Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1506 - 799: Return to the Sect (2)

The newcomer turned out to be the second senior brother, Yue Shan. Being so well-acquainted with Li Shiming, there was no way he wouldn't spot him right away.

However, spotting Li Shiming's status as a Great Cultivator caused Yue Shan to pause before acknowledging him fully.

"Second senior brother, I've only been gone a few years—how is it you don't know me anymore?" Li Shiming remarked, grinning.

"Junior brother, it's truly you! It's been so long, and you've already reached the Great Cultivator stage!" Yue Shan recovered from his astonishment and burst out joyfully. After pausing briefly, he composed himself and faced Great Cultivator Luo Pei, offering a respectful bow while inquiring, "And who might this senior be?"

"Second senior brother, no need to be so formal with him—he's my follower, named Luo Pei!" Li Shiming presented him cheerfully.

This revelation only deepened Yue Shan's confusion about how to respond.

On the Dongqi Continent, the standing of a Great Cultivator rivaled the peak figures of the Central State Continent.

Still, Yue Shan could never have dreamed that Li Shiming commanded a Great Cultivator as his underling. Observing Great Cultivator Luo Pei positioned submissively at Li Shiming's rear, it truly appeared as though he served Li Shiming.

"Isn't that the Guangling Great Venerable?" Yue Shan spotted the Cultivator in Great Cultivator Luo Pei's grasp and named him.

"I noticed the Guangling Great Venerable showing up close to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, so I seized him to deliver to the sect!" Li Shiming clarified.

"Let me escort you back to the sect first!" Yue Shan drew in a few steadying breaths to steady his feelings, scanning the surroundings as he suggested.

He had also observed that the Nascent Soul Cultivators who once lingered near the sect had vanished entirely.

It appeared Li Shiming's presence had scared them off, easing the pent-up frustration Yue Shan had endured for so long.

With Li Shiming's comeback this time—as a Great Cultivator no less—and accompanied by yet another Great Cultivator, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's fighting power received a massive boost.

As Li Shiming approached within a thousand miles of the sect, he shut his eyes, savoring the memories, eager to etch the known spatial essence into his spirit.

Since the mountain gate lay just ahead, he skipped further talk with Yue Shan, knowing he'd soon encounter his master, Grandmaster Hu, and uncover everything important.

At the Sect Formation's edge, Yue Shan halted.

"Junior brother, stay put here briefly—I must report inside to secure clearance for Senior Luo Pei to join the sect!" Yue Shan directed Li Shiming to remain while he stepped through the Sect Formation.

Li Shiming felt no surprise; Yue Shan's power to lead Great Cultivator Luo Pei this far already stretched his permissions to the max.

Besides, after Li Shiming's breakthrough to Great Cultivator, his Identity Jade Disc lacked updates, and amid the sect's crisis alert, checks were required to allow entry.

Soon enough, Yue Shan reappeared alongside Great Cultivator Ding Lifei.

Li Shiming felt a mild jolt, unprepared for Great Cultivator Ding Lifei to emerge in place of his master, Grandmaster Hu.

This development weighed on his mind—had something befallen Master Grandmaster Hu?

Recalling his recent successful link via the Identity Jade Disc to his master, he dismissed the worry as mere excess concern.

"Li Shizhen pays respects to Junior Master Ding!" Li Shiming advanced, offering a deferential bow.

"Word reached me of your troubles on the Central State Continent—your master and I fretted greatly, yet here you are unscathed, and with such blessings that you've ascended to Great Cultivator!" Great Cultivator Ding Lifei commented smilingly, his gaze on Li Shiming brimming with approval.

He assisted Li Shiming to rise, examining him closely, his eyes betraying clear wonder.

"By the way, as a Great Cultivator yourself now, address me as Brother Ding from here on!" He tacked on after reflecting.

In the Cultivation World, barring master-disciple ties, a cultivator's rank hinged primarily on their realm.

