Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

In the land ruled by the four kings of Asura, it was still Xu Yinglian who led the frontline, while the two of them stealthily followed behind, eventually snatching the boss—and once again witnessed the fury of their junior sister.

In the Sixth Heavenly Demon Land, Luo Yan simply sat down in the forest and allowed Qiu Changtian, with his Daoist Heart Clarity, to clear the stage on his own.

In the land of the three types of beasts, Luo Yan, transformed into a raccoon-like beast, exchanged words with Qiu Changtian in the language of birds and beasts, then led him into a cave to absorb the essence of the sun and the moon, smoothly bypassing Qi Refinement to enter the Marrow Cleansing Rank.

In the realm of the narrow Fire Prison, Luo Yan led Qiu Changtian in a frantic escape, and halfway, they were struck by Su Jian’s slash of Daoist magic, avoiding a fatal injury through the use of the Life-commanding Mirror, then removed the chill poison with an elixir.

In the Two Worlds Mortal Realm, Luo Yan kept his distance throughout, watching Qiu Changtian fight fierce illusions of Xu Yinglian, An Zhisu, and Shi Liuli, nearly erasing the very essence of the Dao in their battle.

It was thrilling, exciting, and spectacular.

Just before the two were transported to the Pavilion Main Hall, Luo Yan leisurely said:

“The Two Worlds Mortal Realm level has been cleared, what are your thoughts?”

“Screw you,” Qiu Changtian responded coldly.

“Why do you want to curse yourself?” Luo Yan asked curiously.

“Then why do you want to harm yourself?”

Luo Yan couldn’t help but chuckle and said:

“Because I am you from the future. I have already personally experienced that Asura battle.”

“Taking advantage of this opportunity to let you experience it too, I really couldn’t rest easy if I didn’t.”

Seeing Qiu Changtian’s crestfallen expression, Luo Yan’s interest waned somewhat. After explaining a few more things, he ushered him into the Pavilion Main Hall.

Next, Luo Yan slipped to the back of the Pavilion Main Hall, found a spot where he was unlikely to be noticed, and hid himself.

“Ah Jing,” he said coldly in his mind, “tell me, what exactly is that calamity?”

Kunlun Mirror was silent for a moment before asking:

“How do you know that I can answer this question for you?”

Luo Yan replied solemnly:

“The gift of time, you think I would believe that excuse?”

“These lines, there are too many details and clear directions in them, how could they possibly be written by the Dao?”

“Ah Jing, although you never mentioned it, I know that in addition to being able to record to the past, you can actually observe the future.”

“Otherwise, how would you know that the world will be destroyed in a thousand years?”

“Since you can observe the future, it must be that you saw an unavoidable death that I am about to face, thus deciding to employ the extraordinary measure of ‘letting the future me save the past me,’ which naturally becomes the only logical explanation.”

There was a long silence.

“Do you know?” Kunlun Mirror spoke faintly, “Knowing the future is actually not a good thing.”

“The future is uncertain, but the moment you become aware of the outcome, it becomes fixed.”

“Whether it is good or bad; continuation or destruction.”

“Oh?” After pondering for a moment, Luo Yan smirked and said, “So, it means that when you observed the destruction of the world in a thousand years, that outcome had already become ‘history,’ unchangeable, right?”

“To all things in this world, yes,” the Kunlun Mirror whispered, “Only those from the other world can interfere with the future’s direction.”

Luo Yan suddenly shivered.

With the help of the insight granted by a single whiff of magical aroma, he instantly grasped the cryptic meaning of the Kunlun Mirror.

Schrödinger’s sealed box was in an indeterminate state before observation. When the Kunlun Mirror observed the dead cat inside, the cat’s death became certain.

Observation was the dividing line, with the state being uncertain before and confirmed death after, imprinting the process from beginning to end upon the timeline, which could no longer be altered by the Kunlun Mirror.

For all its efforts, including its own existence, had already become parts of this timeline, steering towards the predetermined “destruction of the world.”

One cannot lift oneself by pulling one’s own hair, just as individuals within the light cone cannot break free from their predestined fate.

The only possibility of breaking this predicament is to introduce “parts that do not belong to this timeline.”

Which is to say, from outside the light cone, theoretically unable to enter yet abruptly crossing through—the other self.

“You helped me mend the heavens and save the world, and I granted you top-notch talent for cultivation. Our relationship of mutual benefit was established from the beginning,” the Kunlun Mirror said softly. “Thus, even if there are some things I cannot explain to you, I can promise that I will never harm you.”

“Ha,” Luo Yan scoffed, “I just fear that, under the pretense of benefiting me, you would do things behind my back that you believe wouldn’t harm me.”

“Not at all!” the Kunlun Mirror said guiltily, “Look, I’ve always been residing in your Sea of Consciousness, how could I possibly do anything without you knowing?”

“So, what is the deadly tribulation I am about to face?” Luo Yan asked indifferently, not pressing further.

“There are two individuals at the Great Perfection rank of Refining Mansion stage who want to kill you,” the Kunlun Mirror replied, “And they’ve brought some rather formidable defensive magical treasures.”

“Fine,” Luo Yan closed his eyes.

After thinking rapidly for a moment, he released the Green Duckweed Sword from his fingertip.

Upon entering the Marrow Cleansing Rank, a Shushan Sword Immortal can “nourish the sword with the body,” using their own Root Bone as a Sword Box to harbor and nurture the Flying Sword.

Over time, one can achieve a profound connection with the Flying Sword, linking breaths and spirits, what is called the “Life-bound Sword Artifact” technique.

The Green Duckweed Sword slipped out from his fingertip, and a coquettish voice rang in his mind:

“What is it, Sword Master?”

“The Kunlun Mirror says two people are out to kill me, and they have brought some powerful defensive magical treasures,” Luo Yan said coolly. “I need your assistance.”

“Easy,” the Green Duckweed Sword chuckled, “Since the Sword Master has reached the Marrow Cleansing Rank, I can unlock another Daoist Magic.”

“This technique is called ‘After Rain in the Empty Mountain’, which condenses the water system True Yuan into needle-sized Sword Qi to attack the enemy. By chanting ‘Clouds form where the skin rises, rain comes upon feet’s retreat’, you can activate it.”

“Sword Master, you should know that ‘water says it moisturizes everything below’; it means that the water system True Yuan possesses penetrative abilities that leave no crevice unfilled.”

“This move ‘After Rain in the Empty Mountain’ is specifically designed to break through various defensive spells. If combined with ‘Green Mist Veil Over the Mountains’, it can be particularly effective.”

Hearing the Green Duckweed Sword’s delighted laugh, Luo Yan quickly firmed up his thoughts.

Green Mist Veil Over the Mountains can raise a fog that blocks Divine Sense, where all non-water system Daoist Magic have their power halved, yet ‘After Rain in the Empty Mountain’, being a water system Daoist Magic, is unaffected.

As for his trump card, the Jade Pivot Thunder, while it would suffer negative effects, its original power is so excessively formidable that even halved, it remains significantly formidable.

More importantly, the thick fog completely conceals one’s form and also covers the trajectories of the Green Duckweed Sword and Jade Pivot Thunder, creating a perfect environment for a sneak attack.

With proper planning, taking advantage of ‘After Rain in the Empty Mountain’s’ ability to break defenses, there is a chance of a one-hit kill even against two Refining Mansion stage enemies!