Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1856 - 1397: Identity

The moment Li Zhirui crossed into the Southern Domain's borders, he immediately detected the distinct atmosphere of this land.

While the Northern Domain is defined by its vast, freezing reaches and the Eastern Continent thrives with life and prosperity, the Southern Domain is a savage place saturated with evil qi!

It appeared as though warfare and slaughter were fundamental elements of this territory, woven into its very fabric.

Originally, the Southern Domain served as the habitat for the Ten Thousand Spirit Race, where skirmishes over resources were already common. However, once the Human Tao Dynasty migrated to these lands, the frequency of war surged!

Conflict erupts almost every month. Whether the cause is territory, resources, or simply an escalation of minor friction, it invariably leads to a massive battle.

These clashes are not limited to the human race and the Ten Thousand Spirits; the various dynasties frequently wage war against one another as well!

The Human Tao Dynasty is notoriously expansionist. To increase its power, it requires a larger population and more territory. While a population can be grown through internal development and Cultivation, acquiring land leaves no alternative but external conquest!

Following years of relentless combat, the Human Tao Dynasty has seized more than half of the Southern Domain. This has pushed the Ten Thousand Spirit Race back toward the Undying Volcano located in the Extremely Southern Land.

This seems to be the current boundary, however. As their territory shrinks, the Ten Thousand Spirit Race finds it much easier to defend.

Furthermore, because these borders are so distant from the major dynasties' central hubs, the logistical costs are astronomical. If ten stones of grain are sent out, only four remain by the time the supplies reach the front lines!

The attrition is simply too high to sustain. Consequently, the dynasties have ceased their proactive assaults on the Ten Thousand Spirit Race, choosing instead to construct defensive cities along the mountain ranges.

Beyond the raw violence and constant war, the Southern Domain pressed upon Li Zhirui with a sense of strictness and oppressive discomfort!

Because of the Human Tao Dynasty's presence, the region is blanketed by a Human Dao magic network. To an Immortal Dao Cultivator like him, this environment was quite stifling.

Fortunately, he possessed a countermeasure against the Human Dao magic network: a jade seal infused with the dynasty’s dragon energy!

Li Zhirui had held this jade seal for many years. He had acquired it shortly after the establishment of Daqian, the first Human Dao Dynasty of the Primal Spirit Realm.

Since every Human Dao dynasty in the Primal Spirit Realm originated from Daqian, the dragon energy from that era is revered as the Ancestor Dragon Qi of the human race.

A jade seal containing even a fragment of Ancestor Dragon Qi is a priceless treasure. Now, it served as the perfect tool to shield him from the suppression of the Human Dao magic network.

The effect was immediate!

As soon as Li Zhirui fastened the jade seal to his waist, the heavy sense of oppression vanished. He could now move through the Southern Domain without hindrance.

Since there are practitioners within the Human Tao Dynasty, his presence as a cultivator did not make him stand out excessively.

However, these practitioners differ significantly from traditional Immortal Dao Cultivators!

While both paths involve absorbing spiritual energy and seeking to understand the Heavenly Dao to raise one's realm, Human Dao cultivators are bound by a unique restriction.

Their Cultivation is entirely dependent on talismans!

From the very start of their journey, they must accept a talisman that is planted into their Dantian. To break through to any subsequent realm, they must acquire a higher-grade talisman.

Progress is not something they can achieve through solitary effort; it requires the authorization of the Human Tao Dynasty. A specific government body known as the Taoist Register Office manages these cultivator talismans.

Naturally, there are advantages to being a Human Dao cultivator.

First, they do not rely as heavily on natural talent as the Immortal Dao does; the primary bottleneck is the grade of the talisman they are granted. Second, those holding a Taoist official rank can tap into the dynasty's luck to wield much greater combat power.

It is rumored that the methods of Human Dao cultivators were inspired by the Divine Path, as the use of talismans shares a clear connection with those ancient ways.

Moving forward!

Li Zhirui managed to blend in like a local within a minor dynasty called Dayan, which exists under the umbrella of the Human Tao Dynasty.

This small nation is situated between the Daqian and Great Zhou Dynasties. Though its military strength is lacking, its position as a vital trade hub between the two powers ensures that the people of Dayan live in relative comfort.

He specifically chose a smaller dynasty because its weaker infrastructure made it easier to infiltrate and secure a legitimate identification, which would simplify his travels across the Southern Domain.

Additionally, because the Dayan Dynasty sits at a national crossroads, it is common for fugitives and troublemakers to seek sanctuary there. This provided Li Zhirui with a perfect cover story.

He arrived at a minor town on the border. A few guards were stationed at the gates, but they appeared disheveled and bored. They paid no attention to those entering or leaving, making the checkpoint seem like a mere formality.

Li Zhirui was pleased by this lack of scrutiny. It allowed him to enter the city with ease, where he could then look for a way to buy a new identity.

He had masked his Cultivation to the level of the Individual Immortal Realm. Even so, he drew some looks, as an Individual Immortal is a rare sight even in a small place like Dayan.

The locals quickly surmised that this Individual Immortal was a traveler, likely someone fleeing from another dynasty to avoid trouble.

Nevertheless, they did not block his path and permitted Li Zhirui to pass into the city.

For those who facilitate refugees, the higher the refugee's Cultivation, the more they can charge—and the greater the profit they stand to make!

Sure enough, he had not been in the city long before a figure approached him. In a low voice, the stranger asked, "Are you seeking a place of refuge?"

Li Zhirui was momentarily surprised, but he quickly grasped the man's intent. He nodded and asked, "Do you have a way to arrange it?"