Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1610 - 851: Going Home (Part 2)

Yet another mighty great cultivator suffered an identical end to his; felled by the spiritual treasure longbow, which was doubtless the mightiest bow across the cultivation realm.

These victims could count themselves lucky as part of the initial wave of cultivators taken down by the spiritual treasure longbow.

Naturally, those slain would hardly see it that way themselves.

As the fight wrapped up, the three late-stage golden corpses stowed their armaments, with special care given to the spiritual treasure longbow.

Li Shiming had watched closely for some time, confirming no other cultivators lingered nearby, before deploying the spiritual treasure longbow.

His form blurred in motion as he gathered the loot from those seven formidable great cultivators.

He's far beyond his former self now, backed by the Ten Thousand Beast Sect and Beishu Sect, so even lesser scraps can prove useful.

Besides, he aimed to uncover hints about whoever had sent these seven great cultivators by examining their possessions.

"From now on, I need to exercise greater caution when deploying late-stage golden corpses!" Li Shiming resolved inwardly while securing the spoils.

The clash had unfolded without hitches, yet gazing at the remains of the seven great cultivators, the sheer dominance of the late-stage golden corpses left no intact bodies behind.

Thankfully, since these seven great cultivators were all loose cultivators, Li Shiming hadn't planned to craft golden corpses from their remains anyway.

He remained incredibly selective with corpse-refining materials; in the past, whether for mid-stage or late-stage golden corpses, the sources had always been core members of major powers.

During this skirmish, though, the carcasses of two Fourth Grade Middle Stage Dragon Beasts stayed wholly undamaged, and those dragon beast bodies would soon be deposited in the Beishu Sect’s Treasure Pavilion for the sect's members to train against.

Upon returning to the Green Flying Boat, Yin Shilan scanned Li Shiming with worry in her eyes.

In truth, even should Li Shiming sustain wounds, the ’phantom clone’ form would reveal no signs of injury.

"A minor hassle—unclear which faction lacked the nerve to strike personally and instead summoned seven loose cultivators!" Li Shiming replied with an easy shrug.

"As long as you're unharmed, let's make straight for Dongqi Continent." Yin Shilan suggested, her eagerness for further discovery vanished.

Moments earlier, shielded by the array and the Fourth Grade Upper Stage Flying Boat's aura suppression, she had still detected the presence of those seven great cultivators and the two Fourth Grade Middle Stage Dragon Beasts.

Lately, after encountering so many great cultivators, her senses had sharpened remarkably to their auras.

This blockade appeared swiftly handled by Li Shiming, yet it drove home a stark realization for her.

Yin Shilan had gained knowledge of Li Shiming’s actual prowess from Luanyang Palace.

Nevertheless, even a force like Li Shiming's still drew assailants, offering her a glimpse into the perilous existence he endured prior to reaching his current might.

While she had endured a century in isolated seclusion, against Li Shiming's trials, her own paled in comparison.

"Time to head home!" Li Shiming agreed without protest, sensing his foes persisted in their pursuits, unwilling to risk Yin Shilan's safety.

The flying boat veered around, speeding toward Dongqi Continent.

Post-battle, Yin Shilan felt spiritually drained, and Li Shiming tenderly urged her to shut her eyes for some repose.

Li Shiming sifted through the war trophies, holding slim expectations for riches from loose cultivators, focused mainly on spotting leads to the plot's orchestrator.

To his astonishment, the seven great cultivators' fortunes proved richer than anticipated.

Within each great cultivator’s spatial artifact lay several noteworthy items, their worth rivaling the hauls once discovered in spatial belongings of superpower great cultivators.

He soon discerned the cause; the bulk of treasures hoarded by the seven great cultivators originated from diverse superpowers.

This stood clear from the superpower emblems on certain pieces, while others bore unmistakable stylistic traits.

He even uncovered a sea chart of exceptional precision, with the West Sea mapped in the finest detail.

The true nature of these seven great cultivators dawned on him—they operated as pirates.

