183: The Possibility of Improving the Life-Draining Art! The Pill Sect Elder's Fury

In the third month of spring, when the rains are plentiful and the rice seedlings are lush, the weather is warm and pleasant at dawn. Farmers are busy until late at night and should find joy in their twilight years, enjoying a hearty meal and a good night's sleep.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed. In the Spirit Field in front of the Longevity Sect's cave abode, Chen Dengming was rolling up his sleeves and trousers, busy sowing Spirit Rice seedlings. Wearing a straw hat, he looked just like an old farmer, which was enough to make many passing disciples of the sect look on with astonishment.

On the opposite bank, He Yingyu was fertilizing the flowers and plants in front of her cave abode.

Xu Wei lay lazily on the back of the Black Cloud Leopard, basking in the sun and practicing the Dharma Gate of the Day Roaming Ghost.

This leisurely and carefree life makes the cultivation days seem like the idyllic life of ordinary people, with men tilling the fields and women weaving. It is fulfilling and pleasant, far away from the wars in the Eastern and Western Regions and the treachery in the Gathering Place. The simple and peaceful cultivation life is like a real Peach Blossom Spring.

Chen Dengming didn't know if this leisurely life could last for eleven years, until he successfully broke through to the Golden Core stage. He could only cherish every day while he could.

At this moment, he appeared to be planting Spirit Plant, but in reality, he was also researching the Technique Method <Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique> and <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique>.

Recently, as his research into the <Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique> has become more thorough, he has gradually developed some ideas about the <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique>, which he has already cultivated to the third level of its peak.

These ideas are now being tested on these Spirit Rice seedlings.

Since the Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique can draw upon the Rong Qi of various plants to replenish one's vital energy, quickly heal injuries, and even enhance Spiritual Qi.

Can we then understand that Rong Qi are equivalent to a person's vital energy?

Some people suffer a severe loss of vital energy, which leads to a shortened lifespan.

When someone's vital energy is restored, their lifespan becomes stable, and as their vital energy becomes more abundant, they may even live longer.

Is it possible that Rong Qi is equivalent to vitality, and vitality is, to some extent, equivalent to lifespan?

Based on these theories, Chen Dengming began to research and combine the "Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique" with the "Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique," thus exploring another path to further develop and improve his qualifications.

The "Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique" is essentially about sacrificing one's lifespan to enhance their Spiritual Root Potential.

What is lifespan? To be specific, lifespan is invisible and intangible, ethereal and elusive. Lifespan may not be as simple as vital energy, but it definitely includes components of vital energy.

Back then, the Hundred Losses Demonic Path was able to research the <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique>.

Chen Dengming felt that since he possessed the panel, he could cultivate the <Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique> to a very high level, and there was still hope of success in conducting research in this area.

Even if it doesn't succeed, it's still worth it as a way to cultivate Technique Method.

At this moment, he began to cast a spell by making hand seals.

The plants not far from the Spirit Field withered rapidly, and clusters of Rong Qi were drawn out, quickly flowing into the seedlings in front of Chen Dengming as he moved his finger.

In an instant, the rice seedlings in front of him quickly grew their first stalks, and then began to grow vigorously at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A dozen or so breaths later, the row of rice seedlings in front of Chen Dengming quickly grew to a height of more than one person.

The rice ears droop down, each grain the size of a date pit, golden and plump, exuding Spiritual Qi aura and emitting an enticing fragrance.

"Junior Brother, with your planting method, you've ripened over a dozen top-grade Spirit Rice in just over ten breaths!"

This is enough for us to eat for several months."

He Yingyu flew over, looked at the rows of Spirit Rice that were taller than a person, and smiled.

Chen Dengming picked a rice grain the size of a date pit, peeled it open, and saw the crystal-clear, fragrant Spirit Rice inside. He nodded and smiled.

"In my hometown, there was once an old man who was very good at growing rice. He dreamed of growing rice ears that were as big as trees, and the rice grains that grew were as big as a fist, much bigger than this top-grade Spirit Rice."

He Yingyu exclaimed in surprise, "There are such extraordinary people? How can rice grown by mortals be larger than Spirit Rice?"

Chen Dengming smiled and shook his head, "Senior sister, you don't understand mortals. Among mortals, there are many whose temperament and wisdom are no less than those of cultivators. It's just that many of them don't have Spirit Root and therefore cannot become cultivators."

He Yingyu wasn't annoyed. She flew over, took Chen Dengming's dirty arm, and smiled charmingly, "Yes, among mortals, there has emerged an extraordinary Junior Brother like you, whom I recognized at a glance. Senior sister knows her mistake and will never underestimate mortals again."

Chen Dengming removed He Yingyu's hand. "Alright, you go ashore first. It's all sewage, it's filthy. I'll observe it a bit more."

He carefully observed the planted Spirit Rice and seedlings, and after several more attempts, he gradually confirmed that the <Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique> could indeed accelerate the ripening of Spirit Rice to a level comparable to that sold on the market.

In fact, many low-level spiritual farmers in the Cultivation World have mastered similar ripening Technique Method.

However, the ripening speed is far slower than his.

It usually requires many steps, and only consumes one's own Spiritual Qi.

The <Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique> directly absorbs the Life Force of other plants and fills the Spirit Rice with it, thus accelerating its ripening.

This Technique Method has a somewhat predatory connotation.

The so-called way of Heaven is to take from those who have more than enough and give to those who have less than enough; the way of man is to take from those who have less than enough and give to those who have more than enough.

Chen Dengming sensed that the Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique was not so simple. This technique could directly plunder his lifespan, enhance his Spiritual Qi energy to heal injuries, and increase his combat power during battle.

Perhaps, upon reaching a high level of cultivation, one could even plunder the lifespan of others to replenish one's own?

"The Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique's also shortens my own lifespan to enhance my aptitude."

"If I could discover a way to increase vital energy with Rong Qi, then use vital energy to replace lifespan, and thereby improve aptitude, perhaps I could develop a new and better <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique>."

Chen Dengming flew out of the Spirit Field, cast a Cleansing Technique on himself, and looked at the many withered plants around him, lost in thought.

To ripen a single stalk of Spirit Rice, one must extract the Rong Qi of three ordinary plants.

If even Spirit Rice requires this much effort, how many resources would be needed to elevate a person's Spirit Root?

The predatory path of cultivation is truly the way of humanity, taking from the poor to give to the rich. Is this perhaps the path taken by human immortals?

So, is the Celestial Immortal Path of the Longevity Sect simply the Way of Heaven, which involves taking from the excess and supplementing the deficiency—completely the opposite?

His thoughts were in turmoil, and he had many ideas, but they were mostly just his own guesses and shouldn't be taken seriously.

The Reverse Glory Spring Return Technique and Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique still need further study.

First, try it on plants like Spirit Rice, then if there are any promising results, gradually transition to animals, and only then might it be humans.

Chen Dengming has already decided on his partner.

If there is truly hope, then all those people in Nanxun who lack the aptitude but aspire to become immortals can give it a try, as long as they are willing. This would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

One day later.

A visiting card was sent to the Longevity Sect's Foreign Affairs Office and then handed to Chen Dengming.

The person who issued the letter was Qu Quan, Golden Core Elder the Dan Sect, who questioned Chen Dengming about why he killed the Luo Family Ancestor and demanded a reasonable explanation.

"Nephew Disciple Chen, you have already reported this matter to the sect. Rest assured, the sect will always be your backer. Just tell Qu Quan truth, and he won't dare to do anything to you."

In the cave abode of Gongsun Zai, the Golden Core Elder of the External Affairs Department, Gongsun Zai spoke with a faint smile, his expression nonchalant.

Chen Dengming was relieved to know the sect's attitude, which made things much easier from there.

