Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1506 - 799: Return to the Sect (2)

The figure who arrived turned out to be Yue Shan, the second senior brother. Given his deep familiarity with Li Shiming, how could he fail to identify him at all?

However, the sight of Li Shiming's cultivation realm at Great Cultivator level caused Yue Shan to pause before acknowledging him right away.

"Second senior brother, I've only been gone for a few years, and you don't recognize me anymore?" Li Shiming remarked with a grin.

"Junior brother, it's truly you! It's been so long, yet you've already reached Great Cultivator status!" Yue Shan recovered from his astonishment and burst out in thrilled exclamation. Moments later, he composed himself and shifted his gaze toward Great Cultivator Luo Pei, offering a respectful bow as he inquired, "Who might this senior be?"

"Second senior brother, no need to be so formal around him—he's my subordinate, named Luo Pei!" Li Shiming presented him cheerfully.

This revelation only left Yue Shan more at a loss for an appropriate response.

On the Dongqi Continent, the standing of a Great Cultivator rivaled the pinnacle figures of the Central State Continent.

Still, Yue Shan had never dreamed that Li Shiming would command a Great Cultivator as his follower. Observing Great Cultivator Luo Pei positioned submissively behind Li Shiming, it truly appeared as though he served under Li Shiming's lead.

"Is that the Guangling Great Venerable?" Yue Shan spotted the captive in Great Cultivator Luo Pei's grasp and pinpointed his identity.

"I spotted the Guangling Great Venerable lurking close to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, so I seized him to deliver to our sect!" Li Shiming clarified.

"Let me escort you back to the sect first!" Yue Shan drew in a few steadying breaths to steady his feelings, casting a quick scan around as he suggested.

He had also observed the absence of those Nascent Soul Cultivators who once lingered near the sect's borders.

It appeared Li Shiming's presence had instilled fear in them, which eased Yue Shan's pent-up frustrations from long ago.

With Li Shiming's homecoming this time—as a Great Cultivator no less, accompanied by yet another Great Cultivator—the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's fighting power received a massive boost.

As Li Shiming approached within a thousand miles of the sect, he shut his eyes in fond reminiscence, eager to etch the comforting spatial essence into his very soul.

Not being too distant from the mountain gate, he refrained from conversing much with Yue Shan, knowing he'd soon encounter his master, Grandmaster Hu, and uncover everything he needed to hear.

Before the Sect Formation, Yue Shan came to a halt.

"Junior brother, stay put here briefly while I go report inside to secure entry clearance for Senior Luo Pei!" Yue Shan directed Li Shiming to remain outside as he stepped through the Sect Formation.

Li Shiming felt no surprise at this; Yue Shan's power to escort Great Cultivator Luo Pei thus far already pushed the boundaries of his own authority.

Besides, now that Li Shiming had ascended to Great Cultivator, his Identity Jade Disc lacked updates, and amid the sect's state of alert, verification was required to grant passage.

Soon enough, Yue Shan reappeared alongside Great Cultivator Ding Lifei.

Li Shiming experienced a brief jolt of surprise, unprepared for Great Cultivator Ding Lifei to emerge in place of his master, Grandmaster Hu.

This development stirred unease in his chest—had something befallen Master Grandmaster Hu?

Recalling his recent successful transmission via the Identity Jade Disc to his master, he dismissed the worry with a headshake, likely just needless concern.

"Li Shizhen pays respects to Junior Master Ding!" Li Shiming advanced, offering a deferential bow.

"I learned of the dangers you faced on the Central State Continent; your master and I fretted greatly, but clearly not only did you emerge unscathed, you've seized amazing opportunities to become a Great Cultivator!" Great Cultivator Ding Lifei stated warmly, his gaze upon Li Shiming brimming with approval.

He assisted Li Shiming to rise, examining him closely with undisguised wonder in his expression.

"Ah yes, now that you're a Great Cultivator too, address me as Brother Ding from here on!" He appended after a pause.

In the world of Cultivation, absent a master-disciple bond, a cultivator's rank hinged primarily on their realm.

