Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1377 - 1373: Harvest

Zhu Lingyun curiously asked, "It’s not unwillingness, but rather incapability?"

"Hmm, incapability." Ma Santan grunted, "This old man hasn’t lived enough yet, stop nagging, dare to touch it?"

Zhu Lingyun chuckled, "Then I’ll try it."

As he spoke, he reached forward with his hand.

This round bead was obviously similar to Miao Jing Spirit Water, naturally, he was unafraid.

Moreover, he also absorbed others’ souls, but not directly. It was purified by the Haoyang Demon-suppressing Mirror or Demon Supressing Divine Tree, absorbing only their memories.

Naturally, he wasn’t afraid of this.

Ma Santan furrowed his frosty brows, staring intently at Zhu Lingyun’s right hand, watched as the right hand extended its index finger, without hesitation, pointing at the luminous, soft round bead.

After Zhu Lingyun’s index finger touched it, the Soul Cleansing Pearl resembling a Bright Pearl showed no change.

Neither brighter nor dimmer.

Ma Santan stared at his palm.

Zhu Lingyun withdrew his index finger, extending his palm, "Uncle Master, place it here."

Ma Santan placed it on Zhu Lingyun’s palm.

The Soul Cleansing Pearl remained soft and bright, Zhu Lingyun showed no abnormality.

He smiled, "How about it?"

Ma Santan frowned, "Strange!"

"Uncle Master, personal feelings might be wrong. Surely, this Soul Cleansing Pearl wouldn’t be mistaken?"

"Yes."

"Then can my soul be tainted?"

"... What did you encounter in your previous adventure?"

"A movement technique, incredibly wonderful." Zhu Lingyun said.

"No other treasures? Like this Soul Cleansing Pearl?"

"None at all."

"Hmph..." Ma Santan sized him up several times, pinched the Soul Cleansing Pearl back, tucked it into his sleeve, and waved his hand, "Go inside."

Zhu Lingyun laughed, "Uncle Master admits I haven’t practiced the Descent Technique?"

"Hmph, consider you haven’t practiced." Ma Santan retorted sulkily, "This time you’re lucky."

He was still convinced that his previous feeling wasn’t wrong, this kid must have practiced the Descent Technique, but had a stroke of fortune that likely eliminated the drawbacks of the Descent Technique.

As for whether or not he will practice the Descent Technique again in the future, and continue to taint his soul, that was out of his hands.

He was clean now, and thus could enter Qiling Tower.

...

Zhu Lingyun looked up, examining the two-story building in front of him, constructed of bluestone, gray and unobtrusive.

The walls of the small building were full of traces of time, old and weathered.

It didn’t invoke any urge to enter.

He strode briskly over, pushing the door open, inside were a few sparse bookshelves.

The central bookshelf consisted of four, lined together to form a square.

He stepped forward, browsing them, knowing that each of these four shelves was written by a Spirit Venerable.

Beyond these four shelves, the other shelves encircled them, upon inspection, carried some strange tales and anecdotes.

About the deeds of Spirit Venerables across the world.

Upon seeing these deeds, one would completely change their view of Spirit Venerables.

With only one sentiment: not worthy of respect.

Originally thinking that upon becoming a Spirit Venerable, strong enough, one would become reserved, the result was quite the opposite.

They actually completely unleash their nature, ignoring worldly rules and scrutiny.

These worldly rules and scrutiny have another name: morality.

There is no longer any reverence.

Reckless disregard for rules.

Seeing these, Zhu Lingyun’s face grew solemn.

The world of Spirit Venerables is far more terrifying than the current world.

He already understood one thing: why Spirit Venerables do not act against non-Spirit Venerables.

If they’re reckless and unrestrained, why not act against Venerables or those below them?

Originally thinking there was a restraining force, rules causing Spirit Venerables to hesitate.

Only now realizing, there was indeed this Divine Law, Spirit Venerables must not act against non-Spirit Venerables.

But with the disappearance of the Divine Race, this Divine Law has become practically obsolete, dismissed by them.

The root cause is those weak have already been crushed, the remaining are beings feared by Spirit Venerables.

Spirit Venerables are not invincible; each layer of heaven has a Divine Artifact to counter Spirit Venerables.

