Chapter 184: Re-entering the Immortal Realm (Part 2)

If one already knew everything, there would be no need to ask further questions, right?

Li Jinzi’s exaggerated reaction was a bit too much for Shui Miao to handle.

But upon further thought, Shui Miao felt it might not be a bad thing after all. At the very least, it proved that this person, Li Muzi, was quite innocent, openly displaying every emotion on his face instead of hiding them deep inside. That itself was proof that he spoke the truth.

Shui Miao adjusted his mindset and nodded, saying, “You’re right, Big Brother Li. I really don’t know much at all. I hope you can guide me. If what you say is true and I really get accepted as a disciple by the Patriarch of the Jade Void Sect in the Ninth Heaven, I promise I won’t forget your kindness, Big Brother Li Jinzi. I will definitely repay you in the future.”

“Don’t mention it, don’t mention it. But this isn’t a good place to chat. First, let me take you to Lingyao Mountain.” This place wasn’t safe to linger. If other Immortal-Greeting Taoists showed up, it would become a problem. Li Jinzi quickly grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heaven Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was merely a low-level immortal, his cultivation average at best. His flying speed was about as fast as a normal human sprinting. As they flew, he explained things to Shui Miao along the way.

From Li Jinzi’s explanation, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the Immortal Realm were also divided into many categories. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the Immortal Realm and lived in the Ninth Heaven, generally had weak powers due to the nature of the spiritual energy here. Most half-immortals from the lower realms, however, were exceptionally gifted. Because there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal world and spiritual power was scarce, it was extremely difficult for mortals to ascend. Therefore, anyone who managed to ascend in such harsh conditions must be extraordinarily talented.

Just as children from impoverished families tend to mature early, mortals—fully aware of the hardships of cultivation—valued their opportunities even more. Once they arrived in the Immortal Realm, where immortal energy was abundant, they devoted themselves even more diligently to their cultivation. This was exactly why mortal cultivators were highly valued by various sects in the Immortal Realm. However, most mortal cultivators could only master one or two types of spiritual energies, similar to spirits (yaojing), which were generally limited to one or two aspects among Yin Yang and the Five Elements. It was exceedingly rare to encounter someone who had cultivated more than three types of spiritual energy. As for someone like Shui Miao, who had cultivated all five elements of Yin Yang and the Five Elements and successfully transformed them into immortal energy, he was practically a top-tier talent—a prized disciple highly sought after by major sects in the Immortal Realm. He might even receive the favor of higher immortals from the Fourth and Fifth Heavens, possessing a future filled with boundless potential.

In fact, it was precisely for this reason that Ling Shuai had discovered and taken an interest in Shui Miao.

Li Jinzi’s explanation made Shui Miao realize just how exceptional he himself was.

No wonder he had caught Ling Shuai’s attention!

This also proved that Ling Shuai possessed immense power. To sense him from the Fifth Heaven, he must be an extraordinary figure.

Shui Miao’s heart was filled with awe. He had never expected to be so fortunate, nor to be held in such high regard within the Immortal Realm. He was even beginning to think that he no longer wished to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, there was also that qiannian nugui, the thousand-year-old female ghost who sought his soul. Going back would surely bring calamity. In contrast, remaining in the Immortal Realm offered him freedom and peace.

However…

Shui Miao was also worried. Since he had already been chosen by Ling Shuai, changing sects was definitely not an option.

Unless someone far more powerful than Ling Shuai appeared.

Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Big Brother Li Jinzi, do you know about Ling Shuai from the Fifth Heaven?”

“Ling Shuai!” How would he know about Ling Shuai? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “You mean Ling Shuai, the Great General of Subduing Demons in the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight million celestial soldiers and generals?”

“Hmm… he seems really powerful?”

Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that changing sects was now impossible.

“Of course! Ling Shuai is incredibly powerful. He is a High Immortal, and his strength surpasses even some immortals in the Third Heaven. Why, Fellow Daoist, are you asking about Ling Shuai?” Li Jinzi was slightly curious, completely unaware that Ling Shuai had sent someone to give Shui Miao the jade pendant.

“Just… asking casually.”

Shui Miao smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, asking, “Big Brother Li, can you help me find a powerful ally to deal with that thousand-year-old female ghost? Honestly, I’m not in a hurry to take on a master right now.”

