Living in the Doomsday and Becoming an Immortal Alone

"What, you think I don't understand time-space curvature? I'm an Intermediate Mechanic too."

"Don't be angry, Great Pioneer."

Amina opened her right hand, and two invisible earphones appeared before Wang Jixuan's eyes:

"The preliminary reconnaissance over at Mu Dan is done too, we can head over now. Mao Mo is standing guard here, so there's no need to worry too much."

"Let's go," Daoist Wang proactively raised his arm, and Amina snuggled up to him bird-like, hanging onto his side.

After a brief thought, Wang Jixuan still added a nano mask to himself, changing his Daoist charm and Qi along the way.

He rode the clouds and descended with Amina toward the East Sea of this realm.

There was a series of large workshop towns on the East Sea Coast, a must-visit place for cultivators going out for purchases. It was a place of mixed characters, making it ideal for gathering information and convenient for them to head to other regions next.

The journey was uneventful.

Wang Jixuan, homesick, led Amina directly to the largest workshop town here, which was also a major gathering place for cultivators that he had visited several times in his early years.

There was a dedicated patrol team here, as well as the joint stationed soldiers of several major sects. Countless loose cultivators were roaming around seeking their fortunes, making it quite lively.

Deep down, Daoist Wang was also a bit expectant.

He thought, the story of his hundred years of cultivation, his thrilling battle with the Heavenly Tribulation, and his narrow defeat to the Ninth Thunder Tribulation should still be widely known in this Xu Realm.

Daoist Wang and Amina strolled and chatted on the street, his Spiritual Sense spread out using the secret technique of Gathering From All Directions, allowing him to hear conversations from various places.

A moment later, Daoist Wang was visibly annoyed, his lips twitching slightly.

No one mentioned it.

No one mentioned it at all!

Ah, even a little discussion would do!

After all, he was once a prodigy, a rising new star in the Cultivation World...

Even an evaluation saying 'a reckless person facing Heavenly Tribulation' would be fine.

But in the end, no one mentioned it.

Maybe six hundred years was too long, or perhaps a failure meant only a moment's ridicule.

Daoist Wang visibly slumped in disappointment.

Amina tilted her head and asked, "What's wrong? Did you find something amiss?"

"No, everything's normal, very normal indeed."

Daoist Wang let out a sigh:

"There's a Laurel Fragrance Tower up ahead, known for its spiritual bird meat. I'll take you to enjoy a bite."

"Sure thing," Amina blinked, "Do we need to prepare some currency?"

"No need, the Cultivation World operates on Spirit Stones. This is a mature Cultivation World... oh?"

Wang Jixuan looked up ahead.

The inn, as he remembered, remained unchanged.

Five to six hundred years, in terms of the Cultivation World, isn't entirely long nor short, not quite earth-shattering changes, but things can indeed change.

More shops had sprung up beside the inn, one of which had three little grasses hanging in the corner of its signboard.

This was an industry of their Wangxian Valley.

Inside, it bustled with people, a few old Daoists in the back hall were discussing something, seemingly engaged in a dispute.

Daoist Wang, with Amina, stepped in, and immediately two outer female disciples, dressed in short skirts and white tops, bowed gracefully to Daoist Wang:

"Fellow cultivator, we are not open for business yet. This is a newly established shop, perhaps you could come back another day."

Wang Jixuan nodded with a smile and asked loudly, "What kind of shop are you planning to open?"

The lady smiled and said, "A shop for elixirs and magic treasures, and we'll also collect some items needed by sects."

"I see, I haven't been here for hundreds of years."

Wang Jixuan intentionally released a thread of Daoist charm and asked with a smile:

"Last time I was out, I had some connections with a young elder from your sect, whose Daoist name was Jixuan. I wonder if he is well now?"

Amina nearly burst out laughing, had to lower her head, holding back her laughter.

Wang Jixuan gently pinched her arm, signaling her not to give it away.

The two women exchanged glances, each a bit puzzled.

"Jixuan?"

"Which elder in our sect has such a Daoist name?"

"Never heard of him."

Wang Jixuan: ...

No, it's one thing if people outside forgot, but how is your sect training disciples internally, that the outer disciples don't know of a Mahayana Realm sect elder within a thousand years?!

Daoist Wang was annoyed, truly angry as well.

Daoist Wang said with a smile, "My friend is also in the Mahayana Realm."

"Sorry, senior, we really haven't heard."

"Senior, please wait, we'll go ask in the back courtyard, there happen to be a few stewards here."

The two female disciples, understanding the situation, turned around and hurried to report.

