Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1603 - 848: The Ceremony

Li Shiming had initially assumed that arriving as a 'phantom clone' rather than his true form wouldn't draw excessive notice.

Yet, he had miscalculated his profound impact. Beyond the supreme great cultivators, he ranked among the strongest who could move about unrestricted, and as a skilled alchemy expert, he regularly crafted superior spirit pills for those great cultivators.

Each of his dual roles possessed enough weight to sway the dynamics of the Cultivation World.

His immense battle prowess enabled him to stand against the outer threats from any dominant force, whereas his alchemy expertise held the power to reshape a major power's destiny.

Thus, merely one day after settling into Fengqi Palace, top great cultivators from various major powers arrived to pay their respects.

Although this was within Luanyang Palace's domain, even Luanyang Palace couldn't stem the fervent pursuit of these influential factions.

Earlier, certain major powers had dispatched great cultivators to the Dongqi Continent, but encountering Li Shiming proved challenging; at best, they managed audiences with the great cultivators of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

With this rare chance to meet Li Shiming in person now available, not a single major power would let it slip away.

Though only an energy clone of Li Shiming was present, in a way, this energy clone adequately embodied his esteemed position.

The great cultivators from the Central State Continent arrived first for the visit, naturally. Of course, those from lesser sects below the major levels were denied entry by Luanyang Palace; solely great cultivators from the top powers gained access to Luanyang Palace.

During this event, Luanyang Palace reaped substantial goodwill simply from facilitating the tributes to Li Shiming, marking a handsome gain indeed.

Li Shiming remained detached; as his fame swelled, he could no longer depend solely on Central State Commerce for handling alchemy requests.

At present, he was free to build his personal connections.

The grand hall on Fengqi Palace's ground level served as his interim meeting space, and Luanyang Palace supplied ample fourth-grade provisions for these gatherings.

Li Shiming showed no restraint toward Luanyang Palace, recognizing that they had profited immensely from his presence, so furnishing these hospitality items was entirely fitting.

In the following days, he engaged with numerous great cultivators, some known to him and others not.

When referring to the familiar ones, this acquaintance stemmed not from his main body but from his clone, Li Yuanba.

Li Yuanba, as a cultivator from the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion—a prominent major power—enjoyed far more chances to mingle with other major powers than Li Shiming's true self.

Li Shiming's primary contacts with major powers occurred through fierce clashes, and the majority of cultivators from those powers he fought had perished by his hand.

Twenty days onward, just prior to Yin Shilan's formal initiation rite commencing, Li Shiming had already conferred with every great cultivator from the Central State Continent's major powers.

These major powers were aware he appeared as an energy clone and thus avoided pressing on alchemy tasks directly, opting instead to deliberate the partnership with the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

Furthermore, the alliance conditions these major powers offered to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect were remarkably generous, granting the Ten Thousand Beast Sect advantages across numerous fronts.

Li Shiming refrained from deciding unilaterally; the 'phantom clone's negotiations with the major powers were relayed to Grandmaster Hu via Great Cultivator Luo Pei, allowing Hu and the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's other great cultivators to deliberate jointly.

Regarding Great Cultivator Luo Pei, in recent years, the massive Heavenly Ghost's expansion had been curbed, and excess spirit energy was properly regulated, ensuring the Heavenly Ghost wouldn't overpower Great Cultivator Luo Pei due to its enormous form.

The 'phantom clone' departed from Li Shiming's proximity, as did the five late-stage clones, leaving Li Shiming to resume secluded cultivation once again, with external communications possible only through Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

Li Shiming's 'phantom clone' eschewed the formal robe formed from energy conversion, instead donning a stately pure white robe adorned with a subtle Luanyang Palace insignia on its chest.

This pure white robe came from Luanyang Palace, serving as a status symbol for the Female Cultivator Couples of Luanyang Palace—typically optional, but mandatory for key rituals within Luanyang Palace to signify one's standing.

Palace Master Gu escorted Li Shiming out of Fengqi Palace, directing him toward a central hall deep within Luanyang Palace.

"Mr. Li, this is Luanyang Palace; it's exclusively accessible to male cultivators during vital ceremonies!" Palace Master Gu explained to Li Shiming with a warm smile.

Her demeanor toward Li Shiming had shifted dramatically; earlier, resentment had brewed because he had effortlessly overcome the trial she had so carefully devised.

However, over these twenty days, every major power seeking to visit Li Shiming required her approval, yielding her notable gains and allowing her to behold Li Shiming's tremendous clout, which profoundly altered her perception of him.

A truly exceptional cultivator stands apart from the common sort.

"I never imagined Lan’er’s entry into Luanyang Palace would demand such elaborate arrangements!" Li Shiming remarked with a grin.

Per Master Li’s account, a standard initiation rite needed only a handful of days to prepare, chiefly to let Yin Shilan cleanse her spirit and impart essential ceremony knowledge.

Yet this occasion stretched to a complete twenty days before the rite began, leaving Li Shiming thoroughly baffled.

"That's due to Mr. Li’s overwhelming prestige; Yin Shilan’s initiation drew countless observation petitions, forcing the palace to manage them all, which postponed the schedule!" Palace Master Gu clarified, shaking her head in mild exasperation.

As they conversed, they reached Luanyang Palace's entrance, where Palace Master Gu led Li Shiming through the portals.