“Not in a rush!?”

Li Jinzi immediately stopped flying, looking at Shui Miao in surprise and asking, “Why wouldn’t you be in a rush? Once you have a master, he’ll help you. Why would you need to go around looking for help yourself? Besides, everything in the Immortal Realm costs money. With empty hands, how do you expect to hire anyone?”

“…”

Li Jinzi had a point, and Shui Miao was immediately caught between two difficult choices.

Wanting to find help himself, but having no money.

Becoming a disciple could solve this, but he already had a master.

Wanting to find his master Ling Shuai, but his master had told him to focus on cultivation in the mortal world.

Now, caught between a rock and a hard place, what should he do?

After a pause, Shui Miao, holding onto one last hope, asked, “Big Brother Li, I want to go and see the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”

“Haha…”

Li Jinzi laughed before Shui Miao could even finish. “Fellow Daoist, you’ve just arrived in the Immortal Realm and don’t know anything! To enter and exit the Immortal Realm, you need an Immortal Identity Tablet. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven is somewhat lenient about this requirement. The other eight Heavens require you to spend money and pull strings to obtain an Immortal Identity Tablet, and it’s not just a small amount. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty days now and still can’t afford the tablet to go to the Eighth Heaven.”

“…”

This completely dashed any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Ling Shuai.

Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing, when suddenly he saw a huge floating mountain ahead. The mountain was filled with abundant immortal energy, lush greenery, and countless immortal birds flying around. Pointing at the floating mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Lingyao Mountain I was telling you about.”

What a massive immortal mountain!

So majestic…

So many spiritual herbs…

Wait… that one is a ginseng…

Suddenly accelerating, Li Jinzi quickly led Shui Miao into Lingyao Mountain. Shui Miao saw ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms nearly half a person high, and many other immortal herbs and medicinal plants he couldn’t even recognize. He was stunned. If this small medicinal herb mountain was already so grand, then the main hall of the Jade Void Sect must be even more magnificent.

What if…

Shui Miao’s mind raced and he quickly came up with an emergency plan: first, he would find a way to infiltrate the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even working there to accumulate immortal energy for cultivation wouldn’t be bad!

“Hehe, amazed, aren’t you? Your mortal world doesn’t have so many great spiritual herbs, right? If it did, who knows how many half-immortals would have ascended here. But we can only look, not touch. Even if we don’t take them, failing to care for them properly can still result in punishment. However, compared to other jobs, the pay here is actually quite good,” Li Jinzi said candidly, without any hidden intentions.

Upon hearing this, Shui Miao’s heart stirred, and he quickly said, “Big Brother Li, I want to work here. Can you help me?”

“Work!? Are you sure?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your excellent qualifications, you could become a disciple. Once you do, your master might even reward you with treasures.”

“No, no, no…” Shui Miao shook his hand and carefully said to Li Jinzi, “Big Brother Li, tell me, wouldn’t sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens be stronger than the ones here?”

“Of course! Much stronger.” Li Jinzi immediately replied.

Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I want to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Identity Tablet to go to the Seventh and Eighth Heavens and find a more powerful sect to join. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“Uh…”

Li Jinzi was momentarily stunned. He scratched his head and suddenly exclaimed, “Right! How come I didn’t think of that! Oh, mortal cultivators are truly smart. I’m ashamed of my own ignorance!”

Shui Miao quickly added, “Big Brother Li, think about it. If I achieve greater success in the future and come back to repay you, wouldn’t the benefits you receive be even greater?”

“Exactly! If you just gave me an unused immortal treasure, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally got it. Suddenly, he grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, I’ll take you to meet my uncle. He’s the head guard of the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace in the Ninth Heaven. I got this good job through my uncle’s recommendation.”

“Uh…”

Shui Miao felt quite curious. Was the Immortal Realm really just like the mortal world? Did everything here also rely on connections? He wondered if the steward had a sharp mind or, better yet, was a bit clueless. If so, maybe he could get a good immortal position assigned, gather lots of immortal energy to bring back to the mortal world, transform everyone into immortals, and then buy a celestial mountain to build their own immortal sect!

The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling.