Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1378 - 735: Reunion_2

Li Yuanba was truly a prized asset of the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion; numerous Nascent Soul Middle Stage Sword Cultivators in the vicinity had sought him out for pill refinement.

Despite being a Sword Cultivator himself, an Alchemy Master with the skill to produce High Grade Fourth-Grade Spirit Pills was someone these Nascent Soul Middle Stage Sword Cultivators desperately wished to keep out of harm's way.

Should any misfortune befall Li Yuanba, where else could they obtain the luxury of High Grade Fourth-Grade Spirit Pills?

Transitioning from frugality to extravagance is simple, yet returning to a meager existence is agonizing. Once they had tasted the potency of High Grade Fourth-Grade Spirit Pills—where a single pill matched the power of several Mid-level Fourth Grade Spirit Pills—these Sword Cultivators could no longer tolerate life without them.

"Do you truly believe Master Li’s combat strength is inferior to yours?" Wu Qi snapped at Tang Xue Ning.

His retort was aimed not only at Tang Xue Ning but at every Nascent Soul Middle Stage Sword Cultivator gathered there.

Among the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Sword Cultivators deployed for this mission, there were only five core members from the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, including himself and Li Yuanba.

Li Yuanba was undeniably a primary combatant; had he not been, the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion would never have instructed Wu Qi to ensure Li Yuanba’s participation in this task.

"Fellow cultivators, aren't there far too many people here? We should unite to expel those who lack the proper qualifications!" In the hushed atmosphere, a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioner stood and spoke with a resonant voice.

Li Yuanba noted the position of this speaker; he was stationed at one of the vantage points nearest to the mountain peak, just like the disciples of the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

It was clear upon his arrival that the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioners occupying the spots closest to the summit all hailed from super powerful sects.

However, because his social circle was so limited, he could not identify which specific super powerful sect this particular practitioner represented.

"That is Che Lian from the Infinite Sect. He is always making a scene... I’d love to drive them away first!" Tang Xue Ning moved to Li Yuanba’s side and grumbled her explanation.

She spoke via voice transmission, knowing this was no place for reckless behavior. A single careless remark could trigger irreversible consequences.

In the presence of so many practitioners from super sects, any insulting comment would force the other party to defend their sect’s prestige, if only to save face.

Furthermore, the super powerful sects maintained a delicate balance of power; internal conflict was out of the question at a time like this.

Purging the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioners from large and medium-sized organizations, as well as the Loose Cultivators hoping to scavenge, served the collective interests of the super sects.

"Che Lian, let the Beidou Sect handle this. Your Infinite Sect lacks the necessary experience for such matters!" another Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioner remarked with a laugh.

His jab caused the group of Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioners surrounding him to chuckle, and even those stationed by the mountain watched the exchange with amusement.

"That is Chang Qing of the Beidou Sect. There is a deep-seated rivalry between them and the Infinite Sect. As an established super sect, the Beidou Sect never misses a chance to humiliate the Infinite Sect!" Tang Xue Ning provided this timely context through voice transmission.

Realizing Li Yuanba was unfamiliar with the politics of the Central State Continent, she made a conscious effort to explain things in detail.

"Chang Qing, are you looking to start a fight right now?" Che Lian shouted, unable to stomach the provocation.

"Everyone, harmony is a virtue. If a battle breaks out now, won't we simply be handing an advantage to the outsiders?"

This time, Li Yuanba recognized the individual without needing Tang Xue Ning’s introduction.

It wasn't that he knew the man personally, but his main body, Li Shiming, had encountered him previously.

The speaker was Yin Chang of Central State Commerce, who had once sought out Li Shiming for alchemy; he was a core member of their organization.

Unaware of this connection, Tang Xue Ning introduced him to Li Yuanba anyway.

"Amitabha. There is no requirement for bloodshed. Let us select a representative practitioner. If any outsider can endure three strikes from them, they may stay. Otherwise, they must depart!" a Mid-stage Venerable suggested.

