C4 Level

After helping Shen Xiaomei settle into her new room, Shen Xuan channeled Spiritual Energy to rejuvenate her body, and she soon drifted off to sleep. Once she was resting, Shen Xuan made his way back to the courtyard.

Reclining on a stone bench, hands cradling his head, his mind was awash with countless thoughts. It was only now that he truly accepted his rebirth into an Otherworld. Yet, concern lingered; the three Immortal Emperors who had ambushed him in his past life were formidable adversaries. He had managed to eliminate one, but the remaining two might very well trace the spatial rift to this place.

The allure of a Divine Artifact was irresistible.

Before they could arrive, he needed to bolster his own power.

The memories within his current body revealed that this world's approach to cultivation was entirely distinct from Earth's. Here, on the Spirit Beast Continent, martial cultivation was held in high esteem.

Every individual had the potential to harness Battle Energy, and those with extraordinary gifts could unravel the secrets of the cosmos, traversing the universe at will. Shen Xuan had caught whispers of this Otherworld during his time in Earth's Cultivation World.

Within the vast expanse of the Eternal River Universe, countless worlds existed, accessible only to those with profound divine powers capable of piercing the spatial veil.

The cultivation stages here mirrored those on Earth, segmented into Martial Disciple, Martial Warrior, Martial Master, Martial General, Martial Grandmaster, Martial King, Martial Baron, Martial Sovereign, and Martial Saint, each with its own subdivision of Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, and Peak ranks.

Similarly, the cultivation stages were categorized into Foundation, Enlightenment, Embryonic Breathing, Abstention, Golden Core, Nascent Infant, Demigod, and Tribulation Crossing.

These levels were interrelated. For instance, Shen Wentao's peak at the Martial General stage corresponded to the late period of the Abstention Stage. Here, a Martial Saint was akin to a practitioner in the Mahayana Stage. Shen Xuan's ability to withstand Shen Wentao's assault was largely due to a movement technique from his previous life, the Nine Tribulations Thunder Illusory Body—a combat skill he had mastered during his ninth tribulation. Despite his current weakened state, it remained an effective means of defense.

Shen Xuan then seated himself cross-legged in the courtyard, focusing on circulating his Qi for cultivation. The energy of this world was far more potent than Earth's, facilitating rapid absorption. Remarkably, he progressed from the Foundation to the Embryonic Breathing Stage in under four hours.

His small courtyard, previously sealed by Shen Wentao, was now open, yet remained undisturbed—a perfect sanctuary for uninterrupted cultivation.

As dusk approached, Shen Xuan's meditation came to a gentle close. His eyes flickered open, emitting a sharp glint, and a faint smile played across his lips. He had reached the late period of the Embryonic Breathing Stage.

In just a few short hours since awakening, he had ascended from a mere mortal to this advanced stage—a feat that would surely astound any from Earth.

He was aware, however, that the pace of cultivation would inevitably slow with each successive stage. Despite his capacity to advance to the Abstention Stage, a breakthrough eluded him, and he anticipated challenges in the coming days.

To expedite his power growth, concocting pills was the most efficient strategy.

With a clear mind, Shen Xuan checked on Shen Xiaomei. After an afternoon of intense cultivation and still shy of the Abstention Stage, hunger gnawed at him. He gently roused Shen Xiaomei, and together they left the Shen family home for a nearby tavern, where they indulged in a hearty feast.

It must be said, the flavors here took Shen Xuan by surprise – the food was truly delicious. But then again, for someone who hadn't eaten in a millennium, any meal would taste heavenly.

Shen Xiaomei was overjoyed. Over the last three years, she had been bombarded with all sorts of rumors: Shen Xuan was under house arrest, Shen Xuan had been poisoned to death, Shen Xuan had been crippled. She had been desperate to dash into the courtyard to check on him, and it was this very longing that had taken a toll on her legs, deteriorating them to the point where she could no longer walk.

Now, seeing Shen Xuan unharmed and still the doting brother she adored filled her with happiness. She didn't concern herself with how powerful or enigmatic he was; as long as Shen Xuan was alright, she was content.

...

In the Han family's back hall, Han Feng sat with a dark, icy expression, his face so cold it seemed it could drip icicles.

Suddenly, Shen Wentao burst in. Before he could utter a word, Han Feng, in a fit of rage, hurled the teacup from his hand, shattering it before Shen Wentao.

"Is this your idea of handling matters?" Han Feng's voice was a frigid blade.

"Young Master, I beg your forgiveness. Rest assured, I will handle it," Shen Wentao stammered, his forehead slick with a cold sweat. The Shen family's Head Butler was groveling before the Han family's Young Master – if the Shen clan were to witness such a scene, it would surely cause an uproar.

"Don't forget, your current status is a gift from the Han family. What we give, we can just as easily take away."

"Yes, of course," Shen Wentao replied, bowing deeply, his fear of further inciting Han Feng's wrath evident. Yet, a flicker of coldness passed through his eyes unnoticed.

"Now, explain what happened," Han Feng commanded, settling back into his chair.

"I had planned to poison him today. When I checked this morning, he was dead. But for some reason, he's alive again, and those two subordinates of his have vanished. I suspect..."

"What is it you suspect?"

"I suspect he's an impostor. I've been monitoring him for three years, and he's shown no signs of cultivation."

"Suspicions," Han Feng scoffed. "If suspicions were of any use, who would need evidence? You have two days to uncover the truth, by whatever means necessary."

"Yes, Young Master," Shen Wentao said, bowing again to Han Feng.

...

Shen Xuan and Shen Xiaomei enjoyed their meal immensely at the restaurant. With full bellies, they strolled through Emergence City before heading back to the Shen household.

On his first day in this Otherworld, Shen Xuan noted its resemblance to Earth's Tang Dynasty. After ascending to a Kalpa Rogue Immortal, he had spent time on a modern Earth, where skyscrapers soared and technology peaked, often at the expense of the natural world. By comparison, he had a fondness for the simpler secular world of a thousand years past.

This place met all his criteria.

After escorting Shen Xiaomei to rest and with night fully descended, Shen Xuan made his way to the Grand Elder Shen Lang's quarters. Despite only possessing the cultivation of the Late Period of Embryonic Breathing Stage, his soul power had reached the Abstention Stage, allowing him to perceive everything within a hundred-meter radius. He had been aware of a tail since dining at the restaurant but chose not to show any sign of alarm, instead feigning ignorance.

The Shen family was a major power in Emergence City, ranking among the top three forces. After exiting the back cottage, he navigated through a series of rooms until he reached a standalone courtyard.

The courtyard seemed quiet and unassuming, with only three modestly adorned thatched cottages within. This was where the Grand Elder, Shen Lang, made his home.

"You've arrived. Come inside."

Shen Xuan had barely reached the courtyard's gate when Shen Lang's voice emanated from within one of the cottages.

A moment later, a formidable wave of soul energy enveloped him.