Chapter 257: 209 Zhangg New World: Standard Start!
Night.
The lamplight flickered.
Chen Jichuan and his younger brother Chen Shaohu, separated for three years, reunited with endless topics to discuss.
About cultivation.
About alchemy.
About the Martial Alliance.
About Great Chu.
Having been apart for so long, there was much to talk about.
Great Chu remained in chaos, its counties fragmented, with various forces vying and fighting incessantly.
The Martial Alliance was entrenched in Shi’an County, facing threats from forces like Iron Leaf Island, Biqing Cliff, the Wenyang Zhou Family, and the Five Immortals Sect, making outward expansion difficult.
Chen Jichuan cared little about these matters.
He had spent three years in Panlong Mountain, elevating his insights rapidly, and gaining a deeper understanding of the "Spiritual Energy Tide."
"Great Chu is rather remote."
"Even situated at the edge of the Spiritual Energy Tide, it lacks significant potential for development. It might take decades before Qi Refining cultivators emerge, or centuries for Enlightenment Realm cultivators."
"To progress further in cultivation, heading to the Panlong Mountain region is inevitable."
Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but shake his head.
Decades?
Centuries?
From the time he escaped Black Prison to now, it had merely been six years. Yet in these brief six years, he had already reached Qi Refining Third Layer and was on the verge of breaking through to Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
With the Dao Fruit World, the pace at which Spiritual Energy revived in Great Chu couldn’t keep up with the progress of his cultivation in reality.
"Decades from now?"
"I’d most certainly have advanced to Second-order."
"Centuries from now?"
"Perhaps I’d already be envisioning Divinity Transformation!"
Under such circumstances, Great Chu held little attraction for Chen Jichuan.
But as he listened to Chen Shaohu talk about Great Chu and the Martial Alliance, Chen Jichuan still nodded earnestly.
Although Great Chu didn’t interest him much, from Chen Shaohu’s descriptions, his younger brother—besides focusing on cultivation and alchemy—had also paid attention to current events and political dynamics.
This was commendable.
Cultivation was paramount, but taking some time to understand one’s surroundings was equally necessary.
Like Chen Jichuan.
Living in Panlong Mountain, stepping neither out the main gate nor the second gate, he could still rapidly improve his cultivation. Yet he would also dedicate portions of his limited time specifically to understanding Panlong Mountain.
He was well aware of the major events and movements within Panlong Mountain.
Similarly, he was fully informed about the notable matters near Fire Dragon Cave that were commonly known.
This wasn’t for the sake of seeking opportunities.
It was merely to ensure he was well-prepared, assessing risks, and discerning the essence of various occurrences to learn from others’ experiences and summarize the rules underpinning events and operations within a specific domain.
Of course, the primary objective was to analyze the behaviors of major sects and cultivators within Panlong Mountain so he could better respond when encountering them in the future.
Survival of the fittest.
Understanding one’s survival environment is the most fundamental requirement.
Chatting idly with Chen Shaohu, they transitioned from discussing Great Chu to cultivation.
"I listened to Fourth Brother’s advice; I didn’t solely rely on Iron Lotus Seeds. I only utilized them to break bottlenecks after long periods of stagnation in cultivation."
"Over the past few years."
"I ventured out secretly in disguise, sparred with various experts, and though my combat skills aren’t top-tier, they should suffice."
"Combat is too nerve-wracking and exhausting."
"It’s far less thrilling compared to cultivating medicines and refining pills. Here in Hidden Peach Valley, growing herbs and crafting pills allows me to calm my mind, making cultivation a much smoother process."
Chen Shaohu shared details about his cultivation experiences and his insights.
Cultivation is akin to solving problems.
Iron Lotus Seeds are akin to reference answers.
Faced with a tough problem, if you look at the reference answers immediately after struggling a bit without solving it, you might gain some techniques and experience, but the impression won’t be profound. Instead, it might foster dependency and even degrade one’s independent thinking ability.
Therefore.
When encountering difficulties, trying persistently without giving up easily is crucial.
However, if one’s capabilities are limited, and solving a single problem consumes excessive time while thinking becomes stagnant, then perseverance might merely await a fleeting inspiration.
This is gambling on luck, ephemeral and elusive.
