Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World

Chapter 395 - 390 Charging into the Tongtian Tower! Resigned to a Mediocre Life!_1

Jia Ren had just emerged from his secluded cultivation, in high spirits.

Demoted to an Outer Sect Disciple?!

There was a significant gap between the Inner and Outer Sects of the Lingbao Sect. This included differences in the monthly stipend Inner Sect Disciples received, their corresponding status, and the types of missions they could undertake. For example, the replication of Spiritual Treasures was a privilege reserved for Inner Sect Disciples.

Jia Ren left his cave dwelling, only to be met by the chatterbox Elder Brother Jiang Wu outside.

"I’ve brought you your replicated Spiritual Treasure, the Ning Shen Mirror."

"This replicated Spiritual Treasure has been forged for some time. Your messengers were always turned away at the door, so I was tasked with returning it to you this time."

"Inner Sect Disciples can also be demoted to Outer Sect Disciples?" Jia Ren, recalling the messages Jiang Wu had broadcast outside, couldn’t help but ask aloud.

Although Jia Ren was a disciple of the Lingbao Sect, for the most part... he still considered himself a Corpse Guardian. He was not well-versed in the competition among the sect’s disciples.

Jiang Wu explained in a mentor-like fashion, "This is the Lingbao Sect’s way to motivate Outer Sect Disciples and to spur on Inner Sect Disciples."

"Every ten years, the lowest-ranked cultivator of the Inner Sect’s Tongtian Tower must compete against the highest-ranked disciple of the Outer Sect’s Tongtian Tower."

"If the Inner Sect Disciple wins, nothing happens. However, should they lose, they will be demoted to an Outer Sect Disciple, and the Outer Sect Disciple will be promoted to the Inner Sect."

"You have never challenged the Tongtian Tower; thus, by default, you are ranked at the very bottom."

Jia Ren didn’t mind becoming an Outer Sect Disciple; he had no intentions of relying on the sect’s monthly stipend to live by.

"If I were to lose, would the replicated Spiritual Treasure be taken back?" Jia Ren took the replicated Spiritual Treasure, the Ning Shen Mirror. It had not been replicated successfully, and he had no intention of giving it up.

"The replicated Spiritual Treasure won’t be taken back."

"If Junior Brother chooses not to participate, you’ll fall into the Outer Sect."

"An Outer Sect Disciple who ranks at the very bottom in the ten-year assessment will be sent away from the sect to serve as a Steward at various Spirit Treasure Pavilions."

Jiang Wu spoke gravely, "Once you leave the sect, you will never have such good cultivation opportunities again. And if you wish to return, it will be as difficult as ascending to the heavens."

The worst Inner Sect Disciples get demoted, and the lowest-ranking Outer Sect Disciples need to leave the sect and manage external affairs. The Lingbao Sect also had its competition, with just one spot every ten years—not many at all. Having never challenged the Tongtian Tower, after several such instances, one would end up dealing with menial external tasks. Who knew what inhospitable land one might be sent to—it was no comparison to the Lingbao Sect.

It was not until Jia Ren heard about being dispatched from the sect to the Spirit Treasure Pavilions that he took the matter somewhat seriously. He was quite satisfied with his life in the Lingbao Sect and didn’t have the slightest intention of toiling outside.

In order to maintain his status as an Inner Sect Disciple, he had no choice but to challenge the Tongtian Tower.

Jia Ren followed Jiang Wu toward the Tongtian Tower. Perhaps because it was the once-in-a-decade assessment, over two hundred Lingbao Sect Cultivators had gathered. There were both Inner Sect Disciples and Outer Sect Disciples; it was a bustling scene indeed.

High above in the sky, a few powerful divine consciousnesses were barely perceptible. Upon Jia Ren’s arrival, several gazes turned his way. Quite a few Refining Void Ancestors took an interest in Jia Ren, as his talent for cultivating the Dao was not weak, and he was considered a talent worth molding. However, since his Spiritual Root test identified only a Middle-grade Spiritual Root, some Refining Void Ancestors lost interest. A few Refining Void Ancestors also stopped paying attention after Jia Ren chose the Corpse Guardian mission. Only at this meeting did they remember that such an Inner Sect Disciple existed.

The Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique?! Without the Heavenly Treasure Body, he dares to practice this technique? Is he giving up?!

A few Refining Void Ancestors took a glance at Jia Ren and lost all interest.

"Gu Zhen greets Senior Brother!" A cultivator dressed in the Outer Sect Disciple’s Taoist Robe saluted Jia Ren.

