**Chapter 18
The Clone Conspiracy and the Cultivation Tax Squad**
Three days had passed since Alex activated his "Cultivation Clone Optimization Protocol," and things were getting wildly out of hand—in both **amazing** and **terrifying** ways.
By now, he had:
– 5 clones cultivating in hidden caves,
– 1 clone pretending to be him at daily sect lectures, nodding wisely at the wall, and
– 1 clone dressed in a robe made entirely of stolen spiritual herb leaves, meditating atop a floating rock while whispering "I am the wind."
The system, somehow, wasn't just keeping up—it was **evolving**.
> *Clone Efficiency Level: 112%*
> *Spiritual Return Rate: 100%
> Mental Sync Integrity: 40% (Warning: may lead to clone sass or existential rebellion)*
Alex's original body, meanwhile, had not so much as lifted a finger—except to summon more smoothies from the System Shop or adjust his playlist of "Cultivate This Beat: Vol. 2."
But paradise, as always, was **not without price.**
Because in the inner halls of the Azure Mist Sect, someone had finally noticed.
---
"Elder Li," said Sect Master Yu Qingxian, sipping her tea while staring at the horizon, "have you noticed anything… unusual?"
Elder Li, a man who once debated a tree for six days, nodded. "Yes, Sect Master. A surge in spiritual energy usage. A ripple in the Qi tides. And someone played 'Mortal Pop' music in the northern waterfall again."
"Find the source," she said. "And dispatch…" She sighed deeply. "The Cultivation Tax Squad."
Elder Li shivered.
---
**Back in Alex's Cave**
He was blissfully unaware of the doom approaching, lounging in his hammock, one leg swinging as he munched spiritual popcorn and let his clones do all the actual work.
"System," he said, "how's Clone #3 doing?"
> *He's reached peak mid-Foundation and is now arguing with a squirrel about herb prices.*
"Good lad."
Suddenly, the System blinked red.
> *WARNING: Four high-level cultivators inbound. Identified as Azure Mist's Internal Enforcement Squad a.k.a. THE CULTIVATION TAX SQUAD.*
Alex shot up. "What?! There's a tax on cultivation now?!"
> *Technically no. But when you siphon this much Qi and spirit ore, you attract attention.*
"Panic level?"
> *Moderate to doomish.*
Alex dove behind a stack of spirit stones. "System, do we have a plan?"
> *You could surrender and explain you're conducting experimental dual cultivation theory testing—*
"No."
> *Or… distract them with a clone dressed as a rogue sect elder and then run for your smug life.*
"…That one."
---
Moments later, four robed enforcers stormed into the cave only to find:
– A smug-looking "Alex" clone wearing sunglasses and a tattered cloak
– Dozens of glowing Qi orbs swirling around
– A boombox blaring "Demon Cultivation Disco: Extended Mix"
"WHO DARES DEFY THE QI LAWS?!" bellowed one enforcer.
Clone Alex calmly held up a talisman labeled: **"I AM TOTALLY NOT A CLONE"** and vanished in a puff of cinnamon-scented smoke.
Meanwhile, the real Alex had already backflipped into a tunnel with a hoverboard made of spirit wood.
> *System Tip: Next time, don't sign your clone's forehead with "Property of Alex."*
"Noted."
---
**Later That Night…**
Alex huddled in his emergency cave (he had six) with only two clones still running (the others had been poofed in the commotion).
He chewed a midnight lollipop thoughtfully.
"I need to stay low for now."
> *Or… you could level up, go full villain mode, and start a rogue sect of your own.*
"…Actually. Yes."
He looked at the glowing map in the System, zoomed out, and found the perfect spot.
An abandoned spiritual battlefield. Infused with dark Qi. Forgotten by time.
He grinned.
"I shall build the **Cult of the Dancing Demon.** A sect for rogue geniuses, misfits, and professional nappers."
> *You're going to cause a revolution.*
"I'm going to cause **merchandise.**"
And so, Alex vanished into the mountains once again—ready to build an empire. With clones, candy, and chaos.
Let the **Cultivation World** tremble.
Because the **Clone King of Chaos** had only just begun.