Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 1038: Chapter 28: Three Heroes Meet

Amidst the whirl and spin, Chen Guanshui found himself within a cave heaven.

Although this place was in the deep sea, the vast body of water was separated by a massive hemispherical shield overhead.

The spherical shield shimmered with a faint golden light, and countless tadpole-like characters flowed across it, resembling a miniature barrier of the heavenly dome.

Inside this heavenly dome barrier was a grand and vast city constructed from tens of thousands of buildings.

Chen Guanshui marveled, speaking to the Summoning Sword:

“When the elder mentioned that the Feather Courtyard Sect was once at its peak, I couldn’t understand it, but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes!”

“This enormous city could accommodate millions of people,” the Summoning Sword said perplexedly, “But even if the Feather Courtyard Sect was so illustrious, could it truly have millions of cultivators?”

“Of course not,” Chen Guanshui laughed. “The Feather Courtyard Sect must have included the children and descendants of their sect’s cultivators in this cave heaven world.”

“Those without talent lived as commoners, living and thriving in this world. Talented ones, once identified, would join the sect. If sect cultivators were like immortals, then this cave heaven would be the Feather Courtyard Sect’s ‘Earthly Divine Kingdom’!”

The Summoning Sword was startled and immediately understood the concept of an “Earthly Divine Kingdom.”

Even in today’s Kunlun and Shushan, although cultivators and commoners haven’t severed ties, there’s generally not much interaction.

Like the markets at the foot of the various peaks of Shushan, although cultivators go there to shop, they usually leave immediately after buying, what connection do they have with the commoners?

However, according to Chen Guanshui’s description, the Summoning Sword quickly envisioned such a scene:

In a city of a million inhabitants, commoners throng the streets, while the few cultivators, like nobility, are revered and worshipped in their daily travels.

At regular intervals, grand selection rituals are held, where commoners bring their children for sect masters to evaluate their cultivation talent.

Those with talent join the sect, and their families rejoice; those without talent leave dejected…

“It’s really quite interesting,” the Summoning Sword commented.

“Don’t you think the structure of this Feather Courtyard Sect’s cave heaven resembles a certain world we’ve experienced before?” Chen Guanshui suddenly mused.

“You mean, the Golden Cicada Temple?” the Summoning Sword responded.

“Yes,” Chen Guanshui nodded. “Cultivation sects need commoners to produce resources, but why don’t they let them live self-sufficiently outside the cave heaven?”

“Could it be because the entrance to the Feather Courtyard Sect’s cave heaven is located in the open sea, making it impossible for commoners to survive there?” the Summoning Sword speculated. “Living along the coast of the Divine Land would require sailing into the open sea to transport goods, so it’s simply more convenient to keep commoners in the cave heaven?”

“Your explanation is like having a plate of vinegar at home and deliberately going out to buy dumplings,” Chen Guanshui chuckled. “If it’s inconvenient here and there, why place the cave heaven in the open sea?”

“The only explanation is that the Feather Courtyard Sect needed to keep the location of their sect base strictly confidential, so much so that they would rather raise the commoners within this cave heaven to prevent any leaks of information.”

“The heavenly dome barrier above us even has the ability to block divination, surely for confidentiality reasons… No more words, let’s have a look ourselves.”

“Didn’t the Sword Master say we came to this cave heaven merely to avoid disaster?” the Summoning Sword teased.

“That was the original plan,” Chen Guanshui laughed heartily. “But since the relics here are so peculiar, how could I not investigate further? What if there’s a treasure within?”

“Aren’t I the greatest treasure under heaven?” the Summoning Sword said indignantly. “What treasure could surpass me, the world’s greatest divine sword?”

“Alright, alright, let’s just say I’m here to kill time,” Chen Guanshui deftly changed his tune, thinking that since Ah Jing was gone, he couldn’t let the Summoning Sword get upset and leave as well.

Outside the cave heaven, above the Sea Eye, Shi Liuli had already begun arranging formations.

Her knowledge of formations was just rudimentary and not very skillful, but since she learned mostly about detection formations to complement divination, she could at least set up something passable.

