Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1610 - 851: Going Home (Part 2)

Yet another formidable cultivator suffered a similar doom as his; taken down by a longbow at the spiritual treasure rank, perhaps the most potent bow throughout the entire cultivation realm.

These individuals were viewed as lucky for ranking among the initial wave of cultivators felled by the spiritual treasure longbow.

Naturally, those affected themselves would probably not regard it as good fortune.

Once the fight concluded, the trio of late-stage golden corpses stowed their armaments, with particular care given to the spiritual treasure longbow.

Li Shiming had waited until he scanned the area thoroughly and confirmed no other cultivators lingered before deploying the spiritual treasure longbow.

His form blurred as he gathered the loot from the seven mighty cultivators.

He had changed from his earlier state; now backed by the Ten Thousand Beast Sect and Beishu Sect, even lesser items could be put to use.

Besides, he aimed to uncover hints about the force that dispatched these seven mighty cultivators by examining their possessions.

"From now on, I need to exercise greater caution when deploying late-stage golden corpses!" Li Shiming reflected inwardly while securing the spoils.

The confrontation proceeded without hitches, yet surveying the remains of the seven mighty cultivators revealed how dominantly the late-stage golden corpses had performed, leaving none of the seven with intact bodies.

Thankfully, these seven mighty cultivators were all loose cultivators, and Li Shiming harbored no plans to craft golden corpses from loose cultivator remains anyway.

He maintained strict standards for corpse-refining materials; in the past, sources for mid-stage or late-stage golden corpse components had always been elite cultivators from major powers.

During this clash, however, the carcasses of two Fourth Grade Middle Stage Dragon Beasts remained whole, destined for deposit in the Beishu Sect’s Treasure Pavilion to serve as training fodder for the sect’s members.

Returning to the Green Flying Boat, Yin Shilan gazed at Li Shiming with worry.

In truth, even should Li Shiming sustain injuries, the ’phantom clone’ form would display no signs of damage.

"Just a minor hassle; unclear which faction lacked the nerve to confront me directly, opting instead to enlist seven loose cultivators!" Li Shiming replied casually with a shrug.

"You’re unharmed, that’s what matters; let’s proceed straight to Dongqi Continent." Yin Shilan responded, her interest in further exploration vanished.

Moments earlier, despite the array’s shielding and the Fourth Grade Upper Stage Flying Boat’s aura suppression, she had still detected the presences of those seven mighty cultivators and the two Fourth Grade Middle Stage Dragon Beasts.

Lately, having encountered numerous mighty cultivators, she had grown acutely attuned to their auras.

Though Li Shiming dispatched this blockade with ease, the event drove home a stark realization for her.

From her time at Luanyang Palace, Yin Shilan had gained knowledge of Li Shiming’s actual prowess.

Yet, witnessing such a formidable Li Shiming still enduring assaults illuminated the perils he must have navigated prior to reaching his current might.

She had endured a century of isolated seclusion, but beside Li Shiming’s trials, her own ordeals paled in comparison.

"Time to return home!" Li Shiming agreed without resistance, sensing his adversaries persisted in their pursuits, unwilling to expose Yin Shilan to peril.

The flying boat veered around, setting course for Dongqi Continent.

Post-battle, Yin Shilan felt spiritually drained, prompting Li Shiming to tenderly urge her to shut her eyes and recuperate.

While examining the war spoils, Li Shiming held slim expectations for valuables from loose cultivators, focusing instead on potential leads to the orchestrator.

Unexpectedly, the riches amassed by the seven mighty cultivators proved far richer than anticipated.

Within each mighty cultivator’s spatial artifact lay several worthwhile items, their worth rivaling hauls previously extracted from spatial artifacts of superpower mighty cultivators.

He soon discerned the cause; the bulk of treasures hoarded by the seven mighty cultivators originated from diverse superpowers.

This became clear from the superpower insignias on certain items, while others bore distinctive stylistic traits.

Among the finds was even a sea chart of exceptional precision, detailing the West Sea with unparalleled clarity.

He pieced together the roles of these seven mighty cultivators; they operated as pirates.