This is also the source of confidence for someone who has achieved mastery of the False Core Great Cultivator in the Longevity Sect.

Your Dan Sect's Golden Core cultivators are indeed very strong, but if you want to directly cause trouble for the Longevity Sect's fake Golden Core cultivators, you should think twice and see what the Longevity Sect's attitude is, and whether they agree to you bullying their own disciples.

The Longevity Sect simply doesn't want to cause trouble, but that doesn't mean they're afraid of it.

If you really want to shove your finger near the old turtle's mouth to provoke it, then be prepared to have one of your fingers cut off first.

After leaving a small gift as a token of his visit, Chen Dengming departed from the Elder's cave abode.

Not far from the cave abode, on the mountain path, Sang Tianrong and the others were waiting. As soon as they saw Chen Dengming come out, they immediately went to greet him.

"Senior Brother Chen, how is it?"

"No problem!"

Chen Dengming waved his hand, looked at Sang Tianrong, and smiled, "Junior Brother Sang, how's the investigation going?"

Sang Tianrong bowed and said, "As you predicted, Senior Brother, I inquired several times through friends at the Wonderful Sound Sect, and their chief disciple did indeed visit the Luo family several times and met with the Luo Family Ancestor."

In addition, the chief also sent people to the southern border to cause trouble for a Zhu Cultivation Family.

However, that Zhu Cultivation Family had already been wiped out, and the matter was left unresolved.

Chen Dengming nodded slightly, having anticipated this outcome.

The Zhu Family had already been wiped out by the Lin family. Where could Lüo Bing possibly find the Zhu Family to exact revenge on?

But this also illustrates one thing.

If Lüo Bing is consciously seeking revenge, then she has not been completely controlled by evil spirits.

It's possible that, similar to Han Yongxu, they are in a semi-controlled state, still having a lot of autonomy.

In this situation, the other party sent the troublesome Luo Family Ancestor to him to solve. This was both a warning and a test, and clearly a scheme to make him mistakenly believe that the Luo Family Ancestor was Foundation Establishment cultivator controlled by the Wonderful Sound Sect. After personally killing the Luo Family Ancestor, he would bear the wrath of the Golden Core Elder of the Dan Sect.

Considering the other party's scheming and the Luo Family Token they had given him earlier, Chen Dengming now understood the woman's intentions.

"Do you want me to help you eliminate the Luo Family Ancestor before you acknowledge that our debts are completely severed and we owe each other nothing? So you mean that if we meet again in the future, we'll show no mercy?"

Chen Dengming's eyes flashed as he looked at Sang Tianrong and asked, "What is the current strength of that chief disciple of the Wonderful Sound Sect? Has he already seized power within the Wonderful Sound Sect?"

"It is said that she has the strength of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Currently, many people in the Wonderful Sound Sect do listen to her, mainly because the other two Foundation Establishment Late Stage elders of the Wonderful Sound Sect have always supported this chief."

There's a long-standing saying within the Wonderful Sound Sect that the Wonderful Sound Sect leader, Han Yongxu, might be grooming this chief disciple as his successor.

Chen Dengming wanted to laugh when he heard that.

Old Dog Han is still inside his Soul Guiding Banner, completely devoid of his intelligence. He'll likely become food for Zhu Xun's advancement, and they're even training a successor for him?

Lüo Bing is truly cunning; she even managed to rise to power by using the power of evil spirits. She can truly turn the world upside down with a flick of her wrist.

Now there is still the Lin family, and the reason why Lüo Bing doesn't seek revenge is probably because the Lin Family Ancestor possesses the strength of a Golden Core cultivator.

Now that things have come to this, it's clear that the arrival of the Luo Family Ancestor was not an accident, but rather a scheme by Lüo Bing.

Chen Dengming had nothing more to say. He prepared to write a reply to inform the Danzong elder of the truth: the Luo Family Ancestor was influenced by the evil spirits of the Wonderful Sound Sect, which was why he accidentally killed him. If the Danzong elder wanted revenge, he could go to the Wonderful Sound Sect to cause trouble for the evil spirits.

