Chapter 114: The Earth Sha Domain: Setting the Trap with One's Own Body

"Rise!"

Amidst the mountain forest, there was naturally no shortage of trees and rocks. Chen Ci's mind stirred slightly, and his Five Ghosts jumped out from the void, gathering into a pale gray mist in mid-air, which then moved to lift a giant mountain boulder.

With a diameter of about a meter, it was just enough to envelop this giant boulder. As the Five-Ghost Transportation Technique was activated, although it swayed a bit, the giant boulder was still slowly lifted up by the Five Ghosts.

Very good, his Great Success Five-Ghost Transportation Technique was not a sham; it seemed it was still somewhat useful.

Chen Ci stepped forward to weigh it; this giant boulder was definitely heavier than himself.

"Fly!"

Chen Ci, refusing to believe it, tried again. That cloud of mist with a slightly eerie touch drifted to his side and wrapped him up tightly.

It did not budge an inch.

Chen Ci: "."

He had an ominous premonition.

After struggling for nearly half an hour, Chen Ci was speechless. Damn it, his Great Success Five-Ghost Transportation Technique could move mountain rocks, trees, wild beasts, and living creatures, but it just couldn't move him!

And it wasn't just a simple matter of weight; he could feel it was 'light', but it just couldn't leave the ground, which was somewhat absurd.

Five-Ghost Transportation Technique: Great Success/1/100 (Refine seven drops of Essence Refining daily to advance one point; subdue the heart ghost, and the spirit ghost will be born of itself.)

After this Five-Ghost Transportation Technique broke through to Great Success, Chen Ci's most obvious feeling was that he had gained five extra pairs of eyes. Unlike the initial stage where he could only vaguely perceive the surrounding situation, as long as he activated the Five-Ghost Wonderful Technique, his mind could descend into one of the ghosts and use the Spirit Ghost Body to investigate the surroundings. The range could reach up to a hundred zhang, and with the refinement of the incantations, there was still room for improvement.

But that feeling was not pleasant. Chen Ci tried it once; his mind felt as if it had fallen into ice. After staying for a long time, his thinking showed signs of slowing down. It seemed that even if the technique reached Great Success, it could not completely eliminate the influence of Yin soul entities on living beings.

As for the Five Ghosts' supernatural ability to escape into the void, let's put it this way: if that fellow Dong had possessed this technique back then, marrying seven wives would have been a breeze. Only now did the Five-Ghost Transportation Technique have a hint of coming and going without a trace.

"It has some wonders, but it always feels like something is missing, and there's a feeling of... well, how should I put it?"

But it must be mentioned that Old Master Chen, being a man of principle, disdained to engage in such things as peeping.

After only a moment, Chen Ci suppressed this thought with his formidable willpower and spat fiercely.

"Breaking through ten thousand obstacles and a thousand difficulties, all paths are wasted if not for the Dao; let it go, let it go~"

Although the Five Ghosts' Great Success was not entirely as he wished, Chen Ci didn't dwell on it. He gathered his things, patted the Five Yin Evil Qi Bag at his waist to wipe away the traces of his presence, let out a soft whistle, identified the direction, and headed toward Xishan Prefecture, disappearing into the mountain forest in a few leaps.

In just five or six days, once he met Hutou Daoren, things would naturally become clear.

"Sure enough, the grain shortage crisis in Xishan Prefecture has been resolved. Although grain prices have not yet returned to normal, at least the refugees in all the counties along the way have food to eat. The Liuyun River route must already be clear."

Chen Ci shook his head. The Yao Clan's combination of moves was indeed effective; it was no wonder they had Hutou Daoren firmly in their grasp and successfully took control of Xishan Prefecture.

However, during the rapid journey, Chen Ci also discovered the benefits of the Great Success Five-Ghost Transportation Technique. Although he could not leave the ground, riding a horse while traveling made him feel as light as a feather, increasing his speed by more than one level.

Covering a distance of fifteen hundred li, Chen Ci arrived in just five days. After traveling upstream from outside Xishan Prefecture, both banks of the Liuyun River were towering mountains and steep ridges, rarely visited by people. Sometimes, one could hardly see a soul for dozens of li, only occasionally seeing some huge merchant ships passing through the hazy mist on the river from afar.

Chen Ci estimated that he had traveled seven or eight hundred li, but he was not sure where 'Lin Immortal Ferry' was. He simply released his Five Ghosts and searched for another half day before finding a mountain peak that seemed to have some signs of human activity.

