I Wish to Contain All Things

If it were merely due to cultivation, causing the mortal body to mutate and transform into the form of a Demonic Immortal God, Ge Xian wouldn't have resisted much.

But judging from the examples he'd seen tonight, the mutations were fundamentally altering his very essence.

"Sigh, I really don't want to reach a point where I have to eat human flesh and drink human blood to survive, and have my temperament twisted along with it."

"I wonder if all cultivation paths in the world are like this. It shouldn't be, there should be proper Qi Refiners..."

Ge Xian sighed as he carried his burden home.

Just as he was feeling utterly despairing, a light suddenly flickered on in his house ahead. Then, the wooden door creaked open slightly. Illuminated by the flickering oil lamp, a bright, clean, and tidy room was revealed, a stark contrast to how it was when he left.

In a corner of the room stood a Pretty Young Woman, looking at him expectantly, clearly waiting for her Master, Ge Xian, to praise her.

Initially, Ge Xian was in no mood for praise.

But the moment he saw the Broom Spirit, who was Sister Bai, a flash of inspiration struck him.

Then, his heart surged with excitement:

"That's right, who says I have no other path to take?"

"Before I woke up, apart from the Supernatural Perception talent, I had no other special abilities, almost like a weak ordinary human."

"Tonight, didn't I still gain so many benefits from the Beggar Sect's Five-Bag Elder, Hong Buyi, using my three special abilities: Call Wind Summon Rain, Skinning, and Bewitch?"

"My second talent is for cultivation, where after successfully charming, I can absorb extraordinary abilities into my body, and not just one type, without any so-called [Rejection reaction]. Even if they are all temporary abilities, isn't this a path?"

Thinking of this, Ge Xian immediately became excited again.

His current knowledge of cultivation came entirely from the Beggar Sect's Evil Cultivator Hong Buyi, and wasn't exactly authoritative.

But that old scoundrel had lived for so many years; there shouldn't be any mistakes.

From his memories, he knew:

All cultivators, regardless of their lineage, whether from the Myriad Laws Sect, the Eternal Life Cult, or those bloodline Holy Lands, or even the vast number of unorthodox paths at the Bottom Layer... without exception, they all had to pass the "Rejection" trial. If they failed, they couldn't enter the path, couldn't release extraordinary abilities with a mortal body.

But tonight, he was clearly an anomaly.

Ge Xian instantly realized that his talent, if not absolutely unique, could at least be considered a rare occurrence that defied common sense.

Among the many talents Hong Buyi knew, there was nothing this bizarre.

"His Original Body probably didn't have this either. He likely only had the divine ability of Charm and reverse cultivation. Perhaps it's something I brought?"

"But there are still many things to confirm. For example, does my [Charm and Cultivate] only target female spirits, or does it work on everything?"

"The Original Body was lustful and only focused on collecting spirits like the Bamboo Lady and Lady Painting. He hadn't collected any other strange items as a reference."

"Also, are all those external powers gathered through Cai Bu only temporarily stored in the body?"

"Can I use those external powers to cultivate...?"

As thoughts surged, Ge Xian could no longer hold back.

He put down his peddler's pole and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Immediately, under the terrified gaze of Sister Bai, this scoundrel unceremoniously and recklessly stepped forward, grabbed her, and dragged her towards the bed.

There was no other choice, as his humble room didn't even have a table.

Fortunately, Ge Xian soon let go. In just these few brief moments, he had completed the first verification of his innate abilities:

"Before I activate my charm and succeed, I cannot Cai Bu the [Extraordinary External Power] within the other party."

Clearly, he had grabbed the Broom Spirit's hand, attempting to directly Cai Bu external power from her body, but failed.

At this moment, he had not obtained spells like the "Pure Spell" or "Li Chen Spell," nor did he have a strong desire to sweep the room and clean himself, despite being filthy all over.

With the first verification complete, Ge Xian was determined to continue. Disregarding the Pretty Young Woman's resentful expression, he sent her back to her Soul Residence, forbidding her from coming out again tonight.

After settling down and confirming his safety.

Ge Xian sat cross-legged on the clean bed and laid out his harvest from the night, which consisted of five items.

These were a fishy-smelling Strange Stone covered in granules on its surface, a Green Bamboo Staff covered in tooth marks, a Golden Scale the size of a palm, and two thin Human Skin Booklets.

All five items had significant origins.

The Strange Stone was called [Dog Treasure], conceived within a demonic dog secretly raised by the Beggar Sect. It was extremely fishy-smelling but possessed quite pure Demon Dog Power. If one had the accompanying Evil Skill of the Beggar Sect, anyone could advance to the "Dao Entry Realm" by consuming this item. Hong Buyi wore it on his person to suppress his Demonic Sign; otherwise, he could transform into a demonic dog and go berserk at any moment.