It wastes time and offers no benefit in honing oneself.
In such cases, glancing at the "reference answer" becomes necessary.
Iron Lotus Seeds serve the same role in cultivation.
They bring both advantages and disadvantages.
They can help elevate someone or destroy them.
Fortunately, Chen Shaohu had always taken Chen Jichuan’s advice to heart and avoided excessive reliance on Iron Lotus Seeds.
...
The two brothers stayed up late, chatting by candlelight.
Unknowingly.
The night passed.
Chen Jichuan was a Qi Refining cultivator, and Chen Shaohu had now reached Innate cultivation; an all-nighter meant little to them.
As dawn approached.
With the sky turning pale, Chen Jichuan looked at Chen Shaohu and said, "I’ve established a foothold in Panlong Mountain. Though not fully stable, the cultivation resources there—the cultivators, pill masters, spiritual medicines—surpass what Great Chu can offer. I came back this time partly because I missed you, so I wanted to visit. The other reason was to ask your thoughts: Would you like to return to Panlong Mountain with me for cultivation?"
Compared to three years ago.
Chen Shaohu had grown more mature, steady, and independent.
When returning this time, Chen Jichuan had initially intended to bring Chen Shaohu to Panlong Mountain. But after talking all night, his mindset and thoughts shifted—
Chen Shaohu was not an appendage of his.
Certain matters Chen Shaohu could already decide independently and had his own ideas. If Chen Jichuan always imposed his own perspective on his brother, in the future, Chen Shaohu would either become a subordinate or develop rebelliousness, refusing any guidance thereafter.
Education.
This is an eternal dilemma.
Every individual is unique, and Chen Jichuan did not hold absolute certainty.
Fortunately—
"I want to go to Panlong Mountain."
"With Fourth Brother there, staying in Great Chu is meaningless. Besides, Panlong Mountain’s cultivation environment is better than Great Chu’s, benefiting both my cultivation and alchemy. Sticking around here would just be squandering my prime years!"
"Moreover."
"Since Great Chu is so far from Panlong Mountain, Fourth Brother wouldn’t be able to look after me properly if I stayed here, leaving me uneasy."
Chen Shaohu grinned.
Although young, he comprehended various principles clearly. Even more precious was his candor and sincerity before Chen Jichuan, expressing everything without reservation or embarrassment.
Resolute in his decision to follow in Chen Jichuan’s footsteps, unwavering and firm.
"Good!"
"Then let’s head to Panlong Mountain!"
Chen Jichuan laughed gleefully upon hearing this.
In an instant, he cast aside all prior worries.
Chen Shaohu was different from others; having grown up alongside him, their brotherly bond was deep. Added to this were the ideas instilled in him by Chen Jichuan since a young age, shaping his character.
He understood that Fourth Brother always meant well.
Lacking rebelliousness or ambitions to be the lead, he followed his elder brother’s arrangements, focusing solely on cultivation and delving deeply into growing herbs and refining pills—living life at its finest.
"Stick to Fourth Brother’s guidance."
"Live peacefully on your own."
"Don’t cause trouble for Fourth Brother and just wait for him to reach enlightenment, dragging me along to immortality."
Chen Shaohu thought back to the tales Fourth Brother had told him about "troublesome allies" in childhood, recalling their self-destructive fates, shaking his head internally, feeling disdain.
...
Having a considerate and obedient younger brother, Chen Jichuan felt immensely relieved.
After staying in Shi’an County for three days to allow Chen Shaohu time to wrap up his affairs, Chen Jichuan took him via Transmission Formation back to Panlong Mountain.
Then guided him secretly to settle in Fire Dragon Cave Market.
Throughout the process.
Chen Jichuan deliberately avoided revealing any connection between himself and Chen Shaohu.
Better safe than sorry.
His cultivation and status now far surpassed Chen Shaohu’s.
Though Chen Jichuan had never intentionally made enemies, his excellence could still provoke envy among narrow-minded individuals who might target him or Chen Shaohu.
Preventing such occurrences is impossibly difficult.
Hence caution was paramount.
In time, once he purchased two adjacent dwelling caves, allowing for unrestricted communication and contact, would everything become truly secure.
Chen Shaohu obeyed Chen Jichuan’s arrangements completely.
