Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 542 - 537 Monster Cultivator Alliance, Heavenly Palace Sect_1
"Where is Ancestor Ji Kong?!"
Jia Ren had searched the Void for a month without success. There was no sign of Ancestor Ji Kong, and no messages were responded to.
After such a long time, he had either safely returned to the Sect or... it was more likely misfortune than fortune.
Maintaining the state of Void Wandering for a month was something neither he nor Jin Sheng could endure any longer, so they could only return to the Mysterious Realm.
To save his master, Jia Ren had already done everything he could.
Whether Ancestor Ji Kong was still alive depended on his own fate.
After leaving the Void, he immediately took Jin Sheng back into the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl to avoid attracting enemies like the True Dragon Evil.
Perhaps because he had just experienced the ordeal with the True Dragon Evil, Jin Sheng entered the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl without any resistance whatsoever.
Jia Ren summoned his Insect External Incarnation to go in his stead and scout near the Lingbao Sect for news, wanting to find out whether Ancestor Ji Kong had returned.
His true form entered the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl to recover energy and recuperate.
After the Duosheng Demon Mosquito was replaced by the Insect External Incarnation, a world of change had occurred. During this period, it had been steadily absorbing Spiritual Power from the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl to solidify its cultivation level.
It cultivated the Heavenly Treasure Spirit Cultivation Technique using the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl, and its cultivation level progressed swiftly.
Unfortunately, the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl wasn’t immediately placed into the Demon-Sealing Spirit Tower. The Sacrificial Fire was prioritized for the Birthless Killing Sword, and only then did a spot open up for the replacement.
The Insect External Incarnation’s realm and cultivation level were far behind that of his true form. Now, it had already reached the peak of the Divinity Transformation Stage, merely one step away from the Lianxu Stage.
In the Mysterious Realm, a Late-stage of Soul Transformation cultivator wasn’t considered weak, belonging to the middle-rank cultivators. Many powers coveted the Lingbao Sect and lurked in the shadows, with a large number of covert sect spies scattered about; a Late-stage of Soul Transformation cultivation level wasn’t worth mentioning.
The Insect External Incarnation moved with extreme caution towards the Lingbao Sect’s territory.
Perhaps due to luck, it didn’t draw much attention along the way and reached the Yunluo Market.
Yunluo Market was much quieter than in his memories. With the Lingbao Sect’s prospects uncertain, those who saw the ominous signs had already fled.
Those remaining were either Low-Order Cultivators or undercover spies from other sects.
"There are rather few High-Order Cultivators..."
The Insect External Incarnation roughly sensed that there were no more than ten cultivators at the Divinity Transformation Stage or higher in the Yunluo Market.
"How should I go about gathering intelligence, though?"
"I certainly can’t enter the Lingbao Sect openly under my own identity."
"I can’t use my identity Jade Token, so I’m unable to contact old acquaintances."
After much thought, there weren’t many people he could contact; Zhuo Chengdao was one.
Ma Tianbao and Ma Zhongyuan were not options; their identities were too sensitive and could easily attract the attention of the Lingbao Sect’s high-level Elders.
The Insect External Incarnation arrived at the mountain gate of the Lingbao Sect and attracted the attention of a Lingbao Sect handyman guarding outside.
"Go inform Zhuo Chengdao that someone is looking for him," he instructed.
He rewarded the handyman with a Superior Grade Spirit Stone and sent him into the Sect.
Before long, Zhuo Chengdao arrived with the handyman.
Upon seeing Zhuo Chengdao again, the Insect External Incarnation couldn’t help but show a hint of joy. It was a relief that his Senior Brother was unharmed.
Accompanying Zhuo Chengdao was Fifth Senior Brother Guang Wu.
Zhuo Chengdao had an enemy at the Body Integration Realm at large. Fearing this person might have set a trap, he inevitably needed someone to accompany him.
After a long separation, Fifth Senior Brother Guang Wu had already made a breakthrough, reaching the Early-stage of Void Refinement. Zhuo Chengdao, on the other hand, had just reached the Late-stage of Soul Transformation, his realm yet to stabilize.
