Translator: CinderTL
Twelve thousand Dao Pills.
Li Chunjun finally understood why Sect Leader Chi Ming, fully aware that countless top-tier experts were watching him like tigers eyeing their prey, had still allowed him to remain in the Zhou Tian Great World for six days.
It wasn't that Chi Ming lacked discernment or failed to grasp the gravity of the situation. Rather...
Gathering twelve thousand Dao Pills specifically aligned with the Void and Destruction Daos from among forty-nine different types of Dao Pills truly required that much time.
After all, even the mighty Creation Fortune Merchant Guild in the Star Ring Great World had taken nearly half a month to collect thirteen thousand Dao Pills during their exchange conference.
This demonstrated Chi Ming's operational efficiency surpassed even that of the Creation Fortune Merchant Guild's star ring main guild.
However...
"The void escape pearl was merely compensation for the Heaven-Opening Sword, given the slight difference in quality between the two..." Li Chunjun said.
Before he could finish, Chi Ming interjected, "Since we agreed to exchange Quasi-Immortal Artifacts, each party naturally takes what they need. There's no need for Swordmaster Li to offer additional compensation."
He smiled. "Besides, as I mentioned earlier, it was merely a gift. When giving gifts, reciprocity is essential. I gladly accepted your gift, so Swordmaster Li shouldn't refuse mine."
Li Chunjun glanced at the storage treasure.
Inside were indeed over twelve thousand Void Dao Pills and Destruction Dao Pills.
To be precise, there were twelve thousand eight hundred and fifty-five pills.
This quantity likely exceeded the value of the void escape pearl itself by at least ten percent.
Only at large-scale auction events, with the right buyers present, could such a price be achieved.
But participating in an auction—including the auction process, handling fees, and the back-and-forth—would take at least a year before he could finally obtain the Dao Pills from the sale.
For someone in his "precarious" situation, this would introduce far too many variables.
And this was only his first meeting with Sect Leader Chi Ming...
He's truly gone to great lengths.
Li Chunjun stored the storage treasure.
"Thank you."
"Hahaha, Swordmaster Li, you're too kind," Chi Ming chuckled, condensing a strand of Divine Sense. "Here are the latest intelligence on top-tier experts who might be targeting you, along with their movements. I hope this will be of assistance."
He added cautiously, "Due to the limited time, these movements should only be considered as reference points."
Li Chunjun sensed the amount of information contained within his Divine Sense.
He was slightly surprised. "Only thirteen Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators?"
After waiting this long, the number had only increased from five or six to thirteen?
"Seven are Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators with established reputations, and six are Supreme Sages with Quasi-Tenth-Tier combat power," Chi Ming explained.
"While those Supreme Sages with Quasi-Tenth-Tier combat power may pose little threat to Swordmaster Li's strength, you should still exercise caution on your return journey. After all, the information we've gathered doesn't account for every hidden observer. Some top-tier experts who prefer to operate discreetly could be present, and we might not detect them unless they reveal themselves."
"I understand," Li Chunjun nodded.
Still, only thirteen after all this time felt rather slow.
Moreover, the total experience points gained from thirteen level 40 Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators might not even surpass those from a hundred level 38 or 39 powerful Supreme Sages.
If that's the case...
Directly attacking and annihilating a top-tier power might actually be more efficient.
He'd just need to choose carefully from these thirteen Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators.
"A gift given deserves a gift in return."
Since they had come to assassinate him, it was only natural that he would retaliate by striking at their doorsteps and eradicating them root and branch.
At this point, Chi Ming wisely refrained from prolonging the idle conversation with Li Chunjun. Instead, he solemnly clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "I trust Swordmaster Li has already made his preparations for this journey. In that case, I wish you fair winds and smooth sailing, and may all your endeavors succeed."
"I appreciate Sect Leader Chi Ming's kind words," Li Chunjun replied with equal formality. "When you have the opportunity, please visit the Profound Yellow Great World as my guest. I would be honored to extend the hospitality of a host."
"Haha, I will certainly pay a visit when the time comes," Chi Ming said with a smile.
With that, Li Chunjun and Wu Chen took their leave.
Chi Ming escorted them all the way to the Imperial Witchcraft Sect, even instructing his disciples to accompany them and activate the inter-Great World Star Gate, which theoretically opened only once every few months.
As he had said, Li Chunjun's current situation appeared perilous beyond measure. Facing thirteen Quasi-Tenth-Tier experts simultaneously...
Or rather, being openly watched by thirteen Quasi-Tenth-Tier powerhouses. A single misstep could lead to utter annihilation.
Yet...
How many fools would attempt to cultivate into a life governed by the laws of the universe?
Unless they were on the verge of mental collapse, driven by greed and unable to maintain their composure, who would recklessly risk their lives without sufficient trump cards?
In other words, Li Chunjun still had a chance to survive this tribulation.
And as an innate divine being...
If he could weather this tribulation and obtain the resources from these fallen Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators, his future cultivation path would be smooth and unobstructed!
Perhaps in a few thousand years—or even a few hundred if he progressed swiftly—they might receive news of Li Chunjun achieving dao unification!
His willingness to exchange Quasi-Immortal Artifacts and "purchase" the void escape pearl with Dao Pills had undoubtedly secured the favor of a future dao unification expert.
