Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 589: Chapter 307: Su Wunian’s Choice (2)

Cheng Zongyang waved his hand. "That’s not my concern. I’m worried their Cultivation is insufficient... but forget it. That’s your business. I’m only responsible for getting you there; the rest has nothing to do with me."

He then looked at the crowd and reminded them, "When you find time to go to the Commerce Association and book your tickets, you’d best carefully review the Oath Contract you’ll need to sign. If you don’t agree with it, let me know as soon as possible."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Su Wunian suddenly spoke up to Cheng Zongyang. "Mr. Cheng, might I have a word with you in private?"

At this, the group, who had been on the verge of leaving, all stopped in their tracks and looked at Su Wunian.

Su Ze looked at his uncle, his heart skipping a beat. Something felt wrong. ’What is Uncle planning?’

"Uncle." He couldn’t help but take a couple of steps forward to his uncle’s side. With a smile, he said, "Mr. Cheng is a very busy man. It wouldn’t be too late to talk when he’s free. After all, we still have a month."

Su Wunian glanced at his nephew. He knew exactly what the boy was thinking and chuckled. "Don’t worry, I just want to ask about a few things related to Cultivation. You can head back first."

"But..." Su Ze glanced at Cheng Zongyang with an apologetic look. The next moment, however, he heard Cheng Zongyang say, "It’s no trouble."

Seeing this, Su Ze said no more. The others also departed, their minds full of suspicion.

They had, of course, caught the implication in Su Ze’s words. They were well aware of Su Wunian’s power, but they knew nothing of Cheng Zongyang’s.

Although he appeared to be at the Innate Realm, the fact that he could control this city, transform it into an Immortal City, and bring back so many resources from the Cultivation Immortality Realm was proof enough that Cheng Zongyang held a great secret.

But so what?

The eight Chiefs of the Da Yi Commerce Association, along with the three who had already gone to the Cultivation Immortality Realm, harbored no thoughts of moving against Cheng Zongyang. That alone was a testament to his deterrence.

Taking a step back, even if Cheng Zongyang didn’t possess such power himself, who could say there wasn’t a Cultivator backing him?

They couldn’t even defeat Su Wunian, let alone risk offending a powerful, if only suspected, Cultivator.

Of course, the most important thing was that they wanted to go to the Cultivation Immortality Realm, not remain in the Martial Arts Realm. Who would be interested in the "village" when they could go to the "Main City"?

Therefore, they didn’t really believe Su Wunian intended to make a move on Cheng Zongyang. Any scion of a powerful Gate Valve or Noble Family who was sent out on business and had survived this long was no fool. And no family would allow a fool to handle its important affairs.

Once everyone had departed, Su Wunian turned to Cheng Zongyang. Indeed, he had no intention of testing the man’s power. After a brief, cupped-fist salute, he said:

"Mr. Cheng, I have heard about the differences in Cultivation paths you discussed with my nephew, and I have read the materials in the books. I also understand the Cultivation method of devouring Demon Cores. But now, there are two matters I wish to ask you about. I wonder if you might be able to enlighten me?"

Cheng Zongyang looked at Su Wunian. ’I’m just a Martial Artist who recently broke through to the Innate Realm,’ he thought. ’I’m not even a Cultivator yet. How could I possibly answer questions about Cultivation?’

But seeing Su Wunian’s serious expression, he still gave a slight nod. "Tell me what they are. After all, I’m not omniscient."

Su Wunian nodded. "Of course. That’s why I’m merely asking. If you can provide an answer, that would be for the best. If not, I’ll just have to wait until I reach the Cultivation Immortality Realm to slowly seek out the truth."

Cheng Zongyang nodded in agreement and said nothing, waiting for the other man to speak.

Su Wunian spoke slowly. "The first question is about Cultivation. Back then, by a stroke of fortune, I stepped onto the Extraordinary path after devouring a Demon Core. However, after reading the books you provided, I am keenly aware that starting my Cultivation this way means my future prospects are limited. I also understand that the deeper I go down this road, the harder it will be to turn back. I was wondering... is it possible to make a change in these early stages? Oh, and by the way, I tested my own aptitude. I have Five Spirit Bones and Three Spirit Roots."

It suddenly dawned on Cheng Zongyang. Back then, Su Wunian had been in Da Liang. The conflicts between the various powers had reached a fever pitch, and the Martial Arts Realm had no Spiritual Qi, making breakthroughs naturally difficult. Later, he had devoured a Demon Core and, by a stroke of luck, successfully achieved a Realm Breakthrough.

"So you’re planning to change your path?" Cheng Zongyang asked, looking at Su Wunian.

Su Wunian nodded gravely. "I want to abandon the method of devouring a Demon Core and instead walk the path of cultivating my own. Is that possible?"

After a moment of thought, Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "From what I know, you broke through by devouring a Demon Core. Your body’s Dao Foundation is already set. If you want to abandon this path and start over, your only option would be to seize a new body and be reborn."

Hearing this, Su Wunian let out a deep sigh. ’Endless regret and helplessness washed over him. Back then in Da Liang, the situation had been dire. The path to Cultivation Immortality had seemed like a dead end for centuries, so devouring a Demon Core to achieve a breakthrough had truly been the best choice. But who could have imagined that just a few months later, an Immortal City would appear, and the Da Yi Commerce Association would send three of its Chiefs to the Cultivation Immortality Realm? It was a cruel twist of fate, truly lamentable.’

"I had no other choice back then," Su Wunian said with a sense of helplessness. "The situation was urgent, and the path to Cultivation Immortality seemed like a dead end. There was no other way. I could only choose to break through by devouring a Demon Core. I never imagined things would turn out like this."

Cheng Zongyang didn’t respond. ’Who could have predicted something like that? If only people knew things in advance, the world wouldn’t be filled with so much regret.’

For Cultivators who broke through by devouring a Demon Core, the only way to advance their Cultivation was to continue devouring more Demon Cores. Absorbing and Refining Spiritual Qi would only serve to recover their Power. This destined Su Wunian to follow this single path to its very end.