Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1796 - 944: News (Part 2)

The Phoenix Palace Master offered praise to Li Yuanba without hesitation, astute enough to realize that withholding it would displease Li Shiming, and she aligned herself with Li Shiming’s interests.

"The Phoenix Palace Master always possesses such unparalleled elegance!" Li Yuanba responded with a genial smile.

"As a Daoist couple, Mr. Li and Li Shizhen are allies, and thus, they are also allies of Luanyang Palace!" the Phoenix Palace Master declared, her words knitting them closer.

"It is my distinct honor to be an ally of Luanyang Palace!" Li Yuanba accepted the Phoenix Palace Master’s overture, conveying his sentiments.

Following a brief exchange, the atmosphere within the hall grew considerably more cordial.

"Mr. Li, I have come across certain information, though I cannot vouch for its absolute accuracy. I hope you will forgive me for speaking frankly." The Phoenix Palace Master paused thoughtfully before continuing.

"Please, do share, Phoenix Palace Master!" Li Yuanba adjusted his stance, his expression earnest.

He understood implicitly that an individual of the Phoenix Palace Master’s standing would not lightly disseminate unsubstantiated rumors.

Any intelligence revealed in such a setting would undoubtedly carry significant weight.

"It has reached my ears that certain factions are contemplating actions against you. You would be wise to exercise caution!" the Phoenix Palace Master conveyed.

Li Yuanba harbored no great surprise at this revelation; he had, after all, provoked five major powers to such an extent, nearly annihilating the most formidable Great Cultivators among them during a previous confrontation.

For these powers to remain inactive after such an affront would render them utterly disgraced within the Cultivation World.

Nevertheless, he found himself intrigued as to their potential methods of retaliation.

He felt no trepidation if they chose to deploy Great Cultivators; should they escalate to Great Powers, rest assured, Sword Elder was not merely for show.

Even half-step Great Powers would be precluded from engagement; he was not Li Shiming, and the formidable backing of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion and Sword Elder ensured that any faction foolish enough to disregard the established protocols would face severe repercussions.

"My sincere thanks to you, Phoenix Palace Master. Do you possess any more specific details?" Li Yuanba offered a polite bow, expressing his gratitude before inquiring further.

"I regret deeply, but I am unable to divulge or elaborate on the sources of this information; it is a matter of confidentiality." The Phoenix Palace Master responded with an apologetic shake of her head.

Li Yuanba deduced instantly that this intelligence likely originated from a certain bridegroom.

Although Luanyang Palace generally abstained from interfering in the broader affairs of the Cultivation World, their prowess in intelligence gathering was, perhaps, unmatched by other major powers.

This advantage stemmed from their ability to amass considerable hidden knowledge, cultivated through the intimate relationships their female disciples shared with their Daoist partners.

Given Luanyang Palace’s consistent non-involvement in Cultivation World matters, any intelligence they uncovered tended to have minimal practical impact. Consequently, these Daoist partners felt little reticence in sharing confidential details with their beloveds.

Li Yuanba readily acknowledged the goodwill extended by the Phoenix Palace Master, and through subsequent interactions, he solidified his burgeoning friendship with Luanyang Palace.

Departing from Luanyang Palace, Li Yuanba did not curtail his engagement with the outside world.

He actively sought out and accepted missions from Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion that aligned with his criteria. Furthermore, in his pursuit of enhanced combat proficiency, he occasionally undertook these missions under a disguised identity.

As this practice became more frequent, the prestige of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion saw a steady augmentation. Consider the profound impact of a virtually invincible Peak Great Cultivator like Li Yuanba frequently participating in ostensibly ordinary missions.

The intelligence conveyed by the Phoenix Palace Master was promptly forwarded to the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion’s Intelligence Department.

While the department initially reported no correlating information, they pledged to intensify their investigative efforts in that particular domain.

However, Li Yuanba maintained a degree of skepticism regarding the intelligence department’s capabilities. Analyzing the outcome of their previous battle suggested that a significant escalation in combat power beyond their previous deployment would be necessary to contend with him.

The crux of the matter was that the aggregated combat prowess of Great Cultivators during the last engagement represented nearly the apex strength of the five major powers.

He found it inconceivable that these five powers could muster an even more formidable contingent of Great Cultivators, unless external aid was involved or a half-step Great Power intervened.

Days turned into weeks, and Yin Shilan had already entered a phase of intense seclusion.

Luanyang Palace provided a dedicated sanctuary for cultivators aiming to advance to the Great Cultivator realm, situated within its Inheritance Cave Heaven. This environment, combined with the efficacy of the renowned ‘Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Technique,’ promised remarkable results.

