A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 204 Preparing to Descend to the Lower Realm
Because of the Shui family's past affairs, the Five Elements Sect leader was furious and executed eight villains in one day. The shock this caused in the Northern Spirit Region was like a boulder being thrown into a deep pool, causing ripples that were hard to quell from the bottom to the surface, from the shore to the distant reeds.

This is unprecedented!

There may be immortal laws and royal decrees existing on the vast land of Zhongzhou, after all, there are immortal dynasties there.

But apart from that, they are all free-range.

In the Northern Spirit Domain, all the Seven Sects of the Northern Spirit can do is maintain overall stability.

What does it mean to maintain overall stability?

Demons cannot cross the border, sinners cannot overturn the heavens, and no cultivators can slaughter innocent people and cause panic.

That's it.

Apart from that, there are only two possible outcomes: one is like the Shui family, where someone escapes, cultivates successfully, and takes revenge.

Another, and the vast majority of cases, is dying silently.

justice?

There is no justice in this world; in the end, it's all just the law of the jungle.

This is the first time that the Five Elements Sect has proclaimed "acting on behalf of Heaven" within a three-thousand-mile radius of the Five Elements territory.

Countless cultivators were discussing the matter. Interestingly, the smaller aristocratic families were mostly cheering, while many independent cultivators began packing their bags and leaving the area within three thousand miles of the Five Elements Territory, grumbling and cursing...

The former site of the Zhang family on the southern slope.

A path was trampled through the weeds, and Zhang Laoshuan, a surviving distant relative, knelt before the broken wall with his three grandchildren, burning stacks of yellow paper.

The ashes of the paper were swept into the sky by the wind. His withered hands repeatedly stroked the roll of blood-stained cloth. For twenty-five years, he had heard his niece's cries every night as she was nailed to the door. Now, he finally dared to step out of the house after dark.

"Sixth Brother, Sect Leader Li has acted on behalf of Heaven..."

He kowtowed, sweat and tears dripping from his forehead onto the scorched earth, followed by several descendants.

They never imagined that they would one day have the chance to avenge their family feud...

There were two or three families like the Zhang family, but the rest had all died out.

But many more people went to the Five Elements Sect seeking justice.

There are also some small and medium-sized aristocratic families, especially those that are three thousand miles away, many of whom have considered relocating their families.

What is this called?
This is like adding a natural protective layer to the family!

Admittedly, the Five Elements Sect mostly doesn't interfere when wars break out with other families or rivals, but it's already quite good if they can defend against surprise attacks from powerful individuals.

Moreover, there is at least one place where justice can be served.

Unlike in the past, small and medium-sized forces without powerful backers live in constant fear.

The other six sects of the Northern Spiritual Domain remained silent as always.

Even though Xuanyuan Dao Sect is one of the parties involved, since Li Weizhou already burned Zheng Shou to the ground at the entrance of the Golden Knife Alliance and didn't go looking for any Flame Marrow Jade Mine, stirring up any more disputes would only cause trouble for nothing.

If Zheng Shou hadn't died, he would have had various backup plans.

It's such a pity that so many years of preparation have been taken... How hateful!
……

Over the next two weeks, within a 3,000-mile radius of the Five Elements Sect's territory, one long-standing injustice after another was redressed and exonerated.

Of course, there are always those who try to take advantage of the situation, those who want to use others to do their dirty work, or those who want to muddy the waters and create false accusations to ruin the reputation of the Five Elements Sect.

But what logic can be found in something made up on the spot?

These fabricated stories would be immediately exposed by real crime-solving experts on the other side of the world.

After Li Weizhou personally killed several people who had made false accusations, the matter quickly came to an end.

After all, there aren't that many cases of entire families being wiped out...

But the Five Elements Sect has been enjoying its zenith these days!
Hou Haikun's eyes crinkled with a smile every day as he watched his business boom...

Although he didn't understand what traffic was, he already realized that constantly creating buzz and attracting people would make his business thrive!
Of course, their sect leader's original intention was definitely not for this.

Otherwise, the Flame Marrow Jade Mine that Zheng Shou, who was burned to death, knew about would be worth countless amounts of money.

Tsk tsk, our sect leader is truly... an extraordinary person!
Unbeknownst to him, in another timeline, not only was the Flame Marrow Jade King extracted and benefited someone, but the Flame Marrow Jade vein map hidden in Zheng Shou's arm was also unearthed...

……

The first day of October.

Before the morning mist had completely dissipated, the arena plaza of the Five Elements Sect's Green Wood Peak was already illuminated by the rising spiritual energy.

The three-zhang-high Xuanmu arena had been reforged, with the five elements runes inlaid along its edges shimmering with azure light, and the circular stands below were packed with people.

Not only were there cultivators from within three thousand miles, but also many people from the other six sects of the Northern Spirit Sect.

However, they were not treated differently or given special treatment...

As Li Weizhou walked up to the Five Star Tower in the morning light, the phantoms of five divine swords appeared and disappeared behind the clouds. The sharp edge of the Azure Edge Sword cut through the mist and condensed into a hundred-zhang-high spirit stone tablet in front of the mountain gate.

