Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation

Chapter 155

Very good.

It seems that during this period, that True Disciple Jiang investigated him again. Most likely, he discovered the Three Young Masters behind him, so his agreement was quick and decisive.

This also indirectly proved that meeting Yan Ling was not only important but also extremely urgent.

After receiving the secret letter, Wang Yu did not stay to talk and left directly.

As for whether extorting spiritual materials this time would offend True Disciple Jiang, he truly did not fear it. After forming a contract with the Spirit Reversal Three Young Masters, he had the support of three entire Nascent Soul families behind him.

The Blood Reversal Sect was without doubt a supreme ruler at the top. Even if he could only borrow a trace of their influence, it was enough to ensure that offending a True Disciple would not bring disaster. Besides, clever people always weigh gains and losses.

Before making a move on him, True Disciple Jiang would definitely consider whether the cost outweighed the benefit. If it was only to vent anger, Jiang absolutely would not act.

So much had happened in just one trip out.

Returning to the Law Enforcement Hall of Evil God Market, Wang Yu rubbed Snowjade’s body absentmindedly, feeling a bit of a headache.

The request for a third-rank spiritual material was naturally in order to refine the Ghost-Weeping Flute. With a proper auxiliary artifact, the inheritances left behind by Elder Yin Crow could be used to their maximum power.Although the refining method was only at the Foundation Establishment level, it could leave a lasting essence within the artifact. If refined into a second-rank peak-grade artifact, in the future it had potential to advance into a third-rank treasure.

That would be a completely different matter. In his hand, he also had a fingernail-sized piece of third-rank Earth Spirit Gold, which would be a perfect addition.

After considering how to use his resources, Wang Yu quietly waited. Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the spiritual material he requested was delivered to the Law Enforcement Hall of Evil God Market.

It was sealed in a sandalwood box about one zhang long.

The box was covered with a spiritual seal restriction, meant specifically to prevent the loss of the material’s essence. Strictly speaking, this was Wang Yu’s first time coming into contact with a complete third-rank spiritual material.

Unconsciously rubbing his hands together in anticipation, he opened the box.

Inside.

A dark jade bamboo about one and a half meters long lay quietly. Its entire body emitted a mournful wailing like howling souls, while a layer of black spiritual light suddenly spread out.

It resembled a ghostly domain, within which countless specter-like forms condensed from yin energy moved about. They even possessed some offensive power, able to shake a cultivator’s divine soul.

There was also a jade tablet in the box, inscribed with the name of this treasure.

“Ghost-Weeping Bamboo, third-rank rare treasure.”

“What a treasure!”

After confirming it, he carefully stored it away again. This item could indeed serve as material for a life-bound treasure, but if his life-bound item was only the Ghost-Weeping Flute, it would be somewhat lacking in significance.

Considering a life-bound treasure for Core Formation was still too early. Better to use it now and look for something superior later.

Since the item had arrived, he needed to fulfill his duty. He patted Snowjade’s rear and stored it in the spirit beast pouch.

Not long after.

The Tantai Herb Garden came into view.

Before the familiar inverted bat-shaped copper ring, Wang Yu stepped forward and knocked.

“Dong dong dong.”

“Daoist Tantai, Wang Yu has come to visit.”

The beast-head copper ring released a red light, scanning his entire body. The gate then opened automatically.

The inside was much the same, but the spirit herbs planted had clearly risen in grade. The front courtyard was no longer filled with the lowest first-rank Five Essence Grass.

Instead, they had been replaced with a more versatile second-rank herb, the Spirit Dew Flower. This flower harmonized medicinal properties and was used in many pill formulas.

Its value was dozens of times higher than Five Essence Grass. It seemed Tantai Chan had also been striving toward higher realms over the years, far wealthier than when they first met.

Through the wind-chime corridor, Wang Yu could already sense her openly revealed cultivation aura from afar—Foundation Establishment seventh layer. She had reached the late stage, advancing quickly.

Looking around, he did not see Yu Tangtang.

“Stop looking. She is not here. Why have you come?”

Wang Yu smiled and proactively handed over an envelope.

“This is from the victor of the Corpse Fighting Tournament on Heavenly Corpse Peak. True Disciple Jiang asked me to deliver it to your True Disciple Yan Ling.”

Tantai Chan was puzzled for a moment, then quickly understood.

“A secret letter?”

“Yes. When you hand it over, no one else may be present.”

“I understand.”

She accepted it without asking further, her reaction just as Wang Yu had expected. Yet the veil covering only the lower half of her face left her willow-leaf eyebrows visible, slowly knitting together. She sensed this task might not be easy.

Wang Yu pressed again.

“The sooner this is done, the better. Delay may bring change.”

“Wait.”

Tantai Chan suddenly stood. The fabric binding her chest squeezed tightly, making it appear of normal proportions, graceful and slender.

But only by unbinding it would one know the true scale of those jade rabbits.

No wonder she was famed as a healer.

Yu Tangtang’s nutrition really had been too good.

Yet Tantai Chan recollected herself. Last time, she had followed Wang Yu’s arrangement only because of her master’s orders. Why should she help him again now? She had never liked Wang Yu, who knew her secret.

