Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1598 - 845: Doppelganger (Part 2)

The soul crystal ring transformed into energy, while the 'Phantom Clone' deposited the superior fourth-grade 'Heavenly Strike Thunder Hammer' within the soul crystal ring, permitting the 'Phantom Clone' to transport the magical weapon 'Heavenly Strike Thunder Hammer' that resisted energy conversion.

After manifesting the 'Phantom Clone', Li Shiming departed from the Heavenly Person Cave Heaven alongside the 'Phantom Clone' and materialized inside his personal cave abode.

At this point, he felt no need to employ the Heavenly Person Cave Heaven with caution anymore; even if some cultivator discovered its presence, none would risk snatching the cave from him.

Instead of targeting Li Shiming's cave heaven, it made far more sense to plunder the cave heaven belonging to a prominent sect.

Li Shiming's fighting prowess by itself rivaled the collective might of several large sects, rendering any attempt to plunder from him a foolish endeavor.

'Lan’er, you've come back from seeing your master!' Li Shiming welcomed Yin Shilan, who had just stepped into the cave abode, with a warm grin.

In recent times, Yin Shilan devoted the bulk of her daytime to being with the Great Cultivator Master Li, yet she made it a point to return each evening to recount her learnings to him.

'Shiming, how come there are two of you?' Yin Shilan jumped in shock at the sight of the duplicate Li Shiming presences and gestured toward them in astonishment.

Through her senses, she failed to tell the true Li Shiming apart from the other.

She had shed her former naivety; during her training under Master Li, she gained deep insights into the Nascent Soul Stage.

Clones were a concept she understood well now, but confronting two versions of Li Shiming left her unable to identify the clone.

'This is my energy clone; I'm preparing to go into secluded cultivation shortly, so the clone can stay by your side!' Li Shiming rendered the 'Phantom Clone' more see-through, mimicking a standard clone, prior to his explanation.

'Creating an energy clone is incredibly risky; dispel it right away!' Yin Shilan grew worried at once upon learning this, as Master Li had taught her that forming an energy clone demanded severing the spirit, which burdened the cultivator—even for a great cultivator, it came at a heavy price.

'I have everything under control. The Ten Thousand Beast Sect requires a clone for certain tasks too, and remember, we vowed never to separate!' Li Shiming answered with a gentle smile.

'My master expects me to journey to Luanyang Palace in two months; it'll be no less than three months until my return!' Yin Shilan shared the key detail with a touch of hesitation.

'Perfect timing—the clone can go with you, easing my worries!' Li Shiming grinned once more.

A primary motivation for Li Shiming in forming the 'Phantom Clone' centered on Yin Shilan.

Having pledged herself to Luanyang Palace, Yin Shilan faced frequent trips to the Central State Continent.

Nevertheless, Li Shiming dared not venture onto the Central State Continent himself, lest his arrival draw the notice or interference of mighty beings.

In contrast, dispatching the 'Phantom Clone' carried no such dangers, since any force strong enough to seize it would easily uncover its source.

As for Yin Shilan's protection, with the great cultivators of Luanyang Palace escorting her and the addition of his 'Phantom Clone', scarcely any cultivator at that tier could endanger her.

Moreover, entities wielding such strength usually refrained from such deeds; while Li Shiming drew breath, any harm to his Daoist companion would summon his fierce retaliation.

A fearsome force that had felled two peak great cultivators could not be contained by any cultivator short of superior might.

Merely three days following Li Shiming's homecoming, Master Liu Ziyun from the Central State Commerce on the Dongqi Continent rushed to visit.

Li Shiming had not yet notified Master Liu Ziyun, planning to reach out after some downtime.

The Central State Commerce's scouting prowess astonished Li Shiming; just three days post-return, Master Liu Ziyun had caught wind and shown up.

Li Shiming even pondered whether Master Liu Ziyun learned of it on the very day of his arrival but granted three days for him to handle personal affairs.

