chsdbacks Chapter 232 The Secret Meeting of Wuchen, No 2 Leaving the Mountain
Chapter 232 The Secret Meeting of Wuchen, No 2 Leaving the Mountain
Chapter 232 The Secret Meeting of Wuchen, Bu Er Emerges from the Mountain
Upon hearing this, the hesitation in Ji Wuchen's eyes disappeared, and a smile appeared on his face. He immediately raised his hand and handed the jade slip to Chen Yi:
"Brother Chen, these are the words I've been waiting to hear!"
This is the jade slip containing the "Refining God Technique". You must keep it safe and never lose it or let others discover it.
Now that things have come to this, Brother Chen, with your rapid progress in cultivation and your composed nature, you will inevitably learn about some of the deeper aspects of the cultivation world sooner or later.
It's just that you don't currently have a reliable backing from a top-tier power, making it difficult to make contact with them sooner rather than later.
"Since we have this rare opportunity today, I'll chat with Brother Chen a bit more, so you can also gain a better understanding of the landscape of the Great Green cultivation world."
Chen Yi took the jade slip and put it into his personal storage bag. Then he looked up at Ji Wuchen, his expression still calm but with a hint of solemnity:
"Brother Ji, please speak. I am all ears."
Ji Wuchen put away his joking expression, sat upright on the futon, and lightly tapped the stone table in front of him with his fingertips. His tone became more serious:
"From ancient times to the present, over the past tens of thousands of years, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the cultivation world of my Great Qing has only decreased and never increased, and there has never been any sign of recovery."
Consequently, the number of high-level cultivators has decreased in each era.
From a time when Nascent Soul cultivators were numerous, to now where even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators are considered powerful figures, the difference is readily apparent.
"The environment of heaven and earth is deteriorating day by day. The original high-level resources and spiritual objects are being downgraded or even completely extinct, making the cultivation path of us cultivators increasingly difficult."
He paused, a hint of helplessness in his voice:
"The resources that are openly available are still okay; at least ordinary cultivators or sects can still compete for them."
However, things like control over key secret realms, cultivation techniques that can help one reach higher levels, and rare treasures that can help one break through bottlenecks are things that even ordinary Nascent Soul sects and families don't have the chance to see, let alone rogue cultivators.
Many of the valuable items held by top-tier powers are treasures that hold the potential to allow cultivators to reach the threshold of the fifth-tier Nascent Soul stage.
"After all, only by cultivating to the Nascent Soul realm, which has a one in a billion chance, can a cultivator have a sliver of hope to leave this Great Green Cultivation World and go to other continents to seek higher opportunities, or even find the ascension entrance to the Spirit World."
However, according to the ancient records of my Ji family, in the past few thousand years, no fewer than ten Nascent Soul cultivators have successfully left Daqing, but none of them have actually been able to ascend to the Spirit Realm and send back information.
The changes in the environment these days are so profound that even our Ji family's ancestor couldn't fathom their underlying mechanisms.
At this point, Ji Wuchen's expression turned completely somber, and his voice became even more grave:
"And in such a harsh environment, the troubles don't stop there."
It wasn't just the secret realm in Qi that had a problem; the forces of the corrupt demon realm had forcibly intruded.
Throughout the entire Great Green Cultivation Realm, similar situations have emerged in many other secret realms, and the situation in other mortal realms is also quite similar.
Therefore, the current cultivation situation in Daqing has reached an extremely dire state.
Chen Yi sat opposite him, listening intently.
This was the first time he had learned so clearly about the overall situation of the Great Qing cultivation world from a high-ranking figure in the cultivation world.
The information about the decline of spiritual energy, the monopoly of power, and the invasion of the demon realm was far more alarming than the fragmented information he had previously encountered.
Seeing Chen Yi deep in thought, Ji Wuchen changed the subject slightly, his tone softening:
"Of course, these dire situations concerning the survival of the entire cultivation world don't actually have a significant impact on cultivators below the mid-to-late Nascent Soul stage for the time being."
After all, the activities of low-level cultivators are limited, and they cannot reach those core crises.
Brother Chen, if one day you successfully advance to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm and gain sufficient strength and insight, it will not be too late to delve into these matters.
If you can't break through to that level, then consider today's news a joke; it won't be that important to you then.
Chen Yi raised his head, cupped his hands to Ji Wuchen, and said, "Thank you for your frankness, Brother Ji. I understand the implications."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi slowly nodded, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the stone table in front of him. He already understood.
