Two million years is long, even for cultivators at the Ultimate Convergence Realm. For such beings, it constitutes around five to six percent of their entire lifespan. Wu Jian was at peace with being absent for a few million years. After all, the overall situation of an immortal world would hardly change in such a relatively short span.
The order of an immortal world is governed by treaties and agreements that remain valid for hundreds of millions of years. These agreements are deeply entrenched and rarely altered, ensuring stability that resists the upheaval caused by the death of Ultimate Convergence or Transcendent cultivators. While monumental on an individual scale, such deaths barely ripple the surface of the world's order.
Even the fall of a True Immortality cultivator would have little impact on the world order. As their title suggests, True Immortality cultivators do not succumb to old age, and very few phenomena are capable of causing their demise. Most of these elite beings eventually leave the Crystal Expanse Immortal World for the loftier Golden Immortal World. Yet even when they depart, they ensure their sects or dynasties remain secure and flourishing. Each top-tier sect in the Crystal Expanse Immortal World is supported by numerous backers in the Golden Immortal World. These connections form deep and stable roots that prevent the collapse of these mighty forces, creating an enduring balance of power.
With the higher-ranking forces maintaining stability, the lesser forces dare not overstep their bounds. This was why, even during Wu Jian's prolonged disappearance, the neighbouring sects refrained from provoking the Taiqing Sect.
Wars between the great powers of the immortal world are exceedingly rare, to the point that they almost never occur. The reason for this lies in the world's fragility when compared to cultivators' destructive capabilities. An Ultimate Convergence cultivator alone could devastate vast portions of the world's surface if given enough time. Naturally, no faction desires to rule over a barren wasteland devoid of resources and life. Additionally, the mass slaughter of mortals on such a scale would attract the wrath of True Immortality cultivators—a consequence no one wishes to provoke.
Even without the looming threat of intervention from a True Immortality cultivator, most high-ranking cultivators are sensible enough to avoid large-scale conflicts. A minor skirmish between two Ultimate Convergence cultivators could annihilate an entire mortal kingdom, causing the deaths of millions. To prevent such destruction, any disputes between major powers are often resolved through prearranged battlefields or within sealed spaces designed to contain their overwhelming power.
Demonic forces, which occasionally disregard the welfare of mortals, are swiftly eradicated before they can wreak significant havoc. This vigilance is upheld not only by the righteous factions but also by the more pragmatic demonic forces. Even the majority of demonic cultivators avoid unnecessary large-scale mortal casualties. After all, living mortals serve as a far more valuable resource. Their vitality can be harnessed to produce realization energy, soul energy, and other essential resources for cultivation. Killing them en masse would leave only lifeless corpses, rendering them useless in the long run.
Of course, there are exceptions. Certain demonic sects specialize in the manipulation of undead and souls, finding their greatest profit in death. These sects, however, are a minuscule minority in the Crystal Expanse Immortal World and rarely dare to reveal themselves openly. They remain hidden, cautious of drawing the ire of the dominant forces that maintain the world's order.
As a result of these carefully maintained guardrails, the overall state of the immortal world remains remarkably stable. Most people live their lives in peace, their existence largely untouched by the chaos that could arise from cultivator conflicts. While a few unfortunate individuals find themselves under the rule of demonic sects, their numbers are relatively small.
No matter the world, there are always differences that shape the lives of its inhabitants. Some are fortunate enough to be born into safe and prosperous lands, while others find themselves trapped in oppressive or malevolent regions. This disparity is as true in the Crystal Expanse as it is anywhere else. It is neither strange nor unexpected—it is simply the nature of existence.
In the Crystal Expanse, however, the average mortal enjoys a far higher standard of living compared to mortals in inferior or lower-tier worlds. The abundant spiritual energy and relative stability provide mortals with opportunities unheard of in lesser realms. They live longer, healthier lives, and even those without the aptitude for cultivation can find purpose and contentment.
The living conditions of mortals in the Golden Immortal World surpass even those of the Crystal Expanse. Wars are virtually nonexistent in the Golden Immortal World, not even among mortal nations. The entire realm is steeped in incredible spiritual energy, nourishing all life and fostering growth. Regardless of status, every individual has a chance to join one of the countless sects that populate the world. Moreover, the likelihood of being born with the talent required for cultivation is significantly higher in the Golden Immortal World.
...
"Let's go!" Wu Jian nodded decisively after hearing the latest news. For now, she set aside her thoughts to focus on soul-searching Leo.
The recent events, however, intrigued her. According to the reports, some of the top forces from the Golden Immortal World had recalled several of their True Immortality cultivators back to their headquarters. This left only five True Immortality cultivators remaining in the Crystal Expanse, while the rest had returned to the Golden Immortal World.
With her wealth of experience, Wu Jian immediately recognized that there were only two plausible reasons for such a significant shift. The first possibility was that the Golden Immortal forces planned to abandon the Crystal Expanse. However, she dismissed this notion quickly. There was no logical reason for so many top forces to suddenly withdraw from the region, especially considering the resources and influence they maintained here.
The second, and far more likely, possibility was that something monumental had occurred in the Golden Immortal World—something significant enough to demand the presence of so many True Immortality cultivators. A lack of manpower in the face of such an event was the only scenario that could explain such an abrupt and widespread recall.
"I need to find out what happened," Wu Jian thought as she walked.
...
Wang Xuanwei and Wu Jian stood side by side, looking down at the man sprawled on the ground before them. This was Leo, the one who had dared to summon and control them. After settling matters within the Taiqing Sect, the two had come here for a much-needed interrogation.
