After the battle, while the avatars handled matters on the mountain, Aotian continued cultivating. However, this time, his goal wasn't to advance but to stabilize his cultivation realm.
'When we talk about stabilization, according to Rihai, there are two stages: stabilizing and adapting. Both must be completed before starting the next phase of cultivation...' Aotian recalled the lessons he had received since he developed his roots.
Stabilization was a process centered on the dantian and occurred right after a breakthrough, taking advantage of a period when the dantian remained slightly malleable due to the recent advancement. During this phase, injecting additional spiritual energy promoted slight reinforcement and uniformity, making the dantian more homogeneous and efficient.
However, this malleable state lasted only a short time. If a cultivator were forced to fight during this period, it could compromise the process. That's precisely why, in such cases, after a breakthrough, cultivators would seek to resolve any threats quickly and then isolate themselves to stabilize their realm.
Once stabilized, the dantian provided the cultivator with a small increase in strength compared to their state immediately after breaking through.
However, this was only the first stage. The second, adaptation, involved fully mastering the newly acquired strength, ensuring total control over their capabilities before progressing to the next breakthrough.
This way, the cultivation stabilization process would be complete, allowing the cultivator to fully utilize the power of their respective level and cultivation realm.
Unlike breaking through, stabilizing cultivation was a relatively quick process. Therefore, it didn't take long for Aotian to complete the first stage.
Sitting cross-legged, he stood up and stretched lightly.
"Uhm." He murmured in satisfaction while stretching his back.
Not that he felt any pain—it was just a habit.
He then moved his body, circulated some energy, and smiled, both satisfied and amused.
"The second stage of adaptation is also complete."
Being accustomed to different cultivation levels and realms with his avatars, combined with the vast experience gained from reading thousands of techniques and possessing a body refinement level superior to his current cultivation realm, mastering his new strength was almost instantaneous.
"There's no rush to advance further. Let's take it slow, one step at a time... I'd rather spend some time with Rihai."
With a slight smile on his face, Aotian left the room.
As he walked to the kitchen, he saw Rihai placing a pot of rice on the table. The moment she noticed him, she flashed a joyful smile.
"I thought I'd have to call you… Cultivation can be addictive," she commented, a slight hint of surprise in her beautiful blue eyes.
Aotian raised an eyebrow, amused, and smiled.
Without warning, he pulled Rihai into his arms, catching her off guard. Then, looking directly into her eyes, he sealed her lips with a light kiss before smiling again.
"How could I lose myself in cultivation when I can lose myself in your gaze?" he joked with a serene tone.
Rihai's eyes softened, and she stole back a kiss from his lips.
"You're much smarter than I was back then..." she replied, her smile hiding a faint trace of regret.
Aotian noticed but chose not to comment. He wanted to create new happy memories with her, not make her dwell on old, bitter ones.
"Rihai, feed me!" he suddenly said, catching her by surprise.
She looked at him, then at the bowl of rice on the table.
"Okay, you lazy thing! I'll indulge your whims today," she teased with a bright smile, picking up the chopsticks and bringing them to his open mouth.
Aotian gazed into her eyes as he bit down lightly on the chopsticks… but then froze.
They were empty.
"Rihai!" he protested, outraged.
"Pfff!" Rihai burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by his frustrated expression.
Aotian shook his head, laughing along, but he wouldn't let it slide. As revenge, he leaned in and licked her face.
Lick!
"Ugh! Aotian, you made me smell bad again!" she complained, pulling away in disgust but unable to hide her amusement.
"Now I'm a cultivator. According to your logic back then, the scent of my saliva should be much better," he said, feigning seriousness.
"Bah! Shameless! Your saliva stinks and always will!" she retorted, mocking him as she tried to retaliate.
"Oh no! You won't—"
Before he could escape, Rihai had already jumped on him, clinging to him and holding him in place.
And then, vengeance.
"Hey, you're going too far!" Aotian feigned indignation and counterattacked.
A few minutes later, after a licking war, both were in the bathroom, washing their faces, reeking of saliva.
But the truce didn't last long.
Aotian splashed water on her.
"Your days are numbered, Aotian!"
Amid Rihai's playful shriek, a new battle began.
…
Meanwhile…
While Aotian and Rihai enjoyed life's little pleasures, the avatars continued their mission to take over the mountain.
Tian Zhu, seated on a black throne in a grand majestic hall made of some type of black stone, observed everything in silence, while Bao Hui, grinning from ear to ear, listened to Manager Mu as he reported the estimates.
"Black Stone Mountain has about 30,000 resident cultivators. The net annual revenue is around 35 million spirit stones, not counting the local mine's extraction, which yields approximately 5 million stones per year. In total, we're talking about a net sum of 40 million annually."
Manager Mu had somewhat regained his composure, but he still trembled occasionally.
Time had helped calm his nerves, as had the fact that the powerful, unknown cultivators had spared members of the Shi family, proving they weren't entirely irrational.
Still, the number of people they deemed unworthy and killed tarnished any image of mercy they might have had.
"And the Shi family's treasury?" Bao Hui asked excitedly.
'With an annual income of 40 million, plus the Shi family's businesses, the sum must be enormous!' Aotian thought eagerly.
Manager Mu hesitated but ultimately responded, still trembling:
"A-Approximately 2.6 billion low-grade spirit stones. Converted to high-grade stones, that's about 260,000 stones."
Aotian frowned. The amount was impressive, but considering the Shi family's millennia of dominance over the city, it seemed little.
With Lie Zheng's skill, it was clear that Manager Mu wasn't lying.
"Why so little?" Bao Hui asked, dissatisfied.
"I-It's not that the amount is low, sirs! Thirty percent of the income was always sent to the Bamboo Sword Sect. The rest was invested in pills, martial arts, artifacts, and other items. Especially in cultivation pills. A single breakthrough pill for the Foundation Establishment realm costs around 10 million stones, and many have been acquired throughout the Shi family's history."
He paused and continued:
"Moreover, there are the costs of maintaining the city's energy condensation formation, training the guards, and managing businesses… the expenses are immense."
The more Aotian listened, the more his head hurt.
In the end, he changed his opinion and almost considered it a miracle that the Shi family had accumulated so much.
"We get it. You can stop talking," Bao Hui cut in before Manager Mu went into more details.
The sect leader then stood up.
"Bao Hui, go and sort out the necessary items from the Shi family's treasury. Lie Zheng, take Manager Mu and announce the city's takeover. Also, announce the recruitment of disciples."
Tian Zhu's serene voice echoed with unquestionable authority.
"Yes!" The three responded and bowed, especially Manager Mu, who, after Bao Hui informed him that the leader had a Golden Core cultivation, became even more fearful.
"Leader! When will the recruitment take place?" Lie Zheng asked, bowing respectfully.
"There's no need to delay..."
He paused.
"… At dawn tomorrow, the recruitment will take place."