Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1718 - 905: Paragon (Part 2)

Li Shiming remained blissfully unaware of the predicament he was in, partly because his presence in the Divine Palace was an exceedingly rare event.

Every formidable cultivator who stepped foot into the Divine Palace had, in prior instances, received a jade token distributed by the palace itself through a random draw.

During the typical periods when the Divine Palace opened its gates, the six major superpowers would secure these jade tokens beforehand. Over countless years of diligent exploration, each of the six superpowers had developed their unique strategies for locating these tokens.

Furthermore, these six superpowers had established a silent agreement: regardless of how other powerful factions operated, any single superpower would possess only one jade token.

Among the ranks of the six superpowers, their most exceptional cultivators were chosen to enter the Divine Palace via a rigorous selection process.

The entry of a Peak Great Cultivator into the Divine Palace signified their imminent opportunity to strive for the Half-step Great Power realm. Such an entry also granted them the precious chance to gain profound insights from the "Divine Perception Stele," significantly boosting their success rate compared to other Peak Great Cultivators and earning them greater backing from their respective sects.

Li Shiming had shattered the established tradition of precisely six Great Cultivators entering the Divine Palace each time it was accessible. The six superpowers, in conjunction with numerous other formidable entities, were actively seeking him, desperate to unravel the enigma of his unheralded entry into the Divine Palace.

Moreover, his possession of the Heavenly Mechanism Treasure and the immense wealth of resources he commanded drew the attention of many factions, compelling them to hunt for him.

The fact that he had eliminated such a considerable number of Great Cultivators seemed to pale in significance compared to the aforementioned reasons.

The various forces relentlessly pursuing Li Shiming refrained from venturing into the central region of the Cloud Island Sea. This was due to an unspoken convention within the Cloud Island Sea: cultivators tasked with guarding the various factions were permitted to reside within the central region.

This central area was populated by mortals. The potential ramifications of a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage engaging in combat within the mortal realm would be nothing short of catastrophic.

Consequently, ordinary cultivators hailing from the Cloud Island Sea seldom ventured into the mortal world. Should they be discovered, they would face pursuit from the guardian cultivators of the six superpowers and might even be collectively declared wanted by them.

Li Shiming, entirely unaware and utterly fearless, employed the Divine Foot Skill, slipping into the mortal world with silent stealth.

Another contributing factor to his undetected passage was his scrupulous avoidance of disturbing the tranquility of the mortal realm.

After traversing the mortal world for a full month, he finally exited through the imposing mountain gate of the Wind Demon Sect.

As indicated on his map, he had effectively covered the entirety of the central region's mortal domain.

He maintained a respectful distance from the Wind Demon Sect, utilizing his "One Pace to Reach" technique to glide past from afar.

His month spent within the mortal world had not been in vain; observing the lives of ordinary mortals had imbued him with deeper contemplations on existence, and his mental fortitude had been significantly bolstered as a result.

He found himself contemplating the possibility of dividing a portion of his consciousness to inhabit and guide a mortal body, thereby re-entering the mortal world.

Mortal life, though seemingly mundane, offered the experiences of an average person, allowing him to connect with the very emotions that define humanity.

Among the ranks of cultivators, Li Shiming was already considered an anomaly. He possessed a Daoist couple, individuals he had known since the Qi Refinement Realm, a rarity of extraordinary proportions within the Cultivation World.

Yet, despite this companionship, throughout the arduous and protracted years of his cultivation journey, he had seldom experienced the spectrum of human emotions.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, he was on the verge of executing "One Pace to Reach" once more, intending to teleport a significant distance away.

At that precise moment, a gentle zephyr caressed the air, carrying with it a delicate, invigorating fragrance.

Being an Alchemy Master himself, Li Shiming possessed an exceptional sensitivity to olfactory stimuli. The instant the captivating fragrance manifested, he immediately severed all ties between his physical being and the external environment.

Nevertheless, in spite of his precautions, an infinitesimal trace of the scent managed to permeate his body.

He swiftly channeled the chaotic spiritual power of the Heavenly Human Technique, endeavoring to purge the intrusive trace of fragrance that had infiltrated his being.

His heightened vigilance was not born of excessive caution, but rather the peculiar circumstance of being suspended in open air with no discernible surroundings; even the appearance of rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures emerging from the sea would not be so startling.

