Chapter 477: You All Call This an "Exit"?

Overall, Wang Sheng got satisfactory results from the test. His sword intents' destructive power was already between the Ascended Immortal Realm and the Primordial Immortal Realm.

Yet the Ascended Immortal Realm was merely the beginning of a new realm. He was still far from the summit of immortality, and future cultivation breakthroughs would no longer come as easily as before. Wang Sheng knew clearly that he had only just reached the level of the Heavenly Court's weakest soldiers.

There was no room for complacency. On the contrary, he even felt considerable pressure.

After testing the power of his four sword intents, Wang Sheng returned the celestial sword and bid farewell to the spirit. Deep in thought, he left to rejoin his senior sister and the others.

Shi Qianzhang waved a little flag and shouted, "Brother Sheng, you are amazing!"

Wang Sheng gave him an annoyed look. Shi Qianzhang shrank back, grinning foolishly.

Noticing the heaviness in Wang Sheng's expression, Fei Lianzi quickly said, "Let's all head back to cultivate. We shouldn't delay Fei Yu from doing his business. Fei Yu has already become an immortal, while the rest of us are still just mortals. When you think about it, it's really a bit embarrassing!

Hahaha!

"

Gao Shixing's eyes gleamed with eagerness. He clearly wanted to spar with Wang Sheng in the Dao of the Sword, but their power was now too far apart. As an elder, he still had to save face.

"We won't disturb you then, Fei Yu."

"Brother Sheng, Little Liu and I will return to cultivate as well."

Everyone took turns saying goodbye, and Wang Sheng cupped his fist in return. Once they had taken to the skies, Mu Wanxuan also bowed playfully. "Farewell!"

Wang Sheng raised his hand to stop her. "Senior Sister, where are you going?"

"Cultivate!" Mu Wanxuan sighed softly, then added, "To ascend."

Xi Lian, who was beside them, nearly burst out laughing.

Seeing the firm, unyielding light in his senior sister's eyes, Wang Sheng could only offer her a few words of encouragement.

Mu Wanxuan had always been proud. Now that her junior brother had pulled so far ahead and the problems in her cultivation had been resolved, she had no reason to stagnate.

She would catch up first, then she would surpass him. One day, she would reclaim her dignity as a senior sister!

Besides, as far as she knew, letting their realms grow too far apart would affect their relationship. She didn't want their future as Daoist partners or married life to turn into her acting like an adoring fan every day, shouting, "Junior Brother, you are amazing!" or "My husband is unbeatable!"

However, Wang Sheng softly remarked, "Stay with me for two days."

The determination in her eyes immediately melted away. She nodded gently and obediently, making Xi Lian, who had been hoping for a bit of drama, roll her eyes.

Pfft. No principles whatsoever.

Wang Sheng smiled. "Big Sister, come find me again in a few days. I have a question for you."

In truth, he was just politely dismissing her.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it! I won't be your third wheel, alright?!

Hmph,

romance truly makes people forget their humanity. The moment you got yourself a lover, you forgot your big sister's kindness!"

Mu Wanxuan made a face and stuck her tongue out at Xi Lian. The fox left muttering under her breath.

Once the area quieted down, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan smiled at each other. They held hands and leaned closer together.

"Let's take a walk," Wang Sheng gently suggested. "I'll be heading to the Realm of Exiled Immortals' exit next. It'll take a year or two for a full round trip."

Mu Wanxuan pursed her lips slightly. "Be careful."

"

Mm,

" Wang Sheng answered, his eyes lingering on her.

A faint blush colored Mu Wanxuan's cheeks as she recalled scenes she'd once read in romantic manga.

With their most cherished person, they wandered through the corners of the Small Immortal Realm, following winding paths and admiring the towers and pavilions. Clouds rolled beneath their feet, and painting-like beauty surrounded them.

