Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World

Chapter 393 - 388 Xuan Beast Avatar! Back to the Old Trades!_1

Having obtained the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique, Jia Ren couldn’t wait to switch to practicing this Cultivation Technique.

Before doing that, he still needed to pick a Divine Skill at the Spirit Law Pavilion.

Will I be able to find the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art?

The Spirit Devouring Treasure Art was Ancestor Jikong’s Unique Divine Ability; who knew if the Spirit Law Pavilion would have a similar Divine Skill? If he could learn it during this opportunity, it would be most fitting.

Not many cultivators were choosing secret techniques on the second floor. Jia Ren didn’t waste any time and decisively headed straight for the third level.

There were considerably more Lingbao Sect Cultivators on the third floor; the cultivators were quiet and undisturbed by one another.

Divine Skills, unlike Cultivation Techniques, were fewer in number but still not a small amount. Just like Cultivation Techniques, they also had a similar classification.

The third floor was guarded by a little old man as well, who seemed sluggish and indolent. Compared to the enthusiasm of the little old man on the first floor, this fellow was listless and indifferent.

Jia Ren bypassed the Five Elements class of Cultivation Techniques and searched for special Divine Skills.

The special Divine Skills were numerous, at least several hundred kinds, including Illusion Techniques, Avatars, Pupil Skills, Invisibility, Transformation...

He prioritized searching for Divine Skills that would allow for quick cultivation using Spiritual Treasures.

Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills should advance side by side, flourishing together.

Unfortunately, after a careful search, he found nothing.

"Elder, do you know of any Divine Skills that cultivate using Spiritual Treasures?" Jia Ren asked, approaching the little old man.

"Don’t address me so casually," although he said this, the old man still had a smile on his face. "Such Cultivation Techniques stand out uniquely in the Lingbao Sect. Unfortunately, they have too many restrictions. Despite many talents within the sect making successive attempts, only one person has barely succeeded after a thousand years."

"This is Uncle Jikong’s unique technique; only by becoming his disciple could you possibly learn it."

His implication was clear: Don’t waste your time here.

Can I only learn from Ancestor Jikong?

Of course, there was another way: to consume the corpse of a cultivator who had learned this Divine Skill. Jia Ren only knew that a senior brother surnamed Zhuo could learn it, so he could only treat this as a breakthrough point.

Since Divine Skills of this type couldn’t be learned at the Spirit Law Pavilion, he had to choose other types of Divine Skills.

Jia Ren pondered which Divine Skill to pick. Seeing the words "Avatar," an idea instantly struck him. It was the long-awaited Second Nascent Soul or perhaps an Avatar Cultivation Technique. He wished for an Avatar that could help him with nurturing Spiritual Medicine.

There weren’t many Avatar-type Divine Skills: "Shadow Spirit Avatar," "True Water Avatar," "Xuan Beast Avatar," "Xuanling Zygotian Great Method"... "Dao Heart Devil Seed Body" (missing), "Great Transformation Free Heaven Demon Avatar" (missing).

There were quite a few types of Avatars to choose from: Shadow-based Avatar, Water-based Avatar, Magical Beasts Avatar, Second Nascent Soul...

It’s indeed great to be backed by a powerful sect like the Lingbao Sect! Such Cultivation Techniques that normally take an exceedingly long time to learn are now readily available. As long as you have Sect Contribution, you can learn them.

Which Avatar should I learn?

If the corpse of Dong Yutang from the Seven Fiends Temple was still intact, Jia Ren would’ve unquestionably chosen the Second Nascent Soul and had him boost his Seven Killings Heart Technique in the process. Jia Ren had the Ancestral Fish Sage Pill and the Ancestor Beast Holy Pill in his possession, so he had no worries about killing Magical Beasts to increase his Cultivation Level quickly.

Unfortunately, he destroyed that person’s corpse in order to learn the Cultivation Technique and Divine Skills.

For a short while, I cannot accomplish making the Second Nascent Soul principally based on the Seven Killings Heart Technique.

