Chapter 319 - 318: I Am Already Senior Brother Baimo’s Cultivation Dish

The Hundred Ghosts Dao: all beings are ghosts, and I use my own body to drive them out.

’The ghosts to be driven out aren’t just a Cultivation Dish like [Snow]. After all, there can only be one Cultivation Dish; it’s impossible to have more than one. So what ghosts are being driven out?’

The moment the [Ghost Head] was completely devoured, Jiang Qiu came to a sudden realization. A soul imprint manifested from deep within, signifying that the [Ghost Head]’s soul had been refined into the body.

HUMMM—

As if breaking through some unseen barrier, [Snow]’s body once again erupted with the fluctuations of Nether Dark Spirit Charm. She had broken through directly from the Ninth-Layer of the Spirit Body Realm to the Bright Soul Realm!

"What? She broke through just like that!"

At this moment, even the normally unflappable Duel Elder couldn’t suppress his profound shock. A chill ran down his spine—logically speaking, an insurmountable chasm separated the Spirit Body Realm and the Bright Soul Realm!

Chasms between High Realms were a given, especially for those cultivating the Hundred Ghosts Dao.

The key to this particular Dao lay in the synergy between the Cultivator and the Cultivation Dish. Beyond normal Cultivation, every breakthrough to a new High Realm required various procedures to strengthen the soul connection.

’But just now, [Snow] did nothing at all! What could she possibly have done to break through?’

’Since when could refining a single soul lead directly to a High Realm breakthrough?’

’What did my own decades of arduous Cultivation even count for?!’

At this point, words failed to capture their shock. They each felt as if an invisible hand had just squeezed their heart.

It was an agonizing feeling. To see a girl break through from the first to the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Body Realm in just a few breaths, devour a soul, and then ascend directly to the Bright Soul Realm was excruciating to watch.

It was like watching their own dreams being trampled into the dust.

The Bright Soul Realm wasn’t considered a particularly profound Realm, but it was still a mid-tier one. After all, many Elite Disciples would find themselves stuck at the Bright Soul Realm for the rest of their lives.

This didn’t even account for the countless ordinary disciples whose lack of Talent meant they might never reach the Bright Soul Realm. A suitable Cultivation Dish was the key, and they could never find one.

For most disciples, the Bright Soul Realm was their current ultimate goal!

"A situation like this is virtually impossible," the Duel Elder said, taking a deep breath, his brow deeply furrowed with worry. "[Snow] must be a powerful expert in disguise. She absolutely has to be."

’What other explanation could there be? The chasm between the Spirit Body Realm and the Bright Soul Realm is a major hurdle even for many Direct Disciples.’

’And yet, [Snow] had done it so effortlessly, right in front of everyone.’

’And she’s likely no ordinary expert. After all, she’s cultivating the Nether Dark Spirit Charm, which can only be practiced by those with a specific affinity for it. A powerful figure who cultivates the Fiery Flame Spirit Charm, for example, would find it nearly impossible to ever practice the Nether Dark Spirit Charm.’

’Besides, how could a powerful expert who had already mastered another Spirit Charm possibly tread the path of the Hundred Ghosts Dao and use someone else as a Cultivation Dish?’

’This intense repulsion wasn’t something that could be described by Law; it was a matter of destiny. It’s like water and fire trying to fall in love—utterly incompatible!’

"Tsk..."

A cold, eerie light flashed in the other Elders’ eyes. Faint, snake-like shadows flickered in their pupils, betraying an imperceptible killing intent.

HUMMM—

In that instant, Jiang Qiu’s consciousness was driven back into his own body. In the spectator stands, his physical form trembled as he opened his eyes. ’What happened? Can’t I use Ghost Possession after a Realm breakthrough?’

’I’m not sure what happened. The very instant I successfully devoured the [Ghost Head], an intense wave of repulsion surged from [Snow]’s body.’

’I didn’t even have time to properly sense the changes that came with the Refinement of the [Ghost Head] before my consciousness was sent back.’

’Furthermore, at the very moment I returned, I could feel [Snow]’s silent soul suddenly flare with light, once again revealing that incredibly familiar aura.’

’This time, the aura lingered much longer than it did for that brief instant when she first broke through to the Spirit Body Realm, though it still didn’t last for long.’

The resolute, mature, and icy gaze in [Snow]’s eyes vanished in a flash, replaced by her usual innocent look. She tilted her head, searching for him, and her voice came through the Yin Net, "Brother, that was so cool! I’m in the Bright Soul Realm now!"

’It really was cool. The number of Secret Techniques one could master in the Bright Soul Realm was much greater. It was the stage where one could finally start to show off their skills, gaining access to powerful soul-based attacks.’

’If a genius of the same Realm from another Great Realm were to fight a practitioner of the Hundred Ghosts Dao, they would likely be killed in an instant.’

’Attacks on the soul level were nearly impossible to defend against!’

’Besides, the entire point of a Cultivation Dish was to nurture the soul. Her physical body was practically worthless. The Yin Yang Great Realm had no shortage of corpses; Yin Yang could create them at will. But souls... each one that was refined was one less in the world.’

"Very good. I will continue to guide your Cultivation."

With a faint smile, Jiang Qiu sent a message back to [Snow].

And with that, the Duel was over. Presided over by the Duel Elder, most of the disciples gradually exited the Duel Secret Realm. The various Elders came over, exchanged brief pleasantries, and then left without taking any further action.

Jiang Qiu and [Snow] found [Bell Fish] again, who was standing with the Duel Elder. The Elder addressed [Snow], "[Snow], your Talent is truly worthy of the title ’peerless prodigy.’ Are you willing to become my Direct Disciple? I will provide you with even more resources. I can give you as much Nether Dark Ore as you could possibly want."

This was no empty boast. As a Grand Elder at the Dao Entry Realm, he held immense authority and had virtually no shortage of Nether Dark Ore. Under these circumstances, he had the confidence to make such a guarantee.

Of course, he wasn’t coveting [Snow]’s Talent so much as he was worried. He was afraid that [Snow] truly was some great master in disguise, and if he didn’t do something to appease her, he would be well and truly finished.

Sometimes, fear is simply a gut feeling.

In the face of an uncanny existence like [Snow], you’d be lying if you said you weren’t afraid.

"[Duel Elder], I cannot go with you. I am already Brother [Bai Mo]’s Cultivation Dish."

[Snow] shook her head. Her mask, which depicted a white flower on a green background, looked particularly cute. Her chest, which was beginning to develop, jutted out with a hint of pride.

It seemed that during her breakthrough, she had grown to be nearly five feet tall. Her physical features had developed to resemble those of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old, and her overall demeanor had matured as well.

But the Duel Elder paid no attention to any of this. The only thing he heard were those two words—"Cultivation Dish"—and the color drained from his face. "What?! You became a Cultivation Dish!"

’His world came crashing down. The entire scenario he had imagined—a peerless expert lying dormant in the Hundred Ghosts Sect—had suddenly changed. What the hell was a Cultivation Dish?’

’They were things, not people—tools without rights! A mere filter for Nether Dark Spirit Charm!’

’To put it bluntly, in all his years, he had never seen a single Cultivation Dish come to a good end. In fact, by the time a Cultivator reached his Realm, their Cultivation Dish would have already been refined into their own body...’

’Of course, it seemed that because he himself had performed the Refinement too early, his own advancement had somewhat stalled...’