En route, he memorized many rules and common knowledge about Panlong Mountain and Fire Dragon Cave Market. Upon settling in the market, he adhered to principles of discretion, while actively exploring and familiarizing himself with the surroundings without neglecting cultivation, growing herbs, or refining pills.
Within the vast Fire Dragon Cave Market, Chen Shaohu’s arrival was akin to a single drop merging into a boundless ocean—silent and unnoticed.
With this.
Everything in reality was now settled, allowing Chen Jichuan to officially enter the sixth Dao Fruit World!
...
[Ding!]
[Arrival in the new world, detecting...]
[Detection complete.]
[Current world-to-Master world time flow ratio is 400:1]
[Master transferring, 5...4...3...2...1]
Merging into the lotus.
The heavens and earth swirled.
Upon opening his eyes again, it was a brand-new world.
...
"Young Master!"
"Young Master!"
"Wake up quickly, the Prefecture City has arrived."
When Chen Jichuan entered, he felt someone nudging him.
Perplexed.
Opening his eyes.
He saw a delicate maidservant softly calling him. Her brows furrowed initially, but eased into a smile upon seeing him awaken.
Though far from a peerless beauty, her appearance was fairly pleasing.
Chen Jichuan had no interest in women, giving her a passing glance before stopping his observation.
Calmly focusing his thoughts, memories began streaming into his mind.
"Hmm?"
Chen Jichuan grew increasingly baffled.
Without hurry to delve deeper into these memories.
He sensed the Green Lotus Jade Pendant in his consciousness sea, and immediately received a surge of information, clarifying everything for him—
"So that’s how it is!"
Chen Jichuan silently exclaimed and suddenly understood.
It turned out.
Previously, most of the worlds Chen Jichuan had experienced were First-order Worlds, where the world’s will was weak. The "Dao Fruit" could casually place Chen Jichuan into these worlds, easily deceiving the world’s will.
But in higher-level worlds, the stronger and more perceptive world wills made concealing his presence far more difficult.
The current world was of significant rank.
If Chen Jichuan were merely placed here as an outsider, while he wouldn’t be immediately discovered, he would face limitations in cultivation as well as a lack of good fortune.
Step after step would be fraught with difficulties, and obstacles would abound.
Focused cultivation?
No chance!
Thus.
The "Dao Fruit" spent a century parsing this world. When Chen Jichuan entered the world, it directly substituted the identity, fate, and status of an existing native for Chen Jichuan.
With this method.
Restrictions were avoided.
"No need to fabricate identities and backstories either."
Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but chuckle.
...
Understanding this, Chen Jichuan began sifting through the inherited memories.
Dai Xiong.
Dai Zong.
Clan.
Doghouse.
...
As he examined.
Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but find it amusing.
"So my current identity is Dai Zong, son of Assistant General Dai Xiong of Five Spirits Prefecture. Dai Xiong, originally of humble birth, grew restless in simplicity, and joined the army, entrusting his wife and child to the clan for care."
"For twelve years, there was no word, leading the clan to believe Dai Xiong was dead. Consequently, his child was neglected, even mistreated."
"Yet unexpectedly, Dai Xiong achieved considerable success in the Northern Border battlefields, with exceptional martial prowess and substantial merits, earning the rank of Assistant General in Five Spirits Prefecture, commanding the Prefecture City’s Five Battalion soldiers and overseeing troops across counties within the prefecture."
"A triumphant return."
"But upon returning, he discovered his wife had tragically passed away, and his son lived in a doghouse sent there by the clan elders, prompting him to explode in rage. Declaring his intent, several hundred retired warriors from the Northern Border rushed in, rescuing Dai Zong from the clan..."
Sorting through these memories, Chen Jichuan found them interesting.
He glanced at his physical form.
Though using Dai Zong’s identity, his body—stooped and pale—was identical to how he was at eighteen in reality.
"Still the same vessel."
Chen Jichuan speculated this might be a capability of the "Dao Fruit."
He didn’t dwell too much on it.
Returning to the present—
Unconscious.
Carriage.
Maidservant.
"Quite the quintessential transmigration plot starter!"
Chen Jichuan chuckled and lifted the curtain of the carriage.
...