Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds

Hearing this, Hua Shu felt a burden lift from her shoulders.

Could it be… Elder Yao has broken through to the Approaching Yang Realm?

She harbored some hope, but her instincts told her this was unlikely. Breaking through from the Elixir Mark Realm to the Approaching Yang Realm in just seven short years was a feat unprecedented in history. Recently, no Heavenly Thunder had fallen within the Qiming Sect either.

"Should we go in and take a look?"

Hua Shu entered the Cave Mansion and, after getting her bearings, arrived in the mansion's living room. She took a seat in the secondary position.

Within the Qiming Sect, although she was the Sect Master, her status was not as high as that of the powerful Xu Xing. Furthermore, after Xu Xing took Great Elder Cai as his master, he was now her martial uncle by seniority. In terms of generational status, she was one generation below Xu Xing. Her ability to guide Xu Xing into the Qiming Sect years ago was largely due to her high status as the former Sect Master's disciple.

"Sect Master, you honor us with your presence…"

"May I know the purpose of your visit?"

After approximately half a moment, Xu Xing finished meditating and adjusting his breathing, then exited his cultivation room. He walked towards the main seat and inquired politely of Hua Shu, his voice gentle and his expression calm, like a humble gentleman. He didn't appear at all annoyed for having his retreat so suddenly disturbed.

After taking his seat, he took out two sticks of Pine Divine Incense from his Storage Bag, lit them, and inserted them into the incense burner on the table. Ghost Immortals who hadn't entered the Approaching Yang Realm were only Yin Souls and couldn't enjoy culinary delights. Therefore, they typically consumed spiritual objects that aided the cultivation of the Divine Soul, such as Pine Divine Incense, rather than things like tea.

"The Fragrant Fox Sect is planning to invade our Qiming Sect…"

"I've heard that the Fragrant Fox Sect has recently gained a Fox Immortal of the Elixir Mark Realm. Their Nangong Ancestor has also significantly advanced in his cultivation; he has likely crossed the Eightfold Heavenly Tribulation within the Approaching Yang Realm…"

The rich fragrance of the Pine Divine Incense spread, and Hua Shu, bathed in its scent, seemed somewhat relaxed. She pondered for a moment before choosing to be forthcoming with Xu Xing. Xu Xing had joined the Qiming Sect over a hundred years ago, a considerable length of time. There was no need to keep him in the dark about this matter.

"Great Elder Cai's life is approaching its end, so she has entered a death seclusion, attempting to reach the Returning to the Netherworld Realm. The Earth Tribulation for Returning to the Netherworld... is a hundred times more dangerous than the Human Tribulation. Regardless of whether Great Elder Cai breaks through the realm or not, at this time, she cannot exert much power…"

"They've calculated that Great Elder Cai's life is nearing its end, so they chose this moment to invade our Qiming Sect," Hua Shu added.

Attacks between the various sects were commonplace. After all, there were only four sects in the Wu Yi Mountain Range, and resources were scarce. The Qiming Sect was in a period of decline because Great Elder Cai was undergoing a tribulation, her fate uncertain. Thus, while the Fragrant Fox Sect's decision to attack was sudden, it was also within expectations.

Approaching Yang: cross the Human Tribulation, obtain true fate.

Returning to the Netherworld: cross the Earth Tribulation, reclaim one's origin.

The Earth Tribulation of the Returning to the Netherworld Realm was nothing like the relatively manageable Human Tribulation. When breaking through to this realm, an Approaching Yang Realm Ghost Immortal would be plunged into a state of "neither alive nor dead." They could only successfully Return to the Netherworld and pass the tribulation after comprehending the location of the Netherworld and retrieving their original self from it—in other words, by recovering their "corpse" from the River of Nether.

The Netherworld, however, was a reportedly dangerous forbidden zone, a secondary spatial dimension. To step into the Netherworld meant slim chances of survival. Even though Approaching Yang Realm Ghost Immortals were considered powerful there, the Netherworld Wasteland was never lacking in powerful entities. Powerful beings from countless eons and various eras had fallen and become trapped in the Netherworld Wasteland, transforming it into a domain of the dead.

"Earth Tribulation…"

Hearing this, Xu Xing's heart clenched.

One hundred and twenty years ago, after advancing to the third stage of Blending Light on my Immortal Path, I was no longer able to continue cultivating immortality. So, afterward, I continued cultivating the Ghost Immortal Path. Forty years ago, I overcame the last three Lightning Tribulations of the Approaching Yang Realm and reached its pinnacle. But after reaching the pinnacle of the Approaching Yang Realm, I did not continue cultivating the Ghost Immortal Path. What I dreaded was this very trial: Returning to the Netherworld and entering the infamous Netherworld itself. The Earth Tribulation is difficult to cross! Once I enter the Netherworld Wasteland, whether my life remains within my control is unpredictable…

However, in my view, this legendary Netherworld Wasteland is very likely the Underworld of this world. Legend had it that the Underworld controlled the life and death of all creatures in the Three Realms, with the Life and Death Book recording their lifespan, birth, origin, and other such details. Going to the Netherworld Wasteland to 'Return to the Netherworld' is akin to erasing one's name from the Life and Death Book, thereby 'leaping out of the Three Realms, no longer within the Five Elements.' The fate of Ghost Immortals is controlled by the Ghost Immortals themselves. I am determined to explore the Netherworld Wasteland when I break through to the Returning to the Netherworld Realm, just not right now. Being of dual nature, I can cultivate both the Martial Dao and the Ghost Immortal Path. The best choice would be to enter the Netherworld Wasteland by Returning to the Netherworld only after my Martial Dao and Immortal Path have reached a sufficient state.

"An Approaching Yang Realm Ghost Immortal…"

"Sect Master, you might be overestimating me," Xu Xing said, shaking his head. "I am quite clear about my own strength. I focus on cultivation and am not skilled in combat."

Even though I have the ability to annihilate the Fragrant Fox Sect, doing so would undoubtedly result in serious injuries to myself as well. It would be a case of gaining little while losing much. The Qiming Sect is not worth such a sacrifice to me. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I do not wish to engage in battle with those of the same realm.

The Qiming Sect was not worth such a sacrifice to him. Unless absolutely necessary, he did not wish to battle those of the same realm.

"Elder Yao, you might have misunderstood my meaning…" Hua Shu apologized to Xu Xing and then explained the purpose of her visit. "With Great Elder Cai in seclusion, there are no Approaching Yang Realm Ghost Immortals to guard the Qiming Sect... Although the sect's defensive array can hold off the Fragrant Fox Sect, as the saying goes, 'a cunning rabbit has three burrows'…"

"My intention is to ask Elder Yao to lead a portion of the disciples to temporarily evade the danger. After some time, if someone from our sect breaks through to the Approaching Yang Realm, or if Great Elder Cai successfully passes her tribulation, then we can return to the sect."