Those retained treasures were probably plundered gains, yet their blatant markings or designs prevented resale, forcing them to serve as mere keepsakes.

Due to this array of treasures, Li Shiming found it impossible to identify the one who had hired the seven great cultivators.

Clues abounded in excess, with artifacts from multiple superpowers, thwarting any firm conclusion.

Had there been just one or two items linked to a superpower, it might suggest that power compensating the seven great cultivators for their services.

Li Shiming let out a frustrated sigh, though a hunch lingered in his mind; the prime suspects were the Yuqing Sect or White Emperor Sect, perhaps even a joint effort.

Absent proof, however, he couldn't strike at the two sects on mere conjecture.

Furthermore, other superpowers might be probing his abilities or scheming to incriminate Yuqing Sect or White Emperor Sect.

The mere consideration induced a throbbing headache, prompting him to abandon the speculation.

Such adversaries posed no real threat to him; regardless of their numbers, they would fall.

No additional foes materialized along the rest of the voyage.

This came as no surprise; engaging seven great cultivators already demanded substantial effort in the cultivation world.

Great cultivators might abound in the cultivation realm, but those unbound by affiliations remained scarce.

Given Li Shiming’s renown, affiliated ones wouldn't dare challenge him.

Yin Shilan recuperated briefly, her spirit reviving, as she worked to acclimate herself to clashes among cultivators.

Reviewing the recent fight, she abruptly noticed the absence of one of Li Shiming’s late-stage golden corpses.

Her gaze shifted to Li Shiming, though she held back from inquiring.

She understood that back on Central State Continent, Li Shiming harbored certain mysteries, and that late-stage golden corpse had been stationed at one such hidden site.

"Lan’er, would you like me to station a late-stage golden corpse for your protection?" Li Shiming inquired, noting Yin Shilan’s restored vigor.

To him, having weathered this mild peril, Yin Shilan ought to grasp the value of safeguarding herself.

As a female cultivator, her willingness to accept a refined corpse warranted direct inquiry.

"Having you nearby suffices; I have no need for a late-stage golden corpse!" Yin Shilan declined with a shake of her head.

Beyond her aversion to refined corpses, the late-stage golden corpse represented a key component of Li Shiming's fighting force, and she refused to diminish his capabilities.

She rarely ventured abroad anyway, and whenever she did, Li Shiming would escort her for safety.

"If it doesn't appeal to you, then forget it!" Li Shiming responded with a grin.

Under Li Shiming's direction, the flying boat reached Dongqi Continent in under a month.

Yin Shilan experienced profound serenity upon crossing into the Ten Thousand Beast Sect's spatial barrier, finally sensing she had returned home.

A powerful longing to behold Li Shiming surged within her, for though the ’phantom clone’ accompanied her, it couldn't replace his genuine presence.

Her homecoming drew a warm reception from the two female great cultivator guards posted at Luanyang Palace’s estate here, complete with overdue presents.

Assignment to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect ranked as a highly sought-after sentry role.

There, one could interact directly with Li Shiming and enjoy the boon of requesting his alchemical aid.

Were it not for Master Li and these two female great cultivators, long-term residents who wished to stay, the guards might have rotated out by now.

After tending to the two female great cultivators, Yin Shilan followed the ’phantom clone’ into the Heavenly Person Cave Heaven within Li Shiming’s grotto.

She reached the threshold of the Treasure Lotus Hall, pausing there to watch Li Shiming in closed-eye meditation; the sight of him eased every tension in her frame.

"Nothing beats being back home!" she murmured to the ’phantom clone’, careful not to interrupt Li Shiming’s cultivation.

"In six more hours, we'll share a meal in the Great Power Palace!" the ’phantom clone’ replied with a light laugh.

"Will that disrupt your cultivation?" Yin Shilan queried, surprise and worry mingling in her voice.

"Your timing is perfect; this cultivation session nears its close anyway!" the ’phantom clone’ clarified.

In reality, halting six hours early would squander a portion of the medicinal efficacy, but Li Shiming cared little for that.