"Young friend, your cultivation is not of the Cloud Island Sea, a fact that fills me with considerable curiosity!" Abruptly, a languid female voice resonated from beside him.

Only then did Li Shiming become aware that, at some indiscernible point in time, a female cultivator adorned in vibrant, colorful garments was standing a mere ten meters away from him, suspended in the void.

He was utterly incapable of discerning the cultivation level of this colorful-robed female cultivator; her presence felt as unassuming as that of a mere mortal.

"Li Shiming pays his respects to Senior. Might I be favored with your esteemed name?" Li Shiming subtly diverted a portion of his mental focus, preparing to activate the teleportation ring for an immediate escape should danger arise, all while maintaining a posture of outward deference and respect.

There was absolutely no necessity for him to concoct any falsehoods; the female cultivator standing before him was, without a shadow of a doubt, a Great Power.

Li Shiming harbored an unshakable conviction: within the vast Cultivation World, no Great Cultivator could dare approach within ten meters of him undetected.

He was not alone in this certainty; his life-bound treasure, the remarkable IBMz15, perpetually scanned his surroundings, augmented by a potent spirit that sensed impending danger. Any cultivator venturing within a kilometer would be registered immediately.

"Such audacity. I am Wuda of the Wind Demon Sect, and this is merely a manifestation, not my true self. The Mahayana Realm finds it taxing even to dispatch a clone to this world!" Great Power Wuda announced with a hint of wonder in her voice as she observed Li Shiming.

His ability to maintain such composure in her presence ignited her curiosity about him.

This fascination fostered a desire for discourse; otherwise, she might have simply dealt with Li Shiming without a second thought.

"Senior Wu, my sincerest apologies for trespassing. Please grant me your forgiveness!" Li Shiming was inwardly startled. A Great Power from the Demon Sect demanded his utmost vigilance.

"Answer a few of my inquiries. Should your responses satisfy me, you shall be permitted to depart!" Great Power Wuda declared with a casual wave of her hand.

She was utterly convinced that Li Shiming would comply with her request for information.

"Even we struggle to comprehend the Divine Palace; how did you gain entry? Where did you originate? By what method?" She posed a series of probing questions.

Her gaze then settled upon Li Shiming, awaiting his reply.

"Senior, these matters pertain to my personal secrets, and I am unable to divulge them!" Li Shiming instantly recognized that a peaceful resolution was unattainable.

In truth, he had never held out hope for an amicable outcome. He had, after all, eliminated Great Cultivators of the Wind Demon Sect, pilfered a substantial amount of their resources, and guarded countless secrets.

"I truly wish to avoid conflict. This world cannot contain me, and each battle significantly drains the accumulated Qi I possess," Great Power Wuda expressed her discontent with Li Shiming's refusal.

In her estimation, Li Shiming possessed no avenue for escape.

Consequently, she spoke with disarming candor, freely revealing insights typically reserved for the most powerful beings.

"I implore you, Senior, to grant me the honor of a fair duel!" Li Shiming's eyes flashed with determination as he executed a formal cultivator's bow.

"Very well. It has been many years since I last engaged in combat. I have heard your combat prowess is exceptional amongst peak Great Cultivators; let us test this claim!" Having resolved to act, Great Power Wuda anticipated the impending confrontation.

How many cycles of the moon had passed since she last exerted her strength after ascending to the Great Power realm?

The Cloud Island Sea had settled into a state of equilibrium, with the six major powers maintaining a delicate balance.

Ordinary skirmishes rarely escalated to a level requiring the intervention of Great Cultivators, let alone a Great Power.

Under these circumstances, Li Shiming's actions had undoubtedly caused considerable disruption, single-handedly thwarting the combined might of the six superpowers and causing them to suffer a significant loss of face.

Li Shiming’s current predicament, being intercepted by Great Power Wuda, could only be attributed to his own actions.

While invited by the Great Powers of other Sects to assist in the search for Li Shiming, she had been too indolent to actively pursue him, preferring to maintain a closer watch near the vicinity of the Wind Demon Sect.

Li Shiming's deployment of 'One Pace to Reach,' with its extensive spatial displacement capabilities, had generated spatial energy fluctuations too subtle for Great Cultivators to detect.

However, to Great Power Wuda, Li Shiming's 'One Pace to Reach' manifested as conspicuously as a blazing beacon against the night sky.

Indeed, the moment Great Power Wuda dispatched her clone, she instantly pinpointed Li Shiming's location.