After investigating the environment for quite some time without any results, Shi Liuli stood at the sea surface with a solemn look, initially contemplating how to unlock the secret realm entrance.

But somehow, her thoughts drifted to how she might torture Luo Yan into revealing the truth.

Recently, while forging an Earth Element Flying Sword, she dug a cellar beneath the Heavenly Craft Workshop. Perhaps after capturing that scoundrel, she should lock him in that basement.

Of course, this wasn’t for torment or anger relief; it was mainly to ensure his safety.

After all, neither Kunlun’s Qiong Ying nor Shushan’s Jiao Xiao were kindhearted. If they learned about his polygamous affairs and time management tricks, they surely wouldn’t be as understanding as I am… They would most likely kill him brutally.

By confining him in the cellar, I wouldn’t have to worry about his whereabouts being leaked outside as long as I could keep it from the sect.

Of course, those involved might not only be Qiong Ying and Jiao Xiao. There might be other female immortals or demons involved as well, and it was crucial to inquire carefully and be on guard.

If my husband refuses to tell the truth, I, as his wife, would have to use some means, all for his own good after all.

If those villains come knocking, I, with my meager strength, wouldn’t be able to protect my husband. Hence, he would have to endure the grievance of temporarily staying in the cellar for protection. I imagine he wouldn’t blame me…

As Shi Liuli was immersed in these wild thoughts, suddenly she saw An Zhisu’s sword light approaching swiftly from afar, saying:

“This is the ancient Feather Courtyard Sect’s cave heaven site, the Jingyun you’re looking for is likely at the Feather Courtyard Sect.”

“Feather Courtyard Sect?” Shi Liuli searched her memory for a moment and confirmed she hadn’t heard of it.

“Yes, it’s a sect from a very long time ago,” An Zhisu emphasized. “And its lineage has long since been severed.”

Both of these statements were redundant.

Since it was ancient times, it was naturally from a long, long time ago; if its lineage hadn’t been severed, it wouldn’t be so obscure today.

Shi Liuli felt impatient, knowing that this Jiao Xiao was too straightforward and said whatever she thought, without considering the effectiveness and conciseness of communication, so she spoke up:

“Where did you hear it from? How reliable is the information?”

“It was told to me by an elder from my sect, how could it be false?” An Zhisu said unhappily.

An elder from the sect? Shi Liuli calculated in her mind.

She quickly recalled the speed of An Zhisu’s sword light and the length of her departure, estimating the approximate distance, and realized that the elder couldn’t be in Shushan or even Divine Land, but rather was also in the depths of the Southern Sea.

Living on a certain island?

Quietly noting down this piece of information, Shi Liuli spoke again:

“Did the senior mention how one might enter this Feather Courtyard Gate’s Cave Heaven Secret Realm?”

“Because it’s been so long, the senior isn’t quite sure either,” An Zhisu shook her head and said, “But it’s said that deep under the sea, there is a rift.”

“In the past, when the cultivators of Feather Courtyard Gate returned here, they would dive to the seabed and enter the rift… The entrance to the secret realm must definitely be in there.”

If Chen Guanshui were here, he would surely curse that old man in black for being unreliable, hiding some information but spilling everything to An Zhisu.

Unbeknownst to him, the old man in black had already taken a dislike to Ling Yunpo before, a moody and capricious person who values first impressions. Although he didn’t associate Chen Guanshui with Ling Yunpo, he instinctively disliked him, so naturally, he was reluctant to say much.

“A rift…” Shi Liuli also realized.

There is no spiritual energy in the vicinity, and the spirit vein seems to extend to a rift deep below the sea, as if it has been cut sharply; perhaps it’s nearby.

Hmm, not right. If the sign of the spiritual energy being cut was so obvious, if I were the Sect Leader of Feather Courtyard Gate, I definitely wouldn’t set the entrance there, otherwise, wouldn’t it attract attention?

But if it’s set in another position within the rift, it might be possible.

After all, in the depths of the seabed, the water pressure is so great that not a single fish, let alone vegetation, can survive. The entire area is covered with fine sand and silt, making it difficult even for our sect’s cultivators to discern directions.

Only the varied terrain of the rift could be used to hide the entrance…

With this thought, she quickly performed a divination to verify her judgment.

