Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1627 - 860: Restrictions

Li Yuanba had successfully concluded another mission, returning with a collection of Great Cultivator Spirit Medicines in his possession.

He was in high spirits this time, not merely because the objective was met, but because his recent clash with Great Venerable Ming Hai finally granted him the evenly matched struggle he had long hungered for.

His capabilities and vulnerabilities were starkly defined; his immense offensive output and blinding speed ensured he could land strikes before his adversaries could even react.

Whenever peril drew near, his Divine Foot Skill allowed him to tactically retreat from the fray.

The entire engagement followed his personal rhythm, leaving the true combat prowess of the Great Venerable Ming Hai suppressed and unable to fully unfurl.

His Achilles' heel remained his defense; he lacked the fortitude to endure a direct blow from a powerhouse like the Great Venerable Ming Hai.

This, however, is the quintessential nature of a Sword Cultivator—sacrificing defensive durability for the sake of overwhelming, extreme attacking power.

Having turned in his mission report, he spent some time in recovery.

From that point forward, he would venture out to fulfill a new directive every month or two.

The Central State Continent brimmed with assets for Great Cultivator practitioners, claimed by entities ranging from large organizations to dominant superpowers. While these sites were typically unremarkable, the current climate of chaos had turned most of these resource hubs into fiercely contested battlegrounds for any capable Great Cultivator.

In subsequent missions, his mere presence acted as a beacon of deterrence, rivaling that of a Peak Great Cultivator.

A year later, his master, Jian Wuwei, paid him an unexpected visit.

"Master, please, take a seat. I have prepared some Spiritual Tea for your enjoyment!" Li Yuanba greeted him, ushering Jian Wuwei into the main hall of his residence with a warm smile.

"There is no need for such formalities; I am here on serious business," Jian Wuwei gestured, signaling for Li Yuanba to settle down.

Observing his master's somber tone, Li Yuanba sensed the gravity of the occasion. He sat directly opposite his master, peering at him with a look of confusion, silently awaiting the words to follow.

"Yuan Ba, you are to cease accepting standard Great Cultivator tasks from this day forward," Jian Wuwei stated, clearly hesitant.

"For what reason?" Li Yuanba asked, clearly taken aback.

For a Sword Cultivator, constant mortal combat was the very foundation of his advancement.

Even though his opportunities to engage had dwindled during these resource-gathering missions, they remained his only real avenue for growth.

If he were to simply wander the Cultivation World instead of pursuing these tasks, his status as a Sword Cultivator might result in him going an entire decade without crossing blades with a worthy equal.

The current volatility allowed many Great Cultivators to remain active, but should the Cultivation World return to a state of tranquility, the chance to test his mettle against his peers would become vanishingly rare.

"The cabinet has received a deluge of complaints from various superpowers and large sects, all citing your overwhelming prowess. They believe your intervention in routine Great Cultivator competitions is far too excessive," Jian Wuwei remarked with a helpless sigh.

Li Yuanba’s pace for mission completion had been relentless, and his choice of operations throughout the Central State Continent was narrow.

Consequently, he had effectively monopolized the circulation of mature Great Cultivator Spirit Medicines across the continent over the past year.

Such aggressive tactics had severely impacted the revenue streams of other factions, leading to widespread claims of unfair competition.

"But I have only just entered the Great Cultivator Realm. Besides, Great Venerable Ming Hai is a Peak Venerable, and he took part in these tasks as well, did he not?" Li Yuanba countered, his frustration evident.

His ire was not directed at his master, but rather at those factions; he failed to understand why Ming Hai was permitted to participate while he was being sidelined.

"Great Venerable Ming Hai, and others of his stature, restrict themselves to only occasional involvement in basic tasks. However, your battle records have forced the public to stop viewing you as a novice Great Cultivator; you are now recognized as having the strength of a Peak Great Cultivator," Jian Wuwei explained with a touch of pride.

He felt a secret satisfaction that his disciple, a newcomer to the realm, possessed such fearsome capability that other sects were forced to regulate him as a top-tier threat. While it stifled his options, it was the ultimate endorsement of Li Yuanba’s martial achievements from the Cultivation World itself.

"Very well, I shall curtail the frequency of my missions," Li Yuanba said, masking his annoyance with a steady tone.

"In truth, this is a positive development. While basic tasks are now closed to you, you have officially earned the right to engage in top-tier Great Cultivator missions. Those conflicts will be far better suited for finding the caliber of opponents you seek," Jian Wuwei smiled, sensing his disciple’s inner conflict.

Hearing this, Li Yuanba’s mood brightened instantly.

"When will the next top-tier assignment arise?" he asked, intrigued.

"They typically manifest every two or three years. The cabinet will ensure you are briefed well in advance," Jian Wuwei responded, clearly well-informed.

For several months that followed, Li Yuanba refrained from participating in the usual competitive tasks, giving the various factions a much-needed reprieve.

The force he displayed had caused several groups to turn their undivided attention toward him.

Yet, contemplating an attack on someone with the strength of a Peak Great Cultivator was a prospect that gave any faction pause.

He was not merely a rogue cultivator without a past; the higher circles were well aware he walked under the patronage of the Sword Elder.

The Sword Elder had previously intervened on his behalf, crushing the attempts of rival superpowers to deploy underhanded tactics.

This was the benefit of being affiliated with a dominant superpower—the weight of one's background.

Targeting Li Yuanba was possible, but only within the bounds of standard strength, as overstepping the rules invited catastrophe.

Any force reckless enough to break those rules would essentially be delivering a direct insult to the Sword Elder.

In the vast expanse of the Cultivation World, few would dare to dishonor a Great Sword Cultivator, for the face of such a man is not easily trampled upon.