“In a world filled with wonders and dangers alike, opportunists often prosper in the atmosphere of crisis.”

Qai went to see the village’s council of elders because he was invited as an honored guest in a banquet.

In return, he came with a gift of an entire Spirit Beast’s meat—an offer the elders did not refuse.

The elders had been kept quite in the dark the past years about Qai’s experiences in the mountains since his family was tightly lipped about it. And so they hosted the banquet in the hope that they would pick up some clues.

Everyone was aware that Qai had been living a hermit’s life in the dangerous mountains, but none knew how was he surviving.

However, the elders were not born yesterday to not understand that Qai must have already met the immortal residing in the mountains. Just by the materials alone, that he brought to his father, proved that the village’s most talented figure had met fortuitous encounters.

But in the banquet, Qai never revealed a thing related to an immortal.

He just confirmed the notion that the village was indeed on a huge Island just as the book lent to him described.

“But respected elders, this place and its people are quickly developing. Maybe it's about time we give this village a name. How about we call it Kamaria Town? What do you think?”

Without second thoughts, the council of elders decreed the village’s official name and called everyone for a feast.

Within the year, Qai found out that the two talismans were easy to use. He just had to infuse spiritual Qi energy in it and the talisman would already work.

However, when he attempted to use the metal shield, his spiritual Qi energy was instantly drained to its the last strand—not to mention that the shield only lasted for a time it took to burn an incense stick.

Knowing that, he no longer tried to attempt it again.

‘Perhaps, my cultivation base is still lacking. I’ll just use them when necessary.’

In Qai’s final stop to his home, he carefully explained to his parents that because he already took the first step into the world of immortals, he now set his sights and goals onto the bigger stage. And since a window of opportunity to explore the outside world was knocking on his door, he naturally wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of it.

“Father, mother, Little Xi.. one day I will return to this village. Maybe it will be in 10 years or maybe after a hundred years. But whichever the case it is, I'll be sure to check and look after our family.”

Qai kowtowed before his parents three times and sobbed in gratitude.

He promised his little sister that should he get the chance to come back early, he would further teach her the ways of cultivation and take her with him.

But before he departed, his father presented to him his best-crafted Guandao plus a new set of armor and clutched his shoulders tightly.

“Go and soar in the sky.”

His father smiled as he said those words.

The people of the nameless village—which was a mortal village in the first place—were quite unfamiliar with the matters of immortals even if they were somehow aware of their existence.

Similarly, his father really could not discern much of the perks of being able to step into cultivation, but he understood it was not something a mere mortal could fathom. So he could only give Qai a word of compliment.

Qai’s mother and little sister joined in to hug as they simmered the remaining time Qai would be around—apparently, they could feel that the world outside would be filled with dangers.

It didn’t take long before Qai went back to the inner ring. But this time, he went straight to the peak where Old Bu’s immortal cave was.

He didn't know when will the Precious Tree Sect disciples would arrive, but he had the hunch that they would look for Old Bu.

This, Qai just decided to put up a makeshift abode near the old cultivator’s immortal cave and wait.

Qai simply spent the time to cultivate and before a month was over, a huge spiritual Qi energy fluctuation hummed in a conspicuous area—just a mile away from Old Bu’s immortal cave.

He hastily ran to check what happened. And from afar, he saw 5 huge boulders formed like pentagon points on the ground emitting a strikingly bright light.

Qai was shocked and stopped from approaching.

The light lasted for just a few breaths before 20 or so cultivators wearing familiar-looking robe appeared. Apparently, they were wearing the same robe that Old Bu wore.

Except for one, the cultivators were all young, virtually in the same generation as Qai and they were all emitting Foundation Establishment stage Qi aura.

As for the old looking one, he wore a slightly different robe and had unfathomable aura. He stood with his hands cupped at his back and had a sharp look in his eyes.

Qai was smart enough to deduce that they were the sect disciples expected to arrive and the old looking one must be a sect elder.

“So, a Qi Condensation ant was sneaking around.”

One of the disciples exclaimed like a clap of thunder so much so that even Qai heard it from where he currently was.

As expected, being Foundation Establishment stage cultivators made them sense Qai’s presence without a problem even from a certain distance.

That was because the Foundation Establishment stage marked the birth of what was known as ‘Spiritual Sense.’

Supposedly, Qai’s cultivation technique should prepare him to have stronger Spiritual Sense. But since he could not use it yet, there was no way for him to know.

“Hahaha, I never thought there would be other cultivators in this remote island than Old Bu.”

As one of them said those words, another disciple unceremoniously flicked his arm and, immediately, a wave of spiritual Qi energy shot towards Qai.

Qai was stunned.

With such a surprise attack, there was no way he could avoid getting hit.

Baam.

A direct hit!

Qai’s body flew as his chest took the attack and slammed his back on a nearby tree.

He spat a mouthful of blood caused by the impact. But thanks to his refined body, he didn't suffer any injury—and this surprised all of the disciples who were watching the scene unfolded.

“Eh!?”

“Ao Tian! Looks like your skills are getting rusty. Are you certain you can handle the Spirit Beasts in the core ring?”

One of them sarcastically remarked. Obviously indicating how he was unable to injure a mere Qi Condensation stage cultivator.

The disciple named Ao Tian had his face abruptly twitched but quickly regained his composure. He looked at Qai as if he wanted to devour him. He was obviously offended by his fellow disciples words but turned to blame Qai in return.

“A mere Qi Condensation rogue cultivator dares to show up in front of me and thinks he could stay alive? If it were not for me holding back this ant would already be dead.”

‘Wha.. Holding back!?’

When Qai heard them, he was flabbergasted at how unreasonable the disciples were. He hadn't done anything to offend them—in fact, he wasn't doing anything yet—so how could they have suddenly attacked him.

As this happened, the elder looking robed cultivator curled his brows and took a hard look at Qai as if he was carefully evaluating him.

Qai shivered as he slowly stood up when he suddenly felt the other’s glance. It was as if every secret in him was instantly revealed.

With a face as calm as a deep river, the old robed cultivator rushed towards Qai’s direction then stopped as he asked.

“Who might you be!?”

Before this, Qai had dealt with Old Bu’s temperament for quite some time in the past and thought the old cultivator was already too everbearing.

Now he realized that he made a big mistake and thought that he had to quickly change his initially plan.

‘Endure.. I have to endure.. These people are too arrogant and unreasonable.’

Thus, in response to the elder looking cultivator, Qai put a step forward with blood in his mouth and humbly bowed.

“Senior, I am Protector Bu’s humble servant.”