Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator ? What's That ?
The warm sunlight filtered through the lush canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of birds, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, causing the trees to sway softly, their branches creaking in a soothing melody.
First Disciple Guan, Second Disciple Jiang, and Eighth Disciple Jian walked along the winding forest path, their footsteps quiet on the soft earth. The rustle of their robes and the soft clinking of their swords were the only sounds that broke the silence. They had been traveling for three months, and the beauty of the forest was a welcome respite from the monotony of their journey.
As they walked, the sunlight caught the edges of their robes, illuminating the intricate embroidery that adorned their hems. The robes, a deep shade of blue, were embroidered with intricate patterns of golden thread, symbolizing their status as disciples of the Sunburn Sect.
When they left for the mission, they were given ten thousand Golds and a hundred Inferior-Grade Low-Rank Spiritual Stones for their travel expenses. Being the leader of the group, First Disciple Guan was carrying all those in his magical pouch that was used for storing objects for a Dao Apprentice like him. The pouch, a small, unassuming bag made of a strange, glowing material, hung from Guan's belt, emitting a soft hum of spiritual energy.
"First Brother, where do you think should we visit first?" Second Disciple Jiang asked with uncertainty, his brow furrowed in concern. He didn't know where they were going or should go, so he asked his senior brother. Jiang's eyes, a deep shade of brown, were filled with a hint of worry, his gaze darting back and forth as he awaited Guan's response.
Second Disciple Jiang was 6'3 feet tall and muscular, his physique honed from years of intense training and cultivation. This year, he was 23 years old, only seven years younger than Wudi Egun. Wudi Egun was thirty years old this year, making him the oldest.
As for the First Disciple Guan, he was a twenty-five-year-old young man, still young and handsome. He was 6'1 feet tall and only two inches shorter than the Second Disciple. Guan's eyes, a deep shade of blue, were filled with a hint of uncertainty, his gaze drifting off into the distance as he pondered Jiang's question.
Guan deeply sighed, his chest rising and falling with the motion. He didn't know what he should say right now, even he didn't know what they should do and where they should go. His face, normally calm and composed, was etched with worry and concern.
Hence the dilemma.
First Disciple Guan didn't say anything, but instead, continued to walk, his footsteps quiet on the forest path. The other two disciples, Jiang and Jian, followed closely behind him, their eyes fixed on his back. Soon enough, they arrived at a cliff, meeting the end of the path.
As they stood at the edge of the cliff, the breathtaking view of a large city unfolded before their eyes. The city stretched out as far as the eye could see, its sheer scale leaving the three disciples awestruck. The city was approximately three hundred thousand kilometers large, a massive metropolis that seemed to defy the laws of nature.
"What the heck?" The three brothers exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with shock and amazement.
The tall and impenetrable walls of the city could be seen from the cliff, despite being around five to ten kilometers away. The walls seemed to stretch up to the heavens, their sheer scale a testament to the city's grandeur.
"First Brother, Second Brother, do you two see what I see?" Eighth Brother Jian asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He seemed to be asking for confirmation, as if he couldn't believe his own eyes.
He had never seen a city of such magnitude before, and he couldn't help but wonder how it had come to exist in this remote area.
"But more than that, why do I feel that the Spiritual Energy in that city seems to be abundant enough to birth a peak-Dao Apprentice Realm cultivator?" Eighth Brother Jian asked, his brow furrowed in concern. He couldn't understand why the city's spiritual energy seemed so potent.
"Impossible," First Disciple Guan said, shaking his head in denial. "A mortal zone possessing spirituality to birth a Dao Apprentice Realm Cultivator, that's ridiculously impossible."
His voice was firm, his expression skeptical. He couldn't believe that a mortal city could possess such potent spiritual energy.
In the world of cultivation, there existed three types of cultivators: Ordinary Cultivators, Talented Cultivators, and Genius Cultivators. Each type of cultivator possessed a unique level of innate talent, which greatly influenced their cultivation speed and potential.
Ordinary Cultivators were, as their name suggested, average in terms of talent. They required one to three years to become a Dao Apprentice in normal conditions, a feat that demanded dedication and perseverance.
Talented Cultivators, on the other hand, were gifted with a higher level of innate talent. They could become Dao Apprentices in a remarkably short period of one to two years, provided they cultivated under normal conditions.
Genius Cultivators, however, were the rarest and most exceptional of all. They possessed an extraordinary level of talent, which enabled them to become Dao Apprentices in an astonishingly short period of three months to one year, even under normal conditions.
Despite their remarkable talent, even Genius Cultivators required a considerable amount of time to achieve the peak-Dao Apprentice Realm. Normally, it would take them around five to ten years to reach this milestone.
The journey to becoming a Dao Apprentice Realm cultivator was arduous and demanding. To become a Dao Apprentice, a cultivator needed to possess spirituality equivalent to a Rank 9 Star. In Wudi Egun's previous world, a Rank 9 Star was a rarity, only bestowed upon celestial bodies as vast as a solar system.
In this world, however, the concept of a Rank 9 Star was vastly different. Here, a single planet could possess a Rank 9 Star, a testament to the immense energy required to become a Dao Apprentice. The disparity between Wudi Egun's previous world and this one was staggering, highlighting the enormity of the task that lay before them.
"Let's go and see what that city is," Second Disciple Jiang suggested, his voice filled with a hint of curiosity. He was eager to learn what secrets lay within the city's walls.
