Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Human Nature Cannot Be Tested; Forgetting One’s Roots Is the Norm

What’s going on?

Did Elder Su also realize they couldn’t let Li Yan go?

Li Yan was their lifeline. If they lost him, facing the Su Clan’s Blood Shadows would become far more perilous.

Elder Su began to explain earnestly to the assembled disciples:

“If we can’t reach Mishan City, it’s only a matter of time before the Blood Shadows catch up to us.”

“Even if Li Yan stays with us, with his first-layer Blood Shifting Realm cultivation base, how long can he possibly last?”

Su Chongyue’s words plunged the Su Clan disciples into deep thought.

That young man’s single White Lotus Bloom technique would likely drain his entire Dantian.

In other words, Li Yan could only withstand one assault from the Blood Shadows.

Even if he stayed, he wouldn’t survive long.

Su Chongyue continued, “Rather than bind Li Yan to our fate, let’s gamble and let him go.”

“If we ever become Shadow Slaves again, Li Yan will be our last hope.”

“Moreover, if the Blood Shadow gains control over us, it will inevitably discover Li Yan’s existence.”

Elder Su’s explanation struck the disciples like a thunderbolt, bringing sudden clarity to the group. They finally understood his long-term strategy.

When weighing the pros and cons of a decision, one must consider the broader implications.

Keeping Li Yan with them would only grant temporary security, as his Lotus Lamp couldn’t remain active indefinitely.

In all likelihood, both Li Yan and the disciples would be captured by the Su Clan’s Blood Shadows.

However, letting Li Yan go, while risky, might prove more beneficial. If he could conceal himself and serve as their trump card, he could be far more valuable than if they kept him with them.

The disciples now saw the depth of Elder Su’s wisdom. The old man wasn’t foolish at all.

He clearly understood the difference between a single full meal and sustained nourishment.

“Besides,” Elder Su added, “Little Friend Li has already expressed his desire to leave. Forcing him to stay would only sour our relationship. Why needlessly complicate things?”

The Su Clan disciples nodded in agreement. “Elder Su’s foresight is truly remarkable!”

“We fools nearly doomed ourselves through shortsightedness!”

Meanwhile, Li Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he disembarked from the Su Clan’s floating pavilion.

He had been gambling—betting that Elder Su would let him go.

Clearly, Li Yan had won.

“Thank goodness Su Chongyue didn’t force me to stay,” he muttered. “If I’d gotten tangled up with them, disaster would have struck sooner or later.”

Truth be told, this world was rife with scheming and mutual exploitation. Even as the Su Clan’s savior, Li Yan wasn’t naive enough to fully trust them.

As the saying goes, “Give a pint of rice and receive gratitude; give a peck and earn resentment.” Human nature can’t be tested; ingratitude is the norm.

Still, Li Yan remembered Su Chongyue’s decisive act of letting him leave.

“There aren’t many principled people left in this world,” he muttered, guiding his flying sword into a slow descent into the forest.

After landing firmly, Li Yan began pondering his next move.

“I can’t go back to Tranquil Void Temple. Killing Xuanwang and fleeing has made me enemies everywhere.”

“Xuanwang’s master, Daoist Tranquil Void. Xuanwang’s lover, Daoist Xuan Ye.”

As he spoke, Li Yan glanced up at the Su Clan’s floating pavilion hovering in the distance.

“Su Chongyue knows about my Blood Shadow Art training. I can’t keep it hidden for long.”

“My only option now is to find a way into Mishan City and seek sanctuary there…”

“To put it simply, it’s about becoming a registered resident of Mishan City.”

Li Yan recalled his earlier conversation with Elder Su, where he learned that all combat was strictly forbidden within Mishan City. Entering the city guaranteed its protection.

Gazing at the distant holy mountain city, Li Yan marveled at this rare haven of peace and tranquility in such turbulent times.

“Su Mo, let’s go. We need to find a place to rest. Once the Dharma Propagation Assembly ends, we’ll figure out a way to get inside.”

“Before we go, put on your veil. We don’t want anyone recognizing you.”

The Corpse Puppet Su Mo nodded obediently. With a delicate wave of her jade-like hand, a semi-transparent veil cascaded down like flowing clouds, barely concealing her peerless beauty and leaving only a hint of gentle warmth in her eyes.

Li Yan turned and began strolling along the outskirts of Mishan City, deliberately keeping his distance from the Su Clan’s floating pavilion to avoid getting caught in any potential crossfire.

After casually passing through a dense forest, Li Yan spotted numerous villages clustered around its perimeter.

These common folk yearned to live within Mishan City’s walls, willing to toil as servants and laborers on the outskirts to serve the city’s elite.

There were few Cave Mansions nearby; most lodging consisted of small villages or inns.

Despite its vulnerable location, the outskirts of Mishan City were relatively safe.

After all, no reckless malevolent spirits dared provoke the Cultivators within the city walls.

“Looks like we’ll have to find an inn and stay there for a while,” Li Yan said.

Corpse Puppet Su Mo blinked her bright eyes curiously. Everything outside Broken Sword Valley seemed fresh and intriguing to her. As long as she could stay by her Master’s side, any place would do.

As Li Yan considered finding an inn, he noticed a Daoist priest ringing a bell beneath the large banyan tree at the village entrance. Bowls filled with talisman water covered the table before him. Li Yan also observed villagers hurrying past.

Intrigued, Li Yan stopped an elderly woman. “Auntie, what’s going on over there?”

The old woman glanced at Li Yan. “Young man, you must be new here, right?”

“Celestial Master Zhang is dispensing talisman water. Drink it, and it’ll cure all your ailments!”

“Ah, no time to chat! I need to get my share!”

With that, the old woman hurried toward the stall, joining the crowd clamoring for the blessed water.

Li Yan shook his head and chuckled softly. “I never thought I’d see a swindling quack like this operating right outside Mishan City.”

No sooner had he spoken than a child’s voice called out from behind him. “What do you know! You’re just a foreigner—you don’t understand Celestial Master Zhang at all!”

Li Yan turned to see a cowherd with green snot dripping from his nose glaring at him.

Seeing it was just a young boy, Li Yan didn’t bother arguing. “You’re right, kid. I really don’t know anything.”

Eager to avoid trouble with the locals, Li Yan simply wanted to find a quiet place to cultivate.

The cowherd scratched the back of his head, puzzled by Li Yan’s lack of resistance. Too young to understand sarcasm, he seemed genuinely confused.

As for Li Yan, he wasn’t one to meddle in others’ affairs. Celestial Master Zhang had set up a small stall selling talisman water, and Li Yan had no intention of interfering with his business.

But just as Li Yan entered the village, intending to find an inn, Celestial Master Zhang suddenly called out to him.

“Fellow Daoists, you’re new faces here. You must have just arrived outside Mishan City. After such a long journey, you must be exhausted.”

“If you don’t mind, come and have a couple of bowls of my talisman water to refresh yourselves.”

Celestial Master Zhang spoke warmly, a kind smile on his face as he offered two bowls of the liquid to Li Yan.

In these chaotic times, Li Yan would never blindly trust a stranger.

A smirk tugged at his lips. He took a bowl of the talisman water and drained it in one gulp!

I, Li Yan, will see what kind of side effects this stuff has, he thought.