"Master Ming Kong’s compassion is truly boundless. That is an excellent proposal; it offers those external practitioners a fair chance!" Yin Chang of Central State Commerce agreed with a polite smile.

However, his approval alone was insufficient; the consensus of the other super sects was required.

The decision rested primarily with the core practitioners of each super sect. Yin Chang first turned his attention toward Wu Qi of the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

As a veteran core member of his sect, Wu Qi possessed top-tier combat prowess, leading Yin Chang to view him as the primary voice for the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion.

"Yuanba, what is your opinion?" Wu Qi turned and asked Li Yuanba.

"I will follow your lead, Senior Brother," Li Yuanba answered with a smile.

"Mr. Wu, do you intend to let this young man beside you represent us? That would be a fine choice!" Yin Chang misinterpreted Wu Qi’s question, assuming he wanted to showcase a junior.

Though Li Yuanba was also at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, his youthful aura suggested he was a newcomer to the realm. Having him step forward would not seem like the super sects were overly bullying the lesser practitioners.

"Well..." Wu Qi was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by Yin Chang’s suggestion.

Not only Wu Qi, but Tang Xue Ning’s eyes went wide, and the other Sword Cultivators wore very strange expressions.

Yin Chang might not have recognized Li Yuanba’s face, but he would certainly know his name.

"Hehe, Mr. Yin, you shouldn't joke like that. If Mr. Li Yuanba were to step forward, it wouldn't just be the outsiders who are barred—none of us would likely get into the Grotto Heaven either!" a crisp female voice interrupted, accompanied by the tinkling laughter of a graceful Nascent Soul Middle Stage Female Cultivator.

Li Yuanba looked over and identified her sect as the Luanyang Palace.

Even without a sect badge, her specific palace robes and phoenix hairpin gave her away.

His main body, Li Shiming, had dealt with the women of Luanyang Palace before, and he hadn't expected to meet another one here.

"Ah, so it is Mr. Li. I was merely jesting, please do not take offense!" Yin Chang pivoted quickly, grateful for the Luanyang Palace cultivator’s help in de-escalating.

Upon hearing the name Li Yuanba and the warning from the Luanyang Palace cultivator, many eyes shifted toward him.

These stares were filled with a mixture of reverence, intense wariness, shock, and a few hints of defiance—the latter coming from the core disciples of other super sects.

Li Yuanba’s fame stemmed from his victory over the Half-step Great Cultivator Xue Huan of the White Emperor Sect; he had slain a master of "Invisible Primordial Magnetism" on the spot.

Although Xue Huan was not from the Central State Continent, his martial reputation was known throughout the Cultivation world as a peak existence above the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

While most practitioners were wary of Li Yuanba’s combat potential, the elite core of the super sects would not be intimidated by a single victory.

On the contrary, toppling Li Yuanba would allow them to use his reputation as a stepping stone to elevate their own status.

At this moment, it was as if Li Yuanba bore an invisible crown labeled "World’s Strongest Nascent Soul Middle Stage," a title that no ambitious practitioner could abide.

"Mr. Yin, I have long respected the name of Central State Commerce. We should sit down together when time permits!" Li Yuanba said to Yin Chang with a subtle smile.

He did not believe for a second that Yin Chang failed to recognize him. Given the vast intelligence network of Central State Commerce, they surely possessed a portrait of such a famous figure.

Furthermore, having been a wanted man by the White Emperor Sect, his information was widespread; even the woman from Luanyang Palace had known him instantly. He was certain Yin Chang was feigning ignorance.

Li Yuanba’s appearance was far too distinctive to go unnoticed in the Cultivation world.

While it felt odd to describe a man as beautiful—a term usually reserved for women—anyone who saw his face was struck by his sheer aesthetic perfection.

He suspected Yin Chang had deliberately exposed his identity to stir up hostility and vigilance among the other Nascent Soul Middle Stage Practitioners from the super sects.