"Jia Ren greets all the Ancestors and fellow Senior and Junior Brothers."

Facing the scrutiny of the gazes around him, although it was a battle that would decide his ’fate’, Jia Ren’s heart remained undisturbed.

Gu Zhen had just broken through to the Nascent Soul Early Stage not long ago and was brimming with confidence. Through his connections in the Inner Sect, he had learned that Jia Ren was a recent addition. Furthermore, Jia Ren had changed his Cultivation Technique not long ago, which suggested his strength was not formidable. This was an opportunity to show his capabilities before the Refining Void Ancestors, and he had to perform well at all costs.

"Brother Jia, I’ve bet on you to win, so don’t let me down."

In the inner circle, Inner and Outer Sect Disciples of the Lingbao Sect watched the battle, while Protectors were stationed at the very outer rim. The one transmitting messages to Jia Ren was Ma Zhongyuan.

They’ve opened a betting market out there?

Jia Ren wasn’t overly concerned. He cast a glance at the sky, catching a fleeting sense of Ancestor Ji Kong’s presence.

He wondered if performing well in this event could earn him Ancestor Ji Kong as his mentor? Overcome the challenge of the Tongtian Tower, and declare his wish to apprentice under Ancestor Ji Kong. This would be the best opportunity to obtain the Divine Consuming Spirit Treasure Art...

Just as this thought arose in his mind, Ancestor Ji Kong’s presence swiftly dissipated as if he had already departed.

???

With the departure of Ancestor Ji Kong, Jia Ren no longer wanted to be taken in by other ancestors as a disciple. Hence, he had no thoughts of clearing the tower or wasting the hard-earned opportunity.

Oh well, may as well give up!

Jia Ren and Gu Zhen entered the Tongtian Tower separately. Around Gu Zhen, a raging wind surged, and two wind blades had already dismembered the obstacles before him. He advanced triumphantly, with an imposing momentum.

On the other hand, upon entering the Tongtian Tower, Jia Ren was full of amazement. The Tongtian Tower had spatial inscriptions. Inside, it seemed like a small world, and restrictions made it difficult to leave. Jia Ren took out a Silver Moon Yaksha and looked around the Tongtian Tower, his mind brimming with ideas about how to replicate such a treasure.

On one side, the fierce wind howled, and wind blades filled the sky; the wind was sometimes gentle, sometimes wild, displaying skillful wind-based spells. Meanwhile, Jia Ren spent the whole time idling and looking at the sky, leaving the battle to the Silver Moon Yaksha.

The number of floors the two individuals ascended in the tower increased rapidly. It didn’t take long for Jia Ren to fall behind by more than ten floors.

"Is this Senior Brother a Corpse Refiner? Did he enter the wrong Sect?"

The Lingbao Sect had numerous Cultivation Techniques and Divine Skills; there were also cultivation techniques and secret arts favored by Corpse Refiners. This is considered an inferior path, and no disciples are willing to learn them. Corpse Refiners, among cultivators who are adept at using Spiritual Treasures, are too conspicuous.

"After entering the Sect, he has always been guarding Xiao Mang Mountain, fond of living alongside corpses."

"It is rumored that he has necrophiliac tendencies!"

Many cultivators whispered among themselves, most of them with a poor attitude towards Jia Ren. The disciples of the Lingbao Sect all relied on talent and underwent numerous tests to enter. Someone who entered by donating a treasure seemed out of place. Some Lingbao Sect disciples started from humble beginnings and had suffered oppression from powerful families, naturally carrying a sense of aversion. In addition, Jia Ren’s style of conduct was too peculiar, which led to his exclusion by many.

The Silver Moon Yaksha rampaged unchallenged below the sixtieth floor, its Wind Escape and Moon Escape Techniques superbly mysterious, with an astonishing combat power. After entering the sixtieth floor, the Silver Moon Yaksha began to struggle against Nascent Soul Level puppets.

Gu Zhen, who was the first to challenge the tower, had already exited, defeated on the sixty-seventh floor by fourteen Nascent Soul Early Stage puppets.

Jia Ren was still studying the Tongtian Tower, thinking about advancing his Mountain and Sea Pearl. Seeing a Silver Moon Yaksha struggling on its own, he slapped his River Mountain Bag, and new Silver Moon Yakshas flew out. One Silver Moon Yaksha could crush a corresponding number of Nascent Soul puppets; taking on two was not a difficult task either.

