Cultivation World Dadangar.
At a considerable distance from Purple River Gate City.
“I’m back.”
Mumbled Aksai as he materialized inside a sealed cave like a ghost.
Unlike his opulent palace in Martial World Sharang, Aksai had no fixed residence in his home world. The cave he appeared in was a simple mountain hollow that he had excavated using the Earth Control Spell.
“I have nowhere to return to,” Aksai sighed, surveying the bleak surroundings and finding them even more desolate than before.
The only rented farmhouse that Aksai had once called home lay in ruins, destroyed by his own hands after the chaos in the Lakir estate.
Circumstances had forced him to take such drastic action. Why would he willingly abandon a peaceful abode that had offered him shelter and solace?
With the fall of the Lakir family, Aksai had no choice but to relinquish his role as their hired farmer. The Lakir family, once leaders of Wuyum County, existed no more. It had lost its lordship.
Aksai harbored no aspirations of becoming a sect genius or a disciple to a renowned figure and traversing the entire Dadangar world. Not really.
He preferred the tranquility of tending to his farm, seeking peaceful seclusion over turbulent growth. Yet, even this modest wish seemed unattainable in the current turbulent landscape of the Dadangar five-kingdom subcontinent.
Aksai raised his hands, and the earth, rocks, and debris blocking the exit of the mountain cave parted, revealing the sight of an unnamed forest.
“My first goal in Dadangar should be to find stable footing,” Aksai thought to himself as he emerged from the cave. The Spirit farmer in him longed for a field.
The Everwood farm he had was only to allow him to grow his most precious resources in the right environment. For his usual farming requirements, he needed to depend on Cultivation World Dadangar’s soil.
“This time, I need to choose a place that will remain calm and peaceful for a long enough period so I won’t be forced to pack up and leave,” Aksai thought as he closed the entrance to the cave using the Earth Control Spell.
“Where should I go now?” Aksai asked himself aloud as he caressed his chin in contemplation.
“No matter where I go within the five kingdoms, some form of conflict will be present. The Neutral State Haan Di is a peaceful region I could consider, but given my current situation,” Aksai’s eyes gleamed with curiosity and hope as he contemplated going to Haan Di, renowned as a haven for wandering cultivators. However, his excitement dwindled as he considered his circumstances.
“Unfortunately, even the drifting Spirit cultivators need to have a certain level of attainment to be in Haan Di. and I lack the right background or influence to go there. So let’s not think about going there for the time being.
My second objective in Dadangar would be to find suitable inheritances for alchemy and Array Formations. After all, it’s far better to concoct pills, elixirs, and create Formations myself than to rely on others and potentially invite trouble.
My third objective would be to acquire resources to expedite my progression to the Spirit Refining Perfection stage.
Even after nine months, I’m still in the 7th stage of the 1st realm. It looks as if I made no real progress in my Spirit cultivation path, which is a bit sad. This is even more of a reason for me to plan ahead.
I don’t know how long it will take for me to reach the 9th stage of the Spirit Refining realm, but I can begin preparing for Spirit Refining Perfection in advance.
Due to the chaos in the Rokur kingdom, I can’t prioritize these objectives in a set order; I must adapt to my circumstances,” Aksai concluded in his mind.
What Aksai had considered were merely the most fundamental objectives, with numerous smaller goals awaiting attention.
Aksai had to prioritize practicing his talisman inheritance and selling the abundance of talismans he had crafted in Martial World Sharang while assimilating with the 2nd order inheritance provided by Aunt Reta. He needed to find secure channels for him to do so without attracting attention.
Additionally, Aksai needed to establish connections with a circle of late-stage Spirit Refiners to bolster his nonexistent social network. All so that he could complete his other objectives faster. After all, people would not reveal that they were in possession of some inheritance to Aksai if they did not even know about him.
Aksai could also use these circles of the late-stage Spirit Refiners to exchange cultivation resources. The barter system would allow him to gather the resources he wanted and get rid of the ones he didn’t that much faster.
Moreover, the task of initiating trade between the two worlds required careful consideration. However, Aksai deferred these objectives until he had accomplished his primary goals.
“First and foremost, I need information about the events of the past nine months and the current situation within the Rokur kingdom,” Aksai narrowed his eyes as he stared blankly in front of him.
“I’ll head to Purple River Gate City and ask around,” Aksai resolved in his mind before setting off in a specific direction. In the next moment, he employed the Light Steps Spirit Spell and hastened towards Purple River
Gate City at a rapid pace.
***
Nestled within the heart of Purple River Gate City lay a bustling market, pulsating with activity and vitality.
Here, amidst the labyrinthine alleys and vibrant stalls, cultivators from neighboring regions congregated to trade goods, exchange treasures, and share information.
The market buzzed with the chatter of conversation as cultivators haggled and negotiated.
Stalls, adorned with colorful banners and intricate symbols, lined the narrow pathways, showcasing a myriad of rare herbs, exotic artifacts, and potent elixirs sought after by Spirit practitioners.
Aromas of incense and delectable cuisines drifted through the air, mingling with the fragrance of freshly brewed teas. Demon beasts, tethered to carts laden with goods, meandered through the streets, adding to the market’s lively atmosphere.
9th stage Spirit Refining monk.
7th stage Spirit Refining weaponsmith.
8th stage Spirit Refining stall owner.
Aksai easily spotted many late-stage Spirit Refiners within the crowd as he entered Purple River Gate City’s market. As a silent observer, he witnessed various transactions occurring between buyers and sellers of all kinds.
“My status in Sharang feels like a dream. I’m truly as impoverished as a beggar in Dadangar,” Aksai chuckled bitterly as he watched numerous spirit stones change hands.
This was the reality check Aksai willingly subjected himself to.
The Spirit farmer recognized his own weakness and the superficiality of his foundations in all aspects upon returning to his home world.