Chapter 3

For Chen Fan, the most important thing at the moment was to resume his cultivation.

Cultivators are divided into eight major realms:

Refining Qi, Innate, Golden Core, Yuan Baby, Spirit Transformation, Void Return, Dao Union, and Tribulation Transcendence.

His teacher, the Sage of Azure Green, lived for 840,000 years and only reached the Dao Union realm. The Dao Union realm is also known as 'True Immortal,' with a lifespan of one million years. In the universe, they are at the pinnacle of the myriad star races, capable of shattering stars with a single strike, swallowing the sun, and creating worlds in the void with ease.

In his previous life, Chen Fan achieved the Tribulation Transcendence realm in just 500 years, surpassing his teacher and earning the title 'Northern Mystic Immortal.'

Among True Immortals, those who can transcend the tribulation are one in a hundred, hence the Tribulation Transcendence realm is also called 'Immortal Sovereign.'

'Sovereign of Ten Thousand Immortals'!

But for Chen Fan now, the Tribulation Transcendence realm was too distant.

"In my previous life, I returned to Earth, where the spiritual energy was completely depleted, making it unsuitable for cultivators. Not to mention the cultivation holy land of the True Martial Immortal Sect or the 'Azure Sky Realm' created by my teacher, even any life-bearing planet of the human race is more prosperous and flourishing than Earth."

Chen Fan sensed the spiritual energy in the air while secretly pondering.

The last time he returned to Earth was over a hundred years later, after achieving the Spirit Transformation realm. He endured great hardships and crossed countless voids to return to his homeland.

By then, Earth had undergone tremendous changes, with nations no longer existing. Countries had formed the Earth Federation, colonized Mars, and ventured into the interstellar age.

Chen Fan lived on Earth for twenty years at that time and did not sense the presence of any cultivators.

"The spiritual energy in this world is slightly better than it was a hundred years later, but it is still close to depletion." He shook his head in secret: "Even if there are cultivators, they can barely reach the Innate realm."

"I am probably the only cultivator on Earth."

Chen Fan was very clear about what this meant. As long as he cultivated a little, he could dominate Earth.

In Chen Fan's view, to protect his family and be fearless against modern weapons, missiles, and artillery, the Innate realm was sufficient.

Without reaching the Innate realm, one hasn't even entered the door of cultivation and doesn't deserve to be called a 'cultivator.'

Since he was a great cultivator of the Tribulation Transcendence realm reborn, even in a world like Earth where the Dharma had declined, it would take him only a few years to re-cultivate to the Innate realm.

"The density of spiritual energy varies as I drive. I need to find a place where spiritual energy converges to cultivate, to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"If I can find some rare treasures, I have a good chance of breaking through to the Innate realm in at most three years."

Thinking of this, Chen Fan suddenly smiled self-deprecatingly: "I'm overthinking it. With the spiritual environment on Earth, let alone rare treasures, even slightly older medicinal herbs are probably all harvested."

As he was thinking, the car was already approaching Aunt Tang's house.

...

The lakeside community where Chen Fan rented a place was located at the edge of Zhongxing District, close to Yunshan District. It faced the vast Yanhui Lake and was considered a mid-range residential area in Chuzhou. Aunt Tang's house was in a small villa cluster in Yunshan District, not far from the lakeside community, just a few minutes' drive away.

Following the lakeside road, they arrived at the foot of Yunwu Mountain. Chen Fan opened his eyes and saw the name of the villa area:

"Longjing Garden."

In Chen Fan's memory from his previous life, Longjing Garden was considered a high-end residential area in Chuzhou, with a small villa costing one to two million. This was not the future Chuzhou where the city center's property prices were tens of thousands per square meter. At that time, property prices were still low, and a house like the one in the lakeside community could be bought for 300,000 to 400,000.

Noticing his gaze in the rearview mirror, Aunt Tang introduced it:

"Besides Yanhui Lake, the most famous place in Chuzhou is Yunwu Mountain.

"Longjing Garden is not the best in Chuzhou. It is at the foot of Yunwu Mountain, with a price of 7,000 per square meter. The truly high-end luxury villas are on the mountain's halfway point. It is said that in the morning, when you open the door, you are greeted by mist and clouds, hence the name 'Yunwu Mountain.'"

As she spoke, a hint of envy appeared in Aunt Tang's eyes.

"Each villa costs tens of millions, with the cheapest being over ten million. They were developed by Chuzhou's richest man, and the residents are all true tycoons and big bosses from the south. Even if I sold the company I built with half my life's effort, I might not be able to afford one." Aunt Tang sighed.

"Chuzhou's richest man, the Shen family?" Chen Fan's eyes flickered, but he smiled and said:

"Aunt Tang's house is already very good in my eyes. Our family in Sishui County only has a 100-square-meter apartment, which was allocated by the government, and we still live in it."

Chen Fan paused and then said, "If Aunt Tang really likes it, when I make money, I'll buy a few for Aunt Tang, so she can see the sea of clouds every morning."

For a cultivator, a villa was nothing.

Once he achieved the Innate realm, he could choose any luxury villa in the world, and he might not even be interested!

At that time, he would create a celestial cave, built in the clouds, where he could watch the sunrise in the morning and the moon and stars at night. What luxury villa could compare?

Aunt Tang, half-joking and half-comforted, said:

"Great, I'll be waiting. Bring your mother back too, and don't worry about the real estate company. It's a pity for her to go to Zhonghai, a big city, where she doesn't know anyone. I'll get one, and she'll get one, perfect for retirement. We can go shopping and do spa treatments together, without worrying about the company every day."

