"The second time, I thought I had everything figured out. Grabbed a bunch of spiritual materials, just like we're doing now. But... something was different." Fear slid over the surface of Thunder Dragon Emperor's hard eyes. "It's like we're magnets for trouble, demons appearing way too often. I think we're not meant to travel between realms like this, and the more we do, the worse it gets. Even though I did everything right, I struggled through Foundation Establishment. I managed to reach Core Formation, but I couldn't keep up and failed to make the big jump to Soul Formation."
"But you found your way back a third time?" Chen Tian asked.
"Yeah, but it wasn't easy. Took almost six months of constant searching. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I think someone was trying to track me down in the real world. It's... no, I don't want to talk about it. Just be careful. Don't trust anyone from the mortal world, because I think they're looking for us."
"Thanks... Thunder Dragon Emperor."
"You might want to consider getting another name, even if this is your second visit. I wouldn't count on getting a third, either." Thunder Dragon Emperor shook his head, then pulled away. "That's all I know, and it's all I'm giving you. If you get in my way, I'll kill you."
Chen Tian nodded understanding and let the other man stalk away, but his thoughts turned inward. Over his forty years in the mortal world, he had tried to find others who had visited the Nine Sacred Realms and been repeatedly disappointed. A few who claimed to know other realms were almost certainly delusional. When he had researched the subject, there had been some myths he thought might have reflected reality, but nothing modern.
It surprised him that Thunder Dragon Emperor had managed to reach the Nine Sacred Realms three different times. Chen Tian's surge of bitterness surprised him, thinking about the forty years he had struggled to return while Thunder Dragon Emperor had simply stumbled into two more doors. Even though he was technically more experienced, Thunder Dragon Emperor was really just a child.
But he had provided valuable information: Immortal Wei had still been active a few years ago, still manipulating travelers from other worlds. Maybe he actually was from the mortal world, maybe not, the way Immortal Wei had spoken about mortal technology suggested he knew more than he pretended. It was completely impossible to guess why he took all these actions.
One thing did seem clear: Chen Tian had been a mistake. He should have been dead and shouldn't have been able to find his way back to the Nine Sacred Realms.
What that meant, he wasn't sure, but the warning suggested he needed to change his current path. His core plan remained solid, but he needed to be prepared for unexpected threats. Even if no demons appeared, he would have to deal with people like Thunder Dragon Emperor.
Since the Peaceful Earth Earth Guards wanted to spend days socializing before moving on, Chen Tian took the time to track down Yan Shi from the Stone Giant Realm. He had intended to talk to him during their journey, but he had been busy working with the Earth Guards. Now that they had stopped, he managed to find Yan Shi at the edge of town.
By now, the villagers left him alone. They wanted to be hospitable, but beings from the Stone Giant Realm didn't need food or water, and they didn't socialize in the same way. So the space surrounding Yan Shi was blessedly free of their chatter.
"I should have thanked you earlier." Chen Tian walked up and sat on the fence beside him. "I didn't even ask your name."
"I am known as Yan Shi, and it is no trouble." The sphere of gemstones turned to regard him. "The Moonless Dark girl was in need of assistance. I am glad my rough construction was able to help her, but I feel its inadequacy every time I see her wear it."
"What you made was excellent, but I am sure she wouldn't mind you perfecting your craft. But what about you? Do you have a path back home?"
"There is a gate to the Stone Giant Realm, though it stands far away. But the inhabitants of this realm have proved surprisingly accommodating. I may travel slowly and write a monograph about my experiences. Such a work would not be exceptional, but it could assist my scholarly career."
Chen Tian nodded, patting the warm stone of the fence beside him. "I suppose this living stone would be interesting to you, wouldn't it?"
Yan Shi let out a rumbling sigh. "The stone of the Peaceful Earth Realm has been thoroughly studied by generations past. No, all I would have to offer is my own experiences, which are not so common. Most prefer to read of other realms instead of experiencing them."
"Well, I hope it works out for you. But I was wondering if I could ask for your help again."
"I grow weary of the simple repair jobs the Earth Guards request of me. Please, speak your request."
"The Peaceful Earth Realm is fairly safe, but I am worried about the possibility of demon attacks, especially given how many cracks formed between realms." Chen Tian had decided that was the best justification and resisted looking to see if Yan Shi believed it. "What I would like is a spear made of lightweight stone, a weapon for a cultivator."