[I have led a cautious life, but the system keeps trying to do me in] "Ding Dong!" "Welcome to the Smart Cultivation System!"
"You have chosen to cultivate the Bone Forging Art. The system will start cultivating for you. The system has detected that the host is missing the Bone Tempering Pill. Please wait a moment…" "Ding Dong!"
"The system successfully stole ten Bone Tempering Pills for you, and the cultivation will continue…" "Important reminder, while the system is cultivating, you will lose lose control of the body…"
After getting the Smart Cultivation System, Pei Ling began to grow stronger rapidly. He was prepared to become a deity until one day… "Ding Dong!"
"You have chosen to cultivate an unknown technique. The system has identified this as a dual cultivation method. The system will start to cultivate for you. The system has detected that the host is missing a Dao Partner. The system is looking for a Dao Partner for you…" So, Pei Ling watched as he ran to the fairy's training room next door, drugged her, and carried her into his room…
I Just Want To Slack off In Cultivation #Chapter 1 - Read I Just Want To Slack off In Cultivation Chapter 1 Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 1: The Smart Cultivation System is at Your Service!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As the sun began to set, Pei Ling returned to the Pei Residence.
Most of the servants he encountered along the way pretended not to see him and busied themselves.
When he was about to leave the area of the main courtyard, a servant girl stopped him. "Madam said that the disciples of the Holy Sect staying in the residence for the time being like the pastries made from Colorless Ganoderma. I'll trouble you to find more in Yuanlao Mountain tomorrow. When the time comes, Madam will reward you handsomely!"
"I understand." The servant girl's cavalier attitude was apparent, but Pei Ling thought nothing of it. He was satisfied with his status in this massive manor, just like the courtyard he was living in now. It was remote, inconspicuous, quiet, and no one cared about it. Of course, no one served him.
Even if he killed someone in the middle of the day and burned the corpse to eliminate the evidence, no one would discover it here.
After all, it was no longer popular to be reckless. The big shots were all keeping a low profile.
Stability was the way to go.
He was very experienced in this aspect. After all, in his previous life, Pei Ling was a steady person (cowardice).
In addition, the world he had transmigrated into in this life was not a harmonious society. It was a world of cultivation, a strange place, with demon beasts in the wild… Although the family that his current body was from had some influence, as the subordinate of the demonic overlord of the Deep Sea Sect, who could massacre 1,500 kilometers away with a word and a blow, he felt that his future was unfathomable.
Therefore, he had developed the habit of reflecting on himself three times a day: Did I slack off today?
Can I be more careful and slack even more?
What other slacking methods can I employ?
With this cautiousness, Pei Ling, who transmigrated as a fetus, finally grew up steadily until now in an environment where his mother had died early, his father was a scumbag, his stepmother was jealous, and dark undercurrents were brewing in the large clan.
Yes, he even secretly developed the boon of a transmigrator.
"System!"
After entering the small courtyard where he lived alone, Pei Ling immediately locked the door. After strictly checking that all the doors and windows were closed and confirming that no one had entered the room, nor was there any eavesdropping monitoring, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He suppressed his excitement and called out in his mind, "I have already gathered the spirit stones needed to activate it. Activate it now."
Ding-dong!
With a crisp notification, a translucent panel that only he could see slowly surfaced in front of him.
[Name: Pei Ling.
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Status: Disciple of the Pei Clan Side Branch in Deer Spring City
Stage: Level 2 of the Qi Refinement Stage
System status: Not active.]
A neutral voice without any emotion sounded in Pei Ling's mind and solemnly confirmed, "Enough spirit stones to activate the system detected. Host, may I ask if the system is allowed to absorb them immediately to activate the system?"
Pei Ling took a deep breath. "Yes!"
The three hundred low-grade spirit stones that he had thought of every means possible to even deduct from his cultivation since he was a child were instantly swept clean by an invisible force.
Meanwhile, gorgeous flames surged out from the panel in front of him, and the characters flashed crazily.
A moment later, the interface became clear again, and the system's voice seemed to contain a tinge of joy. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service. Enjoy one-click management, smart upgrades, and fully automated cultivation! No more accidents, no more inner demons! I shall fulfill your dream of ascending!"
Immediately, the [System Activation] at the bottom of the panel changed silently, and soon, it was replaced with a new interface. There were five choices in the new interface: [Select Technique, [Select Magic, [Select Magical Power, [Select Duration, and the final [One-Click Cultivation].
A rare tinge of excitement appeared in Pei Ling's usually calm mood.
He could not wait to use his mind to press down on [Select Technique].
"Please choose the cultivation technique you wish to cultivate…"
The system's voice sounded again. Then, the three words "Bone Forging Art" appeared in the system interface. This was the Pei family's cultivation technique and the only cultivation technique he could choose currently.
The Pei family's Bone Forging Art was divided into three stages: iron bone, essence bone, and jade bone. Once the iron bone was formed, it was invulnerable to swords and spears. The fist was like a heavy hammer, the palm was like a blade, which could tear apart tigers and wolves.
However, this cultivation technique came from a fiend sect as the process had a distinct demonic style.
Every time one cultivated, he would have to break all the bones in his body and shatter them. Then, he would use the Bone Forging Art to refine the broken bones and "combine" them again to achieve the goal of increasing toughness! If one's heart was not strong enough, they would often be unable to withstand the pain of their bones breaking the first time they cultivated the Bone Forging Art and would give up halfway. Some with poor qualifications who cultivated it would even die from the pain in the process.
It could be said that every cultivator who cultivated the Bone Forging Art had excellent talent and character.
Of course, this was only a normal cultivation method. If the technique was cultivated together with the use of the Bone Tempering Pill, not only would the pain be greatly reduced, it could also be cultivated twice as fast with half the effort. However, the Bone Tempering Pill could only be refined by the Deep Sea Sect. With the Pei Clan'sinfluence, they were only allocated ten Bone Tempering Pills a year.
As the backbone of the clan, the Pei family head naturally took five. The three elders each took one, and the eldest son took one… As for Pei Ling, he had not even seen what the Bone Tempering Pill looked like!
Therefore, without the use of Bone Tempering Pills, for Pei Ling to be able to cultivate half a body of iron bones all these years, and to cultivate to the second level of the Qi Refinement stage, proved his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
"Under normal circumstances, one complete cultivation of the Bone Forging Art, without the cooperation of the Bone Tempering Pill, would require at least three months, even with the nourishment of many herbs. If you are too impatient, your body will not be able to withstand it and it will only have the opposite effect." Pei Ling rubbed his hands excitedly. "However, I have the system now!"
He eagerly wanted to know the cultivation effects of this system. Therefore, after choosing the cultivation technique, he immediately clicked on [Select Duration]. He originally planned on choosing a shorter time to experience it, but the top choice was [1 year, followed by [10 years, [100 years]…
Pei Ling was speechless…
There was only a [Temporary Cultivation—Smart Duration] at the bottom.
This allowed Pei Ling to heave a sigh of relief. He immediately chose this, then clicked on [One-Click Cultivation]!
"The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!" After the interface flashed twice, it gradually faded away, and the system's voice returned to its normal tone. "Enjoy one-click management and smart upgrades! Now, you can begin the managed cultivation. A gentle reminder: During the cultivation period, the host will lose control of the body. Please do not panic…"
Immediately, Pei Ling felt slight dizziness. Immediately after, an invisible force poured into his body, rapidly arranging his body into a cultivation position.
Right after that, his Dantian heated up slightly as the Bone Forging Art automatically circulated. All the bones in his body felt a sharp pain before they began to break down bit by bit. Under the circulation of the Bone Forging Art, they vibrated at a high speed and rapidly metabolized. Meanwhile, the pores all over his body opened up, and many of the impurities in his body were expelled during this process… The entire cultivation process was smooth, skilled, and even revealed a sense of natural harmony.
Compared to his previous training, he had to divide his attention to multi-task. If he was careless, he would be seriously injured and on the verge of death. The system's supervision was simply an enjoyment.
This system was simply too suitable for a slacker like him!
It was simply a masterpiece of conscience!
Just as Pei Ling was overjoyed, the system suddenly made a "Ding Dong" sound. Immediately, the translucent panel reappeared. "Bone Tempering Pills are missing for cultivation. Please wait a moment…"
"Please wait a moment…"
"Please wait a moment…"
???
This… the system actually requires the Bone Tempering Pill for one-click cultivation? Where am I supposed to get the Bone Tempering Pills for the system??
"Ding dong!" The system notified again, and the words on the interface changed…
"Analysis complete, the system will give you ten Bone Tempering Pills for free."
So good?
Pei Ling could not help but feel energized.
Just as anticipation built, his body suddenly stood up.
?
His body walked out the door without hesitation.
??
He was momentarily stunned. Then, he watched as his body rushed out of the small courtyard at a speed that far exceeded his current cultivation level. Like a shadow, he rushed into the Pei family's Jade Parasol Compound in a few seconds.
At this moment, Pei Ling finally reacted. It was the Jade Parasol Compound!
It was the residence of the disciples of the Deep Sea Sect!
They were important guests that the entire Pei family had to host carefully!
What the???
Chapter 2: The Smart Cultivation System is at Your Service!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As the sun began to set, Pei Ling returned to the Pei Residence.
Most of the servants he encountered along the way pretended not to see him and busied themselves.
When he was about to leave the area of the main courtyard, a servant girl stopped him. "Madam said that the disciples of the Holy Sect staying in the residence for the time being like the pastries made from Colorless Ganoderma. I'll trouble you to find more in Yuanlao Mountain tomorrow. When the time comes, Madam will reward you handsomely!"
"I understand." The servant girl's cavalier attitude was apparent, but Pei Ling thought nothing of it. He was satisfied with his status in this massive manor, just like the courtyard he was living in now. It was remote, inconspicuous, quiet, and no one cared about it. Of course, no one served him.
Even if he killed someone in the middle of the day and burned the corpse to eliminate the evidence, no one would discover it here.
After all, it was no longer popular to be reckless. The big shots were all keeping a low profile.
Stability was the way to go.
He was very experienced in this aspect. After all, in his previous life, Pei Ling was a steady person (cowardice).
In addition, the world he had transmigrated into in this life was not a harmonious society. It was a world of cultivation, a strange place, with demon beasts in the wild… Although the family that his current body was from had some influence, as the subordinate of the demonic overlord of the Deep Sea Sect, who could massacre 1,500 kilometers away with a word and a blow, he felt that his future was unfathomable.
Therefore, he had developed the habit of reflecting on himself three times a day:?Did I slack off today?
Can I be more careful and slack even more?
What other slacking methods can I employ?
With this cautiousness, Pei Ling, who transmigrated as a fetus, finally grew up steadily until now in an environment where his mother had died early, his father was a scumbag, his stepmother was jealous, and dark undercurrents were brewing in the large clan.
Yes, he even secretly developed the boon of a transmigrator.
"System!"
After entering the small courtyard where he lived alone, Pei Ling immediately locked the door. After strictly checking that all the doors and windows were closed and confirming that no one had entered the room, nor was there any eavesdropping monitoring, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He suppressed his excitement and called out in his mind, "I have already gathered the spirit stones needed to activate it. Activate it now."
Ding-dong!
With a crisp notification, a translucent panel that only he could see slowly surfaced in front of him.
[Name: Pei Ling.
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Status: Disciple of the Pei Clan Side Branch in Deer Spring City
Stage: Level 2 of the Qi Refinement Stage
System status: Not active.]
A neutral voice without any emotion sounded in Pei Ling's mind and solemnly confirmed, "Enough spirit stones to activate the system detected. Host, may I ask if the system is allowed to absorb them immediately to activate the system?"
Pei Ling took a deep breath. "Yes!"
The three hundred low-grade spirit stones that he had thought of every means possible to even deduct from his cultivation since he was a child were instantly swept clean by an invisible force.
Meanwhile, gorgeous flames surged out from the panel in front of him, and the characters flashed crazily.
A moment later, the interface became clear again, and the system's voice seemed to contain a tinge of joy. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service. Enjoy one-click management, smart upgrades, and fully automated cultivation! No more accidents, no more inner demons! I shall fulfill your dream of ascending!"
Immediately, the [System Activation] at the bottom of the panel changed silently, and soon, it was replaced with a new interface. There were five choices in the new interface: [Select Technique, [Select Magic, [Select Magical Power, [Select Duration, and the final [One-Click Cultivation].
A rare tinge of excitement appeared in Pei Ling's usually calm mood.
He could not wait to use his mind to press down on [Select Technique].
"Please choose the cultivation technique you wish to cultivate…"
The system's voice sounded again. Then, the three words "Bone Forging Art" appeared in the system interface. This was the Pei family's cultivation technique and the only cultivation technique he could choose currently.
The Pei family's Bone Forging Art was divided into three stages: iron bone, essence bone, and jade bone. Once the iron bone was formed, it was invulnerable to swords and spears. The fist was like a heavy hammer, the palm was like a blade, which could tear apart tigers and wolves.
However, this cultivation technique came from a fiend sect as the process had a distinct demonic style.
Every time one cultivated, he would have to break all the bones in his body and shatter them. Then, he would use the Bone Forging Art to refine the broken bones and "combine" them again to achieve the goal of increasing toughness! If one's heart was not strong enough, they would often be unable to withstand the pain of their bones breaking the first time they cultivated the Bone Forging Art and would give up halfway. Some with poor qualifications who cultivated it would even die from the pain in the process.
It could be said that every cultivator who cultivated the Bone Forging Art had excellent talent and character.
Of course, this was only a normal cultivation method. If the technique was cultivated together with the use of the Bone Tempering Pill, not only would the pain be greatly reduced, it could also be cultivated twice as fast with half the effort. However, the Bone Tempering Pill could only be refined by the Deep Sea Sect. With the Pei Clan'sinfluence, they were only allocated ten Bone Tempering Pills a year.
As the backbone of the clan, the Pei family head naturally took five. The three elders each took one, and the eldest son took one… As for Pei Ling, he had not even seen what the Bone Tempering Pill looked like!
Therefore, without the use of Bone Tempering Pills, for Pei Ling to be able to cultivate half a body of iron bones all these years, and to cultivate to the second level of the Qi Refinement stage, proved his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
"Under normal circumstances, one complete cultivation of the Bone Forging Art, without the cooperation of the Bone Tempering Pill, would require at least three months, even with the nourishment of many herbs. If you are too impatient, your body will not be able to withstand it and it will only have the opposite effect." Pei Ling rubbed his hands excitedly. "However, I have the system now!"
He eagerly wanted to know the cultivation effects of this system. Therefore, after choosing the cultivation technique, he immediately clicked on [Select Duration]. He originally planned on choosing a shorter time to experience it, but the top choice was [1 year, followed by [10 years, [100 years]…
Pei Ling was speechless…
There was only a [Temporary Cultivation—Smart Duration] at the bottom.
This allowed Pei Ling to heave a sigh of relief. He immediately chose this, then clicked on [One-Click Cultivation]!
"The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!" After the interface flashed twice, it gradually faded away, and the system's voice returned to its normal tone. "Enjoy one-click management and smart upgrades! Now, you can begin the managed cultivation. A gentle reminder: During the cultivation period, the host will lose control of the body. Please do not panic…"
Immediately, Pei Ling felt slight dizziness. Immediately after, an invisible force poured into his body, rapidly arranging his body into a cultivation position.
Right after that, his Dantian heated up slightly as the Bone Forging Art automatically circulated. All the bones in his body felt a sharp pain before they began to break down bit by bit. Under the circulation of the Bone Forging Art, they vibrated at a high speed and rapidly metabolized. Meanwhile, the pores all over his body opened up, and many of the impurities in his body were expelled during this process… The entire cultivation process was smooth, skilled, and even revealed a sense of natural harmony.
Compared to his previous training, he had to divide his attention to multi-task. If he was careless, he would be seriously injured and on the verge of death. The system's supervision was simply an enjoyment.
This system was simply too suitable for a slacker like him!
It was simply a masterpiece of conscience!
Just as Pei Ling was overjoyed, the system suddenly made a "Ding Dong" sound. Immediately, the translucent panel reappeared. "Bone Tempering Pills are missing for cultivation. Please wait a moment…"
"Please wait a moment…"
"Please wait a moment…"
???
This… the system actually requires the Bone Tempering Pill for one-click cultivation? Where am I supposed to get the Bone Tempering Pills for the system??
"Ding dong!" The system notified again, and the words on the interface changed…
"Analysis complete, the system will give you ten Bone Tempering Pills for free."
So good?
Pei Ling could not help but feel energized.
Just as anticipation built, his body suddenly stood up.
?
His body walked out the door without hesitation.
??
He was momentarily stunned. Then, he watched as his body rushed out of the small courtyard at a speed that far exceeded his current cultivation level. Like a shadow, he rushed into the Pei family's Jade Parasol Compound in a few seconds.
At this moment, Pei Ling finally reacted. It was the Jade Parasol Compound!
It was the residence of the disciples of the Deep Sea Sect!
They were important guests that the entire Pei family had to host carefully!
What the???
Chapter 3: One-Click Management, Get Killed Online
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"System! Stop! This is not a place I should enter!" Pei Ling hurriedly shouted in his heart. As a powerhouse of the demonic path, the Deep Sea Sect had always been tyrannical and ferocious.
The Pei family might be influential in Deer Spring City and could call for wind and rain, but in the eyes of the Deep Sea Sect, the entire Pei family was merely an ant.
He had heard many such rumors before: A certain young master's entire family was annihilated in a night because he did not greet a disciple of the Deep Sea Sect. The skin of his entire family was peeled off and hung on a tree; A disciple of the Deep Sea Sect took a fancy to a certain family's young miss. A certain family did not take the initiative to send the young miss to the other party's door. Their entire family had their blood essence sucked dry by that disciple of the Deep Sea Sect…
The most terrifying thing was that everyone, including Deer Spring City, believed that it was not the disciples of the Heavy Sea Sect who were in the wrong, but those families.
The reason?
It was simple. Being weak was the original sin.
The weak were prey to the strong. For the Deep Sea Sect, after generations of domination, regardless of whether they joined a sect, most of the people here had already accepted the values of the sect from the bottom of their hearts, and they got used to it.
It was apparent how dangerous this Jade Parasol Compound was right now!
Seeing that the system remained passive, Pei Ling's entire consciousness was about to split open. "F*ck, I don't want you to cultivate anymore. Stop! F*ck me! Did you hear me?"
Perhaps sensing his breakdown, the system gave a thoughtful "Ding Dong" sound. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service with all its might. Enjoy one-click management and smart cultivation!"
Pei Ling wanted to vomit blood. He could not control his body and could only watch as the system controlled his body to rush to the upper room on the west side of the Jade Parasol Compound.
The person living here was the Deep Sea Sect's Zheng Jingshan.
Two disciples of the Deep Sea Sect had come to Deer Spring City this time and were invited by the eldest son Pei Hongnian to stay at the foot of the Jade Parasol Compound.
One of them had never appeared in public before, and no one knew of his appearance, cultivation, or temperament.
As for Zheng Jingshan, he had a high cultivation level. As outstanding as his cultivation level, he was infamous for his viciousness. It was said that to compete for the position of inner sect master, he had not hesitated to kill his father, extract his soul, and refine it into a bloodline divine power that was far more powerful than usual. He had become famous amongst the internal sect.
Bang!
The next moment, Pei Ling helplessly watched as he kicked open the door of Zheng Jingshan's room and strutted in.
"Damn it!!!" Pei Ling felt his vision go dark as he roared in his mind, "System! Are you f*cking unsatisfied with me and want to change to a new host??
His thoughts ran wild, hoping to regain control of his body. However, the system was unmoved, and his struggles were apparently useless.
At this moment, Pei Ling received a grim reminder that he had lived in fear of artificial retards in his previous life.
The system directed his body to quickly circle the screen at the door. Inside was an extremely spacious room with beautiful furnishings. There was a beaded curtain hanging at the carved moon gate that led to the inner room. At the moment, it was shaking slightly, emitting a pleasant sound.
"Sys…" While Pei Ling did not give up to advise the system to calm down, he suddenly felt that someone was staring at him at the door.
Zheng Jingshan?!
Pei Ling could not help but be shocked!
However, he quickly realized that something was wrong, as there seemed to be more than one person watching from behind.
Moreover, if Zheng Jingshan were here, knowing this infamous disciple's temper and cultivation, Pei Ling would probably have died on the spot the moment he entered the room.
After all, he had transmigrated from a prosperous, democratic, civilized, and harmonious society to this world. He had relied on his perseverance to cultivate the Bone Forging Art to the stage of having half his body made of iron. Although he was caught off guard by this system's functions, he quickly calmed down at such a critical moment. "System, what's behind me?"
The system did not react to his call at all. It controlled his body to quickly walk to a corner, and its target was clear. It opened one of the boxes randomly scattered on the ground. It took out a porcelain bottle and poured out ten grayish-white pills.
These were the Bone Tempering Pills.
"Ding-dong! 10 Bone Tempering Pills have been gifted to you! The smart system will continue your cultivation…"
You call this a freaking gift?!
Not gifting my head away?!
Pei Ling wanted to vomit blood!
Immediately after, an even more terrifying scene occurred. His body had no intention of leaving at all. He merely turned around and walked to a futon not far away. His body then assumed a cultivation posture and swallowed all ten Bone Tempering Pills before circulating the Bone Forging Art.
This position coincidently allowed Pei Ling to see the door.?The system did not even shut the door!
"…"
Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch! Hey system, did you hear that?! Son of a bitch!
But soon, he did not have the time to care about the door because he discovered the source of the stares: the screen at the door.
The translucent screen was embroidered with more than a hundred beautiful women who were elegant and lifelike. They were plump, slender, and stunningly beautiful. They either held fans, butterflies, pipa (Chinese lute), zither strings, branches, or foxes… all with different gestures.
However, no matter what they were doing, their gazes were fixated on Pei Ling.
Under normal circumstances, attracting the attention of such a beauty, not to mention all of these beauties were at the highest level of any beauty standards, any straight man would not reject such luck with women.
The only problem was that these beauties were not normal.
Although they were figures embroidered on a screen, the feeling of being stared at by a real person was almost tangible.
Even though Pei Ling could not control his body now, he could feel a chill down his spine.
"The Deep Sea Sect…" A fiendish sect was indeed mysterious.
Although he did not know the problem with this screen, it was clear that it was not easy to deal with.
If it were him, he would have long turned around and left, walking away as far as possible.
No, if he had known the "gift" method of this mentally challenged system, he would not have given it any chance to control him to enter Zheng Jingshan's room in the first place.
Now, he could only hope that Zheng Jingshan would give some face to his junior brother as a guest invited by Pei Hongnian. And that he had left some means to restrict this screen so that it would not injure the people of the Pei family.
Thinking of this, Pei Ling turned the attention back to himself.
He discovered that after consuming the Bone Tempering Pill, the circulation of the Bone Forging Art was over ten times faster than before.
Moreover, the rooms that the Pei Family used to host their esteemed guests had special formations. The spiritual energy here was much richer than in Pei Ling's place. He could clearly sense that his cultivation was rapidly increasing at an unprecedented rate!
Time passed bit by bit… Pei Ling was gradually immersed in the pleasure of continuously increasing his strength. Especially with the noise of metal clashing, all the muscles and bones in his body trembled. His pores opened up and a layer of dark red filth that was like fatty oil was expelled. In the next moment, Pei Ling felt that he had broken through a barrier. It was as if his entire body had broken free from some sort of restraint, and he had endless strength.
It was as if he could punch a giant hole in the stone wall of the room if he wanted.
"Ding dong!" At the same time, Pei Ling regained control of his body. A system notification sounded in his ear. "This cultivation session has been completed. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. You have ascended without a worry with a single click! I look forward to you sharing your cultivation evaluation. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!"
A panel appeared, and the five familiar stars waited for the host to select.
"The iron bone is complete at the third level of Qi Refinement!" Pei Ling was shocked and even forgot that he was not in his room right now. He was overwhelmed with emotions.
He began to train his body at the age of five. When he was eight, the elders tested his potential and taught him the Bone Forging Art. Not long after, he opened his meridians to draw in Qi and became a cultivator at the first level of Qi Refinement.
In terms of talent, he was one of the most outstanding descendants of the Pei family in this generation, comparable to Pei Hongnian.
It was just that the descendants of the branch family had few resources and were suppressed by the stepmother. In addition, the cultivation of the Bone Forging Art was too vicious. He also had to save up spirit stones to activate the system. During the entire cultivation process, he couldn't even bear to use the nourishing herbs. He could only rely on his own recovery ability to endure it forcefully.
Therefore, he had spent a full ten years before reaching the second level of Qi Refinement two months ago.
It was already considered above average among his peers in Deer Spring City.
And now, this system had only helped him cultivate for a few hours, but it was able to refine his iron body from the second level Qi Refinement to the third level Qi Refinement?!
It was no wonder that predecessors once said that it would be satisfying for a while when you cheat once, but it will always be satisfying when you cheat all the time.
At this moment, Pei Ling clenched his fists slightly. As he felt the great power in his body, he suddenly felt that the system did not seem as detestable as before.
However, the gazes from the screen still made him uncomfortable.
Pei Ling frowned. He did not think too much and quickly stood up to leave.
On the way out, he passed by the screen. Although he tried his best to keep a distance, he saw from the corner of his eye that there were still a few beauties that stretched out their hands as if they wanted to tug at his clothes.
Fortunately, their arms had just extended out a foot from the screen when they encountered an invisible barrier. They let out a delicate cry, as if they were in pain, and withdrew reluctantly.
Although they could not touch Pei Ling, the gazes of all the beauties never left him.
When Pei Ling climbed over the wall and left the Jade Parasol Compound, he could still feel that more than a hundred people were quietly and attentively watching his back.
He did not know why, but even as the feeling of being watched gradually disappeared after Pei Ling walked away, he still had a faint premonition that he had caused huge trouble…
"I can't stay in the Pei residence anymore. I must leave immediately!" Pei Ling's heart sank. He could not care less about his concern about the screen. The system's way of gifting was too costly. Although he did not encounter Zheng Jingshan on the spot, this person was highly skilled in the demonic path after all. Who knew if he had any means to discover his infiltration and theft?
If he continued to stay in the Pei residence, he would not stand a chance if Zheng Jingshan came for him.
The most important matter at hand was to flee miles away to avoid the upcoming calamity immediately.
As he recited the?Gou1?mantra, Pei Ling conveniently gave the system a one-star rating. He decided to pack up quickly and escape once he returned.
However, after he returned to his residence and packed his luggage as quickly as possible, he did not have the chance to leave the Pei Residence. A manservant saw him and shouted, "Seventh Young Master, the family head wants all the young masters and young miss to make a trip to the main hall now."
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 4: Stay Calm!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Why does the family head want us to go to the main hall all of the sudden?" Pei Ling frowned. He was only a member of a branch family, and he was the type that neither his father nor his mother loved. Since his childhood, he could count the number of occasions of meeting the family head on the fingers of one hand.
"Yes, Seventh Young Master." The manservant was in a hurry to inform the next young master. As he turned around, he hurriedly said, "Immortal Master Zheng came back from the outside and told the family head to do so. You'd better go over as soon as possible. Immortal Master Zheng seems to be in a bad mood."
Pei Ling's heart shook as he quickly calculated the possibility of continuing to escape.
Unfortunately, chances of survival were essentially zero.
Although he had just advanced to the third-stage Qi Refinement realm and could kill lions and tigers, even the Pei family could easily end him, much less the disciples of the Deep Sea Sect.
The key was that the Pei family had strict family rules. When the family head summoned someone, experts would immediately come to check on the person for punishment if he failed to show up within five minutes.
In particular, this gathering was for Zheng Jingshan. In order to not lose face in front of the Chong Ming Sect, the Pei family would only be quicker to act. If he fled now, he might not even be able to get out of the Pei family's door.
"Don't panic!" Pei Ling calmed down and analyzed calmly. "If Zheng Jingshan knew that I entered his room and stole the Bone Tempering Pills, he would probably have asked the Pei family to capture or even kill me on the spot instead of just sending a manservant to summon me…"
With this thought, he stopped the manservant, who had already walked some distance. "Did Immortal Master Zheng go to the main hall right after he returned? He didn't go back to the Jade Parasol Compound to rest?"
"No." The manservant shook his head and urged him again, "Seventh Young Master, please hurry up and go over. Don't make the Immortal Master wait anymore! Otherwise, the family head might not let you off easily."
Pei Ling quickly weighed up the pros and cons. "Okay, I'll go now."
A moment later, in the Pei family's main hall.
The family head, Pei Xuan, was sitting upright. The eldest son, Pei Hongnian, was standing by the side. While at the foot sat three elders. Everyone had solemn expressions on their faces.
At the host's seat was a handsome young man. He was the inner sect disciple of the Deep Sea Sect, Zheng Jingshan!
After Pei Ling entered to pay his respects to the family head, Pei Xuan waved his hand casually, indicating for him to retreat to the side like the others and wait for instructions.
From the beginning to the end, no one paid much attention to him.
The indifference finally allowed Pei Ling to feel a little safer as a slacker in the dark.
Obviously, Zheng Jingshan did not know about the Jade Parasol Courtyard yet.
This is great!
Pei Ling breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly adjusted his expression. Like the surrounding Pei family disciples, he sized up the five people in front with curious and reverent gazes.
The cultivation realms in this world were divided into the Qi Refinement Stage, the Foundation Establishment Stage, the Core Formation Stage… The Qi Refinement Stage was divided into the first to the ninth level. After the ninth level, it was the Foundation Establishment Stage. The Foundation Establishment Stage had three stages: the early stage, the middle stage, the late stage, and finally, the Core Formation Stage.
As for the realms above the Core Formation Stage, there were no records of it in the Pei family's school at all. After all, in Deer Spring City, there was not even a single Foundation Establishment Stage expert. The number one expert on the surface was Pei Xuan, who was at the seventh level of the Qi Refinement Stage.
The eldest son, Pei Hongnian, who the family had high expectations of and had spent ample resources to send him into the outer sect of the Deep Sea Sect, was only at the fourth level of the Qi Refinement Stage.
As for the two disciples from the Deep Sea Sect, Zheng Jingshan was young, but he was already in the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage.
In other words, as long as Zheng Jingshan wanted to, he could slaughter the entire Deer Spring City alone.
Therefore, it was no wonder that the entire Pei family did not dare to treat this person shabbily.
Pei Ling was thinking about the purpose of gathering the Pei family's disciples on this occasion when he suddenly sensed someone looking at him with hostility from afar.
He subconsciously looked over and saw his younger brother, Pei Tu, glaring at him fiercely.
Is there a problem with my way of slacking off today??Pei Ling was puzzled. Although he had never had a good relationship with his cheap brother, ever since he became marginalized in the family, his stepmother and stepbrother felt that they had already trampled on him and would ignore him no matter where he went, so why would they show clear hostility?
Pei Ling thought with a heavy heart.?Or did I get full of myself without realizing it after activating the system?
He was carefully reflecting on his performances during this period and whether it violated his Gou mantra when he saw a manservant approach Pei Xuan and whisper a few words into his ear. Pei Xuan nodded slightly and coughed lightly, and the hall fell silent instantly.
Pei Xuan said to Zheng Jingshan with an extremely respectful manner, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, my family disciples are all here. Please let us know anything that you need."