The strict restrictions on the dissemination of high-level cultivation techniques like the "Refining God Technique" are essentially due to the fear that too many cultivators from the lower ranks who advance to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm will compete with these large families that monopolize resources for opportunities in the future.
It seems that this rule of "a minority controlling core interests" has never changed in any era.
The truly valuable things that determine a cultivator's potential are always held by only a very few people. The millions of ordinary cultivators below them can't even know of their existence, let alone touch them.
Just as Chen Yi was deep in thought, Ji Wuchen suddenly leaned forward, his tone becoming more serious:
"Brother Chen, I won't hide it from you. Since I've paid such a high price for this cultivation technique, I do have something to ask of you today."
Among the younger generation of my Ji family, there are three who can be considered outstanding, and all of them have condensed a two-patterned Purple Extreme Golden Core. Currently, all three of us are at a critical stage in our attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm.
He paused, a longing gleaming in his eyes:
"In my Ji family today, whoever successfully forms a superior-grade Nascent Soul will have priority access to the family's intensive training resources during the Nascent Soul stage."
For example, my Ji family has a core spot in the secret realm once every hundred years, as well as preferential treatment in high-level pills and cultivation techniques.
However, during the last trip to Leifeng, I didn't fully achieve my expected goals. Although my spiritual power improved significantly, I still need to be more determined to secure this spot for focused training.
I'm afraid I'll need to go to a real fourth-tier secret realm again to gain more experience and accumulate enough foundation.
At that time, I hope Brother Chen can lend a hand.
Ji Wuchen frankly stated his needs, which was exactly what Chen Yi had expected.
Ji Wuchen's willingness to break the rules of the upper echelons and offer up their monopolized resources must be for a reason, and it is definitely not just a simple exchange of favors.
Faced with Ji Wuchen's request, Chen Yi neither agreed directly nor refused on the spot. He simply looked up at the other party and asked in a calm tone:
"Brother Ji, how much longer will this matter take?"
After a moment's thought, Ji Wuchen gave a clear answer:
"I estimate it will take at most fifty years, and at least thirty years. After all, breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm is no easy task, and it also depends on my own cultivation progress."
"Okay." Chen Yi nodded in agreement, his tone remaining calm and steady.
"We'll discuss the details later, depending on the specific circumstances. Mr. Chen will do his best as long as it's within his power."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuchen's face immediately broke into a smile, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was completely relieved.
"With Brother Chen's words, I am relieved."
By the way, Brother Chen, this is an introductory cultivation technique jade slip used by Hongfeng Cave Heaven when recruiting disciples. You don't necessarily have to join Hongfeng Cave Heaven's sect, but you can take a look at its contents; perhaps you can learn something from it.
After saying that, he took out a light blue jade slip from his storage bag and handed it to Chen Yi.
Chen Yi reached out and took the jade slip. The moment his fingertips touched it, he quickly scanned its contents with his divine sense and soon learned the origin of Hongfeng Cave Heaven.
It was the Daoist temple of the True Lord of Shaking Mountains, whom I had heard of before.
This jade slip contains the semi-public entrance examination technique of Hongfeng Cave Heaven, which belongs to the dual cultivation of body and spirit. Its core function is to examine the talent of the beginner in the path of immortal martial arts and select potential disciples based on the compatibility between the circulation of spiritual power and the tempering of the physical body.
Chen Yi glanced through it and found the details about the dual cultivation of body and mind to be quite ingenious, which was somewhat in line with his current cultivation direction. He found it very interesting and immediately bowed to Ji Wuchen to express his gratitude, then carefully put the jade slip into his storage bag.
Hongyun Cave Heaven possesses a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator as its leader in the Immortal Martial Arts world, indicating its profound foundation.
Perhaps Chen Yi could consider going there to further his studies in the future and learn from its experience in the fusion of immortal and martial arts.
Afterwards, the two chatted for a while about the major events and interesting stories in the cultivation world of Zhongzhou.
During this time, Ji Wuchen suddenly brought up a matter concerning the layout of the Moon Lake Spiritual Land:
"Brother Chen, perhaps in a few years, the ancient demon lineage in the Monster Beast Mountain Range will leave the mountain range and seek a spiritual vein dojo in the Central Plains to establish themselves."
More than half of the late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators have now tacitly accepted this matter.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi raised an eyebrow and immediately pressed for the reason:
"Brother Ji, why is this happening? Could it be that all these late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in Central Continent are no match for a newly promoted late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from the Demonic Path?"
