Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1493 - 793: Strength

Li Yuanba ceased his session of the 'Sky-Surging Sword Intent Technique' as he opened his eyes, deeply immersing himself in the revelations from his true self, Li Shiming.

In the midst of Li Shiming's breakthrough into Great Cultivator, he had grasped the Sword Intent Rule Imprint of 'Chaos Sword Intent' by means of the 'Sword Intent Stele.'

All of Li Shiming's realizations naturally flowed into Li Yuanba, who shared an unbreakable bond with him.

Yet, because his own cultivation level fell short, the 'Chaos Sword Intent' principles that Li Yuanba sensed appeared as elusive as a bloom in the mist or a reflection in the waves, lacking any solid base.

Within his mind alone did this 'Chaos Sword Intent' principle dwell, unable to project itself into the real world.

Such a sensation brought deep frustration, like holding boundless might within yet being unable to unleash it beyond the flesh.

Naturally, should he manage to truly externalize the 'Chaos Sword Intent' principles, he would ascend to Great Cultivator status, far beyond his current Nascent Soul Middle Stage level.

Still, the presence of these 'Chaos Sword Intent' principles would sharply ease the path to becoming a Great Cultivator.

A touch of pressing need stirred in Li Yuanba; now that his true self, Li Shiming, had reached Great Cultivator, his clone needed to push even further.

Through the link of the 'Soul Recognition Contract Rune,' he reflected on their bond and issued directives to Great Venerable Hongfa.

In the days ahead, he intended to devote himself entirely to secluded training, turning away from all alchemy requests.

Before, those alchemy tasks he took on served mainly for his true self, Li Shiming, who could craft elixirs with ease and without hindering his own progress.

Things had shifted now, though; Li Shiming's rise to Great Cultivator meant the old pressures would fade alongside his elevated power.

Even should old foes pursue Li Shiming relentlessly, his formidable combat strength ensured that only a supreme powerhouse could threaten him.

Li Shiming no longer required concealment; he would manage all future alchemy duties himself and avoid staying close to the Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion's entrance.

Xun Tan, a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Sword Cultivator from Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, had avoided missions lately, simply biding his time until the new moon's arrival.

The first two days of each month marked when Li Yuanba handled alchemy commissions.

For the last twenty years, Li Yuanba's tireless pill-refining for Nascent Soul Sword Cultivators had boosted the collective might of Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion's Nascent Soul forces immensely.

Securing Li Yuanba's services for alchemy proved incredibly tough; Xun Tan had reserved his slot two full years ahead just for this opportunity.

"Xun Tan, Li Yuanba is entering complete closed-door cultivation—all alchemy commissions are halted!" As Xun Tan mulled over the upcoming alchemy in a few days, a startling message arrived from Great Venerable Hongfa.

"Senior Hongfa, I reserved this two years ago; could you please make an exception?" Xun Tan pleaded in haste, taken aback.

Not pausing for Hongfa's reply, he reached out to fellow Sword Cultivators to check the circumstances.

He discovered that every Sword Cultivator with a booking like his had gotten the identical notice from Great Venerable Hongfa.

Though disappointment gripped Xun Tan fiercely, he knew full well the immense aid Li Yuanba had provided to the Sword Cultivators.

For ordinary cultivators, the prime method to raise their realm involved cutting off all outside ties and plunging wholly into cultivation, which offered the utmost gains.

Li Yuanba's routine of stepping out for two days monthly had undoubtedly hindered his own advancement.

In those twenty years, Li Yuanba alone had lifted the caliber of spirit pills available to Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion's Nascent Soul Sword Cultivators, making High Grade Fourth-Grade Spirit Pills accessible to every one of them.

Countless Sword Cultivators echoed Xun Tan's sentiments. As word of this spread, Nascent Soul Middle Stage experts and even Great Cultivators alike sensed a wave of regret, but not a single one interfered with Li Yuanba's seclusion.

One year passed, and over the vast ten-thousand-mile ocean encircling Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion, a lone figure soared forth.

It was Li Shiming himself, his realm now firmly settled. He paused above the waves, drawing in a profound breath laced with the briny tang of the sea.

Even amid the Treasure Lotus Hall of the Heavenly Person Cave Heaven's 'Heavenly Person Hall,' where Spiritual Energy abounded every day, the enclosed Grotto Heaven paled against the vastness outside.

The external realm carried a wild essence missing from the Cave Heaven; this primal harmony of sky and land reaffirmed his being—he remained truly alive.

Though shy of one hundred thirty years in age, the long stretch of isolated cultivation over decades had etched a profound mark on his spirit, subtly shifting his outlook.

"Time to head home!" The instant Li Shiming ended his seclusion, his mind turned first to journeying back.

His true home lay in the Beishu Continent, abode of those he cherished most.

Earlier, he'd held back from returning, wary of dragging peril to their doorstep.

Armed now with the strength to protect himself, a fierce yearning for home surged within him.

He longed not just for Yin Shilan but for his kin on Sky Sea Island too. Maybe the prior heavy burden of restrained insights fueled this sudden drive to rush back without delay.

Shaking his head, he reined in the overwhelming desire to depart at once with clear reason; homecoming was certain, yet first he needed to master the full prowess of a Great Cultivator.

This year of total seclusion, bolstered by swallowing scores of advanced spirit pills suited for Great Cultivators, had at last anchored his realm securely.

Only thanks to his vast stockpile of such elite spirit pills could he solidify the Great Cultivator Realm in a mere year; ordinarily, Great Cultivators from mighty sects required ten years or far longer to steady their newfound power after breaking through.