Zheng Jingshan opened his eyes expressionlessly. He casually swept his gaze across everyone and said indifferently, "Our sect's traitor, Wu Tingxi, has recently escaped to Yuanlao Mountain. His whereabouts are unknown. All of you are to enter the mountain to find him. As long as you find any trace of Wu Tingxi, you will be rewarded with 50 Bone Tempering Pills."
"If there are no questions, you can set off immediately."
The disciples of the Pei family had different expressions when they heard this. They subconsciously looked at the family head, the eldest son, and the elders.
Pei Xuan looked troubled as he cleared his throat. "Fellow Daoist Zheng, Wu Tingxi was once a disciple of your esteemed sect and was also the personal disciple of Elder Luo. I heard that his cultivation level had reached the seventh stage of Qi Refinement, and my family's disciples are insignificant in comparison. This…"
"Rest assured!" Zheng Jingshan said calmly. "Wu Tingxi is seriously injured. His cultivation level is less than one-tenth. Even a cultivator who has just entered the path of Dao can take him down. He is already a stray dog and won't dare to show his face."
Pei Xuan heaved a sigh of relief and looked around the hall. "Is that clear? Whoever dares to be negligent and spoil Daoist Zheng's plans, don't blame me for being merciless!"
With that, he formed a series of hand seals, and a figure appeared in the hall. It was a sinister-looking man with cold eyes. He introduced, "This is the traitor of our Holy Sect, Wu Tingxi. If you find any traces of him, send the clan's distress signal without delay. Fellow Daoist Zheng will rush over and capture him."
The group of Pei family disciples said in unison, "We will obey the Family Head's orders!"
Pei Xuan nodded. "Aren't you setting off?"
Seeing that the others were raring to go and began leaving, Pei Ling hurriedly pretended to be rushing and joined the crowd.
Then, he walked to the front of the crowd quietly.
He had already thought it through. Once they left the city, everyone would head for Yuanlao Mountain. It would be his chance to leave secretly and flee as far away as possible.
Anyway, he had already brought along all the important things and could escape at any time.
For now, Zheng Jingshan would not know that someone had broken into his room and stolen something. When he went back to take a look later… Pei Ling would definitely die!
After watching the numerous Pei family disciples leave, Pei Xuan said to Zheng Jingshan with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, my residence has received some spiritual tea recently. I wonder if you have any interest in tasting it?"
"No need." Zheng Jingshan stood up and said coldly, "I have to return to the Jade Parasol Compound. I will accept your kindness later."
He hurriedly arrived at the Jade Parasol Compound, but he did not return to the room he was staying in. Instead, he went to a more concealed temple at the back.
The temple looked elegant. There was a series of wind chimes hanging under the roof that swayed gently in the wind, complementing the low eaves and the beautiful bamboo around it, making it a pleasant view.
However, if anyone took a closer look, they would find that the wind chimes were formed by pieces of skull. Countless illusory human faces twisted and struggled, letting out silent roars.
Although Zheng Jingshan was already in the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could not help but feel dizzy when he looked at it accidentally.
He hurriedly steeled his mind and turned his gaze to the ground. He bowed respectfully outside the door of the temple. Before he could speak, a cold voice sounded from inside. "Have you found him?"
"Senior Sister, we have already confirmed that Wu Tingxi has fled to Yuanlao Mountain. Elder Luo's other disciples have all been executed. The Six Desires Secret Manual must be in his hands," Zheng Jingshan hurriedly said. "I have already ordered the Pei family to…"
"Scum!"
He was interrupted before he could finish speaking. The person in the room berated coldly, "I don't have so much time to waste here. Don't stay idle either, so you better join the search! If I don't see the Six Desires Secret Manual in three days, I'll extract your soul for weapon refinery!"
Zheng Jingshan's expression changed drastically. He immediately knelt down. "Yes!"
After a moment, seeing there were no more instructions, he stood up and left carefully.
When he got outside, he felt that his back was covered in a cold sweat.
He turned his head to look at his room and hesitated for a moment. Soon, he did not dare delay any further. He did not even inform the Pei family before leaving in a hurry and heading for Yuanlao Mountain.
At the same time, Pei Ling took the opportunity while the main group was passing through a forest to make his escape.
Yuanlao Mountain was north of Deer Spring City. He walked out of the forest and headed south. It was a vast wilderness. Passing through it led to the official road that led to several other cities.
He had already thought it through. He would first go to the nearest city. If he was not caught after he arrived, he would disguise himself and quickly find a traveling team on a long journey to blend in, traveling as far as he could.
Although the Bone Forging Art did not emphasize speed, after the completion of the Iron Bone, his body was filled with strength, and his steps were naturally much faster than before.
Pei Ling was afraid that Zheng Jingshan had already discovered the scene in the Jade Parasol Compound, so he did not dare to be negligent. He traveled for more than two hours in one go. When he saw that there was no one around, he heaved a sigh of relief.
Soon, however, he felt that something was amiss.
Someone was watching him!
Chapter 5: One Management a Day Keeps the Demon Path Away
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Who is it!
Zheng Jingshan?!
No, it couldn't be him.
He's a domineering person. If he had caught up, he would have appeared and attacked directly by now, not hiding in the dark.
As for the others… The rest of the Pei family are probably focused on getting the 50 Bone Tempering Pills promised by Zheng Jingshan and not looking for me immediately.
At first, Pei Ling wondered if he was hallucinating from being too nervous. But soon, his expression changed.
He sensed that the eyes staring at him were increasing.
The initially faint glances rapidly turned into gazes that were focused on him from all directions.
This feeling…
Pei Ling immediately thought of the screen in Zheng Jingshan's room.
His heart sank as he looked around alertly, only to find nothing.
However, that feeling of being watched became more and more obvious.
He could even feel that he was surrounded as if something was encroaching gradually from all directions.
Pei Ling's expression was ashen. His current cultivation was too low, and he did not have enough experience on how to deal with this situation.
After thinking quickly, he decided to continue walking.
After all, going back was a dead end.
If it was just this feeling of being watched, he could just pretend that nothing had happened.
However, as Pei Ling continued running for a moment, he suddenly felt cold.
It was something that had never happened since he had opened up his Qi and stepped onto the path of cultivation. Especially when he was still running at full speed, how could he feel cold when his body should be heated up?
Pei Ling knew that the situation was grave, but he was helpless.
Soon, a cold feeling spread through his body. He felt as if he had fallen into an icehouse, and even his consciousness felt heavy.
"Where's the problem?" Pei Ling knew that he could not let this go on. He stopped and thought about the entire process today.?Something must be wrong with the screen!
However, not mentioning Zheng Jingshan had set restrictions for it. Pei Ling had been controlled by the system last night and cultivated openly in front of the screen for a long time. From his return to the courtyard to the main hall… There had been no abnormalities until now.
Why now of all times?
"System, I want to cultivate!" Sensing that his train of thought was becoming slower and slower, the sense of danger in Pei Ling's heart soared. He suddenly had an idea and called out in a deep voice, "Select the Bone Forging Art! Smart duration! One-click management!"
"Ding-dong! The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!" The system's mechanical voice could be that pleasant to listen to at a time like this.
The moment the system took over his body, Pei Ling began to relax.
Coldness, dullness, and other symptoms rapidly disappeared.
He could not help but heave a sigh of relief. "No wonder!"
He was cultivating in front of the screen for a long time last night. The reason why he did not receive any harm other than the watchful eyes was not that the screen did not attack him at the time, it was because he was cultivating.
No, perhaps it was because his body was being operated by the system.
No matter what, at least he was safe now.
A familiar pain spread throughout his body. While Pei Ling felt relieved, he also hoped he could leave this place as soon as possible.
It was a Demonic Sect, after all, where any disciple's item could be as sinister.
After working hard to slack off for so many years, he almost died here!
As he cultivated the Bone Forging Art, Pei Ling felt as if his entire body had come alive again. Even the sound of his breaking bones was especially pleasing to hear.
But…
Not long after, the system suddenly let out a "Ding Dong" sound and said mechanically, "Host has suffered a huge loss of blood energy. Continuing to cultivate the Bone Forging Art will result in irreversible damage…"
"Ding-dong! You are lacking Qi and Blood Pills. The system will give you three Qi and Blood Pills for free!"
??
Pei Ling: "Wait wait wait…"
Before he could finish his thought, the system had already controlled his body to stop cultivating. He suddenly stood up, spun his heel, and charged straight for Yuanmu Mountain!
…
Yuanlao Mountain, in a deep underground cave.
"Cough cough cough…" With a series of heart-wrenching coughs, a man slumped against the wall spat out a mouthful of black blood. Immediately after, his already weak aura withered again.
He breathed heavily a few times as if to muster some strength. Then, he opened a jade bottle with trembling hands and brought the bottle to his lips with difficulty.
However, before he could pour out the pills into his mouth, his organs spasmed. The man could not control himself and let out another round of coughing again. As a result, the jade bottle fell to the ground.
When he finally calmed down and was about to reach for the bottle, he suddenly froze and looked up at the dark pathway.
Before long, a rat flew by.
The man looked vigilant as he calmly took out a black pellet.
After a while, the surroundings remained quiet. He gradually relaxed and stuffed the pellet back into his sleeve, eyes revealing extreme resentment. "Deep Sea Sect… Heh heh, I didn't expect that I, Wu Tingxi, would actually be reduced to such a state. Even a mere rat can scare me like a frightened bird!"
He picked up the jade bottle with some difficulty, but he did not consume it immediately. Instead, he rubbed the pellet in his sleeve, his eyes flashing with a sharp glint. He whispered to himself, "If Master had succeeded in switching the cultivation technique back then, how could I, a personal disciple, end up like this? It's a pity that I entered the sect too late with limited strength. This is probably the end of the road… or…"
Wu Tingxi's expression changed irregularly. He sighed and raised the jade bottle. Just as the pills in the bottle were about to slide down, a figure rushed out from the pathway.
"Holy shit!" Pei Ling looked at the weak man in front of him with his mouth agape. "Isn't this the traitor they're looking for?"
The system did not respond. It simply snatched the jade bottle from Wu Tingxi's hand. Immediately, it poured out three Qi and Blood Pills, stuffed them all into the mouth, and threw the bottle to one side.
Immediately after, the same thing happened as the previous night: The system did not seem to have the intention of leaving as soon as possible as it controlled Pei Ling's body to walk to an empty space not far away and sit cross-legged. "Ding Dong! Qi and Blood Pill have been gifted. The system will continue to cultivate for you…"
"…"
Seriously? You're still doing this?
There was no one in Zheng Jingshan's room the last time, while the latest victim was right in front of him this time, and he stared at Pei Ling with his eyes wide open!
Wu Tingxi was shocked at first.
After all, he was in a dangerous situation and was extremely vigilant even if a rat passed by. The speed of this person that just arrived was so quick that he did not have time to react. As a result, after his pills were snatched, his first thought was fear and surprise, not anger.
But…
As the system began cultivating, Wu Tingxi discovered that the youth in front of him was only a young cultivator at the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage.
After observing for a moment and confirming that he was not mistaken, Wu Tingxi was so mad that he almost died on the spot. His intense emotions affected his injuries again, and he coughed even more violently for a while. Wu Tingxi took a good look at Pei Ling and did not attack immediately. Instead, he coughed as he crawled towards the jade bottle at the side with growing difficulty.
"System! Can we finish him first before cultivating?
"Kill him first, quick!
"I'll give you a five-star rating after ending him!"
"It's fine if you don't kill him. If we escape now, you will get my five-star rating too!"
Pei Ling felt like vomited blood. "You f*cking retard! Stop cultivating!"
The system remained oblivious as it focused on managing the cultivation.
Therefore, Pei Ling could only watch helplessly as Wu Tingxi finally crawled to the jade bottle after taking three breaks. He trembled as he opened the bottle stopper and swallowed the remaining Qi and Blood Pills!
After that, Wu Tingxi struggled to sit up. After casting a vicious glance at Pei Ling, he began to cultivate as well.
Pei Ling's heart dipped. He could tell that Wu Tingxi was severely injured. Rather than saying that he was cultivating, it was better to say that he was dissolving the medicine to suppress his injuries temporarily.
As for what he would do after suppressing his injuries, it should be obvious!
A while later, before the system cultivation ended, Wu Tingxi was the first to open his eyes. He gave Pei Ling a sinister smile before he picked up a stone and threw it at him.
"Um, system?"
Bang!
The next moment, a bump appeared on his head.
At the same time, the system sounded, "Ding Dong! An external attack has been detected. This cultivation session is over. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. You have ascended without any worries with a single click! I look forward to you sharing the cultivation evaluation. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!"
Yes, the system fled.
You little!!!
"Kid, I wonder if you're pretending to be or if you're really stupid." After a test, Wu Tingxi sighed in relief and sneered. "Anyways, since we're fated to meet, I'll send you on your way today!"
Before he finished his sentence, a green light flashed on his fingertip suddenly!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 6: Fellow Daoist, I'm Actually Here to Help You!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"System, just you wait!" Pei Ling did not have the time to care about the evaluation panel floating in front of him. He hurriedly crossed his arms in front of his chest to protect his vitals.
The next moment, a green light flashed and struck Pei Ling's left arm.
Pei Ling felt as if he was hit by a speeding truck. A sharp pain came from his left arm as his body flew off uncontrollably.
Bang!!!
Pei Ling slammed into the stone wall in the cave without any strength to hit back, and the entire stone wall caved in.
"Ugh…" He felt a sweetness in his throat and couldn't help but spit out a large mouthful of blood. Every part of his body was in pain, and it was as if his organs had shifted. If not for the fact that he had cultivated the Bone Forging Art for a long time which greatly increased his endurance for pain, he would have probably fainted on the spot.
"Cough cough cough… Not dead? Cough cough cough…" Seeing Pei Ling's miserable state, Wu Tingxi's expression changed.
He coughed violently as he sized up Pei Ling in surprise.
Something was wrong with this kid!
Although he was seriously injured, he was the disciple of an elder in the Deep Sea Sect after all. He was at the late stage of Qi Refinement, and his cultivation level was not comparable to ordinary cultivators of the same age. Even if Wu Tingxi used a weaker version of the Five Poison Finger, facing a cultivator of the third-level Qi Refinement in a small place like Deer Spring City, he should still be able to penetrate through his arms, straight through his heart, and kill Pei Ling in one hit.
At the moment, Pei Ling seemed to be in a tragic state. Upon closer inspection, the main injury was that his left arm, which was in the front, had a large hole burnt through by the toxic poison, revealing some bones. The other areas looked terrifying, but they were not life-threatening.
Wu Tingxi seemed to have thought of something as a light purple flashed across his eyes. He focused his eyes to the limit and examined the exposed bone. It caused his originally pale face to turn red quickly as blood seeped out of the corner of his mouth.
However, he couldn't care less at the moment. Instead, he cried out in surprise, "Supreme-grade iron bone?!"
The Bone Forging Art originated from the Deep Sea Sect. To someone like him, who had once been the disciple of an elder of the Deep Sea Sect, he was naturally not a stranger.
However, there was one thing that even the Pei family did not know. It was that the iron bones, essence bones, and jade bones cultivated from the Bone Forging Art were divided into grades!
Iron bones consisted of inferior-grade iron bones, middle-grade iron bones, superior-grade iron bones, and supreme-grade iron bones. Most itinerant cultivators could only cultivate inferior-grade iron bones. A small number of itinerant cultivators with outstanding talent were able to cultivate middle-grade iron bones. As long as there were no problems with their background and they were not too old, these people would be directly accepted into the outer sect by the Deep Sea Sect once discovered. As for superior-grade iron bones, only the disciples of the Deep Sea Sect with abundant resources and teachers' guidance could cultivate it.
As for the supreme-grade iron bone?
It was the rarest of all!
Only a few with rare constitutions or those who had accidentally swallowed related treasures could cultivate it.
Regardless of which type, it meant that once he entered the Deep Sea Sect, he would become the key focus with a good chance of entering the inner sect.
"Cough, cough, cough, ahem…" Wu Tingxi coughed violently again as he looked at Pei Ling with a complicated gaze.
If his master were still here and he encountered Pei Ling, he would most likely choose to bring him back to the Deep Sea Sect and become his junior brother.
After all, although a junior brother with extraordinary talent or luck would bring away the attention and resources from the master, it would strengthen his faction. In the long run, the benefits would be greater.
But now…
He thought for a moment and said suddenly, "Ahem… your supreme-grade iron bone, how did you cultivate it?"
Pei Ling slid down from the stone wall. His first thought was to escape!
However, just as he wanted to turn over and stand up, he felt dizzy and had no choice but to lie on the ground. Only then did he realize that every move he made required a lot of energy, and he could not even stand up.
Hearing this, Pei Ling was first startled.?Supreme-grade iron bone? What supreme-grade iron bone?
However, he quickly came to his senses:?Whatever, the most important thing now is to stabilize the other party and not kill him immediately.
"Fellow Daoist, we don't know each other. I did take your Qi and Blood Pill just now, but you've already punished me. Now that we don't owe each other anything, why don't we shake hands, make peace, and we'll go our separate ways?" Pei Ling said weakly. "If you're interested in my cultivation technique, I can consider exchanging it with you."
He called out to the system in his mind, "System! Can you change the Bone Forging Art that he can't tell from the real one? And that it would cause him to immediately suffer from Qi deviation once he cultivates it?"
The system replied, "Ding-Dong! The Smart Cultivation System is at your service. Host, please choose the length of the time and click on the [One-Click Management]. The system will automatically cultivate for you immediately! One-Click Management, no more worries in your cultivation, fulfilling your dream of ascension!"
Pei Ling felt like spitting out a mouthful of blood. "I knew that I couldn't count on you…"
He was thinking about whether to use some of the ancient texts from his previous life to disguise himself and delay time when he heard Wu Tingxi sneer. "Stop pretending. You cultivate the Bone Forging Art, and if you're not a member of the Deep Sea Sect, then you must be an external disciple of the Deep Sea Sect. If I'm not wrong, the wanted poster of the Deep Sea Sect is nearby. Since you've chased me into the mountain, how could you not recognize me?!"
"Then what does Fellow Daoist want to do later?" Pei Ling frowned. It was not easy to fool a disciple from a Demonic Sect. After lying down for a while, he had already gradually recovered some strength and could probably barely stand up. However, it was still difficult to escape… He had to buy more time!
Pei Ling thought of something and said, "Actually, you are mistaken. Although Zheng Jingshan of the Deep Sea Sect did instruct the disciples of my Pei family to search the entire mountain for you, I'm the only one who doesn't wish to reveal your traces. Instead, I earnestly want you to escape."
Wu Tingxi sneered, clearly not believing him at all. Pei Ling then said, "Fellow Daoist, do you know that Zheng Jingshan has a screen? It might look ordinary, but there are more than a hundred beauties in it…"
"The Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting?" Before Pei Ling could finish, Wu Tingxi had already blurted out a name. He asked suspiciously, "How did you know? No, wait, if you've seen it before, how aren't you dead yet?!"
Pei Ling's heart stuttered. It seemed that the screen was more troublesome than he had imagined.
At the moment, he did not have the time to think too much. He hurriedly said, "I'm a son of the Pei branch family in Deer Spring City. As my mother died early, over the years, I have been suppressed by my stepmother and am penniless… Not long ago, Zheng Jingshan was invited by the family's eldest son to the guest courtyard of the Pei family. He is wealthy and cannot be compared to the Pei family. I heard from the manservant that he is always busy every other day and is not in the residence. Thus, I could enter his room to take a look…"
Upon hearing this, Wu Tingxi looked at him strangely. "You, a small cultivator at the third level of Qi Refinement from a remote village, would dare to steal Zheng Jingshan's things?"
Wu Tingxi was puzzled for a moment:?Are the cultivators outside actually that ferocious?!
Compared to an unknowing Zheng Jingshan to the theft of his residence, he strangely felt that it was not as much of a big deal to have three Qi and Blood Pills stolen from him right under his eyes anymore.
"Ahem. Anyways, Zheng Jingshan has not found out until now since he is hunting you down." Pei Ling coughed dryly. "Therefore, I hope that you are safe and can even escape now. After all, only when you're alive and well, will it help me delay Zheng Jingshan and give me more opportunities and time to escape far away."
He said in his most sincere tone, "Fellow Daoist, I'm actually here to help you!"
Wu Tingxi looked up and laughed. "Help me? How? You snatched my Qi and Blood Pills the moment we met and made me crawl like a worm for half a day to pick up my medicine bottle?"
"Fellow Daoist, these are small matters," Pei Ling said seriously. "At the time, I was harmed by the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting. If I didn't have the Qi and Blood Pill, I'm afraid that I would have met with misfortune. In that case, Fellow Daoist, you are here alone and unfamiliar with the place. Sooner or later, you will be discovered by the disciples of my Pei family and get reported to Zheng Jingshan! Would that be a happy ending, Fellow Daoist? Now, you and I are on the same boat. We should cooperate and not be so calculative!"
Hmm, my breathing is much smoother now. I should be able to get up and take a few steps. I wonder how long I can last?
Pei Ling hesitated for a moment before stealing a glance at Wu Tingxi. Seeing that the other party was deep in thought and did not have any intention of attacking, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and decided to continue waiting for a while to prevent any more twists and turns during his escape.
"You… have a sharp tongue! You do have a point. It is a matter of life and death, and everything else is trivial." Wu Tingxi pondered for a moment and smiled coldly. Suddenly, he said, "Do you know why Zheng Jingshan wants to kill me?"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 7: Is There Really Such a Good Thing?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pei Ling could not wait to chat longer as he hurriedly replied, "I would appreciate further details."
"Cough, cough, cough…" Wu Tingxi coughed again. Taking the opportunity to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, he swallowed another pill and continued without batting an eye," My master is an outer sect elder of the Deep Sea Sect, a Core Formation cultivator. In the outer sect of the Deep Sea Sect, he used to be free and unfettered. It was just that my master's aspiration was firm and he wanted to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. Not long ago, my master coincidentally obtained a high-grade cultivation technique and planned to switch cultivation… It was supposed to be a good thing.
As he spoke up to this point, his expression darkened. "I didn't expect that the third disciple, Lu Xuan, that Master took in was actually a spy planted by his enemy. He took the opportunity while Master was in a weakened state to leak the news secretly. As a result, my Master was ambushed in his seclusion spot and died on the spot."
What followed was logical. The Deep Sea Sect had always believed in the law of the jungle.
If that Elder Luo was still alive and had successfully changed his cultivation, then everyone in his faction would naturally be happy. However, when he died, his disciples had not yet matured and were not powerful to protect the interests of his faction. Therefore, the other outer sect elders of the Deep Sea Sect, and even inner sect disciples like Zheng Jingshan, flocked to snatch the resources.
Wu Tingxi was the latest disciple of Elder Luo and his strength was the lowest. He did not even know about his master's seclusion. Only when Elder Luo died and everyone attacked did his senior brother bring him away in a panic.
It was because he was the weakest that everyone neglected him and helped him to survive until now.
"I didn't expect that the Deep Sea Sect that called itself the Holy Sect to be so despicable in private." Pei Ling said righteously, "Thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist Wu. I had originally looked forward to the Deep Sea Sect, but now it seems that it's no different from a tiger's den or a wolf's den! It's really despicable to treat an elder like this."
These words were spoken sincerely. After all, even an outer sect elder of the Deep Sea Sect was still living in danger. The Demonic Sect was the Demonic Sect after all. The damned place was too unfriendly to people of the Gou Dao!
His only desire was to escape immediately.
However, before he did that, there was something he needed to clarify. "Oh yes, may I ask about the problem with that painting?"
"Have you ever consumed any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the past?" Wu Tingxi asked instead of answering. "Or is there something special about your body?"
An idea popped up in Pei Ling's mind. "I've been suppressed by my stepmother since I was a child. How could I get my hands on any treasure? As for how my body is different from ordinary people… I wonder which part of it do you mean?"
Hearing his words, Wu Tingxi thought that this boy must have a unique physique. Jealousy flashed through his heart as he said calmly, "That's hard to say. After all, fate is magical. There are as many kinds of special physiques as the Ganges River sands. Even the records of the Deep Sea Sect might not be complete. I believe that your physique is somewhat abnormal after seeing your humble background and that you're in such a dire situation prompting you to steal from Zheng Jingshan. On top of that, you can even cultivate supreme-grade iron bones. Otherwise, you would not have been able to withstand the suction of the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting."
He explained, "That painting was obtained by chance from some ruin when Zheng Jingshan was on a mission. It's said to be rather strange, and there are even late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples who got fooled. As for the details, Zheng Jingshan kept it a secret, and I'm not too sure. However, with your cultivation, since you've seen that painting yourself, you must have been remembered and targeted by it."
"Generally speaking, unless Zheng Jingshan takes the initiative to undo it for you since the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting has remembered your aura, it will follow you like a shadow and suck your essence, breath, and spirit… Anyway, I have never heard of a cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage who could survive after being targeted by the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting."
Seeing Pei Ling's gloomy expression, Wu Tingxi thought of something and said, "No wait, there's one."
"He's also a disciple of the Deep Sea Sect. He fled over five thousand kilometers away in a short period of time and stayed outside for a year and a half before returning to the sect. By then, the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting could no longer tolerate its hunger. So it turned to its next target and gave up on that person."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wu." Pei Ling was skeptical of his words. He was deep in thought when he suddenly saw Wu Tingxi speak with a faint smile, "Kid. Since you and I are going to avoid Zheng Jingshan, how about I make a deal with you?"
Pei Ling was vigilant, but he played along, "I wonder what deal you are talking about?"
"This is the cultivation technique that my master had planned on switching cultivation paths." Wu Tingxi took out a jade slip and waved it in front of Pei Ling. He said, "It's also because the Heavy Sea Sect is relentlessly pursuing a Qi Refinement cultivator like me. To be honest, I'm already at the end of my rope. If you can help me escape from Yuanlao Mountain, I'll get this cultivation technique copied for you. How about it?"
"Ding-dong!" Pei Ling was about to answer when a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind. "I have discovered an unknown cultivation technique in the outside world. The system is recording…"
Damn!
Is there really such a good thing?
Pei Ling was overjoyed. As he was afraid that the system would not be able to record it after Wu Tingxi took it back, he hurriedly said, "So this is the jade slip. This is actually the first time I've seen one. Daoist Wu, may I ask how such jade slips are used?"
Wu Tingxi was slightly startled as an unnatural expression flashed across his face. "When you and I manage to escape, I'll teach you naturally. Why? You don't believe me?"
"No, no, no. Fellow Daoist Wu, you are mistaken." Pei Ling racked his brains to stall for time. "However, I have never seen a jade slip before… Oh right, Fellow Daoist Wu, which direction do you think is suitable for us to head in after we escape from Primal Mountain? To be honest, I have never left Deer Spring City in my life. If I need to flee far away, I really don't know where to go."
Seeing that he did not pursue the matter about the jade slip, Wu Tingxi secretly sighed in relief. As he kept the jade slip, he said casually, "Let's head west first… When the time comes, I will tell you then."
Pei Ling watched his movements and was simply burning with anxiety. He was just about to find an excuse to ask him to slowly put away the jade slip when the system sounded. "Ding Dong! The unknown cultivation method has been recorded. Host, please name it!"
"Just call it the Nameless Divine Art." Pei Ling was in no mood to name it. He dismissed the system quickly and said to Wu Tingxi, "Alright, I'm familiar with this mountain. Fellow Daoist Wu, don't worry. I will get you out safely for sure!"
Wu Tingxi smiled slightly and said weakly, "Then you'd better be quick. Otherwise, it'll be hard to say when Zheng Jingshan arrives in person. Right, my injuries are heavy now, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to help me up."
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Wu." Pei Ling happened to have recovered some strength. He struggled to get up slowly and said while panting, "We're all on the same boat now. Fellow Daoist Wu's business is my business."
He stood up confidently and loosened up his limbs. He felt that there was no problem for him in the short term. Without hesitation, he turned around and ran!
"?!"
A tinge of viciousness and surprise flashed across Wu Tingxi's face. He hurriedly withdrew the Five Poison Finger that he had been accumulating strength for and stood up to chase after Pei Ling.
Pei Ling ran step by step in the unfamiliar dark pathway, praying silently that Wu Tingxi's injuries were more serious than his or that he was afraid of Zheng Jingshan and did not dare to chase after him. However, things did not go according to his wishes. After a while, he heard quickened footsteps behind him.
"Fellow Daoist Wu, I'm going to find someone to save you. Since you're so badly injured, it's better if you don't move!" His gaze flashed as he turned around and shouted, running even faster.
Wu Tingxi sneered. "Do I look like a fool? What a little brat. So despicable and vicious at such a young age. No wonder you're a lackey of the Deep Sea Sect!"
Pei Ling did not say anything else and continued to run.
However, a moment later, he discovered that there was a fork in the road up ahead!
At the critical moment, Pei Ling did not have the time to think. He randomly picked the side that seemed to have wind and ran in. However, not long after he entered, he heard Wu Tingxi's cold laughter from behind.
He quickly understood the reason. Not long after he ran through this path, there was a mountain wall in front of him!
The wind that he felt previously was blowing from several holes that were not much bigger than a fist.
It was a dead-end!
Pei Ling's heart sank. He quickly turned around and saw Wu Tingxi chasing up to him with a mocking expression. Greenlight sparkled on his fingers as he grinned. "Come on! Keep running! Why aren't you running anymore?"
Before Pei Ling could answer, Wu Tingxi had already pointed at his glabella!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 8: Fairy Li
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pei Ling's hair stood on end. However, at the critical moment, it stimulated the innate potential inside him. He hurriedly rolled on the ground and avoided this strike at the last moment.
Wu Tingxi could not help but be flabbergasted when his killing shot missed. However, he was from a large sect after all, and his reaction was extremely quick. He originally planned to stand with his hands behind his back to mock Pei Ling's corpse, but he quickly adjusted his posture. As his feet stomped the ground, he took off.
The next moment, his fist landed heavily on Pei Ling's face.
Bam!
Pei Ling felt his head spinning from this punch, but he was elated. He was only at the third level of Qi Refinement and had not learned any offensive techniques at all. If Wu Tingxi continued to use the Five Poison Finger, then even if he dodged the attack just now, he would still die without a doubt.
Now that Wu Tingxi was only using fists and feet, it meant that his injuries were severe, and he was not better off compared to Pei Ling.
He immediately circled his legs around his opponent's body to prevent him from pulling away to use other means. At the same time, he raised his right fist and punched his opponent's chin.
This was the full attack of a third-stage Qi Refinement Supreme-grade Iron Bone cultivator. In the past, Wu Tingxi would not have cared about such an attack at all. However, his injuries were too severe. Not only was he unable to avoid it, but his face was also slapped to the side while a faint scent of blood rose from his mouth.
"Bastard!!!" Wu Tingxi's eyes widened in rage as he suddenly threw a headbutt at Pei Ling's head! Pei Ling instantly felt a bout of dizziness as Wu Tingxi took the opportunity to get up, grab a rock by the side, and smash it at Pei Ling without any explanation.
Pei Ling heard that the wind was not right and hurriedly rolled to the side. At the same time, he picked up a handful of dust from the ground and threw it towards Wu Tingxi.
Wu Tingxi subconsciously closed his eyes, but Pei Ling grabbed him by the waist and threw him to the ground.
"Cough, cough, cough…" Wu Tingxi's internal organs were already severely injured, but with the addition of Pei Ling's pressure, blood seeped out of the corner of his mouth again.
He knew that something was wrong. While they were fighting, his fingers fumbled around in his sleeve a few times and nimbly took out the pellet that he had held in his hand when the rat passed by.
