Another Cliché Cultivation Story

Chapter 118

The several hundred Grahas were forcibly held in place by Ji Xian, regardless of their cultivation, whether they were in the Crystal realm or the Holy realm. From Yatong to Bohai, Yahui and Yazhu, down to the most unremarkable among them— no one was spared.

Ji Xian slowly relaxed his hand and dropped his arm, yet the spatial compression on the Grahas remained.

He showed indifference to their struggles.

Truthfully, Ji Xian had no strong opinions on the Graha race. There was neither any fondness nor hatred there. To him, they were merely a group of people trying to retrieve what had once belonged to them. Although, in the process of doing that, they had harmed the natives of this world, the blame wasn’t entirely on them. This whole matter stemmed from an event that happened thousands of years ago when Han Lan slayed the direct descendant of the Graha’s progenitor. The reason for her actions is unknown; perhaps this predecessor of theirs came with evil intentions, or perhaps it was Han Lan who held secrets. Since this part of history has been lost with time, it’s hard to judge who is in the right or the wrong.

Either way, Ji Xian wasn’t one to easily choose sides. He was only taking action because of Xiao Yueyin, and if not him, then it would be Xia Lihua who would do so. At least this way, he would benefit a little.

After briefly watching the group of pained Graha, Ji Xian’s lips curled slightly as he spoke, his tone more reflective than directed at anyone in particular. “The Spectral Physique of your Graha race is like a sharp needle, capable of poking through the limits of reality. Somewhat similar to how a Nether can transcend their blood to become a Graha, your Spectral Physique can likewise evolve into higher stages. A terrifying power it is— one that even I can’t fathom. Apparently, in the second evolution, your resistance to the manipulation of space would increase so drastically that you would no longer be bound to it, and in the third evolution, legend says that when using your Spectral Physique, you will exist between two different planes of reality— making it impossible for you to be killed. I can’t even begin to understand what this means but just hearing it is quite chilling.”

Ji Xian paused, his eyes resting shortly on Yatong, who was straining to speak.

“Ah…wh…ahh,” he wheezed.

Ji Xian smirked, though he didn’t understand what Yatong was trying to say, he could guess it from the confusion in his terrified gaze.

With a casual shrug, he said calmly, “If you’re wondering how I know so much— well, it’s all thanks to my two friends over there.”

“They were quite cooperative in telling me what I wanted to know.”

Yatong gritted his teeth. Slightly turning to his two sons, he inwardly cursed at them. Giving an outsider details about their race was utterly foolish. Although this information wasn’t exactly a secret in the Upper World among the bigger factions, it was Yahui and Yazhu’s decision to give it away so easily that angered him the most. This was a betrayal on a grand scale. Of course, if Yatong knew what his two sons had experienced, perhaps he would be more understanding…

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Ji Xian chuckled, ignoring him, he continued, “Each evolution of your Spectral Physique requires tremendous aptitude to unlock its potential, and even with your race’s naturally strong talent, it is no simple thing to do. I don’t know what the situation is in the Upper World, but it looks like no one among you has broken through to the second evolution physique. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been affected by this spatial compression.”

“A shame, really,” said Ji Xian, a menacing light flickering in his eyes. “I would’ve very much liked to see it.”

Lowering his voice, he murmured to himself thoughtfully, “There’s a chance that the once Second Yin Pavilion, Li Yifan, might have it… but messing with her will only grant me more trouble. Looks like I’ll have to reign in my curiosity about this evolved physique for a while.”

Ji Xian hadn’t forgotten Li Yifan’s true identity. She was someone of great importance to the Graha race— possibly being someone of royalty. If that were the case, he would rather take a step back and let her be. He may not be afraid of death, but that didn’t mean he had a death wish. He still had to be careful for whenever he might ascend one day. He can’t hide in the Lower World forever; there is simply not enough Heavenly Merit that would allow him to do so. While he could do anything he wanted in the Lower World, that would cease once he took the next step forward to the realm beyond. He had never forgotten his roots— how much he had to endure to get to this point, he knew well the things he had to be wary of.

He wasn’t like Han Lan, who dared to kill the Graha’s predecessor. While he’s not afraid to do something similar, he saw no reason for it. Doing so would only put a target on his back, which ultimately would hinder his freedom. Ji Xian’s dream in this new life was to explore the vast cosmos and witness its wonders. Cultivation was merely a tool to help him realize that goal, but he had no interest in getting caught up in the endless conflicts and chaos that seemed to define a cultivator’s existence. Why else would he stay out of all the affairs and battles of the Mortal Haven World for so long? His existence wasn’t even known to anyone before he got involved in the Celestial race’s invasion.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

To him, people, other than a few exceptions, were just too tiring. He has grown weary of them.

Currently, Ji Xian’s foremost desire is to free the Mortal Haven World from its entanglement with the Upper World. For as long as the sects, clans, and races from above continue to descend, Mortal Haven will never be able to see peace. Since he had involved himself in this matter, Ji Xian will begrudgingly see it through to the end. Only then can he return to his own pursuits, free from unwanted interference. His arrival in the Mortal Desolate World was for this purpose, and fortunately, after his seclusion with Xia Lihua, he discovered a way to do it.

If he wanted, he could return home immediately. It was only regrettable that after getting involved in the problems of Mortal Haven, he now found himself similarly caught up in the troubles of Mortal Desolate. Exhausting as this situation was, Ji Xian couldn’t deny the intrigue it offered. This world, after all, came with its own set of fascinating secrets—one of which was nestled casually inside his robe, silently siphoning his True Essence.

“Actually, coming to this world has been quite profitable,” Ji Xian smiled. “Kind of makes all this nonsense worth it…”

“What’s on your mind that’s making you smile like that?” Xia Lihua’s voice suddenly came from behind, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Oh, nothing, Lihua,” Ji Xian coughed, avoiding her curious gaze.

“You…” Xia Lihua hesitated.

“What?”

“You don’t have a thing for strangling people, do you?” She asked.

“…huh?”

Ji Xian shot her an odd look, utterly clueless as to where Xia Lihua might have gotten such an idea.