"Brother Ding, meet Luo Pei, my subordinate!" Li Shiming adjusted his greeting and presented Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

"Welcome, Mr. Luo!" Great Cultivator Ding offered with a grin, dipping in a slight bow toward Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

Great Cultivator Luo Pei, the one who nearly obliterated an entire major sect by himself, might be unknown to folks like Yue Shan, but Great Cultivator Ding had gleaned knowledge of his exploits through certain means.

Though Great Cultivator Luo Pei's aura didn't radiate overwhelming might, Great Cultivator Ding refused to take him lightly in any way.

Great Cultivator Luo Pei reciprocated the courtesy silently, then fell back into position behind Li Shiming, affirming his subordinate status.

"Brother Ding, here's the Guangling Great Venerable—I ran into him just beyond the mountain gate on my way back and nabbed him to present to the sect!" Li Shiming indicated, prompting Great Cultivator Luo Pei to hand over the Guangling Great Venerable to Great Cultivator Ding.

"The Ten Thousand Beast Sect stands at a pivotal crossroads of survival right now. Your timely return is a huge relief; snatching the Guangling Great Venerable alive will surely curb Lianhua Temple's reckless boldness!" Great Cultivator Ding declared as he accepted the captive.

The feat of taking the Guangling Great Venerable prisoner highlighted Li Shiming's terrifying prowess in battle.

The Ten Thousand Beast Sect desperately required reinforcements, making this a vital boon, while Lianhua Temple's loss of the Guangling Great Venerable sapped their forces, and with his life in the balance, they'd likely hold back more cautiously.

Great Cultivator Ding first refreshed Li Shiming's Identity Jade Disc, then produced a fresh one for Great Cultivator Luo Pei.

"Mr. Luo, you'll serve provisionally as a Guest Elder for the Ten Thousand Beast Sect; your rewards will be settled once I consult the other senior brothers!" Great Cultivator Ding outlined as he passed the Identity Jade Disc, extending courtesy to Great Cultivator Luo Pei even as Li Shiming's underling.

Trailing his guidance, Li Shiming and Great Cultivator Luo Pei crossed into the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's mountain gate.

Once inside, Li Shiming picked up on a heavy air of strain.

Particularly striking was the deployment of cultivators at key points along the Sect Formation—a setup never seen in the past.

Each cultivator soaring overhead moved with urgent purpose, their faces etched with grave intensity.

Great Cultivator Ding, aware of Li Shiming's primary desire, guided him straight to the Ten Thousand Beasts Cave Heaven and halted outside Grandmaster Hu's peak.

The peak's formation stirred to life, allowing Great Cultivator Ding to proceed first, with Li Shiming and the rest close behind.

Li Shiming detected irregularity here. Considering Master Grandmaster Hu's nature, upon learning of his breakthrough to Great Cultivator and the additional one in tow, he surely would have rushed out to welcome them.

Having Great Cultivator Ding handle the reception felt odd enough, but now staying secluded in the grotto suggested trouble afoot.

"Shizhen, have you returned?" A frail voice echoed from the revealed grotto interior.

"Master!" Li Shiming cried out in alarm.

Given Grandmaster Hu's profound realm, such frailty could only stem from grave wounds.

Li Shiming hastened his pace into the grotto, where he found his master, Grandmaster Hu, seated upon a chair.

Grandmaster Hu appeared ashen-faced, his breathing erratic, and worst of all, deprived of his left leg.

"Master, who dared to injure you like this?" Li Shiming's aura erupted wildly, unleashing a crushing wave of pressure.

Grandmaster Hu, beholding Li Shiming and feeling his power, broke into a relieved smile.

As if witnessing his own child coming of age, he recognized Li Shiming's full maturity.

"I'm alright; blame that fellow from Taichu Sect who clashed with me!" Grandmaster Hu dismissed lightly with a gesture, his smile persisting.

Yet his statement triggered a fit of coughs, sapping his vigor.

"Master, hold off on talking—allow me to treat you!" Li Shiming swiftly steadied Grandmaster Hu.

He produced a High Grade Fourth-Grade Limb Regeneration Pill, crafted from surplus Spiritual Medicine leftover during treatments for wounded Great Cultivators back on the Central State Continent.

Although he wielded the 'Innate Wood' Divine Skill, regenerating a limb still demanded the potency of a Limb Regeneration Spirit Pill like this.