Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World

Chapter 387 - 382 Soul Control Pill! Spirit Devouring Treasure Art!_1

"Daoist Jia, thank you for your efforts during this time. These are the Cultivation Pills and Spirit Stones for the past month."

Wei Chi Gong arrived at Xiao Mang Mountain, a beaming smile on his face as he handed over a bottle of Elixirs and five Superior Grade Spirit Stones.

These were the benefits provided by Wei Chi Gong, a stable supply every month.

"I asked some familiar Daoist friends, and they supplied only Fine Spirit Pills."

Seeing that Jia Ren didn’t look at the Elixirs, Wei Chi Gong couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

By deliberately reminding him of the Fine Elixirs, he also hoped Jia Ren would soon consume the hidden Soul Control Pill.

After nearly a year of cooperation, a preliminary trust had been established, and the Golden Marrow Jade Spirit Pill was perfectly counterfeited, flawless and difficult to detect.

Elixirs?

The Golden Marrow Jade Spirit Pills provided by Wei Chi Gong were good, a cut above the Golden Jade Elixirs.

However, his proficiency with Golden Jade Elixirs had reached the Technique-Nearing-Dao Level, and with a substantial reserve, he didn’t wish to waste time learning to refine new Elixirs.

A Master Level Golden Marrow Jade Spirit Pill was good, but it wasn’t on the same level as a Technique-Nearing-Dao Level Golden Jade Elixir; how could he consume such inferior Elixirs?

All this time, the Golden Marrow Jade Spirit Pills had been set aside, never consumed.

Wei Chi Gong made a deliberate statement. Could there be a problem with the Elixirs?

Jia Ren took out the pill bottle and scrutinized it carefully, quickly spotting the issue.

A bottle of Golden Marrow Jade Spirit Pills appeared normal, each one of fine quality, with no obvious signs of tampering.

That was true for ordinary Cultivators and Alchemists.

As an Alchemist whose skill in Alchemy was unprecedented and would likely never be surpassed, Jia Ren, with his extraordinary insight, realized at a glance that one of the pills was out of the ordinary.

Jia Ren did not expose this matter, pretending as if he hadn’t noticed.

Wei Chi Gong was still useful to him, so it wasn’t good to fall out completely yet. After wringing out every last bit of his usefulness, he would settle the score.

"Daoist Wei Chi, I have called you here not to ask for Elixirs and Spirit Stones, but to ask a favor of you."

For some reason, Wei Chi Gong felt a sudden twinge of anxiety, as if trouble loomed.

"I wish to learn the methods of refining Spiritual Treasures and the art of Spirit Treasure Inscriptions, and I hope Daoist Wei Chi can help me."

By now, Jia Ren did not want to delay any longer and laid his cards on the table.

Wei Chi Gong’s face changed slightly. Even as an experienced Artifact Refiner, he had only learned Spirit Treasure Inscriptions and the method for refining Spiritual Treasures after entering the Hall of Artifice.

Without joining the Hall of Artifice, the methods of refining Spiritual Treasures and Spirit Treasure Inscriptions were not disclosed to outsiders. Even a visit to the Spirit Law Pavilion would not grant access to these teachings.

In short, one wouldn’t be qualified.

One cannot learn the methods without holding the proper position.

Every Cultivator entering the Refining Palace underwent multiple considerations. Their family background for ten generations had to be impeccable, and it was preferable if the Cultivator had deep ties to the Lingbao Sect.

Strict assessments effectively prevented the Lingbao Sect’s Spiritual Treasure legacy from being leaked.

Wei Chi Gong had studied Spirit Treasure Inscriptions and the methods for refining Spiritual Treasures in the Hall of Artifice; however, these teachings could not be imparted to outsiders.

Jia Ren’s request to learn Spirit Treasure Inscriptions and refining methods was too demanding.

However, just because the request was demanding didn’t mean it was impossible to achieve.

The Lingbao Sect had many Artifact Refiners. Several in the Hall of Artifice had obtained Spirit Treasure Inscriptions and refining methods through other channels, not restricted by the Lingbao Sect.

Since Jia Ren had already joined the Hall of Artifice, he possessed the qualification to trade for them.

Each type of Spirit Treasure Inscription and Spiritual Treasure refining method would surely be extremely expensive. The cost of trading for them would likely be enough to bankrupt someone.

