Versatile Sword Cultivator

Chapter 191 – Accidental Encounter with Sect Infighting

Another half day had passed, and Lin Jichen still hadn't seen any trace of the Thunder Dragon.

However, he had killed countless Thunder Crocodiles, Thunder Apes, Thunder Snakes, and other monsters in the Thunder Marsh.

He had acquired quite a bit of Crystal Realm equipment, so it wasn't entirely fruitless.

He could consider it as stocking up for his shop.

As the sky began to darken again, Lin Jichen sighed. He would have to find a place to hide for the night again.

The game "Tale of Immortal" required more and more patience as it progressed.

Often, a single material or piece of equipment would take a lot of time to find.

Many players found this boring and couldn't endure it.

Most players would choose to give up, find another way, or skip it altogether, opting for the easiest path.

But in reality, playing "Tale of Immortal" required enduring the monotony.

Because you weren't just playing a game; you were experiencing another life, a life that was soon to become reality.

The path of cultivation had no shortcuts, only years of tedium and a desire to become stronger.

Some people were stuck at a realm for years, even decades or centuries. Some would spend years practicing a single core technique, dedicating themselves day and night.

This was the world of Xianxia.

"Tale of Immortal" now served as a transitional channel for players, allowing them to temporarily enjoy the fun of the game and more easily accept the fully integrated world to come.

If you couldn't even muster this bit of patience, you could forget about ever making a name for yourself.

Lin Jichen remembered that after the world merged in his previous life, he had spent nearly half a year searching for a single herb, scouring mountains, rivers, and the vast lands of the human world.

He had also spent an entire year in seclusion in a bitterly cold place, abandoning the guild he had established to comprehend his Dao Heart.

So, this bit of monotony was nothing to him. If he couldn't find it in one day, he would search for two days; if not in two days, then three.

He had spent half a year searching for a single herb, so he was even more determined this time, as it concerned his survival through the Thunder Tribulation.

Even if he had to search every inch of the Thunder Marsh, he would find the Thunder Dragon.

As the day seemed to be coming to an end, Lin Jichen was looking for a place to hide for the night.

As he passed through a grove of thunder trees, he heard the sounds of intense fighting, with dust and stones flying and the ground trembling.

Curious, Lin Jichen quietly entered the grove to see what was happening.

The closer he got, the more intense the airwaves from the battle became.

The thunder trees, each as thick as a grown man's waist, were being felled in swathes by the force of the battle.

Fortunately, this had no effect on Lin Jichen. Judging by the situation, it seemed to be a battle between Golden Core Realm cultivators.

Lin Jichen's curiosity grew, and he quickly approached.

He imagined two great beasts fighting each other, both severely injured, allowing him to swoop in and collect the spoils.

However, as he got closer, Lin Jichen discovered that it wasn't beasts fighting, but two cultivators, a man and a woman.

He immediately lost interest. Such scenes were common in the Thunder Marsh, happening countless times every day. He was long used to it.

Most of the time, it was about killing and stealing treasures.

Lin Jichen didn't want to get involved, especially since these two were not to be trifled with. Both were Golden Core Realm cultivators, and one was even at the mid-Golden Core stage.

Moreover, they were wearing the same sect's robes. Internal conflict? Even more reason not to get involved.

If discovered, they would surely team up to eliminate him first.

So, Lin Jichen decided to leave. He didn't want to play the role of the mantis stalking the cicada, only to be caught by the oriole.

The battle was one-sided, with the mid-Golden Core male cultivator easily gaining the upper hand. The early-Golden Core female cultivator was already severely injured.

The outcome was clear. To play the oriole, Lin Jichen would need the strength to completely defeat a mid-Golden Core cultivator.

Forget it. He was already at his limit fighting an early-Golden Core cultivator.

Each time, it was a fight to the death.

The Golden Core Ultimate Techniques were too overpowered, and their attributes spanned two major realms.

If not for his Heaven-defying Fate's doubled attributes, the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment's attribute bonus, and his luxurious equipment and Mysterious Grade skills, Lin Jichen wouldn't stand a chance. His combat skills alone wouldn't be enough, as he would be completely outmatched in attributes.

Moreover, the two early-Golden Core opponents he had faced weren't particularly strong.

If he encountered a true elite Golden Core cultivator, one who had also broken through with the Heavenly Dao and was meticulously trained by their sect, with luxurious equipment and powerful skills, they could easily defeat him without using their Ultimate Techniques.

Take Nangong Yue, for instance. She was now at the early-Golden Core stage, but Lin Jichen had no chance of winning against her. It would be a zero-to-ten outcome.

Chu Tianhan was even more formidable; he could crush Lin Jichen with one hand.

The man and woman before him were likely elite members of some sect. Lin Jichen didn't want to risk losing everything.

As he turned to leave, the male cultivator suddenly spoke.

"Junior Sister Fang, you already know my identity. I can't let you live. Surrender now, and for the sake of our sect, I'll give you a quick death. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Liang Baiye, I never thought you were a lackey of the demonic sect. If the Sect Master finds out, he will surely kill you!" The female cultivator's voice was filled with determination and disappointment, as if squeezed out from between her teeth.

The male cultivator sneered, "That's why I can't let you live."

"Hmph, if it comes to it, we'll both perish. Even if I die, I, Fang Qingzhu, will fight you, a demonic sect lackey, to the last breath!" Fang Qingzhu's angry and resolute words echoed through the quiet thunder tree grove, sounding particularly jarring.

Liang Baiye chuckled, "Junior Sister Fang, why be so stubborn? This is a world where the strong prey on the weak. Strength is everything. Why not join the demonic sect? I guarantee your strength will soar, and countless benefits await you."

"Spit! You ungrateful, self-serving lackey. The Mysterious Medical Sect raised you from a young age. The Sect Master valued you, and your master treated you like a son. Not only do you not repay their kindness, but you also only think of yourself. Are you even human?" Fang Qingzhu's voice dripped with sarcasm, as if she had already accepted her fate.

Liang Baiye lost his patience and angrily said, "Then don't blame me for being heartless!"

Just as Liang Baiye was about to strike, another voice suddenly rang out.

"Amitabha, merciful Buddha. The merciful Gatling Bodhisattva once said, a monk should meddle in others' affairs, be greedy for money, and lust for... ahem... In short, let go of that girl and come at me instead."

Liang Baiye's cold eyes swept over and found a Foundation Establishment Realm weakling meddling in his affairs. He laughed in anger.

"It seems you've recited too many scriptures and want to meet your end early. I'll grant your wish!"

With that, Liang Baiye turned and charged at Lin Jichen.

In that instant, Liang Baiye erupted like a dormant volcano, his powerful Golden Core aura causing the air around him to become chaotic.

This was definitely an elite-level Golden Core opponent.