Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 1044: Chapter 32 Speaking without rapport, an extra half sentence is too much

To use force is, of course, impossible. How could one possibly use force on one’s wife?

However, if I were to slightly concede, the other party would immediately detect something amiss like An Zhisu—if the two of us were never alike before, then why would I need to yield to her?

Thus, Chen Guanshui adopted a firm stance and said:

“I have always been accustomed to working alone and am not used to traveling with others. Farewell.”

“Wait!” Shi Liuli hastily called after him, but Chen Guanshui completely ignored her and walked away on his own.

This market district seemed small, but was actually not; various interwoven buildings created many complex, winding, and easily corruptible alleys.

Should I fly low using sword control to explore all these alleys?

Just as Chen Guanshui was thinking this, he suddenly felt something was off.

Wait a minute, the reason I hid here in the first place was that this Dwelling Cave Heaven could shield Shi Liuli’s art calculation probes.

But since Shi Liuli has already found me through some other means, is there still a point in staying here?

Or should I just make a run for it?

This thought arose in Chen Guanshui’s mind but was quickly extinguished.

It’s simple—the shielding effect against art calculation still exists, which is why she couldn’t confirm my identity.

But if I leave this Dwelling Cave Heaven, and Shi Liuli follows me outside, and then calculates—wouldn’t I be doomed?

Back then, even when I hid within the Giant Tree Secret Realm, she managed to find me!

Chen Guanshui was extremely troubled, and as his divine sense swept backward, he indeed found Shi Liuli covertly following him.

Or more accurately, she attempted to be sneaky, but was fully exposed to his vision.

Chen Guanshui felt more and more helpless inside, wondering how to proceed, since he couldn’t leave but couldn’t stay either.

On the other side, Xu Yinglian shook off the pursuing Ni Wei Luo and looked at the unfamiliar surroundings with some irritation.

Such a vast Cave Heaven—to where should I seek Dong You?

After carefully investigating for a moment, she determined she was on a hill, surrounded by dense trees and beautiful blossom clusters, yet there wasn’t a single bird or insect, giving an aura of tranquility and lifelessness.

Looking down from the hill, there was a massive city below, divided into numerous districts by spider-web-like high walls.

Some districts were clearly markets, with wide main roads and large open spaces; others consisted of closely packed residential areas with mostly short, shabby houses.

Logically, these districts should be for civilian residence, so where should cultivators live?

Xu Yinglian looked behind her, at the palace atop the hill, which was also the city’s highest point.

Suddenly, a sword light shot swiftly from afar and stopped in front of Xu Yinglian—it was indeed An Zhisu in man-sword unity with her sword.

“You’re still alive?” An Zhisu said in shock.

Xu Yinglian immediately frowned—couldn’t she speak properly? If unable to speak properly, couldn’t she just stay silent?

“The speed of that demon’s attack was very fast,” seeing her ugly expression, An Zhisu explained, “I managed to shake them off using my footwork.”

“Of course I have secret techniques too.” Although her ability to travel through flames using Daoist magic was not a secret within the Kunlun Taiqing Sect, Xu Yinglian didn’t want to explain it to the other.

“That’s good.” An Zhisu breathed a sigh of relief, “At least if we’re traveling together, you won’t be a hindrance.”

Xu Yinglian felt increasingly annoyed and questioned:

“Why should I travel with you?”

“Aren’t you looking for Dong You?” An Zhisu asked.

“That’s right.” Xu Yinglian replied perfunctorily.

“I’m also looking for Dong You.” An Zhisu stated naturally, “Since we have the same goal, why not travel together?”

Having the same goal doesn’t mean they have to travel together, which Xu Yinglian couldn’t understand this reasoning, but wisely chose not to dwell on the topic and quietly continued down the hill.

“Why aren’t you going up?” An Zhisu asked again.

“If there are enemies, the ones above might be more formidable,” Xu Yinglian casually replied, “Dong You hails from Penglai and isn’t skilled in fighting, so I don’t think she would run upwards… She’s probably hiding somewhere secret and safe, waiting for us to find her.”

“Makes sense.” An Zhisu said thoughtfully, although her expression didn’t show she was thinking at all.

The two of them walked down the mountain path until entering the densely populated city area again, where Xu Yinglian suddenly asked:

“Speaking of which, why did the Tai Yin Sword Master suddenly leave the sect?”

“I don’t know.” At this, An Zhisu also became disheartened.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Xu Yinglian sensibly didn’t press further.

After a while, An Zhisu seemed to speak from emotion, sighing:

“The hardest thing to understand in this world is the human heart.”

“Indeed.” Xu Yinglian agreed deeply, “Even those who spend every day with each other, who can say they truly understand the other completely?”

This remark resonated with An Zhisu—thinking of Brother Ling’s resolute avoidance, her heart felt even more distressed and sorrowful.

Afterward, the two continued to exchange words sporadically.

But whether it was due to incompatible personalities or bad moods, every time they spoke, within two or three sentences, the conversation would die, and they couldn’t communicate further.

