Chapter Sixty-Two: Are There Still Cultivators?

Three days later, in the early morning, more than a hundred people gathered in the square before the Tianfeng Family’s estate in Tianfeng City. Judging by their bearing and the formidable aura they exuded, it was clear that these were all elite masters. Though none had yet reached the Innate Realm, many had already attained the pinnacle of the Acquired Realm, just a single step away from crossing that final threshold. They stood in absolute silence, without a trace of disorder or idle chatter among them, as disciplined and controlled as a well-drilled army. These were not ordinary martial artists of the rivers and lakes, but the core, handpicked elite nurtured by the Tianfeng Family over many years. Each was not only highly accomplished in martial cultivation but also unwaveringly loyal to the family.

Usually, while some of them remained stationed within or around Tianfeng City, the majority were deployed across the various strongholds and branches of the Tianfeng Family throughout the Empire of Divine Providence. Only recently, under the clan leader’s secret orders, had they been summoned here from all corners of the realm.

When the grand doors of the estate swung open, all eyes turned toward the entrance. The clan leader of the Tianfeng Family emerged, accompanied by eight others. Of these nine, including the clan leader himself, eight were Innate-level masters. Bringing up the rear was a figure completely shrouded in a black cloak, whose cultivation was impossible to discern, yet whose presence hinted at fathomless depth and mystery. Feng Juechu, the clan leader, said nothing superfluous—only the word: “Depart.” With that, he led the seven Innate masters at the fore, while the black-clad figure slipped silently into the ranks behind. For the family’s elite, words were needless; their very existence was one of obedience and of fighting for the family’s interests.

Meanwhile, tension within the Ten Thousand Medicines Valley had reached an unprecedented height. Everyone emerged from the makeshift dwellings to gather in the open space outside. Some conversed in hushed tones, others sat in quiet contemplation, and still others meditated to regulate their breathing. Li Xingyu, together with Master Zhong and five other Innate experts, as well as three leaders from the more powerful factions—ten people in total—stood before the assembled crowd. After exchanging greetings, Master Zhong addressed them: “My friends, I am deeply grateful that you have traveled from afar to lend me your support. Even so, I did not expect matters to escalate so swiftly. By now, I believe you all know the situation we face. The strength of the Tianfeng Family, and the peril of this affair, are clear to all. Allow me one final word of advice: if anyone feels this matter is too dangerous, or the consequences too dire, it is not too late to withdraw now. I will hold no grudge against anyone, and will remain just as grateful for your presence here. If you wish to leave, you may depart the valley at once. Should I survive this ordeal, I will make a personal visit to express my thanks.”

After his words, the crowd unanimously declared that they would not abandon him—that they would stand or fall with Master Zhong. Many even cried out that they owed their very lives to him, that such great kindness could not go repaid. Not a single person withdrew; indeed, not even a moment’s hesitation was to be seen. This alone spoke volumes about the influence and network of the Ten Thousand Medicines Valley within the Empire.

Hearing these replies, even Li Xingyu was deeply moved by their sense of righteousness—let alone Master Zhong himself. For a man so steady and seasoned, who had weathered countless storms, his emotions nearly overcame him; his voice trembled as he choked back tears and said, “I thank you all for your righteousness. In the future, should you ever have need of me for anything within my power, do not hesitate to ask.” The crowd, hearing this promise from such a legendary physician, were all stirred with excitement—after all, to have such a pledge was as good as having half another life; as long as one was not dead, he could save them.

Master Zhong then explained the specific arrangements and, seeing the time, said, “Everyone, I expect the Tianfeng Family will arrive soon. Please follow me to the mouth of the valley.” No one raised any objections, and all followed him out. These were all veterans of the martial world, well aware that remaining in the valley would put them at a disadvantage. In truth, many believed that despite the danger, outright conflict was not inevitable; after all, their own side was strong, and the members were drawn from various powerful factions. If the Tianfeng Family dared attack them all, the risk would be considerable. Even Li Xingyu and Master Zhong felt the same, yet they knew they must prepare for battle, for in such affairs, the unexpected could change everything in an instant.

Outside the valley lay a broad, open plain. Master Zhong and his party walked a distance from the valley mouth and stopped, waiting for all to assemble before turning to watch the road. Before long, a troop appeared on the horizon. As the two sides were adversaries, neither, save for Li Xingyu and the black-clad figure, bothered to restrain their auras. As the group drew closer, Li Xingyu counted roughly a hundred and twenty men. At their head was a man of extraordinary presence, with a fire-phoenix embroidered on his garments—clearly the Tianfeng Family’s clan leader. His cultivation had reached the late Innate stage, yet to Li Xingyu, his realm seemed unstable, as if forcibly elevated.

Behind him stood two more men with fire-phoenix embroidery and five others in varied attire; these seven were all Innate masters, two of whom had already reached the late Innate stage. This discovery made Li Xingyu tense—his own side, not counting himself, had only six Innate experts, with just Master Zhong at the late stage. Of the remaining five, only one was at mid-Innate, the rest were at the early stage. Still, he was not overly concerned; with his own strength, even facing the clan leader and the two other late-stage experts together would not be too difficult. What did worry him, as he surveyed the hundred-odd followers behind, was their uniformly high cultivation, and the fact that they seemed to practice the same technique, making their power levels closely matched—and they outnumbered his side. This would not be easy. Individually, his allies might be a match, but they were a makeshift force, lacking the coordination and discipline of the Tianfeng Family’s well-trained ranks. The others seemed to have reached similar conclusions, and a heavy, grave expression settled over every face.

Astonished at the Tianfeng Family’s ability to cultivate so many experts, Li Xingyu resolved that if fighting broke out, he must focus all his strength on restraining the clan leader, to keep the rest in check. As he pondered, he suddenly sensed something strange—a sensation as if invisible hands were probing his entire body. With a shock, he realized someone was using spiritual sense to examine him, sending a chill up his spine and raising every hair on his body.

Startled, Li Xingyu immediately circulated his true energy to shield himself, blocking the invading spiritual sense at once. This gave him some relief, as it indicated the opponent’s cultivation was not above his own. He felt the other’s spiritual sense halt briefly, then withdraw. Not to be outdone, Li Xingyu extended his own spiritual sense along the retreating thread, landing upon the black-cloaked figure. The instant his spiritual sense touched the other, he sensed that the man’s cultivation was not lower than his own, yet the true energy within him felt oddly different. He only probed lightly before the black-clad man attempted to block him out as well. Though the man succeeded in shielding himself, Li Xingyu could tell it took him far more effort than it had required of himself.

Perplexed, Li Xingyu thought, “My cultivation should be a bit lower than his, yet my spiritual sense is stronger. Does this mean my training method enhances spiritual power?” What startled him even more was the realization that the other party was also a cultivator—a practitioner of the true path. He had thought there were no true cultivators on the planet Nastar! This discovery troubled him greatly. If there was an expert no weaker than himself among the enemy, his plan to quickly deal with the clan leader and the other late-stage masters would be impossible. If this person entangled him, escape would be difficult; their chances of victory would plummet, and the likelihood of a real confrontation would rise sharply, putting his side in grave danger.

With this, today’s third chapter is complete. Crystal has worked hard, but as long as you all enjoy the story, it is worth every effort. Please remember to bookmark and vote—thank you all!

Jointly recommended by the editors of Zhulang—check out the new collection of popular novels on Zhulang.com!