The only issue here was that the pellet was left behind by his master along with the cultivation technique jade slip. It was also the final trump card of his master's line. It was already wasteful to use it against Zheng Jingshan, and Pei Ling was only a piece of trash at the third level of Qi Refinement…
Wu Tingxi only hesitated for a moment before he suddenly felt pain in his wrist. It was Pei Ling who had sensed an opportunity and grabbed his wrist to smash it against the rock beside him several times, risking it all.
Wu Tingxi felt the pain as the pellet in his hand fell to the ground uncontrollably.
He was shocked, angry, and regretful, losing his spirit. On the other hand, Pei Ling's ferocious nature was triggered, and he became more and more valiant the more he fought. In an instant, the difference between them was apparent, and Pei Ling seized the opportunity to smash him to the ground with a rock.
Worried that this fellow from the sinister Sect would feign death and launch a sneak attack, even if Pei Ling felt that the man was no longer moving, he did not dare to be the slightest bit careless. He continued to smash more than ten stones and confirmed that Wu Tingxi's head was already crushed on the ground and that his corpse had turned cold. Only then did he stop while panting, and he wiped his face with lingering fear… He had won!
He had killed Wu Tingxi!
He was still in danger and Pei Ling only rejoiced for a moment before he hurriedly got up. He did not care about his pain as he first gave the system a one-star rating before looting Wu Tingxi. Thinking of the pellet that this person could not bear to use just now, he also found it nearby and kept it in his pocket. In the end, he destroyed the evidence and endured his dizziness as he supported himself against the mountain wall and staggered away.
Now that Wu Tingxi was no longer obstructing him, Pei Ling spent some time finding a path to the bottom of the mountain through the spider web-like passageway.
Thanks to his terrible father and stepmother, he had to enter Yuanlao Mountain to pick herbs and hunt to feed himself since he was a child. He was familiar with the areas outside the depths of Yuanlao Mountain. After finding his direction, he hurriedly got onto a remote path down the mountain.
On the way, he also met one or two Pei Clan disciples. Fortunately, they recognized him from the Pei Estate's main hall when they received the order. Although Pei Ling seemed to be in a sorry state now, his clansmen did not suspect anything when he said he was attacked by a wild beast.
There was even a kind cousin who threw a bottle of Styptic Powder at him.
Pei Ling received it gratefully and excused himself to find a doctor in the city.
After leaving Yuanlao Mountain, he recalled that Wu Tingxi had previously told him to head west. He decisively chose to head east.
However, before long, Pei Ling sensed that someone was secretly spying on him.
To exacerbate the situation, the pain in his left arm gradually disappeared and became numb.
There was no one in sight, but eyes on him grew in size… Pei Ling's footsteps became slower and slower, and his face turned livid!
He knew that he was in trouble. Not only had the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting come knocking on his door again, but the worst part was also that he was poisoned evidently from the wound he got from Wu Tingxi.
Pei Ling searched through the items left behind by Wu Tingxi. Perhaps it was because this fellow had been pursued all the way here, he did not have much medicine left with him. As for the remaining jade bottles, besides the Qi and Blood Pills, he did not know what they were.
If this continued, he might not be able to survive even if he used the system to fend off the painting's curse temporarily.
Moreover, this retarded system had brought him to steal Zheng Jingshan's Bone Tempering Pill during his first cultivation and provoked the Rakshasa Painting. In his second cultivation, it had brought him to snatch Wu Tingxi's Blood Qi Pill and only barely survived after a desperate struggle. Who knew what kind of situation he would get sent into in the next one?
Pei Ling's mind raced as he looked at the pile of Wu Tingxi's belongings in his hand. He looked uncertain for a moment before he gritted his teeth and turned around and walked back towards Deer Spring City.
Half a day later, in the Pei Estate in Deer Spring City, the head of the Pei family, Pei Xuan, looked at the ragged and miserable Pei Ling in front of him in surprise. "You're saying that you found Wu Tingxi? Then why didn't you send out the clan signal?"
"Master, I was heavily injured at the time. I was afraid that the signal would attract Wu Tingxi's attention. If that happened, I wouldn't be able to come back." Pei Ling gasped for breath and asked, "Master, may I know where Immortal Master Zheng is? I would like to report to him in person."
Pei Xuan's gaze flickered as he said, "Thank you for your hard work. Fellow Daoist Zheng isn't in the residence now. How about this? I'll get someone to bring you down to recuperate first. Tell me where Wu Tingxi is located, and I'll let Fellow Daoist Zheng know on your behalf."
"That place is complicated." Pei Ling refused immediately. He had taken the risk to come back because he wanted to negotiate with Zheng Jingshan in person. How could he let Pei Xuan be the middleman? He immediately said, "I'm afraid that even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand. If we delay Immortal Master Zheng's matter, the entire Pei family might not be able to bear the responsibility."
Pei Xuan's face sank as he glared at Pei Ling.
However, seeing that this nephew of the side family was not afraid and even seemed ready for a life-and-death struggle, he thought about it and switched to a smile. "Fine. However, Fellow Daoist Zheng is indeed not in the residence now."
Pei Ling became worried when he heard this.?Is Zheng Jingshan at Yuanlao Mountain now?
Indeed, after sending so many disciples of the Pei family to the mountains to search, Zheng Jingshan would be waiting for the signal nearby. It was the easiest way to intercept Wu Tingxi at the fastest speed… What should he do? His situation was already precarious, and he might not have had the time to wait for Zheng Jingshan to return.
Just as he was about to ask if the family head had any means to inform Zheng Jingshan immediately, and how long it would take for Zheng Jingshan to return, he heard Pei Xuan say, "Let's do it this way. Although Fellow Daoist Zheng has gone to Yuanmu Mountain, it's a good thing that Fairy Li is still cultivating in the Jade Parasol Compound. I'll bring you to see Fairy Li now."
Fairy Li?
Pei Ling was startled for a moment before he realized. It should be the disciple of the Deep Sea Sect who had come to Deer Spring City with Zheng Jingshan. It was just that this person was too low-profile. These days, he had been hearing about Zheng Jingshan's deeds and subconsciously ignored the other disciple.
"Master." Pei Ling could not help but ask, "How does this Fairy Li compare to Immortal Master Zheng?"
If that disciple was just a nobody who could not help him, then it would be useless!
"Pei Ling, remember this!" Unexpectedly, just as his voice fell, Pei Xuan's expression suddenly changed as he instructed solemnly, "Although this Fairy Li keeps a low profile, her cultivation level, status, and future are far from what Fellow Daoist Zheng can compare to."
"She is the Deep Sea Sect's true inheritor!
"If nothing goes wrong, she'll be the next Saintess of the Holy Sect!"
"When you meet her later, you must be more respectful than you are to me and Fellow Daoist Zheng, understand?!"
Pei Ling felt a jolt of joy and hurriedly said, "Yes!"
"And are you sure that you know Wu Tingxi's hiding place and won't let Fairy Li go there for nothing?" Pei Xuan seemed to be extremely wary of Fairy Li. He had already walked halfway forward, but he was still worried. He stopped and warned sternly, "This is a serious matter. If Fairy Li thinks that our family is mocking her, it won't be a joke."
"Don't worry, master!" Pei Ling hurriedly said. "If I didn't have absolute confidence, how would I dare to lie to you? Besides, I have a favor to ask of the Immortal Master of the Deep Sea Sect."
Pei Xuan gave him a deep look. "Let's go!"
He quickly led Pei Ling into the Jade Parasol Courtyard, but he did not proceed to the upper room in the front. Instead, he took a small path to the back.
It was the first time Pei Ling had come to this place. After all, it was a place used to receive important guests. With his status in the family, he had always been told to avoid here.
At this moment, he was concerned about his injuries and the upcoming negotiations. He did not have the mood to appreciate the Pei family's painstaking decorations while he secretly clenched the pellet in his palm.
After a moment, Pei Xuan stopped for a moment and instructed softly, "Don't look up later, don't look especially at the wind chimes in the corner."
Only then did he continue forward and arrive in front of a fine temple. He bowed deeply. "Pei Xuan of the Pei family pays his respects to Fairy Li."
Seeing that Pei Ling was rather slow at bowing, he frowned and berated, "Kneel before the fairy!"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 9: A Trap
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pei Xuan only heaved a sigh of relief when Pei Ling knelt without hesitation.
At this moment, an icy cold voice with a tinge of anger sounded from the temple. "What's the matter?"
"Reporting to Fairy Li," Pei Xuan hurriedly said. "We understood that you were here cultivating, so we didn't dare disturb you. However, my nephew, Pei Ling, has only just returned from Yuanlao Mountain. He said that he had discovered Wu Tingxi's traces and was afraid of alerting the enemy. He didn't dare to send out the family's signal. He thought that Fellow Daoist Zheng was in the manor…"
"Wu Tingxi?" Before he could finish his sentence, the door of the spartan house suddenly opened silently. A figure rushed out in a flash. She was wearing a black dress and black shoes with a veiled hat on her head. A black veil, the same as the hem of her dress, hung down to her chest, obscuring her appearance.
When she appeared, Pei Xuan had already swiftly lowered his gaze and looked down, not daring to be careless in the slightest. Pei Ling's reaction was slightly slower and he caught a glimpse of her figure. He felt that this woman had a graceful figure, especially her slender waist that could be grabbed with one arm. However, the aura around her was particularly fierce, like an unsheathed sword that was oppressive.
Fairy Li stretched out her hand and beckoned. There was a crisp sound of the wind chimes, and the mens' minds were in a mess. When they returned to their senses, they saw that the wind chime of a skull was already hanging by her waist. Her curtained hat was tilted slightly. Fairy Li tilted her head and asked, "Where is he?"
Pei Xuan looked at Pei Ling, who composed himself and clenched the pellet tightly. He said in a deep voice, "Reporting to Fairy, Wu Tingxi is already dead."
"What?" Pei Xuan was startled.
Fairy Li did not mind. "Where is the technique?"
"Outside the city." Pei Ling felt that this fairy was so imposing that Zheng Jingshan could not be compared to her. At least, when he met Zheng Jingshan in the main hall of the Pei family, although he was high and mighty, he did not give him any special feeling.
However, at this moment, through the veil, he could sense that Fairy Li's gaze was like a bolt of lightning. When she looked over, it was as if Pei Ling was stared at by an extremely terrifying object, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up in horror.
He swallowed his saliva with difficulty and forced himself to calm down. He said, "I was fortunate to encounter Wu Tingxi in a cave. At the time, he was already severely injured and on the verge of death. After a desperate struggle, I killed him. I planned to return after retrieving the items, but I was afraid that I would lose them on the way, so I hid them outside the city."
Fairy Li did not comment. "What do you want?"
Pei Xuan was standing behind her. When Pei Ling admitted to killing Wu Tingxi, he was already covered in sweat. Upon hearing this, he secretly heaved a sigh of relief and signaled to Pei Ling to speak for the family.
However, Pei Ling had risked his life to return for himself only, so how could he possibly care about Pei Xuan?
He ignored Pei Xuan and said solemnly, "Fairy, please save my life!"
"Save your life?" Fairy Li sized him up and said casually, "Wu Tingxi's Five Poison Finger is truly not something that a person of your cultivation level can withstand."
She casually threw a jade bottle over. "There are three Poison Expelling Pills in here. Eat them all and meditate for a while."
"As for the Rakshasa Painting…" The fairy said calmly," Once I retrieve the jade slip and confirm that there are no faults, I will naturally tell that garbage Zheng Jingshan about it! "
Pei Ling caught the jade bottle and poured it into his mouth without waiting for her to finish. He sensed that the poison that had spread to his left shoulder had indeed stopped. He calmed down and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Fairy Li! The jade slip is at the bottom of a small hill outside the city. It would be in a triangular formation of three scholar trees."
After saying this, he clenched the pellet in his sleeve tightly and held his breath.
Fairy Li did not look at him again after he spoke. With a wave of her sleeve, she disappeared in the blink of an eye amidst the crisp ringing of the wind chime.
"…"
Pei Ling wiped his cold sweat with lingering fear. Fairy Li gave him too much pressure.
Although from Wu Tingxi's attitude before his death, the pellet in his hand was most likely his trump card, after personally facing Fairy Li, he was not sure whether this pellet could threaten her.
Fortunately, although this fairy was cold and arrogant, she did not have the intention of burning the bridge after crossing the river.
This was the most desirable outcome he had hoped for before he returned.
From the looks of it, it could be said to be a great fortune amidst misfortune.
"Pei Ling, what is the meaning of this?!" Pei Xuan heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Fairy Li leave. His expression darkened as he berated, "This is a rare opportunity. Why are you thinking only about yourself instead of the family? Don't forget that the Pei family has raised you all these years!"
Although Pei Ling had consumed the Poison Expelling Pills, the unyielding attention in the surrounding air was like maggots latching onto his bones, intensifying every second. How could he be in the mood to talk to the Family Head?
He replied promptly, "Yes, I will always remember the Pei Clan's kindness. Therefore, I'm afraid that if I die at a young age, I will not be able to continue serving the family. Please don't worry, Master. In a while, when Fairy Li comes back and helps me deal with the painting, I will put in a good word for the family."
With that, he cupped his hands to the family head and turned to leave.
He hurriedly returned to his residence, his face had already turned pale, and was on the verge of collapse. He forced himself to close the door, and Pei Ling felt that it was getting difficult to think straight.
"No!" He bit the tip of his tongue hard and forced himself to stay awake.
If this carries on, I'm afraid I won't be able to last until Fairy Li retrieves the cultivation technique jade slip.
The only thing he could do now was to let the system cultivate like before!
The problem was that he did not dare to attempt the Bone Forging Art's one-click management anymore.
Who knew what the system would steal from Zheng Jingshan or Fairy Li with his body this time?
These two would be returning to the Jade Parasol Compound in a while. When the time came, they would probably see him steal something from their room and still swagger about cultivating on the spot. One could imagine the outcome.
"System, I want to cultivate!" Amid his anxiety, Pei Ling suddenly remembered that he could not only choose the Bone Forging Art now.
He hurriedly called out in his mind, "Select the Nameless Divine Art, then select [Temporary Cultivation—Smart Duration, and [One-Click Management]!"
"Ding-dong!" The system operated rapidly. "The Smart Cultivation System is at your service! One-click management, smart upgrades! Beginning cultivation now, a thoughtful reminder: During the cultivation period, the host will lose control of the body. Please do not panic…"
The moment his body was taken over by the system, the invisible eyes from the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa pattern rapidly disappeared.
Pei Ling secretly heaved a sigh of relief, but he still observed the system's actions nervously.
The system placed his body in a completely different position from the Bone Forging Art. The spiritual power in his dantian also began to circulate in a new manner.
As his cultivation progressed, the effects of the Poison Expelling Pill that he had taken previously began to show. Pei Ling could feel that the toxicity in his left shoulder was beginning to subside and his senses were recovering…
At the same time, outside Deer Spring City, on the small hill by the three scholar trees that Pei Ling had mentioned, Fairy Li successfully found the cultivation technique jade slip that Wu Tingxi had left behind.
There were still some miscellaneous items with the jade slip, but she did not even take a look at them. "Although Luo Qiao's core formation is only low-grade, he's been in the Core Formation Stage for many years. He won't make a rookie mistake. There must be something special about this Six Desires Secret Manual for him to take the risk to switch cultivation."
Fairy Li murmured to herself before putting the jade slip between her eyebrows with great expectations.
However, just as the jade slip touched her skin, it suddenly emitted a cold light.
Whoosh!
Fairy Li reacted quickly and threw the jade slip away. However, before she knew it, the cold light still crashed towards her sea of consciousness at the speed of lightning!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 10: The System Will Give You A Dao Partner for Free
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Luo Qiao?!" Fairy Li was caught off guard. She felt like her head had been struck heavily, and her mind went blank. Fortunately, the wind chime at her waist rang urgently, forcefully shaking that cold glint out of her sea of consciousness.
Fairy Li took the opportunity to stabilize her mind. She swept her gaze around. Although the cold light was forced out, it still floated in the air and lingered around. There was a blurry face in it. Surprisingly It was Luo Qiao, one of the outer sect elders of the Deep Sea Sect who was said to have "fallen" not long ago.
Her face darkened slightly as she shouted, "You still have a divine spirit here?!"
"Fairy Li?" Luo Qiao's divine soul was protecting the jade slip and did not know the situation in the outside world. He sensed that someone was trying to check on the technique and took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack. When he realized that it was Fairy Li, he was shocked.
"Who do you think you are to covet the Six Desires Secret Manual?"
Fairy Li snorted. "Who would find the way to become a Nascent Soul too much? Cut the crap. Surrender now and I'll give you a quick death."
"How amusing." Luo Qiao's divine spirit danced in the air as he chuckled. "How can a member of the Holy Sect sit and wait for death? Besides, you have a better future ahead of you, while I'm at my wit's end. Are you really going to take the risk and fight me to the death?"
"How about you spare me and I'll give the cultivation technique to you, Fairy?"
As he spoke, he rolled up the jade slip and presented it to Fairy Li. Just as Fairy Li's gaze landed on the jade slip, Luo Qiao's expression turned savage. He suddenly looked up and let out a sharp screech.
Fairy Li sneered. "I've long been prepared!"
She had just suffered from her careless mistake once. How could she underestimate her enemy again?
At some point, the numerous wind chimes at her waist had already opened their mouths in unison and seemed to let out a silent howl in pain.
Luo Qiao's spirit seemed to be slashed by an invisible blade, and the screeching stopped! At the same time, purple light flashed on the tip of Fairy Li's finger, and her spiritual power was like a snake as it jumped into the air to bind Luo Qiao.
"Spirit Binding Force?" Luo Qiao was from the same sect as her and knew that this magic technique specialized in dealing with the remnant spirits. Even though he was at the Core Formation realm when he was alive, he instinctively feared the purple light. He changed his plan as he looked at Fairy Li viciously and suddenly split into two, two into four, four into eight, and fled in all directions.
Fairy Li was not surprised as she shouted, "Trying to escape?"
She stretched out her fair, slender, and long fingers, opening them up to the sky before grabbing fiercely.
Whoosh!
In the next moment, a chilling wind blew while spirit energy was in chaos. The sky in the vicinity darkened as five faintly discernible fences stood up with Fairy Li at the center, forming a pentagon.
Luo Qiao's divine spirit, which had already scattered and fled into the distance, was forcefully pulled back by some unseen power. He could not help but cry out in shock, "Five finger Dragon Prison! You managed to cultivate this divine art!"
Before Fairy Li could reply, he laughed sinisterly. "Since I must die today, you can forget about getting the Six Desires Secret Manual!"
Before he finished his sentence, his spirit wrapped around the jade slip and became volatile. He was planning to self-destruct.
"How dare you!!" Fairy Li had a lofty status in the Deep Sea Sect and had chased all the way to Deer Spring City for the sake of this cultivation technique that was rumored to be able to change her foundation, break her core and form her Nascent Soul. How could she tolerate working for nothing?
Although she knew that the power of a Core Formation cultivator's soul self-destruction was extraordinary, she never thought of turning back.
At the same time, the wind chime on her body rang loudly. Layers of complicated patterns surfaced on her fair skin. She reached out her hand to forcefully rip open Luo Qiao's spirit before grabbing the jade slip.
Right when she grabbed the jade slip, Luo Qiao's spirit exploded.
After a while, the small hill disappeared. There were only three holes left at the landmark that Pei Ling had mentioned at the bottom of the hill. The area within a few miles had become cratered, with some areas even revealing damaged rocks.
It was sufficient to display the terror of a Core Formation cultivator's spirit exploding.
"Cough, cough cough…" Fairy Li slowly descended from the sky. As soon as she landed, she could not help but cough. Then, she used her sleeve to cover her face as she spat out a mouthful of blood.
However, she did not pay too much attention to her injuries at the moment. Luo Qiao had already died and there was nothing that could threaten her in this tiny Deer Spring City, so she hurriedly checked the condition of the jade slip.
Despite her best to protect the jade slip, it still cracked.
Fairy Li frowned. With her experience, she knew that it would affect the cultivation technique within. Although it would not be ruined just like that, she had to return to the sect and find someone to repair it before she could obtain the Six Desires Secret Manual.
Even though it was more troublesome than expected, at least she had achieved her goal. Fairy Li coughed a few more times and kept the jade slip. Her black veil dress moved slightly, and she disappeared from the spot in the blink of an eye.
After a while, Fairy Li appeared in the courtyard just like how she left.
She endured the self-destruction of the soul of a Core Formation cultivator and rushed back to the Pei residence. Even though she was a top genius disciple in the Deep Sea Sect, she could not help but feel weak at the moment.
She coughed again as soon as she landed on the ground. With a wave of his hand, she hung the wind chime back on the temple eaves and walked inside quickly.
Immediately, the door closed by itself without any wind.
In the room, Fairy Li sat on the bed and swallowed a medicinal pill before circulating her cultivation to treat her injuries.
She was in a hurry to stabilize her injuries before returning to the Deep Sea Sect to repair the jade slip. She had long forgotten about Pei Ling. After all, he was only a small collateral descendant of the Pei family.
Even the Pei family's eldest son, Pei Hongnian, was a dog in front of her.
No, he was worse than a dog.
After all, only someone like Zheng Jingshan was a proper dog.
Meanwhile, Pei Hongnian would at most be Zheng Jingshan's dog.
As for Pei Ling, in Fairy Li's opinion, he was not even comparable to Pei Hongnian, so there was nothing worth mentioning about him.
Therefore, even if her negligence caused Pei Ling to die under the hands of the Rakshasa Painting, it could only be said that it was Pei Ling's fate.
What did it have to do with her?
At this moment, Pei Ling had also forgotten about Fairy Li. Just as he was feeling the cultivation of the new cultivation technique, the system suddenly rang. "Ding Dong! The nameless cultivation method requires dual cultivation. You can only continue cultivating if you have a Dao companion…"
Huh??
"Ding-dong!" the system said mechanically. "Detected that the host lacks a Dao Partner, the system will give you a Dao Partner for free…"
The next moment, Pei Ling watched as his body stopped cultivating. He grabbed the pellet by his side and stood up. Then, he strode over to open the door and rushed out at a speed that far surpassed his current cultivation level.
"System??" Pei Ling was about to explode. He could not help but scream in his mind, "You better stop right now! Do you even f*cking know where this is? The women here are either my sisters or my brothers' and uncles' wives!"
Pei Ling finally understood that this retarded system would never rest until he got killed!
Just as Pei Ling was racking his brains to think of how to clean up the mess after his family found out, he realized something that terrified him to the point of death: he had arrived at the Jade Parasol Compound again!
He entered the compound once again!
The system did not pay attention to the upper room and the residence of the maidservants in front of him. Instead, it followed the route that Pei Xuan had taken Pei Ling to previously and headed for the backyard!
Outside the temple, the wind chime at the eaves rang suddenly.
Fairy Li sensed the commotion from inside and frowned slightly. She realized that Pei Ling was running madly towards her.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Fairy Li realized. She had agreed to resolve the threat of the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting for Pei Ling after obtaining the jade slip. However, she forgot about it as she was busy recovering from the explosion.
Now that Pei Ling had broken in without any regard for the rules and even slammed on the door, he was probably unable to hold on anymore.
At the thought of this, Fairy Li stopped recuperating temporarily and said, "I…"
However, before she could finish his words, the door to the apartment got kicked open!
Right on the heels of that, Pei Ling's eyes were filled with anxiety and anger, but his expression was otherwise calm as he stepped into the room. Fairy Li understood that he was in danger, which explained his disrespectful actions. Just as she was about to berate him, little did she know that the moment Pei Ling entered the room, he would throw a pellet at her door.
The pellet exploded into powder in midair, enveloping the entire room instantly.
Seven Ultimate Soul Subduing Powder!?Fairy Li was shocked. It was the trump card of Luo Qiao's faction. She had thought that it would have been used during the faction's escape, but it had actually fallen into Pei Ling's hands.
If it were any other time, such a method would not be able to harm her naturally. However, not long ago, to protect the jade slip containing the Six Desires Secret Manual, she had just borne the brunt of Luo Qiao's spirit self-destruction. Her physical body and soul had been severely injured. At this moment, she was at her weakest. She thought that Pei Ling came to seek help, but she could never expect that a mere collateral descendant of the Pei family at the third level of Qi Refinement would dare to attack her.
Shock and anger flashed through Fairy Li's eyes, but she did not have the chance to say a word before she collapsed!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 11: Can I Keep My Identity as a Slacker?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The system then stepped forward and pulled her up from the ground. It raised Pei Ling's hand to pull off her veil hat, revealing a soft and beautiful face with snow-white skin and lips. At the moment, the brows expressed great shock.
Holy shit!
She collapsed just like that??
Pei Ling thought that he would be killed with a single slap, but who knew that the system would succeed in one hit.
However, that was not the main point. The main point was…
"System, what the f*ck are you doing???" He did not know whether the system was crazy or not. In any case, he was about to go crazy himself. How did Pei Xuan introduce this Fairy Li some time ago?
She was expected to be the next Saintess of the Deep Sea Sect!
A Saintess!
Was that something he could even touch???
Wu Tingxi only had a cultivation technique jade slip, and it was his master's belonging, and he had died without a complete corpse.
If he touched the next Saintess of the Deep Sea Sect, how many portions of his ashes should be scattered?
Wait, could he even have ashes?
"Ding Dong!" Like before, the system did not care about the host's emotions at all. Immediately, it gave a notification. "Dao Partner has been gifted. Continuing cultivation now…"
At this moment, he was in despair.
Can I even keep my identity as a steady slacker after this???
Zheng Jingshan hurriedly returned to the Pei family's residence. He went to the main hall to find Pei Xuan. "Have you found Wu Tingxi? Where is he? Where's the stuff?"
"Fellow Daoist Zheng, don't be anxious." Pei Xuan was talking to a woman. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly gave the woman a look and stood up to welcome him with a smile. He explained, "Wu Tingxi is already dead. As for the items, according to my family's disciple, Fairy Li personally went to retrieve them."
He was afraid that Zheng Jingshan would forget his previous promise. "It's just that after Fairy Li returned, she entered the Green Parasol Compound directly but did not mention the Bone Tempering Pill…"
"Here are the 50 Bone Tempering Pills." Upon hearing this, Zheng Jingshan casually threw out a jade bottle and said, "I'm going to visit Senior Sister."
He turned around and left in a flash.
"Family Head, these were all obtained by Pei Ling." That woman's eyes darted around as she hurriedly walked over to remind him, "Don't forget to allocate more to my Tu'er when distributing it."
Pei Xuan kept the jade bottle and snorted. "Since you mentioned Pei Ling, I called you here to talk about this. How have you been teaching this child all these years? At the crucial moment, he didn't even think about the family clan! He only has one more chance to meet the guests. Go tell him so that he won't think about only himself and think about the family clan more! He's a disciple of the Pei family. Won't it be good for him if the clan grows stronger?"
The woman was Pei Ling's stepmother. Her eyes brightened. "Are you rewarding Pei Ling?"
"I don't know about that." Pei Xuan said indifferently, "As a dignified family head, can I still covet the possession of a junior?"
"I understand." The woman gave a cold laugh and said, "Don't worry, Family Head. If Pei Ling hides anything in private, I'll teach that child to be sensible. It's just that, after all my hard work, my Tu-er…"
Pei Xuan nodded. "I'll get Hongnian to guide him more."
While they were discussing, Zheng Jingshan had already returned to the Jade Parasol Compound. He first went to the back to find his Senior Sister. However, before he approached, he heard the urgent ringing of the wind chime under the temple. The sound waves traveled around, and Zheng Jingshan could not help but feel dizzy. He knew how powerful his senior sister's intrinsic magic weapon was, so he did not dare to approach her. He only bowed from afar and said, "Senior sister?"
After a moment, there was no response from the temple. Instead, the skulls on the wind chime were getting more and more agitated, while the souls within wandered around restlessly.
Zheng Jingshan forced himself to hold on. He felt uncomfortable in his chest and felt like vomiting blood. He could not take it anymore. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "I will take my leave for now. I will listen to my Senior Sister's instructions later."
He retreated to the back and away from the temple. He finally caught his breath and returned to his room.
However, as soon as he reached the door, he felt that something was amiss. The door was wide open?
As his senior sister did not like to be disturbed, he drove all the servants away when he first arrived at the Jade Parasol Compound. He only told them to tidy up the courtyard after he left. As for the rooms, they were not allowed to enter.
No one in the Pei family would dare to disobey his orders.
When he left earlier, he had clearly closed the door. Why was it opened now?
Zheng Jingshan became suspicious and went on guard. He formed a hand seal before slowly entering the temple. However, as soon as he entered, he was overwhelmed by a putrid smell.
He didn't dare hesitate and quickly checked around. After confirming that there was no one, he then carefully looked at the place that emitted the strange smell.
With Zheng Jingshan's experience, he quickly recognized that it was left behind by someone who cultivated in his room and had broken through a minor realm. He could not help but fly into a fury!
He then asked the Rakshasa Painting, "Who intruded my room while I was not around?"
The hundreds of beauties in the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting covered their mouths and chuckled. For a moment, the room was filled with giggling sounds that seemed to be coming from afar, and also seemed real yet illusory… Nevertheless, Zheng Jingshan listened carefully and nodded. After a moment, he revealed a contorted expression. "A mere kid of the Pei family dares to be so presumptuous! It's too easy on him to become a blood sacrifice! Just you wait, I will skin him right now."
As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't be bothered to rest and left furiously.
On the other side, in the backyard of the Green Parasol Compound. Perhaps because of the nameless cultivation method, Pei Ling's mind and body poured into training despite his initial fear.
At the same time, a strange power was continuously infused into his limbs and bones. Not only did his injuries from the fight with Wu Tingxi heal rapidly, and even the third level of Qi Refinement that he had just broken through was also rapidly growing.
After a while, the wind chime outside gradually became softer. Meanwhile, a "ding-dong" finally sounded in Pei Ling's ear. "This cultivation has been completed. Thank you for using the Smart Cultivation System. With a single click, you will ascend without any worries! I look forward to you sharing the cultivation evaluation. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!"
He instantly regained control of his body and returned to his senses from his cultivation.
"…"
Run!
Immediately! Now!
However, at this moment, there was a series of footsteps from the outside, followed by Zheng Jingshan's voice. "My greetings Senior Sister. Pei Ling from the Pei family's collateral branch had the nerves to sneak into my room while I was out. This person has already fled from his crimes… If you don't have any instructions, I plan to go personally and skin him alive to warn the others!"
Oh for f*ck sake.
Chapter 12: Feedback for Cashback
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pei Ling had almost suffocated in the room!
Zheng Jingshan, who was outside the temple, was also anxious. "Why isn't Senior Sister speaking?"
Is she too focused on studying the jade slip, or could not be bothered with me?
At that moment, he hated Pei Ling to the core.
After all, in Zheng Jingshan's opinion, the only thing that could anger his Senior Sister recently was that as an inner sect disciple and one of the faction leaders of the Deep Sea Sect, he had allowed a disciple of the Pei family to find Wu Tingxi before him.
Presumably, when Pei Ling took the item and came to find Senior Sister, Senior Sister had increasingly believed that Zheng Jingshan was a piece of trash.
Zheng Jingshan did not dare to leave without Fairy Li's permission. However, when he thought of how Pei Ling had not only embarrassed him in front of his senior sister, he had also broken into his room to cultivate. If he were to let him go like this, how could he tolerate that?
