Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1526 - 809: Facing the Challenge (Part 2)

"Ren Mu is nearing the Dongqi Continent. He plans to halt at the Central State Commerce branch for some time to grasp the conditions of Dongqi Continent and you!" Li Shiming felt astonished as he received this message from Master Liu Ziyun.

Li Shiming's drone satellite network hadn't picked up on Master Ren Mu's approach yet, yet Master Liu Ziyun, leader of the Central State Commerce in Dongqi Continent, had already shared this key information with him.

Master Liu Ziyun's actions left him deeply confused. Despite their existing agreement, there was no real need for such complete involvement from the other side.

Truthfully, Master Liu Ziyun had his motives. The clash between Master Ren Mu and Li Shiming this time served as a trial for Li Shiming.

Should Li Shiming manage to endure the assault from the Peak Great Cultivator Ren Mu, it would demonstrate his worthiness to keep partnering with Liu Ziyun's group.

Should he perish in Master Ren Mu's strike, then all deals would end right there, with no further talk of contracts.

By sharing this intel with Li Shiming, Master Liu Ziyun aimed to extend a gesture of kindness. In truth, relaying this detail or not wouldn't truly impact the showdown between Li Shiming and Master Ren Mu.

For elite Great Cultivators such as Master Ren Mu, typical ambushes or setups held minimal value.

Devices capable of ensnaring a Peak Great Cultivator were incredibly scarce; even mighty organizations struggled to craft them, much less Li Shiming, a Great Cultivator from a renowned sect.

"Thank you!" Li Shiming sent back a quick reply.

He informed Grandmaster Hu that he had to depart the sect for an excursion but kept the true purpose hidden, not wanting to cause his master any concern.

Departing from the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's entrance, he activated 'One Step to Heaven' repeatedly to speed toward the Central State Commerce Dongqi Continent outpost, a place he knew well.

'One Step to Heaven' operated at full capacity, engaging ten minds with barely any pauses between each use. Though the energy drain was heavy, at the Great Cultivator realm, such expenditure meant little.

As he hovered over the Central State Commerce Dongqi Continent branch, Master Liu Ziyun spotted him via the site's protective array, his face twisting into a vivid mix of emotions.

Master Ren Mu hadn't shown up yet, yet Li Shiming had beaten him to the spot.

Master Ren Mu had contacted Master Liu Ziyun upon nearing Dongqi Continent's shores. Once informed, Master Liu Ziyun forwarded the news straight to Li Shiming.

Master Liu Ziyun figured Master Ren Mu was nearly at the branch already. It seemed ideal to pass along the details to Master Ren Mu upon arrival, allowing him to then encounter Li Shiming.

Yet he hadn't foreseen that Li Shiming, starting from a greater distance, would make it there in mere half an hour.

With a helpless shake of his head, Master Liu Ziyun readied himself to exit and chat with Li Shiming about delaying his arrival a bit.

After some thought, he included Xin Jingyun, a Nascent Soul Middle Stage expert. She served as the Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator who handled communications with Li Shiming during his time in Dongqi Continent.

He reckoned a female cultivator might connect better, so he decided to have Xin Jingyun keep Li Shiming company at a safe distance.

"Mr. Li, you've made it here so swiftly!" Master Liu Ziyun approached Li Shiming and remarked with a bitter grin.

"Yes, it should be Master Ren Mu approaching from that direction!" Li Shiming started to reply but then sensed a presence, turning his gaze toward the horizon.

High in the air, a flying boat raced forward rapidly, and as it drew nearer, a subtle but chilling pressure spread out, even affecting the Great Cultivators there.

Master Liu Ziyun intended to urge Li Shiming to withdraw initially, but the flying boat moved with such velocity that it arrived close before he uttered a word.

Li Shiming fixed his eyes on the flying boat, noting its superior build—a fourth-grade top flying boat.

Although he owned multiple fourth-grade top flying boats, most tied to major factions, the sole one available to him was the 'White Emperor Light Cloud Boat'.