On the opposite side of the city where the two were located, in the market area, Chen Guanshui was tediously searching for Mud Neighkar to kill.

Shi Liuli followed closely behind.

She recognized that what Chen Guanshui was using was a very ancient and rare secret technique: Sleeve Universe.

One must admit, this sealing secret technique was superbly effective against the Heavenly Demons; just a casual throw of the robe sleeve could ensnare the opponent within it, leaving no chance of escape.

And in her memory, she had never seen that bastard mastering this secret technique.

Shi Liuli wanted to inquire about the origin of this technique, but since it was a rather crucial personal secret, she knew for sure that the other party wouldn’t answer, so she could only guess silently in her heart.

Once Chen Guanshui finished clearing the market of monsters, he turned around and returned to the marketplace.

Shi Liuli followed him to the center of the street, where she saw a light black three-dimensional light gate slowly emerging from the void.

“What is this?” she asked curiously.

Chen Guanshui ignored her and simply stepped into it.

The view quickly changed, and the light around dimmed.

Shi Liuli followed into the small cave heaven, where she saw shadowy humanoid entities with twisted limbs and strange forms, nearly frightening her into screams.

But seeing Chen Guanshui ignoring these apparitions, she too refrained from reacting, merely lowering her head quietly while following behind him, like a docile young wife returning to her husband’s family home.

Upon entering a nearby building, the interior was completely dark, making it impossible to see anything.

Shi Liuli considered creating some light, only to hear Chen Guanshui suddenly speak:

“The Mud Neighkar in this area has been completely cleared.”

“That’s great.” A hoarse voice, as though scrubbed by sandpaper, came from afar, “Mud Neighkar from other districts will surely infiltrate slowly, but those are future concerns.”

“After the market is cleared, I hope the fellow Daoist can help us confirm something from the courthouse.”

“Courthouse?” Chen Guanshui asked.

“After going out, just follow the main road straight to it,” the shadow said, “The courthouse used to be the city guard facility responsible for maintaining public order. Inside, there are not only mortal catchpoles but also Golden Core Stage stewards guarding. On average, every four districts have a courthouse located at the intersection of the district boundaries.”

“A certain elder… the elder who opened this cave heaven for us once said he was going to the courthouse to retrieve something, but he never returned.”

“Although there’s a high probability he has perished, we still wish to ask the fellow Daoist to confirm. Of course, if there are any remnants, please keep them properly.”

“Hmm.” Chen Guanshui responded, about to turn and leave, when he heard Shi Liuli ask:

“Are you cultivators of the Feather Courtyard Gate? surviving from ancient times?”

The shadow did not answer, seemingly guessing the relationship between the two.

Shi Liuli wanted to ask further, but Chen Guanshui had already pushed the door open, leaving her no choice but to hurriedly follow.

They left the Dark Cave Heaven and returned to the massive city of the Feather Courtyard Gate.

Chen Guanshui quickly confirmed the position of the main road, only to hear Shi Liuli say:

“Their words may not be credible.”

“Nonsense.” Chen Guanshui said blandly, “Do I look like such a fool who believes everything the other party says?”

“Then why are you still helping him?” Shi Liuli asked with a frown.

Chen Guanshui thought to himself whether the young lady truly didn’t know or was pretending not to know, testing to see his reaction?

After carefully choosing his words, he then answered:

“The secret techniques and treasures left behind by the Feather Courtyard Gate have to be obtained from these shadow cultivators. Helping them is merely a temporary measure.”

“In this case, these shadows seem similar to the Mud Neighkar, also some kind of Heavenly Demonization product.” Shi Liuli said solemnly, “I saw in ancient texts once, mentioning the ‘Heavenly Demon Cult’ from when the sky had not yet been repaired.”

“Unlike today’s Heavenly Demon Path, which enslaves Heavenly Demons, that Heavenly Demon Path primarily worships Heavenly Demons and often kidnaps people for large-scale live sacrifices to create Heavenly Demonized cultivators. Those whose souls perish but bodies remain intact are called ‘Mud Neighkar’; and those whose bodies wither but souls are deep are called ‘Ghost Lady Yan’.”

“How come it sounds similar to the Nether Ghost Path’s corpse refining and ghost refining?” Chen Guanshui pretended to be ignorant.

“Bodies and souls are inherently two completely different cultivation methods.” Shi Liuli explained to him, “Nether Ghost Path has corpse cultivation and ghost cultivation; and naturally, the Heavenly Demon Cult also has ‘Demonized Body’ and ‘Demonized Soul’ camps, but regardless of the path, their power and realm are far inferior to the true Great Heavenly Demons.”

“I see.” Chen Guanshui feigned a change in attitude, asking Shi Liuli, “Then according to the fellow Daoist’s view, what should be done next?”

Shi Liuli saw him throw the question back at her and, without being discouraged by the failed probing, pondered seriously for a moment before replying:

“Why not go check out the courthouse first?”

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