Wang Jixuan glanced at those few elders and found they were also just around three or four hundred years old, in the Golden Core Realm or Heaven and Earth Bridge Realm, quite the backbone of the sect.

Not long after, two elders quickly approached.

As soon as they entered the shop, they sensed the Daoist charm that Wang Jixuan intentionally released.

Eye contact confirmed—this was a superior cultivator not to be provoked.

"Honored Senior, you've waited long!"

"Please, have a seat over here. Why isn't tea being served quickly? Such lack of perception!"

Wang Jixuan waved it off with a smile: "No need for formalities. I just came to inquire about an old friend's matter. I have been in seclusion cultivating and have not heard from him for a long time."

"This..."

"Elder Jixuan, he..."

"Alas!"

The two elders sighed, cupped their hands, and said:

"Please don't be offended, fellow. Elder Jixuan failed in confronting the Heavenly Tribulation six hundred years ago and perished with his Dao dissipated!"

"Ah?"

Wang Jixuan frowned, opened his mouth, and let out a long-awaited surprise.

"How could he be so rash? Why didn't he cultivate for another thousand years before attempting the Heavenly Tribulation?"

"What you said is true; we were also very puzzled."

"The sect expended considerable resources on Elder Jixuan, yet he contributed little to the sect, recklessly charging into the Heavenly Tribulation and perishing from exhaustion, indeed..."

Wang Jixuan: ...

In that case, it was indeed his fault.

Wang Jixuan closed his eyes and sighed, "I never imagined the Heavenly Tribulation could be so terrifying."

"However," a steward also said, "I think Elder Jixuan's words before attempting the Heavenly Tribulation were reasonable. If he lacks this confidence and loses this Dao Heart, even if he could survive the Heavenly Tribulation, what then? Become a muddle-headed immortal in the Immortal Realm?"

"Elder Jixuan also truly commanded our respect, cultivating for a hundred years and reaching the pinnacle of the mundane world."

"His inability to overcome the Heavenly Tribulation was purely the Heavenly Dao's jealousy, unwilling to let such an extraordinary person ascend to the Immortal Realm!"

"Within our sect, we dare not let disciples discuss Elder Jixuan, fearing that young seedlings might follow his example. Cultivation requires caution and cannot be rushed."

"Elder Jixuan's life was purely yang, this perseverance is something we cannot emulate."

Wang Jixuan smiled and said, "I suppose fellow Jixuan has found his closure, he once came, and it was worthwhile."

With that, Wang Jixuan cupped his hands.

The two stewards quickly said:

"Senior, won't you rest a while?"

"Why not visit the Mountain Gate?"

"No need, I'm just passing through this place and need to take my wife to dine."

"Then we won't disturb you any further."

"Please visit whenever you can. Our sect is holding a disciple competition in a few months; if you have time, you're welcome to attend."

With the warm farewell of the two stewards, Wang Jixuan took Amina and left the shop, heading to a somewhat distant restaurant.

They got a private room overlooking the street, ordered some signature spiritual birds and spirit grass, and invited two female loose cultivators to perform music, creating a perfectly immersive date atmosphere in the cultivation world.

Wang Jixuan's mood finally settled.

Amina tasted the Immortal Brew and asked softly, "A life of pure yang, is it true?"

"You seem to know everything," Wang Jixuan chuckled awkwardly, "Back then, my heart was focused solely on the cultivation path, indeed having no mind for romance; it's true."

"Wow, it would have been interesting to meet you back then."

"The timing would have been too far off."

Wang Jixuan took a bite of spiritual bird meat, listened to the music coming from behind the screen, and comfortably leaned back in the armchair.

He said, "No need to visit the Mountain Gate later. Everyone wouldn't recognize each other if I went back; seeing they are starting new shops, I know they're all doing well."

"Can we go to the seaside afterwards?"

"Of course, as you say."

"Alright then..."

Sizzle.

"Boss, I don't think you should wander around for now," Mu Dan quickly advised, "I suggest you come back after your meal; we've made some rather astonishing discoveries."

"What discovery? Don't keep me in suspense."

"There shouldn't be any Dark Sect members or Heavenly Net Group here based on the conversations I've intercepted; the occurrence of those keywords is zero.

"But... in the vast forest to the northwest, I've captured images of a large camp of Dark Sect members."

Mu Dan reminded:

"I fully suspect the Dark Sect might be targeting this Xu Realm.

"Senior Bai Gu wouldn't simply have you reminisce about your youth."

"Are there any loose immortals on the Dark Sect's side?"

"At least a dozen, at minimum."