The Old Cultivator
"Good."
The two concealed their presence, disguising themselves as ordinary Golden Core realm cultivators, and then arrived at Nine Rivers Spirit Island.
Nine Rivers Spirit Island is one of the Tier 5 Spirit Isle in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World that is closest to the Eastern Wilderness. Its geographical location is quite crucial, so almost every moment a large number of cultivators cross over from the mainland to reach it.
It was precisely for this reason that the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance transformed it into a professional Cultivation Market, serving as a place for cultivators traveling between continents to stay.
As soon as they landed on the Spirit Isle, an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator ran over, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "You two are unfamiliar faces; you must not be from this place. Would you like a guide?"
"Um."
Chen Nianzhi's eyes flickered slightly. It was extremely rare for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to act as a guide.
Moreover, this old man was hunched over and frail, probably close to two hundred years old. If such a cultivator were in the Ji Continent Cultivation World, he would probably be enjoying his old age, not out and about like this.
"It seems that the Eastern Sea Cultivation World is much more difficult than the Eastern Wilderness."
With this thought in mind, Chen Nianzhi said, "Take us to rent a Spirit Vein Cave Abode. We've just arrived here and need to rest for a while."
"Please come in, senior."
The old man tremblingly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and led the two toward the Spirit Vein Cave Abode.
Looking at the scenery of the Spirit Isle along the way, Chen Nianzhi casually said, "Young friend, your lifespan is running out. Why don't you return to your Lineage's Spirit Mountain to recuperate and live out your remaining years instead of coming out here to travel around?"
"Returning to my Lineage to live out my remaining years..."
The old man shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "What Lineage is left? My Lineage's Spirit Isle was destroyed more than a hundred years ago in the Beast Turmoil tide."
"I'm so grateful I escaped, but I can never return to the Lineage's Spirit Isle."
Chen Nianzhi was silent for a moment, then continued, "Over the years, haven't you left behind any descendants or taken in any disciples to take care of you in your old age?"
"I have taken in three disciples and have two children," the old man said, then fell silent for a long time before continuing, "My eldest disciple was killed by Devil Cultivator, and my second and third sons both died in the conscription during the Beast Turmoil."
"My son went to the Immortal Alliance's Demon Hunting Ship, but the Treasure Ship was sunk by the Golden Core realm Demon King, and my daughter also perished in the jaws of Demon Beast at a young age."
The old man's eyes held a deep-seated hatred, as well as an indescribable helplessness.
He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "That damned demon! If it weren't for my grandson at home, I would have bitten Demon Beast until it bled, even if it cost me my old teeth!"
"..."
Chen Nianzhi fell silent. He was surprised that the other person was old and destitute, yet still had to drag his frail body out to earn Spirit Stone. Little did he know that this was already commonplace in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World.
The old man didn't consider his own hardships, but only regretted that he couldn't rekindle his passion and gather his True Essence to avenge his blood relatives.
"Senior, we've arrived!"
Before they knew it, the old man had led Chen Nianzhi to the rental place for the Spirit Mountain Cave.
Chen Nianzhi nodded, looking at the hunched old man who resembled a withered tree, not knowing what to say, but feeling inexplicably depressed.
He took out a thousand Spirit Stone and handed them to the man as payment for his guidance on this trip.
The old man refused to accept it, quickly shaking his head and saying, "Senior, this sum of Spirit Stone is far too valuable, exceeding the amount that should be paid. This junior cannot accept it."
"Take it."
Chen Nianzhi flicked his long sleeves, saying in a way that brooked no refusal, "This amount of Spirit Stone is nothing to me. You can take it and leave some savings for your grandson."
"This..."
The old man's expression changed slightly, but he ultimately accepted the Spirit Stone.
Seeing that Chen Nianzhi was about to leave, he quickly stepped forward and said, "Senior, please wait."
"Oh?"
Chen Nianzhi stopped and glanced at the man without making a sound.
But then the old man bowed and handed over a map, saying, "Both of you seniors possess unfathomable cultivation. You must have come to the Eastern Sea Cultivation World to slay demons and hone your own cultivation and combat prowess."
"However, the Eastern Sea Cultivation World is a mixed bag, with many Spirit Isle and sea areas occupied by demons, including Golden Core realm Demon King and even Demon Emperors."
"If one were to inadvertently enter the Demon Emperor's territory, even Golden Core True Person like you would face extreme danger, possibly even death."
"This map is a treasure map that I obtained by fortuitous opportunity. It records the territories of demons in the Near-Sea Territory. Perhaps it can be of some help to you, senior."
Chen Nianzhi accepted the treasure map, glanced at it discreetly, and then asked, "You've offered me this map, which is of some use to me. I wonder if you have any requests for it?"
"Spirit Stone and treasures, as long as it's not too excessive, I can satisfy your every whim."
The old man shook his head and said earnestly, "I am already old, and there is no hope of breaking through to the Purple Mansion. What use are these external things to me?"
"If this map allows you to protect yourself while slaying demons, then I will have contributed my meager strength, and my life will be complete."
Chen Nianzhi remained silent for a moment, then turned around and stepped into the main hall. Only his faint voice echoed, "Since I have some free time in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, I will take action to slay demons and eliminate evil, and cleanse this world."
"..."
Jiang Linglong followed Chen Nianzhi into the main hall. She glanced at the map in her hand and said, "This map is very detailed and will be of great use to us."
"Um."
Chen Nianzhi nodded. The map marked all the forces from the Purple Mansion to the Nascent Soul level within the Near Sea area, and each had a detailed description.
The mapmaker, capable of creating such a detailed map with extremely clear annotations, must have conducted on-site investigations of the vast Near Sea region spanning hundreds of millions of miles.
To achieve this, it would be far beyond the capabilities of a single cultivator. Only a powerful force could send out a large number of cultivators to investigate and ultimately gather the information.
As the two were talking, they stepped into the main hall and, after spending some Spirit Stone, rented a Spirit Vein Cave Abode.
They have traveled hundreds of millions of miles and are quite weary from their journey, so this is a good opportunity for them to rest and recuperate.
However, they did not rest for long. On the third day of their seclusion, someone came to visit them at their residence.
The newcomer was a refined-looking cultivator whose cultivation had reached the Golden Core Grand Completion stage. Upon seeing Chen Nianzhi, he cupped his hands and said, "I am Lu Yanhe, a steward of the Eastern Sea Immortal Alliance. Greetings to both of you fellow Daoists."
"So it's Fellow Daoist Lu! My apologies for not recognizing you!"
After exchanging names, Chen Nianzhi poured Lu Yanhe a cup of tea.
"Good tea."
Lu Yanhe took a sip of the spiritual tea, then cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I heard a couple of days ago that two top-tier True Person at the late Golden Core stage have arrived, so I wanted to pay them a visit myself."
"I was simply preoccupied with worldly affairs, which is why I was able to visit you several days later. I hope you will forgive me, fellow Daoist."