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RENSHEN'S POV

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Clay was flying in circles above the courtyard, emitting a breath that would have instilled fear in me if I were any weaker. It looked so majestic from its head to its tail. If there were such beings back on Earth, the government would have made them extinct with their research from pure curiosity.

Earth...

Would I go back if a chance was presented to me? Yes, but not in the current time. I'd choose to go back to the timeline when I died.

When the golden fanged tiger saw me, it suddenly growled fighting to get off the ground. Only then did I realize that Clay was using pressure to make the beasts submit to it. Little bastard. Was he trying to show off how strong he had become?

But the sect's beasts weren't the only beasts summoned by Clay's roar. I could feel hundreds of them from the unclaimed mountain. The thunderous sound of their hooves pounding the ground as they made their way towards the sect, the cacophony of their roars and caws traveling through the quiet atmosphere announced their near arrival.

I frowned. If I allowed them to reach the sect, then it would only bring unwanted attention. There was one thing I had learned so far; there was always someone watching for something to happen so they could announce it to the world.

I raised my right foot and stomped hard, letting out a qi circle that shot outwards to encompass the sect and intimidate those lowly beasts. It continued pulsating, pushing the hoard of beasts that had been a minute away from storming the hill and the valley we occupied.

The tiger managed to stand on its feet before letting out a roar that echoed in the valley and mountains, acting as the final blow to the wild beasts that had been summoned here by Clay.

"Come down this-" I grunted, whipping my head to the sky, ready to give that head of his a punch when I saw him in his second form: a little blue snake with tiny black horns and crimson eyes that stared at me like a puppy's full of sympathy and remorse.

How could I strangle him when he was looking so adorable?

I squeezed shut my eyes to dispel the anger without taking it out on Clay. He(I wasn't certain of its gender, so I assumed it was a male) flew to rest on my shoulder.

"If you want to brag about your power, go to some distant territory and bare your fangs at them. If you attract attention like this again, I'll smack your head till your little brain explodes."

He hissed rubbing his head on my cheek.

"Go back!" I ordered the beasts who had been terrorized by Clay just now. But the show had been another lesson.

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The orange sky slowly dimmed as the light and darkness merged, welcoming the moonless night. There was a chill in the atmosphere while crickets chirped and the owls hooted in the thick forest below.

"It's quiet. I thought I could see people fighting from here or witness a tribulation."

It was hard to admit but the world was still. It was nothing like what I had expected from a chaotic realm with nameless beasts and overpowered entities. Maybe I had watched too many fantasy shows that I created these images in my mind about what a cultivation world would be like.

Yes, I wanted to see some action, and no, I didn't want it involving me or my disciples. Just wanted to spectate two powerful cultivators blasting each other so I could learn how they fought. Using the void as a portal in a fight would be useful for fleeing. But I did not intend to run away. I wasn't cultivating this wholeheartedly just to be a coward.

Stolen novel; please report.

'Maybe I should join the duels as well. This might help me hone my other skills. I should practice more about sword fighting now that I have a good sword.'

I had tested the black sword and it could withstand my qi. Just like the void, the material used to make the blade could cover all traces of qi. This was why nobody had felt the intent buried deep within which was more terrifying than even the breath emitted by the Dao punishment. I had yet to learn what emotion was driving the sword's intent, but it wasn't one I could grasp overnight.

With golden fireballs levitating around me, I drew out the sword in question and raised it, pointing to the sky. Even though it had been changed by the tides of time, giving it a rusty-like layer, its edges were sharp as if it had come straight from the best blacksmith alive.

I ran a finger gently along one of the edges, admiring how thin they were despite the center being a little thick.

Why had it been created with such an oddly jagged design? If swept along a body, the serrations would rip off the skin and flesh without the need for any qi.

I got up and moved closer to the nearest tree. My qi moved down my arm to enter the sword. With one effortless swing of my hand, golden-black slash energy came out of the sword, slicing the large tree in half.

"Shit?" I jumped out of the way of the falling half that had aimed for my head.

Confused, I stared at the sword. "I didn't use that much qi. Neither have I merged with the sword's intent. So why, why has it produced such a powerful slash?"

Was this another mystery like the jade pendants?

My heart thumped harder, thrilled by such outcomes that presented me with more reasons to explore this world. I was still curious about so many things and places.

This city, country, and continent was just the beginning of my journey.

Rushing to ascend without understanding the fundamental laws of cultivation was equal to welcoming death.

This could only be achieved by involving myself with different humans, beasts, spirits, and any other life form that existed in this world.

I was in no rush; with my primary ginseng body, I could live for centuries. Well, maybe my disciples wouldn't have that long unless they kept getting stronger and raising their stages.

Each stage came with an extended number of years. The length varied from one person to the other, and from one being to the other. Beasts and spirits cultivated differently from normal humans, just like me.

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Xu'er's master was back after I sent for him. The eager veil on his face creeped me out if I was being honest. This was not the same calm and composed man I had met at the inn months ago. His demeanor back then challenged me to act more unattached to material things and sophisticated, but seeing him now, he looked like a dog wagging its tail awaiting a bone to be tossed at him.

"There are five major auction houses in the city. Which of them are you planning to use?" I asked studying his face to detect any lie that might slip as he spoke. If he planned on scamming me, I'd have no problem declaring war on him and his sect.

Actually, no. That would be too much work.

I hated extra work.

"Golden Palace. It has major connections throughout the country. Approaching it will draw in more buyers from various cities. Such exposure will, of course, bring in more money."

Valid point. Why hadn't he chosen to become a trader with such a mind? Or even do both?

But these righteous sects were damn strict with their members, expecting them to act like angels even though they clearly had their flaws. Unless one was completely detached from their own feelings, desires were bound to exist.

"And what about it's storage? How do you plan on selling it?"

"This." A clear jar appeared on the table. He opened the brown lid made of wood before pushing it in my direction. "I borrowed this from Golden Palace so we can test its capability. I have other storage contained from them, but they said this one may be the most efficient."

I set down the cup of tea and picked up the glass jar. It had an odd aura infused with it. One I could not explain since I hadn't come across such a breath. However, one thing was certain: whoever had done it was above the level seven thousand. They were much stronger than me.

"Then let's give it a try."

The barrier to shield us from the Dao was set up. Next, was to open a black hole inside the jar while it was shut to test if it could hold the bolt of lightning without cracking or exploding.

Elder Jun's eyes were halfway out of their sockets from how hard he was staring at the process. 'Tsk! I didn't think that lightning was the thing that would split open that demeanor of yours,' I thought as the black hole opened.

A bolt of black lightning shot out like a bullet but was immediately restricted by the jar walls.

Elder Jun jerked backward, startled by the energetic bolt darting from one spot to the other like a restless beast trying to find a way to escape.

It sizzled and bounced endlessly while we observed its behavior for over a minute.

Just when we were about to conclude the capability of the jar, a cracking noise suddenly sliced the air.

Elder Jun gasped, backing me while I immediately formed a smaller barrier around the whole jar that had more void energy than my qi.

The chaotic bolt slowed down little by little until it became still. All it did was sizzle and spark in black and white in its confinement.

"Wonderful!" Elder Jun beamed fervently even though he had sprung to his feet ages ago and backed fully away from the table to stand next to the barrier wall. "You can subdue such power! You give me surprises every time we meet sect leader."

I gave him an indifferent stare. His statement was not only stupid but annoying. How did he think I could contain the power of this lightning without a way to subdue it? Of course, the void was helping me.

Its power was weird and mysterious, which was why I hadn't used it much unless when necessary. I knew my limits. Knew I wasn't strong to control even a drop of it.