Much of the pressure in Wang Sheng's heart eased away. He even felt as though he didn't really have to think too much. If he could one day attain true union with his senior sister and stay by her side for the rest of their lives, then this lifetime would have been worthwhile.

Still, he reminded himself that he still had to strive forward. For himself, his senior sister's future cultivation environment, the cultivation world behind them, and his sense of duty as a citizen of the Hua Republic, he could not stop for too long.

"Why do you draw your sword?"

His master's question long ago had now become his own question.

Why do I cultivate?

In truth, cultivation had always been his personal decision. Other than protecting his senior sister, master, junior martial siblings, family, and friends, he was doing all this simply to find peace in his heart.

The duo spent two days together in quiet seclusion. They meditated, walked, and admired the scenery side by side.

Wang Sheng's state of mind gradually calmed. Soothed by his senior sister's serenity and gentle warmth, the restless agitation he felt after his ascension faded away.

***

Soon, Xi Lian returned as agreed.

Wang Sheng took out Spiritless, which had completed its advancement, and placed it in front of him. Yaoyun emerged from the blade.

Wang Sheng gestured for Mu Wanxuan and Xi Lian to sit together, then sat cross-legged before them.

Solemnly, he remarked, "I'll be making some arrangements before I leave, starting with the Small Immortal Realm. Though this realm is extremely important, it can easily start disputes within the cultivation world.

"After discussing it with Yaoyun, I've decided to divide its opening method and entrust it to you while I'm away. I trust you with all my heart, Big Sister, and your immortal power will be the key to opening it. Even so, I still have to halve it."

Xi Lian nodded slowly. She thought for a moment before asking seriously, "Are you afraid that someone will try to force me?"

"

Mm,

that is part of it." Wang Sheng looked at Mu Wanxuan. "Whether this key ends up with you or my senior sister, it would put too much pressure on either of you. It's better to divide it to balance out the burden. I'm also worried our master won't be able to withstand the responsibility of choosing who to send to this place. If he starts having trouble, you will have to lend him a hand, Big Sister."

Xi Lian replied, "Don't worry."

Mu Wanxuan also nodded in agreement. "

Mm.

"

Soon, Spiritless emitted a soft immortal light. Yaoyun lightly touched Xi Lian and Mu Wanxuan's foreheads with two fingers. The two closed their eyes, quietly absorbing what she passed on.

Wang Sheng waited at the side for about half an hour. Finally, Mu Wanxuan and Xi Lian opened their eyes at the same time, showing they had already learned how to open the gate.

However, each held only half the key. They could only open the Small Immortal Realm if they unleashed the activation method together.

Wang Sheng instructed, "While I'm gone, allow two more groups of cultivators to enter the Small Immortal Realm to train. Master, Huai Jing, and the others in our circle can come as they please. Don't let too many raise their realms too quickly. That would only speed up the depletion of primal qi on Earth."

Xi Lian frowned, a realization dawning on her. "Why are you telling us all this? Aren't you just planning to visit the entrance of the Realm of Exiled Immortals? Will it take you long to do that?"

Wang Sheng smiled lightly. "It'll only take me a year to reach it, but if everything goes smoothly, I want to explore the perimeter outside the entrance and scout out our future path. Although time outside the Realm of Exiled Immortals flows a thousand times faster, it's still best to be prepared for the unexpected, just as Master always told us."

"Be careful out there..." Xi Lian thought for a moment, then finally behaved as their big sister should. "Little Fei Yu, your cultivation has gone smoothly so far. You are decent as a person, your temperament is acceptable, but you can get hot-headed sometimes.

"On Earth, you began on the same starting line as everyone else in the cultivation world. You have surpassed your peers and even outpaced the older generation. But the immortal world outside has been around for countless ages. You'll probably find experts everywhere, and immortals will be as common as clouds.

"There will also be plenty of deranged devils who won't care about your aptitude or how long you have cultivated. If they don't like your face, they will just try to kill you. Remember, don't act rashly, even if someone's realm seems lower than yours. For all you know, they could have a Golden Immortal Realm grandfather or a Grand Dao Realm grandmother watching over them."

