Alien Science Cultivation

"I……?"

"Yes... The Linglong Pagoda was purchased by the Qingshan Exchange. Although other holy places and sects sent people to bring it back from the desert, in the final analysis, the Linglong Pagoda still belongs to the Qingshan Exchange, which means you, sir. Although these cultivators work for you, they all come for the cultivation resources and time laws within the Linglong Pagoda..."

"So that's how it is... This law of time is extremely tempting for cultivators. Hundreds of days of cultivation here equate to just one day in the outside world! Wang Ling is truly far-sighted and courageous... If I'm not around anymore, Senior Che will have to provide her with further assistance. I'm deeply grateful..." Zhang Qiang finished his words and bowed respectfully to Che Lizi. Seeing Zhang Qiang's sincerity, Che Lizi also said earnestly, "Pavilion Master Zhang, rest assured. As long as I'm still breathing... I'll definitely protect her..."

With Che Lizi's promise, Zhang Qiang no longer had any worries. While the Linglong Pagoda was valuable, it offered limited assistance to Zhang Qiang's cultivation. After all, his cultivation absorbed not only spiritual energy but also Guixu Qi, meaning he wouldn't remain in Qingshan Sect for long. While Zhang Qiang didn't fully grasp Senior Che Lizi's abilities, anyone who could intimidate Wu Yong must possess extraordinary qualities. Entrusting Wang Ling to Che Lizi was undoubtedly the most appropriate arrangement.

A moment later, Zhang Qiang and Che Lizi arrived at the ninth floor of the Linglong Tower. Zhang Qiang's spiritual sense swept through the area, and he was astonished to see over 500 cultivators! Over 300 were at the Immortal Venerable Realm, a relatively unremarkable presence here. There were 195 Immortal Emperors, 19 of whom were at the Great Perfection of the Immortal Emperor Realm! Another five were at the early stages of the Divine King Realm! Only then did Zhang Qiang truly grasp the might of the Qingshan Exchange. The Tianji Pavilion alone rivaled the might of ordinary holy lands. He also seemed to understand why Wu Yong had called him a brother, and why Li Taian had been so willing to exchange pleasantries with him despite the hatred of his own brother's murder. It turned out that the Qingshan Exchange was far more powerful than Zhang Qiang had imagined.

With the arrival of Che Lizi and Zhang Qiang, everyone on the Ninth Floor rose, a rare gesture, and saluted respectfully, as if all the cultivators on the Ninth Floor were familiar with Zhang Qiang. Che Lizi returned the salute, softly explaining to Zhang Qiang, "The cultivators here are the core strength of the Linglong Tower, especially these five Divine King cultivators..." Zhang Qiang followed Che Lizi's direction, looking at the three men and two women before him. Of the five on the 5th, 3th, and 2th Floors, only these five were dressed casually. At Che Lizi's signal, the five Divine King cultivators began to introduce themselves. A portly old man, weighing a stout 7 kilograms (8 pounds), stepped forward, cupped his fists, and saluted Zhang Qiang, saying, "I am Yuwen Hu, honored to meet you, Pavilion Master..."

Zhang Qiang also clasped his fists in response: "Thank you for your hard work... Senior..."

Then a middle-aged man clasped his fists and said, "Pavilion Master Zhang... don't be so modest... We hear news about you here every day... He can fight Li Taian in close combat and still draw a draw. We are far from being able to do that... I am Yang Feiyu... I have achieved enlightenment through strength..."

"Yang Qian... Brother Yang, thank you for the compliment..."

"I am Liu Changsheng... I entered the Dao through the sword..." a middle-aged cultivator, resembling a scholar, said with a bow. Liu Changsheng's face was stern, as cold as the sword he held. Most cultivators who entered the Dao through the sword were as cold as Liu Changsheng, their joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness all fused into their long swords, and they grasped the Dao of the sword through the midst of slaughter. Zhang Qiang seemed to see the grown-up Zhang Wuyou. Like Zhang Wuyou, this Liu Changsheng seemed to possess a presence deep within his soul. Zhang Qiang's consciousness shifted slightly, and a crimson sword coffin came into view. A woman in a blood-red robe then emerged from the coffin. The woman looked at Zhang Qiang with surprise, and in response, a murderous intent flashed across Zhang Qiang's eyes. The woman seemed to understand Zhang Qiang's intentions, bid him farewell, and disappeared along with the sword coffin. No one else noticed the unusual behavior between Zhang Qiang and Liu Changsheng, and Zhang Qiang naturally remained silent.

He bowed in return and said, "Brother Liu..."

After Zhang Qiang finished speaking, he turned his gaze to the elderly woman beside Liu Changsheng. Though Liu Changsheng's expression remained stern, his eyes were filled with horror. As he and Zhang Qiang met, he had vaguely sensed an invisible force invading his body, flowing through his body into his dantian, and then into his natal sword coffin within it. The coffin now contained eight longswords, now inexplicably supplemented by a single crimson sword. The pressure emanating from this crimson sword was several times greater than that of the other eight combined. After a moment's contemplation, Liu Changsheng looked at Zhang Qiang with awe, his previously stern features now brimming with emotion.

Zhang Qiang paid no attention to his change and bowed to the old woman. The old woman held a snake-head cane, her face kind. But this kind look chilled Zhang Qiang's heart. "Pavilion Master... you can call me Divine Doctor Miao... As for my real name, I can't remember it anymore... hehe... I entered the Dao through the use of medicine... you know... hehe..."

Hearing this, Zhang Qiang secretly despised him, thinking, "He makes the use of poison sound so refreshing and refined, and he even calls himself a miracle doctor... and he even puts on a kind face. I wonder how many monks have fallen victim to his poisonous hands..."

Zhang Qiang wasn't a fool, so he naturally wouldn't contradict the old woman. While he had never actually encountered a poison cultivator, their reputation intimidated countless cultivators. Zhang Qiang had warned himself: it's okay to offend any cultivator, but never rashly provoke a poison cultivator! The reason for this was that the Qingshan Sect's Treasure Pavilion had succinctly described poison cultivators: they were the living kings of hell in the world of cultivation... Though few in number, their formidable reputation could not be underestimated by any cultivator. Even facing this Divine King-level poison cultivator, Zhang Qiang could only force a smile and respectfully respond, "Senior Miao... the Qingshan Exchange will be relying on you in the future..." It wasn't that Zhang Qiang didn't want to smile sincerely, but it was simply difficult to do so in the presence of a poison cultivator. The old woman didn't mind, having seen this happen many times. That's why she studiously avoided the word "poison" when introducing herself, preferring to call herself "Warm Doctor." Of course, this wasn't entirely wrong; after all, she could save lives.

The last person was a middle-aged woman. Before Zhang Qiang could even glance at her, her bright eyes had already sifted him through, their light gleaming with wisdom. She seemed quite interested in him. However, Zhang Qiang knew this "interest" was not the same as the other "interests." When Zhang Qiang's eyes met, the woman bowed and said softly, "I...have entered the Dao through the use of formations, and have also delved into alchemy..." With that, she pulled a bottle of medicine from her space ring and handed it to him. Zhang Qiang took it curiously, and a touch of his consciousness revealed a flushed face. He couldn't pronounce the name of the medicine, but he could identify its ingredients. They all strengthened the kidneys and nourished the vital energy!