Chapter 6: The Cultivation Method of the Demonic Sect

Stepping into the Cangshuge, he was immediately greeted by the sight of a sixty-year-old elder lying listlessly in a rocking chair, basking in the sun while earnestly perusing a Daoist scripture.

The moment Lu Yang entered, the elder looked over.

"Another newly initiated disciple?"

"Go inside and choose for yourself," the elder said indifferently. "Remember to follow the rules written within; otherwise, if you die, don't blame me for not warning you."

"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance."

Lu Yang cupped his hands in salute, then walked toward the bookshelves.

As expected, as soon as he approached, the disciple token at his waist seemed to sense something; a faint glow emerged, transforming into lines of text that leaped into the air.

"Lu Yang, disciple of Senior Butian Peak."

"Eligible to freely receive the Senior Butian Peak secret transmission technique, 'Dragon-Tiger Copulation Yin-Yang Great Bliss Ode.' Additionally, for your first technique exchange, you may obtain it via an interest-bearing loan with no down payment."

Lu Yang did not hesitate and claimed it immediately.

The next second, the content of the technique appeared on the disciple token. Lu Yang's mind quickly became immersed in it, and it was a long while before he regained his senses.

"Why is this technique, just like the Innate Dao Scripture, divided into upper and lower volumes?" Recalling the outcome of his previous life, Lu Yang's expression turned ugly. "The 'Dragon-Tiger Copulation Yin-Yang Great Bliss Ode,' upon completion, can refine a strand of Yin-Yang Dragon-Tiger Qi, ranked Fifth Grade; theoretically, it is also a technique that points directly to Foundation Establishment."

"But they only gave me the Qi Refining volume!"

Having learned from the lessons of his past life, Lu Yang felt immense dread toward techniques that were left unfinished like a eunuch's tale, and he had even once entertained the thought of abandoning cultivation altogether.

However, after pondering for a long time, he sighed again: "I still have to practice it!"

If he practiced it, there might be hidden dangers in the future.

If he didn't practice it, he might not even have a future!

Moreover, this 'Dragon-Tiger Copulation Yin-Yang Great Bliss Ode' was indeed profoundly mysterious; not only could it plunder the target's primordial energy, but it could also plunder their knowledge!

Techniques, divine abilities, experience—he could plunder them all!

"Furthermore, cultivators plundered by this technique will gradually have their thoughts controlled by the practitioner, becoming utterly devoted and unable to extricate themselves, eventually沦为 the practitioner's puppets, even willing to die for the practitioner. Truly a demonic technique of the utmost诡谲 nature."

Lu Yang studied the technique, silently comprehending its nuances.

Another half-hour passed before he attempted to circulate his energy. Two streams of true qi flowed at his fingertips, constructing a dragon and a tiger, vaguely on the verge of transforming into a brand new type of true qi.

"Hmph!"

The next second, Lu Yang's face turned pale, and the true qi at his fingertips dissipated.

"Failed? That makes sense. Although I have mastered the theory, I haven't practiced it in actual combat... After all, dual cultivation techniques aren't meant for solo practice."

Lu Yang was not discouraged and instead turned his gaze to the dazzling array of bookshelves before him.

According to the rules of the Cangshuge, as a newly initiated formal disciple, he still had one opportunity to exchange for a technique or divine ability via an interest-bearing loan with no down payment.

What surprised Lu Yang was that the Cangshuge contained not only demonic techniques.

There were also many techniques clearly originating from prestigious orthodox sects, covering an extremely wide range of fields: divination, sword arts, Five Elements methods—truly everything one could ask for.

"Minor Heaven-Truncating Art, Supreme Taiyi Five Elements Orthodox Method, True Longevity Interpretation, Divine Thunder Sword-Control True Art..."

Lu Yang browsed for quite some time before finally making his choice.

"'Divine Thunder Sword-Control True Art,' price: 1000 Contribution Points."

"Detected that this is your first exchange. Eligible for a no-down-payment loan with an annual interest rate of 36%, to be repaid over ten years. Do you wish to proceed with the exchange?"

How much???

Lu Yang nearly burst out cursing. An annual interest rate of 36% meant that including principal and interest, he had to repay 460 Contribution Points every year; over ten years, that totaled 4600 points!

Borrow 1000, repay 4600?

This was outright extortion!