Unbeknownst to him, the 'White Emperor Light Cloud Boat' also connected to a major faction. However, since it came as a gift from them, the risk wasn't severe enough to draw their direct aid.

"Junior Brother Liu, things in Dongqi appear to be thriving. You've even nurtured another Great Cultivator. Why no word to headquarters?" The fourth-grade top flying boat dissolved, unveiling Master Ren Mu, who eyed Li Shiming briefly before addressing Master Liu Ziyun.

He couldn't fault himself for the oversight; he'd only alerted Master Liu Ziyun this time. Normally, apart from Dongqi Branch members, no outsiders should know or encounter him.

His vessel was truly a fourth-grade elite flying boat, blazingly swift, and the interval from alerting Master Liu Ziyun to reaching the branch was brief.

Moreover, Li Shiming's youthful look was deceptive, especially with the 'Heavenly Human Technique' masking his presence, making him seem like an Early Stage Great Cultivator.

"Li Shizhen greets fellow cultivator!" Li Shiming offered a light smile and gave the standard cultivator's bow.

"Li Shizhen—are you the same Li Shizhen who slew Junior Brother Qian and Junior Brother Lu?" Master Ren Mu reacted with shock to Li Shiming's introduction and questioned in astonishment.

"If you're referring to those two Great Cultivators who tried to plunder me at sea, then yes, I'm the one who ended them!" Li Shiming affirmed with a nod.

"What a shame—while you were at headquarters, I remained in closed-door cultivation throughout. Had I not, maybe you wouldn't have been driven from Central State Commerce, and we might not be foes now!" Master Ren Mu regarded Li Shiming and expressed sorrow.

He shot Master Liu Ziyun a strange glance; uncertainty lingered, but a strong bond clearly existed between Master Liu Ziyun and Li Shiming.

Still, factional disputes and rivalries inside Central State Commerce ran deep, since all were traders ready to sacrifice anything for gain.

Consider Li Shiming, a brilliant prodigy cultivator and advanced Alchemy Master, betrayed nonetheless for profit.

Had Master Liu Ziyun brought Li Shiming into his circle sooner, later troubles might have been avoided. Back then, with no support at headquarters, such harassment was inevitable.

"I too prefer not to clash with a powerful cultivator like Mr. Ren, yet destiny twists unexpectedly. The Ten Thousand Beast Sect is in the midst of rebuilding, so I wonder if we could shift our duel to the ocean—would that work?" Li Shiming proposed with a grin.

"Very well—for that boldness of yours, once you fall in battle, if you return to Central State Commerce, I'll aid in sorting out your remaining issues!" Master Ren Mu boomed with laughter and declared.

"After you, then!" Li Shiming made a welcoming motion.

"Follow me!" Master Ren Mu soared ahead toward the ocean.

Li Shiming gave Master Liu Ziyun a nod before trailing after Master Ren Mu.

"Xin Jingyun, head back inside—I'll trail them to watch!" Master Liu Ziyun refused to miss out, knowing a duel between peak Great Cultivators would offer immense insights. He directed Xin Jingyun, then pursued the pair.

Xin Jingyun hung alone in the sky, gaping blankly at the path where the three Great Cultivators had vanished.

Seeing Li Shiming again struck her like a vivid dream from the start.

Through her duties, she'd dealt with Li Shiming often, but never imagined that after so many years, he'd risen to Great Cultivator status.

And now, bracing for a fight against Master Ren Mu no less. Who was Master Ren Mu? The Central State Commerce's Peak Great Cultivator, one of the mightiest below Half-step Great Power level.

Her thoughts swirled in turmoil. The shock overwhelmed her completely.

She wasn't even sure if she should root for Li Shiming's victory, merely praying he endures as Master Ren Mu implied, and returns to Central State Commerce.

Should that occur, perhaps life would revert to its old rhythm.

Yet reclaiming the past proves far from simple, and Li Shiming could never rejoin Central State Commerce, the very power that had forsaken him.