With the help of the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art, their cultivation progression was not slow.
"Who might you be, fellow Daoist? Do we know each other?"
Zhuo Chengdao, perhaps influenced by Jia Ren, had become much more prudent in his conduct. He and Senior Brother Guang Wu stood within the Sect Array’s area.
Even if a Body Integration Realm cultivator were to strike, they could retreat into the Sect in time.
"Ancestor Ji Kong has shown me great kindness, and I wish to know if he is well," the Insect External Incarnation replied.
Guang Wu’s brows furrowed involuntarily, growing more and more vigilant the longer he looked at the Insect External Incarnation.
Only Zhuo Chengdao had a peculiar expression. His divine consciousness swept over the Insect External Incarnation, yet he felt no trace of its aura.
Not only that, this sensation of bewildering perception was strikingly similar to Junior Brother Jia’s Bewildering Spirit Bead.
Thinking of Junior Brother Jia, who had perished due to cultivation deviation while in seclusion, he couldn’t help but feel profound sadness.
"Our master is unharmed and still within the Sect. Do you truly know him?"
A vague sense of familiarity prompted Zhuo Chengdao to say a few more words.
"Junior brother, better safe than sorry!"
"There is no shortage of sects and powers watching the Lingbao Sect like hawks," Guang Wu spoke up with a slightly dark expression, cautioning Zhuo Chengdao.
Ancestor Ji Kong had returned recently, badly wounded.
Who knew if this person was sent by an enemy, hoping to take advantage of Ancestor Ji Kong’s weakness to cripple the Lingbao Sect?
"Our master is in seclusion and cannot meet visitors. We shall pass your message to him," they replied, standing at a distance, their faces cold, radiating an air of keeping him at a great distance.
The Insect External Incarnation had many more questions, but with its identity being an issue, Zhuo Chengdao and Guang Wu wouldn’t disclose any sect secrets.
If he exposed his true identity, the Spirit Treasures Fire-Seeds plan could be leaked. How would the Sect’s upper echelons treat him then?
Many within the Lingbao Sect had treated him well, which was also why he wanted to protect it.
But that didn’t mean everyone would react kindly. Jia Ren wouldn’t take the risk.
"Knowing that the Ancestor is unharmed puts my mind at ease," the Insect External Incarnation bowed to the two of them and strode away.
From this visit, he learned at least one thing: Ancestor Ji Kong was still alive.
But his master not contacting him was incomprehensible.
Was it for the sake of secrecy?
It remained a thorn in his heart, impossible to ignore.
"The Lingbao Sect should be fine for the short term. It’s time to carry out my original plan!"
"Head to the Sealed Land."
"I might as well pass by the Heavenly Palace Sect on the way and meet with Wang Fugui, to see if I can obtain the Golden Scale Wind-Riding Technique."
After organizing his plans and thoughts, Jia Ren quickly departed.
As he flew, he couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching him.
The Lingbao Sect was in a precarious situation, with many eyes upon it. Had he drawn attention merely by interacting with a few Lingbao Sect Cultivators?
This indirectly confirmed just how dangerous the Lingbao Sect’s situation was.
"Fellow Daoist, please hold on."
The Insect External Incarnation’s face darkened slightly; it had no intention of stopping and instead increased its Escape Speed.
He knew all too well how often that phrase spelled doom for those who heard it.
The best course of action was to stay away, to avoid any bad luck.
The Insect External Incarnation wanted to flee, but the pursuer had no intention of letting him go. With astonishing speed, the pursuer appeared before him, blocking his path.
"I don’t know you, fellow Daoist. Why block my way?"
The Insect External Incarnation sensed the aura and Spiritual Power Fluctuation of a Late Stage of Void Refinement cultivator, and its expression changed slightly.
How could its incarnation, only at the peak of the Divinity Transformation Stage, attract a Late Stage of Void Refinement cultivator?
"Fellow Daoist seems quite close to the Lingbao Sect, and you’re carrying precious treasures as well."
"Most importantly... you are not human, are you?"
"An ancient variant species, a Duosheng Demon Mosquito, correct?"
"I wonder if you have used up your life-stealing ability?"
