Chapter 209: From This Day On, You Are the Hundred Ghosts Elder

Chapter 209: Chapter 209: From This Day On, You Are the Hundred Ghosts Elder

"Just becoming a Spirit Brew Master has made this trip worthwhile."

Liu Chen was quite pleased. ’If I learn a few other similar preparation techniques, I’ll be able to be self-sufficient with Spirit Tea from now on.’ His only regret was Spirit Wine, but he was sure an opportunity would present itself later. If worst came to worst, after becoming a Loose Cultivator, he could just find a tavern and learn by observing.

"The festival will be over the day after tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Ye Linglong’s thoughts turned to another matter. The Great Xia Royal Family’s festival was ending soon. Once they returned, it would be time to formally take their masters. She didn’t want to bring it up, but she knew that after that, they would likely have to part ways, with no idea when they would meet again.

Unlike her senior brother, who would be returning to the Mo Family after the trials, her parting from her parents could very well be a final farewell. This filled Ye Linglong with an indescribable sadness.

"Yeah, the festival is about to end."

Ji Suyao, who had been drinking cup after cup, grew melancholic as well. It wasn’t as if she were completely heartless; she would soon have to part with her parents and grandfather. On top of that, her senior brother still had to participate in the trials. Just thinking about it all was enough to dampen her spirits.

"Don’t dwell on it so much. I’ll make sure everything is arranged before I leave Purple Cloud Valley."

Liu Chen shook his head. The situation with the auction house was already being taken care of; Senior Brother Yang had messaged Jackal to handle it. By the time he returned, they could probably start building some hype.

As Nightfall descended, his two junior sisters left, full and satisfied. Liu Chen tidied up the estate briefly before returning directly to his room.

Several Magic Veins shot to the four corners of the room. Nourished by his Spiritual Power, they extended upward and slowly converged, sealing the room off from the outside world.

’This Barrier Technique is pretty useful. I just don’t know if it can block the fluctuations from a technique evolving and becoming unique. To be safe, I’d better wait until I’m back on Purple Bamboo Peak to test it.’

Liu Chen studied the newly formed Barrier. He wasn’t entirely satisfied. While it could block the Spiritual Power leaking from Third Grade Spiritual Cuisine, that wasn’t the main concern. The real issue was the fluctuations caused by a Cultivation breakthrough. If every breakthrough attracted prying eyes, his identity as a Loose Cultivator wouldn’t last a single day.

There were no guarantees in the Great Xia Imperial City. Even if his Barrier Technique evolved to become unique, Liu Chen couldn’t be certain the aura of his breakthroughs wouldn’t leak out. Back on Purple Bamboo Peak, however, even if it did leak, his master and his wife would step in to contain the effects.

Inside the Barrier, Liu Chen released Nangong Mu. Ignoring the man’s utterly shameless tone, Liu Chen drove the Soul Locking Technique directly into his body. As the Magic Veins of the technique gradually enveloped Nangong Mu, his appearance began to change. A Black Robe replaced his fine silks, and a pitch-black mask concealed his entire face.

"This servant greets you, Master!"

Nangong Mu’s voice had become hoarse. Now, not even Liu Chen could see any resemblance to the man he once was. ’The Soul Locking Technique is perfect,’ he thought, or so it seemed. The only drawback was that as a Soul Slave, Nangong Mu could only wield half of his original strength.

"Write down all the Cultivation Techniques and Magic you can remember."

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes. This was the final test. The Soul Locking Technique sealed one’s Spiritual Wisdom, so his memories were bound to be affected. It was impossible to know how many Cultivation Techniques and spells of Magic Nangong Mu could recall. Still, as long as Liu Chen could get even a single spell out of him, it would be worth it.

"As you command, Master."

Nangong Mu huddled in a corner, picked up a brush and paper, and began to write. Liu Chen watched silently. ’Whether I can get more spells this way remains to be seen,’ he mused. ’But I definitely can’t keep calling this guy Nangong Mu. The chances of running into the Nangong Family are low, but the Black Feather Dynasty is right next to the Great Xia Dynasty. It’s better to give him a new name.’

"From this day forward, you are the Hundred Ghosts Elder."

Liu Chen flicked a blank Soul Ring to Nangong Mu. The man paused his writing just long enough to catch it and slide it onto his right hand. He silently committed the new name to memory. It was his name now.

’It’s a shame his Cultivation doesn’t match the name. If only I’d found an Evil Cultivator with the power to back it up.’

Liu Chen shook his head. As long as he didn’t have to fight, he might be able to pass as an expert. But if a fight broke out, this Hundred Ghosts Elder wouldn’t just be no match for a Meridian Passage Realm cultivator—even someone in the Body Tempering Late Stage could probably wipe the floor with him.

Ignoring the Hundred Ghosts Elder scribbling furiously to the side, Liu Chen resumed his practice of the Barrier Technique. This spell would be a crucial safeguard for the future, especially when he needed to rest or enter secluded cultivation. A good Barrier Technique would save him a great deal of trouble.

An hour before he would normally rest, Liu Chen stopped and used the Engraving Technique to record his insights on the spells that had become unique to him. He decided against including the final stages related to his personal enlightenment. For one, it would only increase the difficulty for anyone trying to learn from his notes. Besides, even if he did write it down, very few people would be able to understand it.

A spell’s evolution into something unique is a cultivator’s own personal journey. Even if Liu Chen wrote everything down, and someone else managed to comprehend and diligently practice it, the best they could do would be to master Liu Chen’s version of the spell to the point of Perfection. To make it truly their own, they would still have to rely on themselves.

It was a convoluted path that essentially increased the difficulty. If these notes were for strangers, Liu Chen wouldn’t have minded setting a little trap for them. But these insights were for his two junior sisters. And if anyone else got their hands on them later, it would most likely be a Cultivator on good terms with his master and his wife, or perhaps even their descendants. Under these circumstances, there was no need for Liu Chen to lay any hidden pitfalls.

’It’s still up in the air whether I’ll return to the Mo Family. If I don’t go back, then these notes can be considered repayment for the kindness my master and his wife have shown in training me.’

The night grew deep. The flame from the Lamp Burning Technique slowly extinguished, and Liu Chen drifted off to sleep.

In the early morning, Liu Chen awoke as usual. The Hundred Ghosts Elder was still sitting at the side table. Before him lay several sheets of paper covered in writing.

"Yin Yang Harmony Skill?"

Liu Chen picked up the notes from the table, feeling somewhat puzzled. After a careful reading, he found it to be a spell that was similar to a Cultivation Technique. It could be classified as either an auxiliary Cultivation Technique or as Intermediate Magic.

Regardless of its classification, it couldn’t be considered a technique of the Righteous Dao. As an auxiliary Cultivation Technique, it enabled Yin Yang Replenishment or Absorbing Yang to Nourish Yin. This fit perfectly with what he knew of Nangong Mu’s past—using Furnace Cauldrons to advance his Cultivation. This must have been the key to how he, despite his limited talent, was still able to reach the Body Tempering Late Stage.

Unfortunately for Nangong Mu, he couldn’t use the technique in its most orthodox manner. According to information Liu Chen had previously obtained, Nangong Mu was a Celestial Eunuch. Therefore, he had to resort to another method: using it as a spell of Magic.

As a spell, its function was to harmonize the Yin and Yang forces within one’s body to enhance Cultivation. The problem was, this spell was never a proper Yin Yang Magic to begin with. It didn’t allow a person to cultivate both Yin and Yang Spiritual Power simultaneously; instead, it required one to seize it from an external source. Nangong Mu must have seized the Yin Attribute Spiritual Power from his Furnace Cauldrons to nourish himself and raise his Cultivation.

To make a spell like this work, another one was essential: the Spirit Devouring Technique.