The Incomplete Buddha Relic

Chapter 25: The Fragmented Buddha Relic

"What?"

Chen Lin's expression finally shifted.

Seeing this, Situ Kong finally revealed a trace of a smile. In his eyes, Chen Lin could never refuse such a temptation: "I obtained this item by chance during a mission in the Demon Prison. I couldn't discern its use, but because I have stepped into the Peak Xiantian Realm and possess a deep understanding of the soul, I discovered by sheer coincidence that this object can slowly weaken the soul."

"It is a true weakening, not merely suppression. Of course, as for what impact it has on the soul after being weakened, I cannot say for sure. But for you, Junior Brother, surely you wouldn't pass up even the slightest hope of survival, would you?"

Situ Kong looked at Chen Lin with a meaningful gaze. Aside from the powerful demon Gu Yuetian from hundreds of years ago, no one had ever survived the "Parasitic Soul-Sharing Body" constitution. He was certain Chen Lin could not refuse.

Chen Lin's expression flickered between light and shadow. Situ Kong was right; Chen Lin could not refuse this temptation. Yet, he still shook his head slowly and said calmly, "I wonder if Senior Brother could take that item out now so I may see it for myself? It won't be too late to make a decision afterward."

"That is only natural."

Without a moment's hesitation, Situ Kong tapped the storage bag at his waist. A flash of light appeared in his hand, revealing an object, which he then tossed toward Chen Lin without a second thought.

Chen Lin's eyes flashed. He reached out to catch it and focused his gaze.

It was an oval-shaped, grey object with half a corner missing. It was only the size of a pearl, yet it looked as if it had been weathered for many years, on the verge of decay. Resting in his palm, it appeared entirely unremarkable.

[Buddha Relic (Fragmented): A relic condensed within the body of an enlightened high monk, containing the inheritance of Buddhist secret scriptures.]

[Main Quest Initiated: The Contractor must obtain the Buddha Relic (Fragmented) within one month and acquire the secret scripture inheritance.]

[Quest Completion Reward: 1. Ten Foundation Strengthening Pills. 2. Contractor automatically comprehends a Harry Potter world skill: Legilimency. 3. Random draw for a precious item from another plane. Quest Failure Penalty: Deduct 30,000 points of Death Energy. Note: If Death Energy drops below zero, the system will execute a deletion command on the host. Current Death Energy remaining: 5,307 points.]

"Damn it!"

The corner of Chen Lin's mouth twitched, and a vein pulsed on his forehead. He nearly flung the Buddha Relic away in a rage.

"Screw you! Main God Coffin, are you trying to kill me?! Deducting 30,000 points of Death Energy?! Why don't you just go rob someone instead?!!"

Chen Lin was furious inside, cursing wildly. It couldn't have come at a worse time—issuing a main quest right now. How could he possibly obtain 30,000 points of Death Energy in just one month? Wasn't this forcing him to enter the Demon Prison and deal with that terrifying Yin Corpse at the Sea-Opening Realm?

"Brother Situ, it's not that I'm being suspicious, but it is truly hard to believe... does such an unremarkable thing really have the ability to weaken the soul?"

Calming his emotions, Chen Lin deliberately wore a look of deep skepticism and asked hesitantly.

Even though he was forced to venture into the Demon Prison under the pressure of the Main God Coffin, Chen Lin would not easily agree to Situ Kong's terms. He needed to maximize the benefits of this trip.

"Rest assured, Junior Brother. I stake my reputation on the fact that this item truly possesses the miraculous ability to weaken the soul."

A flash of embarrassment quickly crossed Situ Kong's eyes; he seemed to realize that presenting such an unremarkable object did indeed look like he was trying to fool someone. However, he quickly added with a serious tone: "Actually, Junior Brother, you don't need to worry too much. After all, Ghost Cultivators and Yin Corpses are generally much weaker than cultivators of the same rank. Even if it has advanced to the Sea-Opening Realm, its divine abilities are pitifully few, relying only on self-comprehension..."

Seeing the non-committal expression on Chen Lin's face, a flicker of pain at the loss flashed through Situ Kong's eyes. Gritting his teeth, he said, "How about this: a Sea-Opening Realm Yin Corpse will condense a 'Yin Corpse Fire Seed' in its mind. Surely you understand the value of a Yin Corpse Fire Seed, Junior Brother? I can make the call: besides this item that can weaken the soul, this Yin Corpse Fire Seed can also be handed over to you to handle."

"But if you don't seize this opportunity, Junior Brother, I fear you will have no hope of survival in the future."

Having said that, Situ Kong looked at Chen Lin meaningfully and added, "The three of us have already accepted the mission, and there are ten days left in the time limit. You don't need to rush your reply, but I hope to have your answer within five days."

"Fine, I agree."

To Situ Kong's surprise, Chen Lin, who had appeared hesitant just a moment ago, now agreed without the slightest hesitation.

