Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 482: Half-Immortal

(Rewinding time a little...)

“So this is the Dao-Seeking Sect. Truly magnificent.” Ming Tai remarked in awe as he stood before the sect’s entrance.

“Ming Tai, we need to go.” Elder Sikong urged him to keep up.

The two passed through the bamboo forest and crossed streams to reach the heart of the Dao-Seeking Sect—the main venue of the celebration.

The River Spirit peeked his head out, scrutinizing every individual who entered the Dao-Seeking Sect to verify if they were qualified.

“This year’s celebration is livelier than past years,” the River Spirit murmured as prodigies and experts streamed in, his face breaking into a satisfied smile.

He was a stream spirit blessed by heaven and birth and gained a spark of sentience before being enlightened by the Innate Daoist Priest, developing true intelligence. Grateful to the Innate Daoist Priest, he voluntarily became the sect’s guardian spirit, witnessing its ups and downs.

However, the River Spirit didn’t notice a group of uninvited guests slipping in alongside Ming Tai and his shifu. Moving soundlessly through the bamboo forest without leaving any traces, it was as if they were never there; none detected their presence.

The Imperial Preceptor sneered coldly as he bypassed the River Spirit and led his entourage into the Dao-Seeking Sect. “I’ve long heard of the Dao-Seeking Sect’s formidable guardian spirit. I have finally seen it for myself today. It’s a pity you encountered me this time.”

Upon reaching the center of the Dao-Seeking Sect, the Imperial Preceptor dropped his disguise. There are too many cultivators here. Even if we can’t see them, we may bump into them. Continuing to conceal ourselves will instead work against us.

Spotting several Transcendent Tribulation cultivators along the way, the Imperial Preceptor was inwardly glad that he had brought enough people. Otherwise, with me alone, annihilating the Dao-Seeking Sect would genuinely not be that easy.

“Your Excellency, when shall we act?” the Black-White Venerable Lord transmitted an auditory message.

“No rush. The celebration has just started, and the Dao-Seeking Sect is on full alert now. Let’s first investigate thoroughly and scout out how many Fusion and Transcendent Tribulation cultivators are present. After calculating our relative strength, we will decide the optimal moment to strike.

“According to immortal sect standards, every sect has at least one Transcendent Tribulation cultivator and Transcendent Tribulation-equivalent methods. Surely the Dao-Seeking Sect wouldn’t deploy all their combat forces for this celebration. They would require people to guard their treasury and other key areas.

“That River Spirit earlier is likely their Transcendent Tribulation-equivalent method. Their true Transcendent Tribulation cultivators must be elsewhere. When we strike swiftly, they won’t react in time. Even if they rush over, it’ll be too late.”

Dong, dong, dong.

Twelve resonant bell tolls reverberated through the sect, signaling the celebration’s official commencement.

The group fell silent as they noticed their primary target ascend the altar to preside over the ceremonial rites.

“Such old rites. They seem to be derived from ancient times.” The Imperial Preceptor was mildly surprised. As cultivators from the early Great Yu era, only the Great Qian Dynasty separates us from the ancient era. Yet the Dao-Seeking Sect possesses such ancient ceremonial knowledge despite being founded in the late Great Yu era.

“This Dao-Seeking Sect has some substance,” the Black-White Venerable Lord commented impassively. He ranked second only to the Imperial Preceptor in their group.

Even if their rituals are ancient, that doesn’t prove anything; they might have simply copied them from some ancient text. After all, many ancient ruins remain unexplored until now.

“That utterly ordinary brat has repeatedly thwarted our Great Yu’s plans! He should be taught how the character for ‘death’ is written!”

As the ceremony concluded, the Imperial Preceptor’s brow smoothed, a smirk playing at his lips.

“Your Excellency, you...”

The Imperial Preceptor analyzed, “Haven’t you noticed? Compared to during the rites, the number of high-level cultivators has decreased. It looks like I’ve overestimated the Dao-Seeking Sect’s standing in Great Xia.