The fox lectured him earnestly. Wang Sheng listened attentively at first, but by the end of it, he no longer knew whether to laugh or cry.

Do I really look like I have no common sense?

He wasn't some fool named Long Tian'ao[1]. With his modest abilities, he would naturally keep a low profile while outside.

"Don't worry, Big Sister. After this meeting, I plan to head to the Pool of Immortal Arts and look for techniques that conceal aura, suppress cultivation, or grant invisibility," Wang Sheng explained. "I'll also look for any transformation techniques suitable for someone at the Ascended Immortal Realm and gather a few more ways to survive."

"That's the spirit!" Xi Lian exclaimed. Nevertheless, she added anxiously, "And once you're out there, don't go playing hero just because you see injustice. Even if you find a thug bullying a charming young lady, you'd better think twice first. She could be setting a trap for whoever takes the bait."

Wang Sheng nodded. He was about to explain that he only intended to find a map of the entrance's perimeter and study the environment before returning, but Xi Lian got carried away. She grabbed and forcefully lectured him about ways to survive in the world of cultivation.

Mu Wanxuan, who was tense and worried, stood beside them, nodding at every word.

***

After being lectured for what felt like half a day, Wang Sheng finally managed to escape to the Small Immortal Realm's armory to gather supplies. Now that he had reached the Ascended Immortal Realm, he could finally use the talismans and artifacts once reserved for heavenly soldiers.

To compensate for his lack of ranged attacks, he took a celestial bow and several dozen bundles of celestial arrows. He also gathered a supply of mid-grade Spirit Stones, the standard currency of the vast Immortal Realm. He couldn't bring ones that were too pure. Otherwise, he could attract attention. Though he likely wouldn't need them immediately, it was always wise to keep some on hand.

Most importantly, he retrieved a special treasured artifact that heavenly soldiers used for reconnaissance: the Shadowless Shuttle[2]. Though Earth considered it rare, it was just standard gear for the Heavenly Court's scouts.

The Shadowless Shuttle was about three meters long, leaving enough space inside for a person to lie or sit. It could be powered with Spirit Stones, consuming both their spiritual energy and the wielder's immortal power to fly. Mortals couldn't operate it.

Its top speed was slightly slower than Wang Sheng's Soaring Red Feathers, but it excelled in stealth since it left no trace. The stronger Wang Sheng became, the faster it would be. For long journeys, such a vessel was invaluable.

Flying through the endless void with only one's own power consumed far too much immortal power, which couldn't be replenished easily. Fatigue would set in, focus would wane, and the risk of ambush would increase. Aboard the Shadowless Shuttle, Wang Sheng could meditate, read, and calmly study the immortal arts that he had acquired from the Pool of Immortal Arts.

He paid his master one last visit, then quietly left the Small Immortal Realm aboard the Shadowless Shuttle. Guided by Yaoyun, he headed toward the Realm of Exiled Immortals' entrance, flying nonstop for three hundred and twenty days.

During the journey, he comprehended methods to conceal his aura and cultivation. He also practiced several offensive immortal arts to ensure he could win a fight without unnecessarily drawing his sword.

Soon, Wang Sheng reached his destination and immediately froze in surprise.

"Yaoyun?"

The three-inch-tall little fairy appeared on his shoulder. "

Mm?

"

Wang Sheng put away the Shadowless Shuttle and stood in what seemed like an endless dark void. Pointing at the distant twisted sphere of light, he muttered, "You all call that an exit?"

"What else would it be?"

His mouth twitched slightly as he shook his head. He then cast several spells in succession to completely conceal his aura.

1. A name used in novels to mock the cliché "arrogant young master" type of protagonist. ☜

2. "Shuttle" here means the tool that weaves back and forth in a loom. ☜