"Oh? You've made up your mind so quickly, Junior Brother? Good! With this, our chances of dealing with that Yin Corpse have certainly increased quite a bit." Situ Kong was stunned, then overjoyed. He cupped his hands toward Chen Lin and said, "In that case, I shall return to make some preparations. I will contact you in no more than two days."

"Understood. I also need to make a trip to the market to purchase some materials for dealing with ghosts, so I won't see you out, Senior Brother." Chen Lin cupped his hands toward Situ Kong with a blank expression.

Watching Situ Kong depart, Chen Lin's eyes flashed with a gloomy light before he turned and walked back into his room.

"A Sea-Opening Realm Yin Corpse..."

Chen Lin recalled the introduction to Yin Corpses mentioned in the jade slip.

These Yin Corpses were divided into human corpses and demon corpses. Most were the remains of human or demon cultivators that had been invaded and influenced by Yin Energy, gradually developing a sliver of a soul and cultivating based on the memories of their former lives. They were much weaker than those of the same rank.

But the one they had to deal with this time was a Sea-Opening Realm Yin Corpse, a full major realm higher. He had to be cautious.

Chen Lin pondered for a moment and took all the items he had looted from Jiang Hong and his two companions out of his storage bag. There were only 132 low-grade spirit stones, 21 spirit pills, and some Dharma Artifacts and medicines, but they were all low-quality goods. Chen Lin glanced at them, lost interest, and simply opened the Space Trading System.

"Fire Spirit Sword, Quality: Low-grade. Evaluation: Inferior Dharma Artifact, the forging technique is appalling. Do you wish to exchange it? Yes/No."

"Yes."

"Randomly drawing exchange item... Drawing... Extraction complete. The Contractor has obtained twelve spirit stones."

"Ice Soul Mirror, Low-grade Dharma Artifact, Evaluation: Inferior Dharma Artifact, the forging technique is appalling. Do you wish to exchange it? Yes/No."

"Yes."

"Randomly drawing exchange item... Drawing... Extraction complete. The Contractor has obtained four spirit pills."

As Chen Lin traded all these useless items to the Main God Space, he sighed inwardly. It seemed these outer sect disciples were truly living miserably; they didn't even have a decent Dharma Artifact on them.

If Jiang Hong and his companions knew Chen Lin's thoughts, they would surely vomit blood in rage. As outer sect disciples, they hoarded spirit stones and pills and couldn't bear to buy Dharma Artifacts, spending everything on cultivation instead. To have even a few Dharma Artifacts on them was considered doing quite well among earth-tier disciples!

After trading away all the useless items, Chen Lin touched his storage bag with satisfaction. The harvest was not bad at all.

What he needed to do next was naturally to go to the market to see if he could purchase some Dharma Artifacts and talismans that could suppress ghosts.

The Myriad Demon Sect also had a market, though such markets were usually formed spontaneously by disciples of various branches. It was located in a valley at the center of the Seventy-Two Branches of Myriad Demon, specifically set up for low-level disciples to trade or purchase materials needed for cultivation. The market also had a rule: no forced buying or selling was allowed within its bounds. After all, if the chaotic rules of the Myriad Demon Sect were applied there, the market would have no reason to exist.

Chen Lin packed everything up, stood up, walked out of the courtyard, and headed toward the market.

Half an hour later, Chen Lin appeared in the market.

The Myriad Demon Sect marketplace covered nearly a hundred acres and appeared exceptionally bustling, yet most of the Demon Race members within were only at the Xiantian realm. While there were Demon Cultivators at the Sea-Opening Realm, they were rare; Chen Lin strolled for a while and only spotted a meager three. Presumably, the items traded here were primarily for those at the Xiantian realm, which the Sea-Opening Realm disciples naturally looked down upon.

"Acquired from the Demon Prison! Three Baleful Bones from the spine of a mid-stage Xiantian Yin Corpse, capable of refining mid-grade Dharma Artifacts! Selling for 20 low-grade spirit stones! Come and take a look!"

"Breath-Concealing Oblivion Pill! Consuming it induces a state of suspended animation, allowing one to evade the senses of mid-stage Xiantian powerhouses. It is highly effective for ambushes or escaping pursuit! Selling for 35 low-grade spirit stones, don't miss out!"

"Great Strength Talisman! Apply it to your body to gain 20,000 jin of raw strength out of thin air! Selling for 20 low-grade spirit stones! Absolutely worth more than the price!"

Demon Cultivators of various appearances set up stalls along the roadside, displaying numerous cultivation materials and shouting incessantly to the passing crowds. Immersed among them, Chen Lin felt as though he had stepped into a grocery market from his past life; the sensation stirred a sense of nostalgia, giving him the illusion of having been reborn.

"Just captured! A human female cultivator who has stepped into the Xiantian realm! Everyone, come and take a look!... Hehehe, with such delicate skin and a pretty face, she can serve as a furnace! That flavor... tsk, tsk, tsk!"

Suddenly, a sharp, grating hawking sound pulled his thoughts back, causing him to freeze in surprise and gaze toward the direction from which the voice originated.