Chapter Seventy-Four: The Vastness of Heaven and Earth

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Upon hearing some of Chen Shangyi’s words, Wang Changsheng was profoundly shocked. According to Chen Shangyi, the strength of the disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect wasn’t just formidable—it was truly overwhelming. Among those of the same rank, they were at least capable of fighting two opponents at once; if the numbers and cultivation levels were equal, what other sect could possibly rival the Corpse Refining Sect?

Moreover, as Chen Shangyi described, nearly all the cultivators within the Corpse Refining Sect had reached the Core Formation stage. Even those who hadn’t were not far behind. For such a powerful sect, what more could Wang Changsheng say? Even if he wasn’t familiar with the Divine Heaven Realm, Wang Changsheng was certain that within its boundaries, the Corpse Refining Sect would undoubtedly stand at the very pinnacle.

“No wonder the major powers of the Divine Heaven Realm joined forces against them. No wonder they were forced to seal their mountain,” Wang Changsheng said in a low voice. Given the strength of the Corpse Refining Sect’s disciples, once the sect began to expand, as long as they were given time, they would inevitably become the foremost sect in the Divine Heaven Realm, an unstoppable colossus.

How could the other sects allow the Corpse Refining Sect to have its way? Naturally, they would band together to suppress them. In the cultivation world, a single power dominating all others would never be tolerated; for if that happened, all the world’s resources would fall into the hands of one sect, leaving the rest with nothing.

“It seems this trip is even more dangerous than I thought…” Wang Changsheng murmured. After drifting through the martial world for so long, he knew better than to feel secure simply because he had a dozen Core Formation disciples from the Corpse Refining Sect at his side. If someone wanted to trouble the Corpse Refining Sect, they would surely send even more powerful cultivators. The mere aftermath of such a conflict could easily be fatal for Wang Changsheng.

“What should I do…” Wang Changsheng’s expression grew grave. “It seems I must break through to the Origin Transformation stage first.” Once he reached the Origin Transformation stage and condensed true essence, he could at least rely on it to traverse the skies. This was what Wang Changsheng truly needed. Otherwise, if all his enemies could fly and he was forced to flee on foot, no matter how fast he ran, how could he possibly escape?

“No, I must find Second Uncle. I have to find him first!” Wang Changsheng said earnestly. Second Uncle had once cultivated the Longevity Art before switching to other techniques, so he must be very familiar with its mysteries. In the Divine Heaven Realm, he was the only one Wang Changsheng could turn to for help. Besides, when their father entrusted Second Uncle with the second diagram of the Longevity Art and the spirit stones, he must have given him some instructions.

Back then, Second Uncle had often seemed to have more to say but refrained, and Wang Changsheng had sensed that things were not as simple as they appeared. At the time, his own strength was meager, and even his survival in the cultivation world was uncertain—Second Uncle must have kept much from him. So, he had sent Wang Changsheng to the Heavenly Ascension Realm, where he could grow safely, and at least Second Uncle could keep track of his whereabouts.

Now that Wang Changsheng had returned and breaking through to the Origin Transformation stage was urgent, he did not wish to delay any further.

“Find a town ahead for us to stop at,” Wang Changsheng instructed Chen Shangyi.

At once, Chen Shangyi looked puzzled. “Steward Wang, Elder Yun has already given us the route to Yun Palace Peak—we can head there directly!”

“Did Elder Yun only say to go to Yun Palace Peak first?” Wang Changsheng pressed.

Chen Shangyi nodded.

“And back at the main hall, didn’t the sect master say that after leaving, you were to listen to me and assist me?” Wang Changsheng continued.

“Yes,” Chen Shangyi replied, “that’s what the sect master said.”

“And I also said we’d go to Yun Palace Peak first, then to the Shangyang Li family. That’s not wrong, is it?” Wang Changsheng added.

Chen Shangyi still felt something was amiss, but upon reflection, he realized that Wang Changsheng’s words were perfectly reasonable.

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Chen Shangyi nodded in agreement.

“Good. Then let’s stop at the next town,” Wang Changsheng said.

“All right.” In the end, Chen Shangyi decided to follow Wang Changsheng’s wishes and relayed his decision to the other Corpse Refining Sect disciples.

Before long, they saw a distant city wall rising on the horizon. After landing, the Corpse Refining Sect disciples prepared to head into the town.

“Wait—what are you doing?” Wang Changsheng called out, stopping them.

Chen Shangyi and the others looked at him in confusion.

“Are you planning to enter the city like this?” Wang Changsheng asked.

Seeing the disciples nod, Wang Changsheng was nearly exasperated.

“Put away your coffins and take out those black robes I told Chen Shangyi to have you prepare,” Wang Changsheng commanded.