Even in the weak Little Heaven Beyond, there exists the Emperor’s Sword capable of slaying Spirit Venerables.

The power of the Emperor’s Sword derives from the will of the people, and when a Spirit Venerable appears in the Little Heaven Beyond, their power is diminished, unable to withstand the Emperor’s Sword.

Under the Emperor’s Sword, Spirit Venerables and Venerables or Great Grandmasters are indistinguishable, all can be cut down.

A Spirit Venerable not native to a layer of heaven enters, truly stirs trouble, would be slain by these Divine Artifacts.

A Spirit Venerable native to the layer, when acting, often faces resistance from other Spirit Venerables.

Like the Heaven-Reaching Sect.

Like Wanxiang Cliff.

Those small sects have no such protection, can only hope for good luck, not to provoke a Spirit Venerable.

Fortunately, general cultivators rarely have the chance to encounter Spirit Venerables, naturally lacking the opportunity to offend.

Having seen these records, he felt an urgent sense of crisis.

These Spirit Venerables are such, without sufficient strength, it is hard to truly protect oneself.

He then perused the records of those four Spirit Venerables, some cultivation insights and experiences.

Soon tossed aside.

Knowing the conduct of Spirit Venerables, he lost interest in these Spirit Venerable notes on martial arts.

Jiao Hengtian’s words were correct.

Reading these, might be not necessarily beneficial, rather possibly harmful, leading astray.

Every Spirit Venerable has their own path, none follows the same old route.

All carve out their own new path.

Sometimes, knowing others’ paths is worse than being ignorant.

His current path is the Taiqing Primordial Sect’s Three Elements Technique and Taihao Jade Void Scripture.

The Donghuan Saint Technique can predict fortune or disaster, also the foundation for becoming a Spirit Venerable.

And there’s the Cloud Stepping Leopard, unknown if any gains will come.

The essence of achieving Spirit Venerable is surpassing limits, causing secret acupoints to emerge.

Little Heaven Beyond’s cultivation greatly aids him, this breakthrough to Spirit Venerable is akin to Little Heaven Beyond advancing to Great Grandmaster.

His rich experience instilled confidence.

Thinking this, he turned and left Qiling Tower, outside he saw Ma Santan on a recliner, covered by the sunset’s afterglow.

Ma Santan opened his eyes, glanced at him, coolly asked, "How was it?"

"Uncle Master, I’ve gained much!"

"Oh——?" Ma Santan chuckled.

Zhu Lingyun said, "Uncle Master, this Qiling Tower is indeed worth entering."

"Not feeling like reading led to nothing?"

"Benefits are countless!" Zhu Lingyun said, "Unaware of the Spirit Venerable world’s rules, upon becoming one, it’s easy to make mistakes and lose one’s life."

"Hehe, kid thinks surely he can become a Spirit Venerable?"

"Certainly!" Zhu Lingyun said firmly, "Having seen this, I’m full of confidence. It’s simply a matter of understanding oneself, continually surpassing oneself."

"Understanding oneself, these words are easy to say but hard to achieve, otherwise, everyone would be Spirit Venerables."

"Innate talent, comprehension, and spirit, all are indispensable; I believe I possess these."

"Get out of here." Ma Santan waved dismissively, "No need to hear you boast!"

Zhu Lingyun chuckled, clasping his hands, turned and left.

...

"Here, this is the translation."

Li Hongzhao handed a thin booklet to Chu Zhiyuan, sitting by the stone table, took up a tea cup and drank it all.

Then let out a long sigh.

Chu Zhiyuan accepted the booklet, smiled, "Took quite a bit of effort?"

"I learned the Great Wilderness Text in one breath to translate this booklet."

"Taught by Senior Song?"

"Master doesn’t know this either," Li Hongzhao shook her head, "A friend of Master’s happened to visit, can’t deny your good fortune."

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "Such coincidence?"

"This Uncle Master besides the Divine Language, knows many other languages." Li Hongzhao said, "He enjoys studying languages, what Master knows was imparted by him."

Chu Zhiyuan’s spirit was uplifted.

Li Hongzhao said, "This Uncle Master is reclusive, doesn’t see outsiders, he’s already gone."

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Li Hongzhao said, "You want to learn this Great Wilderness Text?"

"Of course."

"Then I’ll teach you."