"Brother Ding, meet Luo Pei, my subordinate!" Li Shiming adjusted his greeting, presenting Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

"Mr. Luo, you're most welcome!" Great Cultivator Ding greeted warmly, dipping in a slight bow toward Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

Great Cultivator Luo Pei, famed for nearly dismantling a prominent sect alone—though perhaps unknown to folks like Yue Shan—had his exploits known to Great Cultivator Ding via certain sources.

Despite Great Cultivator Luo Pei's aura not radiating exceptional might, Great Cultivator Ding refused to regard him lightly in any way.

Great Cultivator Luo Pei reciprocated the courtesy silently, then fell back to his spot behind Li Shiming, underscoring his position.

"Brother Ding, here's the Guangling Great Venerable—I ran into him just beyond the mountain gate on my way back and nabbed him for the sect!" Li Shiming pointed out, as Great Cultivator Luo Pei passed the Guangling Great Venerable over to Great Cultivator Ding.

"The Ten Thousand Beast Sect stands at a pivotal crossroads of survival right now. Your arrival brings immense relief; snaring the Guangling Great Venerable will surely curb Lianhua Temple's boldness!" Great Cultivator Ding declared upon receiving the Guangling Great Venerable.

Securing the Guangling Great Venerable alive highlighted Li Shiming's terrifying prowess in battle.

The Ten Thousand Beast Sect desperately required reinforcements—this proved excellent tidings—while Lianhua Temple, deprived of the Guangling Great Venerable, saw their forces diminish, and with his life in the balance, they'd likely hold back more.

Great Cultivator Ding first refreshed Li Shiming's Identity Jade Disc, then produced a fresh one for Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

"Mr. Luo, you'll act as a temporary Guest Elder for the Ten Thousand Beast Sect; your rewards will be settled once I consult the other senior brothers!" Great Cultivator Ding outlined as he offered the Identity Jade Disc, extending courtesy to Great Cultivator Luo Pei even as Li Shiming's follower.

Trailing him, Li Shiming and Great Cultivator Luo Pei crossed into the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's mountain gate.

Once inside, Li Shiming detected a heavy air of strain.

Strikingly, cultivators guarded key points across the Sect Formation, a sight never witnessed previously.

Each cultivator soaring overhead moved with urgency, their faces etched with grave seriousness.

Great Cultivator Ding, aware of Li Shiming's chief desire, guided him toward the Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven, reaching the base of Grandmaster Hu's peak.

The peak's formation stirred to life, and Great Cultivator Ding went in ahead, with Li Shiming and the rest following.

Li Shiming picked up on the oddity. With Master Grandmaster Hu's nature, upon learning of Li Shiming's Great Cultivator advancement and the extra one in tow, he'd surely have rushed out to welcome them.

Having Great Cultivator Ding handle the reception felt peculiar enough, but staying secluded in the grotto pointed to some incident.

"Shizhen, have you returned?" A frail voice echoed from the unsealed grotto.

"Master!" Li Shiming cried out, stunned.

Given Grandmaster Hu's cultivation level, such frailty could only stem from grave wounds.

Li Shiming hastened his pace into the grotto, finding his master, Grandmaster Hu, seated upon a chair.

Grandmaster Hu appeared ashen-faced, his breathing erratic, and worst of all, deprived of his left leg.

"Master, who dared to injure you?" Li Shiming's aura burst out wildly, unleashing a crushing force.

Grandmaster Hu, beholding Li Shiming and feeling his power, beamed with satisfaction.

As if witnessing his own child coming of age, he recognized Li Shiming's growth into maturity.

"I'm alright—blame that fellow from Taichu Sect who clashed with me!" Grandmaster Hu dismissed lightly with a gesture, grinning.

Yet his statement triggered a fit of coughs, sapping his vigor.

"Master, save your words for now—allow me to treat you!" Li Shiming hurriedly steadied Grandmaster Hu.

He produced a High Grade Fourth-Grade Limb Regeneration Pill, crafted from surplus Spiritual Medicine leftover from aiding wounded Great Cultivators on the Central State Continent.

Although he wielded the 'Innate Wood' Divine Skill, regenerating limbs still depended on the potency of a Limb Regeneration Spirit Pill like this.