010: The Land of Immortals, The Difference between Immortals and Mortals (Ask for Monthly Tickets)_1

"Innate Seventh-Level Martial Artist[Chen Dengming]

Lifespan: 82/135

Spiritual Roots: Gold and Wood (Lower Grade 87/100)

Martial Arts: 'Chen Family Martial Arts Compendium' (Grand Achievement 91/100)

Dao Skills: 'Gu Refining Chapter' (Beginner 0/100)"

The whistling wind buzzed in Chen Dengming's ears, hiding his anxiety, he didn't dare look at the rapidly changing scenery below. Even the enticing figure of the female cultivator from the Luo clan in front of him went unappreciated. His eyes were closed as he observed the changes within his panel.

Ever since his spiritual root aptitude was examined by Fairy Luo at the Heaven Ascension Conference, his panel displayed his spiritual root characteristics, and even something akin to the numerical value of his skill proficiency.

However, Chen Dengming suspected that this wasn't skill proficiency but more likely his affinity with the spiritual energy.

Currently, his spiritual root affinity was quite high, indeed, among the lower grade spiritual roots his was closest to being middle grade. Sadly, it was a contradicting twin spiritual root, which was like a nightmare within good fortune.

In a single sentence, it could be described as: If you say his spiritual root was poor, his was top-tier among the lower-grade twin spiritual roots. But if you say his spiritual root was good, it was also top-tier among the contradictory twin spiritual roots.

However, perhaps like cultivating skills, the root affinity could be improved gradually over time, but that is something he would gradually test in the future.

Now, it has been a day since the Heaven Ascension Conference ended.

Ever since he left the Misty Cliff with the five cultivators, he only felt a change in the brightness before his eyes, like a momentary flicker, and within an instant, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.

This strange experience was like operating a character entering a teleportation formation in a game from his previous life.

But experiencing it in real life was far beyond what words can convey.

Upon arriving in the Cultivation World from the mundane realm of the Nanxun Kingdom, Chen Dengming distinctly felt that with the change in his surroundings, the air he breathed seemed to carry an unusual energy. This made him feel as if his cells were brimming with vitality, his mind clear, the speed of his true qi circulation also quickened. Even the Blood Centipede Gu hibernating within his ear became excited and extended its antennae.

He realized that the additional energy in the air should be spiritual energy, he had indeed made the right decision.

Moving from the Nanxun Kingdom to the Cultivation World was like giving himself access to a broader platform with richer resources.

At this point, he was onboard a flying artifact controlled by Fairy Luo, heading towards an unknown destination.

Upon leaving Nanxun Kingdom, their group of seven appeared on a cloud platform similar to Misty Cliff.

After descending from the cloud platform, the five cultivators went into a large mountain and encountered a few cultivators who seemed to be guarding a formation. After a brief exchange similar to a handover, they went their separate ways.

The cultivator surnamed He took Nangong Yun with him. Supposedly, he was going to take Nangong Yun to join the Yingyue Sect, where he is based.

As for the other cultivators, Chen Dengming had basically figured out their respective Sects. They were from the Escaping World Sect, the Soul Communicating Sect, the Hongxia Sect, and the Miaoyin Sect.

Fairy Luo was from the Miaoyin Sect and judging by the attitude of the other cultivators towards her, she seemed to have a noteworthy background.

...

Now, after flying for almost half a day.

They could already see two large cities built along the mountains on the horizon, and a chaotic, noisy plain area between the two cities.

Chen Dengming had managed to overcome his nervousness. He had regained his breath and was slowly getting used to it.

Even though he was accustomed to taking flights in his past life and had even done bungee jumping twice, in this life he was an innate grandmaster with remarkable lightness skill. However, being at a height of several hundred meters, surrounded only by a thin layer of spiritual light shield and without any other protective measures, even Chen Dengming found his first high-altitude flight unnerving.

If one were to accidentally fall, there would be nothing left of them.

Fairy Luo raised her eyebrows slightly and looked back at Chen Dengming who had his eyes closed. She found it amusing but maintained her unapproachable demeanor and reduced the speed of the flight.

"We're almost there, still not daring to look down? I remember you were quite bold when you made your requirements yesterday," she said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Dengming opened his eyes.

Before him was an exquisitely beautiful and thin side profile. Several strands of her hair floated past his face caressing his skin as she breathed out a fragrant breath, causing a subtle ripple within his heart.

Name Luo's brows turned sharp, Chen Dengming answered solemnly, "It's just my first time in high altitude, it feels quite odd. I believe in the future if I also have access to such flying artifacts, I will adjust gradually. I apologize for the spectacle."

After finishing speaking, he looked at the two cities down in the distance, suppressing the slight nausea from looking down from high altitude, he could not help but ask, "Is Fairy planning to settle me in one of those cities?"

Fairy Luo smiled faintly and said, "You mere mortal, you wish.