Many were beside themselves with irritation.

The onlooking Gu Zhen was so angry his face turned green. How shameless! Does this fellow have no real strength and can only win by resorting to such offbeat techniques? He wasn’t willing to accept his loss!!!

By the seventieth floor, ten Silver Moon Yakshas had already dealt with twenty Nascent Soul Early Stage puppets. The seventy-first floor featured Mid Nascent Soul Stage puppets. Their combat power climbed a notch higher, requiring two regular Silver Moon Yakshas to deal with one. He pushed through to the seventy-third floor all at once. Without summoning more powerful Silver Moon Yakshas, he would be unable to continue clearing levels.

Thanks to the continuous supply of Corpse-Ritual Fire, there was no shortage of Late Nascent Soul Stage Silver Moon Yakshas. However, he had no intention of revealing them.

Jia Ren slapped the River Mountain Bag, retracting fifteen Silver Moon Yakshas, and chose to exit the Tongtian Tower. Seventy-three floors were enough. He knew when to stop, and with a thought, he had already left the Tongtian Tower.

This number of floors was not the lowest among the Inner Sect Disciples. He could likely enjoy a hundred years of leisure from now on.

Jia Ren departed the Tongtian Tower to only a few disciples’ cheers, including those from Jiang Wu and Ma Zhongyuan. These people had placed bets on him and had made a hefty profit.

"You truly come from a powerful household, mastering Corpse Control Technique to perfection."

"No wonder you’re not interested in several senior sisters; it turns out you have a special fondness for corpses." Ma Zhongyuan approached with laughter he couldn’t suppress on his face.

"A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory."

"How much did you win this time?" Jia Ren thought about the betting Ma Zhongyuan had mentioned before and became somewhat interested.

"Hehe, they looked down on Brother Jia so much, daring to set the odds at five to one? Without a word, I bet all my savings. This fully demonstrated my trust in Brother Jia, and it also allowed me to make a handsome profit. I owe it to Brother Jia’s efforts as well, so I’ll share half with you."

He hadn’t expected this fellow to be such a gambling addict. They actually dared to offer five-to-one odds? They deserved to lose everything!

"I won’t take a share of the Spirit Stones; just keep them for yourself!" Earnings were just Spirit Stones, which Jia Ren had no shortage of, so he had no intention of sharing them.

"You truly come from a wealthy background!"

"Elder Brother Jiang Wu also bet a lot; thanks to you, he’s made a killing." Ma Zhongyuan had always believed in Jia Ren, and it turned out he had made the right bet, reaping a huge profit.

"You should hurry and follow up to make sure the bookmaker doesn’t run off."

Jia Ren offered a few words of advice to Ma Zhongyuan, then hurried towards Xiao Mang Mountain.

Merely being at the Mid Nascent Soul Stage was just the beginning; reaching the Divinity Transformation Stage was where the real change lay. By then, one could elevate their Cultivation Level by an incredible amount simply by relying on the Spiritual Power brought by their Life-bound Magic Treasure, all while lying down. There was no need to worry about the depletion of the Spiritual Nature of the Life-bound Magic Treasure. Providing just a bit of Sacrificial Fire would not only prevent damage but also allow it to continue to enhance. Until one’s Realm reaches the Divinity Transformation Stage, one could not afford to slack off.

So far, the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique had reached the third level, able to continuously supply Spiritual Power to himself.

Jia Ren returned to Xiao Mang Mountain and once again entered the Mountain and Sea Pearl. He sat cross-legged, immersed in Neishi within his Dantian. He saw no change in the Demon-Sealing Pagoda Imprint except that its color had become much deeper. The Demon-Sealing Pagoda subtly vibrated, like a rapidly spinning Golden Core, constantly absorbing nature’s spiritual energy and funneling it into the Dantian. Without having to do anything, nature’s spiritual energy continuously flowed into his body.

Compared to before reaching the fifth level, the biggest drawback was that he still had to refine nature’s spiritual energy into Heavenly Treasure Spirit Power himself. This was far less convenient than after reaching the fifth level, when the Demon-Sealing Pagoda would cultivate on his behalf.

He continued to elevate his Cultivation Level, naturally aiming for the God Transformation Level. After reaching the Divinity Transformation Stage, even if he lay idle without cultivating, his Cultivation Level would still rise. It can be said that reaching the God Transformation Level is a true transformation.

Jia Ren secluded himself from worldly distractions, once again entering closed-door cultivation.