"Junior Sister jests. I am merely observing the talents that may emerge this time. Peak disciples are the future foundation of the sect," the Sect Master of the Spirit Stream Sect said calmly, his expression unchanged.
"Enough of that," the red-haired elder from True Yang Peak interrupted impatiently. "I only want to know how many disciples will walk out of the Spiritual Plane this time."
"Old Red, are you still that greedy?" the blue-haired woman sneered. "I heard your True Yang Peak can barely accommodate the disciples you've already taken in over the years."
As the peak masters bickered, the situation within the Spiritual Plane was already shifting.
Wang Li, who had been studying the dew on the tree before him, suddenly turned his head.
His gaze sharpened.
A pull—no, a yearning—rose from deep within his flesh.
"Again…" he muttered, his tone flat. "Another opportunity."
Without hesitation, he turned and left.
This was not the first time it had happened. His body seemed to act like a magnet for certain opportunities—though not all. The dew he had been eyeing moments ago was of high quality, yet it stirred nothing within him.
Which meant it was worthless.
As he walked away, a few glanced in his direction, but none followed. What lay before them was already valuable enough.
Wang Li didn't care.
Whether others followed or not had nothing to do with him.
With each step, the distance between him and the dew widened until it was no longer within reach.
"Discarded, then," he said indifferently.
He had no attachment to it.
Even if the Bodhi dew was precious, it was insignificant compared to whatever was calling out to his flesh.
Soon, the sensation intensified.
"Close."
His pace quickened.
A murky swamp appeared ahead, its surface dark and still, exuding a faintly sinister aura.
Wang Li stopped.
His eyes swept across the area.
"Troublesome," he muttered. "Even a fool can tell this place isn't simple."
Yet the pull in his body only grew stronger.
"What kind of treasure is this…?"
His gaze flickered slightly.
He was certain—the direction he had taken matched that of the woman he suspected was suppressing her cultivation.
"There's something hidden here."
Without further hesitation, he stepped forward and extended his hand into the swamp.
Ripples spread.
"Hm."
The moment his hand touched the surface, he felt the distortion.
Without pause, he stepped in.
The world shifted.
—
When Wang Li opened his eyes, he was standing in a completely different space.
The air was cool and refreshing. The moment he inhaled, a soothing sensation spread throughout his body, lightening it.
Before him stretched a sea of flowers—vivid, beautiful, and eerily quiet.
At the center stood a small sapling.
The instant he saw it, he knew—
It was extraordinary.
But he didn't move.
His gaze lowered to the flowers.
"Poison."
His voice was calm, without a trace of emotion.
Despite that, he stepped forward.
Time was limited.
Hesitation was meaningless.
His saber slid out of its sheath with a sharp, cold gleam.
In the next moment, his figure blurred.
He cut through the flowers without mercy—chopping, slicing, tearing a path straight ahead. Toxic pollen scattered into the air, but he didn't slow down.
Soon, he stood before the sapling.
Without hesitation, he struck.
A single leaf fell.
Wang Li's hand moved like lightning, catching it midair.
Before he could even examine it, the leaf dissolved into a stream of green light and surged into his body.
"…!"
His pupils shrank.
An overwhelming vitality erupted within him, flooding every inch of his body.
His muscles, bones, meridians—everything was being nourished, strengthened, transformed.
For a brief moment, even his cold expression wavered.
Then—
Greed surfaced in his eyes.
He looked at the sapling again.
But just as he was about to move—
"Scram!"
The voice exploded like thunder.
Before Wang Li could react, a terrifying force struck him.
Boom!
His body was sent flying, violently thrown out of the flower field.
The world spun.
When he regained his senses, he was already back outside—standing before the swamp.
Crack.
His bones twisted unnaturally before rapidly restoring themselves.
Wang Li steadied himself, his expression returning to its usual indifference.
"…Too strong."
If not for the vitality from that leaf, he would have died.
There was no doubt.
"This place isn't something I can contend with."
Without lingering, he turned and left.
Decisive. Clean.
The sapling was no longer within his considerations.
The risk outweighed the reward.
Even so, he did not regret it.
Within his body, a massive transformation was underway. The strain caused by cultivating the Mountains and Sea Art was rapidly disappearing.
Once the process was complete, he would be able to push the technique even further.
His strength would rise again.
Far beyond his current limits.
Even so-called geniuses might not achieve this.
"The gain is sufficient."
He didn't dwell on what he had lost.
Compared to the Bodhi dew, the value of that single leaf was far greater.
And that was enough.
Wang Li moved on without hesitation.
—
"I've already wasted half a day," he muttered. "I need results."
He had his own plan.
Resources.
Points.
A place in the outer peak.
That was all that mattered.
He had barely taken a few steps when a soft voice called out—
"Junior Brother!"
Wang Li turned.
Two women approached, their appearances refined and almost ethereal.
Yet the moment he saw them, his eyes grew colder.
He recognized one of them.
Trouble.
"What is it?" he asked flatly, his gaze passing over them briefly before looking away, as if they were nothing worth noting.
The leading woman didn't seem offended, but the one behind her showed clear surprise.
She wasn't used to being ignored.
"I was wondering if Junior Brother would be willing to team up with us," the leading woman said.
Wang Li looked at her.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
"Are we acquainted?"
His tone was calm.
But his eyes were cold, as if he were looking at something absurd.
The two women were momentarily speechless.
He had no interest in their intentions.
To him, their request was nothing more than wasted time.
"I have no need for burdens," he said inwardly.
Outwardly, he gave a slight nod.
"Take care, Senior Sisters."
Then he left.
No hesitation.
No courtesy beyond the bare minimum.
By the time they reacted, his figure had already vanished.
"Wait—!"
Too late.
The woman lowered her hand, her expression turning helpless.
"I only wanted to ask for directions… I have a terrible sense of direction."
The woman behind her burst into a soft laugh.
"Senior Sister, you were rejected. It seems you're not his type."
"Can you be serious?" the leading woman snapped. "Master sent us here for the Water Essence, and we've been lost the entire time!"
She sighed in frustration.
"If you're so bad with directions, why did you insist on taking this opportunity?"
"I was joking," the other woman said with a smile. "Besides… he probably thought we were trying to use him."
"Huh?" The leading woman blinked. "Use him? …Wait, is that why he ran so fast?"
"What else?" she replied. "You never finish your sentences. Didn't you hear what he asked?"
The leading woman paused, then sighed again.
"Forget it. Let's keep moving. The Water Essence should be nearby."