“Why?” Chen Shangyi asked, puzzled.

“These small towns are just ordinary places—not centers of cultivation!” Wang Changsheng explained sternly. “Almost everyone here is a commoner. If you each walk in carrying a coffin, radiating green light, do you want to scare them to death?”

“But… but Elder Yun said we should make the name of the Corpse Refining Sect known!” Chen Shangyi protested, mystified.

How naive these children are! Wang Changsheng thought. It was clear the Corpse Refining Sect disciples understood nothing of the world.

“Is our sect’s reputation meant for ordinary people?” he patiently explained. “Our name must be renowned in the cultivation world, to let them know we have returned. What use is it if these commoners know? As for reputation, once it spreads in the cultivation world, it will naturally filter down to the people.”

“Do you understand?”

The disciples nodded, more or less comprehending, and followed his advice. They stowed away their coffins and draped themselves in black robes, leaving only their eyes exposed. Yet even then, a close look would reveal something unnatural: those eerie green eyes, combined with the cold, sinister aura of Corpse Refining Sect cultivators, would send chills down the spine of any ordinary person who came near.

Once everyone was properly attired, Wang Changsheng led them into the city. As for himself, he remained as he was, with no need for disguise.

Upon entering, Wang Changsheng observed that the city was populated almost entirely by commoners, with only the rare cultivator at the Qi Refining stage—hardly even at the threshold of cultivation.

“These towns in the Divine Heaven Realm are really not that different from those in the Heavenly Ascension Realm…” Wang Changsheng mused inwardly. His earlier words to the Corpse Refining Sect disciples outside the city had nearly convinced even himself. The truth was, he knew just as little about the Divine Heaven Realm as they did. Everything he’d heard from Li Fusheng was idle gossip, hardly reliable.

But one thing Wang Changsheng did know: in the martial world, one must keep a low profile.

He found a tavern and led the disciples inside.

“Welcome, sirs…” At once, an attendant hurried to greet them, but as he neared Wang Changsheng and the others, he shivered. “Sirs… what can I get you… to eat… or drink… ah-choo…”

Wang Changsheng released a faint stream of true energy, making the attendant feel somewhat better, but the man still eyed them with obvious fear.

“Just bring us some drinks,” Wang Changsheng ordered.

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“Very well, sirs, please wait a moment!”

With that, the attendant almost fled in his haste.

“Did you see that?” As soon as the attendant left, Wang Changsheng addressed the Corpse Refining Sect disciples. “Even with your coffins put away, that cold aura you can’t conceal is enough to frighten people. Tell me, what’s the point of scaring commoners? Does it give you a sense of accomplishment?”

The disciples had all witnessed the attendant’s reaction and nodded in agreement, now realizing Wang Changsheng had indeed been right.

Seeing their acquiescent expressions, Wang Changsheng felt a touch of pride. Though the disciples said nothing, he knew they must resent his authority, given his lower cultivation. Yet it seemed these disciples were actually quite easy to persuade.

“Remember, as cultivators of the Corpse Refining Sect, we are not bullies!” Wang Changsheng declared. “If we must pick on someone, let it be those stronger than ourselves. Let us not become the rats everyone wants to stamp out.”

“Yes!”

“Steward Wang is right!”

“We’ll follow Steward Wang!”

…

The Corpse Refining Sect disciples all voiced their support.

“Corpse Refining Sect? What sort of sect is that?” Just then, as Wang Changsheng was lecturing the disciples, a discordant voice sounded from a nearby table. Glancing over, Wang Changsheng saw two men engaged in conversation, making no effort to lower their voices.

“No idea. Probably just a bunch of nobodies banding together to form a sect, thinking they can make a name for themselves. Utterly clueless about the real world!” the other replied with a laugh.

“People like that die by the dozens every day. If there’s one thing the Divine Heaven Realm isn’t short of, it’s hotheaded fools. And they think they can bully those with higher cultivation? Ridiculous!”

They both broke into unrestrained laughter.

“You—”

One of the Corpse Refining Sect disciples shot to his feet, green light blazing in his eyes. From what Wang Changsheng knew, this meant he was angry.

“Calm yourself,” Wang Changsheng immediately interjected.

“Steward Wang…” The disciple looked at him in confusion, but after their earlier experience, he did not argue and sat back down obediently.

Wang Changsheng nodded and said no more.

At that moment, the attendant returned with drinks, then hastily retreated, clearly unwilling to linger near their chilling presence.

The disciples did not eat, but Wang Changsheng tried a few bites—only to put his chopsticks down in distaste.

It was truly awful.

More importantly, Wang Changsheng noticed the two men who had been mouthing off earlier had finished their meal and, after paying, rose to leave.