Demons and Ghostly Monsters

If you can have just one bestselling book, you'll be set for life, able to afford a villa, drive luxury cars, and have maids and butlers around. Life couldn't be more carefree.

This situation is somewhat similar to that of the Republic of China era, where most popular novelists were very wealthy. For example, Zhang Henshui, the author of "The Story of a Noble Family," had a meal with the owner of World Book Company and received tens of thousands of yuan in royalties within ten minutes, enough to buy a mansion in Beiping). In that era, ordinary people had low incomes and their labor was not valuable, resulting in low prices.

Famous writers were also very wealthy. For example, Xu Zhimo could afford to live in a Western-style house, hire servants, and be chauffeured around by cars just by lecturing and writing fees. At the same time, he also supported Lu Xiaoman's extravagant lifestyle. No wonder many writers in later generations wanted to return to the Republic of China. They didn't care whether ordinary people suffered or not, as they were sure they could live a very comfortable life.

The situation in the Nation of Beauty was much better than in the Republic of China. At least there was no warlord conflict, and most ordinary people could ensure that they had enough to eat and wear. The average income was much higher, so School of Fiction were much richer.

Of course, this only applies to successful School of Fiction. Those who are unknown or have never even published a work remain poor and destitute, even worse off than their artistic counterparts, who at least earn a living by busking on the street, while novelists can't even afford to beg.

Dengbulishao truly lives up to his reputation as a master who once stood at the pinnacle of humanity. People like him possess the qualities of a successful person. Even without his Law Power, he can still achieve extraordinary results in a different industry, which is fundamentally different from many novel protagonists who are useless without their cheat codes.

Si Ming followed Dengbulishao into the living room, a simple yet magnificent round room. Inside, many silver instruments hummed and spun, constantly emitting puffs of smoke. The fireplace had been lit by the maids and was releasing heat, while several reclining chairs were placed beside it.

The most eye-catching thing in the room is a cauldron placed in the center, with a pure oriental style and Taiji Bagua patterns on it, which is out of place with the style of the rest of the room.

Dengbulishao noticed Si Ming's gaze and explained with a smile, "This room is arranged exactly as I used to live. You know, when people get old, they like to reminisce about the past, and back then I was very interested in Fang Wen, so I got a bronze artifact to display in the room for my appreciation."

Si Ming nodded in agreement, but couldn't help taking a few more glances; he had a feeling that there was some hidden mechanism underneath.

After the two sat down, Dengbulishao asked, "Why are you interested in the Dou Qi arts of the Luo Continent? You know, I once tried to promote Dou Qi cultivation in the Sea Continent, but I was denounced as an evil art. Oh, by the elements, there are hundreds of millions of professionals practicing Dou Qi in the Luo Continent, and many of them have even reached the Divine Rank, which is no less than us mages."

"Master, you may have misunderstood some things. Evil arts are not necessarily incapable of reaching the Great Dao. In fact, long ago, when sects held more power than the imperial court, there existed evil sects and demonic cults. Although they practiced evil arts, it did not prevent the best among them from becoming Void Returning Great Grandmaster. Evil arts describe the dangerous process of cultivation, not the impossibility of success. Otherwise, they would have been eliminated from the annals of history long ago. Who would still be willing to cultivate them?"

Si Ming took a cup of black tea from the maid, thanked her, and continued, "Of course, I don't think that Dou Qi cultivation is an evil practice. It's just a difference in Eastern and Western philosophies. In the eyes of Easterners, only Cultivation Method with health benefits are considered righteous. Combat is just a secondary skill. Internal Cultivation goes without saying; it can cure all diseases and prolong life. Various martial arts also have the effect of strengthening the body. However, in their view, Dou Qi cultivation is an evil practice that puts the cart before the horse. It takes combat as its foundation and aims to increase lethality. Strengthening the body is just a secondary skill."

"So that's how it is... After all, I grew up in the Luo Continent. Although I pride myself on being well-versed in Fang Wen, there's still a cultural gap between us."

Dengbulishao sighed regretfully, then asked, "Then why do you want to learn 'evil arts'? Is there an enemy you want to take revenge on?"

Si Ming quickly waved his hand and said, "For some reason, I am unable to cultivate Internal Cultivation, so I want to find another way. Even if it is Evil Dao, it is better than having no way to go. Besides, I am already on this path."

After saying that, he stretched out his hand and unleashed his Blazing Sun True Qi, causing his entire palm to glow.

"Huh, is this Light Dou Qi?"

Dengbulishao surprised; this was the first time he had seen someone practicing Dou Qi in the Sea Continent. He quickly stepped forward to observe carefully, then frowned. "It seems to be something else entirely. It looks like Dou Qi, but its essence is still internal True Qi. It just has the method of using Dou Qi. It seems to combine the cultivation methods of Internal Cultivation and Dou Qi... Ah, there is such a method. How come I didn't think of that?"

He suddenly stood up and paced around the room. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Even chefs know to adapt their dishes to local tastes. I've forgotten even that. I guess I'm getting old and my mind isn't working as well anymore. Promoting the cultivation method of Dou Qi isn't about continuing the path our predecessors have taken. If we can combine the two cultivation methods and create a completely new path, that would be a truly historically significant feat. The founder of the Cultivation Method you're practicing is definitely a remarkable person!"