“These high-level cultivators likely attended the celebration rites out of obligation. Now that the ceremony has ended and the Dao-Seeking Sect’s subsequent segments like the various activities and the youth tournament finals are of no interest to them, they departed.”

The group’s faces lit up with excitement. With fewer high-level cultivators present, their operation would face significantly less resistance and pressure.

“Destiny truly favors Great Yu.” The Imperial Preceptor’s lips rose into a pleasant smile. With such favorable circumstances, the Dao-Seeking Sect’s destruction is inevitable.

He reminded the group, “However, we mustn’t grow complacent yet. Since we can’t use our spiritual consciousness here, fan out and gather intelligence about the sect. Report back to me afterward.” He pointed at the ground beneath his feet. “I’ll wait for you here.”

“Roger.”

The group dispersed, leaving the Imperial Preceptor standing alone.

“They won’t return that soon. I should gather some intelligence about the Dao-Seeking Sect myself as well.” Ever prudent, the Imperial Preceptor wanted to cross-verify the intelligence his subordinates collected with his own findings to ensure its reliability.

“The most bustling area here appears to be the commercial street. I’ll take a look there.” The Imperial Preceptor strolled toward the shopping district.

“This small, unassuming commercial street actually conceals numerous Fusion cultivators.” The Imperial Preceptor narrowed his eyes. With his profound cultivation, he instantly recognized that the seemingly nondescript restaurant owners and waiters were in fact formidable experts who could dominate entire regions in the outside world.

“Fusion cultivators alone won’t stir many waves.” I had once killed six Transcendent Tribulation cultivators alone, though they were all at the Basic Transcendent Tribulation Stage—still, that’s impressive. Fusion cultivators aren’t worth my attention.

“Guest, would you like some barbeque?” The three Alluring Ghosts, Little Five, Little Six, and Little Seven, enthusiastically drew in patrons at the shop entrance, their eye-catching presence impossible to miss.

As business boomed at the barbeque shop, Chefs Liu and Gao activated Three-Heads Six-Arms, drastically boosting their grilling efficiency.

“Make way, make way! Meat delivery coming through!” The owner of a slaughterhouse called out, urging customers to clear a path for him.

Despite preparing ample meat skewers in anticipation, the barbeque shop’s overwhelming popularity still nearly exhausted their supplies.

The Everlasting Immortal lounged with his legs crossed, grinning from ear to ear as he observed the prosperous sight. Today’s sales alone are ten days’ worth!

Lu Yang had temporarily changed the barbeque shop’s name to prevent external cultivators from remembering and spreading word of “One More Barbeque” outside, which would alert the Nine-Netherworlds Creed of a similar shop within the Dao-Seeking Sect and make fooling them more difficult.

Hearing Little Five’s calls, the Imperial Preceptor glanced up and started upon seeing the two barbeque chefs and the slaughterhouse owner.

Three tiger-henchman ghosts at the Fusion Stage? The Dao-Seeking Sect’s Transcendent Tribulation cultivator is here? Only a Transcendent Tribulation cultivator can refine Fusion tiger-henchman ghosts. Since tiger-henchman ghosts typically remain near their creator, the Dao-Seeking Sect’s Transcendent Tribulation cultivator must be hiding within this very shop.

“My luck is pretty good.” The Imperial Preceptor’s smile brimmed with confidence.

I had planned only to gather intelligence, yet I’ve now found a chance to eliminate a Transcendent Tribulation cultivator in advance.

His Incipient Dao Fruit was related to concealment, which was how he could bypass the River Spirit’s detection and lead his group into the Dao-Seeking Sect. This Incipient Dao Fruit can also ensure I get rid of the Dao-Seeking Sect’s Transcendent Tribulation cultivator without alerting anyone.

Entering the barbeque shop, he spotted the carefree Everlasting Immortal.

The Everlasting Immortal saw him too.

“Half-immortal?” the two blurted out at the same time.