Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1572 - 832: Nearing Home_2

"No need for a warm welcome. I believe my return will spark fear in numerous hearts. Warn them against provoking me; I lack the patience to handle such matters!" Li Shiming dismissed with a wave of his hand.

With those words spoken, the 'White Emperor Light Cloud Boat' belonging to Li Shiming picked up speed, soaring toward the heart of the continent.

Neither Li Nuo nor Venerable Huike dared to block his path; they could only observe as Li Shiming's silhouette faded into the horizon.

"Just how formidable do you reckon Li Shiming's cultivation level is?" Li Nuo inquired, turning toward Venerable Huike.

It wasn't Li Nuo's fault for his limited knowledge; Nascent Soul Middle Stage experts were scarce across the whole Beishu Continent, while Great Cultivators existed merely in tales.

Considering Li Shiming's youth, even wild guesses wouldn't lead them to picture him as a Great Cultivator.

"It must have reached a deeply advanced stage within Nascent Soul Middle Stage. The presence of typical Nascent Soul Middle Stage experts from elsewhere doesn't come close to his intimidating force!" Venerable Huike pondered briefly before answering.

"Now that he's returned, where might Li Shiming head first? Could he seek confrontation with the Shushan Sect?" Li Nuo pressed on.

The thought of Li Shiming targeting the Shushan Sect brought a grin to his features. Though the great sects displayed solidarity on the surface, their inner rivalries persisted endlessly.

As the dominant force of the Righteous Path on Beishu Continent, the Shushan Sect represented a grave danger to the Demon Sect.

Should Li Shiming actually strike at the Shushan Sect, their diminished strength would elevate the Senluo Sect's standing on Beishu Continent dramatically.

"No matter Li Shiming's destination, tranquility on Beishu Continent seems at an end!" Venerable Huike sighed, shaking his head.

"Could the events from that time bring repercussions?" Li Nuo asked tentatively, a memory surfacing in his mind.

Venerable Huike had almost overlooked it, but Li Nuo's prompt caused his expression to shift dramatically.

"It probably won't cause big trouble. We avoided applying too much force in those days!" He responded, though doubt tinged his voice.

The 'White Emperor Light Cloud Boat' glided rapidly across the skies over Beishu Continent. Before Li Shiming, visions of an enchanting woman in green attire flickered often; she was the one he longed for most in this realm, a rare bond he cherished.

As the Flying Boat neared the Thousand Illusion Sect, his anxiety mounted.

Absent for a century, it was clear that Yin Shilan, who had been at Golden Core Stage then, had endured a vast span—even for a Nascent Soul Cultivator like him, a hundred years felt eternal.

He hadn't chosen to stay away; he was acutely aware of the multitude of foes in the Cultivation World, foes backed by immense powers. One slip could force him into seclusion within a Grotto Heaven.

Yet his old allies and those dearest to him would fall prey to those powers.

He refused to see that happen, so upon reaching Dongqi Continent, he adopted the name Li Shizhen, cutting all connections to Beishu Continent.

At last, he possessed sufficient might, the power to safeguard those close to him, and thus he returned.

The Thousand Illusion Sect remained much as it had been, showing little alteration.

Despite ranking among Beishu Continent's premier sects, the mountain gate defenses of the Thousand Illusion Sect fell short of a standard medium-sized sect in Dongqi Continent.

Prolonged seclusion from outside exchanges enabled Beishu Continent to safeguard its legacy, nurturing its unique customs profoundly, but missing chances to expand its influence.

Viewing the formations from his vantage, the sect's primary array relied on antiquated principles, which clarified why, after departing Beishu Continent and encountering other lands' array expertise, he sensed their approaches diverged completely.

Presently, regarding array proficiency, no Array Master across the entire Immortal Realm could rival him. He now spotted flaws that had eluded him earlier.

"Junior offers greetings to Senior. What brings Senior to our Thousand Illusion Sect?" A Golden Core Cultivator emerged from the sect, and upon spotting Li Shiming, bewilderment crossed his gaze as he saluted and questioned.