The Green Bamboo Staff was named [Dog Beating Staff], considered the exclusive weapon of the Beggar Sect. Its forging required immense effort. One had to first find ninety-nine "Mad Dogs" that had fed on human flesh in desolate graveyards, then use them to absorb the essence and blood of superior Junshan Bamboo to create one staff. Only elders of the fifth bag or higher could be issued one.

The Golden Scale was the most precious, originating from a Dragon-kin Demonic Creature with a not-low Bloodline Concentration.

As for the two booklets, one was the Beggar Sect's signature Evil Skill, Dog Beating Staff Technique, and the other was called Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. This was the reward for the Beggar Sect's Hangzhou Road branch mobilizing all its forces to assist the Eternal Life Cult's Evil Cultivators in encircling and suppressing Fu Yang and the two county magistrates of Qiantang.

It was said that the leading Evil Cultivator of the Eternal Life Cult, at the risk of offending the [Dragon Nest], personally went to the Qiantang River to capture a dragon. This unlucky fellow was originally human, and by chance, he had obtained an opportunity and entered the Dao, even advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm. Unfortunately, he couldn't hold on and suffered Qi Deviation, completely losing his Intelligence and transforming into a Dragon Demon, wreaking havoc in the Qiantang River.

He had a penchant for overturning passing Ships and devouring Travelers who fell into the river.

After being captured by the Evil Cultivator, subjected to all sorts of torture and experimentation, this new and Bizarre Martial Art was finally developed.

Once unleashed, it possessed the might of a dragon.

Of course, that was just boasting.

It couldn't subdue true dragons, but it possessed some malevolent external powers and had a Restraint on some snake and insect spirits.

To prevent accidents and loss, the branch leader personally carried the Half Dragon Corpse and the Original Cultivation Method. He also made several copies of Fragmentary Manuals and distributed them to several capable subordinates. Hong Buyi, being senior, also received a Fragmentary Manual and a Dragon Scale. The manual only contained the first three palms.

Beggar Sect Hangzhou Road branch!

Everyone thought participating in this matter was a great contribution.

Afterwards, presenting the dragon corpse and cultivation method to the sect would bring fortune to the entire branch. The branch leader even believed he could use this method to compete for the position of deputy sect leader.

Who would have thought the final outcome would be total annihilation, everything lost.

It was a pity that the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, a Bizarre Martial Art born not long ago, became a Fragmentary Manual before it could even show its power, with only the last three palms remaining, falling into Ge Xian's hands.

Originally, Ge Xian thought these strange items and the cultivation method were obtained for free.

Because no matter which one he used, he would have to pass the "Rejection" trial, and even if he passed, Demonic Transformation was unavoidable.

Hong Buyi and the other beggars didn't mind. They were still shouting before they died, wanting to abandon their humanity early and become true beasts. Ge Xian, however, was unwilling to do so and had already considered giving up.

He hadn't expected things to turn around now, bringing new hope.

"Success or failure hinges on this one move."

As this thought arose, Ge Xian began to act.

Being naturally cautious, he didn't immediately unleash his full charm. Instead, he first pointed a finger at the Green Bamboo Staff, then slowly released about a tenth of his "Charm."

Initially, there was no reaction, and Ge Xian was not disappointed. He directly increased the intensity.

When the charm reached a tenth, an Abnormality suddenly occurred.

The strange item, the Green Bamboo Staff, seemed to have gained Intelligence. It clung tightly to Ge Xian's finger and attempted to absorb the exotic fragrance of charm from Ge Xian's body.

As this scene unfolded, an uncontrollable look of pleasant surprise appeared on Ge Xian's face.

Almost subconsciously, he couldn't let the Green Bamboo Staff absorb any more. Instead, he activated his "Cai Bu" power.

In the blink of an eye!

Ge Xian felt as if there was a Bottomless Pit-like vortex within his body, beginning to absorb whatever his fingertip touched.

In just three to five breaths, the Green Bamboo Staff, covered in Demon Dog teeth marks, trembled violently. Afterward, the demonic green radiance on it completely dimmed.

Looking again, it had become a withered yellow bamboo staff that could break at any moment.

And at this very moment, Ge Xian's body clearly contained a mass of Demonic Green Qi.

When he sensed it, the strange power formed by this Qi also appeared:

"Beat Dog!"

"After using this strange power, as long as I hold any rod-shaped object, I can inflict great damage on canines."

"If combined with the Dog Beating Staff Technique, it can kill demons like dog demons."

Almost immediately, Ge Xian's face was full of smiles.

He was like someone lost in the desert who had suddenly found sweet rain, overjoyed.

