Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World

Chapter 381 - 376: Guardian Candidate! The Hermit has a Cunning Plan!_1

The Insect External Incarnation couldn’t fool the high-order cultivators of the Lingbao Sect. Protectors had to be at least at the Nascent Soul Stage, so the task of entering the Lingbao Sect could only be entrusted to his main body.

Jia Ren left Yunluo Market and headed straight for the Lingbao Sect.

The Lingbao Sect was shrouded in clouds and mist. The mountain itself was not large, capable of accommodating at most a thousand cultivators. As he approached the Lingbao Sect, he found the area covered in restrictions that prevented flight.

At this moment, a large number of cultivators had already gathered halfway up the mountain. Most of them had brought children, their eyes filled with unconcealed longing as they gazed towards the distant immortal mountain. Besides these sightseers, dozens of Nascent Soul Cultivators had gathered on the West Mountain Path, their voices carrying from afar.

"You’re a step late. The Lingbao Sect’s Protectors have already filled their quota." The speaker, clad in a Cyan Daoist Robe, was a Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivator with a face full of arrogance.

The Nascent Soul Cultivators gathered on the West Mountain Path looked displeased, reeling from the blow.

Jia Ren, on his first visit to the Lingbao Sect, was shocked by this unfortunate news. Upon hearing the news, he had rushed here without delay, precisely to prevent such unforeseen events. The Lingbao Sect’s disciple recruitment ceremony was still half a year away, yet the Protector positions were already full?

"May I have a word in private?" Jia Ren asked.

The Steward glanced at Jia Ren and nodded.

"I hope you can make an exception for me..." Jia Ren began, quietly handing over a Nascent Soul Grade Treasure.

The Steward glanced at the Nascent Soul Grade Treasure, appearing rather pleased, and discreetly accepted it.

"I recall there’s one spot left. State your name and cultivation level," the Steward said.

Money talks; a Nascent Soul Grade Treasure paving the way has an immediate effect. Nascent Soul Grade Treasures are precious. If one absolutely had to secure a spot, they wouldn’t hesitate to use one. However, if they still had to compete and then failed, the valuable item would be lost, and few were willing to take that risk.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator in a gray robe walked ahead of Jia Ren, leading him into the Lingbao Sect.

"Almost too late!" a young cultivator exclaimed, following closely behind. He had successfully passed through after respectfully offering a Nascent Soul Grade Treasure.

"I am Ma Zhongyuan. Greetings, Daoist Jia," the newcomer said. He was handsome, with striking red lips and white teeth, and he smiled as he cupped his fists towards Jia Ren.

Jia Ren nodded. "Jia Ren," he replied. With a nod from both, they considered themselves acquainted.

Following the gray-robed cultivator into the mist, they suddenly felt as if shackles had been placed upon them, restricting them to using only a few wisps of Spiritual Energy.

"Seniors, do not panic," the gray-robed cultivator explained. "Those who are not cultivators of the Lingbao Sect will have their Spiritual Power restricted upon entry. After passing the Heart Inquiry assessment, the restrictions will naturally be lifted."

Jia Ren nodded, following the gray-robed cultivator and observing his surroundings. The world outside the mountain and within were entirely different, like two separate realms, stretching as far as the eye could see. From the outside, it appeared to be a Spirit Mountain, but inside, it was a different world altogether. Such dense Spiritual Energy and vast lands... could this be a legendary Blessed Land of Cave Heavens? It wasn’t surprising for the Lingbao Sect, one of the Mysterious Realm’s Great Sects, to occupy such a place.

They arrived at a side hall in the West District, where several gray-robed cultivators were leading about twenty Nascent Soul Cultivators who were waiting in line.

"You will undergo the Heart Inquiry here. After the inquiry, there will be further arrangements."

Jia Ren was aware of the Lingbao Sect’s Heart Inquiry and remained calm and composed. The Lingbao Sect simply wanted to ensure candidates weren’t spies from other sects and harbored no ill intentions toward them. Passing wasn’t difficult. This was merely a screening round for recruiting Protectors and wasn’t particularly stringent.

The wait wasn’t long. Those who passed entered from one side. So far, everyone who had entered had passed successfully.

Soon, it was Jia Ren’s turn.