His eyes shone with a strange light, filled with an indescribable allure.
Most Magical Beasts maintain their beastly forms, but not all. A small number choose the path of transformation to blend in with humans for a better chance of survival.
Indeed, in the Mysterious Realm, this was the optimal path: to integrate with humans and thus better ensure survival.
"I don’t understand what you’re talking about?!"
The Insect External Incarnation’s expression shifted subtly, and it tensed, ready for combat at any moment.
Although its incarnation wasn’t a match for this person, a surprise attack from its true form could easily kill this individual.
"Fellow Daoist need not worry, I bear you no ill will."
"It’s too difficult for Magical Beasts to survive in the Mysterious Realm. Only by banding together is there a chance of survival; fighting alone is ultimately not the right path."
"Here is the Monster Cultivator Alliance Command. If you’re willing, fellow Daoist, just infuse a wisp of your aura, and cultivators from the Monster Cultivator Alliance will naturally come to find you."
The cultivator exuding the aura of the Late Stage of Void Refinement casually tossed a token over, then smiled faintly and vanished in a streak of Escape Light.
???
It had thought its identity was exposed and braced for an inevitable battle, but unexpectedly, the person just left.
The Monster Cultivator Alliance? He had never heard of it.
The intelligence it possessed on the Lingbao Sect contained no information about the Monster Cultivator Alliance.
If it hadn’t encountered this individual by chance and received a Monster Cultivator Alliance Command, it would never have guessed such a force existed in the Mysterious Realm.
How powerful was the Monster Cultivator Alliance?
They appeared within the territory of the Lingbao Sect—did they harbor any intentions towards the sect?
"To join or not to join?"
The Insect External Incarnation hesitated for a moment before deciding... there was no rush for now.
It could wait until its true form reached the Body Integration Realm before contacting the Monster Cultivator Alliance.
Realm and strength were the best foundation; only formidable power granted the qualification to face risks.
The Insect External Incarnation took the token and carefully checked it for any issues.
This was a special token used for marking and sensing; as long as he did not imbue it with his aura, the prohibitions inside the token would not activate.
Even so, it still couldn’t quite put his mind at ease.
Seal after seal was placed into the token, confining it before finally tossing it into the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl.
The Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl was a world unto itself, capable of isolating Divine Beasts and phenomena, preventing their manifestation in the Mysterious Realm.
Any potential problems with the Monster Cultivator Alliance Command would also be contained.
This small interlude caused no major disruption. The Insect External Incarnation continued its flight, slightly altering its route.
Its ultimate destination was the Sealed Land, but it made a slight adjustment to pass by the Heavenly Palace Sect.
Continuing with unabated speed, he rushed towards his goal.
The Escape Light of a Late-stage of Soul Transformation cultivator couldn’t compare to that of its true form. Traveling day and night, it crossed over two hundred thousand miles in a month and arrived in the territory of the Heavenly Palace Sect.
Lingbao Sect, Xuantiandao Sect, Shenxiao Sect, and the Shimo Sect were pinnacle sects in the Mysterious Realm, with Mahayana Realm cultivators at the helm and numerous Body Integration Realm cultivators underpinning their deep foundations.
They had stood unshaken in the Mysterious Realm for at least ten thousand years.
Below these pinnacle sects were first-rate powers, each presided over by Body Integration Realm cultivators.
The Heavenly Palace Sect was one of the strongest among these first-rate powers. At its peak, it had five Body Integration Realm masters. Although the Sect’s influence was no longer at its zenith, it still boasted three, making it a leader just below the absolute top tier.
Wars frequently erupted in the Mysterious Realm, and as a first-rate sect, the Heavenly Palace Sect could not remain unscathed. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Friction with neighboring sects had led to several wars in the past.
Along the way, one could see scorched earth and craters left by battling cultivators—a scene of complete disarray.
It arrived at the Heavenly Palace Sect without incident and beheld a grand sect before it.
The Insect External Incarnation found a cultivator dressed in a Heavenly Palace Sect Taoist Robe and, cupping its fist, smiled and said, "I am an old friend of Wang Fugui. May I trouble you to inform him?"
