The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

Chapter 228: The Way Out

Everyone turned towards the source of the voice and saw a middle-aged cultivator with a refined appearance striding forward. This cultivator, handsome and distinguished, exuded a calm aura. The slight silver in his temples did not age him; instead, it lent him an air of otherworldly grace.

He was the new lord of Heavenly Sword City, the Nascent Soul elder of the Majestic Sword Sect, Ximen Changqing, followed by his two disciples, Wu Shang and Xun Zhao.

Both disciples looked at Chu Xuan with complex expressions in their eyes. As soon as Ximen Changqing appeared, Lu Wen, He Ze, and the other cultivators hurriedly bowed deeply.

"Greetings to Elder Ximen!"

In the realm of cultivation, one higher level commands respect regardless of age. However, Ximen Changqing did not pay heed to the others but instead focused on Chu Xuan. Chu Xuan returned the gesture with a nod but did not bow deeply as the others had.

"Greetings to fellow daoist Ximen."

Ximen Changqing sized up Chu Xuan, then laughed heartily, "Fellow daoist He is indeed young! You are sure to have a limitless future!"

Chu Xuan responded with a smile, "I've heard that Elder Ximen's swordplay is unmatched and his mastery of the tea ceremony is exquisite. May I have the honor of experiencing it?"

Ximen Changqing nodded with a smile, "Please, fellow daoist He."

His gaze briefly swept over Lu Wen, who had turned pale, and casually remarked, "Wu Shang, Xun Zhao, this man dared to impersonate an official of the lord's mansion. How should he be dealt with?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Wu Shang and Xun Zhao exchanged looks. Wu Shang gritted his teeth and stepped forward, "Master, this man has been brutal and overbearing, bullying others by abusing his power and offending a Nascent Soul cultivator. By the law, he should be expelled from Heavenly Sword City!"

Immediately, several Golden Core cultivators moved forward to seize Lu Wen. Lu Wen's pupils shrank, and he cried out, "Brother Wu! I've done so much for you; you can't abandon me! I may not have merit, but I've put in hard work... wuwuwu..."

The Majestic Sword Sect cultivators swarmed him, and even his mouth was covered.

Ximen Changqing chuckled, "Just a minor disturbance; it's nothing. I've recently acquired a can of Moon on the Sea. Please, fellow daoist He, join me in tasting it."

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile, "Moon on the Sea? That's one of the ten famous teas of the Reincarnation Divine Church. Thank you, fellow daoist Ximen, for the opportunity to appreciate such fine tea."

The two walked side by side towards the lord's mansion.

After they left, He Ze was still visibly shaken. Master He... had attained the Nascent Soul!? Even the lord of Heavenly Sword City, Ximen Changqing, had personally come to invite him! What an honor!

In a moment, He Ze straightened his back, his face beaming with pride.

"Fellow daoist He, you and Master He are kinsmen. If you become successful, don't forget to support us, your old friends."

"Fellow daoist He is loyal and devoted. You've guarded the shop for four years for Master He. Your future is bound to soar!"

"Here is a mid-grade magic treasure, fellow daoist He. If you don't mind, please accept it."

"I often make talismans; here is a set for you, fellow daoist He."

As the cultivators swarmed around He Ze, their enthusiasm palpable, they eagerly pushed various treasures into his arms. Some of the more slender female cultivators seemed almost ready to throw themselves at him. It was clear to everyone that He Ze was on the verge of prosperity.

He Ze, witnessing this scene, displayed a shrewd smile. He accepted the gifts one by one, fully aware of the shift in their attitudes. These people, who once looked down upon him, were now fawning over him, all because of Master He's return as a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Indeed, in this life, if one can cling to a thick and powerful leg, it is indeed a stroke of great fortune…" He Ze suddenly realized.

...

In the lord's mansion, in the back garden, Chu Xuan and Ximen Changqing sat opposite each other, quietly savoring their tea.

After a long taste, Chu Xuan expressed his admiration, "The Moon on the Sea truly deserves its reputation as one of the top ten teas. It even surpasses the flavors of the Ku Mao Feng, Fragrant Snow, and Misty Blossom teas from my own cultivation."

Ximen Changqing laughed heartily, "I know I don't have the potential to reach the Deity Transformation phase, and I'm not keen on combat; I dislike fighting and killing. I much prefer to enjoy tea."

"It's fortunate indeed to meet a kindred spirit in you, fellow daoist," Chu Xuan smiled. "Indeed, I'm not fond of conflicts either. Today I learned that fellow daoist Ximen and I are truly alike."

Ximen Changqing was delighted, "However, what is this Ku Mao Feng tea you mentioned? I have never heard of it."

Chu Xuan happened to have some Ku Mao Feng tea in his storage bag and promptly presented some to Ximen Changqing. "This is a spiritual tea from Mystic Azure Star, emphasizing the transition from bitterness to sweetness. Many do not favor it, but I quite enjoy it."

Ximen Changqing was intrigued and accepted it eagerly, "Well then, I must give it a proper tasting!"

The two found much joy in discussing various teas. After a while, Chu Xuan steered the conversation to the main topic. "Fellow daoist Ximen, do you know where I might obtain Nascent Soul stage cultivation techniques?"

Ximen Changqing chuckled, "That's simple. You either join a fifth-level sect or buy them with spirit stones. I do have a few Nascent Soul stage techniques that I no longer need. I wonder if they might suit your taste."

With a wave of his hand, he displayed several techniques before Chu Xuan. After scanning them, Chu Xuan shook his head repeatedly. These techniques were all very orthodox—reliable and steady, but slow to progress. Chu Xuan did not need such methods.

"Fellow daoist, is there a cultivation technique that speeds up progress a bit? Given that I've condensed a Blood Demon Soul, after all."

Ximen Changqing pondered for a moment, then shook his head regretfully, "I don't possess such techniques... however, I will keep an eye out for you, fellow daoist. If I come across such a method, I will contact you immediately."

Chu Xuan's face lit up with delight, "Thank you, then I shall trouble fellow daoist Ximen with this matter."

Ximen Changqing smiled, "Think nothing of it. Helping where one can, and forging good karma is my way in the world."

After a moment of reflection, Chu Xuan inquired further, "Fellow daoist Ximen, do you know how one might leave the extraterritorial battlefield? I've heard there are ways to leave early?"

The battlefield opened every five hundred years. But that was only a large-scale opening. Indeed, there were smaller, interim openings. However, they seemed to require certain conditions.

Chu Xuan felt that the extraterritorial battlefield was still perilous. Life on Mystic Azure Star was far more comforting. Now that he had achieved Nascent Soul, if there was a chance to return to Mystic Azure Star, it seemed wise to take it.

Ximen Changqing laughed heartily, "Fellow daoist wishes to return home in glory?"

"Indeed! What good are wealth and honor if one cannot return home to display them, like brocade robes worn unseen at night?"

Ximen Changqing sipped his tea, then continued, "There are indeed several ways to leave early. One is by collecting contributions from clearing ancient beast carcasses, tenfold the required amount, which grants an early exit. Another is by acquiring rare and extraordinary spiritual items of this world, like the Turbid World Blue Lotus, which also allows for an early departure. And if neither of these conditions is met, one can still leave if an urgent missive is issued by a fifth-level sect from their home star."