Jiang Churan, who was listening, couldn't help but frown.

A villa on the halfway point of Yunwu Mountain costs tens of millions. Even the richest classmate she knew wouldn't dare to make such a boast. Only Chuzhou's richest man would have such confidence.

"He must be another one who likes to brag and show off."

She was slightly disappointed, thinking he might be just like the ordinary boys.

At this moment, the car stopped in front of a two-story Western-style villa with a garden.

They had arrived at their destination.

Aunt Tang's house was elegantly decorated, with exquisite high-imitation blue and white porcelain vases, valuable tables and chairs made of golden silk rosewood, and elegant orchids placed everywhere. A calligraphy scroll on the wall read, "Gentle Breeze and Pleasant Weather."

These four characters, from the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection" by the Sage of Calligraphy, are often given to female friends.

The signature, though not from a famous calligrapher, showed a mature style.

After entering the living room, they saw a middle-aged man with glasses, looking refined and scholarly, sitting on the sofa, intently watching the news broadcast on TV.

He was Jiang Churan's father, Jiang Haisan!

The current deputy director of the Chuzhou Municipal Government Office, though ranked low, he was close to the center of power in Chuzhou, a key figure not to be underestimated.

Seeing Chen Fan enter and bow, Jiang Haisan nodded slightly from the sofa.

"Xiao Fan, sit down quickly. Churan, go make tea for your father and the guest. Wait a moment, I'll go heat up two dishes, and it will be ready soon." Aunt Tang greeted Chen Fan and instructed her daughter, then went into the kitchen.

Jiang Churan responded and took out a set of valuable Yixing purple clay teaware.

What Chen Fan didn't expect was that Jiang Churan's tea-making technique was smooth and graceful, clearly taught by a master. He hadn't noticed this detail in his previous life.

Jiang Haisan was focused on the TV, and only turned to speak after the news ended:

"Is your father, County Chief Chen, well? I last saw him at the municipal government meeting half a year ago."

"My father is in good health and often mentions Uncle Jiang." Chen Fan bowed slightly.

At that time, his father was the deputy county chief of Sishui County, roughly the same level as Jiang Haisan. However, one was in the center of power in Chuzhou, while the other was in the remote Sishui County, with vastly different prospects and importance.

Jiang Haisan nodded:

"County Chief Chen is young and talented. His proposal on 'Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy Choices for County Economies' was highly praised by the mayor, who said he has an international perspective and that environmental protection is essential for future economic development."

Chen Fan smiled faintly.

He actually knew very little about economic development, which was why he had let the Jinxiu Group fall apart in a short time in his previous life.

Seeing that he seemed to know little about this, Jiang Haisan subtly frowned and changed the topic:

"According to Aunt Tang, your mother's real estate company in Zhonghai is developing rapidly. Many experts predict that the national real estate market will see significant growth from next year to the year after. Your mother chose a good industry with a bright future."

Chen Fan humbly replied, "My mother is just doing small-scale business. Aunt Tang's architectural design company has a truly broad future."

Jiang Haisan shook his head, "You're too generous with Aunt Tang. Her company has only a dozen employees and makes a few hundred thousand a year. How can it compare to your mother's large company?"

Chen Fan smiled, "I'm not being modest. My mother's company isn't big; it just makes a living."

"Is that so?" Jiang Haisan's frown deepened.

What Chen Fan said was different from what he had heard. But the boy looked honest and didn't seem to be lying.

It must be that the rumors he heard were exaggerated.

After all, how could a mother and daughter, strangers in a big city like Zhonghai, create a large real estate company in just a few years? It was just a case of rumors spreading.

Thinking this, his smile faded.

"How about your studies?"

Chen Fan didn't realize that his modest words were taken seriously by Jiang Haisan. He replied, "I can only rank in the top 500 in our county."

"According to Aunt Tang, Churan can rank in the top 50 at school. You should learn from her more."

Chuzhou has three counties and five districts. Among the eight counties and districts, Sishui County ranks last in both economy and education. Ranking 500th in Sishui County means he might not even get into a second-tier university, let alone a prestigious one.

Hearing that his studies only ranked in the top 500 in the county, Jiang Haisan's frown deepened, and his smile disappeared. He said sternly:

"Since your mother sent you to Chuzhou to study, you should focus on your studies and not think too much about playing. Family can help you temporarily, but not forever. Your future success depends on yourself, and academic qualifications are the key to success in any industry."

Chen Fan didn't pay attention to Jiang Haisan's expression and replied calmly, "Uncle Jiang is right."

In this life, he didn't take his studies seriously.

As a cultivator, if he really put his mind to it, becoming the top student in the country would be no problem.

Jiang Haisan continued to talk to him for a few more minutes, but seeing that he lacked depth in many areas, he secretly shook his head and was thoroughly disappointed with this child from his wife's sister's family.

Thinking of the child of Deputy Mayor Li he had met, who was not only academically excellent, tall, and handsome but also very experienced and had his own insights on many economic and political issues, Chen Fan seemed far inferior.

"I should mention to my wife that this child is not a match for Churan." Jiang Haisan thought.

Aunt Tang had once mentioned to him her intention to bring the two together, but he had neither confirmed nor denied it, wanting to see for himself. Now, he was greatly disappointed.

"Moreover, with Churan's high standards, she wouldn't look at him."

Jiang Haisan had confidence in his daughter.