The stele was created by the spiritual power of the green wood, its surface shimmering with vibrant green, yet as hard as black iron, and covered with inscriptions.

The first line is the title, engraved with the three large characters "安居令" (Safe Residence Order).

"Please listen attentively."

Wang Kui's voice, imbued with metal-elemental spiritual power, rolled across the mountain gate like thunder: "Before today's arena battle, the Five Elements Sect hereby establishes the 'Peaceful Residence Decree.' This decree is witnessed by heaven and earth within a three-thousand-mile radius, and this stele serves as proof."

Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on the order stele, he announced loudly: "Within three thousand miles of the Five Elements Territory, all cultivators and common people have the right to live in peace. Farmers shall not seize land, merchants shall not rob goods, and residents shall not disturb their neighbors. This is the order."

“Apart from family battles and sect wars, all those who make a living by robbery, killing, slaughter, and coercion are called ‘robber cultivators.’ If a robber cultivator harms an innocent person, his or her spiritual root will be destroyed. If he kills an innocent person, his or her entire family will be exterminated according to the law.”

When the words "Sinners" lit up, the clamor in the square instantly froze.

Everyone in the Northern Spirit Realm knows that the Sinners are even more despised than the Demons. Once convicted, they are executed by the Seven Sects and never reincarnated.

The words "extermination of three clans" turned the faces of the rogue cultivators hidden in the crowd deathly pale. Some of them had participated in the looting and instinctively reached for the magic weapon at their waists, but were firmly pressed down by the people next to them.

"Has the Five Elements Sect gone mad?"

On the viewing platform, a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Dao Sect murmured, "Why bother with these things? It's not like we're a lower-realm dynasty. Besides, how can he possibly manage everything?"

His companion tugged at his sleeve and gestured towards the Five Star Building, indicating that it was someone else's territory and they shouldn't say anything.

The disciples of Xingluo Temple looked around at the many cultivators cheering and jumping for joy, and couldn't help but laugh. They said, "The Five Elements Sect is putting shackles on their heads. This kind of ban can't control the calamity cultivators or the sinful clans. It can only control them."

The Seven Stars Sect disciple asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?" The Star Luo Temple disciple chuckled, playing with the star chart in his palm, "Brother, think about it. Would a real master thief care about this? After committing murder, he would simply flee three thousand miles away. Could the Five Elements Sect possibly hunt down murderers all over the Spirit Realm? Not to mention the Sin Clan. So, this is the shepherding technique of the dynasty."

A female cultivator from the Moon Evolution Sect frowned and said, "Is it completely useless?"

The Xingluo Temple disciple chuckled and said, "That's not true. Cultivators, especially rogue cultivators, will be much more restrained in the future. In the past, it wasn't uncommon for rogue cultivators to kill and rob. As long as they weren't caught on the spot, no one would hold them accountable. It's another matter if the victim seeks revenge. But from now on, there will be a place to reason things out."

The disciples of the Xuanlei Sword Sect sneered, "The Five Elements Sect has declined to this point and can only rely on rogue cultivators and small and medium-sized families to show off its power."

The monk Zhenhui of Tianji Temple slowly shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that's not the case. This humble monk observes that this Sect Leader Li truly has great ambitions. Perhaps, pacifying the territory of the Five Elements Sect within a radius of three thousand miles is only his first step."

The Xuanlei Sword Sect disciple chuckled and said, "Two thousand miles further east is the territory of Tianji Temple... Monks, aren't you panicking?"

“Amitabha, our temple has always been kind to people. I think that Headmaster Li has no reason to make trouble for this uncivilized place.”

"I am a monk," said the monk Zhenhui with a smile.

A disciple of the Seven Stars Sect laughed and said, "Tianji Temple probably has two Saint Monks at the True Monarch level who have condensed the Arhat Dharma Body. What can the Five Elements Sect do to cause trouble? Move the Five Elements Grand Formation next to the Merit Pool?"

Ultimately, the people of the Six Sects still looked down on the impoverished Five Elements Sect.

The more lively the commotion at the bottom, the more like a joke it becomes.

……

On the Five Elements Tower, Zhou Yueniang and the other three women, who had just emerged from seclusion, looked at Li Weizhou with suspicion, without saying a word. Their stares made his scalp tingle, but he couldn't let his confidence show. He raised his head and said, "Four ladies, hmm, I wonder why you look at me so intently?"

Zhou Yueniang spat and laughed, "We just came out of the pass when Ximei came to tell me the good news, saying that she congratulated me and that we might be getting another little sister! We are waiting for you, my husband, to announce the good news!"

Li Weizhou gasped, looking around for "Poison Sister," and asked in shock, "What did I do to offend my sister that she would resort to such a vicious scheme to harm me?!"

Situ Qingyue said with a half-smile, "For that Shui Ling, you almost turned the entire Northern Spirit Region upside down. What, are you afraid to admit your mistakes?" She paused and then added, "This woman is ruthless, highly skilled, and her appearance is pitiful. If you really like her, would we object? But you can't keep it from us, can you?"