This approach wouldn’t be detrimental to him; after all, he could also learn the methods for Spiritual Treasures and Spirit Treasure Inscriptions himself.

Before long, this man would consume the Soul Control Pill, and he would be under my control...

He was not at a loss!

With that thought, Wei Chi Gong abandoned the idea of refusal and quickly nodded in agreement, "The legacy of the Lingbao Sect cannot be leaked. I can trade for the legacy from other Artifact Refiners."

"I will do my utmost to fulfill this task. Please wait patiently, Daoist friend."

For a while, the two conversed with great enthusiasm, appearing harmonious in their relationship.

No one could see that both harbored their own cunning schemes.

Jia Ren saw off Wei Chi Gong, returned to his Cave, took out a bottle of Golden Marrow Jade Spirit Pills, and singled out the problematic one.

The outer coating of the pill crumbled away, leaving the pill hidden within unharmed.

A dark grey pill was revealed before Jia Ren.

What kind of Elixir is this?

Jia Ren examined the pill, not recognizing it.

The Cultivation World had numerous kinds of Elixirs. The Mysterious Realm surpassed the Sealed Land by an immeasurable degree; the two weren’t even on the same level.

In the Sealed Land, he could be considered knowledgeable, but upon entering the Mysterious Realm, he found the number of unknown Elixirs and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to be overwhelming.

This made Jia Ren acutely aware of his own shortcomings in knowledge.

Who to ask?

Jia Ren had not been in the Lingbao Sect for long and knew few people, most of whom were Handymen with even less knowledge than himself.

Ma Zhongyuan!

This man was a Protector, with a breadth of knowledge far exceeding his own, and he might be able to identify this pill.

With that thought, he quickly made contact with Ma Zhongyuan.

Although Ma Zhongyuan was a Protector, his days were actually quite leisurely.

Li Ruhua had not gone out to gain experience and did not need him to personally protect her.

"I’m currently challenging the Tongtian Tower, come and cheer for me!"

The reply from the communication Magic Artifact indicated Ma Zhongyuan was busy challenging the Tongtian Tower and had barely managed to respond.

Cheering for the Tongtian Tower challenge?

Jia Ren paused for a moment. Since there was nothing pressing, he didn’t mind going to take a look.

The area near the Tongtian Tower was bustling, with more than a hundred Cultivators gathered.

Half of them were Lingbao Sect disciples wearing white robes, and the other half, clad in gray robes and at the Nascent Soul Stage, were likely Protectors of the Lingbao Sect disciples.

They stood on either side, clearly divided.

The rewards for challenging the Tongtian Tower were only effective for Lingbao Sect disciples. Except during the competition period for Protector candidates, it was rare to see so many Protectors gathered here.

It was unknown what had happened today to attract so many Protectors.

In the distance, two water-scrying mirrors of profound light showed two Protectors in gray robes undertaking the challenge.

One was a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, wielding a dark black replica Spiritual Treasure. His sword produced an astonishing whistle with each strike, and its edge swept forth, cutting down Third Rank puppets like chopping vegetables. He had already reached the fifty-fifth floor.

Jia Ren was not unfamiliar with the other person; it was Ma Zhongyuan.

There was no denying that after siding with Li Ruhua, he had indeed avoided many detours.

Previously a Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, he had, at some unknown point, reached the Late Nascent Soul Stage.

He held a folding fan, a replica Spiritual Treasure. Combined with his already handsome appearance, he truly had the air of a high-ranking adept of the Lingbao Sect.

Ma Zhongyuan flicked his folding fan, and crimson flames transformed into a fire dragon, imbued with the power of wind, sweeping everything before it.

Wherever the fire dragon passed, twenty late-stage Third Rank puppets were unable to withstand it and were melted completely.

For a moment, he was unmatched.

He smoothly progressed from the sixtieth floor to the seventy-first. Here, the opponents became two Mid Nascent Soul Stage, Fourth Rank puppets.

By this point, he was already showing signs of fatigue and no longer dealt with them with his previous composure.

Jia Ren saw at a glance that the replica Spiritual Treasure was quite powerful, but its drawback lay in its excessive consumption of Spiritual Power.

The other challenger was slower, but their progress was steady and persistent. Ma Zhongyuan’s chances of victory were slim.

The outcome was not unexpected. Ma Zhongyuan reached the seventy-eighth floor. Facing sixteen Mid Nascent Soul Stage puppets, coupled with his severe Spiritual Power depletion, he was already overwhelmed.