'I've heard that Mr. Li and Mr. Yin have formed a Daoist couple, so I hurried here to offer my congratulations!' Master Liu Ziyun, naturally, did not come seeking Li Shiming's alchemy services; he offered a jade box as a celebratory gift.

'I never imagined my affairs would impose on Mr. Liu!' Li Shiming replied with a faint smile.

With a nod toward Yin Shilan, she offered a soft smile and took hold of the jade box.

Ever since Yin Shilan assumed the role of mistress in the abode, Li Shiming delegated the routine management of the cave residence to her care.

The vibrant blooms filling the cave, curated by Yin Shilan, came from her daily selections at Baihua Peak, infusing the space with lively energy.

Yin Shilan's presence turned the cave abode vibrant, and the lingering floral aromas invariably boosted Li Shiming's mood.

Upon unveiling the jade box, Li Shiming peered inside and found it contained supplies tailored for an early fourth-grade Red Gold Phoenix.

Li Shiming inwardly praised the vast spy network of the Central State Commerce.

This present suited Yin Shilan perfectly, who had yet to claim a Red Gold Phoenix but received assurances from Luanyang Palace about obtaining such a spirit beast.

Though not extravagantly precious, the choice reflected careful thought.

'Mr. Liu, this is most thoughtful!' Li Shiming commented with a smile.

'I'm glad if Mr. Li and Mr. Yin find it pleasing. Should Mr. Yin desire spirit beasts, the Central State Commerce stands ready to search for them!' Master Liu Ziyun chuckled deeply in reply to Li Shiming.

'I appreciate your kind offer, Mr. Liu. I trust Luanyang Palace will manage the spirit beast arrangements admirably!' Li Shiming dismissed the idea with a casual wave.

Li Shiming upheld firm limits in his ties with the Central State Commerce.

Their connection remained purely business-oriented.

Li Shiming grasped the true essence of the Central State Commerce all too clearly.

If another faction ever dangled a sufficient incentive, the Central State Commerce would sell him out without a second thought.

'Mr. Li, might you have availability for alchemy work in the near future?' Master Liu Ziyun finally posed the essential inquiry.

Alchemy demanded utter focus, and now that Li Shiming shared life with a Daoist companion, his willingness to engage in alchemy hung in doubt.

Producing Great Cultivator Spirit Pills alongside Li Shiming had consumed nearly thirty days before.

Considering the pileup of alchemy orders at the Central State Commerce today, Li Shiming could face years of nonstop pill-making.

'I'd like your commerce to trade the alchemy compensations for cultivation materials ideal for the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Meet that, and I'm ready to take on alchemy tasks at once!' Li Shiming responded smilingly.

Cultivation resources meant those unique items that Nascent Soul cultivators could swiftly assimilate.

The 'Purple Thunder Plasma Liquid' and 'Sword Transformation Spirit Liquid' that Li Shiming obtained previously counted among such valuables, but they ranked as scarce, elite assets hoarded by super sects to groom their elite disciples, rarely circulating outside.

Li Shiming pursued these rarities on Yin Shilan's behalf.

A boost in Yin Shilan's cultivation would heighten her defenses and extend her years.

Besides, at her present stage, Li Shiming had to vigilantly curb his aura inside the cave abode to prevent accidental injury to her.

Even the casual emanation from a great cultivator's aura posed a hazard to Yin Shilan.

Yin Shilan remained silently at his side, her gaze brimming with tender affection she couldn't conceal.

Her time spent with Li Shiming outshone her wildest fantasies from her hundred years of isolation on the Beishu Continent.

'I genuinely admire your deep connection; though cultivation treasures prove elusive, I'll do my utmost to acquire them—it'll likely take more than half a year!' Master Liu Ziyun said with a smile.

'I have faith in Mr. Liu, so we can commence the alchemy commissions right away!' Li Shiming agreed without extra stipulations.

'These are twenty-six batches of Great Cultivator Spirit Medicine materials, the urgent ones; I beseech your aid, Mr. Li!' Upon Li Shiming's consent, Master Liu Ziyun promptly presented the ready Mustard Seed Ring without delay.