Chapter Eighteen: Humanity Reaches Level 81

After what had happened with Mei Li, Lan Tian’s spirits had remained deeply low. Accompanied by Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan, he took a walk through Villa No. 3. The interior had already been renovated, and all the necessities for daily life were provided. Since Lan Tian had no special requirements for the decor, he decided not to redo anything—he could move in with nothing more than his bags.

Both Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan noticed his gloomy mood. After returning to Chen Xiaoxuan’s company, they gently declined his invitation to dinner, saying they’d make him pay dearly next time instead.

Lan Tian truly had no appetite for food or drink at the moment. After promising to meet again soon, he drove to his old rental apartment. Once he had arranged the details with the landlord, he didn’t bother asking for the deposit back. He packed only the essentials, leaving everything else behind.

Afterward, he found a bank and transferred the five million he had promised to Mei Li, thus severing all lingering ties between them.

Finally, with a heavy heart, Lan Tian found a simple place to eat, made a quick call to his boss, and turned down his final month’s salary despite the boss’s attempts to keep him. He hung up amid the boss’s feigned surprise and well-wishes.

By the time Lan Tian finished these tasks and returned to Xuanxin Garden, it was already past seven in the evening. The last rays of the setting sun had not quite faded, and the garden’s lights were just beginning to glow. He took in the beautiful surroundings, feeling his mood lighten a little, and drove straight to Villa No. 3.

This would be his new home from now on.

He walked through the villa, upstairs and down, familiarizing himself with every corner. At last, Bai’s voice echoed in his mind.

“So, you’ve moved? Hmm… At least this place looks fit for a person. That last one was practically a kennel,” Bai remarked, as sharp and unsparing as ever.

“Uh, Bai, there’s something I need to tell you. That hundred million you transferred to me last night… it’s almost all gone,” Lan Tian said, somewhat embarrassed.

“Oh? Just let me know when you need more. It’s nothing,” Bai replied offhandedly, clearly unconcerned.

Then, Bai projected a three-dimensional image, nodding in satisfaction. “Yes, the environment around here is decent. This should be a safe place to train—no one will notice.”

“Shall we begin, then?” A glint of anticipation flashed in Lan Tian’s eyes.

“What’s the rush? Are you ready? Let me tell you a few important points about basic cultivation. Listen carefully; this is crucial.” Bai shook his head, his tone turning serious.

“First, understand this: the essence of cultivation is to absorb the energy of the universe to strengthen yourself. The energy within the universe is extremely fierce. For humans especially, the first time you draw such energy into your body is incredibly dangerous. One misstep, and your life could be forfeit.”

“Second, the path of cultivation is a one-way road. Along the way, you’ll encounter countless obstacles. If you ever set foot among the stars, you’ll meet even more enemies. Once you begin, you can never stop. Otherwise, you’ll be like a boat sailing against the current—fall behind, and stronger foes will destroy you. As your Earthly saying goes, ‘In the world of men, fate is not your own.’ You should be clear about this.”

“Finally, if I teach you this path and grant you my master’s legacy, you must fulfill my master’s last wish: to destroy the Yuanlan Empire. Can you do that?”

“What? You want me to wipe out the Yuanlan Empire? Come on, how could I possibly do that?!” Lan Tian cried out, aghast. The first two points were daunting enough, but the last was truly terrifying.

What kind of monstrous force was the Yuanlan Empire? And him…?

“What are you afraid of? I’m not asking you to destroy the Yuanlan Empire right now. I mean, if you ever gain the power, you must fulfill my master’s dying wish!” Bai said with gravity.

That was more reasonable…

“No problem—so long as I’m not being sent to my death. If I have the ability, I’ll see the Warrior God’s wish fulfilled and bring down the Yuanlan Empire,” Lan Tian agreed, then frowned. “Wait a minute, the Yuanlan Empire’s population must number in the hundreds of billions, right? You mean to destroy the imperial family, not the whole empire?”

“Of course. Do you think I’m as much of a fool as you? My master would never harm innocent people, not even in death. I would never ask you to slaughter the empire’s people!” Bai replied firmly.

“Alright, then there’s no problem,” Lan Tian muttered, exasperated that Bai would blame him for not being clear in the first place…

“So—are you ready?” Bai asked again.

“I’m ready.” Lan Tian nodded resolutely. From Bai’s earlier explanations, he understood that becoming a cultivator of the universe meant not only wielding world-shattering power, but also gaining endless longevity. With each advance to a higher realm, his lifespan would grow exponentially—until, at last, he might attain true immortality!

Who could resist such temptation?

“Very well. I’ll now teach you the first step to becoming a cultivator of the universe: the Human Energy Convergence, Level Eighty-One!” Bai nodded.

“Human Energy Convergence, Level Eighty-One? That sounds so impressive!” Lan Tian was intensely curious about this new term.

“Don’t interrupt!” Bai barked, sounding every bit the strictest of teachers.

“Human Energy Convergence, Level Eighty-One is the first, crucial step for humans to become universal cultivators. Only by completing all eighty-one levels can you truly become a cultivator of the universe. Fail, and not only will you never achieve immortality, but you will vanish from existence altogether…”

Gasping, Lan Tian was stunned by the severity of the warning. He focused all his attention.

“No need to be so frightened. With my master’s training method, as long as you’re careful, the first step should pose no real danger,” Bai reassured him, seeing how pale Lan Tian had grown, and worried he might give up.

“Whew…” Lan Tian let out a breath of relief. “You could have said that sooner—scared me half to death!”

Bai shot him a glare. “That’s exactly why I made it sound so serious. I was afraid you’d be too reckless. My master fell victim to a traitor precisely because of carelessness!”

“Don’t worry, Bai. I’d never risk my own life. When I train, I’ll be as careful as can be,” Lan Tian promised.

“Enough talk. Close your eyes and focus. I’ll transmit the method for Human Energy Convergence, Level Eighty-One directly into your mind,” Bai said solemnly. Then, with a touch to Lan Tian’s brow, he imparted the Warrior God Mang Feng’s cultivation method.

Lan Tian had no idea just how precious this method was. In the Yuanlan Empire alone, billions of cultivators died each day attempting this step—whether from using the wrong method, or from training techniques too crude to survive the Human Energy Convergence, Level Eighty-One.