What was more, at that time he had only been at Qi Refining, yet he acted unbearably arrogant, with an air of command that was hateful.

Now rumors said he had broken through using the Foundation Seizing Grand Method.

Her potential was already lost. Even if Yu Tangtang remembered their old friendship, it was impossible for her to gain too much power. In just a brief moment, countless thoughts flashed through Tantai Chan’s mind.

It seemed as though she had gone through careful consideration.

“Bang!”

The table was struck. She spoke.

“You almost fooled me. Why should I help you.”

Wang Yu was not surprised at her reaction. Long ago, when he had worked twice in Tantai Chan’s herb garden, she had given him immense pressure and even fear.

That time when he made a deal with Yu Tangtang was merely a release of his own heart. At most, he had commanded Tantai Chan once, breaking through her weak demonic barrier. It could hardly be called an offense.

He leisurely said.

“Think about it. Is this really my matter. I am only a messenger. Think again about how Yan Ling treats you.

“Would you truly wrong your own Highness Yan Ling over a slight prejudice toward Wang.”

At this moment, Tantai Chan finally tasted the meaning hidden within.

“My Highness. My Highness has always been only one, and that is…”

“Yu Tangtang, I know.”

Wang Yu waved his hand, cutting off her words of loyalty before him. “Let us not speak of those empty things. Fellow Daoist Tantai, how does the True Disciple treat you.”

Before coming, Wang Yu had already inquired.

Because of his last arrangements, Yan Ling had gained the support of a second-rank alchemist. Soon after, she gathered a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators of Cold Blood Peak, along with spiritual herbs and alchemical support.

In just five years, Tantai Chan’s alchemy was raised to the high-grade level. Immense effort was spent, all to better use superior Foundation Establishment Pills and win people’s hearts.

Tantai Chan’s cultivation also advanced rapidly because she had been able to take resources from both sides.

By the Foundation Establishment stage, a cultivator’s body and meridians could withstand longer and stronger surges of spiritual power.

Thus, means of improving strength were no longer limited to pills. Places such as Spiritual Springs and Cold Pools could bring enormous benefit.

Half a month of cultivation there equaled one hundred days of bitter training.

Tantai Chan could not be called a desperate lifesaver, but she was no useless burden either. She had saved Yan Ling large amounts of wasted time and energy, allowing her to reach the top of Coldblood Peak’s true disciples in the shortest time.

For a genius like Yan Ling, with her Heavenly Water Spiritual Roots, time was always the most precious.

Therefore, Tantai Chan’s treatment under Yan Ling was by no means low.

Wang Yu’s actions were simply to stir the deepest desire hidden in Tantai Chan’s heart. Freedom. To escape Yu Tangtang’s control.

The words Spirit Slave were like a mountain, yet was that not also another form of bondage. Surely she saw in Yan Ling the possibility of breaking free.

It was exactly for this reason that Wang Yu used the tone of “your Highness,” hinting at her.

Now it seemed that Tantai Chan had understood.

The atmosphere in the room fell silent for a moment.

She sighed. “So, when you wanted to join the slave catching squad back then, it was because you had already guessed my thoughts. Were you not afraid Tangtang would find out.”

Perhaps she bore no malice toward Yu Tangtang. After all, she had raised her like a child of her own. But she absolutely hated being controlled by her father, the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon.

Hearing this, Wang Yu laughed coldly in his heart.

How could he have expected today’s situation. At the time, he was simply using every condition available to achieve his goal. The same was true now.

“Of course. When one act can serve two purposes, why not. I never expected I would need to use you so soon.”

Wang openly admitted his scheme.

“Besides this, I also need you to refine a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for me. Here are thirty thousand spirit stones. We trade normally.”

“…”

Tantai Chan’s expression shifted. She could not quite read Wang Yu. If he had spoken bluntly from the start, she would have surely refused. Yet after this conversation, she felt faint traces of gratitude.

What an evil devil.

Seeing her silence, Wang Yu suddenly leaned closer, his voice low.

“When Yan Ling as True Disciple breaks through to Nascent Soul, she can negotiate with the sect’s guardian demon lord. You will have a great chance to achieve your own wish. I help you, you help me. Between you and me, there is no enmity.”

Hearing this, Tantai Chan finally nodded in agreement.

“One month later, come to me for the pill.”

“Thank you.”

Having achieved his goal, Wang Yu lost interest in further talk. Tantai Chan was strong, her alchemy deep, and her web of connections extremely complex.

Her own personal ties were also resources Wang Yu could make use of.

This was a rare opportunity. Once free of fixed impressions, the two of them could become close partners in the future, far better than someone like Zhao Shang who only wore a false face.

To befriend Tantai Chan, the benefits clearly outweighed the risks.

“Then I shall take my leave. If Sister Tang faces trouble, inform me at once. I will help if I am able.”

“I understand.”

She watched Wang Yu’s figure depart, her face complicated. Uneasily, she rubbed her chest. Seeing the damp stains once again soaking through her clothes, her wavering thoughts suddenly grew firm.

She hated those things to the extreme, especially the side effects from the secret transformations they had undergone. They were both a lingering sequela and a nightmare scar she could never erase.

“This is my only chance to change fate. I hope I am not gambling wrong.”

If she failed, only death awaited.