The retained treasures undoubtedly represented plunder from raids, yet their blatant markings or styles prevented resale, forcing storage as personal troves.

Owing to this assortment of treasures, Li Shiming found it impossible to identify the commissioner of the seven mighty cultivators.

Clues abounded excessively, treasures linked to multiple superpowers rendering any precise deduction unattainable.

Should only one or two superpower-affiliated treasures have surfaced, it might indicate a superpower compensating the seven mighty cultivators for their services.

Li Shiming let out a frustrated sigh, harboring an inner hunch; the prime suspects were the Yuqing Sect or White Emperor Sect, possibly in collaboration.

Lacking proof, however, he refrained from targeting the pair of sects on mere conjecture.

Furthermore, other superpowers might be probing his capabilities or scheming to incriminate Yuqing Sect or White Emperor Sect.

The mere consideration induced a throbbing headache, leading him to abandon the speculation.

Such foes posed no real threat to him; regardless of their numbers, they held little sway.

The remainder of the trip passed without additional foes emerging.

This outcome aligned with expectations; engaging seven mighty cultivators already constituted a massive endeavor within the cultivation world.

Abundant mighty cultivators existed in the cultivation world, yet unbound ones were scarce.

Given Li Shiming’s renown, those affiliated with sects or powers dared not challenge him.

After a brief repose, Yin Shilan’s spirit revived, and she worked to acclimate herself to clashes among cultivators.

Recalling the recent skirmish, she abruptly noticed the absence of one of Li Shiming’s late-stage golden corpses.

Her gaze shifted to Li Shiming, though she withheld any inquiry.

She understood that Li Shiming concealed certain matters on the Central State Continent, leaving the late-stage golden corpse at one such hidden site.

"Lan’er, would you like me to station a late-stage golden corpse for your protection?" Li Shiming inquired, observing Yin Shilan’s restored vigor.

In his view, after weathering this mild peril, Yin Shilan would appreciate the value of safeguarding herself.

As a woman in cultivation, her willingness to accept a refined corpse required confirmation.

"Having you nearby suffices; no need for a late-stage golden corpse!" Yin Shilan declined with a shake of her head.

Beyond her aversion to refined corpses, the late-stage golden corpse served as a vital combat resource for Li Shiming, and she refused to diminish his forces.

After all, she rarely ventured abroad, and whenever she did, Li Shiming would escort her for safety.

"If it doesn’t appeal to you, then forget it!" Li Shiming replied smilingly.

Under Li Shiming’s direction, the flying boat reached Dongqi Continent in under a month.

Crossing into the Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s spatial barrier filled Yin Shilan with profound serenity, evoking a true sense of homecoming.

An intense longing to behold Li Shiming welled up within her; though the ’phantom clone’ accompanied her, it couldn’t replicate the comfort of his genuine presence.

Upon arrival, the two female cultivator mighty cultivators guarding Luanyang Palace’s enclosure extended a warm reception, presenting overdue welcomes.

Assignment at the Ten Thousand Beast Sect ranked as a highly coveted sentry role.

For there, direct access to Li Shiming allowed requests for his alchemical expertise.

Absent Master Li and these two female cultivator mighty cultivators’ longstanding tenure and reluctance to depart, rotations might have already swapped out the guardians.

Following interactions with the two female cultivator mighty cultivators, the ’phantom clone’ escorted Yin Shilan into Li Shiming’s grotto-heaven, the Heavenly Person Cave Heaven.

She reached the threshold of the Treasure Lotus Hall, pausing to observe Li Shiming in closed-eye meditation; his sight brought total ease to her frame.

"Home feels wonderful!" she murmured to the ’phantom clone’, careful not to interrupt Li Shiming’s practice.

"In six more hours, we’ll share a meal at the Great Power Palace!" the ’phantom clone’ suggested with a light laugh.

"Will that disrupt your cultivation?" Yin Shilan queried, startled and solicitous.

"Your timing is perfect; this cultivation session nears its close anyway!" the ’phantom clone’ clarified.

Truthfully, concluding six hours early would squander a portion of the elixir’s efficacy, yet Li Shiming cared little for the loss.