After arriving in the lower realm, Yang Ming found himself in a demonic forest. Judging from Shui Wai Tian's explanations, it was an ordinary forest with spiritual and demonic beasts.
The difference between spiritual and demonic beasts is that spiritual ones have no core inside, unlike demonic ones, inside of which can be found from one to several pieces.
But since Yang Ming had little interest in this, Shui Wai Tian decided to change the subject.
"Master, did you really come to the lower realm to look for talented practitioners?" - cautiously asked the old man.
It was inconceivable that someone like Yang Ming would descend into the lower realm at the order of the patriarch over some trifle. Usually it was just the ordinary members of the clan who did that, nothing more.
A shadow of doubt flashed in Shui Wai Tian's mind.
"Really?" - Yang Ming smiled slightly, neither denying nor confirming anything. - "Of course, I wouldn't waste my time on such nonsense as the lower kingdom. But a rumor has recently surfaced about an interesting thing around here. If it turns out to be true, and it exists, I will be very happy."
The light in Shui Wai Tian's eyes trembled slightly. It looked like the trip to the lower realm would not be as prosperous as he had originally thought.
The old man looked at Yang Ming carefully, sighing to himself. No matter how difficult it would be to get the thing Yang Ming wanted, Shui Wai Tian would definitely get it.
The loyalty of the old servant was exceptional even for the inhabitants of the higher realms.
"What do you think is the biggest danger here?" - Even though Yang Ming was arrogant, he certainly wasn't a fool, so he didn't think he was invincible. In an unknown place, it's best to be careful, because the slightest mistake could lead to dire consequences.
"Demons." - without thinking, replied Shui Wai Tian.
"Demons? Aren't they weak?" - Yang Ming frowned.
"Unlike the higher realm, they are the strongest race in the lower realm. I don't understand why the master took only me. You could easily lose your life in pursuit of that rumor."
"Ha-ha-ha-ha." - Yang Ming laughed ironically. - "What do you think would happen if he continued to walk in the higher realm? And how many experts would have come down here in search of the treasure? I would hardly have been able to get it then. So I decided not only to prevent the rumor from spreading, but also to capture my most trustworthy man. Tell me better what you know about the lower kingdom."
"It is divided into four regions, South, West, East, and North. The Southern region, the strongest of all, is located in the largest and richest territory. However, this region is also one of the most dangerous, since about ninety percent of the creatures that inhabit it are demons. The other ten percent are humans, dragons and elves."
"The Western region ranks second in volume, territory, and overall strength. Despite this, it is more dangerous to humans than all the others, even more dangerous than the South, because dragons live there. They themselves are arrogant and very proud of their kind. Instead of coexisting peacefully with humans, demons, or elves, dragons adhere to an aggressive nationalism, led by a powerful dragon monarch."
"While the first two regions have their own strengths and ideologies, compared to them the Eastern region lies in ruins. After the war with the Western region, the lands of the Eastern region were halved, and now only a small piece of land can be called their territory. Most clans migrated to the Southern and Northern regions, leaving only those who believed that the end of their homeland would not come. There were rumors of a merger of the Eastern and Northern regions. Ninety-five percent of the inhabitants there are human, and the remaining five are elves and demons."
"Although the territory of the North is the smallest among all the regions, it is considered sacred. In the age of the ancient deities, there were several gods who eventually divided the lower realm into their own territories. The Southern region was taken by the powerful demon god, the Western region was taken by the dragon god, the Eastern region was taken by the only deity among humans whom they called the god of creation, and the Northern region was left to the elf goddess or, better said, the goddess of fertility. Since the gods disappeared, the Northern region has remained with the elven race, and it is considered sacred for only one reason: it is headed by the daughter of the goddess of fertility, who has lived since the time of the gods. The elves in the territory are famous not only for their kindness, but also for their ruthlessness. Unlike the rest, they do not forget their wrongs. To put it simply, they will repay for kindness several times over, and for evil - a thousand times over. Most of the population there are elves, about eighty percent of them. The other twenty are just humans and demons."
"This is what I learned before I descended into the lower realm. I recommend that the young master visit the Northern region. Elves are easy to make friends with, unlike the rest of us, and if the treasure exists, I think it should be located in this territory."
"Didn't you want to visit your Shui Clan in the Eastern Region?" - Yang Ming asked.
Shui Wai Tian's body trembled slightly, he did not expect such a question from his master.
"I know you do." - Yang Ming continued. - "First we'll visit your clan, and then we'll go to the Northern region."
Shui Wai Tian's trembling changed to gratitude, he tilted his head slightly and said joyfully:
"Thank you, master. This servant will not forget your mercy."
Yang Ming smiled slightly and flew forward.
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The lower kingdom. The eastern region. City of the Moon.
After arriving in the Eastern region, Yang Ming decided to split up with Shui Wai Tian. He gave him the task of exploring the region. Flying over the city, the young man slightly slowed down, and, squinting, he saw a fierce battle that was taking place far away from the city.
"Late Stage Mortal Ascension(4)" - Yang Ming frowned in surprise. Everyone in the battle was stronger than him.
"Are they from a higher realm? Have they come for the treasure?" - Yang Ming pondered, trying to find the answer as quickly as possible. It is impossible to remain in the lower realm at the late stage. From the middle realm, too, it is impossible to descend into the lower realm, only the higher realm remains.
One could only pray that it wasn't the treasure that brought them here, because otherwise the situation would become much more difficult.
Yang Ming could not overcome the "Late Stage" while only in the "Initial Stage". Shui Wai Tian was suppressed by the celestial court while in the lower realm. A practitioner who is above Mortal Ascension(4) would be suppressed to the maximum level of lower realm cultivation, meaning that Shui Wai Tian was now at the Late Stage of Mortal Ascension(4).
"Fuck..." - Yang Ming cursed as he approached the battle site.
Initially, the battle began almost in the center of the city, but as it lasted, the fighting left the city and approached the forest, hiding their aura. Yang Ming watched them cautiously.
The fierce fighting in the forest had only recently begun, but everything living there had already been destroyed. Not even a blade of grass could be seen, let alone a tree. Everything had been razed to the ground.
On one side were three people dressed in black. Two middle-aged men and a woman who looked rather young. The men's faces were completely covered by masks, while the woman wore only a veil.
Initially the other side outnumbered the enemy, consisting of five fighters. But as the battle went on, two were already killed, so only three men in scarlet robes remained. Like the enemy, their faces were completely covered, but that didn't stop one from guessing their approximate age and gender. Like the rest, they were middle-aged, and apparently attacked first.
"To kill or not to kill..." - Yang Ming tried to find a way out for himself. So far, he had two options: in the first, he would finish off those who were badly wounded at the end of the battle. With his level of cultivation, all he needed to do was to time and strike accurately to succeed, and then get out of here as quickly as possible. Well, and later with the help of Shui Wai Tian to kill the others.
The second option was more difficult - helping one side kill the other. And the risks were that if they really turned out to be treasure hunters, Yang Ming would only add to his problems.
"It's complicated," - the young man sighed as he continued to watch the fight.
**********
Cultivation levels: Lower realm.
Initial Ascension(1) — Initial stage — Middle stage — Late stage.
Earth Ascension (2) — Initial stage — Middle stage — Late stage.
Heavenly ascension (3) — Initial stage — Middle stage — Late stage.
Mortal ascension(4) — Initial stage — Middle stage — Late stage.