Chapter 454: Tranquility
Chapter 454: Tranquility
“After raising this batch of insects, I can attempt to ascend to the fourth level.”
The fourth level served as the clearest dividing line within the tribe. Those above it became elders, while everyone below remained mere followers. Even peak third-level members could only become supervisors, never joining the decision-making ranks.
Normally, Zuo Meng’s mediocre talent would require twenty more years of preparation for fourth-level ascension. The success rate remained uncertain, not to mention needing rare potions and specific environments. Any misstep could lead to failure. Countless regional talents had been gathered by the tribe, yet few ever broke through to the fourth level – clear proof of its difficulty.
Zuo Meng faced none of these worries. His path simply stretched forward until he reclaimed his true self at the peak.
Reality disappointed him.
Three years passed in a blur.
Within those years, Zuo Meng successfully reached the fourth level, becoming a tribal elder. His former master, Elder of Beast Control, now addressed him as junior brother.
Reaching high positions revealed broader horizons.
The Totem Tribe!
This super-tribe functioned like a feudal kingdom, dwarfing Zuo Meng’s own. Its countless strong individuals practiced vastly different cultivation methods – each tribe’s techniques evolved from their unique totems.
“Your victory is deserved.”
During his forty-third year in this world, Zuo Meng’s essence blended seamlessly with the environment, making him indistinguishable from natives.
“Elder Zuo’s skills impress me. I concede defeat.”
The defeated round-faced elder laughed heartily. Like Zuo Meng, this visiting elder brought newcomers to the Totem Tribe Conference where resource allocations sparked endless conflicts. Elderly sparring matches represented the most civilized form of competition Zuo Meng regularly faced.
“Elder Zuo became a leader in under a century!”
“Talent? Pure luck! Any fool noticed by elders immediately would do as well!”
“Fool? You couldn’t catch an elder’s eye if you tried!”
Whispers rippled through crowd members around Zuo Meng’s age or older. Tribal hierarchy ignored age – strength ruled. Though junior in tribal service, they still addressed him as elder.
“Leading groups proves tedious.”
Zuo Meng ignored the spectators. Tribal orders forced this outing – he’d have remained secluded until reaching his peak otherwise. But tribal privileges demanded responsibilities.
Securing resources formed his new duty as elder. Without absolute power to transcend tribal rules, Zuo Meng played their game.
“Disperse! No leaving camp before tomorrow’s competition.”
Banning excursions reduced conflicts and hassle.
“Yes.”
Groans answered him. These youths had anticipated exploring the Totem Tribe’s wonders, not strict confinement. But in the Savage Era, disobedience meant exile – no arguments tolerated.
After settling disciples, Zuo Meng resumed planning his path.
Years of using the Dream Realm for cultivation simulations had taken their toll. The golden seed fused with three Origin Rules now bore cracks from temporal stress.
Connection to the Dream Realm demanded payment.
Discovering this, Zuo Meng reduced usage frequency. Letting cracks heal between uses prevented permanent damage, enabling limitless cycles.
The competition commenced next morning.
Tribes under Totem rule competed through well-established systems. Zuo Meng merely guarded his group as required.
Three days later, a youth named Jie claimed victory. Zuo Meng noted this briefly – irrelevant since the winner wasn’t from his tribe, and he merely completed a mission.
Half a month later, Zuo Meng returned home with unchanged resource allocations.
Duty fulfilled.
During his second Closed Door Meditation year, a young man disturbed his mountain retreat.
“Junior Brother Zuo maintains such low-key habits since Open Meridians completion, barely undertaking Sect tasks.” The forgettable senior spoke needlessly – Zuo Meng wouldn’t have acknowledged him without this intrusion.
“State your business.”
Zuo Meng cut through formalities.
“I possess a secret realm map left by an Endless Realm…”
“Uninterested.”
Zuo Meng needed resources differently than others. Ordinary pills served him tenfold – Open Meridians resources carried him to Thousand Mountain Realm or beyond.
Open Meridians. Thousand Mountains. Endless Realm.
Post-third-level stages meant fourth, fifth, sixth levels to him. Without advanced cultivation methods, he’d deduced everything through Dream Realm analysis.
“Reconsider?”
The young man frowned. Normal cultivators salivated over Endless Realm secrets, yet Zuo Meng swatted him away like vermin.
“Leave.”
Zuo Meng turned toward his meditation chamber.
“Ingrate!”
The visitor’s face darkened. He’d sought gullible pathfinder, not this stubborn rock.