Ji Wuchen shook his head and slowly explained:
"That Xuan Yin True Monarch of the ancient demon lineage possesses a demonic flame divine power, which is extremely powerful. Even though he has only recently advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, his combat strength is already not to be underestimated."
Among all the late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in Zhongzhou, he is certainly among the top ranks.
Furthermore, there is an unwritten agreement among late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.
Unless under extremely special circumstances, we will never easily engage in a life-or-death battle.
Moreover, at that level of cultivation, if one side is unwilling to fight to the death and only wants to escape,
Ordinary three to five people simply couldn't stop them, and even most late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn't want to do something so strenuous and thankless.
"More importantly, if someone insists on blocking the way, and they fail to kill the other party..."
The late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator being hunted only needs to hide and target the talented disciples of your sect or family; no family can withstand such retaliation.
Ji Wuchen paused slightly before continuing,
"Back then, that Xuan Yin True Monarch secretly left the Demon Beast Mountain Range and sparred with several late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators from the Central Continent."
The power they displayed left everyone speechless, and from then on, no one dared to oppose the emergence of the Ancient Demon lineage.
At this point, Ji Wuchen changed the subject, his gaze towards Chen Yi carrying a hint of warning:
"Brother Chen, you should be careful. Your Moon Lake region is the closest to the Monster Mountain Range, and it may very well become the first stop for the Ancient Demon lineage after they leave the mountain."
In my estimation, even if that True Lord Xuan Yin doesn't directly seize Qingyun Cave Heaven, he will at least take over a mid-grade fourth-order spiritual vein as his Daoist temple.
Keep this to yourself. With your current cultivation level, it shouldn't affect you, a Core Formation cultivator.
"Of course, if you're really that unlucky and he takes a liking to your Star Moon Sect, you can just leave. Other places might not accept you, but my Ji family will definitely be willing to take you in!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi nodded slowly and bowed to Ji Wuchen in thanks.
This news was indeed important to him.
In recent years, the pressure on the Xingyue Sect had been somewhat relieved after Ping Xingye's death. If it were to be targeted by a "giant" like Xuan Yin Zhenjun, it would probably fall into a difficult situation again.
Subsequently, Chen Yi used the information revealed by Ji Wuchen to try to observe the energy of heaven and earth and deduce the future development of this matter.
However, after some attempts, it was discovered that the deeper one deduced, the more chaotic the inspiration became, making it impossible to grasp a clear pattern.
It seems that, given his current abilities, he is completely unable to figure out the cause and effect related to a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
After that, Ji Wuchen mentioned that he planned to travel around to find an opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, and took the opportunity to invite Chen Yi to go with him.
After a moment's thought, Chen Yi politely declined the invitation.
He currently prefers to cultivate himself step by step and solidify his foundation.
After the two parted ways, Chen Yi returned to the Star Moon Sect and continued to immerse himself in daily cultivation, steadily advancing the dual improvement of body refinement and magical power.
……
Deep within the Monster Mountain Range,
The Demonic Sect's main hall, resembling an ancient ferocious beast, was constructed from black iron mixed with demonic blood. Lanterns made of demonic bones, hanging from the eaves, crackled with lightning, and an aura of demonic malevolence permeated the heavens and earth.
Xuan Yin Zhenjun sat in the main seat of the main hall, his black robe hanging down to the steps. The nine Yin patterns embroidered on the hem of his robe flickered with his breath, and the black demonic flames surrounding him seemed to be alive, suppressing the candlelight in the hall to only a tiny glimmer.
Now she has officially taken control of the entire demonic sect. The several demonic sect forces that had previously rivaled her have all submitted to her under the pressure of her late-stage Nascent Soul realm. The ancient demonic cultivators have finally gained a foothold in the Monster Beast Mountain Range and regained their former glory.
However, there is a slight flaw in the rise of the ancient demon lineage.
A year ago, Xuan Yin Zhenjun's first disciple, Black Lotus Fairy, failed to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.
Fortunately, she sensed the reverse flow of spiritual energy at the very first step of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, and decisively stopped the breakthrough. Although she missed the opportunity to reach the Nascent Soul stage, she preserved her life and her peak Core Formation cultivation.
Now, the Black Lotus Fairy has been entrusted with an important task by the True Lord Xuan Yin, taking charge of all affairs of the Demon Sect's main hall. In name, she is the sect leader in charge of the allocation of resources for the entire Demon Sect.
As for Ning Bu'er, after leading the Leifeng group, he was taken in by Xuan Yin Zhenjun for secluded cultivation and personally taught Taoist techniques.
