This round of drinking lasted a full four hours.
Aside from James Li's tales of romance and adventure, Evan Chen learned much about the customs and people of the Lower Realm.
From James Li's descriptions, the order in the Cultivation World seemed far more chaotic than that of the Immortal World.
Scheming, backstabbing, and murder for profit were commonplace.
For the sake of benefits, cultivation, and becoming immortal, cultivators in the Lower Realm would stop at nothing.
"Big Brother Li, the Lower Realm is so dangerous. How did you manage to become immortal step by step?"
"By being more ruthless than the ruthless and more fierce than the fierce!"
"That sounds a bit like a demonic cultivator."
James Li laughed nonchalantly, "What's wrong with demonic cultivators? Hypocrites are often more terrifying than demonic cultivators. But enough of this talk, you wouldn't understand without experiencing it."
Evan shrugged, "Yeah, I'm just curious. By the way, Big Brother Li, if… I mean, if I really went to the Lower Realm, what would you suggest as the best way to act?"
James replied without hesitation, "What way to act? Just be domineering and do whatever you want."
Domineering and do whatever you want!
This was quite different from Evan's personality, but thinking about it, it sounded thrilling.
"But what if I provoke someone stronger than me? Wouldn't I be dead meat?"
Evan knew that in the Cultivation World, being in the Third Immortal Realm was not invincible; there were cultivators of the Ninth Immortal Realm.
"It's not that easy. Once those idiots in the Lower Realm step into the Immortal Realm, they often go into seclusion, single-mindedly pursuing ascension. It's harder than finding a needle in a haystack to provoke someone of the same level or stronger.
Moreover, reaching the Immortal Realm in the Lower Realm is incredibly difficult. Unless it's a life-and-death feud, who would want to risk their life?"
James Li's words reassured Evan.
"Damn it, the toxic miasma is attacking my heart. I need to do some breathing exercises to recover for a few hours. Kid, this round is on you. Next month, Old Brother will treat you."
With that, James Li grabbed a jug of wine, waved his hand, and walked out of the small tavern.
Evan wasn't worried about the toxic miasma in the mine; his Pure Sword Body had the ability to automatically cleanse the miasma, so he didn't need to cultivate specifically to detoxify.
He settled the bill, which totaled twelve Immortal Crystals.
Evan's heart bled at the expense. If that black stone turned out to be nothing special, it would be a huge loss.
Leaving the small tavern, Evan headed to a desolate area and found a hidden cave.
He took out the black stone, ready to test if it could really take him to the Lower Realm.
"Should I buy some Immortal Talismans for protection first?"
Evan dismissed the thought.
Protective Immortal Talismans were too expensive, costing at least two months' wages.
If he couldn't go to the Lower Realm, it would be a huge waste!
Clearing his mind, Evan held the black stone and focused his thoughts.
"Buzz!"
A buzzing filled Evan's mind, and he felt that as long as he willed it, he could control the black stone to activate.
This ability seemed innate.
"Cross realm! Cross realm! Cross realm!"
Evan chanted silently, and suddenly countless golden inscriptions appeared in his eyes. These inscriptions danced and quickly formed a portal of light in a mysterious trajectory.
A gentle force enveloped Evan, and he floated towards the portal.
Next, a blinding light made him unable to open his eyes, and his head spun.
***
"Crack!"
When he opened his eyes again, Evan found himself at the peak of a towering mountain.
The sky was dark and oppressive, with swirling clouds and dark red lightning flashing within them.
"It worked!"
Evan was overjoyed.
He took a deep breath, standing between heaven and earth, amidst the storm.
It was incredibly exhilarating!
At this moment, he felt like a dragon that had been suppressed for eons, suddenly breaking free with boundless destructive power!
"So this is what it feels like to be invincible… Heavenly Tribulation? Did my cross-realm travel trigger a Heavenly Tribulation?"
Evan looked up at the menacing lightning.
But he wasn't worried; in his perception, the seemingly terrifying lightning was no more than child's play.
"Break for me!"
Immediately, Evan raised his hand and pressed it towards the sky.
In an instant, immortal radiance scattered, and a gigantic golden palm struck the dark clouds.
The seemingly world-ending lightning dissipated under Evan's palm, and the world quickly quieted down.
A light drizzle began to fall.
Evan, dressed in a tattered miner's cotton robe, his face dirty, still exuded an immortal radiance that showcased his unparalleled elegance!
"Hahaha!" Evan laughed heartily.
A mere Heavenly Tribulation was no match for a single palm!
This feeling was even better than Evan had imagined!
In such a situation, how could he not recite some poetry to show off?
But before Evan could speak, a soft, white body fell onto his shoulder.
"Who! Who dares to sneak attack me!"
Evan, still not fully accustomed to the Lower Realm, had forgotten to use his Immortal Sense and didn't realize there was someone else on the mountain.
"Thank you, Immortal Elder, for saving my life. This humble girl is eternally grateful."
Looking down, he saw a young woman, not a stitch of clothing on her, respectfully kneeling before him.
What a beautiful girl!
In the Immortal World, Evan was an ordinary person, not a transcendent sage. Seeing this scene, his blood rushed to his head.
Wait.
A green snake?
With a bit of Immortal Sense, Evan saw through the girl's original body; she was a green snake transformed.
After a moment's thought, Evan understood that the Heavenly Tribulation wasn't aimed at him but at this green snake crossing her tribulation.
By sheer coincidence, he had helped her dispel the tribulation with a single palm. Otherwise, with her meager cultivation, she would have been obliterated.
Evan had no prejudice against spirit creatures.
After all, in the Immortal World, fox charmers, flower fairies, tiger ladies, and the like were highly sought after. Wealthy and powerful men would spend thousands of crystals to keep a few.
As for ordinary immortals, they could only envy.
"Raise your head." Evan's heart pounded, and his hands trembled slightly.
But on the surface, he maintained a high and mighty demeanor, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
James Li had said that the Lower Realm had strict hierarchies, and one should act according to their status.
This simple command struck the green snake like a bolt of lightning. The intense immortal pressure felt like it would destroy her soul.
She trembled and timidly raised her head.
Her delicate face was unbelievably beautiful, with a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth and a pitiful look in her eyes that Evan couldn't describe.
Damn it! Old Brother Li didn't lie; the Lower Realm was indeed filled with beauties.
Even a mere green snake demon was stunningly beautiful.
"You snake demon, how dare you disturb my cultivation?" Evan collected himself and questioned her with feigned aloofness.
The green snake was immediately terrified, her body trembling as she kowtowed repeatedly.
Seeing this, Evan almost choked on his own saliva.
"Spare me, Immortal Elder. This humble demon was crossing a tribulation here and had no intention of disturbing your cultivation. Please, spare me this once."
Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan
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