As for the other summoned individuals, they had already been released. Wu Jian lacked the resources or the obligation to personally send each of them back to their respective homelands. However, they were not prisoners. If any of them wished to leave and make the arduous journey back to their worlds, they were free to do so. On the other hand, those who chose to stay would be welcomed and provided with the sect's support.
Although Wu Jian sympathized with their plight, she wasn't inclined to go out of her way to aid them individually. Her priorities lay elsewhere.
Leo, conscious but perfectly still, made no effort to resist. He knew there was no point. Against the overwhelming power of Wang Xuanwei and Wu Jian—both several major realms above him—he stood no chance whatsoever.
"The system will explode if you touch my soul!" Leo shouted, desperation lacing his voice. "This entire world will be destroyed along with it!"
Though he couldn't hope to defeat them, Leo clung to the faint hope of buying time. If he could delay them long enough, perhaps the system—his so-called "cheat"—would return as suddenly as it had vanished. Every moment gained increased his chances of survival.
"You really think we're fools?" Wu Jian asked coldly, her voice laced with disdain. Her interest in Leo was piqued. How could someone as insignificant as him wield the power to summon and control her—a cultivator several realms above him? She hadn't initiated the soul search yet, wary of the "system" Leo kept mentioning.
"I'm not lying!" Leo retorted with an air of absolute certainty. "The system, the cheat that let me summon you, is volatile! Any disturbance in my soul will trigger it, and when it blows, this world will be obliterated!"
Wang Xuanwei's expression darkened. "He's lying! Let's just search his soul and end this."
Typically, Wang Xuanwei was a cautious and deliberate man. However, the humiliation he had suffered at Leo's hands clouded his judgment. The memory of being controlled like a puppet gnawed at his pride. This anger made him far more aggressive than usual, blinding him to potential dangers.
Wu Jian, known for her reputation as a reckless, muscle-headed cultivator, nodded without hesitation. She waved her hand, and a translucent shape emerged from Leo's body—his soul.
The soul bore the same appearance as Leo's physical body, though its translucent and ethereal nature made it seem like a mirage. The faint glow of spiritual energy surrounded it, giving it an otherworldly aura.
Wu Jian placed her hand on the forehead of the soul. The soul's expression shifted—not into pain or fear, but into one of confusion.
Soul searching is a delicate and dangerous technique. Attempting to search the soul of someone of a higher Realm was considered suicide, as it would result in a severe backlash that could destroy the soul of the caster. Soul searching someone of the same realm was possible but carried significant risks; it could irreparably harm both parties.
When soul searching someone a single realm lower, the caster could still suffer damage, though the one being searched would be irreparably harmed. However, searching the soul of someone two major realms below was far safer and wouldn't cause significant harm to either side.
As for those three major realms below, the process was trivial. Especially for someone like Wu Jian—a peak Ultimate Convergence cultivator—soul searching Leo, a newly promoted Void Refining cultivator, was akin to snapping her fingers. The risk of any damage to herself was nonexistent, and she could search his soul hundreds of times without seriously harming him.
Despite his bluster, Leo's threats of the system's "explosion" appeared increasingly hollow. Wu Jian's hand glowed faintly as she prepared to delve deeper.
Damages to the soul can manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from temporary memory loss to permanent amnesia, personality changes, insanity, mental disorders, and, in extreme cases, even the outright explosion of the soul. The likelihood of such issues arising increases significantly when the caster's power is close to the victim's. This inherent risk was precisely why Wang Xuanwei refrained from initiating the soul search himself, instead deferring to Wu Jian, whose cultivation level was vastly superior.
After a while, Wu Jian carefully returned the illusory soul to Leo's body.
Leo's body stirred slightly as the soul settled back into place before becoming still again. His eyes remained closed, and he appeared to have fallen into a deep sleep. While his soul was undamaged by the search, it was undeniably exhausted. A few days of uninterrupted rest would allow it to recover fully.
"He was telling the truth!" Wu Jian's expression reflected her disbelief as she processed the incredible memories she had just uncovered.
"You mean he really would explode?" Wang Xuanwei asked, his gaze shifting uneasily toward the unconscious Leo.
"Not that part," Wu Jian replied, shaking her head. "That was a lie. But the rest of his story—the system, the so-called 'protagonists,' the cheats—all of it was true! The summoning system abducted us, altered our minds to make us compliant, and forced us to obey his commands. It's unbelievable. Whatever that thing was, it must have been at least a treasure of True Immortality rank!"
Wu Jian's tone betrayed a mix of awe and envy as her eyes lingered on Leo. "What a lucky bastard! For a mere mortal to have obtained such a treasure… it's absurd. He didn't deserve it at all. Maybe that's why the system abandoned him and flew away."
After a moment of contemplation, Wu Jian turned to Wang Xuanwei. "Here, let me transfer the memories to you," she offered. Placing her hand gently on his forehead, she began the transfer process, relaying everything she had seen from Leo's memories.
Memory transfers were a common technique among cultivators, allowing one person to share information directly with another. The recipient could store the memories in a separate mental compartment, slowly digesting and analyzing them without being overwhelmed. However, such a process requires mutual trust. If the recipient resisted or distrusted the sender, the transfer would fail.
Fortunately, Wang Xuanwei harbored no suspicion toward Wu Jian. Her immense power and straightforward nature gave him confidence in her intentions. If she had wanted to harm him, she possessed countless other methods to do so. With no reason to resist, he accepted the transfer without hesitation, receiving Leo's memories in their entirety.
As the connection ended, Wang Xuanwei's eyes narrowed.