With Yin Shilan's profound Cultivation foundation and the aid of premier Spirit Pills within the Cultivation World for advancing Great Cultivators, her prospects of reaching that level were exceptionally high.

Within Luanyang Palace, Yin Shilan was secure, with no cultivator capable of posing a threat to her.

Meanwhile, Li Yuanba remained vigilant, anticipating unseen assaults, yet several months passed without any incident, leaving him in peace.

The situation seemed unchanged, as if the might of the five major powers had simply receded.

Even the intelligence division of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion unearthed no suspicious activities; without the pronouncements of the Phoenix Palace Master, one might have concluded that no conspiracy targeted Li Yuanba.

A full year elapsed, and one day, following the completion of a routine assignment, Li Yuanba returned to the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

The designation 'routine' was merely relative to his current might; now, every mission issued by Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion felt elementary to him.

Regardless of the adversary, a swift strike from the Xingyi Sword or a gust of Wind Blade conjured by the 'Eye of the Storm' could conclude any conflict instantaneously.

This immense power resulted in a frustrating lack of challenging combat experience.

He found himself yearning for the rumored conspiracy of the superpowers, as such encounters would at least provide battles that genuinely tested his limits.

Shortly after arriving back at his secluded dwelling, Great Cultivator Lou appeared, accompanied by Lou Wu.

"Yuanba, it was only upon Lou Wu's return that I learned of your intervention; my sincere thanks!" Great Cultivator Lou expressed with a respectful bow upon meeting Li Yuanba.

"There's no need for such formalities. Though I am Lou Wu's master, any fellow Sword Cultivator at Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion in that predicament would have acted similarly!" Li Yuanba stated, assisting Great Cultivator Lou to his feet.

Great Cultivator Lou's deep gratitude remained undiminished. He acknowledged that during Lou Wu's initial apprenticeship under Li Yuanba, his son had not fully committed to following his master's guidance.

At the time, Great Cultivator Lou had believed his own instruction was sufficient for Lou Wu's development.

Consequently, Lou Wu dedicated minimal time under Li Yuanba's direct mentorship.

Especially after Lou Wu reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, their interactions with Li Yuanba became infrequent, partly due to Li Yuanba's own periods of secluded cultivation, but more significantly stemming from the lingering detachment from their initial apprenticeship arrangement.

In truth, Lou Wu had reaped considerable benefits from Li Yuanba, not through extensive direct instruction, but through substantial advantages in terms of cultivation resources.

On this occasion, Great Cultivator Lou had brought his son not only to convey his thanks but also to formally request that Li Yuanba take Lou Wu under his tutelage more seriously.

The circumstances had evolved; Li Yuanba's Cultivation level now greatly surpassed his own, and for Lou Wu to truly elevate his Cultivation and unlock his future potential, his father could no longer adequately guide him.

Following Great Cultivator Lou's teachings would, at best, lead Lou Wu to a comparable Cultivation level—the zenith of his father's instructional capacity.

However, under Li Yuanba's guidance, Lou Wu's future trajectory held far greater promise.

"Yuanba, my ability to guide Lou Wu is diminishing. Would you consider mentoring him more directly?" Great Cultivator Lou inquired with a hint of diffidence.

Ever since Lou Wu formally became his apprentice, he had been training under his supervision. Shifting this dynamic now was a difficult subject to broach.

Yet, for the sake of his son's advancement, Great Cultivator Lou was prepared to set aside his pride and earnestly implore Li Yuanba.

"Whenever I am present at the pavilion, Lou Wu is welcome to approach me with any Cultivation-related inquiries!" Li Yuanba responded with his characteristic composure. Since he had accepted Lou Wu as a disciple, he would not neglect him.

"Haha, with those words, my heart is truly unburdened!" Great Cultivator Lou declared with a broad smile.

Seizing the moment, Lou Wu also presented several Cultivation questions to Li Yuanba.

For an individual like Li Yuanba, who had achieved unparalleled mastery of Sword Intent throughout the entirety of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, the queries posed by Lou Wu, a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, presented no challenge.

Li Yuanba then interfaced with the IBMz15, articulating the complex concepts in terms readily comprehensible to Lou Wu.

The intricate subject matter, previously difficult for Lou Wu to grasp, became significantly more accessible following Li Yuanba's elucidation.

Witnessing Li Yuanba's exceptional teaching prowess, Great Cultivator Lou couldn't suppress a wave of regret over not having Lou Wu study under Li Yuanba from an earlier stage.