Although he also sensed that the strange power within him would dissipate within twenty-four hours, this was still a cause for great joy.

"It... it actually works."

"I'm not just Male Daji; I've found a new path, perhaps even a cultivation path that belongs only to me?"

Because his knowledge and experience were still far from sufficient, Ge Xian did not dare to make any definitive statements.

But there was one thing he could be sure of: he would no longer have to tremble like a mortal in this terrifying world of demons and monsters.

Although the path he had found was still very vague, it was enough to give him the power to protect himself.

As joy surged through him, Ge Xian's gaze quickly fell on the other two strange items on the bed.

More experiments!

Let's begin.

An unknown amount of time passed. Late at night, in Qiantang County, the Ge residence.

The room, which had been tidied up by the "Broom Spirit," was now in a state of chaotic storm.

In the small, humble room, at least a dozen strange dragon phantoms appeared. They were lean and patchy, with saliva dripping from their mouths and bloodshot eyes. As if driven by some will, they all lunged towards a figure in the center of the room.

The figure, holding only a withered yellow bamboo staff, then unleashed an exquisite yet incredibly vicious staff technique.

Despite being in its initial stage, it had no trace of worldly influence. With a casual flick of the wrist, staff shadows flashed, killing half of the strange dragon phantoms.

The remaining half continued to charge. At this moment, Ge Xian put away the staff and casually struck out with a palm from his waist. A ferocious strange dragon phantom immediately surged in the air. The dragon opened its mouth and swallowed the remaining dog demons whole.

The storm subsided, and peace returned.

Ge Xian looked around and then began to evaluate the strange power he had just used.

"Even an old evil cultivator like Hong Buyi from the Beggar Sect, who wears a Dog Treasure and uses the Dog Beating Staff Technique with a Green Bamboo Staff, would need months of diligent practice to wield it as effortlessly as I do."

"As for the Dragon Subduing Palm, one would need to find another evil cultivator, first absorb the Dragon Scale into their body, then endure the rejection reaction, and diligently practice the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms manual for several years before having any chance of releasing it as easily and freely as I do."

"As for why it's like this?"

As the thought flickered, Ge Xian looked at his skin and palms again.

No change!

Still human hands and skin.

One of the common knowledge in the Cultivation World: using extraordinary powers comes with some negligible price.

For example, Demonic Transformation is not really a price, but a sign or indication.

Not to mention anything else, even the mighty [Demon County Magistrate Lu Hualong], when he unleashed his power, his body transformed from human to a Gu-Eating Spirit Monster.

And that old dog Hong Buyi, when he exhausted his last bit of strength trying to eat fresh blood and flesh, honestly turned into a "Demon Dog" and leaped to eat people.

Those Corpse Herders also lost all semblance of humanity when casting spells.

It is clear that this is a consensus.

But at this moment, Ge Xian, who had been struggling for a long time, did not grow claws, scales, or any other strange features, nor did any foul odor emanate from his body.

This sight put him in a great mood.

After conducting many experiments, he had confirmed some things and formed some conjectures:

"I first bewitch strange creatures and then perform Cai Bu, which is actually a process of subjugation."

"To these powers, I am the superior."

"Therefore, they cannot resist at all and can only dissipate slowly. Before that, they will be at my disposal, and I don't need to pay any price."

"Other cultivators, regardless of their Dao or Dharma脉, can perhaps only use one power at a time?"

"And I seem to be unrestrained, the more the better?"

"And after using them, I won't undergo Demonic Transformation because of it."

Ge Xian's tone was still somewhat uncertain, but all signs indicated that his conjecture was likely true.

Of course, if it were only these things, Ge Xian would still be very happy, but not to the point of being in such a great mood at this moment.

After all, these "powers" were actually borrowed by him.

Sooner or later, they would all dissipate.

Afterward, he would once again become an extremely weak mortal peddler, utterly defenseless.

What truly made Ge Xian feel "ecstatic" was what he had felt in that very instant.

Now that twelve hours had passed, the powers of Call Wind Summon Rain, Skinning, and Bewitch that he had previously obtained had long since vanished without a trace.

But at this moment, Ge Xian was still incredibly excited, harboring a certain anticipation. He moved his Thought and whispered, "Wind Come!"

"Rain Come!"

In an instant, in this humble room, a breeze so faint it could barely make the lamplight flicker stirred. Then, Ge Xian, head held high and face upturned, felt a slight dampness on his face, no more than a fine sheen of sweat.

But having verified it successfully once more, Ge Xian now felt like shouting with laughter.

"It worked, it truly worked."

"This is my Cultivation Path. All the myriad strange things and endless spirits in this world can be used by me."

ps: Four thousand characters. I'm doing my best to speed up and increase the output.