Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 58: Escaping the Jedi Realm, Entering into the Asura Field

Both of them held their breaths in the cave, secretly on guard.

Qiu Changtian’s expression became solemn, his pupils contracting slightly.

The terrifying spell that had shaken the heavens was still deeply etched in his memory.

The first attack had been blocked by Luo Yan with the Life-commanding Mirror, but what about the second one?

If Su Jian’s Illusion launched a second attack, they did not have a second Life-commanding Mirror to protect themselves!

However, just by looking at Luo Yan’s expressionless face, they knew that the future self must have confidence in getting through this predicament.

Or rather, Luo Yan’s very existence was proof that they did not die within this thin line of Fire Prison!

Qiu Changtian’s thoughts raced when suddenly he heard a thunderous boom from outside.

It’s coming!

Without a word, they immediately flew out of the cave on their swords, only to see Su Jian standing in the sky with a cold expression, pinching his Sword technique and looking down as he recited the incantation:

“Ice lies three feet under, snow covers a thousand miles!”

The harsh cold wind howled again, turning the surrounding ten thousand miles into a freezing hell.

The two hastened to flee in a flash of Sword Light but saw their Flying Swords operating sluggishly, as if they were frozen by ice and snow!

Obviously, noticing that the first strike didn’t succeed, Su Jian had given up on the strategy of a swift kill and instead opted to trap them first before aiming to kill.

Realizing that they were in a dire situation, Qiu Changtian actually became much calmer than before, just desperately urging on the Flying Sword while once again turning his gaze to Luo Yan.

How can we break through this?

As death approached, where was the opportunity for life?

Luo Yan, however, did not speak, simply looking indifferently upwards.

Su Jian stood above the heavens, his gaze toward the two devoid of any warmth, once again chanting:

“The Sword Emerges as white scales, its Qi like a cold Jiaolong!”

With the incantation, the Harsh Cold Sword split into a myriad of blades, the enormous Sword Qi forming into a gigantic Jiaolong shape, bringing a might that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth as it roared straight down at them!

Qiu Changtian quickly murmured “Dew gathers into bones, fingertips strike the clouds,” unleashing the full force of Shangyang Sword Qi towards the giant Harsh Cold Jiaolong in the sky.

Countless Shangyang Sword Qi pierced into the Jiaolong, and the struck Harsh Cold Sword Qi instantaneously dispersed.

However, compared to the vast amount of Sword Qi inside the Jiaolong’s body, it was just a drop in the bucket.

In a few breaths’ time, the massive Jiaolong composed of Sword Qi crashed down, utterly engulfing both the motionless Luo Yan and the still struggling Qiu Changtian.

Qiu Changtian suddenly opened his eyes.

He then realized he was in a city.

Greenstone paved the ground beneath his feet, and dark clouds crowded overhead, looking as though it would rain soon; passersby hurried along their way.

“I’ve said before, the One Line Fire Prison test is about the ability to deal with strong enemies,” Luo Yan stood by his side, looking at a stand selling conical hats, and said indifferently, “Whether it’s to stay and fight or to flee, both are just possible choices.”

“But when you truly face a life or death situation, and all hope for the road ahead is severed, the key to breaking through this test is whether you can continue to struggle to survive, rather than resigning yourself to death.”

Having said that, he sighed deeply, and earnestly added:

“The path of cultivation is narrow; others obstruct me, I obstruct others. Even at the last moment, how can we speak lightly of success or failure, life or death?”

Qiu Changtian was silent for a long while before nodding.

“Let’s not talk about that anymore,” said Luo Yan with a smile, “This place is the Mortal World of Two Realms. The Two Realms refer to the past and the future.”

“You and I are not from this realm, having no past to speak of, so what the Illusion Domain reflects here is the future.”

He paid the stand owner, then picked up a conical hat and put it on his head:

“Or rather, it’s a potential future that you fear.”

“Let’s not talk anymore; it’s related to the Illusion Domain, you’d better figure it out yourself, it’ll be good for you.”

After finishing his words, he leisurely disappeared at the corner of the street.

Qiu Changtian looked at him suspiciously, feeling as if a future version of himself was expecting something.

Hmm, could it be that I will make a fool of myself here in the Illusion Domain? What a joke, I’m someone with Daoist Heart Clarity! How could I be fooled by mere illusions?

But just in case, it’s better to be cautious…

“Ah Jing,” he called out softly, “help me break this Illusion Domain.”

“Didn’t I tell you?” the Kunlun Mirror spoke indifferently, “It’s better for you to figure it out yourself.”

“I sense a whiff of conspiracy,” Qiu Changtian said coldly, “Ah Jing, have you already seen through this Illusion Domain and are intentionally hiding something from me?”

The Kunlun Mirror remained silent.

Since the damn mirror started playing dead again, Qiu Changtian had no choice but to continue walking down the street for the time being while carefully scanning his surroundings.

It seemed to be the busy time in the marketplace, with people coming and going, a never-ending stream.

However, all the pedestrians had no faces, their bodies surrounded by a dim and murky gray, quite eerie.

He walked for a moment when suddenly, he saw a figure pushing through the crowd, waving and coming towards him.

Shi Liuli?

No, it’s an illusion!

With his Daoist Heart Clarity, Qiu Changtian quickly realized that the “Shi Liuli” opposite him was not a real person but made of illusions.

Good, I want to see what kind of tricks this Illusion Domain is trying to play.

As these thoughts whirled in his mind, he saw that Shi Liuli come forward with a charming smile, clasped his arm, and said in a crisp voice:

“It’s already noon; why is my husband still leisurely strolling outside? Are you not terribly hungry? The banquet at home is already prepared, just waiting for my husband to dine!”

Qiu Changtian sneered inwardly.

If this Mortal World wants me to play the role of Miss Shi’s husband, I’ll play along for now and see how things unfold.

Thinking this, he smiled warmly and said to Shi Liuli:

“Very well, I am indeed hungry; let’s return to the mansion together.”

Following Shi Liuli back to the mansion and stepping into the dining hall, sure enough as she had said, all kinds of dishes were already served on the round table.

Xu Yinglian sat at the right side, and An Zhisu at the left. Seeing him come in, they stood up to greet him and called out “Master” with a bow.

Ah, what’s the meaning of this? Why do I feel like I’m in some Republican-era lady of the manor scene?

Qiu Changtian was filled with doubts in his heart but called for everyone to sit down nonetheless. One man and three women sat around the round table in their respective positions.

He had eaten a few slices of meat when Shi Liuli cheerfully put a chicken drumstick in his bowl and said:

“Husband, eat more; this meat is very tender and fresh.”

Qiu Changtian bit into it and immediately noted that the marinade was rich and savory, deliciously salty and fresh.

Seeing that Shi Liuli’s face was full of a “hurry up and ask me” eager expression, he asked:

“This taste is wonderful; was it made by a cook at home?”

“It was me!” Shi Liuli raised her hand and shouted, looking playful and cute, “I learned this secret recipe from the master chef at the Xing Xiang Building!”

“I’ll tell you a secret, my husband, it’s made with top-quality chicken drumsticks and a mix of various ingredients like star anise, cinnamon, pepper, orange sauce, and more, marinated for three days and three nights. Without comprehension and patience, it would be very difficult to learn, you know!”

Qiu Changtian smiled faintly, about to praise her, when he heard Xu Yinglian from across the table humph and say coldly:

“As a married woman, how can you so easily show your face about and learn skills in such noisy places like taverns?”

After finishing her words, she picked up some asparagus with her chopsticks and placed it in Qiu Changtian’s bowl, adding:

“My husband, have some vegetables.”