Whether the elders of the Dan Sect went or not, Chen Dengming didn't care whether he sent this reply or not.

Going would be the best option, as it would be a good opportunity to use this Golden Core Great Cultivator to test the evil spirits of the Wonderful Sound Sect.

If that evil spirit is powerful enough to kill this elder of the Pill Sect, then it will be a huge mess. The Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Pill Sect is not someone to be trifled with.

If the evil spirits aren't powerful enough and are instead destroyed by the Pill Sect, that would be interesting.

Thinking about this, Chen Dengming couldn't help but mutter to himself again.

This seems like we've fallen into Lüo Bing's trap again.

Perhaps Lüo Bing intends to use him to eliminate the Luo Family Ancestor, and then use him to persuade the Golden Core or Nascent Soul of the Pill Sect to eliminate the evil spirits?

Even if the evil spirits were not destroyed, at least the Luo Family Ancestor was dead, and she had been freed from the failed Lineage marriage.

The reason for such a circuitous approach is likely that if some plans are designed too clearly and obviously, the evil spirits that inhabit the mind will instinctively sense the threat and nip it in the bud.

"If this is truly Lüo Bing's scheme, then this woman has certainly matured quite a bit since the Luo Family was wiped out."

Chen Dengming pondered for a moment, then took out a mid-level second-tier Law Artifact from his Storage Bag and smiled at Sang Tianrong, "Fellow Daoist Sang, thank you for your trouble in helping me. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

Sang Tianrong immediately declined, "Senior Brother Chen, this won't do. You're being too polite. If you do this, I won't help you in the future."

Chen Dengming shook his head, stuffed the Law Artifact into the other's hand, and laughed, "Junior Brother Sang, as you know, my wife is a magic Law Artifact refiner. I have many of these little gadgets."

"I'm giving you this Law Artifact for no other reason than that you've been traveling for almost half a month, wasting a lot of time along the way. If you don't accept it, I won't dare ask you for help again."

"Don't refuse. This isn't something I can use to win you over, Junior Brother."

"Take other people for example. If they wanted to deliver something this small, would you, Junior Brother, run the errand? Don't embarrass me."

After much persuasion, Sang Tianrong finally accepted the Law Artifact and left with a smile.

Chen Dengming nodded slightly.

Asking for help once depends on personal connections, twice on face, and the third time it all comes down to self-interest.

Others may refuse, but you can't truly refuse to give.

Otherwise, once or twice is fine.

After three or four times, others will naturally start to decline. He knew that people would work harder if there were benefits to be had.

When I get back, I still need to write a reply to that Golden Core cultivator from the Pill Sect.

His main goal was to eliminate evil spirits.

If evil spirits are not eliminated, there will never be peace in the future.

Rather than having him take action himself later, it would be better to let the Golden Core Elder of the Pill Sect explore the path and test the risks.

In any case, it's impossible for him to personally go to the Wonderful Sound Sect and risk his life; he wouldn't even be able to break through to the Golden Core stage.

If given the chance, he would like to break through to the Golden Core stage, then lure the evil spirit's true form to a Curse place like Nanxun, and use the power of the Ancient Human Immortal Palace to suppress and kill it.

However, this matter may not be so easy to accomplish; it might require the help of Lüo Bing to make it possible.

Lüo Bing used him to destroy the Luo Family Ancestor, and he could also use Lüo Bing, the evil spirit's furnace, to suppress and kill the evil spirit.

Time flies, and soon more than two months have passed.

On this day, in a mountain forest outside the Longevity Sect, the Black Cloud Leopard kept watch in the distance, while thunder rumbled and water roared in the valley.

Before long, a powerful aura erupted from the mountains and forests, attracting the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to surge into the valley like a tide, gradually condensing into a scene resembling three suns.