Li Weizhou panicked and raised his hand to swear, "If I was lustful and did this for beauty, from this day forward, I will..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yueniang silenced him with a kiss.

Zhou Yueniang laughed and said, "It seems that Ximei is up to her tricks again. The battle between sister-in-law and sister-in-law will probably never stop."

Li Weizhou naturally wouldn't blame his sister, and said earnestly, "You should at least have some faith in me."

Feng Biwu snorted and said, "But you're too confident!"

Qi Erniang chuckled and said something fair: "Although my husband is lustful, he is not actually unfaithful."

Situ Qingyue watched the battle that had already begun on the arena and said, "The Red-Robed Guest and the others have gone up again, and they've improved quite a bit. However, this time their opponents are even stronger. Disciples from sects and scions of cultivation families have finally stepped up."

Feng Biwu exclaimed "Eh!" and said, "That Xu Sanqian has made great progress. The power of his ice sword has increased by at least 10%. However, his opponent's cultivation technique should be much stronger than his... Husband, there are quite a few people from the sect this time."

Qi Erniang scoffed and said, "Is that even a question? They will take up the vast majority of all the high-quality resources in the world. Rogue cultivators may be fierce and brave, and have rich experience in combat, but compared with the true elites of sects, they are inherently much inferior. They have not undergone systematic training, so unless the disciples of sects are careless and arrogant, the outcome is unpredictable."

In the mortal realm, this was the case for both scions of noble families and wandering cultivators.

The principles remain the same in the spirit world.

As expected, on the four arenas, the Red-Robed Man, Xu Sanqian, Zhao Ang, and Huang Ling were defeated one after another.

And those who made the move weren't even disciples from the other six sects.

Liu Zhe, Shen Quan, Lan Gu, and Luo San suddenly volunteered for the mission.

Li Weizhou rested his arms on the parapet and looked at the four people below the city gate with amusement, saying, "What are you all doing here?"

Luo San, with his憨厚 (honest and simple) toad-like face, chuckled and said, "Those bastards Zhao Ang praised the prizes to the skies, saying they were unparalleled. And in just one month, their progress has indeed been astonishing. Sect Leader, we'd like to share in their glory too."

Li Weizhou said, "If you do your job well, you'll naturally get rewarded."

Liu Zhe said, "Sect Leader, let's follow the rules. Besides, we also want to contribute. We might not be able to handle the disciples of the Six Sects, but those below that shouldn't be a problem."

Upon hearing this, Li Weizhou readily agreed and let them take on the challenge.

The four men took to four separate arenas. After Wang Kui announced the start of the duel, it was indeed more intense than before.

Situ Qingyue remarked, "Steward Liu's sword intent of withering and flourishing can be considered a nascent understanding."

Feng Biwu then said, "Lan Gu's water-sucking technique is becoming increasingly insidious..."

Li Weizhou rubbed his chin. Lan Gu's Taoist magic was somewhat wicked; she could absorb the spiritual power of others for her own use.

The insidious part is that when others are being sucked, they don't feel any discomfort; instead, they experience a pleasurable sensation, as if a pair of soft hands are gently caressing them...

This method isn't difficult to defend against, but Lan Gu's face, the look in her eyes, and the fact that she doesn't absorb much spiritual energy each time, mean that male cultivators generally don't resist it...

As for the outcome, I won't elaborate further.

Lan Gu uses the spiritual energy she absorbs as her weapon, which allows her to easily break through her opponent's spiritual energy shield.

Seeing the four of them win one after another, while the disciples of the six sects remained undefeated, Li Weizhou smiled and beckoned the four ladies back to the Green Wood Palace.

"I've decided that once things settle down in the sect, I'll go down to the mortal realm to visit my uncle and my two fathers-in-law. Think it over yourselves and write a letter for me to send back."

Inside the Green Wood Hall, Li Weizhou addressed the four people.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yueniang exclaimed with delight, "Really? You can go down now?!"

Li Weizhou smiled and nodded, saying, "That's fine."

Actually, it would have been fine before, but the situation in the Spirit Realm was so complicated, and the Five Elements Sect was in a precarious situation. How could he feel at ease going down to the mortal realm?
Furthermore, they also worried about being noticed by the giants of the spirit world.

Now, seeing that the four of them have made further progress in their cultivation, especially Situ Qingyue, it can be said that she is invincible within the Lingyuan Realm.

Relying on the inner sect's formation, even those at the Spirit God Realm can put up a fight.

He moved around the Five Elements Hall, and it seemed unlikely that the powerful beings of the Spirit Realm would notice him.

So Li Weizhou can finally go and see for himself.

Zhou Yueniang was the most excited. She pursed her lips and said, "Take a few more portraits of me later and bring them to my father."

The father and daughter had relied on each other for many years, how could she not miss them?

Situ Qingyue reminded Li Weizhou, "You can't show yourself in public. If the spirit world finds out that you can come and go as you please, there might be many unforeseen events."

Li Weizhou chuckled and said, "Don't worry, once I'm down there, I'll be Li Changning. Tsk, I've been here for two years, and I wonder what's going on in the mortal realm. How are my uncles doing...?"

……

(End of this chapter)