At a distance, a Divinity Transformation Stage female cultivator in a Purple Taoist Robe was seated on a cushion. She had a plain appearance. Upon being looked at by her, Jia Ren felt as though his thoughts were being seen through.

"Ahem, you may remove any Magical Treasures that protect your mind," she said.

A Spiritual Heart Jade Pendant and a Bright Heart Jade Pendant were taken off, along with a paper talisman bearing the character for ’protection’ and a green stone hanging on a red string... In a short time, five mind-protecting Magical Treasures were placed aside.

The Divinity Transformation Stage female cultivator observed Jia Ren again, yet still... she could not see through him.

"Do you have any other mind-protecting Magical Treasures that you haven’t taken out?!" she demanded.

So many mind-protecting Magical Treasures! Are you here to sell Magical Treasures? she thought.

Jia Ren shook his head and said, "I have cultivated several secret techniques that protect the mind and can block prying eyes."

Secret techniques for protecting the mind? The female cultivator looked at the mind-protecting Magical Treasures, listened to Jia Ren’s words, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly. Are you sure you’re not an enemy of mine, sent here to cause trouble?

"Senior Sister Ji, don’t worry. I have an insect that can relieve your concerns," a voice interjected. "State your name and cultivation level. Is your visit to the Lingbao Sect with any ill intentions?"

A male cultivator dressed in a Purple Taoist Robe came out smiling. He took out a green Spirit Insect with two pairs of long antennae, resembling a longhorn beetle.

The Insect Control Scripture is too rudimentary. Its creator never entered the Mysterious Realm, so I don’t know what kind of Spirit Insect this is, Jia Ren thought.

"Thank you for your assistance, Junior Brother," Senior Sister Ji nodded.

"Jia Ren, Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivator," Jia Ren declared. "The Lingbao Sect has always been a place admired by cultivators of the Mysterious Realm. I wish to protect the Lingbao Sect’s cultivators and become an official disciple."

The longhorn beetle-like Spirit Insect showed no adverse reaction; instead, it affectionately drew closer to Jia Ren.

"Senior Sister, this person is fine," the male cultivator said.

Jia Ren passed the assessment smoothly, without any incidents.

The voice of the man in the Purple Taoist Robe reached his ears, "Little Qing is very fond of you. What methods did you use?"

After Jia Ren put away his mind-protecting Magical Treasures and left the Heart Inquiry Hall, he used a bit of his Spiritual Power to take out a bottle of Grandmaster Level Spirit Nourishing Pills and handed it to the male cultivator.

"I enjoy raising Spirit Insects. Perhaps it’s the aroma of the pills that it likes."

The man in the Purple Taoist Robe opened the pill bottle. The elixirs were not of the highest grade but were of fairly good quality.

Having smoothly passed this hurdle, Jia Ren and a dozen other cultivators who had also passed followed the gray-robed cultivator to a huge courtyard. Upon entering this courtyard, the ’shackles’ on them vanished, and their Spiritual Power was no longer restricted.

People were already in the courtyard; over five hundred individuals were spread across its various sections. The Nascent Soul Cultivators were all competitors, and the looks they cast at each other brimmed with hostility.

"After entering the Lingbao Sect, if you need to leave for any reason, you must find a Steward to request leave."

"There are fifty disciples in the Lingbao Sect who meet the qualifications. Many disciples have lost their Protectors, so there are probably fewer than sixty spots available. Whether you can stay or not depends on your own abilities."

"Everyone take a gray robe and a gray Token. Try not to wander around too much."

"The rules of the Lingbao Sect are strict. Gray robes indicate menial status; above that are cyan, white, purple, and gold. Golden Taoist Robes are worn by the great figures of the Lingbao Sect, whom one must never provoke..."

"You must not destroy anything in the courtyard, nor harm anyone. Violators will be dealt with by the Enforcement Hall. Consider yourselves warned."

"..."

After explaining the rules, the gray-robed cultivator seemed unwilling to stay any longer and hastily left.

It was time for the candidates to showcase their Divine Skills. Those cultivators with connections had already snagged their spots and appeared calm and composed.

Dozens of female cultivators, wearing gray robes on the outside but alluring palace attire underneath, displayed their impressive figures as they swayed gracefully, departing from the courtyard.

"A Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivator wants to become a Protector? Where does that confidence come from?!"

