Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 1182

Chapter 1182: Chapter 710: Human Heart_2 Chapter 1182: Chapter 710: Human Heart_2 Yet even so, the risks remain.

Wandao School harbors no schemes against them, but that doesn’t mean there are no risks within the Taoist Domain.

In the land of Divine Land, strife is inherent. Void Immortals every few millennia would face a tribulation, leading many Calamity Immortals in pursuit of the Longevity Dao Fruit to extremes–fighting over heaven and earth, killing for treasure, disregarding status completely, becoming in every sense Calamity Immortals.

Darkness looms; turmoil rocks the world. These Calamity Immortals grow increasingly frenzied–so much so that even the decent among the Void Immortals seem inclined to fall. Everyone is on edge, fearful of not just the terror within the turmoil but also these degenerated Calamity Immortals. Truly, morals decline over time, people’s hearts not what they once were.

Now, although they have arrived in the Taoist Domain, who can assure that within it there lurks no “Calamity Immortal”?

Indeed, Wandao School detests Robbing Cultivators deeply, striking hard against them. But in the Divine Land of chaos, even the Ancient Great Emperor could not predict everything, nor master the Heavenly Secrets. How then could Wandao School guarantee no Robbing Cultivator is hiding in its territory? At most, they can dispatch more cultivators to enforce the law and patrol, deterring the malevolent.

Therefore, their situation remains precarious; only by moving to the center of the Taoist Domain, under the intimidating presence of the Honored Wandao, can they ensure absolute safety.

But in such a predicament, are those of the Tianyu lineage alone in this thought?

Dark Chaos has rampaged for a millennium. Wandao School has sheltered the lives of Divine Land, with countless cultivators bringing their families seeking refuge. Today, the Taoist Domain seems somewhat overpopulated.

The Taoist Domain is vast but not easy to dwell within, a saying that has become well-known.

Thus, the Tianyu legacy must make the painful decision to cut flesh and let blood.

Emperor Scripture, to be offered!

Secret Techniques, to be given!

Even the potentiality of the Imperial Dynasty, treasures rare and wonderful, must be converted into the non-negotiable Ten Thousand Dao Points.

In doing so, they wouldn’t just be submitting a “declaration” and “protection fee” to earn Wandao School’s robust shelter, but also diminish their own value to reduce the risk of Calamity Immortals’ predation–a dual benefit.

Of course, King Fufeng also has his subtle motives–to purchase the benefits of a Cave Mansion and Taoist Field in the domain’s heart. Whether it be the Ten Thousand Dao Conference, the feast of Pill Origin, or the occasional teachings of the Honored Wandao, for him, a Tribulation Realm Void Immortal at the Six Stages, all these hold immense benefits.

Therefore…

“We want to buy a superior Cave Mansion, or an average Taoist Field near Wandao City!”

After converting his dynasty’s legacy of the Emperor Scripture, the family’s collected Secret Techniques, and all sorts of rare treasures into Ten Thousand Dao Points, the Tianyu folk returned to that young man.

“No problem!”

The young man unfurled the map of the Taoist Domain, smiling at everyone as he said, “Here are the superior Cave Mansions and surrounding average Taoist Fields in Wandao City. Where does everyone fancy? Personally, I recommend…”

Moments later, King Fufeng holding the deed, led everyone out the door, only to encounter a group of people upon reaching the entrance–among them some familiar faces?

“Isn’t that… Lord Baiyang?”

“Beiming, you’re here too?”

“The two of you are also purchasing Cave Mansions?”

“Where will you be residing?”

“Alas, this old one has spent his entire fortune and can barely afford a superior Cave Mansion, not even one inside Wandao City. The future generations wishing to enter the Scholar’s Palace will still need to undergo a screening!”

“The Taoist Domain is large but dwelling is not easy, not easy indeed!”

…

The winds change, undercurrents surge, all adding to the unease.

But there are places still where one may find temporary peace, unaffected by the strife of the world.

In the bamboo forest enveloped in cloud and mist, a quaint residence emerges, akin to a dwelling of Immortals.

Indeed, it is an Immortal’s dwelling!

Mei, Lan, Zhu; the Three Immortals gather.

“Congratulations, junior brother, on achieving Nine Tribulations Completion and ascertaining immortality!”

The two raise their cups to one, indeed the Bamboo Immortal from the Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, who has just completed the Nine Tribulations.

“Thank you, elder brothers. If not for your support, junior brother would never have attained today’s fortune.”

Bamboo Immortal drains the cup, refills it, and responds with a toast to Mei and Lan.

“Ah, as fellow cultivators, we share life and death; what talk there is of support?”

Mei Immortal shakes his head, looks away, and with another sigh says, “If only our youngest brother…”

“Elder brother… Take heart.”