This Golden Core Cultivator sensed a vague familiarity with Li Shiming but failed to pinpoint the encounter right away.

After all, almost a century had elapsed. Though Li Shiming had earned some renown on Beishu Continent in his time, the passage of years sufficed to obliterate his former marks.

"I've come to meet Yin Shilan!" Li Shiming stated calmly.

"No Yin Shilan exists here; Senior must have arrived at the incorrect location!" At the sound of Yin Shilan's name, the Golden Core Cultivator's face altered subtly as he replied.

A glint of ferocity appeared in Li Shiming's eyes; he detected the Golden Core Cultivator's deceitful tone, aware that Yin Shilan had been a Thousand Illusion Sect disciple with Golden Core Cultivation even back then.

On Beishu Continent, attaining Golden Core Stage allowed one to ascend to Elder status in a top sect, commanding substantial authority inside.

The Golden Core Cultivator's response suggested misfortune had befallen Yin Shilan.

If that proved true, he would spare no effort to haul all culprits into the abyss and eradicate their sects completely.

Because of his turbulent feelings, Li Shiming's Great Cultivator aura lost all suppression, surging outward in every direction.

The Golden Core Cultivator bore the initial brunt, struck by a horrifying pressure. Sensing danger, he triggered an alert before the Great Cultivator's aura overpowered him, causing him to collapse unconscious.

A shrill warning echoed through the Thousand Illusion Sect's mountain gate, a tone unheard in ages, startling the cultivators accustomed to serenity until a Golden Core Elder bellowed instructions to explain the crisis.

From the mountain gate's core, two silhouettes appeared.

"Remain composed, everyone—hold the formation steady. I'll investigate!" declared Patriarch Ge, a Nascent Soul Ancestor and Yin Shilan's master.

Patriarch Ge and Ancestor Zhan shared a glance, shock evident in their exchange.

While they calmed the others effectively, they understood inwardly that even perfect formation maintenance would yield scant defense.

The aura beyond the formation, though diminished in penetration, still unsettled them, the pair of Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Familiar with their sect's array limits, they could readily assess the dreadful might of the intruder outside.

Yet this was their home; the two Nascent Soul experts were improbable to forsake their sect and run. Even attempting flight before such a force offered slim odds of success.

"You remain inside; I'll venture out!" Patriarch Ge commanded firmly.

"No, stay put—I'll handle it!" Ancestor Zhan refused, shaking his head.

"Though I'd rather not admit it, as a female cultivator, dealing with outsiders tends to go smoother!" Patriarch Ge motioned lightly.

One of Beishu Continent's rare female Nascent Soul cultivators, Patriarch Ge usually viewed herself on par with males. Uttering those words now revealed her resolve.

"I'll guard within the formation. If trouble arises, withdraw straight back inside!" Ancestor Zhan recognized the urgency, speaking gravely.

Outside, though rage boiled in Li Shiming, a sliver of reason persisted. Unclear on Yin Shilan's exact fate, he refrained from demolishing her affiliated sect.

He curbed his impulses, ready to shatter the formation as Patriarch Ge emerged from it.

"Are you Li Shiming?" Upon beholding the youthful cultivator ahead, disbelief filled Patriarch Ge's eyes. She struggled to trust her sight, yet the visage matched the prodigious young talent etched in her recollections.

In those days, Li Shiming's impeccable alchemy prowess had placed him in the same league as these Ancestors.

"Patriarch Ge, I've returned to see Shilan!" Li Shiming reined in his feelings and stated.

Patriarch Ge eyed the fallen Golden Core Elder. He lived, breathing faintly, but the wounds from clashing with such an overwhelming force would demand ages to mend.

"He claimed no Yin Shilan resides in the Thousand Illusion Sect. I demand an explanation from Patriarch Ge!" Li Shiming gestured toward the Golden Core Elder, his tone detached.

Though his words carried no edge, the memory of the prior fearsome aura made Patriarch Ge realize a misstep could unleash catastrophic results.