As he was in a dilemma, he suddenly heard a familiar cold voice mixed with a fit of rare anger. "Scram!"
Although Zheng Jingshan was wary of the skull wind chime and did not dare approach the temple, he was still shocked by the deafening shout from inside. He calmed himself down and lowered his head. "Yes. I'll be back soon."
In the room, Pei Ling watched stiffly as Fairy Li slowly sat up on the bed. Her dress had been torn apart by the system's control of Pei Ling's body. At the moment, she was undraped, her delicate skin filled with the marks left behind by Dual Cultivation. There were a few dark red spots on the bed. The scene mixed with her originally fierce and arrogant temperament made her look holy yet fallen, giving off a unique charm.
However, Fairy Li's face was frosty at the moment. Her eyes were burning with rage as she looked at Pei Ling coldly.
Pei Ling stood there like a statue and looked at her expressionlessly.
It couldn't be helped… He did not know what expression he should have to face this fairy.
Fairy Li stared at Pei Ling for a moment before slapping her palm down!
Pei Ling's hair stood on end. When he thought that he was surely dead, the wind from the palm almost touched his face before it suddenly slanted and pulverized a small table nearby.
Next, Fairy Li flew into a rage and slapped repeatedly. All the cherry-picked furnishings of the Pei family, including the cloud bed, were ruined.
After venting her anger, she seemed to have finally calmed down a little. She stood up from the edge of the bed, but just as she did so, she subconsciously frowned. Her footsteps suddenly stopped. In the next moment, her spiritual power lifted her body as she tilted her head to swipe a cold glance at Pei Ling.
Just as Pei Ling thought that Fairy Li was going to say something, she turned around and entered the inner room.
Not long after, the sound of running water could be heard from inside, as if she was washing up.
Pei Ling stood rooted on the spot, not daring to breathe.
He did not know why Fairy Li did not kill him, while he did not dare to ask, nor did he dare to run. He could only pray silently that Fairy Li was beautiful and kind to let him off this time…
It was only then when he noticed that the system's rating panel was still floating in front of him.
"You still have the cheek to ask for a five-star rating?!" Pei Ling was infuriated instantly. He went crazy in his mind. "If I could delete you, I would have made you get lost anytime! I'll knock you down, do you hear me? I'll knock you down! Can you not f*cking cause trouble every time you cultivate?! It must be after I managed to escape from Zheng Jingshan and Wu Tingxi that you're f*cking disappointed. And then you took it even further just to destroy me completely?!"
As he cursed, Pei Ling suddenly felt a lingering fear. Fortunately, it was a dual cultivation method, not the Sunflower?Manual1!
"Ding-Dong!" The system said mechanically, "The smart cultivation system is at your service. One-Click Management and fulfill your dream of ascending! I look forward to you sharing your cultivation evaluation. If you are satisfied, you can give me a good five-star evaluation!"
"Get lost! Get lost right now!!" Pei Ling spat.
"* this stupid system! And you want a five-star rating?! You f*cking* system! I'm *!!! I even think it's too much to give you a one-star rating!!"
With that, he gave a five-star rating without hesitation.
"Ding-dong!" Perhaps it was because Pei Ling had given it a good rating, the system did not remain silent after obtaining the one-star rating in the previous two times. It rang again. "Thank you for the host's heartfelt rating."
Right on the heels of that, a terrifying scenario repeated itself!
The system replied, "Ding Dong! The host has given a five-star rating. The system will give you an Essence Augmenting Pill for free."
"Oh *!"
Before he could think further, the system had already taken over his body. His body walked forward in large strides and took out a pouch with black bottom and silver pattern from the torn dress of Fairy Li on the ground. After opening it, he took out a jade bottle and promptly poured out the only pill inside. He held it in his hand, then casually threw the pouch aside. "Ding Dong! The Essence Augmenting Pill has been gifted to you. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. One-Click Management without worries and fulfill your dream of ascending!"
Pei Ling was dumbfounded!
So I basically slept with the future Saintess, then stole her items to reward myself???
What kind of f*cking scum system would do such a thing???
He hurriedly picked up the pouch with the mysterious silver pattern from the floor before Fairy Li came out, wanting to return the Essence Augmenting Pill.
However, just as he opened the pouch and was about to take out the jade bottle, the sound of water suddenly stopped.
Pei Ling shuddered and subconsciously closed the pouch before stuffing it under a few pieces of torn clothes.
In the next moment, Fairy Li, whose long hair was slightly wet, walked out gracefully in a slightly different styled black gauze dress.
With a cold expression, she did not look at Pei Ling. Instead, she rushed to the area of her torn dress and began searching for something.
Pei Ling: "…!"
Fairy Li quickly found the pouch that he had handled. After opening it, she took out the jade bottle inside and poured it down, but there was nothing. This caused a hint of surprise to appear on her beautiful face. She stared at the jade bottle and fell into deep thought.
Pei Ling, who had witnessed all of this, held his breath. His eyes widened and his mind almost stopped.
The only Essence Augmenting Pill remained tightly clenched in his palm after the system returned control to his body…
Fortunately, the wind chimes under the eaves suddenly moved without any wind, emitting a few crisp sounds.
Pei Ling felt dizzy. In his shock, he hurriedly bit the tip of his tongue and forced himself to wake up.
Meanwhile, Fairy Li looked outside the door suddenly, her eyes filled with faint murderous intent!
"Senior Sister." After a moment, a series of footsteps sounded from outside the door. Immediately, Pei Hongnian probed carefully, "Senior Sister. May I ask if you would like to stay in my residence for a few more days? Senior Brother Zheng has already chased outside of the city for dozens of kilometers, but he hasn't found it…"
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Fairy Li's cold voice. "Zheng Jingshan!"
"…Senior Sister, I'm here." Pei Hongnian went silent immediately. After a short silence, Zheng Jingshan's voice sounded carefully after Pei Hongnian. "Senior Sister, although Wu Tingxi was already seriously injured when he escaped to Yuanmu Mountain, he is still Elder Luo's disciple. Pei Ling is only at the third stage of Qi Refinement, but he was able to find and kill him before anyone else. He even took the cultivation technique jade slip. I'm afraid there's more to him than meets the eye."
"I thought that this person might have some secret, so I will capture him not only to vent my anger…"
Fairy Li did not answer, and Zheng Jingshan's tone became even more apprehensive. "So may I ask Senior Sister, can you give me three days to find him and grind his bones into ashes?"
Pei Ling did not dare to make a sound while he stole a peek at Fairy Li.
Fairy Li remained expressionless. Suddenly, she flicked her finger and shook open the door of the temple before walking out slowly.
Outside, Zheng Jingshan had forced Pei Hongnian to come and speak for him, but Fairy Li had exposed him and he was panicking. When his senior sister walked out, he heaved a sigh of relief. He thought that she was going to ask about the details, so he quickly stepped forward. Just as he was about to speak, he was shocked to see Pei Ling, who looked hesitant, standing by the door.
"You're Pei Ling! How dare you disturb your Senior Sister?!" Zheng Jingshan was shocked and hurriedly said to Fairy Li, "Senior Sister, but this person's words and actions are…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Fairy Li raised her hand and slapped him heavily on the face.
Although she had not recovered from her serious injuries, this slap had no issues sending Zheng Jingshan flying backward and smashing him against the wall.
Zheng Jingshan slid down the cracked wall and fell to the ground. He opened its mouth and spat out two teeth. He could not care less about his swollen face as he looked at Fairy Li in shock and confusion.
Pei Hongnian, who was at the side, was also puzzled as to why Pei Ling was here. Still, he would not dare ask under the circumstances.
In fact, from Pei Ling's point of view, this Pei family's eldest son, recognized as the most outstanding youth genius of the young generation, was trembling and was about to leave.
Fairy Li ignored them as she took out a miniature black jade boat from somewhere. With a hand seal, the boat swelled up against the wind and instantly transformed into a three-decker tower ship that floated in the air.
The wind chime did not need Fairy Li's command as it flickered on its own accord, emitting a pleasant sound. In a daze, Pei Ling saw that it was already hanging from the corner of the ship.
Fairy Li was the first to go up. With a flick of her sleeve, she instructed coldly, "Return to the sect!"
Pei Ling heaved a sigh of relief. He was hoping that everyone would leave so that he could hide the Essence Augmenting Pill alone. However, after Pei Hongnian helped the limping Zheng Jingshan up, the boat did not move.
Just as Pei Ling was puzzled, Zheng Jingshan noticed him and immediately turned around to scold him, "Bastard! What are you still standing there for? Get here quickly!"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 13: Some People May Look Subservient...
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After a while, the black jade tower ship turned into a beam of light that flew out of Deer Spring City.
Pei Ling, who was experiencing flight for the first time in this world, did not have the mood to appreciate the scenery around him. Instead, he stood on the deck with his head lowered, trying his best to appear more steady.
Fairy Li had already flicked her sleeves and entered the cabin before leaving the city. The remaining three looked at each other for a while. A murderous look flashed between Zheng Jingshan's brows as he shouted in a deep voice, "Who gave you the guts to barge into my residence!"
"…" Pei Ling racked his brains to think for a reason. /Damn it, I don't want to either, do you believe it?
Seeing that he did not answer, Zheng Jingshan's eyes flashed fiercely. If it were a while ago, he would not have even asked as he would have punched him directly.
However, Pei Ling was brought on the boat by his senior sister, after all. He did not know what her plans were…
He thought about it and suddenly noticed something. He said, "Why did the symbol of the Rakshasa Painting disappear?! Was it Senior Sister who intervened?"
Pei Ling was startled when he heard this. Only then did he realize that his cultivation level had shockingly increased by another level. He was now at the fourth level of Qi Refinement.
He composed himself and was about to speak when Pei Hongnian exclaimed, "The fourth level of Qi Refinement?!"
Zheng Jingshan did not understand Pei Ling's background, but as the Pei family's eldest son, Pei Hongnian would know. Every time he returned home from the outer sect of the Deep Sea Sect, he had the responsibility to guide his peers. How could he not know that Pei Ling was only at the second level of Qi Refinement when he returned home a few days ago.
Judging by the time, less than a month had passed, and his junior brother had already advanced two levels in succession quietly?
"Huh?" Upon hearing what Pei Hongnian said, Zheng Jingshan immediately thought of something. He quickly checked the items he had on him, and his expression changed immediately. Ten Bone Tempering Pills were missing!
The Bone Tempering Pill was meant to be used together with the Bone Forging Art cultivation. Usually, one could only take one pill for each cultivation. Now that ten pills were missing, it meant that Pei Ling had not only snuck into his room to cultivate once but at least ten times.
Pei Hongnian was only a lowly dog under him. No, the entire Pei family was like a dog in front of him. Meanwhile, Pei Ling was inconspicuous in the Pei family and did not even have the right to approach the Green Parasol Compound.
In the end, this kid appeared subservient on the surface. In reality, he trespassed into his residence, stole his pills, cultivated in his room, and even did it in front of the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting. Not once, not twice, but ten times!
At this moment, Zheng Jingshan and the late Wu Tingxi had a tacit understanding: Were cultivators nowadays going to risk it all for ten Bone Tempering Pills?!
Or they, as disciples of a large sect, have stayed in the sect every single day and lived comfortably for too long, to the point of gradually losing the awareness of either moving forward or falling back without realizing it?
Other than feeling shocked, his impression of Pei Ling did improve slightly.
After all, the strong preyed on the weak. In Zheng Jingshan's opinion, Pei Ling's action was not worth the risk to ascend from the second level of Qi Refinement to the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Still, such an unorthodox way of pursuing power was in line with the true meaning of Dao in Zheng Jingshan's eyes.
He's brave and young; He's ruthless to his clansmen and himself; He's from a humble background, making him easy to bribe…
Zheng Jingshan thought quickly.?No, merely these are never enough to catch Senior Sister's eyes.
This senior sister of his was the core disciple of the Deep Sea Sect and the future Saintess. Although Pei Ling was a promising talent in Zheng Jingshan's eyes, how could he compare to Fairy Li?
At the thought of this, Zheng Jingshan withdrew his anger and looked deeply at Pei Ling before taking out a bone saber from his storage bag.
The bone saber was about four feet long and was completely snow-white in color. There was only a bright and glistening line of blood seemingly undried in the middle of the blade. There was a diagram of a ferocious ghost with a green face and fangs carved on both sides of the handle in the shape of a person being devoured. At the instant it appeared, a round of faint wailing echoed.
Pei Ling could not help but raise his guard at the sight of this. However, Zheng Jingshan did not have the intention to attack. Instead, he reversed the saber and, with only two fingers, held onto the tip of the blade. He said slowly, "You two have contributed to arresting Wu Tingxi this time. Although I have already awarded 50 Bone Tempering Pills to your family clan, the two of you have yet to receive anything! The Holy Sect has always been clear about rewards and punishments. How about this? I will only use 20% of my strength. You guys come up one by one. Whoever can pull the saber from my fingers, this Life-Extinguishing Blade will be your reward."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Zheng!"
Pei Hongnian had not paid attention to Pei Ling before this. He had only just noticed that this junior's cultivation was already the same as his own. He was jealous with mixed feelings. He could not help but be overjoyed when he heard the offer. "I am deeply grateful for Senior Brother's generosity!"
He stepped forward without hesitation, grabbed the hilt of the saber with both hands, and yanked it.
The blade remained still.
Pei Hongnian's expression turned serious. He took a deep breath and circulated his Qi and blood. He channeled all his cultivation at the fourth level of the Qi Refinement realm and tried his best to pull the handle of the saber again… but it did not budge!
After several tries, Zheng Jingshan's fingertip did not even shake a little. Pei Hongnian was ashamed and unwilling to accept this fate. He wanted to try again, but Zheng Jingshan was getting impatient. "Forget it. You are not strong enough. You can back down."
With that, he looked at Pei Ling.
Although Pei Ling did not know why Zheng Jingshan suddenly let him off and even took out the Life-Extinguishing Blade as a reward, how could he refuse at a time like this?
However, just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly shuddered.
His left arm was injured by Wu Tingxi's Five Poison Finger previously to the point his bones were visible. Although he got cured and felt much better after the dual cultivation, he had not fully recovered. His right hand was not injured, but his right hand was tightly clutching the Essence Augmenting Pill that he had just stolen from Fairy Li!
What should he do?
Zheng Jingshan's expression darkened when he saw the hesitation.
Pei Ling had previously followed the family head's orders to the main hall of the Pei Residence and listened to his orders obediently. He seemed respectful and subservient then, but now, he actually dared to take his time. Could it be that he believed that he had obtained the favor of his Senior Sister and was deliberately taking advantage?!
If that was the case, this kid… was nothing worth mentioning after all.
"How dare you, Pei Ling!" Pei Hongnian was already feeling down when he saw it. He scolded, "Senior Brother Zheng is rewarding you, yet you didn't come forward immediately. Does this mean that you don't like this Life-Extinguishing Blade?!"
What the f*ck? Even this Cultivation World is playing the script of Beyond the Realm of?Conscience1? I'll remember this!
And this trash system!
I shouldn't have given this retard a five-star review!
Pei Ling cursed in his heart. The origin of the Essence Augmenting Pill that the system had "gifted" was too suffocating. At this moment, he could only brace himself and reach out his left hand to grab towards the Life-Extinguishing Blade.
Right then, the surroundings dimmed suddenly.
Pei Ling was startled and quickly looked around, but the sky was clear. Just as he was wondering, he realized that a faint black fog had risen on the deck.
The appearance of the black fog was abrupt, and it spread rapidly. Soon, it reached the waists of the three of them, and a chill that seemed to strike straight into their souls arrived.
As for Pei Ling and Pei Hongnian, their teeth could not help but chatter despite trying their best to hold it in.
While the cousins were in shock, the black fog surged like waves. As if it had been summoned, it rapidly swirled towards a spot not far from the three of them, forming a black pillar of mist that was more than a hundred feet tall. It was as imposing as a dragon!
In the next moment, the pillar of fog collapsed as two translucent women in palatial clothes appeared.
The woman on the left had beautiful hair that was tied into a high bun, and she wore a flower crown. She was beautiful and pale; The woman on the right only seemed to be around 15 or 16 years of age, and she was elegant and beautiful. She wore a jade pearls necklace, with her hair tied into two buns, while numerous dark blue butterflies fluttered around her. When their wings flapped lightly, glittering light blue sparkles sprinkled down.
Their clothes were beautiful but black mist covered below their knees. The entire floating deck was covered in it. Both of them looked over, but there were no pupils in their eyes, left with only a deep black color that seemed particularly peculiar.
"Senior Sister's Ghost Servants…" Zheng Jingshan's pupils constricted, and he subconsciously revealed a hint of fear. He nodded and said, "Since Miss Jiaoni and Miss Wuliu are here, does Senior Sister have any instructions?"
"My master has ordered all of you to enter your respective cabins to rest," the woman on the left said lightly. "If you need anything, you can just ring the bell in the room."
Zheng Jingshan hurriedly asked, "About Senior Sister…"
The woman on the right covered her mouth and giggled. There seemed to be a blue light flashing in her black eyes. She did not even look at him as she said softly, "Master also said that before we reach the sect, no one is allowed to go up to the top floor to disturb us unless there are some major issues."
Seeing Zheng Jingshan silenced, she was satisfied. She glanced at the three of them and asked curiously, "What are all of you doing?"
"Miss Wuliu, Senior Brother Zheng is testing us." Pei Hongnian explained the situation dejectedly.
After hearing this, the two girls looked at each other, and Jiao Ni's interest piqued. "In that case, you have already failed. Now, it's your cousin's turn?"
Pei Hongnian smiled awkwardly. "Yes."
Hearing this, Jiao Ni looked at Pei Ling with a faint smile. "Sure, please continue. We'll watch the show."
Pei Ling's hair stood on end from a look from that pair of deep black eyes. He hurriedly lowered his head, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. His right hand was still holding the Essence Augmenting Pill that the servants' owner had lost!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 14: Dark Bone Phantom Ship
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pei Ling forced himself to calm down. Since these two female ghosts wanted to watch the show, they would probably not notice him after it.
With this thought, he immediately decided to admit defeat after one attempt.
After all, no matter how good the Life-Extinguishing Blade was, it was not as important as his life. Besides, Pei Hongnian had been in the fourth level of Qi Refinement for some time. Just now, he could not move the Life-Extinguishing Blade at all no matter what he did. Clearly, 20% of the power of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment Realm was a world of difference compared to their current cultivation level.
He had just entered the fourth level of the Qi Refinement realm. Why would he waste his energy?
Therefore, Pei Ling stretched out his left hand and grabbed the hilt of the Life-Extinguishing Blade, exerting his strength slightly.
Zheng Jingshan frowned at the sight of this. Although he had only taken out the Life-Extinguishing Blade to test Pei Ling's strength and not reward him sincerely, Pei Ling's cultivation level was only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to pull the Life-Extinguishing Blade out of his fingers with all his might, much less with one hand.
And it was with his injured left arm!
However, before he knew it, a force that exceeded his expectations suddenly came from the handle of the knife. The blade of the Life-Extinguishing Blade moved slightly toward Pei Ling and almost got pulled away.
Zheng Jingshan was shocked as he looked at Pei Ling in a different light. Pei Ling using an injured left arm, was already much stronger than Pei Hongnian, a disciple at the fourth level of Qi Refinement for a long time?!
No, it was impossible for a normal cultivator at the fourth stage of the Qi Refinement realm to have so much strength!
So that was how it was. No wonder this boy could obtain Senior Sister's favor!
He was shocked and uncertain, but he did not hesitate to apply more strength to regain control of the Life-Extinguishing Blade again. It was not that Zheng Jingshan was afraid of losing, nor was he afraid that he would really reward the Life-Extinguishing Blade. Instead, Pei Ling was only using his injured left hand to pull out the blade. If Pei Ling succeeded, where would his dignity as the inner sect master of the Deep Sea Sect go?
Pei Ling did not know what was going on. He glanced at his left sleeve calmly. His wound that had just healed had ruptured, and blood had drenched his sleeve. It was a gruesome sight to see. Still, the Life-Extinguishing Blade only came out a tiny bit. After that, it did not move an inch like a boulder… It was about time.
With that thought, he couldn't care less about the pain. He took a few deep breaths to show that he was exhausted. Then, he took two steps back and knelt on the ground. "Immortal Master Zheng, your level is beyond imagination. I'm afraid that I can't compare to you! This Life-Extinguishing Blade is not something we are worthy of wielding. Please take it back."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Jingshan's expression relaxed a little. Just as he was about to speak, Jiao Ni, who had claimed that she was here to watch the show, suddenly sighed and said, "There can only be one useless person on the Dark Bone Phantom Boat. Pei Hongnian has already occupied this spot. This young master, what are you going to do?"
Pei Ling's heart sank when he heard this. Indeed, the female ghost continued, "Why don't you let me peel off your skin nicely so I can change the old lampshade in our master's room to a new one? That's putting waste to good use, right?"
Holy shit!
Does your master know how vicious you are?!
Your master did not even touch me!
Pei Ling took a deep breath and clenched the Essence Augmenting Pill tightly in his hand. Sensing Jiao Ni's undisguised malice, he felt his hair stand on end.
He had only just entered the fourth level of Qi Refinement. In terms of ability, he felt that he was inferior to Pei Hongnian. Pei Hongnian had already tried his best but could not pull out the Life-Extinguishing Blade. Even if he did his best, how could he possibly change the outcome?!
The female ghost was out to kill him!
Pei Ling was terrified. He immediately made up his mind and circulated his Qi, preparing to fight to the death.
Miss Wuliu suddenly said softly, "Sister, don't be like this. After all, Young Master Pei Ling has always been in Deer Spring City. How can his abilities be compared to the disciples of the Holy Sect in such a desolate place? Plus, Zheng Jingshan is in the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment. Even if he used two fingers and 20% of his strength, it's still too difficult for this young master! In my opinion, why don't we let Zheng Jingshan restrain himself a little more and use 15% of his cultivation?"
Jiao Ni glanced at her and saw Wu Liu smiling sweetly at her. With a thought, she said, "As you wish."
Hearing this, Pei Ling could not help but look at Wu Liu gratefully. "Thank you, Miss Wu Liu."
Although he was worried that even if Zheng Jingshan only used 15% of his cultivation, he might not be able to extract it himself, no matter what, losing 5% of strength gave him some hope of survival! For a moment in his eyes, Wu Liu's pale countenance seemed amiable.
"No need to thank me." Wu Liu tilted her head slightly and gave him a friendly smile, "You can do it, Young Master Pei Ling. Otherwise, you will only become a lampshade for Sister Jiao Ni."
"Yes." Pei Ling secretly glanced at Jiao Ni and saw that this female ghost was sizing him up from head to toe with an icy gaze as if she was considering where to start skinning him. His scalp turned numb, and he hurriedly composed himself, thinking quickly about how to deal with the Essence Augmenting Pill.
Not mentioning Wu Liu, Jiao Ni was clearly up to no good. If they discovered their master's Essence Augmenting Pill… the consequences would be unimaginable!
In the critical moment, Pei Ling suddenly thought of something. He suddenly tore open his outer clothes and nimbly took them off. He conveniently wrapped the Essence Augmenting Pill inside the clothes and threw it on the deck not far away.
After doing this, he endured his intense heartbeat and observed his surroundings from the corner of his eye. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that no one was paying attention to the outer clothes he had thrown on the deck. He then naturally loosened up his Qi, ignoring the blood still flowing from his left arm. He stepped forward and grabbed the hilt of his saber with both hands, holding his breath.
Zheng Jingshan's eyes sparkled. Of course, he could not really do as Wu Liu said to use only 15% of his strength. In fact, he believed that even with 30% of his power, if Pei Ling spared no effort, he was not sure whether he could keep the Life-Extinguishing Blade.
He was wondering whether Jiao Ni and Wu Liu's words were on their own initiative or his senior sister's decision.
If it was the Senior Sister's intention…
Should he quietly increase the difficulty or let Pei Ling pass?
Just as he was considering whether to adjust his strength to 40% to test the boy's limits, he suddenly saw Jiao Ni and Wu Liu's lips curl up slightly as they looked at him with their dark soulless eyes.
His heart palpitated, and he immediately gave up on the idea of tampering with the test.
Right then, Pei Ling channeled all his strength, circulated his Qi at full speed, and jerked it back.
The Life-Extinguishing Blade only froze for a brief moment before it was pulled out of Zheng Jingshan's fingers. Pei Ling staggered back by two steps before he could steady himself as he looked slightly startled.
So easy?
He could not believe it. After all, Pei Hongnian had used all his strength earlier, but it was like an ant trying to shake a tree.
Although Zheng Jingshan had reduced the difficulty after Wuliu's intervention, he was prepared to try again and again to draw the Life-Extinguishing Blade bit by bit.
He could never imagine actually succeeding in just a moment.
Pei Ling held the saber in his hand and was confused for a moment before he looked at Zheng Jingshan.
Zheng Jingshan had a complicated expression on his face. He looked at the Life-Extinguishing Blade in Pei Ling's hand with a trace of reluctance. When he noticed Pei Ling's gaze, he immediately put on a straight face and said, "This Life-Extinguishing Blade is the weapon I used back in the outer sect. Since it's in your hand now, I hope you can train diligently and not stain its good name."
"Yes!" Pei Ling hurriedly bowed. "Thank you for the reward, Immortal Master. I won't let you down!"
Zheng Jingshan's approval did not reassure him completely. Pei Ling then turned to Jiao Ni and Wu Liu, the two ghost maids, to see Jiao Ni smile at him. She covered her mouth and said, "Alright, you can enter the cabin to rest. After settling you guys down, we still have to serve our master!"
It seemed like he had passed this test.
Pei Ling discreetly wiped off his cold sweat while watching Jiao Ni lead Zheng Jingshan and Pei Hongnian into the cabin. He hurriedly rushed over to pick up his outer clothes and patted them down quietly. After confirming that the Essence Augmenting Pill was still inside, he breathed a sigh of relief and followed obediently.
As soon as he stepped into the cabin, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Fortunately, although the chill was similar to when the two ghost maids appeared, it was still tolerable.
What entered his view was a dark pathway with no end in sight. There were dull blue lights every few steps on the two cabin walls. Not only did they not dispel the discomfort caused by the darkness, but they also added a spooky feel to the atmosphere.
After walking for about ten feet, doors began to appear on both sides.
Those doors were drenched in a dark red color as if blood had dried up. There were many talismans drawn on them as if they were sealing something. There were a few doors that might have heard the footsteps outside. There was a muffled knocking sound coming from within, and the force was so great that it seemed possible to break through the door at any moment.
There were a few more doors that looked ordinary when Zheng Jingshan and Pei Hongnian passed by. However, when Pei Ling's turn came, a pair of blood-colored eyes suddenly opened on the door and stared at him with ill intent. Even a few blood-colored vines extended out like the Scarlet Bone Rakshasa Painting, attempting to wrap around Pei Ling and drag him behind the door.
"Back down!" It was Wu Liu who shouted. Only then did the vines unwillingly wave a few times and silently shrink back.
After a while, Wu Liu opened a cabin door for Pei Ling, revealing a simple and spacious room. Pei Ling felt that the shirt at his back was already soaked in sweat.
He walked in, turned around, and thanked her sincerely, "Thank you, Miss Wuliu."
"No problem." Willow's dark eyes stared straight at him, but she did not intend to turn around and leave. Instead, she said softly, "Young Master Pei Ling. Can I ask you a question?"
Pei Ling did not understand and said cautiously, "By all means, Miss. I will tell you everything I know."
Wu Liu nodded with a smile and suddenly hovered in front of him. She was so close that she was almost touching the tip of his nose!
Her dark eyes stared straight at Pei Ling as her extra cold fingers touched his neck. She said coldly, "Young Master Pei Ling, why does your body smell like my master?"
Pei Ling's pupils constricted abruptly, and his hair stood on end. At the same time, a layer of black mist suddenly rose inside the cabin and surrounded him like water clouds, sending a chill down his spine!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 14: I Have a Special Physique!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"!" Pei Ling was shocked as cold sweat instantly gushed out.
Wu Liu tilted her head slightly, and her icy hand seemed to be caressing his cheek intimately as it moved up a little. She said softly, "Young Master Pei Ling, didn't you say that you would tell me everything… Why aren't you answering?"
As she spoke, her fingertip touched the space between Pei Ling's eyebrows, and a chill struck through his flesh to the marrow of his bones. She said sweetly, "Do you want me to be like Sister Jiaoni and turn you into a lampshade, extract your soul and refine it into a lamp wick… only then will you tell me?"
"I…" Pei Ling wanted to explain himself, but he could barely manage to say a word before he got suppressed by an invisible pressure to the point that he could not move. He could only watch as the fingertip of Wu Liu moved slowly, going straight down from the middle of his eyebrows. This female ghost had extremely long black nails that were incomparably sharp. There was a faint blue glow on its surface. Although it did not really slice down, the feeling that it would peel off his skin in the next moment was real.
His heart palpitated, but he could not speak. Just then, Wu Liu suddenly chuckled as her voice turned soft. "Hmm. Do you know why Master… did not kill you on the spot previously?"
What?!
Pei Ling's heart skipped a beat. If not for the fact that he was currently confined, he would have cried out in surprise.
This ghost knew?!
She actually knew everything?!
Then why didn't they come out to save their Master previously?
Or is it because the Dark Bone Phantom Ship did not appear previously, so they could not come out?
Wu Liu was calm and unruffled as she admired his shocked expression. The curve of her lips became more and more obvious. "Interesting… This is really interesting… The Soul Suppression Bell's Demon Sound Curse is something that even a Core Formation Stage cultivator like Luo Qiao can't resist. But you are a mere fourth-level Qi Refinement cultivator, yet you're acting as if nothing had happened… Not just our Master is interested in you, even the pitiful people like us who are imprisoned in the Soul Suppression Bell are curious about you."
As she spoke, her stretched finger pressed against Pei Ling's chest and said with a smile, "Tell me, what secrets do you have? How is the stability of your divine spirit better than Luo Qiao's?"
"Miss Wuliu…" At this time, Pei Ling could finally speak. His face filled with fear, but an idea flashed through his mind. He stammered," Maybe, maybe it's my physique? I guess it might be a little special…? "
Wu Liu, who had been absentmindedly scratching his clothes, stopped. She looked up. "Oh?"
"When I got ordered by Immortal Master Zheng to enter the Yuanlao Mountain to search for Wu Tingxi, he once said that I have a supreme-grade iron bone. He even asked me if I had consumed any natural treasures." Pei Ling forced himself to calm down and said, "However, with my background, I have never even consumed a Bone Tempering Pill in the past. How could I have come into contact with any natural treasures? So Wu Tingxi speculated that my physique might be special."
"I'm only from Deer Springs City with limited knowledge, and I'm not too sure of this!"
"Your physique?" Wu Liu frowned slightly and murmured to herself, "His divine spirit is especially stable, and he's good at body tempering… I don't think there's anyone with such a physique in the records of the Holy Sect?"
She thought for a while, then her eyes suddenly brightened. She clapped her hands and said, "I know!"
The blue glow in the female ghost's dark eyes brightened up instantly. It looked ghastly as she said sinisterly, "An unknown physique that's so strong and special. You're really worth bringing back to the Holy Sect for research."
