A Furnace Full of Medicinal Dregs
After resting for three days at Mount Diancang, Tang Tianshu chose to leave again.
There's no other way but to leave. If I can't find a cultivator to remove the Gu worms from my body within two years, I might as well just commit suicide.
The sensation of the worms gnawing at one's brain is truly terrifying, a living hell.
The items left behind by the man in black robes all belonged to Tang Tianshu.
There wasn't much of it, though.
Three books, a black copper bell, and five small, glowing stones.
One book is called "Minor Spirit Qi-Guiding Meridian Opening Formula), another is called " Qi Refinement Scripture), and yet another is called "Spirit Nether Scripture).
Heading east, Tang Tianshu's original intention was to visit the capital city of the Great Chu Dynasty.
After all, there might be some information about cultivators there.
However, just a few days after setting off, Tang Tianshu discovered that some of the contents of the "Minor Spirit Qi-Guiding Meridian Opening Formula" left by the black-robed man were the same as those of the "Spirit Gathering Art" left by his deceased old Daoist master.
Based on what he had heard from his older brothers and sisters about their usual cultivation practices, Tang Tianshu determined that both the "Minor Spirit Qi-Guiding Meridian Opening Formula" and the "Spirit Gathering Art" were Cultivation Method for cultivators at the [Meridian Opening] stage.
This "Qi Refinement Scripture" is for use in the [Qi Refinement] realm, but unfortunately, it can only be cultivated up to the Qi Refinement Third Layer.
Comparing the "Minor Spirit Qi-Guiding Meridian Opening Formula" and the "Spirit Gathering Art," Tang Tiansong found a mountain cave to begin his cultivation, and finally reached the Meridian Opening Second Layer Realm two months later.
Thinking that he had finally become a cultivator like his older brothers and sisters, Tang Tiansong was overjoyed.
But this joy had no one to share it with.
Sun Ruoya's image and smile involuntarily appeared in his mind. Thinking about how Sun Ruoya had changed a lot as she grew up and become more and more beautiful, Tang Tianshu shook his head helplessly.
She will grow old, while I may remain forever young...
Tang Tianshu took out Sun Ruoya's purse and stroked it with a smile.
With a frown, Tang Tianshu opened his purse, because he sensed that one of the jade pendants inside appeared to be square.
The treasure that the Diancang Sect claims to be for cultivators has yet to be found.
Tang Tianshu frowned as he looked at the two jade pendants.
The jade pendant is Sun Ruoya's birth jade pendant.
The name of Sun Ruoya and some bird and animal patterns are engraved on it.
According to common custom, female martial artists would give their life-bound jade pendant to their husbands.
The other jade pendant, square in shape, is carved with a landscape painting.
After examining it closely, I couldn't discern anything special about the jade pendant.
Frowning, Tang Tianshu tried to infuse his Spiritual Qi into the jade tablet.
The jade tablet instantly emitted a glow, conjuring up a map-like phantom out of thin air.
Tang Tianshu carefully observed the illusory image, and after a quarter of an hour, he finally understood that it was a geomantic map.
The geomantic map was very simple, but it could still distinguish some of the Great Chu. A point of light in the northwest caught Tang Tianshu's attention because the point of light was clearly marked with the words "market town".
Could that be the legendary trading place for cultivators?
However, the market town is tens of thousands of miles away...
The black-robed man's "Spirit Nether Scripture" appears to be a Cultivation Method for immortals, but it seems to be a demonic sect Cultivation Method.
By cultivating the "Spirit Nether Scripture" and using Law Artifact, one can transform living people into puppets.
The two blue-faced ghosts summoned by the man in black robes were actually two living, high-level martial artists.
However, in the later stages of the refining process, the puppet transformed into something resembling a human but actually a ghost.
Now that he possessed the "Spirit Nether Scripture," Tang Tianshu could naturally control these two puppets as well.
Later, Tang Tianshu also learned that both of these puppets were actually Great Martial Master.
The puppets, having been sacrificed, have lost their souls and are like walking corpses, only knowing how to obey orders...
Heading north, traversing mountains and valleys, Tang Tianshu rented a passenger boat and sailed upstream.
It took Tang Tianshu more than half a year to travel by boat.
Finally, on November 20th of the new Celestial Calendar year 4052, they arrived at the foot of a giant mountain that stretched for thousands of miles.