Xuan Yin placed high hopes on this disciple, not only imparting all his most treasured demonic techniques to him, but also deliberately choosing a secluded cultivation cave at the spiritual vein eye deep within the main hall.
The inner walls of the cave are inlaid with large areas of dark crystal, which can completely isolate external interference, leaving only pure demonic energy flowing slowly.
On this day,
Inside the secret cave, the master and disciple sat facing each other, with a magic crystal of flowing black and purple suspended between them.
Xuan Yin Zhenjun's hair was as black as ink, casually tied behind her head, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks, making her already fair face appear even more aloof. Black demonic flames swirled around her arms, the tips of which occasionally brushed against her clothes, but left no trace of burning. Instead, they made the yin patterns on her black robes even more vivid.
Ning Bu'er was dressed in a light gray outfit, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead. The demonic flames around her were much thinner than her master's, appearing as a pale black color, but they were more refined. Occasionally, lightning flashed within the demonic flames, making them exceptionally clear in the tranquil cave.
"Bu Er, do you know why your master was able to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage?"
Xuan Yin Zhenjun spoke first, his voice calm, as he gently touched the floating magic crystal with the demonic flame at his fingertips, creating a ripple.
Ning Bu'er bowed slightly, his posture respectful:
"I am ignorant, please enlighten me, Master."
Her eyes were clear, filled with curiosity. She only knew that her master had broken through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, but she had never heard the details.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yin Zhenjun's lips curled into a faint smile. The demonic flames at his fingertips suddenly contracted, and he slowly spoke:
"Twenty years ago, that old bastard Hanshan punched me three times. At the time, everyone in the hall thought I was just taking it, but that wasn't the case."
I had long suspected that the Nine Yin Demon Flame had the drawback of affecting divine sense, so that day I deliberately used the demon flame to directly block his Mountain-Shaking Fist.
"The purpose is to borrow the yang energy in his fist to help me refine the yin and evil impurities within the demonic flames. That's one reason."
She paused, her gaze falling on Ning Bu'er, and continued:
"Secondly, the lightning crystal core inside your body after you returned from the Thunder Peak gave me a lot of inspiration."
The Nine Yin Demonic Flame we cultivate is powerful, but it is also too cold and sinister. Cultivators who practice it for a long time are easily corrupted by the demonic flame and have their souls eroded.
Generally speaking, unless one is born with the Nine Yin Body, almost no one can advance to the late stage of the Nascent Soul stage without being affected.
But the masculine lightning power contained within your lightning crystal core has given me a new idea.
At this point, the demonic flames around Xuan Yin Zhenjun stirred slightly, as if recalling the danger he had faced:
"Later, I made a special trip to Yinlei Peak, and I was quite lucky. I found a fourth-grade high-quality ancient thunder spirit essence in an ancient ruin."
That true meaning had transformed into the form of a golden snake, crackling with lightning as it swam, possessing immense power.
In order to subdue it, I risked the backlash of the demonic flames and damage to my meridians, and only then did I barely manage to suppress it.
Afterwards, using this Golden Serpent Thunder Spirit as a guide, and combining it with your cultivation approach of refining thunder crystal cores, I attempted to improve the Nine Yin Demon Flame. Unexpectedly, the results were surprisingly good.
The golden serpent's lightning power neutralized the demonic flame's chilling intensity, temporarily resolving the Nine Yin Demonic Flame's flaw of eroding the soul.
"After that, I used the improved demonic flames and went into seclusion with the belief of living through death. In one fell swoop, I broke through the shackles of the mid-stage Nascent Soul and advanced to the late stage."
As Xuan Yin Zhenjun finished speaking, the black flames around him suddenly surged and then quickly subsided. A thin layer of frost instantly condensed on the dark crystal wall inside the cave, demonstrating that his control over the demonic flames had reached a state of perfection.
Ning Bu'er's mouth gaped slightly as she listened, her clear eyes filled with surprise. She had only known before that her master's breakthroughs were difficult.
But he never expected that there would be such twists and turns, and he never expected that his own lightning crystal core could inspire his master.
She quickly composed herself, bowed again, and spoke sincerely:
"Master was able to find a way out of the crisis and turn danger into opportunity. He is truly a person blessed with good fortune and will surely lead our ancient demonic cultivation lineage to rise again!"
Xuan Yin Zhenjun raised his hand and waved it, his dark robe swaying slightly with the movement. The faint light emanating from the nine Yin patterns on the hem dimmed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of undisguised melancholy:
"Even if I had some luck, I had already used it all up."
