Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 772

Xia Calendar: 6,650 years

At last, Small Shadiao achieved a breakthrough to the sixth level. Thanks to the resources provided by Lin Jiang, he ought to have advanced much sooner. However, his laziness and lack of effort delayed his growth considerably.

Right after his advancement, the initial action Small Shadiao took was to flee. He sneaked out from the Cloud Mountain Range. Given his nature, enduring confinement in the Cloud Mountain for centuries proved utterly unbearable.

"Ah, this is the flavor of freedom."

Heading westward, Small Shadiao dashed off; he figured crossing all of Huaxia eastward was impossible, so he chose the direct western route.

Once he crossed Huaxia's borders, Small Shadiao exhaled deeply, filled with renewed vigor. This had to be the essence of liberty.

"So many stunning women, oh, so many lovely maidens, time to check them out!"

In a casual manner, he reached a minor nation in the western region of the Shen Continent, and Small Shadiao's gaze sparkled. In numerous lands across the western Shen Continent, the inhabitants differed slightly from Huaxia's folk, possessing sharper features that enhanced their allure—striking men and enchanting women.

Truth be told, plenty of laborers from these western Shen Continent nations toil in Huaxia; those with proper papers join legitimate firms, whereas the undocumented ones labor in the underground. They thrive in diverse sectors, and the challenge of clandestine workers remains unresolved in this era.

It was simply that Small Shadiao had lingered too long in Cloud Mountain, leaving him unaware of external affairs; if he knew, he wouldn't have bothered traveling here, since Huaxia boasts abundant attractions.

Blending into the throng, Small Shadiao immersed himself in the populace within mere days, swiftly embracing a leisurely existence.

He soon discovered that these nations suffered from severe poverty; their technological progress lagged centuries behind Huaxia, and their cultivation prowess remained exceedingly feeble. Even the emerging batch of monsters in their lands overwhelmed them.

Thus, they constantly battled the monster beasts, expending all efforts in combat with no spare for advancing their industries. Over time, their economies fell under the dominance of larger powers, which propped them up just enough to subsist on select natural assets.

"Tsk tsk, these minor nations depend on natural bounties like ores for survival. Should those resources deplete one day and the major countries withdraw aid, half the populace would face starvation."

"Pah, I’m no rescuer. Why bother with their woes?"

Small Shadiao let out a sigh, only to dismiss it with a spit. What business did he have meddling in human affairs? He preferred savoring his own pleasures at the moment.

With Small Shadiao's capabilities, he surpassed everyone nearby with ease. A mere display of his might allowed him to dwell as if superior to all.

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"Small Shadiao has fled."

"I’m aware; I permitted his departure. Had I not, he couldn’t have gotten away."

Lin Jiang gave a nod. Since Cloud Mountain served as his personal domain, allowing Small Shadiao's escape was no simple matter—he had deliberately set him free.

"Do you find him pitiable?"

"Not truly pitiable; it’s merely pointless."

"Indeed, no pity needed, for Cloud Mountain spans so vast an area. He roams at will, far from captivity. Plus, he’s collaborated with the Demon Queen, so currently, he poses no threat. It concerns his offspring… ah, forget it, no need to dwell."

Cao Ying noted that Lin Wanli chose the most unfortunate moment for his breakthrough; a delay of several centuries would have spared his life.

"Have you met with the Demon Queen? What were her words?"

Lin Jiang mentioned that Cao Ying and the Demon Queen scheduled encounters every decade, their latest just days prior.

"The Fire Scale Demon Emperor has also advanced, resulting in three prominent eighth-level demon clans, yet akin to the Shenwu Demon Emperor, the Fire Scale Demon Emperor sensed no shift during the process. The Demon Queen has verified this repeatedly; the root of the issue eludes us."

"After all, such an advantage belongs to only a select few; they hold us in high regard indeed."

"When do you plan to ascend to the Transmigration Stage?"

"Not anytime soon."

Lin Jiang explained that mere years had passed since his Tao Achieving. Even with the path cleared, consolidation demanded time.

"I feel some unease; this uncertainty about what lies ahead is deeply troubling."

"It’s tough to attain such heights in cultivation only to have your fate and prospects gripped by others."

"That captures it well. Don’t you share this discomfort?"

"I do; it’s difficult to swallow, yet we lack alternatives for now."

Lin Jiang shook his head. He truly towered over all, with none beneath him. As the pinnacle of humanity in this realm, his strength knew no equal. Amid Huaxia’s billion-plus souls, a single utterance from him could seal lives, bestow honors, or shape destinies. Even the course of human progress bowed to his will alone.

So immense a power terrified; it could inflate egos to scorn myriad existences. For the bearer, it offered boundless liberty in decisions.

Those wielding such authority struggle most against subjugation by higher forces; they resemble caged dragons. Though Lin Jiang kept a steady composure, he couldn’t fully reconcile with this reality.

"Thus, we require a chance for breakthrough, and I believe that chance ties to you."

"What makes you think so?"

"Because you stand out. Your origins, your tale, your mysteries—I won’t probe them, but it’s undeniable."

"I apologize."

"Apologize for what? Secrets belong to everyone. We share daily life; do you imagine I harbor none?"

"That’s not my intent."

"Then no apologies are due. As long as our intentions remain harmless to one another, that suffices. Even should you seek to harm me someday, I’d support you unwaveringly."

"Please, don’t speak like that."

Lin Jiang shook his head. Such profound sentiments overwhelmed him, lest he lose his way.

"Wait until your Transmigration Stage breakthrough to confront him."

"Agreed, though it won’t happen swiftly. It’ll demand endurance, at minimum a few centuries. The more time, the preferable."

Lin Jiang stated that despite lacking leads, preparations were essential. Time was needed for scheming.

"Shall we journey the world once more?"

"That holds little appeal. It’d merely fill some years. Better to pursue other endeavors."

"What then? Bear a child?"

"Post-Transmigration Stage, offspring seem unlikely. If you sought another for that, would you not shred me in jealousy?"

"Am I so possessive?"

Cao Ying snorted, mimicking a slicing motion with her hands, then fixed her stare on a particular spot on Lin Jiang.

Lin Jiang chuckled, affirming that fathering children meant nothing to him; it held no purpose. He’d avoided it earlier, and now even more so.

His gaze returned to the computer display, diving back into his tasks. Lin Jiang retained a thread of societal duty; while he thrived without cares, potentially for millennia, multitudes toiled below in hardship.

Though Lin Jiang couldn’t bestow bliss upon them, he at least owed them security and the chance to chase their own joy.

This duty arose from obligation. Innumerable diligent souls upheld figures like Lin Jiang, so leaders must safeguard them—or what justified their loyalty?