Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 1229 - 565: Shi Ping’an’s Century of Growth, the Child of Fortune’s Opportunity (Part 2)

Those runes aren't carved; they appear as natural imprints, ancient and eerie, radiating an obscure charm akin to a Divine Beast. Normally hidden beneath the skin, they faintly glow with a golden sheen. However, when his aura surges, the runes ignite, like red-hot brands seared into flesh, intertwined with the muscle patterns of his entire body, adding an ominous and wild intimidation.

His hair remains unbound, a wild mane of black cascading over his shoulders, adorned with twigs and beast blood. His brows are rugged, brow bones protruding, and his eyes, a dark amber, sweep with a beast-like ferocity and untamed spirit, as if poised to devour someone at any moment.

He is clad only in a few rough beast hides, insufficient to cover his entire muscular frame. As he walks, the tremor of his muscles carries a crushing momentum, enveloped in a dense, wild aura: the stench of Fierce Beasts' roars, the primal breath of ancient woods decaying, and the pressure of ancient barbarian gods flowing through his veins. He seems less a cultivator pursuing the Heavenly Dao and more a warrior god from the primordial wild era, capable of shaking mountains and splitting seas with a mere lift of his hand, and shattering the sky with a single step.

There is no doubt, this individual is Shi Ping’an.

After centuries of cultivation, he has long since shed the guise of a mere boy and transformed into a true warrior.

Over the years, he has lost count of the countless times he has battled against demons.

The numerous scars crisscrossing his body serve as testaments to his battle achievements throughout the years.

Nevertheless, Shi Ping’an's presence here is purely accidental.

While evading the pursuit of a formidable demon, he sought refuge in one of the secret caves nestled within the Cyan Stone Mountain Range.

Little did he know, this cave concealed an Ancient Teleportation Array.

Through sheer chance, he inadvertently triggered this Teleportation Array, which transported him to this location, initiating a cascade of unexpected events.

Yet, Shi Ping’an soon realized that his arrival here presented a golden opportunity.

This place is, in fact, the estate of a Human Race Integration Cultivator named Lan Hu Daoist.

This individual had previously established a Teleportation Array near the Cyan Stone Mountain Range to facilitate convenient travel between two points.

However, by this time, the cultivator had long since passed away. The Cyan Stone Mountain Range had fallen under the dominion of demons, leaving the Teleportation Array undiscovered until Shi Ping’an stumbled upon it and finally activated it.

He was then instantly transported into the very estate of Lan Hu Daoist.

And within this estate lay the entirety of this Ancient Era Integration Cultivator's accumulated wealth.

One could indeed call this a colossal opportunity, effectively rendering him wealthy overnight.

"Lan Hu was once a being of both human and demon origins, cultivating to the Ninth-Layer Integration stage."

"Regrettably, despite his best efforts, he was unable to ascend to the Mahayana realm."

"Ultimately, during a critical breakthrough attempt, he fell into the demonic path and met his demise."

"Consequently, he left behind a vast inheritance."

"These were not intended as treasures for future cultivators; it was merely an unforeseen occurrence."

Shi Ping’an stroked his chin, meticulously assessing his newfound spoils.

Truth be told, he felt that ever since advancing to the Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation stages, his fortune had seemingly taken a turn for the better.

Merely by casually venturing to a location, he could unearth opportunities, thereby accelerating his growth.

It felt almost as if he were receiving direct protection from the Heavenly Dao itself.

"Kid, your luck is indeed exceptionally favorable."

"This Integration Cultivator left behind a plethora of elixirs and spirit medicine."

"While many have succumbed to the ravages of time, their medicinal potency diminished."

"The remaining medicinal power, however, can still aid you in swiftly progressing to the Void Refinement Realm."

At this precise moment, a voice resonated from the depths of his consciousness sea.

The speaker was none other than an Immortal Artifact—the Sky-Splitting Staff.

This was an item Shi Ping’an had chanced upon and obtained somewhere within the Cyan Stone Mountain Range.

He appeared to have earned the recognition of this formidable Immortal Artifact, subsequently forming a contract with it.

Furthermore, the power wielded by this Immortal Artifact was nothing short of terrifying.

As long as he wielded the Sky-Splitting Staff, a single downward strike was sufficient to obliterate any demon or demonic creature, shattering them completely. Such an Immortal Artifact was exceptionally well-suited for a Body Refining Cultivator like him.

It was precisely due to obtaining this Immortal Artifact that Shi Ping’an's combat prowess had soared dramatically over the past century.