"The late Nascent Soul stage is practically the end for me; I have almost no hope of advancing to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage or even reaching that realm in this lifetime."
She abruptly changed the subject, her gaze falling on Ning Bu'er beside her, her fingertips wreathed in black demonic flames lightly tapping the table:
"But you, Bu Er, are exceptionally fortunate, possessing both the Nine Yin Demon Flame and the Thunder Soul Sect's heritage."
These two forces were originally opposed in ancient times, yet you have managed to combine them into one, already on the path of creating a new law.
As your teacher, I hope you will continue on this path and one day completely lead our orthodox demonic cultivation lineage out of our current predicament and into the light.
"Master, I have only just entered the late stage of the Golden Core realm, and whether I can successfully form my Nascent Soul is still unknown. How can you place such a heavy burden on me..."
Ning Bu'er lowered his eyes and bowed, his tone hesitant, then looked up at Xuan Yin with a firm gaze.
"Moreover, Master, you possess a great opportunity and have such a firm will; you will surely seize the opportunity in the future and break through to a higher realm!"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yin Zhenjun slowly shook his head, the black demonic flames around him swaying slightly, seemingly affected by his emotions.
"It's tough! I've exhausted most of my potential to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage this time."
My Nine Yin Demon Flame appears powerful on the surface, capable of suppressing cultivators of the same level, but its underlying hidden dangers remain, and it could backfire if I'm not careful.
However, considering your situation, I consulted the cultivation notes left behind by powerful members of our clan in ancient times.
It was discovered that there was indeed a fundamental solution, but this method had long been lost in the world of cultivation.
"What fundamental cure?" Ning Bu'er asked urgently, leaning forward slightly.
The demonic flames at Xuan Yin Zhenjun's fingertips subsided slightly, and his voice deepened:
"Tens of thousands of years ago, the cultivation world had many powerful body cultivators, such as lightning cultivators and fire cultivators who specialized in a particular attribute."
When they cultivate to the late stage of the fourth rank, they can condense marrow fluid containing pure attribute power within their bodies, such as the Thunder Marrow Fluid of Thunder Cultivators.
The masculine power of that Thunder Marrow Liquid might help me thoroughly temper the yin and cold impurities in the Nine Yin Demon Flame, allowing the demon flame to advance further and eradicate any hidden dangers.
She paused, her tone growing increasingly helpless:
"It's just a pity that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is now depleted, and the world has undergone great changes. Fourth-order body cultivators are already extremely rare, like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."
Moreover, those who can cultivate to the late stage of the fourth rank are even more difficult to find; finding Thunder Marrow Liquid is as difficult as ascending to heaven…”
Upon hearing this, Ning Bu'er slightly opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
She knew in her heart that Chen Yi was now at the mid-stage of the third rank of body refinement, and one of his cultivation paths seemed to be the direction of lightning cultivation.
However, the difference between the mid-stage of the third tier and the late-stage of the fourth tier, as mentioned by Master, is an entire major realm and two minor realms—the gap is simply too vast.
Even if I were to speak now, it would only add to the expectation and disappointment; there's no point in saying more.
Xuan Yin, unaware of her unusual behavior, continued:
"Fuji, go back and make some preparations."
In a few years, I will take you and select some outstanding elite disciples from within the sect to prepare for leaving the mountain.
Our ancient demon lineage can no longer remain confined to the Monster Mountain Range; we must expand outwards.
After leaving, first go to the vicinity of Moon Lake Spirit Land and find a cave dwelling that is relatively close to the Monster Beast Mountain Range to settle down.
Not only is the terrain there safe, but it's also the closest to Thunder-Attracting Peak, so it won't interfere with your thunder magic cultivation.
Her gaze fell on Ning Bu'er, and her tone held a hint of expectation:
"Once you reach the peak of the Golden Core stage, your master will prepare some resources for you to form your Nascent Soul from the sect's treasury. Of course, you also need to go out and train more to prepare the necessary items. Corresponding training is essential to help you stabilize your Dao heart and accumulate experience."
At that time, I will do my best to help you achieve Nascent Soul.
If you can advance to the late Nascent Soul stage within two hundred years, then you and I, master and disciple, might be able to make a name for ourselves in this turbulent world of cultivation. Those top-tier resources that we could only look up to before might finally be within our reach!
Ning Bu'er straightened his back, the pale black demonic flames around him receding at his will, his tone respectful yet firm: "I will follow Master's arrangements!"
(End of this chapter)