Chapter 7: First Encounter with the Immortal Realm

“Flame Mountain Deadlands?” Li Ji’an paused in his steps.

Chen Zhaohu grinned widely, “Oh, I forgot, you all must call it something else. In our Heaven Azure Domain’s cultivation world, there are a total of three forsaken deadlands. The first is the Flame Mountain Deadlands in the east. According to records, an area five thousand miles across is tightly sealed by ranges of flaming mountains. Raging flames scorch the sky and boil the seas. It’s said that even a mighty Golden Core cultivator could be reduced to ashes and their soul extinguished if they’re careless. There isn’t a trace of spiritual energy inside.”

“There are two more such deadlands?” Li Ji’an nodded, then asked casually.

“The second is the Sandstorm Deadlands to the southwest. For those inside, it’s even more despairing. Endless yellow sands stretch thirty thousand miles, ravaged by sandstorms fierce enough to tear gods and demons apart. As far as I know, no one has ever come out once they’ve entered.”

“The third is the Maze Forest Deadlands to the northwest. Twisted woods rise everywhere, shrouded in thick mists. It’s believed that even a True Monarch’s soul could fall into illusions there and be turned into nourishment by the sinister trees.”

Li Ji’an frowned slightly. “If these are such absolute deadlands… how could anyone come out?”

“Haha! The Great Dao leaves room for life—there’s always a sliver of hope for all things. It’s the same for these three deadlands. Otherwise, how could you cross the Flame Mountains that destroy Golden Core cultivators? That’s what I call profound fortune—you people are truly blessed by fate!” Chen Zhaohu looked at Li Ji’an with anticipation once more.

“Brother, can you not believe in such fanciful tales? Blessed by fortune? I’d say they just had dumb luck. Haven’t you ever stepped in something disgusting by accident? And that Purple Gold Mink—we saw it first. By rights, we should get half, but you just gave it away, and they didn’t even appreciate it…” Chen Zhaohu’s younger brother was very displeased with this way of thinking.

Li Ji’an pondered for a moment. He didn’t quite agree with Chen Zhaohu’s talk of fortune.

How could the guiding Immortal Masters from the Celestial Grace Dynasty travel safely every ten years relying on mere luck? There must be some hidden pattern or a weak point in the sandstorms they discovered.

After a short silence, Li Ji’an took his leave, leading his five companions cautiously around the area.

“Brother Li, that man’s life force is strong—he must also train in body cultivation, right?” After they could no longer see the others, Zhao Shuyao asked with a look of confusion.

“Yes, by martial standards, he’s stronger than I am,” Li Ji’an nodded.

“Since people here also practice body cultivation, why does that beast clan go to such lengths to recruit us from afar?” Zhao Shuyao voiced her doubt.

Li Ji’an was silent for a moment. “Perhaps they think we’re easy to bully because we’re ignorant.”

Her question actually made Li Ji’an feel a weight lift from his heart.

If those people went so far afield instead of capturing blood slaves locally, it meant there would be consequences here—consequences severe enough to make the risk of traveling to the Celestial Grace Dynasty and braving the sandstorms worthwhile.

He concluded that this cultivation world must not be chaotic; there had to be some positive, self-sustaining rules in place.

“Brother Li, should we go to that settlement?”

“Yes!”

Li Ji’an’s judgment was based on two things. First, Chen Zhaohu’s group was about as strong as he was, yet claimed to be well known at the settlement—which suggested the settlement’s overall level. Second, he sensed the presence of order and rules here.

That evening, the five of them arrived near the human settlement twenty miles to the north.

Hidden by the night, Li Ji’an stood on a low hill, observing the settlement.

“This is the settlement?”

“Even the imperial city probably isn’t this big!”

“Look, someone’s carrying a wild boar inside.”

…

From Chen Zhaohu’s description, Li Ji’an had expected a handful of tents, a few thatched huts—at best, a mountain village.

Instead, the area before them was larger than the imperial city of the Celestial Grace Dynasty, and even Li Ji’an was taken aback.

The buildings were not crude, mostly well-built earthen houses, solid and level, with quite a few impressive stone houses as well. Most astonishing of all, many buildings seemed almost identical, as though cast from the same mold.

As night deepened, streams of people returned—some carrying game, some herbs, others grain…

Unable to hide, the five were even startled by two people returning from behind, who were just as shocked to find them crouched behind an earth mound.

After spending the night observing, and seeing the constant flow of busy people the next day, the five of them entered the settlement.

“Well now, youngsters, you’re lucky! A first-tier Purple Gold Mink… Tsk, a six-whiskered one too—at least a mid-grade bloodline. Too bad it’s dead; if it were alive, it’d fetch at least ten spirit stones at the Immortal Market.”

There were no walls or guards at the entrance. Li Ji’an and his companions walked in openly, but no one paid them much attention, except to make a few remarks about the mink they carried.

“The Yan family of Spirit Pearl Mountain is recruiting pioneers to follow their main force into the Fallen Dragon Ridge Wilds. The area’s too vast and manpower is short, but you won’t be used as cannon fodder. Those who succeed can join the family, receive a cultivation venue and family techniques, and earn twenty taels of spirit sand a day. Requirements: strong and robust, body cultivators preferred. Mid-stage first-tier body cultivators can discuss terms…”

“The Wu family by Clear Water River seeks a son-in-law. Must have at least five strands of spiritual resonance in any spiritual root, under fifty years old. If already at Foundation Building, up to eighty is fine. Early Foundation Building with outstanding qualities can negotiate. If you produce an heir with a mid-grade spiritual root…”

“The United Fair is always recruiting Immortal seedlings—no cap on numbers. Requirement: mid-grade spiritual roots or above, under eighteen years old, orphans preferred.”

“The Spirit Pill Pavilion under Biyun Sect is opening recruitment for its ninth round of trial subjects. Requirement: mortals who haven’t reached Foundation Building. Limited spots, first come, first served. Don’t miss this heaven-sent opportunity…”

…

After walking along the main road for half an hour, a vast plaza appeared before them.

The square was packed with people, the air abuzz with voices.

Atop the central platform, someone was loudly announcing various recruitment notices.

Li Ji’an felt his scalp tingle.

This was nothing like the novels he’d read before.

From his first glimpse of the mortal settlement last night, he’d been surprised. Today, after entering and seeing so many ordinary people—those without life force or spiritual energy—going about their lives with ease, he finally understood.

Those standardized houses, the bountiful harvests, the relaxed mortals…

In a world where cultivators and immortal arts exist, how could things be just like an ancient feudal dynasty?

To build a house, you could simply hire an Immortal Master to use earth techniques—a trivial expenditure of spiritual power and a good way to hone their skills.

To grow crops, cultivators with spiritual fields could easily raise enough for mortals to eat their fill.

With spells like Spirit Rain, there would never be drought or water shortages.

And with vast numbers of mortals, cultivators could always find value in them.

Mutual benefit, coexistence between mortals and immortals… How ideal!