"Those two cultivation cities are the territories of the Zhu and Luo cultivation clans. Unless one has reached the forth stage or above on the Qi cultivation path, one is not eligible to apply for residence there.

"Even if you've reached that level, you'd have to pay in spirit stones or join one of the clans to live in the city. You..."

She gave Chen Dengming a sidelong glance, pointing at the chaotic and noisy area between the two cultivation families, she continued,

"You will have to stay there. That place has gathered many rogue cultivators due to the two major cultivation families. It's quite disorderly. There are innate martial artists like you and some low-profile rogue cultivators..."

"I can only bring you to this place. Even though there are dangers in the Loose Cultivator area, it is still better than the wilderness. At least, there are no Demonic Beasts attacking..."

"Luo Family... Demonic Beasts..."

Chen Dengming had some associations in mind, but he kept listening calmly, even though he found the lofty 'mere mortal' speech a bit offensive. However, he did not get angry because what the other party said was indeed the truth.

Anger without strength is just a powerless rage.

With self-knowledge, one can make the right decisions calmly in many situations.

"So that's how it is..."

Chen Dengming nodded slightly, thanked Fairy Luo politely, "Then, please Immortal Master, let me go to the Loose Cultivator area over there. Thank you for your kindness in leading the way. I don't yet know the Immortal Master's name, I dare to ask, in order to repay this guidance in the future!"

Fairy Luo raised her eyebrows, her lips which had a beauty spot curved into a smile, "This is a transaction, the Gu Cultivation Skill you gave me is already a repayment."

Perhaps she felt that her previous words had been slightly harsh, she slowed the Escape Light as she spoke in a gentler tone, "But my bringing you here was a trivial matter, it doesn't count for much.

Your Gu Cultivation Skill, however, is at least worth five or six middle-grade Spirit Stones. In some black markets, it could even fetch more than ten Spirit Stones, so I plan to give you some compensation."

As she finished speaking, they landed quickly. A waist card flew out of Fairy Luo's Storage Bag towards Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming was about to refuse, but when he met Luo Immortal's gaze, it felt as if a message was conveyed from her eyes through the spirit, making it impossible for him to refuse.

Instantly, he understood that she did not want to owe him a small thing, did not wish to have anything to do with a 'mere mortal', and he had to take the waist card.

"This is a token of the Luo family. If you get into any trouble in the Loose Cultivator area, you can use this card to resolve it. But remember, this is just an ordinary waist card. If there is any big trouble, or if there are any desperate criminals, this waist card is useless ..."

Fairy Luo smiled calmly, although her words were gentle, they gave off an aloof sense of alienation, akin to an Immortal Master.

"Thank you, Immortal Master, I understand."

Chen Dengming bowed once more, and then wisely jumped off her lotus-like Flying Artifact.

When he hit the ground and dust rose, Fairy Luo was already gone on her Escape Light, the elegance of her retreating figure was unassailable, leaving only a faint lingering fragrance.

From beginning to end, she never told Chen Dengming her name.

Either it was because she knew his potential for cultivation in the future was hopeless and his remaining years were limited.

Or she felt that there was no need to tell a mere mortal her name.

Regardless of the reason, it revealed the cruel gap and reality between cultivators and mortals.

Chen Dengming remained calm, unswayed by her attitude.

Because he knew that the moment he stepped onto the land of the Cultivation World, he embarked on a new life and stage.

He just needed to start practicing the cultivation technique that the old Taoist had traded. By doing so, he could prolong his life, and the longer he lived, the further he would be able to tread on the Dao of Immortality.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Dengming glanced at the messy houses not far away, and flicked his right ear.

"Buzz——"

The Blood Centipede Gu in his ear stirred, awaking from its dormant state.

Chen Dengming invoked his Qi and started moving swiftly, towards the bustling Loose Cultivator area ahead.

However, not long after, he frowned and quickly avoided the area ahead, taking a detour.

Suddenly, several fireballs flew through the air with a 'swoosh', causing the air to heat up, and striking a cultivator who was enveloped in a gold Spirit Shield, resulting in a loud explosion.

The cultivator shouted in the direction Chen Dengming had gone, "Fellow Daoist, save me! I will reward you handsomely."

"Bad luck!"

Chen Dengming's face was grim as he moved away at an even faster speed.

A cultivator who was manipulating the fireball talisman looked at the direction where Chen Dengming had fled, and after a careful inspection, suddenly relaxed, cursing under his breath.

"Turns out it's an Innate mortal, gave me a scare."

Immediately after, with a malicious smile, he motivated the talisman once more towards the cultivator ahead.

Several hundred feet away, Chen Dengming ducked behind a hill, held his breath, and quietly observed the two cultivators fighting against one another.

"The threat that Qi Sensing gives me is not as strong as Fairy Luo and others, but they are much stronger than Nangong Shuo... They should be low-level cultivators who have stepped into the Qi Cultivation stage, but... their fighting skills…are somewhat…monotonous…"

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