His challenge ended there.

Although the other person was less efficient, he was more consistent, reaching the eighty-third floor before his challenge ended.

Although Ma Zhongyuan was defeated, he didn’t mind and went to find Li Ruhua first.

He gently waved the folding fan in his hand, nodded at Jia Ren, and secretly sent a voice transmission: "I’ve had this Windfire Fan for some time, but my mastery of the Communication Treasure Art is not yet profound enough. Otherwise, the victor would still be uncertain."

Jia Ren’s mouth twitched slightly, suspecting that Ma Zhongyuan’s purpose in calling him over was to show off the replica Spiritual Treasure in his hand.

It was as if he was saying, If you had listened to my advice, you would have had a replica Spiritual Treasure long ago.

"What’s going on here? Why is there such a tense atmosphere?"

Seeing something amiss, Jia Ren had wanted to ask around, but the other Protectors, recognizing him as a stranger, were unwilling to engage with him.

"One side consists of disciples from Sects and prominent families, while the other is made up of Loose Cultivators. The two factions are at odds, engaging in both open and covert struggles. The rules of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion are too strict, so they can only resort to duels by challenging the Tongtian Tower."

"This time, for the stakes of the duel, each side has put up one Spiritual Treasure, ten Spiritual Materials, and thirty replica Spiritual Treasures..."

As expected of Lingbao Sect disciples, they played for high stakes.

Jia Ren hadn’t come here to watch the excitement. He pulled Ma Zhongyuan to a corner, set up a restriction, and took out the pill to ask.

"Do you know what this is?"

Ma Zhongyuan, who had initially looked unconcerned, stared with wide eyes the moment he saw the dark gray pill Jia Ren produced.

"The Soul Control Pill! This is good stuff! Where did you get it?!"

"You’re not planning to use it on a Lingbao Sect female cultivator you fancy, are you?"

"Stop pretending. We’re cut from the same cloth," Ma Zhongyuan said, his voice unconsciously dropping lower, a teasing look on his face.

The Soul Control Pill was a Forbidden Pill, an item of the Demonic Path. Exposing it recklessly would undoubtedly bring trouble.

"It can control others?" Jia Ren, grasping Ma Zhongyuan’s implication, quickly asked.

"Heh heh, this is some good stuff!"

"If you don’t want to use it, you can sell it to your old brother here. The price won’t disappoint you," Ma Zhongyuan said, casually slinging an arm over Jia Ren’s shoulder, with an expression that clearly meant ’don’t forget your brother if you have good things.’

Who knew which Lingbao Sect disciple Ma Zhongyuan would use this thing to harm?

Not wanting to suffer an undeserved calamity, Jia Ren quickly put the Soul Control Pill away.

"This thing cannot be given to you!"

When Jia Ren thought about how Wei Chi Gong wanted to use this thing to control him, his expression turned ugly.

He pondered finding an opportunity to deal with Wei Chi Gong once he obtained the Spirit Treasure Inscriptions and the method for refining Spiritual Treasures. Unfortunately, he still had no clue about the method for cultivating with the aid of Magical Treasures and Spiritual Treasures.

"Elder Brother Zhuo is here!"

"Haha, you’re all doomed to lose!"

"So what if you’re from Sects and families? When Elder Brother Zhuo makes his move, what do you have to compete with?"

Excited cheers came from the Cultivators opposite Li Ruhua. They looked toward the distance to see a young man in a Purple Taoist Robe striding towards them.

The newcomer was the Cultivator surnamed Zhuo whom Jia Ren had met once before. He had changed from a white robe to a Purple Taoist Robe, and his status and position were completely different now.

Watching the newcomer, Ma Zhongyuan also showed a face full of envy.

Comparisons are truly odious. This guy successfully challenged the Tongtian Tower, and Ancestor Ji Kong, who just came out of seclusion, accepted him as a True Disciple.

A year ago, this youth of humble origins was just like anyone else, but now he had become a True Disciple, while I am still just a Protector.

"Ancestor Ji Kong imparted Divine Skills to him. Everyone thought he would choose a powerful sword-based Divine Skill, but unexpectedly, he chose the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art. It’s a special Divine Skill that allows one to devour Spiritual Treasures to advance their Cultivation Level."

How foolish! He dares to cultivate such a Divine Skill without having ample wealth in his family.