Wang Sheng had heard more than once about Earth's background from Xi Lian, Yaoyun, and Lu the Progenitor's notes. According to them, Earth was located deep within the Realm of Exiled Immortals. Time flowed a hundred times slower in it than in the star domains, which meant a year on Earth equaled a hundred years outside. That temporal distortion and the absence of primal qi circulation between star domains were the reasons it had long been used as a place of exile. Cultivating for ten thousand years outside was far more beneficial than cultivating for a hundred years in the Realm of Exiled Immortals. The Heavenly Court immortals who had once fallen into this land discovered that over time, more than a hundred races had been exiled here as criminals. Among them, only three or four races managed to find Earth, where primal qi still existed, and survived until now. Wang Sheng assumed that the races were probably distinguished by skin color. However, their defining features could have nothing to do with skin color but with their cultivation methods. Although Daoist cultivation was the mainstream in the immortal spirit world and nearby star domains, countless other cultivation paths existed throughout the endless star domains. Each took root in different ways. The various cultivation systems still practiced on Earth included Daoist methods that allowed mortals to ascend step by step, systems based on bloodline inheritance, and paths that relied on incense power or belief power to strengthen themselves, otherwise known as divine cultivation. Fiend cultivation and corrupt cultivation methods also had to be considered part of the broader Daoist path. However, Daoist cultivation had become dominant in the immortal spirit world and surrounding star domains not only because it was passed down from the Three Pure Ones, but also as a result of endless years of competition among countless cultivation systems. The Heavenly Court was once the supreme Daoist power that ruled over the Three Realms. Hence, the Daoist heritage it passed down was naturally among the finest within the immortal spirit world. That gave the Hua Republic's cultivation world some grounds to feel a sense of superiority in terms of Daoist heritage. Still, all paths led to the same destination, and all methods led to the Dao. Every cultivation method aimed to elevate and transcend life while constantly mastering and utilizing primal qi to grasp the true principles of the universe. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, they all pursued the Great Dao that the Daoist sects spoke of. Cultivation methods certainly had differences. Some were rough and treacherous, while others were smoother and more direct. Some led to sheer cliffs, while others led straight to a mountaintop, where one could look down on everyone else and carve their name among the peaks. When the Heavenly Court resided on Earth, it naturally paid no attention to cultivation systems outside the Hua Republic. To its immortals, those systems were probably little more than the practices of barbarians. However, the thousand-year disappearance of primal qi put all cultivators at the same starting line. Daoist sects not only had to deal with corrupt cultivators causing chaos within the country, but also had to face foreign challengers. At the small international cultivation exchange meeting over a decade ago, Wang Sheng had made brief contact with rather mediocre foreign cultivators. Now, some of them had begun to shine like true geniuses and could not be taken lightly. Even if Daoist heritage had a natural advantage, it did not mean other cultivation systems had nothing worth learning from. Wang Sheng glanced at the beauty beside him. Though they were still holding hands, his senior sister was leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Outside the window, the sea of clouds drifted quietly. Wang Sheng could not help falling into a daze. What comes after hand-holding? Kissing? When would there be a good chance for that? I have already reached the peak of the Heavenly Abode Realm. I just have to settle into it now before breaking through. Meanwhile, Senior Sister is still at the middle stage of the Heavenly Abode Realm, and she's yet to stabilize it. Would something like kissing hinder her cultivation progress? As his mind wandered, the aircraft began to descend. When it broke through the clouds, Wang Sheng caught sight of the city that he had visited before. It was even more bustling today than he remembered. "Master, while I was away, did the authorities launch any new lunar missions?" Wang Sheng asked. "There was one, but it didn't yield much," said Qing Yanzi. "They wanted to search for the Moon Laurel Tree and the Moon Palace, but it just turned out to be a waste of resources." Wang Sheng raised his eyebrows and glanced at the sword case by his side. He chose not to pursue the topic further. The aircraft entered the airspace over the city zone, flying over buildings according to a designated route before landing on the rooftop of one tall structure. Its vertical takeoff and landing technology was not new, but its hovering energy source made it unique. It relied mainly on semi-permanent talismans, serving as an experimental fusion of immortal arts and modern technology. It still relied primarily on traditional fuel for propulsion and acceleration, though. Before disembarking, Qing Yanzi told his two disciples to stand properly. "Many people are already waiting down there. You two are the main focus today. Take a moment to check each other's appearance and help each other tidy up." "Oh." Mu Wanxuan began seriously examining her junior brother. She reached out her small hand and smoothed out some creases on his Flowing Celestial Robe. Noticing that Wang Sheng's hair was slightly messy, she had him sit down, took a jade comb from her storage pouch, and helped him tidy