The Science of Cultivation

Chapter 235: Brewing Storm

Li Lang’s group, led by Ma Kong, quickly evacuated from the deviator stronghold. They followed the lead of their strongest ally without hesitation during these critical moments.

“If we’re in such a hurry, does that mean Senior Zhu is in trouble outside?” Li Lang asked as they climbed out of the hole that connected the underground base to the outside world.

“No. She’s fine for now, but she can only last for so long.”

With a few words, Ma Kong explained the situation they were in prior to coming to get them. The two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were in a stalemate with dozens of deviators. When a stalemate occurred between two parties with such stark contrast in numbers, the side with superior quantity usually had the advantage. That was because they could cover for each other while their allies rested or consumed pills.

A lone powerful cultivator would never win a war of attrition against a large group that was capable of containing them.

For that reason, Ma Kong hurried them along, rushing away from the area on his Skyrunner. Once they made some distance, he took out a jade of some sort and crushed it. Not long after, a lone Skyrunner rendezvoused with them mid-flight. It was naturally Zhu Yi returning.

“It seems your side has been successful. Good.”

“It’s all thanks to you two Seniors,” Li Lang politely replied as he clasped his fist to them.

Zhu Yi smiled.

“I’m glad nothing irreversible happened, and you had the opportunity to experience real combat against human cultivators as well.”

“Your meaning is—you purposefully orchestrated a plan where we would fight them? I’m sorry Senior, but wasn’t that too risky when we couldn’t confirm the safety of Wei Ping at the time?”

“A cultivator should be no stranger to risk. The plan we came up with was also one with the highest chance of success. We didn’t go out of our way to select it, only to give you experience. It just happens to work out nicely.”

“I see.” Li Lang nodded to himself as he calmed down and thought it through. “Sorry for questioning you like that.”

“No need to apologize. We know what it is like to be young. Isn’t that right, Ma Kong?”

Looking over at the stoic man, his expression remained unchanging. He glared at Li Lang wordlessly.

“B-Boss, shouldn’t we check on the injured?” Wei Ping called out, trying to defuse the awkward silence.

“Right. If you’ll excuse me, Seniors.”

“Go ahead. We’ll take care of driving the Skyrunner for the rest of the day. We should be able to make it to a town before night falls.”

Heading inside the Skyrunner with his companions, Li Lang quickly summoned the Crucible and enlarged it so they could enter. The three went in together and found themselves in the main lobby, where there were dozens of thick red pillars.

It didn’t take long for them to locate their students. They were in the clearing in front of the private room area, sitting around. All the ones who had stepped past the Energy Gathering Realm were meditating with serious expressions on their face. That was why the younger disciples in the mortal realm noticed the arrival of their teachers first.

“Teachers, we gave those people you rescued their own rooms. They’re resting now. Do you want us to get them?”

“Teacher Wei is back! I was sure you guys would be able to punish those evil cultivators!”

“Teachers, all the seniors came back injured with gloomy expressions, so we were worried about you!”

Seeing the excitement in his students, Li Lang felt a restless part of him calming down. It finally sunk in that the rescue mission was a success. He was no longer taut like a string, and Wei Ping was safe.

However, his moment of relief was brief. Several new things quickly came to mind as soon as he relaxed. Their group had many shortcomings. There was a lot to do before they could truly stand independently with their meager strength.

His mind was focused on the upcoming event taking place on Sword Saint Isle. It was an opportunity to remedy all these weaknesses they had. Having exchanges with other cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm would allow him to learn a lot. It was only with enough knowledge that he could start coming up with proper methods to strengthen themselves.

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A cultivator’s time was limited. They had to curate their arsenal of techniques carefully, as they couldn’t afford to split their attention too wide.

Artifacts, cultivation techniques, Qi arts, martial arts, and so much more. Am I ever going to have enough time to resume my re