"Wait... I'm different!"

Lu Yang's eyes suddenly brightened. A high-interest loan with no down payment might be a deadly trap for others, but for him, it mattered not at all.

At worst, he could just start over; what did the loans from his previous life have to do with him?

Therefore, as long as he wished, he could completely freeload all the techniques and divine abilities in the Cangshuge!

Since he had no intention of repaying, Lu Yang felt much calmer. He immediately waved his hand broadly and, without so much as blinking, took out a loan to purchase the 'Divine Thunder Sword-Control True Art.'

Then, something unexpected happened to Lu Yang.

Previously, when he obtained the 'Dragon-Tiger Copulation Yin-Yang Great Bliss Ode,' the content of the technique was given directly. However, this time, Lu Yang received only a message:

"Technique is being dispatched. Estimated delivery to your cave dwelling within three days."

"Please wait patiently."

Looking at the message on his disciple token, Lu Yang felt somewhat puzzled. What did it mean that the technique was being dispatched? Was this technique a unique copy that hadn't been transcribed?

Even so, Lu Yang believed the Chusheng Sect wouldn't go so far as to swallow his technique outright.

Before leaving, he approached the elder standing at the entrance of the Cangshuge again.

"Senior..."

Just as Lu Yang began to bow, the elder in the rocking chair spoke: "No need to call me Senior. I am also a disciple of the sect, just slightly older than you."

Hearing this, Lu Yang paused for a moment, then corrected himself: "Senior Brother, do you know if there are any cauldrons suitable for us to practice dual cultivation techniques available for claim within the sect?"

Being in a demonic sect, Lu Yang naturally harbored no notions of remaining pure amidst filth, nor did he shy away from dual cultivation; anything that could make him stronger, he would utilize.

"Cauldrons, huh?"

Upon hearing this, the elder glanced at Lu Yang and suddenly asked: "Did you purchase a technique using a loan?"

Lu Yang blinked in surprise, then nodded.

"Then you don't need to worry about that matter."

Saying this, a meaningful smile appeared on the elder's face: "Although this technique loan system is infuriating, it does come with certain benefits..."

"Just go back and wait!"

Lu Yang returned to his cave dwelling completely baffled.

However, very soon, he understood why the 'Divine Thunder Sword-Control True Art' required time for delivery, and what exactly the "benefit" mentioned by the elder was.

Three days later, a box was delivered to the entrance of Lu Yang's cave dwelling.

Lu Yang carried the box into his cave and opened it.

Inside, he saw a valiant woman with a curvaceous figure and sharp, imposing phoenix eyes, her hands and feet bound, stuffed right in the center of the box.

Although the woman could not be described as possessing peerless beauty, she was naturally stunning.

Her face was bare of any rouge or powder, which instead highlighted a touch of ethereal elegance.

Moreover, having been stuck in the stuffy box for too long, her body was currently covered in glistening beads of sweat, rolling drop by drop down her fair neck and into her cleavage.

"Demonic Path!"

The woman looked at Lu Yang, her eyes filled with such hatred that she seemed ready to slice him into ten thousand pieces. At the same time, seemingly realizing her fate, despair surfaced on her pretty face.

Seeing this, Lu Yang frowned: "You are... a disciple of the Yushujiange?"

"So what if I am?" The woman closed her beautiful eyes, two lines of clear tears slowly trickling down her fair cheeks. "Just kill me!"

Only then did Lu Yang suddenly realize the truth.

The 'Divine Thunder Sword-Control True Art' was a secret divine ability of the Yushujiange, the leader of the southern orthodox sects. Previously, he had been wondering where the Chusheng Sect had obtained it.

Now he understood.

The 'Dragon-Tiger Copulation Yin-Yang Great Bliss Ode' could plunder a target's knowledge and experience, and the Chusheng Sect had directly procured a formal disciple of the Yushujiange for him.

In other words, if he wanted the 'Divine Thunder Sword-Control True Art,' he only needed to plunder this woman.

"In this way, they both transmit the technique and solve the problem of disciples needing cauldrons for cultivation. Killing two birds with one stone; truly maximizing utility."

Making full use of everything—indeed, this was the style of the Holy Sect.

Compared to the bitter cultivation of the prestigious orthodox sects, training through the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer, this was truly the cultivation method of the demonic sects.

(End of Chapter)