“What does it say?” An Zhisu curiously asked.

Shi Liuli glanced at her and began to contemplate a plan.

If there is danger in that Feather Courtyard Gate’s secret realm, she could bring Jiao Xiao along to rely on her martial force;

But if there’s no danger, then before finding that bastard, she’d have to think of a way to shake her off.

Otherwise, should she meet that bastard, she definitely wouldn’t let it go.

Fortunately, I am in the know while she is in the dark. She doesn’t even realize that the bastard and the Tai Yin Sword Master are the same person, and I might take advantage of this information gap later on…

“How does it say?” An Zhisu urged.

“Hard to say,” Shi Liuli shook her head, “I’ll go down and take a look first.”

Seeing that she was playing mysterious again, An Zhisu felt rather displeased.

Although unaware that Shi Liuli was her rival in love, Senior Sister An, being straightforward and candid, naturally preferred dealing with people of similar straightforwardness.

To people like Shi Liuli, who says something, hides something, and leaves something for you to figure out yourself, she really finds it displeasing, wishing she could place a sword at the other’s throat, forcing her to answer every question she asks fully and candidly, delighting to her satisfaction!

If it weren’t for… if it weren’t for finding my junior brother, I wouldn’t have wanted to interact with someone like this?

Thinking about Ling Yunpo, she reluctantly suppressed her annoyance, about to follow silently, when suddenly she heard a long cry from the distance.

Turning her head, she saw a white-robed fairy approaching on a flying sword, none other than Elder Qiong Ying of Kunlun, the Phoenix Immortal.

“You are…” An Zhisu frowned and asked, instinctively feeling uncomfortable, though unable to articulate why.

“Qiong Ying of Kunlun.” Xu Yinglian made a simple bow, “I’ve seen Elder Jiao Xiao of Shushan.”

Yes, indeed we’ve met.

An Zhisu replied with a cold courtesy and was about to turn and find Shi Liuli when Xu Yinglian asked again:

“What brings Jiao Xiao here?”

An Zhisu instinctively wanted to say “none of your business,” but felt it too aggressive, considering Qiong Ying hadn’t shown any hostility. Thus, she suppressed her emotion and replied:

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Oh, what a coincidence,” Xu Yinglian smiled politely, “I’m also looking for someone, namely that Elder Dong You of Penglai’s Yuqing View. May I ask if Jiao Xiao has seen her?

Hearing that it was Shi Liuli she was looking for, An Zhisu inexplicably felt relieved and instinctively replied:

“She’s at the seabed, and I was just about to find her… But if you’re looking for her, you’ll have to wait until I’m done with my business first.”

“That is naturally no problem,” Xu Yinglian thought to herself, knowing that first come, first served, it’s fine to wait.

But, since Dong You didn’t tell me the truth before, why is she willing to help you, Jiao Xiao, find someone?

Being that they are both looking for someone, why favor you over me? If I hadn’t happened upon you leaving Yuqing View when I visited Penglai again, I wouldn’t have even known about it!

This Jiao Xiao is said to have no schemes, straightforward, so before she and Dong You meet, I’d better test the waters a bit first.

An Zhisu controlled her sword to dive into the sea, and Xu Yinglian followed closely, casually asking as if unintentionally:

“Who is Jiao Xiao looking for? Could it be the Tai Yin Sword Master?”

“Exactly.”

“Strange indeed for the Tai Yin Sword Master to disappear so suddenly,” Xu Yinglian nodded, “I’ve heard Dong You is skilled in divination; if you could find the Tai Yin Sword Master, it would certainly benefit Shushan greatly.”

Although she was speaking politely, An Zhisu felt awkward listening.

Though Shushan declared externally that the Tai Yin Sword Master left the sect and hasn’t returned, hoping peers would provide clues, the truth was Ling Yunpo defected… Thinking of this, An Zhisu felt distressed and didn’t want to explain or agree with Xu Yinglian.

Seeing An Zhisu remain silent, Xu Yinglian realized she had touched a sore spot, so she wisely refrained from mentioning it further and just continued to follow her lead.

Source: .com, updated by novlove.com

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