Seeing his sorrow, Lan and Zhu Immortals both fell silent, and soon changed the topic: “Before I came here, I received a message, saying that the turmoil beyond our realm has intensified, and even the Tianyu Ancient Dynasty has been destroyed. The Tianyu Emperor and the Tianyu Bell have been lost, failing to escape.”

“Can it be true?”

Mei Immortal’s gaze hardened: “The Tianyu Emperor is a peerless powerhouse among the True Immortal Saint Masters, and the Tianyu Bell is one of the three bells of Divine Land. If they could not escape from the chaos, what terrifying power did they encounter?”

“No one knows!”

Bamboo Immortal shook his head and heaved a sigh: “It’s not just the Tianyu Ancient Dynasty, all the sacred places, all the Immortal Gates, and all the Imperial Clans of the dynasties have been hit by the chaos, suffering heavy casualties and on the brink of disaster. Looking across the world, only the Three Great Sects and our Taoist Domain still have a moment of peace.”

“It’s just a temporary peace!”

Lan Immortal also sighed: “The Taoist Master is compassionate, harboring concern for the world, and shelters all beings. He has taken in countless cultivators, and now our Taoist Domain is overcrowded to the point of peril if this continues.”

Amid their words, they were deeply concerned!

Although there was no solid proof, there was an unspoken rule assumed by the cultivators of Divine Land amidst the Dark Chaos: in times of turmoil, it is better to have fewer people than many, and weaker forces rather than stronger. If there are too many people and too strong forces, it could very likely attract the most terrifying existence from the darkness, one not even an Extreme Imperial Weapon could withstand.

For this reason, even the Three Great Sects did not dare to gather the power of everyone and concentrate all the Emperor’s Weapons in one place to resist the chaos, but had to spread out and support each other.

If the Three Great Sects were so cautious, it goes without saying for other forces. No one dares to put all their eggs in one basket, let alone protect others. Everyone has always been fending for themselves, not minding the frost on others’ roofs.

Only the Wandao School did the opposite, not only expanding aggressively during this chaos but also taking in refugees from all directions, sheltering beings of the world, making the Taoist Domain grow larger and larger, now surpassing the Three Great Sects.

Continuing like this, no one can guarantee that it won’t attract that great terror from the darkness, and like the shocking disasters of annihilation of sects in the past, engulf the Taoist Domain entirely in darkness.

“People are frightened, truly frightened!”

“Even in Wanxiang City, there are rumors circulating.”

“It’s said someone plans to submit a joint petition, advising the Taoist Master to halt this trend.”

“A joint petition?”

“Advise the Taoist Master?”

Hearing the words of Lan Immortal, Mei and Zhu both frowned deeply.

Especially Zhu Immortal, who let out a cold huff: “Usurping the host’s say, rallying the masses to create trouble, they really think a gentleman can be easily bullied?”

His words were frigid, as if carrying a killing intent.

Mei Immortal furrowed his brows and looked at him intently: “Third brother, you…”

“Not hiding it from you, elder brother!”

Zhu Immortal nodded and said solemnly: “I have already joined the Scholar’s Palace, no longer a mere Guest Elder, and in three months I will be stationed at Five Directions City. Today’s gathering is to bid farewell to my brothers.”

“What?”

Upon hearing these words, Mei and Lan both changed their expressions.

Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju–the Four Immortals, though they had settled in the Taoist Domain a thousand years ago when the chaos had not yet begun, they had only settled and had not fully devoted themselves to the Scholar’s Palace, merely taking on the title of Guest Elders.

There were many such Guest Elders, especially after the Dark Chaos began, many Void Immortals and True Immortals sought refuge here, escaping from calamity.

Although they also contributed to the Scholar’s Palace to earn Ten Thousand Dao Points, as means to reside in the Taoist Domain, most of these contributions were logistics-related, with few putting themselves in danger to join the battles.

There were many reasons for this, all sorts of concerns, but in summary, they revolved around the phrase “concern for one’s life and possessions.”

The Scholar’s Palace may be good, and the Taoist Domain may be safe, but amidst this turmoil, it’s like a house built on thin ice.

Therefore, many immortals remained as Guest Elders, staying on the outskirts, not fully joining the Scholar’s Palace.

But now…

“In times of storm, we share the same boat, for we share the same fortune and misfortune, and face difficulty together!”

Zhu Immortal shook his head and spoke gravely: “My mind is made up, elder brothers, you need not dissuade me. On the contrary, I urge you both to consider: while it is easy to add flowers to the brocade, it’s nobler to send coal in snowy weather. Some opportunities vanish in an instant; if not seized, one may regret it for life!”

“Third brother, you…”

Mei Immortal rose in alarm and anger, ready to argue with him.

But before he could speak, suddenly they heard…

“Rumble…”

Thunder roared, shaking heaven and earth.