For Chen Fan, the most pressing matter now was to resume his cultivation.
Cultivators were divided into eight great realms:
Refining Qi, Innate, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Transformation, Returning to Void, Unity, and Tribulation Crossing.
His teacher, the immortal Cang Qing, had lived for 840,000 years, yet had only reached the Unity stage. The Unity stage, also known as the True Immortal, granted a lifespan of up to one million years. In the cosmic hierarchy, True Immortals reigned supreme among countless star clans—capable of shattering stars with a single strike, devouring suns whole, and carving worlds from the void as easily as breathing.
Chen Fan, in his past life, had advanced beyond his master, achieving the Tribulation Crossing stage within five hundred years, earning the title of "Northern Profound Immortal Sovereign."
Among True Immortals, those who transcended to Tribulation Crossing were rarities—one in a hundred. Hence this realm was revered as the "Immortal Sovereign," the pinnacle of all immortals.
Yet for the present Chen Fan, the Tribulation Crossing stage seemed a distant dream.
"I once returned to Earth in my past life," he mused, circulating his cultivation mantra as he sensed the spirit energy around him. "By then, Earth's spiritual energy was utterly depleted, no longer a viable home for cultivators. Compared to the Sacred Grounds of the Zhenwu Immortal Sect, or the 'Cangming Realm' my master opened, even the ordinary life-bearing stars of humanity vastly outshone Earth in vitality and prosperity."
That last return was over a century ago, when he had just broken through to the Transformation stage. After countless hardships, he crossed the vast void to reach his homeland.
But Earth had changed beyond recognition—the world turned upside down, nations vanished, replaced by a unified Earth Federation. Humans had colonized Mars, ventured beyond the solar system, stepping into the age of interstellar civilization.
Though Chen Fan had lived there for twenty years, he found no trace of other cultivators.
"The spirit energy in this world is slightly richer than it was a hundred years later, but still on the brink of exhaustion." He shook his head silently. "Even if cultivators existed, none could likely advance beyond the Innate stage."
"I might well be the only cultivator left on Earth."
Chen Fan understood the implications clearly. With even the slightest cultivation, he could walk proudly on Earth.
To him, achieving the Innate realm was sufficient to protect his family, to stand unafraid before modern weapons—missiles, jets, artillery.
Failing to reach Innate meant not even stepping through cultivation's gate, unworthy to be called a cultivator.
As a Tribulation Crossing master reborn, even in this lawless world, regaining Innate cultivation would be a matter of just a few years.
"The spirit energy density varies along this drive; I must find a place where it converges to cultivate efficiently," he reasoned.
"If I can find some rare spiritual treasures, I might break through Innate within three years."
A self-mocking smile flickered across his face. "But that's wishful thinking. On Earth's barren spirit landscape, rare treasures and even slightly aged herbs are likely already harvested to extinction."
Lost in thought, the car neared Aunt Tang's home.
The Lakeside Community Chen Fan rented was situated on the fringe of Zhongxing District, bordering Yunshan District, facing the shimmering Yangu Lake—one of Chuzhou's mid-tier residential areas. Aunt Tang's home was in a small villa cluster within Yunshan District, only minutes away by car.
As they drove along the lakeside road, approaching the foot of Misty Mountain, Chen Fan opened his eyes and spotted the villa complex's name:
"Longjing Garden."
In Chen Fan's past memories, Longjing Garden was one of Chuzhou's upscale neighborhoods; a small villa here cost one to two million yuan. Though Chuzhou was not a mega-city, it ranked high within Jiangnan Province. Unlike the future Chuzhou, where downtown housing soared to over ten thousand yuan per square meter, back then homes like those in Lakeside Community sold for thirty to forty thousand yuan.
Noticing Chen Fan's gaze through the rearview mirror, Aunt Tang offered an introduction.
"Besides Yangu Lake, the most famous landmark in Chuzhou is Yunwu Mountain."
"Longjing Garden isn't even the best in Chuzhou; it's located at the mountain's foot, priced at 7,000 yuan per square meter. The real luxury homes sit halfway up the mountain. Mornings there greet you with swirling mists and cloud seas—that's how the mountain got its name."
Her eyes glimmered with a trace of envy.
"There, single villas start in the tens of millions, the cheapest over ten million. Developed by Chuzhou's richest family, those homes are reserved for true tycoons and southern magnates. Even if I sold my entire life's work building my company, I wouldn't be able to afford one," Aunt Tang sighed.
"Chuzhou's richest family... the Shen clan?" Chen Fan's eyes flickered, then he smiled.
"To me, Aunt Tang's home is already very nice. Back in Sishui County, my family has only a 100-square-meter government-allocated apartment."
He paused, then added, "If you really like it, Aunt Tang, when I make some money, I'll gift you a few villas so you can wake up every day to sea of clouds."
For cultivators, what was a villa?
Once he reached the Innate stage, he could choose any mansion on earth—and might not even bother.
Someday, he'd have an immortal cave dwelling floating in the clouds, where sunrises and moonsets, stars and galaxies, were a daily spectacle. What luxury home could compare?
Aunt Tang half-joked, half-pleased:
"Good! Your Aunt Tang will be waiting. Bring your mother back too—no more worrying about real estate companies. A mother and daughter living in Zhonghai's big city, strangers in a strange land, that's pitiful. I'll have one villa, and she'll have another—perfect for retirement. We can shop, do spa treatments, and not be stressed about business every day."