Before Pei Ling could react, Wu Liu had already circled him like a fish. She suddenly pulled up his left sleeve to look at the wound and revealed a disappointed look. "Although this wound heals quickly, it's much inferior to the Myriad Wood Rejuvenating Body that the Holy Sect had obtained years ago."
Her interest piqued. As she pulled open Pei Ling's upper clothes to check on his injuries, she said, "At the time, the Holy Sect had put in a lot of effort to study that Myriad Wood Rejuvenating Body! In the beginning, they only scratched some skin and muscles. When they saw that person instantly recover to his original state, they began…"
"As for the last step… Don't worry. Although my Master isn't that elder's disciple, she did learn a few saber techniques from that elder. If she peels off your skin, it will most definitely look perfect."
"It's just that your healing speed is too slow. I'm afraid you can't be like that person with the Myriad Wood Rejuvenation Body."
Pei Ling's facial muscles twitched rapidly. What special physique did he have?!
The only special thing was that there was a system. The so-called powerful divine soul and good body tempering were all given by external modifications. If he really fell into a situation where he was deeply researched, according to the means of this demonic sect, Pei Ling was afraid that he would not even be able to survive the first stage.
What the heck, so after working hard for so long, he was still going to die?!
He forced a smile and said, "Lady Wuliu is right. I don't have the Myriad Wood Rejuvenation Body. Not to mention being hit dozens of times in a row, I can't even take a few cuts to my skin and muscles…"
"It's okay. Your forte should be in the divine spirit," Wu Liu said gleefully. "Speaking of it, the Holy Sect has also encountered a type of physique that is especially strong in the divine spirit. They are a pair of naturally telepathic twins! That time, it even alarmed a Grand Elder of the Holy Sect who had been in seclusion for a long time to extract their spirit personally…"
She then casually mentioned a few other unique physiques. Without exception, the outcome of falling into the hands of the Deep Sea Sect for him was that from his body to spirit, he would become disposed of in a way too horrible to describe.
The more Pei Ling listened, the paler his face became. Just as he was considering whether he should just take the opportunity to commit suicide and suffer less, Wu Liu's expression suddenly sank as she cursed, "Wu Tingxi that bastard! He knew that your physique is special, a valuable material, but he still dared to use the Five Poison Finger to injure you! If he's still alive, I will personally burn his soul in the lamp for three hundred years!!"
Suddenly, she raised his hand and slapped the back of Pei Ling's neck.
Pei Ling only felt his vision go dark, and he knew nothing else…
After an unknown period of time, he woke up groggily. He felt that his muscles were incomparably sore as if he had been lying down for a long time. However, as he looked around, he realized that he was still in the cabin of the Dark Bone Phantom Ship.
Pei Ling was puzzled. He struggled to get up and quickly checked himself, discovering that the injuries of the Five Poison Finger had fully healed. Plus, he had his clothes changed and seemed to have taken a shower.
What made his scalp numb was that the Essence Augmenting Pill was still safely in his possession.
What is going on…?
He thought for a moment, loosened up his limbs, and walked to the back of the door. He held his breath and focused. After a while, seeing that it was quiet inside out, he carefully opened the door slightly.
After checking that no one was along the corridor, Pei Ling tiptoed out and knocked on Pei Hongnian's door.
Pei Hongnian came over to open the door quickly. When he saw him, his expression darkened. He asked suspiciously, "What have you been doing in your room for the past two weeks? Why didn't you answer when I knocked… Have you been cultivating?"
"Two weeks?" Pei Ling was startled. "It's already been half a month?"
"It seems like you're really cultivating to the point of forgetting yourself and losing track of time." Pei Hongnian was both envious and jealous. He looked around to see that there was no one around and could not help but ask softly, "How many of the Bone Tempering Pills you stole from Senior Brother Zheng do you have left?"
Pei Ling did not have the heart to bother answering the question. He asked anxiously, "How much longer until we reach the Deep Sea Sect?"
"We are entering the mountain soon," Pei Hongnian said casually. "But really, how many Bone Tempering Pills do you have left? How about selling them to me? We're all from the same clan…"
Before he could finish, Pei Ling turned around and left without even greeting him.
Pei Ling still remembered what Wu Liu had said before he fainted. How could he be in the mood to waste his breath on Pei Hongnian now?
He had to think of a solution quickly!
As soon as he returned to his cabin, Pei Ling closed the door. When he turned around, his face turned white.
Not far away at the round table, a woman wearing a veiled hat and a black veil dress that stretched to the ground was sitting there.. It was Fairy Li!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 15: Deep Sea Sect
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Pei Ling felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. He stood stiffly by the door and dared not to breathe.
Fairy Li's expression could not be seen through the veil hat, and the room became silent for a moment.
Suddenly, Fairy Li raised her hand and threw something at him. Pei Ling was startled as he quickly swatted it away.
However, at this moment, a system notification that he had not heard for a long time sounded. "Ding dong! An unknown saber technique is being recorded…"
"…"
He looked at the booklet that he had knocked to the ground, then looked at Fairy Li, who was sitting on the spot. He had the urge to die on the spot.
"Master it in ten days. Otherwise, die!" Fairy Li said coldly. With a flick of her sleeve, her entire body shattered like bubbles and disappeared immediately.
After she left for a while, Pei Ling walked over to pick up the booklet in embarrassment.
The cover was written with the words 'Blood Malevolence Saber Art' in cloud seal characters. When he saw these ancient characters, his expression became solemn instantly! The Pei Clan only had more than 100 cloud seal characters in the library. In other words…
Opening the booklet and flipping through it, Pei Ling sighed.
Indeed, he did not know most of the words on this saber technique, let alone understand it…
Fortunately, the system said, "Ding Dong! The unknown saber technique has been recorded. Host, please name it."
"Blood Malevolence Saber Art." It was rare for Pei Ling to find the system pleasing to the eye. However, after some thought, he gave up on the idea of letting the system cultivate immediately.
After all, the Dark Bone Phantom Ship was too dangerous. If this retard system caused any more trouble, he did not even dare to imagine his fate.
Thus, Pei Ling closed the booklet and hid it in his bosom. At this time, he felt the entire ship tremble slightly.
Not long later, Pei Hongnian came over and knocked on the door. "We have arrived at the Dust Severing Square. Quickly pack your things and go to the deck. Better not make Fairy Li wait."
Previously, Pei Ling had prepared his belongings to escape from his home. However, after being controlled by the system to rush to the Green Parasol Compound and end up here, he did not bring anything except the Seven Ultimate Soul Subduing Powder that he already used. Now, other than the clothes on his body, he only had an Essence Augmenting Pill, a Blood Malevolence Saber Art, and a Life-Extinguishing Blade.
The Essence Augmenting Pill and the Blood Malevolence Saber Art were both in his arms. He went in to get the Life-Extinguishing Saber and followed Pei Hongnian to the deck.
There was no Jiao Ni or Wu Liu by his side the entire way, but the doors on both sides of the passageway were exceptionally quiet.
After leaving the cabin, Pei Ling glanced around and could not help but gasp.
It was an unimaginable vast sea of clouds!
The sea of clouds was not calm. Waves roiled angrily, and numerous uneven mountains concealed within the cloud were like reefs scattered all over the sea of clouds.
Apart from the mountains, there were many rare and fascinating beasts that Pei Ling had never heard or seen before soaring freely among the clouds.
There was especially a mountain surrounded by verdant forest, which had a faint glow of flames at the top. The enormous figure appeared through the clouds, and merely its mountain tip was sufficient to stir the sea of clouds in the surroundings of the mountain to the point it seemed to be boiling and surging!
The Dark Bone Phantom Ship was currently flying over this endless sea of clouds. After a while, it drove into a mountain peak that was surrounded faintly by other mountains.
This mountain was shorter than several of the surrounding peaks. The top was flat as if someone had forcefully shaved off a portion of it to form an extremely large square. At this moment, there were many transportations like flying boats rising and falling.
However, when they saw the Dark Bone Phantom Ship, they hurriedly gave way.
"This is the Dust Severing Platform." Pei Hongnian had entered the sect for years and was already used to the scenery of the Deep Sea Sect. Thus, he was not as shocked as Pei Ling. He casually introduced, "New disciples will enter the sect from here. From here on, there will be differences between immortals and mortals. The sect named it Dust Severing Square because it hoped that we can sever all the thoughts of the mortal world and advance bravely, parting forever with the dust from the mortal world."
After he said this, he suddenly realized something and frowned. "Oh yes, I wonder what Senior Brother Zheng has arranged for you?"
At the same time, Zheng Jingshan was respectfully asking for instructions from the railings on the third floor of the Dark Bone Phantom Ship. "Senior Sister, we have arrived at the sect, but what should we do with Pei Ling?"
Fairy Li's black dress fluttered as she stood not far from him with her hands behind her back. She replied briefly in a cold tone, "Let him enter the outer sect."
"Understood." Zheng Jingshan nodded and then transmitted his voice to Pei Hongnian. "Bring Pei Ling to the outer sect!"
Shortly after, the Dark Bone Phantom Ship soared into the sky again and shot into the depths of the sea of clouds. Pei Ling, who got left on the square, could not help but look in that direction for a while. He asked, "Is that the location of the inner sect? It seems so far."
Pei Hongnian was not in a good mood. He ignored him and said, "Follow me."
He brought Pei Ling to a two-story building by the square without hassle. After they entered, they saw that it was empty. In the middle of the simple furnishings was a wrinkled old lady with white hair. She held a wine pot in her hand and leaned against a reclining chair lethargically while she drank from it.
When she heard that someone had entered, she did not have the intention to move. It was Pei Hongnian who stepped forward and smiled apologetically. "Senior, inner sect Branch Master Zheng Jingshan requested me to enter the outer sect with my junior brother, Pei Ling."
"These juniors are always finding trouble for me." The old lady's voice was hoarse as she sighed. She did not make things difficult for them as she slowly sat up, revealing a wrinkled face. However, her eyes seemed to be enchanted, which was impossible to look away from. The two cousins could not help but become absent-minded as they looked at her in a daze, unable to speak.
The old woman sized them up for a moment and said lightly, "Come with me."
Pei Ling and Pei Hongnian were jolted awake. When they came to their senses, their expressions were somewhat unnatural.
They followed the old lady out of the building and saw another building in the back. It did not appear large on the outside, but after entering, the interior was surprisingly spacious.
Countless candlesticks were floating in the air. Every candlestick was burning with a blood flame of varying heights and sizes. The size of the blood flame was also different. The smallest was the size of a green bean, and the largest was suspended high in the air like a sun which Pei Ling could not look at directly, much less estimate its size. From the corner of his eye, he could already feel the terrifying power contained in it.
Further away were over a hundred portraits. All of them were vivid and lifelike, including men, women, old, and young. There were even some that did not seem to be normal human bodies.
The old lady waved her hand, and a candlestick flew over from somewhere. It was no different from the other floating candlesticks. She said lightly, "Since you are a member of the Pei family and have Zheng Jingshan's backing, there's no need to waste time on those background checks. Go and pay your respects to the Ancestral Master and bring a drop of blood here. After you light this Life Soul Candle, you will be a member of the Deep Sea Sect from here on."
Pei Ling had zero intentions to enter this sort of demonic sect. However, at this point, he could not escape far away.
He could only bite the bullet and step forward. According to the old lady's guidance, he separately kowtowed to the founder, the successive founders, the current Grand Elder, and the current sect master. After that, he would slice his fingertip open and force out a drop of blood.
The blood landed on the candlestick and immediately turned into a flame. It was slightly bigger than a green bean and was about the size of a soybean.
The old lady asked for Pei Ling's name, birth date, and Bazi1. Rows of details appeared under the candlestick. In the end, a line indicating the date Pei Ling entered the Deep Sea Sect surfaced. Immediately, the candlestick broke free from the old lady's hand and flew into the air like a ray of light, blending into the many candlesticks.
"Since you've entered the Holy Sect," the old woman glanced at him and ignored him. She waved Pei Ling in front of her and said weakly, "You should be careful with your words and actions in the future and abide by the sect rules. Especially with your background, if you break the rules, the consequences will be unimaginable… understand?"
Pei Ling said carefully, "Senior. May I ask what are the sect rules of the Deep Sea Sect… the Holy Sect?"
The old woman said, "That's too much for me to tell you. Go back and have a look yourself."
With that, she pulled out a booklet that was three inches thick from her back and stuffed it into his hand. She said earnestly, "You must remember this from the beginning to the end. Remember, the Holy Sect is not like your family. The sect rules are strict and ruthless."
"Understood!" Pei Ling's apprehension subsided when he heard this.
As the saying went, one was not afraid of having too many rules, but he would be if there were none.
To a person like him who followed his Gou Mantra, it was alright to have many rules. As long as he had something to rely on, it would give him a greater sense of security. He was only afraid that everyone would do as they pleased and be unrestrained, and the calamities from the heavens would descend at any time.
He thanked the old lady gratefully and held the sect rulebook tightly to his chest.
With such thickness and number of pages, it was obvious how detailed the Deep Sea Sect's considerations were. He felt at ease almost instantly.
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 16: Accident
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After leaving the building, Pei Hongnian could not help but laugh when he saw that Pei Ling treated the sect rulebook as a treasure.
"Senior, are these sect rules only for show?" His attitude caused Pei Ling's heart to skip a beat, and he hurriedly asked.
Pei Hongnian gave a strange look. "How is that possible? The Holy Sect had painstakingly compiled so many rules and regulations. How could they be just for show?"
He patted Pei Ling's shoulder. "It's just that… sigh you'll know after you read it anyway."
Without giving Pei Ling a chance to ask more questions, Pei Hongnian pointed to a spot not far away. "After you light up the Life Soul Candle, you are already an outer sect disciple of the Holy Sect. The next step is to go to the General Affairs Hall to obtain your clothes and nameplates. Let's walk faster. After all, the General Affairs Hall does not allow outsiders to stay overnight. After night falls, anyone not from the General Affairs Hall caught loitering there will be treated as violating the sect rules! That is not a joke."
Pei Ling was startled when he heard this and hurriedly said, "Okay!"
The cousins quickened their steps and arrived at the door of the General Affairs Hall. It occupied a vast area and was built tall and lofty. Plants were around, and many people were coming and going.
The most eye-catching thing was that two ghosts were floating by the door.
Both were burly, ten-foot-tall men wearing armor, with one holding a hammer and the other holding a saber. There was no expression on their pale faces, only their cold black eyes watching the crowd.
It reminded Pei Ling of Jiao Ni and Wu Liu when he saw them, and his face could not help but twitch. He did not dare to look further as he followed closely behind Pei Hongnian.
It was a spacious hall that was bustling with activity. However, everyone seemed to be in a hurry, seemingly very busy.
Pei Hongnian did not have any time to waste. He strode to a corner, and after finding a disciple in charge to explain the situation, the other party quickly took out a set of outer sect disciple's clothes, a fist-sized storage bag, and a finger bone.
His clothes and storage bag were fine, but the finger bone seemed realistic. They were warm to touch and could even move slightly. It was a harrowing feeling.
"This is your nameplate." Pei Hongnian picked up the finger bone and pointed to the word 'Pei Ling', which got engraved at some point in time. He instructed solemnly, "This is the most important thing here. You must not lose it at all times! After all, the sect's spirits recognize the nameplate but not the person. If you trespass in some places without a nameplate, you will die in vain."
Pei Ling could not help but be serious as he hurriedly hid it in his bosom.
"Alright, it's getting late." After leaving the hall, Pei Hongnian looked up at the sky and said, "Let's find a place for you to stay first."
As he spoke, he carefully took out a two-inch-long paper boat from his sleeve, which looked like what an ordinary child folded for fun. However, when he threw it in front of him, the paper boat rapidly grew in size. In two seconds, it had transformed into the size of a civilian black-awning boat.
After Pei Hongnian entered the boat with Pei Ling, he formed hand seals, and the paper boat left the ground slowly, floating away from the General Affairs Hall and flying towards a skinny mountain peak not far away.
The speed and stability of this paper boat were naturally worlds apart from the Dark Bone Phantom Ship. They were incomparable. However, back when Pei Ling was on the Dark Bone Phantom Ship, he simply did not have the mood or the chance to admire the scenery. Now, although the limit of ten days was still in his head, Pei Ling was not afraid at all with the system's help. He finally had the mood to look around.
"Senior, what is it like under the sea of clouds?" Pei Ling admired the torrential sea of clouds for a while and could not help but point below and ask, "What are these places?"
Pei Hongnian glanced at him with a strange expression. "If you're that interested, can't you go and take a look for yourself in the future?"
Pei Ling sensed something amiss and laughed dryly to change the topic. "Right, Senior, does the mountain we're going next have a name? What's it called?"
Pei Hongnian smiled strangely and was about to answer when a phoenix suddenly rushed out from the side and recklessly crashed into the paper boat.
"My boat!" Pei Hongnian's expression changed instantly. As he formed hand seals to stabilize the paper boat that had lost its stability due to the sudden attack, he shouted, "Whose phoenix is this? Why is it so reckless?!"
The phoenix seemed to be a little dizzy from the impact. After shaking its head, it flapped its wings and disappeared into the clouds at an extraordinary speed.
It came and left rapidly. If not for the fact that the paper boat had a clear hole, it would simply make one wonder if the incident had really happened.
Pei Ling's heart palpitated as he said, "Brother, are these birds usually so headless?"
He was beginning to think that Pei Hongnian's paper boat was not too bad.
Now, he realized that the paper boat was only a paper boat after all. It was too unsafe.
"…" Pei Hongnian did not look happy as he said, "I wonder how those pieces of trash from Beast Taming Peak trained these feathered beasts?"
Suddenly, the ship shook again.
The cousins turned around instinctively and were shocked to find that the phoenix had returned!
This time, it was even more cunning than before. It secretly hid nearby before the brazen attack, destroying another portion of the paper boat.
"Damn it!" Pei Hongnian's expression changed at the sight of this. He was flustered. "Who's targeting me on purpose?!"
He looked around and saw that there was only the churning sea of clouds nearby. After the phoenix attacked, it went into hiding again.
Even with Pei Hongnian's cultivation level, he could not find any traces of the other party at the moment.
"Senior, can't this go any faster?" Pei Ling's heart raced as he watched. After all, although he was at the fourth level of the Qi Refinement realm, he could not fly. Currently, they were still a distance away from the mountain peak in front of him. If anything happened to the paper boat, he did not know what Pei Hongnian could do. In any case, he could only fall.
"Bastard! If I could be quick, why would I go so slow?" Pei Hongnian's face was ashen as he shouted, "You…"
Before he could finish, the ship shook violently again.
It was that phoenix again!
This time, it even pecked a few more times after the impact before flapping away.
Pei Hongnian's eyes widened as he looked at the battered paper boat. However, all these years he had trained in the Deep Sea Sect was not in vain. At crucial moments, he was not without decision-making abilities. He immediately thought for a moment with a serious look before shouting, "Pei Ling, sit tight!"
Without waiting for Pei Ling to speak, he hurriedly formed a few hand seals. The paper boat ignored its injuries and accelerated instantly, charging towards the mountain peak in front.
The phoenix, which was hiding leisurely, was startled at the sight of this. It flapped its wings to chase after the boat immediately.
During this process, the phoenix relied on its speed advantage to attack the paper boat frequently, as if it had a deep hatred. Soon, the paper boat began to totter. Pei Ling could even hear the sounds of the paper boat beginning to fall apart. He was apprehensive, but there was nothing he could do at the moment as he could only watch the paper boat get ripped apart as it went through a forest.
Pei Ling and Pei Hongnian were thrown high into the air by a wave of air and began to drop heavily.
They broke countless tree branches and leaves along the way and finally fell hard on the soft forest ground!
"Ptui, ah ptui… ptui… cough ptui…" Pei Ling was in a sorry state. He coughed as he got up from the ground. The first thing he did was to check his belongings, especially his nameplate.
Just as he was heaving a sigh of relief when he found nothing missing, he heard a series of messy footsteps coming from afar..
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 17: Never Expected My Senior to Be…
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
"Senior Sister Sun, it's right in front." Pei Ling was bewildered. He hurriedly grabbed the Life-Extinguishing Blade and hid behind a nearby tree. Then, he heard a person shout anxiously, "We must catch that trash, Pei Hongnian, this time!"
"That's right! He must apologize to our Senior Sister properly!"
"Isn't it too easy on him to apologize? I must get him to take out the subsidy from the Pei family and buy that moon dress for Senior Sister!"
A commotion erupted as a group of five to six people appeared in Pei Ling's line of sight. They were young outer sect disciples who were around twenty years old, surrounding a girl in pink.
The girl had a good figure and was rather pretty. She was delicately dressed, but she seemed haughty.
"Junior Sister Yinglan, it's you?" Before Pei Ling could decide how to deal with the situation, Pei Hongnian had already crawled up from the ground as he walked up to her with a sad face. "Why did you let that phoenix attack my paper boat? You knew that I bought a talisman artifact for you with all the spirit stones I have saved over the years. This paper boat was because my mother scrimped and saved for an entire year in the clan to hide 50 spirit stones secretly and…"
Before he could finish, Sun Yinglan raised her hand and slapped him.
Pei Ling: "…"
The people who came with Sun Yinglan clapped and cheered, even urging Sun Yinglan to hit him a few more times.
Pei Hongnian was not angry after being slapped in public. Instead, he said sorrowfully, "You always treat me like this, you…"
"You got the chance to go out with Senior Brother Zheng from the inner sect to handle affairs. And on your way back, you even sat on the core disciple, Fairy Li's Dark Bone Phantom Ship. Why didn't you bring me along?!" Sun Yinglan interrupted him with an unruly look. "I don't have a place in your heart at all!"
"It's not like that…"
Sun Yinglan interrupted him again. "You said that you liked me and that you could do anything for me. But what happened in the end? When you had the chance to get close to the inner sect senior brother, and when you had the opportunity to meet Fairy Li, you only thought of yourself! I only vent my anger on your paper boat even though I'm so mad at you!
"And what about you?
"A mere paper boat worth 50 spirit stones is more important than me in your eyes!
"You ungrateful thing!"
The more she spoke, the angrier she became. She could not help but wave her hand to slap Pei Hongnian again—it was just that before she could hit Pei Hongnian's face this time, someone grabbed her wrist from the side tightly.
Pei Ling looked at Pei Hongnian speechlessly, then he said to Sun Yinglan, "My senior has bought you talisman artifacts after all these years of saving up, is that not good enough? And you're not even married into the Pei family. Isn't your behavior too ugly?"
Although he did not have a close relationship with Pei Hongnian, and this brother of his had even tried to obstruct him on the Dark Bone Phantom Ship, he was still a newcomer and needed Pei Hongnian's help to find a place to stay. He did not have the time to watch a gold digger playing around.
"You!" Sun Yinglan was also at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement but could not move when she tried to struggle free. Her expression changed slightly as she looked at Pei Hongnian. "Who is he?! Are you going to watch your people bully me like this?!"
"Pei Ling, let go of her now!" Pei Hongnian did not disappoint her and immediately berated, "You must not be rude to Junior Sister Yinglan!"
Then, she said to Sun Yinglan in a fawning manner, "This is my family's younger cousin. He's young and insensible. Junior Sister Yinglan, don't lower yourself to his level!"
What the f*ck, how come I've never seen senior lick boots like this in the family?!
Pei Ling released her hand, and Sun Yinglan's eyes flashed sharply. Her fingers moved as she wanted to slap him too.
However, when Sun Yinglan met Pei Ling's cold stare, she remembered how this person had spoken and his nonchalant attitude towards her. She felt a little scared and did not dare to touch him. Instead, she flared up at Pei Hongnian. "As the Pei family's eldest son, you can't even control a junior from the branch family? You're doing it on purpose!!"
Pei Ling stood by the side patiently and watched Pei Hongnian humble himself for a long time. In the end, he promised not to cultivate for the next month so he could concentrate on drawing talismans for Sun Yinglan, barely settling the matter… Pei Ling started to understand why he had already caught up to his cousin's cultivation level. Pei Hongnian had obvious talent and was sent to the Deep Sea Sect by the Pei family long ago. Every year, the family would think of ways to save up resources to support his cultivation, but…
Damn, this idiot is hopeless!
"If you follow this direction out of the forest, you'll see a path. Walk along that and head up the mountain, and you'll find the Hall of Residence of this Shady Sophora Peak. You can just choose a place to stay when you get there." Pei Hongnian coaxed Sun Yinglan and was no longer in the mood to bother about his cousin. He casually told him, "I'm staying in the area south of the peak. There's a large pagoda tree in the courtyard. If you have anything, look for me again. I'm sending Junior Sister Ying Lan back first."
Pei Ling, who was already impatiently waiting, turned around and left without needing any more reminders.
After walking for some distance, he could still hear Sun Yinglan intentionally pouting. "I don't like your cousin. You're not allowed to help him in the future!"
Pei Hongnian: "Alright, alright… anything for you!"
Pei Ling: "…"
Yep, you're really hopeless!
After a while, he found the hall. After the male disciple in charge heard the purpose of his arrival, he first sized him up from head to toe. Afterward, he brought him to a large sand table in the inner room and said with a smile, "Junior Brother, now is not the season for new disciples to enter the sect. Although there are residences available, there are not many choices. You look quite talented. And I guess ordinary residences won't suit you as it would delay Junior Brother's cultivation due to insufficient spiritual energy?"
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Pei Ling would naturally want to stay in a better place, but he did not have a single spirit stone in his pocket right now, so he could only pretend not to understand the other party's hints. "I'm from a poor family, so I'm fine with a place to stay."
The male disciple did not give up and asked, "Not a single spirit stone? Some places might seem similar, but you'll only know the difference after staying here for a long time. I'm not bragging, but the entire Shady Sophora Peak…"
"Why don't you lend me a spirit stone, Senior Brother?" Pei Ling thought for a moment and said. "I promise that in the future, I will definitely…"
"Then you can stay here. You can use your nameplate to remove the restriction after you go over there." The male disciple pointed to a spot on the sand table without a word and modified Pei Ling's nameplate through hand seals. "Alright, that's it. If there's nothing else, you may leave!"
Judging from his senior brother's attitude, Pei Ling was mentally prepared to find himself in a dilapidated house for himself. Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the place, although it was quite a distance away from the other housings, the surrounding greenery was lush, a stream was running in front of the door, bees buzzed busily, and butterflies danced elegantly. It was beautiful scenery.
As for the house, it was clean and tidy.
Am I too quick to judge?
Or is the Deep Sea Sect so rich and imposing that this is the standard of their worst residence?
Pei Ling was a little puzzled, but he could not be bothered to think too much about it. He took out the nameplate, unlocked the restriction, and walked in. He saw that the interior was beautifully decorated. From the way things were placed, three people were already living here, and none of them were around.
He walked around for a while and could not wait to take out the sect rulebook..
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 18: Discussing the Self-Discipline of Demon Sect Disciples
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The beginning of the sect rules gave a brief introduction of the sect's background. The old lady mentioned this previously, so Pei Ling skipped it and read about the benefits of being an outer sect disciple.
Apart from the things he received from the General Affairs Hall, he could also choose a technique for free during his cultivation. For example, artifacts forging, pill refinement, talisman drawing, spirit herbs, beast taming, etc. He would need to attend those classes at the corresponding mountain peak.
As for the cultivation techniques, the outer sect disciples also cultivated the Bone Forging Art, which was no different from the ones passed down from the Pei family's ancestors. It was just that every half a month, there would be a Foundation Establishment cultivator explaining the key pointers of cultivating in the various peaks. When the time came, disciples could attend and listen.
He was currently on a mountain called Shady Sophora Peak, one of the outer sect's peaks. Every peak had a Hall of Residence in charge of their operations.
In addition to arranging for accommodation, the Hall of Residence also had a Magic Pavilion that hid many cultivation techniques and Dharma spells that the Deep Sea Sect had prepared for outer sect disciples. The Bone Forging Art was also among them, but other than that, everything else required spirit stones to purchase.
There was also the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. It provided talisman artifacts, talismans, pills, etc., for cultivation and fighting purposes all year round. In addition to collecting spirit stones, disciples could also use the finished products or materials to trade after valuation.
The last was the Spirit Gathering Array Formation. It was set up by an elder who was good at array formations in the inner sect during the construction of the mountain. With the help of the terrain of Shady Sophora Peak, it could connect with the stars and link to the earth. Under the premise that it did not affect the normal cultivation of the disciples, the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth was gathered to the greatest extent. It was the ideal cultivation destination in the mountains.
However, the sect rules reminded that the cost of this place was high, and it was not recommended for daily use. It was better to use it during a breakthrough.
Pei Ling scanned through it and finally saw the main contents of the sect rules.
He took a deep breath and read with anticipation. The words were in black and white. "Our sect strictly prohibits private fights between disciples. Violation of this rule, no matter the reason, will result in a fine for the one who makes the first move. Depending on the situation, labor disciples will be fined not less than 30 low-grade spirit stones, up to 100; outer sect disciples will be fined not less than 100 low-grade spirit stones, up to 300; inner sect disciples will be fined not less than 30 middle-grade spirit stones, up to 100…"
"The punishment is spirit stones just by making a move? Regardless of the reason?" Pei Ling immediately felt a lingering fear. "Holy shit, if I had known earlier, I would never have touched that girl. She wouldn't have reported me, would she?"
He hurriedly looked down and saw that the sect's rules were incredibly detailed, stipulating some daily punishments like finding trouble, stealing, insulting, and so on. They could all resolve with spirit stones. In the end, the highlight came. "In the case when the attacked disciple gets handicapped. Depending on the situation, labor disciples will be fined not less than 200 low-grade spirit stones, up to 500; outer sect disciples will be fined not less than 2,000 low-grade spirit stones, up to 5,000; inner sect disciples…"
Pei Ling's expression could not help but change. "The only punishment is to pay up spirit stones? There are no other punishments?"
Subsequently, his face turned paler the more he read. Not only could the matter of a fellow crippled disciple be resolved by spirit stones, but even killing a fellow disciple would only increase the fine.
The rules even relaxed the deadline for paying the fine: You have to pay up for small matters within ten days; within a month if you crippled someone; as for causing death, such things would become settled after you pay the fine within three months.
In short, the Holy Sect did have many detailed rules and regulations. However, as long as you had enough spirit stones, any violation could become resolved simply with spirit stones!
The only real punishment was if one could not pay the fine after the deadline.
It was until then that the Deep Sea Sect finally changed their greedy attitude, revealing the style of a true powerhouse of the demonic path: those with ordinary physical bodies would turn into fertilizer at the Spirit Plant Peak; those with powerful physical bodies would become supplementary material for the Weapon Forging Peak; their blood essence, soul, internal organs, etc. Everything was arranged to perfection to ensure that the Holy Sect would not suffer a loss.
"What the f*ck…" The sense of security that Pei Ling had when he first received the sect rules vanished into thin air. What replaced it was a deep sense of fear. He finally understood why the old lady had advised him to be careful in the sect. He did not even have a single spirit stone!
According to the rules, he did not even have the right to scold anyone. After all, an outer sect disciple could only curse at their fellow sect disciple for the price of at least three low-grade spirit stones.
Closing the book with trembling hands, Pei Ling thought of the various cruel acts of the Deep Sea Sect disciples he had heard of in the past. He suddenly suspected that the reason why those disciples went on massacres was not that they became ferocious and irritable from cultivating the devil arts, but because they had no money!
Therefore, they find an excuse before destroying a family for looting.
After all, under these kinds of rules, obtaining spirit stones had to be the top priority!