The weaker Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators were the first to be targeted. Their aggressors attempted to use an imposing aura to shake their confidence and pressure the more timid ones into leaving.

After changing into the gray robe, Jia Ren strode away from the courtyard, in search of his own opportunity. Being a Protector was no easy task; the deaths of previous Lingbao Sect Protectors signaled the dangers involved. Who knows what kind of idiot I’ll end up protecting next? If my charge insists on dragging me into dangerous places, wouldn’t that be like leading me into a fiery pit?

Being a Protector was only a stepping stone to enter the Lingbao Sect, not the ultimate goal.

To acquire Lingbao Sect Cultivation Techniques, there were three approaches. One was to find the corpse of a cultivator who had learned the technique and obtain it through the Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill.

The second method was to enter the Lingbao Sect’s Transmission Hall and openly find the desired Cultivation Technique. Only by refining three Spiritual Treasures could one become a disciple of the Lingbao Sect and thereby obtain the desired Cultivation Technique this way.

The last method was to become a Protector, cultivate an obedient Lingbao Sect disciple, and find the desired Cultivation Technique through their efforts. This third strategy was unstable and relied too much on judging character. Unless there was no other choice, one should not depend on this method.

There were a great many Lingbao Sect cultivators, and it wasn’t guaranteed that everyone would know the Cultivation Techniques that involved Spirit Treasure Cultivation. Finding a suitable target was not an easy task.

What’s a reasonable way to access the corpses of high-ranking Lingbao Sect cultivators without arousing suspicion? Does the Lingbao Sect have any work involving burying corpses?

Burying the corpses of Lingbao Sect disciples and stealing their Cultivation Techniques with the Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pill... This fit his thinking perfectly and became a key consideration.

The second option was Artifact Refining! By showcasing his talent in Artifact Refining and learning the Lingbao Sect’s refining methods and Spirit Treasure Inscriptions, he could facilitate the process of refining his Soul Transformation Treasure into a Spiritual Treasure. Jia Ren possessed the Proficiency Panel; in terms of talent, no one could rival him. He didn’t need to reveal his true mastery in Artifact Refining; being merely better than the average person would be enough to pass.

As he mulled over solutions, he headed towards the West District of the Lingbao Sect. His first task was to familiarize himself with the Lingbao Sect, inquire about any work involving corpse handling, and thereby confirm his chosen path.

Along the way, he saw several cultivators clad in gray robes, mostly Nascent Soul Cultivators like himself—candidates for Protector positions. They were all hurrying, their purposes clear.

"Daoist Jia, do you have a plan?" Ma Zhongyuan approached with a smile, looking as if he had everything figured out.

"You have a method?" Jia Ren asked.

Ma Zhongyuan had been waiting for this question and couldn’t help but laugh. "A recluse like me naturally has a brilliant plan! However, you won’t be able to learn this trick! Let’s part ways here!"

Full of confidence, Ma Zhongyuan turned and strode away.

This fellow is clearly confident; otherwise, he wouldn’t have, like me, used a Nascent Soul Grade Treasure as an entry fee, Jia Ren mused. He couldn’t suppress his curiosity and watched as Ma Zhongyuan made his way toward the southwest district.

In the southwest district stood a small hill with tiers of neatly arranged stone houses, each with a corresponding door number. Ma Zhongyuan headed straight for stone house number forty-eight and knocked on the stone door.

The door opened, and a female cultivator, as round as a ball, peered out repeatedly. Upon seeing Ma Zhongyuan approach, she looked puzzled.

This woman must cultivate some Body Refining Technique; perhaps due to its influence, she weighs well over three hundred pounds. With such excessive weight, it’s impossible for her to be attractive. ’Bust a hip upon sitting down’ must be referring to this kind of female cultivator, Jia Ren thought.

Ma Zhongyuan, however, had a look of shy determination as he declared, "Miss Li Ruhua, I want to be your Protector! With me around, no one can harm you in the slightest!"

The female cultivator was stunned for a moment. She had always been shunned by people and even animals alike and never expected such a handsome man to approach her voluntarily. This was an experience she had never had before. Her cheeks flushed red, and she impulsively pulled Ma Zhongyuan into the stone house.

???

That’s your brilliant plan?!

I truly can’t learn that...