Carrying some simple food, Tang Tianshu walked into the dense forest... The further he went, the thicker the fog became. If he hadn't already Meridian Opening Second Layer Realm, Tang Tianshu would never have dared to walk in this dense forest.
After wandering around for several days, Tang Tianshu still hadn't found any signs of human habitation. However, the geomantic map conjured by the jade tablet seemed to indicate that he had reached his destination.
Could there be some kind of secret entrance here?
Tang Tianshu channeled his Spiritual Qi once more, and a faintly visible market appeared not far away.
Could this be the legendary place where cultivators traded items? Filled with excitement, Tang Tianshu entered the market...
After wandering around the cultivator market for two days, Tang Tianshu had gained a general understanding of what the so-called cultivator market was.
This is indeed a place where cultivators trade items, but the currency used is Spirit Stone containing Spiritual Qi energy.
The five strange little stones held by the man in black were actually five Spirit Stone. The ten Hundred-Year True Gathering Pill he had prepared were worthless; they could only be exchanged for some food.
In addition to various cultivators exchanging and selling items, the cultivator market also has many sects recruiting disciples.
However, someone like Tang Tianshu, who is already twenty-one years old and has only just reached the Meridian Opening Second Layer Refining Realm, is simply unwanted.
This place has both righteous sects of cultivation and demonic disciples, and the two coexist peacefully.
Tang Tianshu consulted all the orthodox sects in the market, but they all shook their heads when they heard that his cultivation level was only at the Meridian Opening Second Layer.
With no other option, Tang Tianshu could only try his luck at the Demonic Sect's recruitment booth.
However, no demonic sect would accept him as a disciple, and he couldn't even afford to remove the Gu worms from his body.
I was ridiculed and driven away time and time again, but I shamelessly went to register each time.
This vast Northern Heaven Nether Cold Continent, spanning nearly a million miles, is home to hundreds of cultivation sects of varying sizes, with twelve major sects: eight righteous sects and four demonic sects.
Tang Tianshu didn't even dare to register for the major sect, mainly because they charged a registration fee of two Spirit Stone.
If admission is unsuccessful, the Spirit Stone will be taken away and will not be refunded.
Seeing one sect after another fill their disciples and close down, Tang Tianshu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Looking at a deserted cultivation sect, Tang Tianshu hardened his heart and walked over.
He really didn't want to come because Tang Tianshu disliked the name of this sect— the Blood Yin Sect.
This is definitely a villainous demonic sect, and it seems that very few people apply to join it.
"Eh... you're only at the Meridian Opening Second Layer stage, and your aptitude is far too poor, so you don't meet the sect's recruitment criteria." The fat cultivator said helplessly.
Damn it, a demonic sect, and they're so picky. Do you think I wanted to come here?
"Fellow Daoist, please help me remember my name so I can go in for an interview. Perhaps I have some outstanding qualities that your sect's elders might notice." Tang Tianshu took out a Spirit Stone and handed it over.
The portly cultivator took the Spirit Stone and quickly put it into his Storage Bag. "Oh, I see... but I can't decide for myself..."
The fat monk glanced at the thin monk beside him.
Well, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub.
Tang Tianshu smiled and took out his last Spirit Stone, handing it over.
The portly cultivator accepted the Spirit Stone: "It seems you, young fellow Daoist, are a straightforward person as well."
Alright, we're both honest people, so I advise you not to join our Blood Yin Sect...
?
Taking your money and not doing anything?!
"Fellow Daoists, my aptitude is indeed somewhat lacking. But I still hope you can allow me to participate in the interview..." Tang Tianshu smiled, "I am currently penniless and have no way out."
"Are you sure you want to join our Blood Yin Sect?" the fat cultivator asked.
Tang Tianshu nodded. "I'm certain. I was born a member of the Blood Yin Sect, and I will die a ghost of the Blood Yin Sect."
The fat monk smiled and took out a jade token, sticking it to Tang Tianshu's wrist.
In a short while, the jade pendant began to emit a faint fluorescent glow.
The fat cultivator smiled mysteriously, "Since you want to join our Blood Yin Sect so much, then you are now a disciple of our Blood Yin Sect."
Go in, there's no need to attend the elder's interview again...
?
It's that simple.
Two Spirit Stone and a couple of bold words, and he's easily joined the path of cultivation?!
Tang Tianshu walked happily into the room, unaware that the fat cultivator smiled and said, "I wonder if this Junior Brother Tang will rise to the top or become nothing more than dregs."