Chen Dengming sat on a huge Metal Throne in mid-air with his arms crossed, admiring He Yingyu's delicate body bathed in light below with a smile.

More than two months later, He Yingyu finally broke through to the False Core Realm today using the Three Yang Crystal and the Four Spirits Thunder Gathering Array. Her cultivation speed was only half a year slower than his.

It was clear that He Yingyu would need at least half a day to stabilize her cultivation level.

Chen Dengming floated down from the sky, raised his hand and made a hand seal to grab.

The Metal Throne, Gold Control Technique in mid-air, instantly twisted and extended rapidly, flying towards He Yingyu and gradually forming a metal wall that protected her body.

After more than two months of practice, Chen Dengming has mastered the Gold Control Technique, and his casting speed has been reduced to only half a breath.

This technique, combined with the Second-tier High-grade Magic Item, the Myriad Gold Ball, meticulously crafted for him by He Yingyu, can unleash ever-changing combat effects, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities.

After taking protective measures, Chen Dengming finally had time to take out the Sound Transmission Jade Talisman from his Storage Bag and check Sang Tianrong's message.

"Senior Brother Chen, Golden Core Elder Qu Quan of the Dan Sect personally visited the Wonderful Sound Sect a week ago and left on the same day. Nothing unusual happened during that time, and there were no battles within the Wonderful Sound Sect."

After reading the message, Chen Dengming's eyebrows furrowed. "Strange. Did Qu Quan chicken out and not make a move?"

Or is it that evil spirits won't easily attack anyone other than me, a possessor of the Human Immortal Orthodox Lineage?

Chen Dengming felt that both factors might be involved.

If evil spirits could harm people so easily, they would have already attracted the wrath of major sects and been besieged and exterminated over the years.

Upon closer examination, it appears that evil spirits have existed for over a thousand years.

Aside from harming one Nascent Soul, one Golden Core cultivator, and one Foundation Establishment from his own sect, and having dealt with the Sha Star and him, it seems he hasn't harmed anyone else.

The victimization of the Luo Family Ancestor was likely an accident, orchestrated by Lüo Bing, who was affected by the evil Evil Qi emanating from the heart's blood of an evil spirit's corpse.

Now, Danzong's Golden Core cultivator Qu Quan went to the Wonderful Sound Sect in a huff, and then left in a low-key manner. Perhaps he sensed something was wrong and there was danger within the Wonderful Sound Sect, so the matter was left unresolved. Otherwise, if someone wanted to investigate this matter after a week, they would have sent him another invitation to question him.

Chen Dengming felt a wave of frustration.

This Qu Quan, he's supposed to be a dignified Golden Core Great Cultivator, yet he's such a coward. He roared so loudly when questioning me, but why was he so polite when we went to the Wonderful Sound Sect?

"It seems the Wonderful Sound Sect is still very dangerous. We absolutely must not go there. If I want to eliminate the evil spirit, I still need to find a way to suppress it through the Ancient Human Immortal Palace! I can't afford to lose myself in the process."

It's not the thief you should fear, but the one who has his eye on you.

Having been repeatedly threatened with death by evil spirits, Chen Dengming no longer wanted to tolerate this ancient and sinister creature. Otherwise, he might be tricked again if he wasn't careful in the future.

However, Chen Dengming was not sure whether the Ancient Human Immortal Palace could eliminate the evil spirit's true form, and he was not very confident.

However, he knew of one person who would never be afraid of evil spirits.

That's Sha Star.

Ancient Human Immortal Palace, there are precisely the demigods left behind by the Sha Star.

Even their own fellow villagers who wanted to inherit the Ancient Human Immortal Palace had to personally act as inspectors to check the goods first.

If evil spirits try to seize the inheritance, what does the powerful Sha Star think? Of course, he won't just sit idly by.

(Still a little short on monthly votes, but there will be an extra chapter tonight! I'll have no problem writing over 10,000 words today)