Fighting solo with his staff, he had vanquished an untold number of demons within the Demon Realm.

Simultaneously, by leveraging his unique innate talent, he had consumed numerous demons.

This act had also catalyzed the rapid advancement of his cultivation of the Indestructible Taotie Scripture, rendering his physique incredibly robust, akin to that of a Taotie.

Now, irrespective of what it might be, he possessed the ability to devour it.

Even dirt and sand were not beyond his consumption.

And he could ingest these substances to further enhance his already formidable physique.

One could say his current physical form is incredibly mighty.

"No, the most significant acquisition from this journey isn't these inheritances, but this tiny Secret Realm."

"Although it cannot rival those expansive Secret Realms, this place can, at the very least, house billions of people."

"This implies that it can serve as a complete protective haven for Green Willow Village."

"In the future, the inhabitants of Green Willow Village will no longer need to endure life in constant fear within the Cyan Stone Mountain Range."

"Concurrently, it can also provide refuge for other human settlements scattered throughout the Cyan Stone Mountain Range."

Shi Ping’an clenched his fist, a profound sense of excitement surging within him.

To be perfectly honest, the future of Green Willow Village had always been a persistent source of worry for him.

Regardless of its current apparent prosperity, if it were to be discovered by high-tier demons, the hundreds of thousands of souls in Green Willow Village could be annihilated in an instant, consumed by demons in a single gulp.

The more he learned, the more he recognized the sheer terror and formidable nature of demons.

Were it not for this reality, neither humans nor the demon race would have sequentially succumbed, continuously ceding territory.

It was precisely for this reason that, over the years, he had tirelessly scoured the vicinities of the Cyan Stone Mountain Range, desperately seeking a truly secure location.

Unexpectedly, he had truly been graced by heavenly fortune, stumbling upon a small Secret Realm.

Furthermore, this Secret Realm was situated within demon territory.

With this advantageous placement, the people of Green Willow Village could finally evacuate the Cyan Stone Mountain Range.

"You always harbor such profound concern for these mortals."

"While it is indeed true, as long as you leave behind a Heaven-Reaching Bridge Talisman here, this diminutive Secret Realm can be linked with Green Willow Village, facilitating instantaneous teleportation."

"Your protracted search has finally yielded the fruition you desired."

The Immortal Artifact, the Sky-Splitting Staff, concurred with Shi Ping’an's vision.

Though it derived no direct benefit from protecting mortals, Shi Ping’an was a cultivator it deemed worthy, and thus, it pledged its full support to his endeavors.

After all, discovering a suitable cultivator to wield its power was no simple feat.

Otherwise, it would not have remained dormant for such an extended period, never truly awakening.

"Senior, there shouldn't be any imminent dangers in the vicinity, correct?"

Shi Ping’an inquired.

He was acutely aware of the Sky-Splitting Staff's exceptional perceptive capabilities, its prowess in discerning enemy strengths and discernible auras.

It even possessed the foresight to anticipate approaching perils.

Since obtaining this divine Immortal Artifact, he had lost count of the numerous dangers he had successfully circumvented.

Were it not for this artifact, his reckless explorations within the Demon Realm would have undoubtedly led to his demise on countless occasions.

Those formidable high-tier demons were truly terrifying and possessed an unparalleled adeptness at tracking.

Attempting to act under their watchful eyes was an arduous task.

Even the slightest misstep could precipitate catastrophic consequences.

"There is not a great deal of danger nearby."

"Despite this being a segment of the demon race's domain."

"In the proximity of this Secret Realm World, scarcely any demon race cultivators reside."

"Likely due to the pervasive threat posed by demons, they have begun to congregate in solidarity, making their homes within fortified cities."

"Consequently, vast expanses within demon territory remain unoccupied."

"Only select isolated regions bear the marks of demon race cultivators."

The Sky-Splitting Staff elaborated.

Undoubtedly, the relentless onslaughts from demons had fundamentally reshaped the entire ecological structure of the demon race.

Originally, these demon race cultivators favored habitation in natural settings like caves and forests. However, under the immense pressure exerted by demons, they had emulated humans, commencing the construction of cities.

Without the defensive bastion of these formidable cities, they would likely have been instantly annihilated by demons.

After eons of perpetual conflict, virtually all demon race cultivators dwelling in the wild had been eradicated.

This grim reality, in turn, presented Green Willow Village with an opportune moment to safely establish its presence within the demon territory.