Just as Pei Ling's heart palpitated, there was movement outside. He hurriedly stood up and walked to the window to take a look. He saw the restrictions unlocked, and three people of different heights entered together. They saw each other through the window, and the shortest one frowned slightly. "Who are you? Why are you here?"
"Cheng An!" The person in the middle pressed down on his shoulder, his gaze sweeping past the Life-Extinguishing Blade not far from Pei Ling. His pupils contracted while he indicated for his companion to calm down. He smiled at Pei Ling and said, "May I ask who this junior brother is?"
"Greetings, Senior Brothers." Pei Ling composed himself and cupped his fists. "I'm Pei Ling, a new outer sect disciple."
"Pei Ling?" That person was a little surprised. "Now isn't the time for new disciples to come in. How did you get in?"
He introduced himself, "I'm Li Siguang, currently at the fourth level of Qi Refinement."
He then pointed at his two companions, one tall and one short. "They are Zhou Yi and Miao Cheng'an, and their cultivation levels are at the fourth level of Qi Refinement and the fifth level of Qi Refinement."
Pei Ling saw that their attitudes were still considered calm and felt slightly at ease. He said, "It was the arrangement of the inner sect master, Senior Brother Zheng Jingshan. Previously, the core disciple, Fairy Li, brought Senior Brother Zheng and my brother, Pei Hongnian, to Deer Spring City for a mission. After I happened to see them, they brought me to the Holy Sect. It was also under Senior Brother Zheng's arrangement that I entered the Holy Sect."
"Oh, I know. It's about Elder Luo." When Li Siguang heard this, his gaze flickered. He exchanged glances with Zhou Yi, but Miao Cheng'an blurted out, "But Fairy Li is one thing, but why is that trash Zheng Jingshan worthy of the method to become a Nascent Soul?"
Pei Ling could not help but be startled. Zheng Jingshan's status in the Deep Sea Sect seemed to be different from what he imagined?
"Junior Brother, please don't blame us. Cheng An has an elder brother who is also in the inner sect. He's one of the 13 faction leaders of the inner sect like Senior Brother Zheng, and they have always had some conflicts." Li Siguang noticed Pei Ling's expression as he smiled to comfort him, "Cheng An is young and impulsive, and he doesn't mean what he says. Junior Brother, please don't take it to heart."
"Senior Brother, don't worry. I'm not a person who likes to talk too much." Pei Ling was relieved, and he heard Li Siguang say, "Junior Brother has just arrived. I wonder if there are any inconveniences? Let me be honest, my grandfather, Li Ping, is one of the outer sect elders. From top to bottom of this Shady Sophora Peak, he can settle small matters with a word."
Zhou Yi added, "My sister is one of the core disciples. Since Junior Brother is familiar with Fairy Li, you will be one of us from here onwards."
Pei Ling's heart palpitated.. These two seemed to be probing his relationship with Fairy Li?
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 19: Malicious Intentions
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was just that without Fairy Li's permission, Pei Ling did not dare to act in her name.
Indeed, Pei Hongnian said that Zheng Jingshan instructed him to get Pei Ling into the Deep Sea Sect through a voice transmission. However, Fairy Li had asked Pei Ling to master the Demonic Blood Malevolence Art within ten days before the ship arrived at the Dust Severing Square. If she did not intend to keep him in the sect, why did she only tell him then?
It meant that letting Pei Ling enter the sect was Fairy Li's idea. However, letting Zheng Jingshan give the instruction was likely because she did not want to be associated with him on the surface.
Pei Ling did not dare to provoke Fairy Li's anger at this time. He immediately said, "Senior Brother Zhou, you are mistaken. I come from a humble background. How can I be qualified to be familiar with Fairy Li? I'm just lucky that Senior Brother Zheng did not abandon me."
"Junior Brother, why are you belittling yourself?" When Li Siguang heard this, his smile remained, and he said, "Everyone knows that Senior Brother Zheng has always been respectful to Fairy Li. When he's outside, if not for Fairy Li's permission, why would he dare to bring you back?"
"Perhaps this is because Fairy Li lived in my family's guest house for a few days, so when Senior Brother Zheng brought me along, she did not mind?" Pei Ling denied. "But it was Senior Brother Zheng who instructed me to enter the sect."
When Li Siguang heard this, his expression was slightly subtle. He suddenly pointed at the Life-Extinguishing Blade and said, "Junior Brother, doesn't this blade seem a little familiar?"
Pei Ling did not hide it. "This was gifted to me by Senior Brother Zheng."
"It's indeed the Life-Extinguishing Blade!" Miao Cheng'an's gaze kept drifting over just now. At this moment, he could not help but say, "Back then, Zheng Jingshan was known to be invincible in the outer sect. But we knew it was mainly because of the weapon he wielded. It's known that this blade is incomparably sharp, and it's also…"
Zhou Yi was even more direct as he said, "Junior Brother Pei, name a price. I want this saber!"
Pei Ling frowned. "I'm sorry, Senior Brother Zhou. It is a gift from Senior Brother Zheng, so it's not convenient to sell it. Besides, I want to use it myself, and I don't plan to sell it."
"Zheng Jingshan?" After confirming that Pei Ling did not have any backing that they could not afford to offend, the three of them tore off their disguises. Miao Cheng'an laughed coldly. "If not for Fairy Li's concern for her distant relative, would a piece of trash like him be able to hold on to the position of the Inner Sect Master?! For you to use him to suppress us is simply a joke!"
"While Senior Brother Zhou is kind-hearted and is willing to bid,"
As he spoke, he reached out to grab towards the saber and shouted, "Count yourself lucky that I fancy your saber too!"
Pei Ling quickly grabbed the Life-Extinguishing Blade and jumped back. He asked coldly, "You dare to ignore the sect rules?!"
"Sect rules?" The three of them looked at each other and burst out laughing. "The Holy Sect does have strict sect rules, but this place is remote. Even the patrolling disciples will only come here at noon or midnight. As long as we avoid these two timings, who cares if you're willing to give us a saber?"
"No matter how strict the Holy Sect's rules are, it's still about evidence, and you have no proof. Now you've regretted gifting the knife. Don't tell me you want us to return you? Haha, Junior Brother Pei, I didn't expect you to be so naive."
Miao Cheng'an spat on the ground in disdain. "What's the point of telling him so much? When I saw this newcomer, I thought he had someone to rely on in the sect, just like ourselves. That way, we could become friends. But is this kind of lowly scum worthy of living with me?! Although I don't know why he chose this place, since he's here, he has to pay the price."
He licked his lips, his gaze greedily sweeping over the pale blade. "This bastard doesn't have much to take advantage of, but this blade is really not bad."
Damn it!
Pei Ling finally understood the male disciple's malicious intentions. He thought that the other party had found a good place for him to stay, but it turned out that he was intentionally sending him to these three people.
He tightened his grip on the Life-Extinguishing Blade and threatened, "Even if Senior Brother Zheng's strength is lacking in the inner sect, he is still Fairy Li's distant relative. Fairy Li did not forget to bring him along when she went out to do her missions. Since you guys look down on Senior Brother Zheng like this, aren't you afraid that he will report it to Fairy Li and she will not let you off?!"
"Do you even understand Fairy Li's identity?" Zhou Yi looked up at the sky and laughed. A complicated look flashed in his eyes, but he continued, "Haven't you noticed that us outer sect disciples call an inner sect disciple like Zheng Jingshan as our senior brother? Even for faction masters, we call them Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. Yet, why do we call core disciples fairies?
"That's because, in the eyes of the Holy Sect, we outer sect disciples aren't qualified to call core disciples as seniors.
"And in the eyes of the core disciples, the inner sect leader is not worth mentioning, much less us outer sects.
"Your surname is Pei. You must be in the same family as Zheng Jingshan's dog in the outer sect, Pei Hongnian?
"Go and find out later when did Fairy Li ever care about Pei Hongnian's life or death!"
With that said, he formed hand seals with both hands. Bronze rust-colored patterns surfaced on his cheeks and the back of his hand, quickly enveloping his entire body. His pupils also emitted a faint green.
In the next moment, he jumped up and punched toward Pei Ling's head with both fists.
Zhou Yi intended to kill?!
Pei Ling's heart sank. He thought of the sect rules that he had just finished reading and immediately understood. These three people had good family backgrounds, and so they could afford the fine. From their attitudes, the Life-Extinguishing Blade was clearly not cheap, and it might even be priceless.
In that case, it was worth it to pay a fine after killing him.
With this thought, Pei Ling's saber was hacking towards Zhou Yi's arm, but it switched directions instantly and headed for his neck.
After all, at the moment of life and death, who could care about the sect's rules?
"Bastard!" Zhou Yi and the other two were shocked. It was not the first time they had conspired to plunder their fellow disciples with their family backgrounds and cultivation levels, so they had gained a lot of experience.
Although they were not afraid of the sect's rules, they were unwilling to kill anyone. After all, the penalty for killing someone from the same sect was too high. Even if they could afford it, why should they hand over the money to the sect?
However, from their experience, it was easier to force the victim to submit by showing a murderous intent. Afterward, it was more convenient to take anything valuable. Also, the victims would often not dare to take revenge or report them in fear of losing their lives.
Who knew that Pei Ling was a vicious person who seemed honest when he answered every question they asked?
Zhou Yi hurriedly dodged. Although his Green Ghost Battle Body had reached the point where it was invulnerable to sabers, it still depended on what kind of saber it was. The Life-Extinguishing Blade was the weapon that Zheng Jingshan used to become well-known in the outer sect. He did not dare to take the hit head-on.
"He doesn't have any saber skills!" Right at this moment, Li Siguang, who was the best at observing among the three, suddenly reminded them. "In that case, beat the Life-Extinguishing Blade away!"
Pei Ling's heart sank when he heard this. The rules of the Deep Sea Sect were too long, and he had spent too much time reading it. He did not have time to cultivate the Blood Malevolence Saber Art before the three arrived. Otherwise, he would not be randomly hacking at this moment.
Just as Li Siguang's voice rang, Miao Cheng'an had already formed hand seals, muttering under his breath. A black Qi blade instantly condensed in front of him, and with a flash, it sliced towards Pei Ling's arm that held the saber.
Pei Ling did not have the time to dodge. He could only raise his weapon and slash diagonally with the Life-Extinguishing Blade. Although he could destroy the Qi Blade, the blade shook violently under the effect of the Qi Blade..
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 20: There's Something Wrong With This Kid!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
If Pei Ling had not already tightened his grip on the handle of the knife, the Life-Extinguishing Blade would have almost left his hand.
Upon seeing this scene, Miao Cheng'an became confident. "Aim for his saber! There's no way he can hold on to it after a few more tries."
"The Life-Extinguishing Blade is not something a person like you can use." While Zhou Yi and Miao Cheng'an were engaging Pei Ling, Li Siguang took the opportunity to chant a rather long incantation swiftly, and two spirits appeared by his side.
The moment the spirits appeared, the room became chilly.
The two spirits he had summoned were not as tall as the two at the entrance of the General Affairs Hall, nor were they as lifelike as Jiao Ni and Wu Liu. Not only were they only half the size of an ordinary person, but there was also a mass of black fog below their waists. Their faces were also dull and blurry, and the chill they gave was limited, at most making one feel uncomfortable.
Li Siguang sneered and said darkly, "If you hand it over obediently, I can still leave your corpse intact! Otherwise…"
Before he could finish, the two spirits suddenly raised their heads and howled silently at Pei Ling!
Pei Ling felt as if his head got ruthlessly smashed by a sledgehammer. He was dizzy, and his hands and feet were sore. When he bit the tip of his tongue and forced himself to come back to his senses, the Life-Extinguishing Blade had already landed on the ground. Zhou Yi took the opportunity to rush forward and strike him hard on the chest.
Bam!
Pei Ling did not have the time to dodge as this palm landed solidly on him. He took five or six steps back uncontrollably due to the impact, knocking down some furniture pieces on the way. However, Pei Ling only felt uncomfortable in his chest. He had expected his ribs to break or his organs to be severely injured. He should have been unable to get up and die soon.
At the critical moment, although he was puzzled, he did not have the time to think. He immediately kicked off and stabilized his stance before rushing up to punch Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi was even more surprised than him. He zoned out for a moment when he saw Pei Ling rushing over before finally putting up his arm to resist.
Clang!
Their fists and arms collided, emitting a clear metallic sound.
"What strong armor! And such a strong punch!" Zhou Yi felt a numbing sensation in his arms, and his expression couldn't help but change as he reminded his companions loudly, "He might have superior-grade iron bone!"
"A superior-grade iron bone?" A glint flashed through Li Siguang's eyes, and he humphed, "No wonder Zheng Jingshan got him here… then he deserves to die even more!"
As he spoke, Miao Cheng'an's Qi blades cut through the air again, and the two spirits pounced forward, passing through Pei Ling's body.
The spirits were formless and were extremely fast. Pei Ling had nothing to defend against them as he could only feel the deep chill every time they passed through.
The pressure mounted, and just as he was about to avoid the Qi blade, Zhou Yi took the opportunity to pounce on him, using his fingers like a halberd to gouge towards Pei Ling's eyes.
In the face of danger, Pei Ling quickly calmed down. He lowered his head immediately and then slammed his head hard into Zhou Yi's chin, forcing him to let go of him. However, the Qi blade struck him at this moment. Swoosh!
The black Qi blade might seem flimsy, but it was exceptionally sharp. It cut open Pei Ling's arm comfortably, causing a string of blood to splash out.
Before Pei Ling could catch his breath, Zhou Yi had already pounced on him again.
"There's something wrong with this brat!" Right at this moment, Li Siguang's eyes flashed, and he shouted, "My spirits have already passed through his body three times! Any ordinary person's hands and feet would have become paralyzed by now, but look at him!"
The three of them looked at Pei Ling together. Although he looked miserable, he remained agile and did not seem affected at all.
Miao Cheng'an's expression turned cold. He seemed to have thought of something as he wiped his eyes. Immediately, a pale glow surfaced in his eyes. He looked at Pei Ling for a moment and could not help but take a deep breath. "Recall the spirits! Don't go near him again!"
In his vision, he saw that Pei Ling seemed to be wearing light gray gauze clothing. Every time a spirit passed through him, the "gauze clothes" would gently sway and suck away some of the black fog. After that, the color of the gauze seemed to deepen and become more lively.
Although Miao Cheng'an did not cultivate spirit control techniques, he knew that the black fog was the source of the spirit's powers after living with Li Siguang for some time.
It meant that after a few more rounds, nothing might happen to Pei Ling. On the other hand, the two spirits that Li Siguang had spent a lot of effort nurturing were definitely going to suffer!
Li Siguang did not question further as he recalled the spirits back to his side, sizing up Pei Ling in bewilderment.
Until this point, he had only wanted to snatch the saber. Now, he really wanted to kill!
After all, Pei Ling had only just entered the sect, and he was already so troublesome. Since they had become enemies, it was better to exterminate the root of the problem.
With this thought, Li Siguang secretly gestured to his two companions before he took out an octagonal palace lantern. However, it lit up in a mysterious dark green color.
The moment this palace lantern appeared, the room became more chilly. The two spirits' black eyes dyed into the color of the lantern flames. Both of them looked at Pei Ling and howled again.
Again, Pei Ling felt as if he had been struck in the head by a heavy hammer. However, he endured the pain this time and saw Zhou Yi's kick. He immediately dodged to the side and punched the right side of Zhou Yi's face.
Bam!
Zhou Yi lost his balance and got knocked to the ground. At the same time, his right cheek swelled up. He was in disbelief. They were both at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, so how could his opponent be this strong?
Having succeeded in one strike, Pei Ling was about to pursue further when he saw another Qi blade shoot over. He hurriedly rolled on the ground and avoided it by a hair's breadth.
This time, Zhou Yi had stood up while Pei Ling was on the ground. He gave a sly laugh and smashed his fists toward Pei Ling's head.
The two were too close to each other, and Pei Ling had no time to dodge. Just as the enemy rushed in front of him, he exerted strength at his waist, and his legs sprang up, pinning Zhou Yi to the ground. He then pounced on him and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding another Qi blade aimed at his throat.
The two fought on the ground, but Zhou Yi was no match to Pei Ling's strength. After taking a few punches in a row, Zhou Yi spat out blood, but he could not break free. Meanwhile, Miao Cheng'an and Li Siguang, who were at the side, did not dare to attack to prevent harming their teammate.
Seeing that the odds were against Zhou Yi, Li Siguang hurriedly stepped forward and punched right at Pei Ling's back.
Pei Ling saw Li Siguang coming from the corner of his eye and quickly twisted his body, turning Zhou Yi around to block in front of him.
Li Siguang was afraid of harming his companion, and he hurriedly withdrew his punch. However, Pei Ling exerted strength in his lower body, abruptly kicking Zhou Yi away, who crashed toward Li Siguang.
Zhou Yi had cultivated the Green Ghost Battle Body, but he still could not withstand Pei Ling's kicks and punches. Meanwhile, Li Siguang specialized in controlling spirit, and his physique was weaker than Zhou Yi's. He had just taken two steps back when Zhou Yi bumped into him uncontrollably.
Thud!
After Pei Ling got the two of them on the ground, he rushed up without hesitation and smashed his fists down on the two of them!
However, at this moment, two Qi blades suddenly shot over from the left and right toward his back! Pei Ling hurriedly dodged to the side despite his exhaustion from the battle. Still, he got cut by the Qi blades, and two streams of blood flowed out!
As Miao Cheng'an acted in time, Zhou Yi and Li Siguang finally caught their breath. The two of them crawled up from the ground miserably.. Zhou Yi said coldly, "Kill him! We'll pay the fine together!"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 21: Another Free Gift…
A weakened Qi blade answered him. Although Miao Cheng'an was at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, his spiritual power was almost exhausted after using the Qi blade multiple times.
"Hold on first!" Miao Cheng'an shouted. "I'll pick up the saber and chop him to death!"
As he spoke, he ran towards the Life-Extinguishing Blade that had fallen to the ground.
Pei Ling's gaze turned cold as he rushed towards the Life-Extinguishing Blade as well. However, just as he was about to reach the Life-Extinguishing Blade, Miao Cheng'an suddenly grinned. Another Qi blade appeared on his fingertip and slashed toward the back of his head.
At the critical moment, Pei Ling pressed his left hand against the ground and burst forward. His right hand grabbed the handle of the Life-Extinguishing Blade and swung it behind him!
Clang!
The blade struck the Qi blade, causing Pei Ling's right hand to go numb as the web between his thumb and index finger split open. However, in such situations, he could not care less. He hurriedly crawled up from the ground and swung his blade towards the three.
After a while, the room was in an utter mess. Li Siguang, Zhou Yi, and Pei Ling were all covered in blood, their skin and flesh lacerated. The worst was Li Siguang, whose right leg got broken by Pei Ling's kick. A white bone forcibly pierced through his flesh at an awkward angle.
Of course, Pei Ling did not feel well. The wound on his chest shook as blood flowed faster. His back also became lacerated, and the pain was excruciating.
The only person who was slightly better off was Miao Cheng'an. He was mostly fine, with only a lump of blood under his nose.
Still, Miao Cheng'an's face was ashen!
His cultivation level was at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. Not only was he unable to kill a new disciple at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, but he had also been punched in the nose by the other party. If this were to spread, wouldn't it be a disgrace?!
More importantly, he was working together with two companions at the fourth level of Qi Refinement!
At this time, Pei Ling was also at the end of his rope. He only managed to stand by using the Life-Extinguishing Blade to support himself. As he gasped for breath, he warily faced the three people.
After a moment, Li Siguang coughed a few times. "You can't avoid us forever. And you better not think that this matter will be over after today. As long as you're still in the outer sect, you'll never have a good time if you don't hand over the Life-Extinguishing Blade! If you know your place…"
"Then I only need to kill the three of you!" Pei Ling replied. His voice was not loud, but it was cold. "After killing all of you, I'll destroy all evidence. Who would know that I did it?"
As he spoke, Pei Ling raised the Life-Extinguishing Blade and charged towards the three of them again!
Zhou Yi and Li Siguang's expressions changed, and they got to their defensive stance. Miao Cheng'an also subconsciously took out a talisman… However, before he could use the talisman, Pei Ling suddenly changed his direction halfway through his charge and sped towards the door at the side, disappearing from the door in the blink of an eye.
Pei Ling ran out of the courtyard. Although he did not hear any sounds of pursuit, he did not dare to stay around there any longer. Pei Ling recalled the locations on the sand table from before and briefly considered whether to find Pei Hongnian. However, he quickly rejected the idea and turned to run towards the back mountain with fewer people around.
After all, judging from the conversation between Li Siguang and the other two, they have no respect for Zheng Jingshan, let alone Pei Hongnian.
Furthermore, if Sun Yinglan was still with Pei Hongnian… It was safer to go to a place with no one around.
About an hour later, the panting Pei Ling stopped in a dense forest.
He had been in and out of Yuanlao Mountain since he was a child and was familiar with spending the night in the forest. At that moment, he walked around and confirmed that there was no one in the vicinity, nor were there any threatening beasts. He finally felt relieved.
At this point, Pei Ling was exhausted, but he still forced himself to use the Life-Extinguishing Blade to clear out a space. Only then did he slowly sit down and wipe his cold sweat with lingering fear.
However, his palm felt sticky. When he looked down, he could see that it was all blood under the starlight.
"Retarded system… evil sect…" Pei Ling's expression was angry at first before it turned helpless. "My luck is terrible… If not for the ten-day limit, I wouldn't have gone through all this."
He took a deep breath and finally recovered some strength. "System, I want to cultivate! I'll choose the [Blood Malevolence Saber Art, the [Temporary Cultivation—Smart Duration, and then [One-Click Management]."
"Ding Dong! The Smart Cultivation System is at your service!"
He lost control of his body immediately. He saw himself raise the Life-Extinguishing Blade and slowly assumed a starting position. His body then adopted a fighting stance and began practicing step by step.
At first, his movements were rusty. After two tries, Pei Ling's body movement became visibly smoother.
As he moved and jumped, the Life-Extinguishing Blade gradually became familiar with the technique. Under the pale starlight, even water could not penetrate the rapidly flashing blade!
Meanwhile, Pei Ling's body was also familiarizing himself with this saber art at a quick pace.
However, the system sounded again soon. "Ding Dong! Host injured. Continuing to cultivate the Blood Malevolence Saber Art will result in irreversible damage…"
"?!"
Pei Ling was immediately on edge.
Just as he was thinking that the system was going to give him—no, steal someone's things—when the system continued to prompt, "Ding Dong! Essence Augmenting Pill detected…"
Then, the system took out the Essence Augmenting Pill from his pocket and swallowed it. "Ding Dong! Essence Augmenting Pill consumed. The system will continue to cultivate for you…"
As the Essence Augmenting Pill entered his stomach, Pei Ling immediately felt a warm current rise from his dantian. As the system cultivated, this warmth rapidly spread to his limbs and bones while his exhausted, injured body recovered.
At the same time, he felt that the blood essence that had condensed in his body was undergoing fascinating changes as he cultivated the Blood Malevolence Saber Art…
Unknowingly in the process, Pei Ling forgot his pain, forgot the enmity with Li Siguang and the other two, and even forgot Fairy Li's ten-day limit. He became immersed in the joy brought by cultivation, as well as the fulfillment of his steady improvement.
It was until the system sounded again, "Ding dong! Blood essence of a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator is missing from the cultivation material…"
Pei Ling's eyes widened.
The system continued. "Ding dong! Host lacking the blood essence of a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator. The system will give you three Qi Refinement Stage cultivators for free!"
Pei Ling was instantly terrified to death. According to the sect rules of the Deep Sea Sect, killing three Qi Refinement Stage cultivators required paying a fine at a minimum of 30,000 spirit stones and a maximum of 90,000! However, he did not have a single spirit stone with him right now!
"Stop! Stop!"
"Cancel the management! I want to cancel the management!"
As he exclaimed in his mind, the system had already controlled his body to rush out of the forest at high speed, heading straight for the disciple residences.
At first, Pei Ling was frightened at the prospect of the massive impending fine. But soon, he could not care less about the fine.
The system was heading straight for the residence of Li Siguang and the others.
Pei Ling :"*!"
Since the system always ignored him in such situations, he could only think about what to do later quickly.
Although Li Siguang and the other two were not feeling too good just now, it was still three against one. Just the talisman that Miao Cheng'an had taken out before he escaped gave him a great sense of danger. Clearly, these second-generation heirs with strong backing must have their own trump cards!
Even if he recovered a little, going back at this time was no different from delivering his head!
As his mind raced, Pei Ling's figure had already stopped abruptly at the courtyard entrance. The system nimbly took out the nameplate to unlock the restriction.. After entering the small courtyard, it did not hesitate to step forward and kick the door open!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 22: What Skill Is This?
In the house, after Pei Ling left, Li Siguang and the other two helped each other up and applied treatment. In the middle of it, they brushed off the patrolling disciples. At this moment, they were discussing how to deal with Pei Ling. "If we had known that this guy was so good at fighting, we should have kept our cool and waited longer. We could have done it after he fell asleep."
"Anyway, we already attacked him. It's useless to say this now." Miao Cheng'an, who had the most violent temper, said, "He's a new disciple who's unfamiliar with the place, and he's poor. Where else can he go? He must still be on this Shady Sophora Peak. Send some people to find him tomorrow. Make sure they search every inch of the mountain to find him!"
"After we find him, I want to interrogate him about how he cultivated superior-grade iron bones," Li Siguang said in a gloomy voice. His broken leg was already in a splint. After consuming the healing pills his grandfather gave him, he could recover quickly. In a few days, he would be as good as new.
However, the fear and humiliation of having his leg bone forcefully broken by Pei Ling made Li Siguang reveal deep resentment in his voice, "This bastard comes from a humble background, but with such abilities, he must have some secrets."
Before he finished speaking, the three sensed the unlocking of their residence's restriction. Before they could react, the door was already kicked open with a bang.
They were startled, and before they could do anything, a ghostly figure flashed in the next moment, charging straight at Li Siguang.
Pei Ling was expressionless. He raised the saber and slashed down, and the Life-Extinguishing Blade slashed at his head with a sharp whistling sound.
Although Li Siguang was heavily injured, he was not flustered. He quickly formed hand seals, and two spirits appeared behind him. They raised their heads and let out a howl.
It was just that this attack that had made Pei Ling suffer not long ago was ineffective at this moment. Pei Ling did not stop at all as the Life-Extinguishing Blade slashed down with lightning speed.
Miao Cheng'an kicked Li Siguang in the stomach, forcefully kicking him to the side at this crucial moment.
Slash!
An arm flew up into the air, and Pei Ling grabbed it.
Li Siguang screamed in intense pain!
The turn of events was too sudden. Even with the help of Miao Cheng'an, he could barely avoid death, and he did not manage to escape from the Lifegiving Blade completely.
"Pei Ling!" Zhou Yi couldn't help but scream when he saw this. "You still dare to come back?!"
Bronze-colored patterns surfaced as the Green Ghost Battle Body activated again. He punched out with both fists aiming at Pei Ling's chest and dantian.
"Do you really think that you can dominate the outer sect with sheer luck?!" Miao Cheng'an helped Li Siguang up. With a flip of his wrist, he took out a blood-red medicinal pill and stuffed it into his companion's mouth. He turned around and stood up, shouting coldly, "You reckless bastard… Die!"
Blood flowed from his seven apertures in an instant. Three air blades appeared in front of him, and they flew in a strange route toward Pei Ling.
Pei Ling was anxious inside, but he seemed calm on the outside. His body ignored Zhou Yi and Miao Cheng'an, continuing to hack at Li Siguang with his saber.
At the same time, the spiritual power in his body circulated, and power formed by his blood essence flowed to the palm of his left hand that was holding the broken arm. Li Siguang's broken arm seemed to respond to the command as a layer of bloody mist burst forth and threaded into the air like red silk.
It paused in the air for a moment before it suddenly threw itself to the side and enveloped the Life-Extinguishing Blade! Immediately after, the broken arm withered and rotted. It collapsed like quicksand when the wind blew past it, turning into ashes in an instant.
Bam!
Zhou Yi punched Pei Ling in the chest.
The system did not hesitate to send a notification. "Ding Dong! An external attack has been detected. This cultivation session is over. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. You have ascended without a worry with a single click! I will look forward to you sharing the cultivation experience. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!"
Like the other time, the system withdrew quickly.
Pei Ling could not be bothered to scold the retarded system as he jumped back to dodge Zhou Yi's other punch by a hair's breadth, but three Qi blades came right after. In a split second, he made a quick decision. He avoided two to his throat and knees while using the Life-Extinguishing Blade to slash at the last Qi blade.
Clang!
The Qi blade shattered, but Pei Ling was unaffected. He could not help but be delighted. Miao Cheng'an's Qi blade could cause numbness in his wrist earlier. Now that he had cultivated the Blood MalevolenceSaber Art, he could actually withstand an attack with ease!
Right on the heels of that, he could not be bothered by the three people's angry shouts as his figure crossed over to avoid Zhou Yi. Like before, he slashed at Li Siguang again.
He wanted to take out the weakest first. Li Siguang had lost an arm, presenting an opportunity to get rid of him quickly!
Moreover, the system might be immune to the howls of Li Siguang's two spirits. He could not do the same.
If his Life-Extinguishing Blade got hacked away like what occurred earlier, he would definitely die!
Li Siguang had already broken his leg, and he had just lost an arm. Even though Miao Cheng'an had fed him medicinal pills in time to save his life, he was still weak! Seeing the Life-Extinguishing Blade coming at him, he originally wanted to command the spirits to continue howling to stop Pei Ling. However, when he thought of the scene just now, he was afraid that he would fail again and cost him his life. He did not dare to take any chances, and without caring about the pain in his body, he hurriedly rolled to the side in an attempt to avoid the slash.
However, since he did not cultivate his physique, his speed was already inferior to Pei Ling, who was used to crossing mountains, even when he was healthy.
He had only crawled away for two steps when the Life-Extinguishing Blade had already sliced through the back of his neck. Like his broken arm, the head flew up into the air, and blood spurted out of the severed neck.
"Si Guang!!!" Zhou Yi and Miao Cheng'an's eyes widened in anger. The three of them had been together since they entered the sect. Although they had done plenty of harm to others, they had some genuine friendships with each other. At this moment, when Li Siguang got beheaded in front of them, how could they not be bitter?
Zhou Yi only felt a buzzing sound as all the blood in his body rushed to his brain. He yelled and rushed up like a mad tiger, punching randomly.
However, Miao Cheng'an's eyes flashed as his face turned ashen.
Not a single drop of the blood from Li Siguang landed on the ground! It did not land anywhere else either—they became sucked into the blood mist that was wrapped around the Life-Extinguishing Blade as if they were summoned!
The color of the blood mist became even brighter as a result, and it suddenly left the Life-Extinguishing Blade and pounced on Li Siguang's corpse. In an instant, the freshly dead, plump corpse rapidly shriveled and wilted! The blood mist appeared again and returned to the Life-Extinguishing Blade. The blood mist became even thicker, and there was a shadowy figure flickering within it. It was Li Siguang.
Soon, however, the blood mist surged, shredding Li Siguang's face into pieces. After letting out a mournful wail, he vanished into the blood mist.
Miao Cheng'an cried out, "What kind of skill is this?!"