Since the progenitor had issued the order, the exchange of Quasi-Immortal Artifacts cost him nothing.
As for the minor expenditure of Dao Pills...
Compared to the potential hidden benefits he might ultimately reap, it was a negligible price to pay.
On the other side, Li Chunjun, warmly bid farewell by Chi Ming's disciples and Liu Xuan's group, stepped through the Star Gate and embarked on his journey back to the Profound Yellow Great World.
"Supreme Elder Li, news of our departure from the Zhou Tian Great World has leaked again," Supreme Sage Wu Chen reported, relaying intelligence gathered by the Profound Yellow Sect from the False God Realm.
"Hmm," Li Chunjun acknowledged, having already seen the reports himself. He hadn't concealed his presence during his visit to the Zhou Tian Great World, and his grand procession from the Star Gate to the Imperial Witchcraft Sect's Great Camp had been witnessed by countless observers. Maintaining secrecy under such circumstances was naturally impossible. However, he remained unconcerned.
"Should we change our route... perhaps take a more discreet path?" Supreme Sage Wu Chen suggested.
"No need," Li Chunjun replied, sending him a detailed itinerary. "Follow this route and purchase the teleportation gate tickets."
"This route?" Supreme Sage Wu Chen stared at the map, stunned. "We're... going straight through?"
"Exactly. Straight through!"
Li Chunjun said calmly, "It's better to channel than to block. Hiding like this isn't a long-term solution. A single decisive strike now will prevent a hundred later."
Supreme Sage Wu Chen's pupils constricted. "Swordmaster Li... are you confident?"
"Even in my Dharma Aspect state, my combat power rivaled that of a Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivator. Now that I've become a Lawful Lifeform and obtained a Quasi-Immortal Artifact perfectly attuned to me..."
He smiled faintly. "Perfect. I'll use these short-sighted fools as Sword Sacrificial Refinement."
"Hiss!"
When Li Chunjun risked everything to travel to the Zhou Tian Great World to acquire the Quasi-Immortal Artifact, Supreme Sage Wu Chen had secretly speculated that the Swordmaster's true strength might far exceed his initial estimates.
It must be more than 500,000 combat power.
Especially after breaking through to become a Lawful Lifeform, reaching 600,000 wouldn't be surprising.
But now it seemed even 600,000 might be an underestimate.
How much exactly?
650,000?
700,000?
And now, having obtained a Quasi-Immortal Artifact perfectly attuned to him, the artifact's amplification...
Wouldn't that push him past 800,000 combat power?!
800,000 combat power!
Among all Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators, Li Chunjun was already considered one of the strongest.
Even if he encountered the few Quasi-Tenth-Tier cultivators at the absolute peak, he could retreat gracefully without being defeated.
With such power...
His self-preservation was assured!
"That's it! It must be so! Otherwise, there's no explanation for why he would leave the Profound Yellow Great World in such a perilous external environment."
Supreme Sage Wu Chen, having grasped this, felt a surge of excitement.
The hope of surviving this tribulation was now within reach.
"Also, send a message from the Profound Yellow Sect," Li Chunjun instructed. "Anyone who attacks me will face tenfold retribution. Their families and backing forces won't escape unscathed. Don't claim later that the sect shouldn't be implicated. If they truly fear such consequences, they should either dissuade their attackers or sever ties immediately."
"This..." Supreme Sage Wu Chen was taken aback.
"Send it. If they dare attack me, they should be prepared to pay a heavy price," Li Chunjun declared. "Let them not say they weren't warned!"
With his new route finalized, Li Chunjun acted as if he had chosen the shortest path, aiming to exploit a time difference to return to the Profound Yellow Great World at maximum speed.
This maneuver naturally aroused suspicion among the hidden observers. Many speculated whether Li Chunjun possessed some hidden trump card that allowed him to brazenly flaunt himself in public despite knowing he was being watched by countless eyes.
Some top-tier powerhouses even secretly surmised that Li Chunjun's combat power might be far greater than previously estimated.
This was especially true for those supreme sages who were just shy of reaching the pinnacle of their cultivation, who couldn't help but observe him with heightened interest.
Moreover, after Li Chunjun's declaration, disseminated through the Profound Yellow Sect's channels in the False God Realm, spread like wildfire, many began to wonder who had given him the audacity to make such a bold statement.
Of course, some believed this was merely a bluff, intended to intimidate his pursuers and ensure his safe return to his Great Camp—the Profound Yellow Great World—where he could reunite with the profound yellow spirit and other supreme sages.
Time passed swiftly.
A year had flown by.
Li Chunjun, traveling in a straight line, was drawing ever closer to the Profound Yellow Great World.
Throughout the year, his earlier declaration had effectively deterred those who had been eyeing him covetously. Moreover, these individuals seemed to be waiting for someone else to strike first, hoping to uncover Li Chunjun's true trump cards. As a result, despite openly traveling, he hadn't faced a single attack.
This situation even made Li Chunjun regret his actions.
Did I overdo it?
Fortunately...
Just as Li Chunjun reached the True Dragon Great World, with only one final stop remaining before returning to the Profound Yellow Great World, the long-plotting apex experts finally lost their patience.
A month before the super star gate to the True Dragon Great World was set to open, three figures materialized simultaneously, blocking Li Chunjun's path.
(End of the Chapter)
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