and tie up his long hair with a Daoist hairpin. Wang Sheng did not have to fuss much over his senior sister's appearance. Even in light makeup and without adornment, she remained ethereally and peerlessly beautiful. Once they were both presentable, Wang Sheng noticed the faint smile on their master's lips. This second wave of "support" had arrived so naturally that Wang Sheng's respect for his master rose yet another level[1]. Mu Wanxuan gave Wang Sheng one last careful look, then took out a jade pendant and tied it to one side of his Flowing Celestial Robe. Finally, she nodded in satisfaction. The most update n0vels are published on NoveI(F)ire.net Qing Yanzi, who had been waiting patiently, gave the signal. The aircraft door opened, and a group of figures on the rooftop immediately approached. Pairs of eyes peeked eagerly into the cabin. Qing Yanzi stepped out first. They immediately greeted him. Afterward, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan disembarked together. The area fell silent for a few seconds before a wave of gasps and exclamations followed. "Daoist Master Wang!" Before Wang Sheng even stepped off the boarding ramp, a graceful and elegant woman rushed up and gave him a big, purely ceremonial hug. "You're alright… I'm so glad you're alright…" Wang Sheng smiled and nodded. Ever since he had returned from the Small Nether Realm, the phrases he heard most often were, "I'm glad you're alive," and "I'm glad you're safe." Each time, a gentle warmth rose in his heart. At the very least, many still cared about him. Mou Yue had not yet reached the stage of "mature elegance." Thanks to the Universal Cultivation Method, she still radiated youthful beauty. Unfortunately, Wang Sheng couldn't find the time to ask how she had been all these years since several others had also immediately rushed over. From the crowd emerged Huai Jing. He threw his arms around Wang Sheng and gave his back two hearty slaps. Behind Huai Jing stood Liu Yunzhi, the "most handsome man under the heavens." He hadn't changed much; he was still exceptionally handsome. However, his aura had grown far more mature and composed. He remained relatively restrained, simply smiling faintly at Wang Sheng as his eyes glistened. Huai Jing cried out, "Amitabha! Buddha bless you! I knew you wouldn't die so easily! Thirteen years later, and you're back in full health! Hahaha!" Liu Yunzhi added, "Fei Yu, you owe us a full explanation. Do you know how many tears we shed for you over these thirteen years?" Wang Sheng could only nod in reply. His heart was filled with emotion, but he couldn't find the right words to express himself. "Junior Brother Wang." Zhou Yinglong, dressed in a black Daoist robe, also stepped forward. He offered a Daoist salute, and Wang Sheng quickly returned it. Zhou Yinglong suddenly asked a question that caught Wang Sheng off guard. "What should we do about your commemorative statue? Want me to smash it for you later?" Wang Sheng blinked. "Commemorative statue? What's that?" Laughter immediately erupted around them. Qing Yanzi chuckled. "It's essentially the gravestone we made for you. Even your body vanished without a trace, so we could only create a bronze statue to remember you by." "It really should be smashed." Shen Sui'an laughed. "I'll call home and have my clansmen take care of it." A Wudang Daoist master asked, "Wouldn't that be a bad omen?" "What's the big deal? Just dispel the bad luck!" As the Daoist masters exchanged laughs, Wang Sheng looked around. Fei Lianzi and Gao Shixing were among the crowd, smiling. Moreover, Zhang Zikuang, Yan Zhengnan, and several other Special Warfare Unit instructors looked at him warmly. Shu Sword Sect elders and a group of young disciples from the Wudang Mountains had also come to congratulate Wang Sheng. Most of those close to him were present. Quite a few Daoist elders and Daoist masters had also come to celebrate on Qing Yanzi's account. However, they did not come up to the rooftop to receive Wang Sheng directly. Moreover, due to time constraints, several others had not arrived yet. Jingyun, Chi Wen, and even Xi Lian, who lived in remote areas or were caught up in group expeditions and had only recently checked their phones, were still on the way. Wang Sheng gently tugged his senior sister's hand, bringing her a bit closer as they stepped forward to greet the elders and peers. Polite exchanges followed in a harmonious atmosphere. "Where's Brother Sheng? Where's my brother?!" someone shouted from the stairwell. A Daoist priest in a suit and sunglasses soon burst onto the rooftop with arms spread wide. He yelled, "Brother Sheng—!" Before Wang Sheng could respond, Mu Wanxuan took a step forward with a cold expression. She raised her left hand, made a grasping motion, and directly suspended the man in midair. Shi Qianzhang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His legs flailed in the air as he hurriedly removed his sunglasses. "Senior Sister, it's me! I'm Little Shi Shi, Brother Sheng's number one fan!" Liu Yunzhi immediately sneered, while Huai Jing burst into laughter. Only then did Mu Wanxuan lower her guard and gently set Shi Qianzhang down from a distance. From her reaction, it was clear just how fiercely she wished to protect her junior brother at that moment. Wang Sheng hugged the guy and patted his shoulder, only to discover that Shi Qianzhang had reached the peak of the Illusory Core Realm, catching up with Liu Yunzhi. It surprised him quite a bit. Before they could catch up further, Qing Yanzi called everyone to head downstairs to the main venue. It wasn't proper for him, their host, to keep the guests standing around in the rooftop wind. Moreover, the grand event that would celebrate Wang Sheng's heroic deeds and safe return already awaited the man of the hour. 1. The support here refers to Qing Yanzi being a good wingman and the GOAT. ☜