Si Ming hadn't expected the other party to have such a wild imagination, actually thinking about this aspect, and even showing a strong determination to dedicate their life to the cause of cultivation.

Unfortunately, he wasn't there to seek a third path. Besides, creating a new Cultivation Method is no easy task, especially merging two different systems. It would probably take three to five years before he even saw a glimpse of it. By the time the old master created the new Cultivation Method, it would be too late.

"Master, I would like to see some Western martial arts manuals. Would you be so kind as to give them to me?"

"No problem, I happen to have a lot of Holy Knight training methods from the Church of Light, I'll bring them to you later..."

Before he could finish speaking, Dengbulishao's figure swayed, and black energy filled with Vicious Qi surged from his body, as if it were a collection of all the sins of the world. His body became blurred, and Si Ming felt as if he had encountered something Anomalies.

Chapter 305 Ghostly Monsters

This old man is Anomalies mutator!

The moment he saw the strange phenomenon, this guess popped into Si Ming's mind, but he immediately dismissed it. He had personally come into contact with the Anomalies that night, and his situation was slightly different from Dengbulishao's, who seemed more like he was possessed by Anomalies.

"Stay away from this old man... don't come near... it's dangerous to get tainted..."

Dengbulishao looked pained, staggered, and knocked over a lot of furniture. It was clear that he was losing control of his strength, and a fierce aura emanated from his every move.

Si Ming hesitated for a moment, then decided to take the risk. He immediately rushed behind Dengbulishao and restrained him, then unleashed his Blazing Sun True Qi, which burst forth outwards.

The moment the pitch-black Sinful Qi came into contact with the golden Blazing Sun True Qi, it was immediately torn apart as if being devoured, while the Blazing Sun True Qi seemed to have been doused with a bucket of hot oil, rising even higher.

It really worked!

Si Ming was overjoyed. His previous guess was correct; the Blazing Sun True Qi could strengthen itself by devouring the source of Anomalies entities.

However, the next moment, the enraged Sinful Qi launched a fierce counterattack, instantly overwhelming the Blazing Sun True Qi.

Although the Blazing Sun True Qi has the advantage of being a natural enemy, it is not superior in terms of quantity. If measured by Internal Cultivation energy level, the Sinful Qi has reached at least level twelve, and its strength far surpasses the Anomalies that Si Ming encountered before, which are at the Spirit Transformation level.

Water can extinguish fire, but if the fire is too intense, it can still evaporate the water.

After a brief struggle, the Sinful Qi forced back the Blazing Sun True Qi, enveloping Si Ming's body and attempting to penetrate inward.

For a moment, Si Ming felt his mind was in complete chaos, as if countless gossipy women were arguing. His thoughts were jumbled and overwhelming, his reason was overwhelmed, and he was completely unable to think. A chilling coldness rushed into his body, as if freezing his soul as well.

Hatred, sadness, anger, violence... all sorts of negative emotions flooded his brain, and Si Ming's face contorted with rage, as if he were about to go mad. In terms of composure, he was no Dengbulishao, the worldly-wise old wizard.

The situation was spiraling out of control. Suddenly, Si Ming's bandaged right hand began to tremble violently, like a ravenous beast that had just awakened from hibernation. It immediately began to inhale the Sinful Qi in large gulps, while a powerful life force surged forth, filling the rest of its body.

All the black energy in his body surged to his right hand, and Si Ming finally regained a sliver of clarity. He made a decisive move and entered the state of Solar Prominence Eruption, his whole body enveloped in golden light, with the Blazing Sun True Qi burning fiercely, successfully expelling the Sinful Qi from his body.

He glanced at his right hand, seemingly still somewhat unsatisfied. Then he looked at Master Dengbulishao, who was still out of control, but much better than before. He had regained control of his movements and was now tightly holding the large cauldron in the center of the room with both hands, preventing himself from continuing to damage the furniture.

Si Ming was taken aback for a moment, then exclaimed with surprise, "So that's what placing a cauldron is for?"

It feels a bit like a patient seeing a small advertisement on a telephone pole, overjoyed, hugging it and shouting that they are saved. It's only because the Qingtong Cauldron is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of several thousand kilograms; other furniture might not have been able to withstand the bear hug of Spirit Transformation expert.

"My Blazing Sun True Qi has increased quite a bit, hmm... let's take a gamble!"

Si Ming continued to maintain his Solar Prominence Eruption state, placing his right hand on Dengbulishao's body. Instantly, as if pumping water, all the Sinful Qi surged into his right hand.

To prevent further contamination, Si Ming activated the Nine Songs God-Sealing Art. This Mnemonic can seal the body's acupoints, preventing the loss of internal True Qi and thus blocking external Primal Qi from entering the body.

Under the absorption of his right hand, the black aura surrounding Dengbulishao dissipated at a visible speed. What was originally so dense that it resembled a full set of heavy knight's armor transformed into chainmail, then leather armor, paper armor, plate armor...

When only the black aura remained on his chest, Si Ming's right hand finally had its fill, and then he fell asleep again...