Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1365 - 729: Lure

With Li Shiming leading and Great Cultivator Duan Zhang in pursuit, the gap between the two narrowed steadily. However, bringing Li Shiming within the reach of his divine sense was not a feat Great Cultivator Duan Zhang could accomplish quickly.

"It is no wonder I have struggled to seize him; he is truly a difficult opponent to handle!" Great Cultivator Duan Zhang remarked with a soft sigh.

As a practitioner only at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, Li Shiming’s talent for thunder cultivation was remarkably potent. Having reached such a level of Thunder Escape through the 'Yuqing Thunder Scripture,' his genius was a rarity even among the elite core disciples of the Yuqing Sect.

By now, a comprehensive investigation into Li Shiming’s background had been completed.

Naturally, this intelligence only covered his life since he became known as Li Shizhen. Regarding his earlier years on the Beishu Continent, even the formidable intelligence network of the Yuqing Sect had failed to uncover his history.

Had Great Cultivator Duan Zhang not already seized Li Yuanba, he surely would have alerted the Yuqing Sect or sought assistance from allied powers.

The current circumstances, however, were unique. Since he had just captured Li Yuanba, revealing his location might trigger the suspicions of the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

Consequently, he chose to hunt Li Shiming alone without notifying anyone.

He possessed absolute certainty in his own martial prowess. When facing a Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioner—even a Thunder Cultivator—he was convinced that Li Shiming’s lightning strikes would fail to even scratch his defenses.

A Thunder Cultivator naturally possesses immense resistance to lightning, a trait that is even more pronounced in one at the Great Cultivator level.

As he fled, Li Shiming directed his Thunder Escape toward the open sea, searching for a secluded location to engage Great Cultivator Duan Zhang without interference.

He frequently shifted his course, carefully avoiding any Nascent Soul Cultivators in the vicinity.

Great Cultivator Duan Zhang seemed to perceive this intent but remained unconcerned.

In fact, the Great Cultivator also preferred the ocean as a battlefield, as it would leave Li Shiming with no place to hide.

"Hmm?" He noticed that Li Shiming had abruptly halted ahead, seemingly waiting for him. He was baffled by this sudden change in behavior.

Regardless, now that they were over the vast ocean, he felt there was no need to fear any hidden traps.

"Why have you stopped running?" Great Cultivator Duan Zhang asked with an indifferent tone as he closed the distance.

"Since my speed is inferior to yours, we might as well settle this through combat!" Li Shiming replied, a smile playing on his lips.

His posture was not that of someone facing a formidable Great Cultivator; instead, he appeared as composed as if he were merely sparring with a peer of the same rank.

"Then let us have a fair duel!" Great Cultivator Duan Zhang said, maintaining a calm facade while feeling secretly pleased.

He mentally measured the distance, intending to overwhelm Li Shiming with the crushing pressure of the Great Cultivator Realm before the younger man could even react.

Suddenly, the unexpected occurred. Li Shiming’s form flickered away, only to materialize directly in front of him.

Just as he prepared to strike, Li Shiming’s figure vanished once more in a mysterious fashion.

"Divine Foot Skill! You have mastered the Divine Foot Skill as well!" Great Cultivator Duan Zhang cried out in shock.

He immediately thought of Li Yuanba and realized the connection; this sudden display followed shortly after Li Yuanba’s abduction.

In that instant, he realized the Spirit Pet Bag at his hip was gone. It dawned on him that a profound bond must exist between Li Shizhen and Li Yuanba—one strong enough for Li Shizhen to risk everything to challenge a Thunder Cultivator of his caliber.

Great Cultivator Duan Zhang’s face twisted in fury. Li Shiming had snatched the Spirit Pet Bag right from under his nose.

While he viewed it as a theft, it was effectively a blatant robbery performed right before his eyes.

He could only blame himself for hanging the Spirit Pet Bag so openly on his waist instead of securing it properly.

In the Cultivation World, those who have mastered spatial divine skills like the Divine Foot Skill are undoubtedly the swiftest.

Yet, even among such experts, Li Shiming stood above the rest.

His method of executing the Divine Foot Skill was unique; by utilizing his multiple brains to prep the Divine Power Rune simultaneously, he could trigger the skill without any delay or interruption.

Great Cultivator Duan Zhang was caught off guard by this specifically. Never in his long existence had he seen someone use spatial divine skills in such a defiant, illogical manner.

The Great Cultivator had also been somewhat careless, assuming that his aura alone would prevent Li Shiming from closing the distance, regardless of his spatial speed.

But the deed was done. Li Shiming had successfully retrieved the Spirit Pet Bag containing Li Yuanba.

Great Cultivator Duan Zhang assumed that, having achieved his goal, Li Shiming would use the Divine Foot Skill to flee immediately.

To his surprise, Li Shiming simply tucked away the Spirit Pet Bag and transferred Li Yuanba into the Heavenly Person Cave Heaven, where Great Cultivator Luo Pei assisted in breaking the restraints.

Li Shiming stayed behind, truly intending to clash with Great Cultivator Duan Zhang.

After practicing the 'Heavenly Human Technique' and comparing himself to Great Cultivator Luo Pei, he felt his combat power was on par with an average Great Cultivator.

Great Cultivator Duan Zhang was the perfect test for his strength. He had delayed his attack only because he was waiting for a Spirit Pill to replenish his Spiritual Power Pattern more quickly.