Chen Ci straightened his Daoist robe, let out a long breath, and leisurely climbed the mountain. However, when he reached the halfway point, he saw a simple bamboo pavilion where four Daoists were sitting cross-legged, resting with their eyes closed.

The person in the lead wore a red robe with disheveled hair; it was none other than Lin Qinhu of the Fuhu Altar.

Chen Ci also had some impression of the other three. Two of the thin, withered old Daoists seemed to be surnamed Guo and Geng; they were the oldest and most deeply cultivated of the two at the Fuhu Altar gathering back then. The remaining one looked to be in his early fifties; his appearance was unremarkable, but he held a black-red long banner, on which there were faint wisps of mist-like energy churning and entwining, which was very eye-catching.

Chen Ci did not stop his pace. When he approached the bamboo pavilion, he raised his hand and bowed: "Greetings, Lin Shixiong, and greetings to the three Shixiong."

"Hmm."

Lin Qinhu opened his eyes slightly, sized Chen Ci up, and suddenly asked: "To what level have you cultivated your Five-Ghost Transportation Technique? Can you achieve the attachment of your intent to the Five Ghosts to patrol in all directions?"

"I can barely manage it, but I cannot sustain it for long."

Chen Ci replied. Lin Qinhu nodded in approval: "The level is about right; you can begin practicing the Five Ghosts Possession Great Method."

Before talking about the task, he first dangled a carrot.

Chen Ci understood the true meaning behind the words; it was just that he would pass down the Five Ghosts Possession Great Method afterward. As for the Five Yin Magic Art, it would probably depend on his performance.

Heh.

Chen Ci was not annoyed. His expression remained unchanged as he nodded to show he understood, and he found a spot in the bamboo pavilion to sit down.

"Grinding the blade for a hundred and two years, finally hiding the golden lotus in the fire; gathering the Five Ghosts to use them in reverse, why begrudge one's life trapped in the mortal dust."

Lin Qinhu stood up slowly and asked the four of them indifferently: "Today, everyone has arrived. I will not fail you, and I ask that you do not fail me."

"Dao brother, let's get straight to the point."

The old Daoist surnamed Guo also scanned the others, his demeanor somewhat listless: "I don't have many days left to live. If I stay for two more days, my vitality will be depleted by another two parts; perhaps if I can't catch my next breath, I'll be gone."

Chen Ci's heart stirred. It seemed this person was seeking 'longevity'. Could it be for the Seven Kill Primordial Spirit True Talisman in the hands of Hutou Daoren?

As for the remaining two, they were likely also seeking something.

"Guo Shixiong, do not panic. In the end, there is still a day or two, so there is no need to rush for a moment."

Lin Qinhu chuckled and said: "You all have been in the Outer Sect for quite a long time, perhaps without proper inheritance, and only have a superficial understanding of the Dao Foundation and Dharma Power realms, let alone the Dan Realm above the Dao Foundation. The matter I am planning concerns the Dan Realm. You probably know a little bit, but aren't you curious about what it specifically is?"

Once these words were spoken, all four, including Chen Ci, showed strange expressions. The first was curiosity, and the second was not knowing what Lin Qinhu intended by suddenly bringing this up.

To be honest, among the five people here, only Lin Qinhu had any hope of reaching the Golden Core on the surface.

As for Chen Ci, he could only mutter quietly in his heart.

"It is rumored in the outside world that there is an opportunity to form a core on Quanshan. In fact, that is slightly off, because Quanshan itself is the key to forming a core."

Lin Qinhu tapped his finger lightly and smiled: "The key to the Dao Foundation Realm lies in the True Qi one cultivates being able to form a Magic Power Seed and generate Dharma Power; while the key to the Dan Realm lies in the Earth Sha Yin Pulse."

Earth Sha Yin Pulse?

Chen Ci's eyes narrowed involuntarily as he pondered something.

As if waiting for them to digest this, Lin Qinhu paused for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly as if looking at something, and continued: "After a cultivator forms a Magic Power Seed, they must convert the True Qi in their acupoints into Dharma Power. Every move they make is equivalent to a full-strength strike of a Qi Refining cultivator. This is a slow, grinding process and is not too difficult. Once the Dharma Power in the body is full, if one wants to go further and step into the Dan Realm, one needs to 'Appraise the Sha', which is to draw the Earth Sha into the body."

