Chapter 107: Siblings

Wang Li understood why Master Sheng would stop him and step in to reveal his identity and stance on his behalf.

Xu Jing was no ordinary True Immortal. Wang Li lacked the psychological edge before him and could not convincingly feign an aura of profound mystery. Rather than exposing his own timidity, it was better for Master Sheng to step forward. On one hand, it signaled to Xu Jing that Wang Li was not someone to be trifled with; on the other, it reassured Xu Jing that since a figure of such caliber had appeared, he could rest easy.

Indeed, with Master Sheng appearing, most of Xu Jing’s long-standing anxieties vanished. He did not fear a powerful entity standing in the light; what he feared was the prospect of hidden forces maneuvering behind the scenes of the Pure Yang Sect and the cultivation world. Since the powerhouse behind Wang Li had revealed himself and indicated no ill will toward him or the cultivation world, then there truly was none. The strength of the individual behind Wang Li clearly far exceeded the limitations of the Tianxuan World; a master of such standing had no need to scheme within this realm.

"Perhaps this fellow Daoist truly has taken a liking to Wang Li!" Xu Jing was curious about what specific traits Wang Li possessed that would catch the eye of such a grand figure, but he dared not probe Wang Li directly. The other party had already shown him enough respect; to probe further would be ungrateful.

Wang Li also understood why Xu Jing urged him not to disclose his identity to others. Avoiding karmic burdens was one factor, but more importantly, if news that he had not been possessed by a powerful soul did not get out, some might take risks to cause him trouble. Maintaining the persona of being backed by a powerful soul could at least help him avoid unnecessary complications. Moreover, Xu Jing was right: distancing himself from the Wang family’s military household would keep them safer.

"The books say it well—man is, after all, a social animal, not an isolated existence. Once a person has attachments, they have weaknesses. The more attachments, the faster they die." Thinking this, Wang Li no longer wished to see his family. He was about to say so, but it was already too late.

"Is that you, Second Brother? It's me, Xiao Ju! Xiao Ju! Do you remember me, Second Brother?"

"...You’ve come to claim family ties."

Wang Li said aggrievedly, "But I haven't even seen them yet..."

"Seeing those two little ones is enough. Family ties are harder to sever than karma; you cannot sink any deeper," Master Sheng replied. "I won't hide it from you: your family members were originally destined to be victims in the coming great era. Now that they have arrived at the Pure Yang Sect, their destinies have been altered. This is enough for you to resolve most of the karma you have with them."

"But I haven't even done anything!"

"Doing nothing is for the best. If you truly feel uneasy, ask Xu Jing for some high-level cultivation techniques, synthesize them, and pass them on. That is the most you can do. Whether you can truly reconnect with them in the future depends on yourself."

"What realm must I reach before I can acknowledge my family?"

"At the very least, you must be invincible within this Tianxuan World."

"How many years will it take for me to become invincible?"

"Fastest, ten thousand years; slowest, several eons."

"Ah! That long? Can my family live that long?" Wang Li was somewhat agitated.

It was often said that cultivation knows no time, but that was relative to the hundred-year lifespan of an ordinary person. Cultivators were not immortal beings either; a Golden Core practitioner had a thousand-year lifespan, a Nascent Soul practitioner five thousand, and even a Transformation of Divinity master had only ten thousand. Even if one succeeded in shedding the mortal coil and stepping into the Earth Immortal realm, their lifespan would not exceed one eon. Could his family successfully survive the Immortal Tribulation? Even if they became Earth Immortals, could they safely live for an entire eon?

Wang Li had not even considered them becoming True Immortals. Firstly, it was too difficult; after hundreds of thousands of years of accumulation, the Tianxuan World had produced fewer than fifty True Immortal experts. Secondly, a True Immortal’s lifespan was only five eons. Could he become invincible in the Tianxuan World within five eons?

The timeframe Master Sheng provided was too flexible, casually tossing around "ten thousand years" and "eons," which suggested that this "invincibility" was extremely difficult to achieve.

"...Do I really still have a chance to reunite with my family?" Wang Li’s heart had already gone cold.

"Of course there is a chance, and a very good one at that!" Master Sheng said. "As long as you follow my arrangements and proceed step by step, perhaps in less than ten thousand years, you will be the master of this world!"

Wang Li: "...So I still have to hide and play it safe, right?" He finally realized that Master Sheng was continuing to dig holes for him!

"Heh, you old man are really... quite shameless!"

"Haha, stay humble, stay humble. If you say that, I'll get proud."

Wang Li was left completely speechless. Sensing Wang Li’s emotional fluctuations, Xu Jing said with some sympathy, "Your heart is destined to suffer."

"Grandmaster, please invite Granny Zheng over. I will first help her upgrade her cultivation technique; we can discuss other matters later."

Xu Jing nodded. "I have already summoned her. Ask for whatever you need without hesitation."

Wang Li composed himself and said to Xu Jing, "Disciple needs Five Elements techniques and other techniques with special attributes. The more, the better, and the higher the grade, the better. It does not matter if they are incomplete fragments, as long as the quantity and grade are sufficient."

Xu Jing replied, "Techniques below the Heaven Grade are no problem; there are many in the Pure Yang Secret Realm. I will have someone bring you all the techniques above the Mysterious Grade. However, I cannot make the call on Heaven Grade techniques; I must consult with Liu Guang and the other Supreme Ancestors."

Wang Li said, "I understand. Heaven Grade techniques are rare and hard to come by. I only hope the sect will allow me to study them; I would be deeply grateful."

"Very well, I shall send the message now..."