The Xuan Beast Avatar wasn’t bad; it could refine a Magical Beast into an Avatar and possess the Magical Beast’s Innate Divine Ability. For example, the Holy Infant Carp, or other Magical Beasts that revert to their ancestry with the help of the Ancestor Beast Holy Pill. Having remarkable potential, wouldn’t they have exceptional potential after being transformed into Avatars? Which one should I choose? Both are quite good; I want to learn both. Unfortunately, I can only choose one. How to solve this?

Jia Ren immediately thought of his old profession: Corpse Guardian!

The frequently learned Avatar Divine Skills can be acquired through consuming corpses. Furthermore, Divine Skills learned by future Lingbao Sect Cultivators will also fall into my hands. In this way, I can get what I want without spending any Sect Contribution.

Having thought this through, Jia Ren’s eyes shone brightly, and he chose the Xuan Beast Avatar. There were few Magical Beasts, and those with high potential were scarce; most Lingbao Sect Cultivators wouldn’t choose the Xuan Beast Avatar.

This Divine Skill is extremely suitable for me.

"Xuan Beast Avatar!"

Jia Ren took out the Jade Slip that recorded the Xuan Beast Avatar and placed it in front of the little old man, requesting him to make a copy.

With the Cultivation Technique and Divine Skill acquired, he had no intention of lingering and quickly left the Spirit Law Pavilion.

He didn’t return to the small mountain where Inner Sect Disciples resided but instead headed towards the Task Hall located behind the Spirit Law Pavilion.

Unlike sects in the Sealed Land, where disciples had to complete tasks for their full monthly stipend, the Lingbao Sect allowed each disciple to obtain resources according to their Cultivation Level and status. However, only by completing sect tasks could one obtain Sect Contribution. If you want to receive additional sect rewards and learn other Cultivation Techniques, Divine Skills, or secret techniques, you would need to undertake sect tasks.

Jia Ren came here this time with the intention of taking on the task of a Corpse Guardian.

There were more cultivators inside the Task Hall than those peddling goods outside and inside the Spirit Law Pavilion combined, mostly dressed in white robes.

"Senior brother, what task would you like to take on?"

"The tasks available vary for Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and True Disciples."

Jia Ren had just entered the Task Hall. In the midst of the noisy environment, a disciple from the Lingbao Sect who was in charge of this area came to inquire. The person who came was an Outer Sect Disciple of the Lingbao Sect. Although both Inner and Outer Sect Disciples wore white robes, Outer Sect Disciples had no insignia, making them easy to identify at a glance.

"Corpse Guardian on Xi Mang Mountain."

The disciple thought, Is there really such a sect mission? He had never heard of such a mission, so he hurriedly sifted through the mission scrolls. This also allowed Jia Ren to see many other missions:

* Planting and guarding Spiritual Medicine in Linghai Fudi: five hundred contribution points per year. Requires possession of Cultivation Techniques, secret techniques, and Divine Skills for planting Spiritual Medicine.

* Guarding Cyan Hidden Heaven and dealing with evil demons: at least one thousand contribution points per year. Demon corpses can be exchanged for additional contribution points. Minimum Realm: Nascent Soul Early Stage, and having passed over seventy levels of Tongtian Tower.

* Capturing a Black Demon Wuchang at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, dead or alive: task contribution of thirty thousand points. Minimum Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul Early Stage.

...

A moment later, a response was given. "Senior brother, there is indeed a corpse-guarding mission at Xi Mang Mountain. But as the Sect has always been peaceful, there are very few deaths, so the mission has been left idle."

"Under normal circumstances, the Sect would arrange for Handymen to stand guard instead of having Sect disciples do it personally."

The most important reason was that guarding corpses was regarded as ill-omened. Cultivators of the Lingbao Sect saw themselves as proud children of heaven, with their sights set high. Since guarding corpses didn’t offer much benefit, not even Outer Sect Disciples would be interested. Over time, the mission became virtually nonexistent.

"I will take this mission."

Jia Ren came here for the very purpose of accepting this mission.

"I will contact the Internal Affairs Manager immediately."

He took out a communication Magical Treasure and made contact. After a short while, he received a response.

"The Sect Contribution is a bit low: only one thousand points for a hundred years."

One thousand Sect Contribution points could at most be exchanged for one secret art; spending a hundred years would be a waste of time. What I care about is never the Sect Contribution; otherwise, I wouldn’t have accepted this mission. What others disdain could be a treasure land for me.

