Su Ping retracted his gaze from the window and gently extended his right hand.
As Mana circulated, a flame in hues of orange and red spontaneously appeared in the palm of Su Ping's hand.
Looking at the flame, Su Ping sighed inwardly,
"Good news, spells can be successfully cast, and Mana is effective in this world!"
"However, the Mana expended in this place cannot be automatically replenished."
"With my current Qi Cultivation at the Fourth Layer, it wouldn't take many moves here before my Mana is exhausted."
"Unless I use Mana Spirit Medicine or meditate using Spirit Stones to replenish Spiritual Power."
"Yet, such methods of recovery are somewhat luxurious for me now."
With a gentle flick of his wrist, he extinguished the flame.
Su Ping drew the Red Flame Wood Sword and swiftly executed a set of sword moves towards the front.
Sword Light left trails of afterimages and sounds of breaking air throughout the hospital room.
The wall opposite Su Ping suddenly displayed numerous cracks!
"The durability of the spells is lacking, but this Transcendent physical strength cultivated through twenty years of Immortal Cultivation has been retained."
"Should I encounter others, even without using spells, I would still have a significant advantage!"
"More importantly, physical strength can be replenished through eating and drinking!"
"Upon returning, I could indeed consider the path of Body Cultivation."
"Having Purification Spirit Medicine for consuming and cultivating, dual cultivation of spells and physique shouldn't be a problem!"
"Now it's your turn to make this place your home ground!"
With a crisp shout from Su Ping, the two Spiritual Rats perched on his shoulder immediately perked up. After squeaking twice, they leaped down and dashed out of the room doors towards different directions!
Su Ping closed his eyes, visualizing through the perspectives of White and Grey, the two Spiritual Rats.
Being Spiritual Rats, White and Grey were considered Transcendent Species after all.
Their speed, stamina, and agility were much stronger than the rats of Water Blue Star!
With their small size and having confirmed this territory as their homeland, Su Ping decided to make them the scouts for reconnaissance.
Furthermore, as the Spiritual Rats dispersed,
Su Ping suddenly noticed that, as Spiritual Rats, White and Grey had naturally become the sovereigns of the rodent population in this Immortal Sect Territory!
Sensing White and Grey, the other rats spontaneously lay motionless on the ground, transmitting submission signals only comprehensible by their kind.
"Breeding Spiritual Rats was indeed the right move!"
Sensing this unexpected delight, a smile appeared on Su Ping's face.
In this homeland devoid of Spiritual Energy, he retained hardly one tenth of his magical abilities, so any method that could enhance his combat power was necessary.
Utilizing Spiritual Rats to command a rat army as a supplement to his combat strength was undoubtedly a great strategy!
However, there's no rush for now, he simply noted mentally.
Spiritual Rat Grey had already left the abandoned hospital, crossing a highway as per the guidance in its master's mind, and arrived at a residential area.
Upon reaching an alley, Grey suddenly stopped, making a squeaking sound towards a trash can in the corner of the alley.
A stray cat of dusty yellow color cautiously stepped out from the shadows of the trash can, staring at Spiritual Rat Grey with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
The rat in front of it looked like the prey it usually played with, and smelled like its regular food.
But why did it feel unnaturally anxious under its gaze?
Disliking this feeling, the stray cat decisively meowed and charged at Grey.
Though Grey was a Transcendent, having evolved not long ago caused it to freeze instinctively at the sight of the big cat.
Seeing the attack coming, its Transcendent instincts kicked in, propelling it to move swiftly and cast a shadow on the face of the charging stray cat.
Screams erupted from the alley, and soon a dirt-yellow stray cat burst out covered in blood, its eyes filled with terror and disbelief.
At the mouth of the alley, a middle school student with a backpack gaped in an O shape at everything happening inside.
"This... did the... did the little mouse turn into a spirit?"
"It actually made Yellow run away!"
The middle school student muttered to himself as he came back to his senses, trying to find the miraculous mouse, but he could not see any trace of it.
Spiritual Rat Grey had already entered the residential area and, within a matter of seconds, found the place Su Ping was looking for.
A small Taoist Temple located within this residential area—East King Temple!
This East King Temple, paying tribute to the East King, had a history of several hundred years at this location.
Although it was small, containing only two minor halls and several chambers, it was considered a cultural icon of this neighborhood due to its historical and cultural heritage.
Thus, even though the buildings in the neighborhood had changed over the past few decades.
At least from the outside, the Taoist Temple still looked the same!
Su Ping had also visited this Taoist Temple with his parents as a child and was very intrigued by the only old cultivator there.
In young Su Ping's heart, the Taoist who often helped the local elderly with their illnesses and medications was definitely a highly accomplished master!
Unfortunately, as he grew up, Su Ping secretly went to find the Taoist to learn real skills, but was told that cultivation in this era was not as he had imagined!
Even true cultivation could not achieve the divine skills he fantasized about in his adolescent dreams.
Su Ping still pestered the Taoist and learned a few moves, but soon gave up due to the difficulty and slow progress.
With his dreams shattered, Su Ping decided to study diligently, abandon his fantasies, and embrace the path of science for a happier life.
But fate played tricks on him.
Now returning, he found himself... indeed a transcendent cultivator out of his wildest imaginations!
Squeak squeak squeak!
Spiritual Rat Grey stealthily sneaked into the Taoist Temple.
Scanning the surroundings, Su Ping, through the vision of the other, quickly noticed that the Taoist standing in the hall was no longer the kind familiar old cultivator.
Instead, it had been replaced by a Taoist with a short beard on his chin, whose face still looked quite young.
The Taoist Temple was already closed at this time, and this Taoist was reading a scripture while talking to someone with earphones.
Su Ping had Grey quietly eavesdrop for a while.
It seemed that the young Taoist was talking with his fellow disciples, venting his frustrations about managing the temple lately.
They also discussed cultivation insights.
From his tone, Su Ping could feel that this young Taoist possessed a strong desire for enlightenment.
No wonder he had come alone to manage this temple.
Su Ping remembered the old cultivator mentioning that authentic Taoists had no salary, and places small temple only received some resources monthly from the high temple to ensure food and drink along with a little pocket money.
Meanwhile, Spiritual Rat White had also reached its destination.
Su Ping's former home in this world.
The former apartment building was still there, but it was obviously renovated both inside and out.
Additionally, an external elevator had been added to the exterior wall to facilitate the elderly residents' movement in and out.
Su Ping directed White to sneak in, intending only to see what his old abode had become.
It climbed up to the third floor, then leaped onto the balcony through the external wall and entered the previous residence.
Su Ping saw the room he used to live in, now apparently occupied by a different family.
Not to mention that the interior design had completely changed.
Judging from the group photo on the cabinet, it seemed like a grandparent and grandchild were now living here.
Did they buy this place or were they just renting it?
"Things are no longer the same."
Su Ping sighed and then directed White to leave this place of memory.
Having not seen any familiar faces, Su Ping did not intend to interact more with strangers.
There was no rush in seeking them out.
Moreover, before he was strong enough, getting close to his loved ones was not only exposing his own flaws but also leaving them in danger!