"Yes, you are right, let us go," First Disciple Guan agreed, his eyes fixed on the city in the distance. Eighth Disciple Jian nodded in agreement, and the three brothers set off towards the city.
It took them only three steps to cover the distance of five to ten kilometers, a feat that would be impossible for mortals. However, as cultivators, they possessed spiritual energy that allowed them to move with incredible speed and agility. If they had wanted, a single step would have been enough, but they refrained from doing so, as the mortal zone's weak and fragile spirituality would have made it difficult for them to recover even one-tenth of their consumed spiritual energies.
As they arrived at the city's entrance, they were stopped by an armored guard. "Halt!! To enter the Great Radiant City, you must pay ten Golds, and only then can you enter the city," the guard informed them, his voice firm and authoritative.
The three brothers were taken aback, their eyes widening in surprise. They looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Is this city so great that they need to pay ten Golds just to enter? What a scam!! They thought to themselves.
However, they didn't want to argue with the guard, so they decided to silently pay the entrance fee. First Disciple Guan reached into his magical pouch and retrieved ten Golds, which he handed over to the guard. The guard accepted the payment and stepped aside, allowing the three brothers to enter the city.
****
As they entered the city, the three brothers were immediately immersed in a bustling and vibrant atmosphere. The busy street was filled with people of all shapes and sizes, each hurrying to and fro with a sense of purpose. The air was thick with the smells of exotic spices, fresh produce, and roasting meats, creating a cacophony of aromas that tantalized their senses.
The city's architecture was a marvel to behold, with towering buildings that seemed to stretch up to the heavens. The streets were paved with smooth, polished stone, and the buildings were adorned with intricate carvings and ornate decorations. Every aspect of the city seemed to be designed with precision and care, creating a sense of grandeur and majesty.
But what truly caught their attention was the city's spirituality. It was rich and abundant, filling the air with an almost palpable energy. The three brothers exchanged a stunned glance, their minds reeling with the implications. This level of spirituality was equivalent to land that could birth a peak-Dao Apprentice Realm Cultivator!
"How is this possible?" Eighth Disciple Jian whispered, his eyes wide with wonder. "This city is in a mortal zone, yet its spirituality is so rich and abundant."
First Disciple Guan's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he pondered the mystery. "It seems that we have greatly underestimated the mortal zone," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, the three brothers remembered the words of their sect master, Wudi Egun.
"Always remember, don't underestimate anyone, even if they are mortal or even if they are a mere ant. For nobody knows who is the prey and who is the predator."
As they recalled these words, the three brothers involuntarily gulped their saliva, their hearts beating with a sense of unease. They couldn't explain why, but they felt a shiver run down their spines, as if they were being watched by unseen eyes.
As they wandered through the city, the three brothers found themselves increasingly enticed by the delicious aromas wafting from the tall buildings. Their hunger, which had been simmering in the background, suddenly surged to the forefront, and they couldn't resist the temptation any longer.
"Let's go in and try some of the local cuisine," Second Disciple Jiang suggested, his eyes fixed on a nearby restaurant. The sign above the door read "Golden Phoenix Restaurant," and the aroma of roasting meats wafting from within was irresistible.
The three brothers entered the restaurant, and their eyes widened as they took in the opulent decor. The tables were made of polished mahogany, and the chairs were adorned with intricate carvings. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air.
They ordered a variety of dishes, including soups, meats, and rice wine. As they waited for their food to arrive, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.
When the food arrived, they dug in with gusto, savoring the delicious flavors and textures. The meat was tender and juicy, the soups were rich and flavorful, and the rice wine was smooth and refreshing.
As they enjoyed their meal, a question began to nag at them. Where did the meat come from? The flavor and texture were unmistakable - it was the meat of a Cultivation Beast. But how did it end up on their plates?
It wasn't that Cultivation Beasts were rare, but rather that they shouldn't have been found in a mortal zone. The three brothers exchanged a curious glance, their minds racing with possibilities.
Despite their curiosity, they continued to enjoy their meal, savoring the delicious flavors and textures. But the question lingered in the back of their minds, waiting to be answered.
Just as they were savoring the last bites of their meal, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the restaurant. The three brothers turned to see what was causing the fuss, and their eyes widened in surprise.
Several groups of young ladies and gentlemen, clad in long azure robes, walked into the restaurant. Each of them exuded an otherworldly aura, their faces radiant with an ethereal beauty. The atmosphere in the restaurant seemed to shift, as if the very presence of these individuals had elevated the establishment to a whole new level.
"Divine Flower Sect is here, but why are they here?" someone nearby whispered, their voice filled with a mix of curiosity and awe.
Second Disciple Jiang's eyes blinked rapidly, his face scrunched up in confusion. "Divine Flower Sect?" he repeated, the meat still lodged in his mouth.
Meanwhile, a patron at a nearby table chimed in, "I heard that Young Lady Qi has already achieved Nascent Soul Realm. With her Heaven-grade Talent, it won't take her more than five hundred years to achieve Divine Transformation."
The trio's faces contorted in utter bewilderment. What in the world was going on here? What was this Divine Flower Sect, and who was Young Lady Qi? And what about this Nascent Soul Realm? Was it some kind of Secret Realm or Ancient Ruin?
The three brothers felt as though their heads were about to explode from sheer confusion. They exchanged bewildered glances, their minds racing with questions. What was the meaning of all this? And why had they never heard of any of it before?