The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Chapter 181: Next Focus

Elder Cao slowly took another sip from her teacup before she finally responded to Li Lang’s explanation of how he had made such rapid progress these past few years.

“Hmm, likely some ancient artifact that forcibly overloaded your body,” Elder Cao commented with a frown. “You’re very lucky to be alive.”

Before Li Lang could let out a sigh of relief, the Spirit Grove elder continued.

“Even if that is true, can you explain why people I’ve inquired news from all said you three are talented demonic cultivators? I believe orthodox cultivation is permitted over there.”

“Elder Cao, you’re only partly right. There is one official organization that practices orthodox cultivation there, but they refused to accept us due to our aptitude,” Li Lang explained. “If it is revealed that we are independent orthodox cultivators, we fear that the rogue elements in the area would come after us for obvious reasons. That’s why I ask that you keep our conversation here a secret.”

“I am not one to babble to others. You don’t have to worry about that. However, I ask that you allow me to inspect your body. I must confirm whether former disciples of Spirit Grove have practiced demonic techniques or not.”

Li Lang relaxed upon hearing her words. It meant the elder had chosen to believe his story, and the complicated part of the conversation was nearing its end. Still, he remained focused, as it wasn’t over yet.

He had only explained about himself, and he hoped it stayed that way.

“Of course, Elder.”

Is there such a technique that allows one to verify if a demonic cultivator or not? Well, it shouldn’t be a surprise, considering the feud between the two factions.

With Li Lang’s consent, the elder proceeded to sit next to the young man and placed a hand on his arm to take his pulse. Li Lang could feel a warm torrent of Qi swerving around his skin. It only lasted a moment before it was over.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Good. It’s your turn,” the elder said, having turned to Long Yi.

“Umm, sure thing.”

While she moved on to the next young man, Li Lang couldn’t help but ask about the technique she was employing.

“Elder Cao, what is this technique that allows you to determine whether someone is a demonic cultivator? “

Having verified the boys before her were indeed telling the truth, Elder Cao’s expression softened and she generously shared her knowledge.

“It’s not any particular Qi art or technique per se. The Qi of those who practice demonic cultivation react differently when exposed to those of the righteous path.”

“Differently, how exactly?”

“It’s hard to pinpoint precisely. As you should now know, there are numerous demonic cultivation techniques. There is a lot of variance between them. Only the Qi of those who practice the orthodox techniques will not cause a reaction to each other.”

From her words, Li Lang surmised demonic Qi’s reaction to normal Qi was similar to the various afflictions one had to endure as a demonic cultivator. Those who specialized in absorbing energy from Qi beasts full of vitality would have their Qi become unruly, while those who preyed on other humans would try to engulf any foreign Qi it came into contact with. He even theorized this change to their Qi was what made them take on unique characteristics of the things they preyed on for their cultivation.

Nevertheless, it was just Li Lang’s conjectures. He planned to investigate it at a later date.

There’s just so much to look into, but so little time. I can’t wait to return to Emberglow and settle in.

Once Elder Cao was finished with Long Yi, she only spared Wei Ping a short glance before returning to her seat. The young man with the wooden mask wasn’t someone she was familiar with, so she decided against examining him.

He hadn’t been part of Spirit Grove, so he wasn’t someone she needed to be concerned with.

When Li Lang saw that, he knew any difficulties he may have faced were behind him. The elder hadn’t discovered Wei Ping also had grade one aptitude like him. Even if she did, he had prepared a story to include Wei Ping in it, but he was glad it wasn’t needed. The more parties he got involved with his lie, the more variables came into play. He would rather not give a chance to anyone to cross-examine them.

“Very well, then,” the elder said. “I won’t tell a soul about your secrets, so you may safely remain in your new home. I advise you to move elsewhere, but you kids have grown big enough to make your own decisions.”

“Thank you, Elder Cao. Despite my past with Spirit Grove, I’m happy that we’re still on good terms.”

The middle-aged woman nodded in response.

“As much as I would like to entertain you, I have a duty to carry out. The disciples I brought along are waiting for me to begin our journey back to the sect, so you’ll have to excuse me.”

“Understood. Just one more thing. Since you’re perhaps the only one who knows of our situation in Yellow Qilin, can we come to you when the need arises? We’re independent orthodox cultivators stranded in hostile territory, so we’ll need to visit to obtain resources and cultivation manuals at some point.”

“That isn’t a problem. It’s a given the demonic cultivators wouldn’t have any complete or quality orthodox cultivation methods. Just notify me through one of Spirit Grove’s branch offices when you come.”

“Thank you, Elder!”

Li Lang genuinely smiled upon accomplishing his goals. He could now venture back into Yellow Qilin with an Elder vouching for him. Not only could he access modern techniques, but he could also recruit students in Yellow Qilin next time. It would take some negotiating, but he would much rather do so with a known quantity than strangers.

With the rest of Spirit Grove awaiting her return, Elder Cao quickly took her leave after that. It left the trio alone in the room. Li Lang and Long Yi shared a glance for a few moments before flashing a smile.

“I guess we should start heading back ourselves, too,” Li Lang muttered.

“Right. Let’s go back before anything else happens.”

Without anything binding them down to Polarity City anymore, the trio went to retrieve their students and began their two-Skyrunner journey back to Emberglow City. Numerous other cultivators were doing the same thing, all leaving Polarity City for their homes. It was practically a mass exodus.

As they traveled, the young students shared excited stories about what they had seen during their little outing. The trio let them have their fun, as they knew their training would soon officially begin once the journey ended.

While both Li Lang and Long Yi were driving their Skyrunners side-by-side, Wei Ping climbed out to converse with his companions.

“So, B-Boss, have you decided what kind of place w-we should be looking for?”

“We still have quite the sum, right?” Long Yi asked. “It shouldn’t be a problem to even rent out a large plot of land to build an estate as long as it isn’t in the central locations. We’ll need the space with all these kiddos around.”

“No,” Li Lang interjected. “We won’t be getting anything fancy like that.”

“What, you want us to live in a dozen rooms at some inn?”

“Just a modest house on the outskirts will do.”

“Come on! Many commoners live in the city. We can find a decent estate somewhere with the money we have. Money exists to be spent!”

“It can also draw trouble to us. Look, we aren’t even in the Foundation Establishment realm yet. We’re mortals. If someone finds out about our wealth, trouble will follow.”

“B-Boss is right,” Wei Ping supported. “We should s-start slow.”

Li Lang took a moment to observe the children happily conversing off to the other end of the Skyrunner before continuing.

“Long Yi, you’ll have to realize that you’re everyone’s protector at this point. You have the highest cultivation and the closest to breaking through. With your aptitude, you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you have enough Foundation Pills. We’ll be relying on you for the foreseeable future.”

“What? That’s a little too much pressure.”

“You’ll be fine, but to reiterate, our next focus should be on the three of us all breaking through. After creating the last artifact, I felt my bottleneck loosen. I believe I should reach the ninth stage of Energy Gathering soon. How about you, Wei Ping?”

The masked youth hesitated to answer for a few moments, opting to look down at the ground instead.

“I’m n-not talented like Long Yi, or g-good at crafts like you, Boss. Do you mind if I head off on a t-trip to gain some experience once we get back?”

Li Lang blinked blankly at the sudden request. He hadn’t expected his assistant to want to part ways so abruptly. He was troubled by how to respond.

“Uhh-maybe?”