say goodbye.”

Han Li rose and bowed.

“Cultivation is so captivating—only next time will I return to city life.”

Half an hour later, the group gathered by the pavilion beside Water Mirror Lake, bidding farewell.

“There’s plenty of time ahead, everyone—come back and visit in a few days,” Su Lin smiled as he saw them off.

This gathering had lasted long enough—the group had stayed in his world for three months.

The interdimensional talismans weren’t limited to one; he sent one every month, but the problem was, no one knew how long this cultivation restriction would last.

By agreement, they would take turns coming once a month to test when the restriction would expire.

After all, they’d planted many spiritual plants and herbs here; each visit allowed them to harvest some, and they found this place safe and convenient, having cultivated several medicinal fields.

Added to Han Li’s little green bottle, the spiritual energy density of Water Mirror Peak had risen several levels.

Ordinary people who stayed here even briefly might extend their lifespan and strengthen their bodies.

Xiao Yan suddenly remembered something and asked Wei Gong Shilang beside him: “Have you thought about the question I asked you last month?”

“Huh?” Wei Gong Shilang rubbed his head, confused. “Which question?”

“Which heroine to choose?” Xiao Yan sighed in exasperation. “All of them, or pick one?”

Wow. Su Lin was stunned.

Amidst the group’s teasing laughter.

Wei Gong Shilang’s face turned red as he stammered: “Sakura is a junior, Rin is a good friend, Saber is a trusted companion—those are parallel world matters; how can parallel world figures count as heroines?”

As he spoke, he frantically opened a teleportation gate to take his leave.

At that moment, Xiao Yan added: “I get it—you’re into that little girl named Illya.”

The statement startled Wei Gong Shilang mid-teleport; he stumbled and fell into his bedroom.

“Shirou, what happened?” Saber called from next door.

“Nothing...”

That’s not cool at all.

Ye Fan smirked at Xiao Yan—this guy only picked on the honest ones.

“Alright, alright—go find your old flame’s disciple and fulfill your three-year vow at Yunlan Sect, haha,” Ye Fan laughed as he opened his teleportation gate and slipped back—he wouldn’t give Xiao Yan time to embarrass him further.

Old Medic thought his disciple was embarrassing; he tapped Xiao Yan on the head and returned to his ring.

“Come along, disciple.”

Han Li nodded and left without delay, returning to his world.

He needed to find the reincarnation of that person—he’d only felt she looked familiar before, but never imagined...

Water Mirror Peak was now empty, leaving only Su Lin alone.

Su Lin exhaled a puff of white mist.

Under the sun’s rays, the sky carried a few wisps of clouds.

Soon after the bustle faded, Water Mirror Peak was once again shrouded in mist.

Su Lin pulled out his phone: “Hello, Dad.”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry—I found a job, I’m doing fine.”

“Huh? What job?”

“Uh...”

“Cultivating... agricultural products... yeah, large-scale ones.”

———————————————

At first, it was just odd tales or images and videos that looked photoshopped.

Inside a venue in Magic City, a man cosplaying the Emperor Armor and another in a Kamen Rider Diend suit clashed swords, drawing a crowd at the anime convention.

“Where are the security guards? What are they doing?”

Someone grew concerned and prepared to call security; though the fight was impressive, it felt increasingly wrong.

What if a passing female cosplayer got hurt?

But soon, someone noticed something odd.

The Emperor Armor glowed golden, and Diend’s sword burst into flames.

Then, as they fought, they smashed through the venue’s glass and continued their battle in midair.

“They’re serious...?”

A photographer’s DSLR fell to the ground.

The night of Xingcheng

On the last train of Line 3, several college students were rushing to catch it, heading back to campus to end their day’s gathering.

As they laughed and chatted, the train carried many corporate employees also scrambling to catch the final ride.

Unlike the college students’ merriment, most just want to go home quickly to rest and end this tiring day.

At this moment, a man in ancient attire appeared at the junction between train cars.

He carried an air of noble bearing, with a model of an ancient sword strapped to his back.

The train’s swaying did not disturb his balance; he stood quietly a short distance away, eyes fixed intently on a man in a branded hoodie at the front car door.

Just as someone raised their phone to photograph the two men...

“Qingyuan Road, arriving...”

The train’s announcement was not yet finished.

The hooded man, wearing a black mask, vanished from the door at a speed invisible to the naked eye.

The man in ancient attire moved slowly but deliberately, leaping into the air to pursue him.

Such incidents of all kinds had occurred over the past months in cities large and small across the nation.

And Su Lin had spent these past months living a completely idle life.

Occasionally, he used historical projections to create topics that stirred heated discussion and attention.

Yes, all the above were caused by Su Lin.

After careful consideration, he spent a large portion of his remaining points to acquire a ring.

【Zhe Yin】: Conceals heavenly fate and karmic cause. If anyone attempts to trace illusory karmic threads, the item shatters as a cost, erasing all karmic traces left since the moment it was worn. Hide the cause, and the effect cannot be seen. If there is no cause, how can there be an effect? All effects seen are but causes.

Combined with his historical projection ability, why waste the chance to fleece Earth’s wool?

Though he could cultivate, there was no reason not to hoard land and stockpile grain.

By day, he ate, drank, played games, watched dramas and anime, and chatted in groups.

Occasionally, he trained for a few days, then took months-long vacations to other worlds—ah, what a delightful life~.

He ate delicacies and rare feasts from other worlds, drank spiritual springs and exquisite beverages from distant realms.

After dinner, he wandered the city, scouted locations, and plotted his schemes.

Sometimes he even disguised himself as a righteous emissary, punishing criminals and lawbreakers.

Yes, the recent sightings of Batman chasing fugitives, Spider-Man rescuing people, Li Xiaoyao sword-sweeping crime syndicates, Sun Wukong smashing cults, and Armor Warriors capturing traffickers—all were his doing.

Though he was merely a Qi Condensation cultivator, that didn’t stop him from exploiting historical projections for free.

He could also exchange for one-time-use items.

Su Lin’s core consciousness had taken control of one of his historical projections, now hidden in the sky above the city, overlooking the landscape.

Ignoring gravity, he stood vertically, ninety degrees perpendicular, on the glass curtain wall of an office tower.

Looking down at the city, at first, it felt like gazing upon all living beings from above.

Now, the same view brought a different feeling—watching the tiny specks of cars and human dots below.

The bustling world, the myriad faces of life.

A year ago, he had still been working 996, envying others’ comfortable lives while striving himself.

The shrill honking below snapped Su Lin out of his memories. Fine, the superhero had to move again.

A certain brand of car, its brakes failing, was about to plow into pedestrians on the crosswalk—when a thunderous boom echoed from the sky.

The crash of thunder struck the concrete road, kicking up a spray of pebbles.

A muscular man wearing a Marvel-style Thor cartoon mask struck the car mid-fall, flipping it away with a motion too swift to follow, then sliced open the roof with his power and yanked out the driver, his wife, their child, and their dog.

Placing them safely on the ground, he gave a casual two-finger salute to his forehead, then leapt upward into the air.

“Honey... did I just imagine that?”

“You didn’t imagine it—I’m having a hallucination.”