"Let’s start with a hundred years." Jia Ren worried that one day the mission might suddenly be canceled, and he would no longer be able to accept it.

This mission is undemanding and won’t interfere with cultivation. Compared to going out to fight and kill, or to engage in life-and-death battles with others, this mission suits my preference the most. With a mission at hand, the Sect’s higher-ups will not easily summon me. This is a precaution for unforeseen troubles!

The Task Hall disciple thought, Why does something feel off? Could it be that senior brother has a particular fondness for corpses? The Task Hall disciple suppressed the strange feeling in their heart and hastily said, "Senior brother, please give me your Token."

After accepting the hundred-year mission, Jia Ren returned to his usual duties, proceeding to guard corpses again.

「Xi Mang Mountain」

Upon arriving at Xi Mang Mountain, he saw the Steward commanding a gaunt-faced servant, preparing to demolish his Cave.

The gaunt-faced man’s fate was rather tragic. A year ago, when someone else had wanted to become a Corpse Guardian, he thought he was being saved from his suffering. He had paid his way through connections and transferred to a post in the Refining Palace with good benefits, thinking his hardships were over, but then... The other person transformed into an Inner Sect Disciple of the Lingbao Sect, becoming a phoenix that flew onto a high branch. Xi Mang Mountain couldn’t be without people, so the gaunt-faced cultivator had no choice but to return to his former post. This turn of events left him so infuriated that he almost spat blood, yet he was powerless to change it. As just a Handyman, he had no room for resistance and had to accept this outcome.

"What are you doing?"

"Why are you demolishing my Cave?!"

Jia Ren’s sudden appearance startled the two men. The gaunt-faced cultivator remained silent, appearing restrained.

Deacon Zhou, who usually had a cold face, seemed like a different person now, his attitude extremely courteous. "You weren’t here anymore, and Caves can’t be built on Xiao Mang Mountain, so I was just about to send the formation materials over to you..."

Inner Sect Disciples of the Lingbao Sect are not on the same level as Handymen; their statuses are strikingly different. Deacon Zhou was well-informed and knew Jia Ren had gained his position by donating three Spiritual Treasures. More than that, his relationship with the External Affairs Manager and the Internal Affairs Manager was far from ordinary.

Donating three Spiritual Treasures indicates a profound background, and the Internal Affairs Manager is also my superior. Together, these factors make him someone I can’t afford to provoke. I must attend to him carefully. Deacon Zhou thought.

"There’s no need to demolish it. I’ve taken on the mission to guard Xiao Mang Mountain, and I’ll be residing here from now on." Jia Ren waved his hand, signaling them not to disturb him.

"Keep this man here. If you need anything, just order him." Deacon Zhou hastily smiled and took the opportunity to assign the gaunt-faced cultivator to assist Jia Ren. In reality, this meant delegating the arduous tasks to the gaunt-faced cultivator, while Jia Ren could ensure a peaceful cultivation environment for himself.

This way, it saves effort and won’t affect my cultivation. This is the true essence of such missions. Jia Ren mused. The only downside was the low Sect Contribution gained: only one thousand points over a hundred years. Not even Outer Sect Disciples would look at such petty profits.

"I wish for quiet; I alone can handle this place." Jia Ren promptly refused Deacon Zhou’s kindness.

To others, this might be a good thing, but for me, it’s utterly infeasible. It would only hinder my use of corpses to obtain Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills. My Insect External Incarnation often consumes Corpse-Eating Bizarre Pills. I need secrecy, fearful of being discovered by the old monsters of the Lingbao Sect. Once the Mystical Beast Avatar is refined, my true self can leave these matters to the avatar, and it won’t affect my own cultivation. Safe and stable.

Deacon Zhou left, followed by the gaunt-faced cultivator, who, as if in a dream, continuously thanked Jia Ren.

I can start changing my Cultivation Technique now!

With the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique in hand, Jia Ren couldn’t wait to start transforming his Cultivation Technique. He returned to his Cave, took out the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique, and began to carefully inspect it.

Both his true self and his Insect External Incarnation started altering their Cultivation Techniques.