Pei Ling had no time to answer him, and even he was shocked by what happened. As expected of Fairy Li, this Blood Malevolence Saber Art was truly ferocious! His random swinging of the saber from a while ago was no more as he now wielded the Life-Extinguishing Blade with ease. The saber's movements became unpredictable, forcing the determined Zhou Yi back.
Upon seeing this scene, Miao Cheng'an knew that there was no way to resolve this at this rate. A hint of ruthlessness flashed through his eyes. He clenched his teeth, took out the talisman that he had almost used previously, and began to input spiritual power.
Pei Ling's pupils constricted when he saw this, and he hurriedly charged towards Miao Cheng'an. Zhou Yi must have known how powerful that talisman of Miao Cheng'an was, and he desperately stepped forward to stop Pei Ling like a madman.
Slash!
Pei Ling quickly cleaved down with his blade, leaving a bloody mark on Zhou Yi's chest as blood splattered all over his face.
He did not have the time to finish Zhou Yi off at the moment and rushed towards Miao Cheng'an swiftly.. The talisman's aura in Miao Cheng'an's hand grew ghastly, and it seemed like he was about to unleash a terrifying attack!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 23: The System's Big Giveaway!
In the blink of an eye, Pei Ling pounced forward. The Life-Extinguishing Blade drew a bright red arc in the air as it slashed viciously at Miao Cheng'an's head!
Miao Cheng'an panicked. He only needed a little more time to activate the talisman in his hand, but he immediately dodged to the side.
However, he had already infused all his spiritual power into the talisman at the moment. His body was heavy and far beyond his usual self. He could not react at all.
Although he did his best and barely avoided the fatal blow, his shoulder still got struck by the blade!
Amidst his shrill cry, an arm left his body. At the same time, the talisman in his hand had finally completed the final activation, and it lit up with a wisp of dark light that swiftly transformed into a longsword that emanated ghastly sword qi, shooting out explosively!
The longsword rushed toward the wall beside him with unstoppable momentum.
With the breaking sound, a bowl-sized hole appeared in the initially intact wall. The sword whistled away, disappearing into the night without a trace.
When Miao Cheng'an witnessed this, his face turned white instantly. He felt as if he had fallen into an icehouse!
It was the sword talisman his brother had given him as his life-saving trump card.
However, he had lost his arm. Under the intense pain, he could not control it. Not only did he not hit Pei Ling, but he had also already used up all of his spiritual powers!
This talisman is powerful!
Pei Ling looked at the hole in the wall, and his pupils constricted. If this talisman had hit him, he would either be dead or crippled.
Fortunately, his saber was a step faster!
He did not know if Miao Cheng'an had any more similar talismans. He had to finish him as soon as possible! With that thought, Pei Ling did not hesitate to swing his saber at his opponent's neck!
Right at this moment, a figure suddenly jumped up from behind him. Zhou Yi's hair was disheveled while he had a resentful expression. A short dagger had appeared in his hand at some point. Its edge was glowing in a jade green color. Obviously, it was poisonous. Zhou Yi leaped up high and stabbed fiercely toward Pei Ling's back.
Pei Ling immediately sensed Zhou Yi's movements and did not think twice before slashing his saber with his backhand. Wherever the blade passed, blood flowed from Zhou Yi's waist and abdomen as he got sent flying!
With a bang, Zhou Yi smashed through a few tables and chairs, but his momentum continued. He finally hit the wall and slowly slid to the ground while dragging an extremely thick bloody mark. He became motionless, and it was unknown whether he was dead or alive.
There was only one left!
Pei Ling raised the Life-Extinguishing Blade again and slashed at Miao Cheng'an.
Despair and unwillingness flashed through Miao Cheng'an's eyes as he shouted, "My brother is an inner sect…"
Before he could finish his sentence, the Life-Extinguishing Blade had already cut across his throat. A tinge of red splattered as Miao Cheng'an's eyes widened in shock. He then slowly fell to the ground.
Upon the sight of it, Pei Ling's tension finally eased.
He let out a heavy breath and gave the system a standard one-star rating. After catching his breath for a moment, his stamina mostly recovered. He immediately stood up and searched for the belongings of the three of them.
After all, excluding the compensation for the furnishings in the room, just the killing of three outer sect disciples meant a fine of 30,000 to 90,000 low-grade spirit stones!
If he could not pay the fine in three months, he would go from an outer sect disciple to a cultivation material split between the various peaks of the Holy Sect.
These three all came from wealthy backgrounds. Their net worth must be considerable.
With this thought in mind, Pei Ling searched the entire room as fast as he could. However, other than the few bottles and jars on the table, the most valuable items were only three differently shaped storage bags.
The problem was that even if the three of them died, their storage bags still had restrictions. Pei Ling tried various methods but was unable to open them.
As for those bottles and jars, they were likely used for medicinal purposes. However, other than the Qi and Blood Pills that the system "gifted" him, Pei Ling did not recognize any others.
"This is a little troublesome…" Pei Ling gathered up everything else other than the medicine and storage bags. No matter how he looked at it, they were never worth much. This pile of trash might not even be worth five spirit stones.
After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to cultivate the Blood Malevolence Saber Art to complete the ten-day limit set by Fairy Li. "System! I want to cultivate the [Blood Malevolence Saber Art]. Select [Temporary Cultivation—Smart Duration, and [One-Click Management]."
The system came online merrily. "Ding Dong! The Smart Cultivation System is at your service…"
Soon, a series of notifications began to flood the screen. "Ding Dong! Depleted spiritual power detected. The system will give you five Essence Enhancing Pills for free…"
"Ding-dong! Host injured. The system will give you three Return of Spring Pills for free…"
"Ding-dong! Host…"
Moments later, the system controlled Pei Ling's body to pour out the last medicinal pill and consume it. His body turned around to look down at Miao Cheng'an and Zhou Yi lying in a pool of blood on the ground. It reached out and grabbed the Life-Extinguishing Blade. "Ding dong! The host lacks the blood essence of a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator. The system will give you two Qi Refinement Stage cultivators for free."
Instantly, a bloody mist that was almost non-existent flew out and split into two in midair, pouncing on Miao Cheng'an and Zhou Yi, respectively!
"Ah!!!" Zhou Yi let out a heart-wrenching cry, which surprised Pei Ling.
So this guy isn't dead yet. He was pretending to be dead!
It is too despicable!
However, the blood mist that pounced on him was filled with greed. It did not retreat just because he was alive. Instead, it plundered his blood essence more forcefully.
Zhou Yi's expression twisted as if he had received the most extreme form of torture.
He was already heavily injured and on the verge of death, holding onto the hope that he could muddle through. Otherwise, when Pei Ling was resting just now, he would not have stayed quiet and passed the opportunity for a sneak attack. At this moment, he did not last for long as his cries rapidly fell silent. Soon, his entire body was like Li Siguang from before, drying up with all of his blood, Qi, and spirit sucked out. They wrapped around his soul and returned to the Life-Extinguishing Blade.
Like what happened to Li Siguang a moment ago, the blood mist tore his soul into pieces without any pity! At the same time, Miao Cheng'an finally died. The blood mist that rushed into his body quickly turned into a streak of blood light, returning to the Life-Extinguishing Blade. The saber returned to its gorgeous red appearance.
After Miao Cheng'an's soul also became torn to pieces, the system finally gave a notification. "Ding Dong! The gifting of a Qi Refinement Stage cultivator is complete! The system will continue to cultivate for you…"
As his body moved, he casually stepped over the corpses of Miao Cheng'an and Zhou Yi. The bodies that had their blood essence and soul sucked dry by the Blood Malevolence Saber Art ended up like Li Siguang's body. In a short moment, they turned into ashes. Then, along with the strong wind that stirred up when the Life-Extinguishing Blade swung, it scattered in all directions, leaving nothing behind.
Pei Ling did not feel much emotion. No matter what this retarded system did, he would not be surprised.
The system continued practicing the Blood Malevolence Saber Art over and over again. As the sun was beginning to rise in the east and Pei Ling was feeling anxious, he suddenly felt his body lighten.
It was as if he had broken free from a narrow box.. The weight of the Life-Extinguishing Blade instantly became as light as a feather, as if it did not exist!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 24: It's Hard to Make a Single Move Without Money!
At this moment, the system stopped cultivating. "Ding Dong! This cultivation session has been completed. Thank you for using the smart cultivation system. You have ascended without a worry! I'll look forward to you sharing the cultivation experience. If you are satisfied, please give me a five-star rating!"
Pei Ling could not care less about the evaluation. He shook his hands and feet, and with a shake of the Life-Extinguishing Blade, he practiced the entire saber art from start to finish on the spot. He could not help but be shocked. His body was now incomparably familiar with the Life-Extinguishing Blade as if it became a part of his body. As a result, once he held the saber hilt, the saber art occurred to him naturally, without any need to think of the next move.
"Well done, system!" Pei Ling heaved a sigh of relief and held the Life-Extinguishing Blade tightly. He felt a little more at ease as he gave the system a two-star rating. Then, he looked around at the surroundings and thought about how to deal with the aftermath.
30,000 low-tier spirit stones… No, it shouldn't be this low.
Li Siguang and the other two all had connections in the sect, and the fine was likely close to the cap of 90,000 low-grade Spirit Stones. Disciples related to them might even kill him for revenge directly. At most, they would pay a fine to the sect.
Therefore, the most important thing now was to leave the Deep Sea Sect as soon as possible!
Otherwise, who knew if he would meet a wealthy family member to send him on his way?
The problem was that Pei Ling had just arrived at the Deep Sea Sect. When he arrived, the Dark Bone Phantom Boat left him at the Dust Severing Square. He did not even know what direction to go after leaving the sect.
As he thought of that, Pei Ling took out the outer sect disciple clothes that he had not had the chance to change into previously from his storage bag. He changed out of his bloodstained robe and tore off the long strip of his inner clothes that he used to wrap up the Life-Extinguishing Blade to avoid any more problems.
He then roughly tidied up the entire house and ensured that there was nothing wrong with the courtyard. He then left the house with the storage bags and nameplates of the three. He activated the restriction outside and went to the dense forest at the back of the mountain first. He found a place with luxuriant plants and buried his things under a clump of shrubs to conceal them. After memorizing this location, he then identified the direction and went to find Pei Hongnian.
According to Pei Hongnian's instructions yesterday, Pei Ling managed to find his residence.
It was just that this cousin clearly followed Sun Yinglan's orders and did not even have the intention of opening the door to let him in. "Didn't you hear Junior Sister Yinglan's words yesterday? Don't look for me in the future! Otherwise, Junior Sister Yinglan will not be happy."
This bootlicker… Pei Ling was speechless in his heart, but he had no other choice at the moment. He said, "Senior, I was too impulsive yesterday. After I thought about it, Senior Sister Sun might be your wife in the future. Yes, I shouldn't have treated her like that yesterday. But I just came to the Holy Sect, and I don't have a single spirit stone on me. I can't even apologize to Senior Sister Sun properly without money. Why don't you tell me how to leave the sect? I'll go out and get something that Senior Sister Sun might like."
"Leave the sect?" Pei Hongnian's expression softened when he heard that it was for Sun Yinglan. He only thought about it and shook his head. "You can't leave the sect."
Pei Ling's heart sank. "Why? I don't think the sect rules forbid outer sect disciples to step outside the sect?"
"Of course, the sect doesn't restrict outer sect disciples from leaving the place. Otherwise, how did I return home in the past?" Pei Hongnian said, "The problem is that the sect boundaries are vast. It's over a thousand miles from the Shady Sophora Peak to the outside of the mountain. When you came here previously, the Dark Bone Phantom Ship could reach it in a moment. Now that you want to go out, the cheapest Corpse Cloud costs ten low-grade spirit stones to rent. If you don't have a single spirit stone, how are you going to leave?"
Pei Ling felt like vomiting blood. "Then what do I do? Am I staying in Shady Sophora Peak forever?"
As the saying went, one could not move forward without money. It is too f*cking true!
"Why do you have to leave the sect?" Pei Hongnian asked in return. "There are plenty of poor outer sect disciples. How can the sect not consider it? The miscellaneous commissars at the back of the hall will announce various missions every day. You can go and see if there are suitable ones for you."
Pei Ling probed, "Then can you lend me ten low-grade spirit stones? I'll return them to you after a while."
Pei Hongnian shook his head without hesitation. "I've already given all my spirit stones to Junior Sister Yinglan. I have nothing for you."
"…" Pei Ling did not want to say another word to this bootlicker and turned to leave.
He hurriedly arrived at the Miscellaneous Committee. It was a large hall, crowded and bustling with people. Before he entered, he could hear a lot of yelling. There were people recruiting members, people reporting on their resume to join missions, people who wanted to find professional cultivators for their troubles, people who were bargaining… It was clamorous like a market.
Pei Ling squeezed in with great difficulty, only to find that the interior was simple and crude. There was no furnishings at all, only four walls filled with magic arrays. They were about the height of his waist with a dense ring of holes.
Pei Ling observed for a while before imitating the others and inserting his nameplate into one of the empty holes.
A ball of black fog immediately surfaced on the wall in front of him and slowly transformed into lines of text.
The first was to grow a spirit herb called Ghost Face Grass for three months. The reward was five low-grade spirit stones… Pei Ling gave up before he finished reading it.
The second request was for him to send a letter. The requirement was for him to have his own mount. It would last for a month, and the reward was three low-tier spirit stones… He gave up on the mission as well.
The third required him to help take care of a spirit beast. He mainly had to process the feces for a month. As for remuneration? The remuneration was the feces, mucus, and the like that needed to be processed… Scram!
The fourth was the Weapon Forging Peak's recruitment notice. Disciples were required to be down-to-earth, willing to work hard. It was best if they had a certain level of talent. Priority was given to those with good foundations. Hmm. They won't pay me spirit stones, but I can watch from the side while some inner sect senior brother forged the weapon? Screw you!
The following missions were also more or less the same. Pei Ling frowned as he watched. He did not know how popular Li Siguang and the other two were in the past or how long it would take for someone to find out about their deaths, but considering their family backgrounds, every moment in the sect was torturous to him.
If not for the fact that he did not have ten spirit stones, he would have already rented a Corpse Cloud and fled.
After patiently watching for a while, he finally saw a task with high remuneration. "Investigate the truth about the sudden death of the entire Han Villa. You have one month to complete this mission. Your pay is 800 low-grade spirit stones."
He was overjoyed. Just as he was about to accept the task, his sharp eyes caught sight of the following sentence. "This task is only available for disciples at the sixth level of Qi Refinement and above."
Pei Ling: "…"
He looked at the rest of the missions and realized that only disciples with at least the sixth level of Qi Refinement could take those highly paid jobs that required disciples to leave the sect.
If not, there had to be at least a Qi Refinement cultivator at the sixth level in the team.
Upon seeing this, Pei Ling decisively put away his nameplate and began to wander around the hall, attempting to join a group that had accepted missions outside the sect.
The quality of the team was not his priority. What was important was that they could bring him out of the sect as soon as possible!
With this thought, he quickly walked to a disciple who had loudly shouted that he had accepted the task of killing demonic beasts and that he needed two more disciples.. "Senior Brother, I want to join your team!"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 25: The Most Vicious Woman's Heart
When the disciple saw that someone was coming, his initially warm smile disappeared. When he took a closer look at his cultivation level, his expression turned cold. "What are you, a mere cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, doing here? Get lost, don't delay my business."
"Senior Brother…" Pei Ling wanted to continue asking, but the disciple had already plastered a smile on his face and walked past him. He welcomed a disciple at the sixth level of Qi Refinement behind Pei Ling and said enthusiastically," Junior Brother…"
Pei Ling: "…"
He frowned and quickly went on to the next person. "Senior Sister…"
"Junior Brother. Are you looking for a team?" The female disciple was not far away and had seen everything that had happened earlier. She spuriously smiled when she heard him. "It's just that your cultivation level is really too low. Bringing you out of the sect is a troublesome matter…"
Pei Ling thought there was still hope as he immediately perked up. "Senior Sister, then how about…"
Before he could finish, his entire body froze. He watched helplessly as the stocky build senior sister reached out her hand and pinched his waist as if no one was around, then reached into his clothes unceremoniously.
F*ck!
Pei Ling instantly retreated 30 feet away. "I'm sorry, Senior Sister. You're right. My cultivation is too low, and I'm not fit to join your team!"
With that, he ran off, afraid that she would continue to pursue him.
After learning from his lesson, Pei Ling did not dare to speak to the female disciples again. He observed the crowd for a while before walking towards an older male disciple. "Senior Brother, I…"
"You are at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. And you want to join a team for a mission outside the sect?" The male disciple sized him up. He did not chase him away, nor did he touch him. Pei Ling heaved a sigh of relief. He stretched out his hand and said casually, "If you want me to bring you back and forth, and it doesn't matter if you're dead or alive, I'll charge 20 low-grade spirit stones per trip! If you want me to do my best to take care of your safety, I'll charge 40 low-grade spirit stones per trip, and I'll give you 50% of the mission's reward! If you want the entire team revolving around you…"
Pei Ling took a deep breath. "…Sorry to disturb you."
He left before letting that male disciple finish.
Whatever kind of sect rules they have makes the kind of disciples they have! Each of them was asking for more money than the others!
If I had that many spirit stones, why would I need to humble myself before you guys?
The furious Pei Ling did not notice that someone not far away was staring at him for a while. Suddenly, that person turned around and quickly left the Miscellaneous Committee. He familiarly ran to a courtyard with many flowers planted and a small pond in front of the door. "Senior Sister Sun, I saw Pei Ling at the Miscellaneous Committee earlier. Guess what he's doing? He's actually looking for a team to complete a mission outside the sect! Haha! Shouldn't he take a look at his cultivation level? Now that everyone has rejected him, should we go over and teach him a lesson?"
Sun Yinglan was in the middle of her cultivation and was displeased when she got disturbed. Hearing what happened, her eyes instantly brightened up.
She had been in the outer sect for many years. With her looks and schemes, she had never been disadvantaged. Though no one had ever dared to treat her like Pei Ling did.
After what happened yesterday, even though Pei Hongnian bowed down to her and swore an oath, Sun Yinglan's anger did not subside. She secretly vowed to take revenge on Pei Ling.
Upon hearing this, she was about to agree. However, after some thought, she suddenly said, "Are you sure that Pei Ling is looking for a team? And he wants to accept a mission happening outside the sect?"
"Of course, Senior Sister!" The person hurriedly said, "I heard it loud and clear among the crowd! This Pei Ling seems to be a person with great ambition but little talent. Does he even understand why those missions required disciples at the sixth level of Qi Refinement? I guess he got too used to bossing around in a small place like the Pei family that he doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth after coming to the Holy Sect…"
"In that case, I'll help him!" Sun Yinglan interrupted him with a cold smile and instructed, "Zhao Yan, you go to Senior Brother Chen Huan right now. Tell him that I've helped him find the last blood sacrifice material for the Soul Summoning Banner. Pei Ling's talent isn't inferior to Pei Hongnian's, and he's even younger with plenty of Qi and blood, a perfect material for his refinement."
The messenger, Zhao Yan, was startled for a moment before he jealously said, "Pei Ling actually has better talent? Is Pei Hongnian stupid? He can't even suppress such a junior brother, and he brought him into the Holy Sect."
"Idiot!" Sun Yinglan glared at him and said with a cold smile, "Although Pei Hongnian relied on his talent in drawing talismans to get along with inner sect faction master Senior Brother Zheng. With his fish brain, how much dignity did he have in front of Senior Brother Zheng? For him to make an exception and bring Pei Ling along, it must be because Pei Ling has something special. If Pei Ling can achieve something here, as the Pei family's eldest son, how can Pei Hongnian not benefit from it? Tell my speculation to Senior Brother Chen, and he will make his own decision."
Seeing that Zhao Yan was still hesitant, she could not help but stomp her feet and urge, "Hurry up and go! What if Pei Ling keeps getting rejected and gives up?"
"Oh… oh… yes!" Zhao Yan was startled and hurriedly replied, "I'll go look for Senior Brother Chen now."
Not long after, in front of a few connected bamboo buildings, a fair-skinned male cultivator with a feminine disposition raised his brows slightly: "Pei Ling? What background does he have? I don't think I've heard of such a person before at Shady Sophora Peak?"
"Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen. Pei Ling was brought here by that trash, Pei Hongnian, from the Pei family," Zhao Yan quickly said. "He's Pei Hongnian's cousin. It's just that his talent is outstanding, and Pei Hongnian spoke on behalf of the family to plead to Senior Brother Zheng and bring him into the sect."
Chen Huan was a cautious person. Although he did plot and kill many fellow disciples to obtain materials to increase the power of his Soul Summoning Banner, he never provoked people he could not afford to offend.
He remained noncommittal and said, "Senior Brother Zheng is a proud person. People said that he left the sect this time along with Fairy Li. I wonder if Pei Ling has the fortune to travel with these two people and left a certain impression on them?"
Not to mention Fairy Li, just Zheng Jingshan's status and strength was not something worth for Chen Huan to offend just for Pei Ling.
Anyway, there were so many outer sect disciples that he could use as material.
"You're overthinking, Senior Brother. Senior Sister Sun has already asked Pei Hongnian." Zhao Yan knew that Sun Yinglan was bent on killing Pei Ling and that it would be better to make him suffer before dying. At that moment, he said, "Pei Ling is quite lucky. At that time, Fairy Li successfully obtained Elder Luo's Nascent Soul Formation technique and was in a good mood. Senior Brother Zheng must be happy as well… Pei Hongnian went up to ask for their help on the spur of the moment, and they conveniently agreed."
"However, neither Fairy Li nor Senior Brother Zheng appeared on the deck when the Dark Bone Phantom Ship landed on the Dust Severing Square.
"Clearly, they don't care about these two brothers at all."
"Otherwise, why would Senior Sister Sun recommend you for this? Why would Senior Sister Sun want to offend Senior Brother Zheng and Fairy Li?"
Chen Huan thought for a moment, and his brows relaxed gradually. He nodded and said, "In that case, I owe Junior Sister Sun a favor."
With that, he instructed a female cultivator who looked a little like him. "Come with me to the Miscellaneous Council."
Meanwhile, at this moment, Pei Ling was lowering his head and silently wiping the cold sweat on his forehead.
He had just heard someone mention Li Siguang and the other two!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 26: Corpse Cloud
Although it was only a random disciple who said it and had no intention of finding Li Siguang and the other two, it still made Pei Ling's heart jump. He was afraid that in the next moment, a patrolling disciple would descend from the sky and arrest him for questioning in the Disciplinary Hall…
However, he got rejected by seven to eight teams in a row. A kind senior brother even told him directly that no team would accept a burden like him for free. He would either need to pay spirit stones or in other ways. Otherwise, it was better to stay in the sect obediently and be down-to-earth.
After all, everything in the Holy Sect required spirit stones. Most of the disciples were busy working for their livelihoods, so where would they find the time to do good deeds?
Pei Ling was anxious and angry. As he was rapidly thinking of his next moves, a man and a woman squeezed through the crowd. From the looks of it, they were siblings. As they greeted the surrounding people, they revealed that they had just received a mission and were about to leave immediately. It was just that the team was coincidentally short of people, so they came to find someone to fill the numbers.
A male disciple stepped forward and asked, "Senior Brother Chen, may I ask what kind of cultivator you want? Can you consider me?"
"I'm sorry, your cultivation level is too high. I'm looking for a disciple at the third or fourth level of Qi Refinement." Chen Huan glanced at Zhao Yan and said with a friendly smile, "After all, the main purpose of this trip is to train my sister, so it's better to be of the same level as her."
His cousin, Chen Mei, stood at the side and smiled shyly. She seemed elegant and gentle.
Pei Ling's eyes could not help but light up. He pushed through the crowd and walked over. "Senior Brother, I happen to be at the fourth level of Qi Refinement!"
As he had been rejected too many times, he did not have much hope when he said it.
To his surprise, Chen Huan gave him a casual look and said, "Okay, but we're leaving soon. Are you fine with that?"
"No problem!" Pei Ling was overjoyed. After killing Li Siguang and the other two, he wanted to leave the sect immediately. He was not willing to wait a moment longer!
Chen Huan was a paranoid person and was slightly suspicious when he saw Pei Ling take the bait so smoothly. However, on second thought, Pei Ling came from a small and remote city. He had just entered the Holy Sect yesterday and was already thinking of leaving today. It was not surprising that he got tricked so easily.
Therefore, he brought Pei Ling out of the Miscellaneous Committee and into a secluded area. He gestured for Chen Mei to call the others over as he said slowly, "Junior Brother, my surname is Chen, and my name is Chen Huan…"
He gave a brief introduction of himself and expressed that he had accepted a few missions this time. Furthermore, as a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, he would part ways with the team and complete one of the missions alone.
"Let me be honest with you. The main reason I'm going out this time is to broaden my sister's horizons. It's just that the entry and exit fee for the Holy Sect is not cheap. To compensate for the loss, I took on more missions myself." Chen Huan seemed cultured and sincere. "After I leave, I'll have to trouble you to take care of my sister. This girl has been protected too well by her family and is too naive. Last time out at the market at the foot of the mountain. If not for our fellow disciples, she would have almost been deceived by some itinerant cultivator!"
In other words, he was only at the sixth stage of Qi Refinement. He did not look for anyone with a higher cultivation level and chose someone as strong as his sister. He was afraid that Pei Ling would not harm his sister if he left for another mission.
Indeed, Pei Ling promised solemnly, "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen. Since we are all in the same team, then we are bound together. I will protect Senior Sister Chen well!"
He would find a chance to escape after leaving the sect.
When the time came, who would care whether these siblings lived or died?
"The sect's fine is too high. I have to trick this brat outside as quickly as possible!" Chen Huan thought the same. "My Soul Summoning Banner is almost complete. After obtaining this brat's blood essence and soul, its power will surely reach a higher level. By then…"
Both had similar thinking, afraid that the other would go back on his word, and their attitudes became friendlier.
Therefore, when Chen Mei brought the three people over, they saw that Chen Huan and Pei Ling were like long-lost friends who had become inseparable.
"Junior Brother Pei, let me introduce you to everyone." Chen Huan was enthusiastic when he saw Chen Mei and the others. "This is Chen Mei, my disappointing sister. She's at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Here is Huang Xian, and this is Zhang Zhongqin. And lastly, Xiao Tasha. They are all at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. We have known each other for many years. Now that a young talent like Junior Brother Pei has joined us, it's a great pleasure!"
After everyone arrived, they exchanged pleasantries before Chen Huan led everyone to a platform in the clouds at the mountain waist.
There was already a queue here. Although it was not a long queue, Chen Huan and Pei Ling felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles. If not for the ten spirit stones fine for cutting the queue, they would have rushed to the front.
After a while, it was finally their turn. Chen Huan immediately took out ten spirit stones and said to the disciple in charge of the place, "One Corpse Cloud, please hurry up! My mission is urgent!"
The disciple did not say anything and threw the ten spirit stones into a magic formation at the side. Immediately, dark clouds surged in the sky above the magic formation. Soon, a sinister-looking cloud formed with broken limbs appeared.
"Hop on, Junior Brother Pei." Chen Huan was the first to step up. He was stepping on a cloud of mist under his feet, but for some reason, it seemed to hold him up like solid ground.
It was Pei Ling's first time seeing the Corpse Cloud. However, at this moment, he was not in the mood to study the marvels of this cloud. Immediately, he stepped forward without a word. The cloud was not as soft as he thought. It was actually firm.
After everyone went up, Chen Huan made a hand seal, and the Corpse Cloud began to move slowly. Then, it gradually increased in speed and floated southeast.
"Senior Brother Chen." Pei Ling asked upon seeing this, "Is the Holy Sect's mountain gate in the southeast?"
"Junior Brother Pei, you just entered yesterday. No wonder you didn't know." Chen Huan laughed out loud when he heard this and said, "The official gate of the Holy Sect is actually in the south! However, the entire sect is within the Nine Heavens Ten Earths Yin-Yang Separation Buddha Formation. In order to facilitate the entry and exit of the disciples, there are tunnels set up in all directions. As long as we verify the nameplate, we can pass through. Our destination for this trip is closer to the southeast, which is why we chose this direction."
A thought popped up in Pei Ling's mind. He said, "In other words, after leaving the sect, the nameplate won't be of much use?"
"How can that be?" It was Huang Xian who answered. This person had not spoken much from the start and seemed to look down on Pei Ling. He sneered, "When we entered the sect, we used our blood essence to light the Life Soul Candle. This nameplate was created by separating a wisp of aura from the Life Soul Candle. In the sect, it cannot leave your body for a moment. After leaving the sect, it is not just our identification documents. The Holy Sect can also use it to locate us when we are in danger!"
"… Senior Brother Huang, in that case, does this mean that the nameplate has many uses even after leaving the sect?" Pei Ling was startled.. He immediately probed, "What if I accidentally lose it?"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 27: Mission
Huang Xian chuckled but did not say anything.
Chen Mei answered softly, "It's not a big deal if you lose it. After all, you have the Life Soul Candle. You can verify your identity when you return and make another one. It's just that it's expensive and costs 50 low-grade spirit stones."
Fifty low-grade spirit stones. It was nothing compared to his fine!
Thus, Pei Ling continued to ask, "Speaking of spirit stones, when I flipped through the sect's rules yesterday, I realized that spirit stones could resolve almost anything. However, it also gave us quite a bit of time to raise money. In that case, what if someone owes the Holy Sect a lot of spirit stones, but he finds an opportunity to slip out of the sect and escape… Wouldn't that be a loss to the Holy Sec?"
"That's impossible!" Xiao Tasha shook her head and smiled confidently. "In fact, the Holy Sect is the most easygoing among the rest. There is nothing spirit stones can't do here. But everyone knows that you must not owe them any Spirit Stones!"
"Don't even think about escaping from the debt. In the past, a disciple once owed a hundred spirit stones. He was old, and his potential was exhausted, so he thought of accepting a mission to escape and also renege on his debt. However, the Holy Sect dispatched three expert cultivators to hunt him down straight away! After twenty years of investigation, they managed to find the person. Even his family he built after changing his name was all burnt to ashes!"
Pei Ling's eyelids jumped. Then, he said without changing his expression, "So that's how it is! That disciple is truly audacious! How daring of him to even try to escape the debt of the Holy Sect!"
He did not dare to continue on this subject and hurriedly changed the topic. "Oh yes, Senior Brother Chen, what is the mission that we are doing this time?"
"We have taken three missions this time, two of which are for you and Mei'er to practice. They are all near Spiraling Mountain City." Chen Huan smiled and said gently, "The last one will be by me, Junior Brother Huang, Junior Brother Zhang, and Junior Sister Xiao. It's about 500 kilometers from Spiraling Mountain City, and it's to hunt a demonic beast at the sixth stage of Awakening Realm. This mission is too dangerous for the two of you, so we will arrange for you to stay further away."
Chen Mei looked at Pei Ling shyly. "Junior Brother Pei, I'll have to trouble you to take care of me then. I heard that it's dark in the depths of the forest even in the middle of the day, and it's a little scary."
"Senior Sister Chen, don't worry. When the time comes, I will definitely do my best." Pei Ling replied earnestly, but he could not help but think about what to do next.
The disciple Xiao Tasha mentioned only owed 100 spirit stones, but he owed the sect 30,000 to less than 100,000!
How could the demonic sect let him off?
Furthermore, that was an old disciple. By right, his understanding of the Holy Sect, the cultivation world, and even his cultivation level should be above his own. If he could not escape, he did not think that he would become any luckier.
