Be the Hardest Working Demon Cultivator!

The cultivation techniques in the Land of the Four Pillars were even more monopolized than in Shenxu Heaven during the time it was called Jiawu Realm. Therefore, even if a loose cultivator had immense potential, it was impossible for them to remain unknown if they managed to attain superior cultivation techniques.

Especially here in the Land of the Four Pillars, there was a mystical artifact known as "Nine Spirits Eye."

This artifact did not possess offensive or defensive capabilities; it was said that once a Heavenly Book descended to the world, a master of artifact crafting enlightened a method of refinement from the Heavenly Book.

Once refined, it could monitor the level of cultivation of cultivators within a certain range.

That also meant that as soon as a loose cultivator successfully achieved their certification, entering the ranks of the Immortals, the local cultivating families would undoubtedly be the first to know of this information.

Hence, a loose cultivator's identity was undoubtedly full of loopholes.

Tan Shuchang was pondering this when he sensed someone approaching him. He looked up and saw a rather handsome young man.

"I have seen this fellow Daoist!" The man greeted Tan Shuchang with a bow.

Although this person's cultivation was merely at the initial level of carefreeness, Tan Shuchang returned the gesture immediately and asked, "Fellow Daoist, may I know what brings you here?"

"Fellow Daoist, this place is under the domain of the Nangong Family. Unfortunately, the family's nomination quota for today has already been filled. You might have come here in vain. However, if you are willing to accept cultivation suppression, I could possibly secure a spot for you!"

As he spoke, he took out a token and handed it to Tan Shuchang.

The token was a crystal-like red lotus, burning hot to the touch. Those cultivators below the Mountain and River level didn't even qualify to touch it.

Since it would scald them.

The heat of the lotus surprised Tan Shuchang. He discovered that the lotus was neither a mystical artifact nor an inanimate object.

It was a lotus that could still grow!

"As you might have guessed, yes, I am from the Red Lotus Family! I am Hong Lianji!" the man named Hong Lianji said, seeing Tan Shuchang's expression change. He tilted his head back slightly with a smug look.

Tan Shuchang naturally did not know this family because none of the ancestor masters who ascended were in the spiritual realms; they were either in a lesser place like the Five Spirits Realm or in places slightly better or worse than the Five Spirits Realm.

However, he still knew how to play along, so he clasped his fists and pretended to be surprised, "So it is the Red Lotus Family!"

Hong Lianji's face lit up with joy, and he quickly struck while the iron was hot, "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. If you are willing, please come with me! Don't worry, whether it is the Nangong Family's nomination or the Red Lotus Family's, the effect is the same. Any enemies you have provoked in the past, as long as they are within this spiritual realm, will no longer be able to move against you!"

Upon hearing this, Tan Shuchang realized that the other party had misunderstood something, thinking he had come to this city governed by the Nangong Family to avoid some enemies.

But that suited his intentions perfectly.

So, he gladly accepted, given that the cultivation of this fellow Red Lotus cultivator didn't even pass the first proof and considering he had to run to the city governed by the Nangong Family to find people, it seemed likely that the Red Lotus Family was in decline.

As Tan Shuchang and Hong Lianji left, within Tan Shuchang's sensory range, two Immortals who had achieved certification finally emerged.

These two had actually been nearby for a while already.

Tan Shuchang saw them but had pretended not to notice.

"Big brother, I told you to come earlier. Why did you want to wait? Ever since that woman from Three Flowers Mountain spoke, this is the first time someone dared to approach our Nangong Family. Now, look, that kid from the Red Lotus Family has intercepted him," one of them complained slightly.

"Rushing won't help. We've already used up our nomination quota for this year. He'll have to be willing to wait. If he can stay in this place for a few days, that proves he can wait, and we might be able to provide him temporary protection. If he can't wait, then it's inevitable for other families to intercept," the other person shook his head gently.

"Besides, since the incident at Three Flowers Mountain, no other Daoist seeking immortality has dared approach our Nangong Family. Generally, those seeking a nomination do so to avoid enemies. While they can avoid their old enemies by seeking our help, they would likely provoke enmity with Three Flowers Mountain. This one dares to come, so there must be some trickery involved," he added.

"You're right, big brother. I was rash," the other admitted.

Both men were cultivators from the Nangong Family.

And their conversation had not escaped Tan Shuchang's ears, leading him to ponder lightly. It seemed he had indeed chosen a rather opportune moment.

This nomination could indeed help resolve his issue of identity.

And the matters of Three Flowers Mountain, as he had merely toured the city under the Nangong Family's jurisdiction, likely wouldn't involve him.

Following Hong Lianji, Tan Shuchang arrived at a cave dwelling. In the Land of the Four Pillars, where everyone was a cultivator, these places of cultivation naturally differed greatly from those in the Mortal Realm.

Here, wealthier cultivators would always choose a cave dwelling to rent or even to buy outright.

And here, the cave dwellings were graded.

The junior-level cave dwellings required several cultivators to share a single space for cultivation, typically in a valley or on a mountain top. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire