Chapter 223: This Isn’t About Whether It’s a Trial

Chapter 223: Chapter 223: This Isn’t About Whether It’s a Trial

"Thank you, Master. This is the corresponding Soul Contract. Once you undo the Solid Spirit Technique, you can sign it with the Spirit Ghost."

Liu Chen sat up. Aside from using a fair amount of Spiritual Power and feeling a bit exhausted, he felt no other ill effects.

As for the Soul Contract, Liu Chen had gotten bored back in the Great Xia Imperial City. Besides using the Engraving Technique to inscribe his insights on Magic, he had also engraved several hundred Soul Contracts onto blank paper to test the unique effects of his transformed Skill. Other than the Soul Contract that came with the Soul Control Technique, Liu Chen had no other Magic he could engrave.

"Get some rest."

Liu Chen’s words made Mo Xuan feel even more unsettled. So, he left that remark and departed with the Soul Contract and the Black Dragon Spirit Ghost, which had already been stored inside the Soul Ring.

After his master was long gone, Liu Chen didn’t have much of a reaction. He regulated his breathing for a moment before falling into a deep sleep.

In another Bamboo Garden, neither Mo Jinyu nor Bai Qiulan were resting. Rest was no longer a necessity for Cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, let alone the Bright Acupoint Realm. They only needed to circulate their Cultivation Technique to relieve fatigue and restore their energy.

"How did it go?"

Seeing Mo Xuan return, Bai Qiulan couldn’t help but ask. She had high hopes for the Spirit Ghost. If she could form a contract with one, not only could she increase her cultivation speed, but she might also be able to use its unique properties to set foot on the Peak Path once more.

’Cultivation always involved trade-offs. If she could have obtained the Mo Family’s resources right after abandoning the Peak Path back then, she could have simply lowered her Realm and attempted to walk the Peak Path again. Although subsequent breakthroughs would have been more difficult, the Mo Family’s resources would have more than compensated for that.’

’Unfortunately, the situation back then hadn’t been clear. Now, even if she could use a Spirit Ghost compatible with her Dao Foundation to return to the Peak Path—and even make up for the Realms where she had failed to walk it—she would still be slightly weaker than a Cultivator who had advanced along the Peak Path from the very beginning.’

’If not for Liu Chen’s ability to refine a Top Grade Spirit Ghost, this entire idea would be impossible. Even the slightest trace of consciousness remaining within the Spirit Ghost would cause a conflict between the two Peak Paths, damaging her Dao Foundation.’

’What she needed to do was fuse with the Spirit Ghost, then piece together its insights on the Peak Path with her own. If she failed to comprehend them, she would be trapped at her current Realm forever.’

’Of course, if she succeeded, not only would she return to the Peak Path, but she could even completely assimilate the Spirit Ghost’s original insights as her own when walking the Peak Path in the future.’

’While she wouldn’t be able to compare to those prodigies who were constantly forging ahead on the Peak Path, she would still be an existence far beyond the reach of ordinary Cultivators.’

’Achieving this was incredibly difficult. However, the Mo Family was capable of raising Demon Beasts that had walked the Peak Path, which solved the first major problem. Second, Liu Chen was able to refine a pure Top Grade Spirit Ghost, solving the second.’

’With this, the plan was essentially achievable. Over the next few centuries, she could slowly figure out how to overcome the final hurdle.’

’After all, advancing through the Bright Acupoint Realm wasn’t something that could be accomplished in a few years, or even a few decades. The fastest record to date, even for a prodigy, was ninety years—and that was only a rumor.’

"Liu Chen is able to refine Top Grade Spirit Ghosts."

Mo Xuan opened the Soul Ring in his hand, and the Black Dragon Spirit Ghost floated out. Compared to when they had first seen it, the Spirit Ghost appeared much more docile. This was how it should be. If a Spirit Ghost possessed even a sliver of self-awareness, it wouldn’t give off such a feeling.

"Liu Chen?"

Mo Jinyu’s eyes widened. Her image of him was constantly changing.

’At first, even though her brother had high hopes for him, it was still an unknown whether he would successfully return to the Mo Family. Then, it turned out he was not only a Third Grade Spirit Chef but also a First Grade Spirit Brew Master. With two such Skills, as long as he was willing to work, he would never have to worry about basic cultivation resources, no matter where he went.’

’In that case, his return to the Mo Family was practically a given. But now, it turned out he could also refine Top Grade Spirit Ghosts.’

’Forget the trial—with talent like this, if he were willing to return to the Mo Family right now, he would be a Cultivator that every branch of the family would fight to recruit. Add to that his status as her brother’s disciple, and his future standing might not even be beneath that of the Grand Elder.’

"I’ll sign the Soul Contract with the Spirit Ghost first to see how it goes. If all is well, I’ll have Liu Chen refine one for you tomorrow."

Mo Xuan paid no mind to Mo Jinyu’s thoughts, looking instead at his wife. He had his own Peak Path, so he could simply erase all the insights within the Spirit Ghost upon fusion. Bai Qiulan, however, was different. She had abandoned the Peak Path long ago; now, this was her only way back.

As for giving up her Cultivation to start over, that was out of the question. Too much time had passed. Dispersing her Cultivation now would be a death sentence.

Bai Qiulan nodded. Mo Xuan released the Solid Spirit Technique on the paper, revealing the complete Soul Contract, which fused directly with the Spirit Ghost. As Mo Xuan infused his Essence Blood, crimson patterns appeared on the black dragon.

Once the patterns covered the black dragon’s entire body, the Spirit Ghost merged directly into Mo Xuan. Waves of Spiritual Power rippled outward before quickly disappearing.

A dragon-shaped mark appeared between Mo Xuan’s brows, then gradually faded as he circulated his Cultivation Technique.

"It feels pretty good. Once I return to the Mo Family, I can attempt a breakthrough to the Bright Acupoint Late Stage."

Mo Xuan let out a slow breath. He felt this Peak Bright Acupoint Realm Spirit Ghost was only average. However, having come from the Mo Family, he knew that his ability to fuse with it so easily wasn’t due to his own strength. Rather, it was because the Top Grade Spirit Ghost had no consciousness to resist him. The credit for that all went to Liu Chen.

"Do you really think he still needs to undergo the trial?"

Mo Jinyu, who had witnessed the entire process, couldn’t help asking. ’Spirit Chef, Spirit Brew Master, Soul Cultivator... any one of those identities would be enough for Liu Chen to secure a good position in the Mo Family, but he just happens to have mastered all three. And on top of all that, he’s your disciple.’

"His ability to refine Top Grade Spirit Ghosts alone is enough. As long as he’s willing to return to the Mo Family, he’ll be put on a pedestal."

"This isn’t about whether or not he needs a trial. The Mo Family is just one of his options. Even without me, Liu Chen is a prodigy. All we can do is ensure that, as he grows, he chooses the Mo Family."

Mo Xuan turned to look at her. If Liu Chen’s Talent were merely average, there would be nothing more to say; he would have simply used his status as a Spirit Chef to waive the trial and bring him back to the Mo Family. But being a Spirit Chef was just a Skill Liu Chen had mastered in his spare time.

On top of that, he was a Spirit Brew Master with the ability to refine Top Grade Spirit Ghosts. But none of that was what was most frightening about him. The truly terrifying part was his Talent for cultivation.

A prodigy like him could achieve greatness no matter where he went. The trial was just a formality. The Mo Family was meant to be a home for him, a place to belong outside his own cultivation.