Jiang Churan frowned listening nearby.
Mansions halfway up Yunwu Mountain costing tens of millions? Even among her wealthiest classmates, no one dared boast so grandly. Only Chuzhou's richest family could afford such extravagance.
"Looks like just another braggart," she thought, disappointed. She'd hoped this boy might be different, but he was just like all the others.
The car stopped before a two-story Western-style villa with a garden.
They had arrived.
Inside, Aunt Tang's home was tastefully understated. Fine replicas of antique blue-and-white porcelain vases stood in corners, exquisite golden sandalwood furniture filled the rooms, and elegant orchids adorned every surface. A calligraphy scroll hung on the wall inscribed with four characters:
"惠风和畅" (Gentle Breeze, Harmonious Atmosphere).
These words, drawn from the revered "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion," were often gifted to female friends. Though the signature was unremarkable, the brushwork showed mastery.
In the living room, a bespectacled, refined middle-aged man sat absorbed in watching the local "Chuzhou News" on television.
He was Jiang Haishan, Jiang Churan's father.
Currently deputy director of the Chuzhou municipal government office, his rank was modest but his proximity to the city's power center gave him considerable influence.
Noticing Chen Fan enter and bow, Jiang Haishan nodded slightly.
"Xiao Fan, sit down. Ranran, please prepare some tea for your father and guest. I'll quickly warm up a couple of dishes."
Aunt Tang busied herself giving instructions while heading to the kitchen.
Jiang Churan complied, retrieving a fine Yixing purple clay tea set.
Chen Fan was surprised to see her tea-making technique was fluid and elegant, her demeanor composed—clearly trained by a master. He hadn't noticed this detail in his past life.
Jiang Haishan watched the news intently, then turned to Chen Fan.
"How is your father, County Magistrate Chen? The last time we met was half a year ago at the municipal government meeting."
Chen Fan bowed slightly.
"My father is well, and he often speaks of Uncle Jiang."
At this time, Chen Fan's father served as deputy magistrate of Sishui County. Though of similar rank to Jiang Haishan, the latter's power in Chuzhou vastly eclipsed Chen Fan's father's rural post.
Jiang Haishan nodded approvingly.
"County Magistrate Chen is young and promising. His paper on 'Sustainable Development of County Economy and Environmental Policy Application' earned high praise from the mayor, who said Chen has an international vision. Environmental protection is the unavoidable future for economic growth."
Chen Fan smiled faintly.
Truth be told, he was clueless about economic development—otherwise, he wouldn't have presided over his family company's collapse so quickly in his past life.
Seeing Chen Fan's lack of interest, Jiang Haishan subtly frowned and shifted the topic.
"I heard from Aunt Tang that your mother's real estate business in Zhonghai is growing fast. Experts predict a boom in the housing market in the next couple of years. Your mother chose a promising industry."
Chen Fan modestly replied, "My mother's business is just small-scale. Aunt Tang's architectural firm has much broader prospects."
Jiang Haishan shook his head.
"You're overestimating Aunt Tang's company. It has only a dozen employees and earns a few hundred thousand a year. It's no comparison to your mother's large corporation."
Chen Fan smiled again.
"I'm not exaggerating. My mother's company isn't big—just enough to get by."
Jiang Haishan's brow furrowed deeply.
Chen Fan's words didn't quite align with the rumors Jiang had heard. But the boy seemed honest, not a liar.
Probably the gossip was exaggerated. After all, how could a mother and daughter unfamiliar with the big city of Zhonghai start a reputable real estate company in just a few years?
The smile on Jiang's face dimmed.
"So, how's your studying going?"
Chen Fan, unaware his modesty was taken seriously, replied, "I rank about five hundredth in our county."
"Aunt Tang says Ranran is top fifty in school. You should learn from her."
Chuzhou comprised three counties and five districts; among them, Sishui County ranked lowest economically and educationally. Ranking five hundredth in Sishui meant he was unlikely to enter even second-tier universities, let alone elite ones.
Jiang Haishan's brow tightened further. His smile vanished completely.
"You've come to Chuzhou to study, so you must make academics your top priority. Don't think about playing around. Your family can only support you for so long. Whether you succeed depends on yourself. Education is the key—no matter the field, a diploma is vital."
Chen Fan met Jiang's stern gaze calmly.
"Uncle Jiang is right."
Though Chen Fan returned to this life with little regard for schooling, he was a cultivator. If he chose to focus, even the national top scholar title would not be beyond reach.
Jiang Haishan chatted a while longer, then, seeing Chen Fan's shallow knowledge in many areas, sighed in quiet disappointment at his wife's sister's child.
He recalled the deputy mayor's son—handsome, intelligent, mature, with novel insights on politics and economics. Chen Fan paled in comparison.
"I'll have to tell my wife this kid isn't fit for Ranran," Jiang thought.
Aunt Tang had once hinted at matchmaking intentions; Jiang had been noncommittal then, but after meeting Chen Fan, he was thoroughly disheartened.
"With Ranran's standards, she wouldn't be interested anyway."
Confident in his daughter's discernment, Jiang Haishan had little hope.