Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 306 - 306 305 Idle Talk by the Winding Stream

306: Chapter 305 Idle Talk by the Winding Stream 306: Chapter 305 Idle Talk by the Winding Stream “The Lizhi Sea contains thousands of islands, but that’s not including rocky reefs.

I’m talking about islands of a substantial size, with their own ecological systems, covered in vegetation, capable of sustaining basic living conditions.

Those designated for occupation are all of some valuable interest, such as Spirit Pearl Veins, Cultivation Minerals, marine resources, and important sea routes, amounting to several hundred.

As for the rest, the insignificant ones or those where the sea conditions are too perilous, we don’t send people—it’s meaningless.”

Hou Niao nodded.

The Cultivation World is very pragmatic, focused on benefits and not about to send disciples to such remote and dangerous places just for the sake of face.

There has to be some gain, whether for the interests of the islands or for the human struggle against the Sea Clan for territory.

It was probably just like that.

“Moreover, the spiritual mechanism on the islands of the Lizhi Sea is much more intense than on the Continent, and the deeper you go into the sea, the more this is the case.

However, the Realms of the Sea Demons in the deep sea also increase correspondingly, striking a balance.

You Upper Tongxuan Cultivators, my fellow senior brothers, are basically stationed on the islands in the near and shallow sea, usually not venturing more than two thousand miles from the coast; going deeper requires Tongtian third Realm Cultivators.

That’s the domain of Great Cultivation at the Golden Core and Nascent Transformation levels, and it’s not somewhere the Sects send people; those who go usually do so voluntarily, to forge Cave Mansions for their own Cultivation.”

Hou Niao was very interested, “How many such Great Cultivators are there?”

Daoist Wang shook his head and gave a bitter smile, “No idea!

Even with the capabilities of the Quanzhen Sikong lineage, we can’t carry out investigations into the Outer Sea.

It’s purely a matter of insufficient strength.

But over the years, we’ve made some rough guesses, though none can be confirmed.

Many of the Great Cultivators living on the deep-sea islands are from a Loose Cultivator background.

They have no interest in the Continental upheavals and so they seek a life of tranquility overseas, free and easy.

It’s said each one has an extremely quirky temperament and isn’t easy to approach.

But you don’t need to worry about this, it’s like chickens don’t speak duck talk, humans don’t live the same as beasts.

You can’t reach the deep sea, and these Great Cultivators won’t come to the shallows, just as a tiger has no interest in an anthill.”

It’s complex – Great Cultivators, Sea Demons, humans, resources, underwater treasures, the subtle and fierce competition among Cultivators from different backgrounds scattered across thousands of islands.

It’s quite chaotic.

“I’ve heard from a Disciple at the Mu Shuai Mansion that there are pirates and formidable bandits at sea?”

Daoist Wang nodded gravely, “Of course!

And not in small numbers.

It’s like the wandering Loose Cultivators you would’ve encountered in Yinling when you were a low-rank Disciple.

It’s rare for Loose Cultivators to reach the Upper Realm of Tongxuan, but the sheer number of Cultivators in these countries means there’s plenty who want a piece of the Outer Sea, you can imagine the chaos.

Sitting cross-legged in Cultivation, building a flying chariot to roam, the Island Master is a thief, the thief is also Daoist; it’s hard to tell them apart.”

“Because the resources overseas are richer than those on the Continent?”

Daoist Wang, “Exactly.

The Continent has too many restrictions, like in Shan Country, where all mines of any worth are under Quanzhen’s control, and Loose Cultivators just passing through don’t stand a chance.

Make a move and you’re chopped.

Overseas is different – far from the sky and the ground, there’s no law; the sea is vast, with inconvenient travel, and there lie opportunities; the ocean is a treasure, as long as you have the courage to risk it, resources are yours for the taking.

You rob both people and marine mines, hence the endless disputes and troubles.

The Jinxiu Continent has two oceans, the Lizhi Sea is like this, and the Tianjin Ocean is no different.

They are both adventurers’ heavens, a battlefield for those who are brave and fierce.

Capital Commandant, I’m against you operating in such a place, but he’s stubborn…

Perhaps, Senior Brother, it would be more prudent to go there after you’ve achieved the Golden Core someday?”

Everyone has a different mentality towards Cultivation, and thus achieves differently.

From these few lines, it’s easy to see why Daoist Wang hasn’t been able to ascend any further in his Realm without feeling wronged – he genuinely lacks that bold and upward-looking spirit of exploration.

“Heh heh, each realm has its own opponents.

Golden Core has its own troubles.

Even Nascent Transformation Great Cultivators who venture into the deep sea have to contend with Sea Demons and other Great Cultivators jostling for position.

It’s all the same; no one can escape this weird cycle.

There is no realm where one can do whatever they please.

There are always restraints and fetters holding you back.”

As the two chatted idly, the atmosphere in the back garden gradually warmed up.

Dugu Lan was her usual enthusiastic self, warmly welcoming every Cultivator who came to offer congratulations.

Regardless of whether they were Tongxuan Cultivators or low-rank novices, she treated everyone equally without discrimination, displaying the composure and grace expected of a scion from a prestigious family, drawing admiration from all.

But what is done on the surface, how could it possibly reflect what is in the heart?

Out of the two hundred guests, only a dozen truly caught the sisters’ eyes.

When considering deeper aspects—potential, family background, strength, and so on—the final number of candidates fitting the Dugu Family’s criteria could be counted on both hands.

It was a bit like picking out merchandise in a market, full of calculations and haggling, but this was the harsh reality of the Cultivation World.

They were selecting people, but in truth, people were also selecting them.

It was mutual selection, and nobody felt that this was unfair to themselves.

Among these individuals, there was one who was very special.

He had no family background, no Master’s lineage; within the Quanzhen Sect, he belonged to the solitary sorts who kept to themselves.

Put nicely, he was a lone wolf, but in the world’s Cultivation System, isolated wolves who make it to the very end are far too rare.

The further one progresses, the more vital the support of the system becomes.

Otherwise, how could one’s personal power stand against this ever-changing world?

What made this person special was that he always managed to carve out his own path.

At the very least, from the time he joined the Quanzhen Sect at the Energy Induction phase to becoming an Upper Tongxuan Cultivator, each of his advancements was beyond expectations.

Moreover, he had even managed to gain his own reputation and circle of influence.

At first, the sisters merely saw him as an expendable backup option, but as this backup continued to surpass their expectations in his growth, they couldn’t help but wonder if there was a limit to such breakthroughs.

Regardless, they had included him among their top ten candidates, albeit choosing him would involve a considerable risk.

This wasn’t just about the potential for future Cultivation, but also the individual’s capacity for creating trouble.

For instance, regarding the congratulatory gifts this time, everyone followed one principle—appropriateness; neither too valuable to be excessive nor too humble to seem cheap, all within the tacit framework of such an occasion.

However, this person’s gift was very valuable, extremely so, far exceeding the normal range of congratulatory offerings.

Giving such a heavy gift without making an appearance, he both expressed something and neglected something, utterly contradictory, rendering him impossible to fathom.

The issue lay with those two congratulatory gifts, which obviously did not adhere to the style of the Quanzhen.

Instead, they carried a strong Daoist Sect aura, and even the original owner’s name was still attached, with bloodstains not yet dry!

Could it be that he had murdered someone to seize these treasures?

Revealing his true colors just two years after reaching the Upper Realm?

Such a person could potentially bring a formidable force to the Dugu Family, but might also bring them calamity.

Who could say for sure?

“Sister, shall we begin now?”

An inquiry from a cousin came from the side.