But if he did not escape, then he could only pay up the fine.
How could he pay such a huge fine?
Thinking of this, Pei Ling gave it some serious thought. He suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Chen, how many spirit stones can you obtain when you return to the sect after completing the missions?"
"This depends on the difficulty of the mission and how many missions I accepted. For example, we have accepted a total of three missions this time," Chen Huan said. "The two missions that you and Mei'er are doing are relatively simple. The first is to send a letter to the City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City. It is a simple task. The second is to eliminate the flower demons in the valley outside Spiraling Mountain City. This mission is not too dangerous either."
"There's only the third mission to hunt a sixth-level Awakening Realm demon beast, which is rather challenging…"
"These three missions add up to more than a hundred spirit stones. It's enough for us to cultivate for a long time after we return to the sect."
At this point, Chen Huan glanced at Pei Ling without batting an eyelid. He deliberately said a number that he believed would definitely move Pei Ling's heart, "Junior Brother Pei, as long as you're willing to cooperate seriously, you can at least obtain twenty low-grade spirit stones when we return!"
Pei Ling frowned. These three missions added up to only a hundred spirit stones? Not to mention that everyone shared the spoils, even if he got everything, Pei Ling would still need to accept hundreds or even thousands of such missions before he had the chance to save up to pay up his fines!
With this thought, Pei Ling's expression quickly returned to normal. Then, he smiled and said, "20 low-grade spirit stones. It is enough for me to use for a while. Thank you, Senior Brother Chen!"
Chen Huan smiled and said, "We're from the same sect, so you don't have to be so polite."
After a few pleasantries, Huang Xian mentioned some questions about cultivation. Chen Huan began to offer guidance, while Zhang Zhongqin also asked a few questions from time to time.
Xiao Tasha didn't say anything, but she listened attentively to Chen Huan.
Pei Ling listened for a moment and realized that they were talking about things that were closely related to themselves. To him, there was not much point in listening. He looked around and saw that Chen Mei was not listening either. She held her chin with both hands as she lay at the edge of the Corpse Cloud and enjoyed the scenery below.
He thought for a while and walked over immediately. He sat cross-legged beside Chen Mei and began chatting with her.
After a while, Pei Ling obtained the information he wanted to know as he had hoped.
It turned out that the payment of twenty low-grade spirit stones that Chen Huan had mentioned earlier was already very high among the outer sect missions.
The Corpse Cloud that they had just rented cost ten low-grade spirit stones. It was because they were going too far away, and he did not have any faster means to travel, so he had no choice.
Otherwise, Chen Huan, who was at the sixth stage of Qi Refinement, could not bear to spend those spirit stones.
After all, in the sect, a single Bone Tempering Pill was equivalent to ten low-grade spirit stones.
In the sect, other than completing missions, the method to earn spirit stones was the techniques taught for free in the Holy Sect, as written in the sect rules.
Forging, pill refinement, talisman crafting… As long as one had the ability, one could earn spirit stones from these!
Furthermore, they could earn a lot more than an ordinary disciple who lived on the edge.
Chen Mei even told Pei Ling that Pei Hongnian was the typical example of this! Pei Hongnian had outstanding talent in talisman crafting. Some years ago, when he had just entered the sect, he was once thought highly of by a tutor of Talisman Peak and almost got accepted as an inner disciple. However, he quickly fell in love with Sun Yinglan and did many shameful actions. He even neglected his cultivation and talisman crafting techniques because of this.
As a result, the tutor was greatly disappointed and did not mention accepting him again.
As for Pei Hongnian, he lost the chance to reach the heavens in a single bound.
His cousin's example tempted Pei Ling greatly. However, after learning that Pei Hongnian had spent a full two years just to create a qualified talisman successfully, he lost interest immediately.
Not to mention two years, if he did not pay up the fine within three months, he would get himself turned into cultivation materials!
Huang Xian's consultation came to an end. He exchanged a look with Zhang Zhongqin, who said with a faint smile, "Junior Brother Pei, it's pretty boring now.. Why don't we help to find out whether you and Junior Sister Chen can handle your mission or not, to avoid unnecessary complications?"
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 28: Spiraling Mountain City
Pei Ling agreed without much hesitation. He had just killed Li Siguang and the other two yesterday, and there was a cultivator in the fifth level of Qi Refinement among them, so he was not too afraid of Zhang Zhongqin. Sparring with him gave him the chance to test the strength of this team.
Therefore, the others gave way. Zhang Zhongqin stretched his body around, indicating that Pei Ling could attack freely.
"Senior Apprentice Brother Zhang, excuse me!" After Pei Ling cupped his fists, he lowered his shoulders and straightened his waist, throwing a punch towards him.
Zhang Zhongqin saw that this punch was nothing fancy and was clearly to test him. He smiled slightly and did not avoid it. He stuck out his chest and received it.
Thud!
Zhang Zhongqin's face turned pale and red with a muffled sound as he suddenly kicked towards Pei Ling's knee.
However, Pei Ling did not dare to receive it head-on like him. He hurriedly turned his body to avoid it. However, Pei Ling had only managed to dodge halfway when Zhang Zhongqin suddenly changed directions. Pei Ling could only watch as he seemed to run into the kick. He had no time to avoid it and could only raise his right arm to block it.
Bang!
Pei Ling felt a huge impact from his right arm, and he could not help but take three steps back.
Zhang Zhongqin did not spare him after gaining the upper hand. He then rushed forward and slapped Pei Ling on the chest. Pei Ling could not stabilize himself and hastily crossed his arms to protect his vital areas. Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhongqin feinted and lightly patted Pei Ling on the arm. He did not use any strength and instead used the momentum to turn around. His steps were as agile as a fish in the water as he suddenly appeared behind Pei Ling.
Pei Ling knew he was in trouble. He hurriedly turned around, but it was already too late as a fist landed on his back! For a moment, he only felt his organs shake, his chest felt stuffy, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
He was shocked, but he did not panic. Instead of retreating, he advanced and threw a punch at Zhang Zhongqin's shoulder…
Neither of them gave their all, and the space on the Corpse Cloud was limited. For a while, they fought noisily. Pei Ling's lack of actual combat experience with cultivators got exposed, and he quickly fell into a disadvantage. After Pei Ling received three or four punches, Zhang Zhongqin suddenly stopped and looked away.
Chen Huan said in a low voice, "This will do."
Pei Ling hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Zhang!"
He was slightly in awe. Both parties had held back in this exchange. However, he could tell that although Zhang Zhongqin and Miao Cheng'an were both at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, he was much stronger than Miao Cheng'an.
If one of the three people yesterday had been Zhang Zhongqin, Pei Ling would not have come here alive.
Zhang Zhongqin turned around and waved at Pei Ling, but he did not say anything. Chen Huan thought of something and gave Chen Mei a look. Chen Mei hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Junior Brother Pei, you have a saber on your back. Why didn't you use it just now?"
"It's only a quick sparring session. Senior Brother Zhang did not use any weapons, so I can't use any either." Pei Ling shook his head and said. He carefully thought back to the battle just now. His strength was not inferior to Zhang Zhongqin, but his skills were disorderly and filled with flaws in a real fight. Just now, even if he used a saber, he might not defeat his opponent. That was the difference in actual combat experience.
"Senior Brother Zhang's cultivation is higher than yours, so of course, he doesn't use a weapon. On the other hand, my older brother has actually used a saber before. If he has the time, he might be able to give you some pointers…" Chen Mei said with a smile.
As they spoke, Chen Huan asked Zhang Zhongqin, "What's wrong?"
"…" Zhang Zhongqin did not speak at first. He turned to use his body to block Pei Ling's vision. Only then did he quietly wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and say in a muffled voice, "That boy's physique is a little strange. He's much stronger than any cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refinement! I was not prepared earlier and almost embarrassed myself."
Chen Huan was surprised. Huang Xian beside him had already smiled and said, "Senior Brother Chen, congratulations!"
"Congratulations as well. If we master the Soul Summoning Banner, we'll be able to accept missions with higher rewards in the future." Chen Huan was also delighted. He forced down his excitement and promised softly, "At that time, we'll be more likely to enter the inner sect… Oh yes, I'll have to trouble you to do it yourself later."
Xiao Tasha looked at him gently. "I will do my best to help you."
Their discussion stopped. Chen Huan became more friendly to Pei Ling and asked about his well-being. He even gave him a Qi and Blood Pill for him to recuperate from the sparring session.
Pei Ling took it gratefully but did not intend to consume it. Instead, he carefully kept it in his storage bag.
It made Zhang Zhongqin mutter in his heart, "Is this kid guarding against us?"
"So be it." Xiao Tasha sneered. "We're already here. Do you think he can escape from us?"
Chen Huan did not reply. He only instructed Chen Mei. "You should talk to him more from now on. Both of you are at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Both of you are going to do missions together. It's only right to get to know each other."
Therefore, for the next few days onboard, Chen Mei was proactive in telling Pei Ling everything she knew. She told him many interesting things about the sect and her experiences on missions outside.
However, although Pei Ling seemed grateful, he was not attracted to her.
He could not help it. With such a huge debt of spirit stones on him, how could Pei Ling be in the mood to care about Chen Mei's little tricks?
Moreover, having seen Fairy Li's beauty, Chen Mei was just average…
In short, after Pei Ling confirmed that Chen Mei and the others could not provide him with any clues on returning the fines within three months, he had to think hard about countermeasures and had no time for anything else.
She came to find him every other day to talk about this and that. It simply affected his focus to think of ways to earn spirit stones.
Pei Ling endured for a few days before the Corpse Cloud slowly descended from the clouds. After a moment, he saw a city surrounded by mountains under the thin clouds.
"This is Spiraling Mountain City." As usual, Chen Mei followed Pei Ling and introduced softly, "The City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City is a disciple posted here 20 years ago. The three missions that we have accepted this time are all related to him…"
"Senior Sister Chen, what's the cultivation level of that flower demon outside Spiral Mountain City?" Pei Ling suddenly asked. Chen Huan had accepted this mission mainly to train his sister, Chen Mei, and it was surely not too difficult. He was only asking this now as a precaution.
Chen Mei pursed her lips into a smile and said, "Don't worry, that flower demon's cultivation is at the fourth level of the Awakening Realm, which corresponds to the fourth level of the Qi Refinement Realm for us cultivators. Although demon beasts are generally stronger than cultivators of the same level before we reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, it shouldn't be a problem for us when we join forces."
In order to reassure Pei Ling, she said, "Junior Brother Pei, you don't have to worry. This time, my brother only wants us to broaden our horizons. He won't accept difficult missions."
"Thank you, Senior Sister Chen," said Pei Ling. "I hope you can take care of me when we deal with the flower demon."
Chen Mei looked at him with a smile. "You're welcome, Junior Brother Pei. There won't be any problem if we join forces!"
She looked down at the city below her and introduced the local conditions and customs. She had clearly done her homework before coming here. At this moment, the Corpse Cloud landed on a distinct platform in the city before it quickly disappeared..
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 29: City Lord Duanmu
Soldiers were guarding the platform. When they saw the group, they hurriedly knelt down and greeted, "Greetings, Immortals and Fairies!"
"Let's go to the City Lord Residence first." Chen Huan and the rest had been out on many missions and were used to such scenes. They did not even look at the soldiers as they said to Pei Ling, "City Lord Duanmu is a Foundation Establishment senior. When you see him later, don't be rude!"
Pei Ling nodded. "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chen. I'll take note of it."
After a while, they arrived at the City Lord Residence. Although Spiraling Mountain City was under the Deep Sea Sect like Deer Spring City, it was clearly much more prosperous. The City Lord Residence was also much more lofty and magnificent than the City Lord Residence of Deer Spring City.
They approached the door to reveal their identities and backgrounds. Before long, a steward came out to welcome them.
As soon as Pei Ling stepped through the door, he felt his body lighten up as if a cool wind was blowing against him, making him feel more relaxed.
Noticing that Pei Ling seemed to have some doubts, Chen Mei explained with a light smile, "City Lord Duanmu is an array cultivator. This City Lord Residence has a Spirit Gathering Array setup. It is a simplified version of the Spirit Gathering Array on Shady Sophora Peak. It nourishes the muscles and bones and is good for cultivation."
"Thank you, Senior Sister Chen." Pei Ling thanked her and looked around. Along the way, he saw that the courtyard was huge, and the vegetation was sparse. Occasionally, servants and maids would pass by. When they noticed the steward leading the guests, they all retreated to the side and lowered their heads respectfully.
Before long, the steward welcomed them into a side hall.
The hall was decorated beautifully. There were eight floor-to-ceiling lanterns around it with many performers embroidered on them. After the steward invited the group to take a seat, the maids served tea and clapped softly. The performers jumped out of the lanterns and landed on the floor like real humans.
They bowed elegantly and began various acrobatic performances.
The steward smiled and said, "The City Lord is busy with some government affairs. He will be coming to meet you later. Please take a seat."
As he spoke, another group of pretty courtesans entered. They held gold and silver basins with fruits and desserts in them as they served the group attentively.
"We wouldn't dare disturb Senior Brother Duanmu." Chen Huan hurriedly said, "We are only here to help out. How could we dare trouble him? Senior Brother Duanmu's letter is here. Please pass it to him."
The steward said politely, "The city lord said that everyone has come from afar, so I must let our esteemed guests rest in the manor for a few days. As for the letter, the city lord will be here in a while. Please deliver it personally."
Chen Huan and the others did not really want to leave. After exchanging pleasantries, they enjoyed the service of the courtesans while watching the performance.
After about half a day, it was time to light the lanterns. There was a light cough from outside. The performers suddenly turned into shadows and returned to the lantern.
The courtesans immediately stopped the teasing around. They all became serious and stood with their hands clasped.
The steward said respectfully, "The city lord is here."
Chen Huan and the others stood up to welcome him respectfully.
After a while, a middle-aged man surrounded by a group of followers entered the hall.
This man looked to be about 40 years old. He was handsome and had a short beard. As he looked around, his eyes sparkled with life, making him seem sharp and capable.
Chen Huan and the others hurriedly stood up and left their seats when they saw him. They greeted respectfully, "It's been a while since we last met, and the City Lord is even more graceful than before!"
"I'm already old. I'm not as young as you all. Your future is limitless." City Lord Duanmu was very polite. "I hope you can take care of my son in the sect."
After the two sides exchanged some pleasantries, Chen Huan took out the letter from the city lord's son. City Lord Duanmu received it and thanked him, but he did not leave immediately. Instead, he asked with a smile, "Do you have any other missions this time? If it's near Spiraling Mountain City, maybe I can help?"
"Thank you for your concern, City Lord," Chen Huan said respectfully. "I would like to seek your guidance. We have two other missions here. One is the flower demon outside the city, and the other is the Purple-Eyed Mink in Mount Spiral."
"The flower demon outside the city is only at the fourth level of the Awakening Realm." City Lord Duanmu stroked his short beard and said with a smile, "There's nothing to be afraid of, so I won't comment further. As for the Purple-eyed Mink, although it's extremely fast, you must have come prepared since you have accepted this mission. It shouldn't be a problem, but it's getting rather troublesome recently."
"Troublesome?" Chen Huan was startled. He quickly exchanged looks with Huang Xian and Zhang Zhongqin, cupped his fists, and said, "Please guide us, City Lord!"
City Lord Duanmu said slowly, "Because a man-faced spider at the Foundation Establishment Stage recently came out of the depths of Mount Spiral to lay its eggs, which happened to be near the Purple-eyed Mink's territory."
Chen Huan and the others were startled. "Man-Faced Spider?"
"That's right." City Lord Duanmu sighed. "After I discovered it, I originally wanted to get rid of it to avoid bringing any possible danger to Spiraling Mountain City. However, an accident happened to me 20 years ago. Not only was my advancement hopeless, but I also fell ill and was unable to use my full strength. Although that Man-Faced Spider was exhausted from producing eggs, I was not 100 percent confident. I could only allow it to build a nest in the periphery of the mountain. However, I ordered that no one under my rule is allowed to approach it recklessly lest they hunt for it."
Seeing Chen Huan and the others hesitate, he thought for a moment and said, "However, this task of yours might not be impossible to complete."
"Please enlighten us, City Lord!" Chen Huan hurriedly asked, "But what should we do?"
Although the main purpose of their trip here was for Pei Ling, no disciple of the Deep Sea Sect would complain about having too many spirit stones. The Purple-Eyed Mink's reward for this mission was not cheap. Since they were already here, how could they stop?
City Lord Duanmu said, "Although I failed to eliminate the Man-Faced Spider, I have secretly observed it for many days. I have a rough idea of its current activity area. In a while, I'll get the steward to get a map for you. When the time comes, you can work harder and circle around."
Chen Huan and the others heaved a sigh of relief and thanked the city lord solemnly.
After saying some more pleasantries, City Lord Duanmu excused himself as he had work to do. He left the steward behind to serve them.
This time, they relocated to a waterside pavilion. Delicacies had long been prepared here, as well as two jars of low-tier spirit wine brewed from a unique spirit fruit, according to Chen Mei's introduction. It was helpful for cultivation.
"City Lord Duanmu is truly generous." When he saw these two jars of spirit wine, even Chen Huan, who had always acted appropriately earlier, could not help but reveal a smile. He said happily, "I guess I did not fight for this mission in vain."
This type of spirit wine seemed to be extremely rare. Chen Huan even placed one of them in his storage bag in front of everyone and only opened one for everyone to share.
Pei Ling picked up the wine cup and took a sip. His eyes immediately brightened. The light green wine had a rich aroma, and It was flavorful and spicy as it entered his throat. Then, it was as if a flame had risen in his dantian, and it rapidly spread to his limbs.
In a short moment, the spiritual power in his body had increased by a small amount.
"The Corpse Cloud rental costs ten spirit stones each time, and the reward for the letter and the flower demon mission added up is only that few spirit stones." Pei Ling could not help but think to himself, "It seems like the reason Chen Huan and the others accepted these two missions was because there are additional benefits to it.."
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 30: Horror in the Courtyard
Thinking of this, Pei Ling asked Chen Mei, "Senior Sister Chen, how much does it cost for a jar of this wine?"
"Don't worry, my brother only felt that our cultivation levels are low. It's a waste to drink both jars of wine now. He would rather keep one first and use it in the future. By then, you will get your share of it." Chen Mei smiled and comforted him.
Pei Ling couldn't help but shake his head when he heard this. He suspected that Chen Huan had accepted this letter mission mainly for the spirit wine.
Why would he share such benefits with others?
However, Chen Huan was at the sixth stage of Qi Refinement after all. Pei Ling could not possibly fall out with him over a jar of spirit wine…
"It's fine. I was just curious," Pei Ling replied. As he spoke, he took the opportunity to drink a few more cups. This spirit wine could slightly improve his cultivation, so he could not waste the opportunity to drink more of it.
After everyone finished the spirit wine, Pei Ling did not speak further as he lowered his head and ate quietly.
That night, after the banquet. The steward arranged for everyone to rest in the guest courtyard.
The guest courtyard of the City Lord Residence occupies a garden in the southeastern corner alone. The so-called guest rooms were the pavilions that scattered around the rock garden and pond.
Clearly, the steward arranged the accommodation according to the level of their cultivation. However, when it was Pei Ling's turn, Huang Xian suddenly said, "Junior Brother Pei has just entered the sect not long ago, and he has much to learn. It's better if he stayed with me and Senior Brother Chen, so it'll be more convenient for us to teach him."
The steward was slightly surprised but did not comment on it. "In that case, Young Master Pei Ling, please stay in the small building in the middle."
Pei Ling was also a little puzzled by Huang Xian's words. After all, on the way here, although Huang Xian did not ignore him completely, he was neither cold nor warm. On the other hand, Chen Mei was very enthusiastic, having endless things to say every day. It would be reasonable if Chen Huan wanted Pei Ling to stay with him, but why did Huang Xian ask for this?
However, on second thought, maybe it was because Chen Mei was too warm to him that Huang Xian didn't want him to arrange near Chen Mei?
His mind had been occupied with earning spirit stones, and he was happy to have some peace, so he didn't say anything.
It was because he hadn't been able to rest well on the Corpse Cloud these days. After entering the room, he dismissed the maidservant there and fell asleep right after.
However, not long after he fell asleep, a chilling aura woke him up from his dream!
Pei Ling sprung up on the bed. Before he opened his eyes fully, he had already grabbed the Life-Extinguishing Blade by the bedside.
As he looked around vigilantly, he was greeted by the sight of the furniture in the dark. However, there was nothing unusual. It was just that the cold aura was getting more chilling.
The surroundings went unusually quiet. Before Pei Ling slept, insects would chirp incessantly among the luxuriant plants in the small building. However, at this moment, it was complete silence, and he was even able to hear his heartbeat clearly.
Pei Ling was startled. The remnants of his sleepiness swept away instantly.
He sprung to action without much thought. He stomped his feet and slammed into the window not far away. At the same time, he shouted for help, "Senior Brother Chen! Senior Brother Huang!"
His voice echoed in the empty courtyard. Pei Ling flipped over and landed in front of the small building, but he was shocked to find his surroundings had gone silent as if he was alone.
What entered his eyes was not the lively garden when he first entered but a ruined and desolate land.
The floor seemed abandoned for years as a thick layer of dust had accumulated.
The once lush flower bed became ridden with vicious black vines. At a glance, it was sinister, making one avoid it subconsciously.
The sparkling pond became muddled in darkness. The koi in it had also turned into unknown creatures with sharp fins that sliced through the water. As they swam rapidly, it revealed a sense of strangeness and cruelty.
Pei Ling became ever more vigilant as he slowly pulled out the Life-Extinguishing Blade and sized up his surroundings carefully.
Just then, he heard a series of footsteps coming towards him at a steady pace. He looked up but did not see anyone. As he was feeling puzzled, he looked down and gasped. There was a line of footprints winding towards him on the limestone floor covered in thick dust!
It seemed like a child's tiny footstep. From the looks of it, it was rather endearing.
However, Pei Ling did not find it endearing as he felt his blood run cold.
He held the Life-Extinguishing Blade tightly and watched as the footprint approached. Suddenly, he slashed at it.
"Ah!!!"
A scream of a child, whose gender could not be distinguished, reverberated through the courtyard.
This scream was high-pitched and ear-piercing. Not to mention Chen Huan and Huang Xian, who lived in the left and right pavilions, even Chen Mei and the others, who were farther away, should have awakened from the noise.
However, the surrounding houses were still silent, as if no one had lived in them before.
Pei Ling was bewildered. He did not feel that the Life-Extinguishing Blade had hit anything, but the invisible object had clearly suffered damage. In the next moment, footsteps sounded from all directions.
A scene that gave Pei Ling goosebumps occurred: The ground in the courtyard became filled with children's footprints.
There were even traces of a baby crawling towards him like a surging wave.
"Ghosts? Spirits?" Pei Ling was shocked. He used the Blood Malevolence Saber Art. As his Qi churned, a bloody light seemed to rise from the gray courtyard. With his body as the center, the Life-Extinguishing Blade drew a huge arc. A bloody fog that was like a veil wrapped around the Life-Extinguishing Blade, slightly illuminating the scene of the square inch area. This time, he felt nothing, but he could see clearly.
Wherever the blood fog moved along with the blade, there were countless translucent children of various sizes. All of them looked to be under the age of ten, but their faces were not as innocent as children of this age should be. Instead, there was indescribable evilness.
Those pairs of eyes looked at Pei Ling. The pupil in their eyes was missing, and their pale gaze was filled with extreme resentment as if Pei Ling was their sworn enemy who had killed them.
Even as they got obliterated like snow melting in heat when the blood mist hit them, their hatred only built up.
"Senior Brother Chen! Senior Brother Huang!" Pei Ling shouted as he slashed around, "Senior Brother Zhang! Senior Sister Xiao! Senior Sister Chen! There's something strange about this City Lord Residence!"
The surrounding pavilions were deathly silent, except for the courtyard where he lived. The howling screams were endless, and more and more children came rushing toward him.
What is going on?!
Pei Ling called for help again and again but to no avail. He no longer placed his hopes on anyone else's help and instead thought about his escape plan.
Why was the guest courtyard where the City Lord Residence hosted the disciples of the Deep Sea Sect in such danger?
It was his first time meeting City Lord Duanmu today. He had no grudges with this City Lord.
Perhaps the family of Li Siguang and the other two bribed the Duanmu City Lord?!
No, it shouldn't be!
Pei Ling quickly denied his own guess since City Lord Duanmu was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he wanted to harm Pei Ling, there was no need to use so many tricks. He could have just attacked directly.
However, if there was no problem with City Lord Duanmu, who would dare to play tricks in the residence of this Foundation Establishment cultivator?!
Report chapter Comments
Chapter 31: Ten-Day Time Limit
Pei Ling was only slightly distracted when he felt his clothes pulled as if he got tugged by an invisible child.
He slashed at it with his backhand, but he did not hear any screams. Instead, the pain came from his thigh. The ghost went to bite him even if it was evaporating!
After that incident, the sounds of footsteps became more and more concentrated. It was as if they had a deep grudge with Pei Ling as they rushed up hysterically, disregarding everything, resorting to any means… Pei Ling was increasingly worried as he fought. The blood and Qi in his body churned, and the blood mist on the Life-Extinguishing Blade became more lustful. Every time he slashed out, there were continuous screams as well as the disappearance of at least a dozen ghosts.
Although they could not withstand a single blow, ants could bite an elephant to death. As he swung his saber, again and again, Pei Ling could not help but sweat. His physical strength was beginning to fail, but the number of enemies seemed endless!
After a while, wounds began to appear on Pei Ling's body.
He gasped for breath and attempted to retreat out of the courtyard. He fought and kicked the courtyard gate with all his might… However, he realized that after the courtyard door shattered, it was not the stone path from before but seemingly endless darkness.
The darkness was eerie and ominous.
Pei Ling planned to grit his teeth and enter to see if it was a smokescreen. However, as he approached the darkness, he felt his heart skip a beat. It was as if his entire body was filled with an instinctual resistance to entering the darkness.
"Huh…?" Pei Ling wiped away his cold sweat. In only a moment, he felt another bite mark on the back of his hand. However, at this moment, he suddenly had a stroke of fortune and shouted, "I have already mastered the Blood Malevolence Saber Art. Aren't you going to show yourself, Miss Wuliu?"
The fine he had for these few days hung high above his head, and he almost forgot the ten-day limit from Fairy Li!
Indeed, as soon as he finished speaking, a light groan sounded in the darkness outside the yard.
The densely packed footprints in the surroundings seemed to have received a shock as they let out a shrill cry as if they were about to disperse. A black-colored light suddenly flew out of the darkness and transformed into countless tiny fishes chasing in all directions.
For a while, only the sounds of rustling could be heard in the courtyard. It was as if spring silkworms were constantly eating leaves, causing Pei Ling's expression to change slightly.
At the same time, Pei Ling felt the temperature around him plummet. He felt a bone-piercing cold on his back as a soft and cold body pressed against it. Two pale arms went past his shoulders and slowly circled his neck. Her lips were almost glued to his earlobe as she murmured like a lover, "Young Master Pei Ling… Since you have mastered the Blood Malevolence Saber Art, why are you still escaping?"
"Did you know how tough it was to find you at the Shady Sophora Peak…"
"It's tough chasing all the way out here too…"
As she spoke, she caressed Pei Ling's throat.
Pei Ling did not dare to move at all. He only held the hilt of the Life-Extinguishing Blade tightly. After circulating his Qi and blood for a moment, he said with difficulty, "Miss Wuliu… Please don't misunderstand. I'm not running away. I'm only leaving the sect to complete a mission because I'm in dire need of spirit stones."
"Oh?" Wu Liu appeared abruptly in front of him. Her pale face was less than an inch away from the tip of his nose, making her look even creepier. Her blood-stained lips curved up slightly as she revealed a faint smile. "You have only just entered the sect. How can you be so short of spirit stones?"
Pei Ling said truthfully, "I killed Li Siguang, Zhou Yi, and Miao Cheng'an. According to the sect rules, I have to pay a huge fine."
"…" Wu Liu's fingertip tapped his throat. She paused for a moment before she smiled happily. "You used them to train your Outer Malevolence? No wonder you mastered the Blood Malevolence Saber Art so quickly."
"Outer Malevolence?" Pei Ling's mastery of the Blood Malevolence Saber Art was purely dependent on the system. As for himself, because he knew too few cloud seal characters, he did not understand what was written in the saber art at all…
He could not help but be startled at this moment.
Wu Liu withdrew the finger that was on his throat and raised her sleeve to cover her mouth. She chuckled and said, "The Blood Malevolence Saber Art divides into Inner and Outer Malevolence. The Inner Malevolence does not just strengthen your body, and it can also suppress the Outer Malevolence to avoid backlash. You have killed three people right from the start, so you can still control them now. However, if you kill more in the future, you will agglomerate more Outer Malevolence. If you can't suppress it with Inner Malevolence by then, you might go berserk and become a madman who only knows how to kill!"
"But…"
Wu Liu suddenly grabbed Pei Ling's throat and shouted coldly, "Even if you kill someone to cultivate, the Blood Malevolence Saber Art is definitely not something that you can master in a mere ten days!"
Pei Ling felt as if he had fallen into an icehouse. Even his eyes got frozen by the bone-piercing cold, and he could not move. He could only watch as her black nails flicked out and pierced through his glabella while she seemed to talk to herself, "Young Master Pei Ling, what secrets do you have… Let me cut you open and take a look… Just a look… alright?"
As she spoke, her nails slowly came down. Pei Ling felt a stabbing pain in his glabella as a warm liquid flowed down. He was horrified.
This female ghost wanted to skin him alive!?
"No… no… Master…" Just as Pei Ling was at a loss for what to do, Wu Liu suddenly stopped. Her sweet and pretty face twisted as she exclaimed incoherently," No… Master… No… Master… Master didn't say that I could touch him… I… Uh…"
After struggling for a moment, Wu Liu revealed an enraged expression. She abruptly pushed Pei Ling away and screamed, "You'd better start doing something to anger Master right now! So that Master can hand you to me when she's angry!"
Pei Ling staggered back a few steps, but he let out a long breath in his heart. He laughed dryly and did not dare to speak.
"…" Intimidated by Fairy Li, Wu Liu did not dare to do anything to Pei Ling. She was filled with anger as she rushed towards the invisible children that had attacked Pei Ling a moment ago. She beckoned for the black-colored flash to enter her hand, which turned out to be a small lampstand. Wu Liu's pale hand brushed past the lampstand, and a small flame lit up.
The flame was the opposite of the dark lampstand, and it was extremely bright.
It even made the ruined courtyard seem a little more lively after it appeared.
However, the face of a child could be vaguely seen within the flames. Shrill cries sounded as if it was undergoing unimaginable torture!
Upon hearing this, Wu Liu revealed a delighted and reveled expression. In the end, she glanced at Pei Ling and switched to a neutral tone as she said softly, "Young Master Pei Ling, do you know? As long as you begin killing and practicing the Blood Malevolence Saber Art, you can only continue killing in the future! Even if there comes a day when the Inner Malevolence can't suppress the Outer Malevolence, you can't stop…"
She deliberately said half of what she wanted to say and looked at Pei Ling with a faint smile. After seeing that his face was pale and his eyebrows became tightly knitted, seeming to be worried. She then covered her sleeves with satisfaction and chuckled.. "Young Master Pei Ling, you seem like you want to ask me something?"
Report chapter Comments