"The Quanshan Earth Sha can help one person form a core every hundred years. That is to say, for the entire Quanzhou, there is one core-forming quota every hundred years. Unfortunately, the next hundred years of Quanshan Earth Sha belongs to my He Mountain Sect of Xishan Prefecture."

Lin Qinhu's expression was normal, his tone relaxed: "I say this to tell you all that if this matter succeeds, I will definitely be able to condense a core and step into the Dan Realm within thirty years. So, do not worry or be anxious; do not fear that the things I promised will not be completed. Instead, you might want to think about whether what you are seeking is too small."

Definitely able to condense a core within thirty years?

Damn, look at this guy's skill at dangling carrots!

He really doesn't mention the carrot in every word, but every sentence is inseparable from the carrot.

Chen Ci considers himself a clear-headed person in this world; his stomach is weak and he cannot stomach big promises, but after this whole drawing out—

It smells so good!

"Brother Daoist Lin, can you form a Golden Core within thirty years?"

The old Daoist surnamed Guo's expression jolted; shock was mixed with suspicion, and suspicion was laced with envy. Chen Ci did not even know why the expression on such an old face could be so rich.

"It is not a Golden Core. There are three stages in the Dan Realm, with the Golden Core being the last, but it can at least count as a True Person who has formed a core."

Lin Qinhu shook his head: "The Earth Sha of Quanshan was agreed upon by my teacher and Longhu Mountain, to be rotated every hundred years. You need not doubt the truth of this matter. As for the current situation in Xishan Prefecture, it is actually something I did intentionally. That damn Waterway Superintendent has profound cultivation, and with the support of Liuyun Palace behind him, I truly cannot defeat him. My teacher and the Dragon Lord of Liuyun Palace have quite a friendship and will not bully the small, so this is my Dao tribulation. I can only use the position of Altar Master to borrow strength to strike, inviting the Yao Clan into the game to suppress him for me."

"Lin Shixiong, I have something to say, though I do not know if I should say it."

It was the middle-aged Daoist holding a banner who spoke. He pondered for a moment before frowning and asking: "Shixiong, if you cannot even suppress that Waterway Superintendent, what means do you have to suppress the Copper Tuo Yao Clan? You have now lost the position of Altar Master of Fuhu Altar, and that Yao Clan disciple is the new Altar Master. How do you intend to resolve this?"

"No, no, no. Although I am currently not the Altar Master of Fuhu Altar, who says that the Yao Clan disciple is the new Altar Master? Only after holding the Dharma decree and entering Xishan Prefecture can one be considered the master of Fuhu Altar."

Lin Qinhu grinned: "I naturally cannot suppress the Copper Tuo Yao Clan, but I only need to suppress that Yao Daosheng. Dead men cannot be the Altar Master of Fuhu Altar."

Inside the bamboo pavilion, killing intent rolled, yet everyone remained silent.

In fact, one could guess a thing or two about why Lin Qinhu was recruiting everyone, but such methods were too crude. If you kill that Yao Daosheng, could the Copper Tuo Yao Clan not kill you?

There is no such rule in the He Mountain Sect.

"My path, how could it be blocked by a mere Yao Clan disciple."

Lin Qinhu laughed: "I am not someone without a foundation who can be killed by the Copper Tuo Yao Clan at will. As long as I leave no traces and do it cleanly, there is no issue. Most importantly, the Yao Clan Ancestor will not come looking for me. After all, that Yao Daosheng long ago cultivated Dharma Power and attained a Dao Foundation. In all of Quanzhou, besides those nose-ringed priests of Nine Springs Temple and that damn Waterway Superintendent, who else could kill him?"

"Lin Shixiong, you aren't joking, are you?"

The middle-aged Daoist stood up abruptly, his face looking somewhat ugly: "Just relying on the few of us to surround and kill a Dao Foundation cultivator? Could it be that the one surnamed Yao attained the lowest grade, a Lower Grade Dao Foundation?"

"It should be an Upper Grade Dao Foundation, or at worst a Middle-Upper Grade Dao Foundation; otherwise, why would the Copper Tuo Yao Clan exert effort to help this person compete for the Quanshan Earth Sha."

Lin Qinhu smiled dumbly and said it generously.

The elderly man surnamed Geng, who had not yet spoken, could not help but ask: "Could it be that you, Brother Daoist Lin, have also attained a Dao Foundation?"

"Not yet. At least as of today, not yet. Otherwise, how would I dare say the Yao Clan Ancestor would not come looking for me."

Lin Qinhu scanned the four people and said calmly.

"Unless you, Brother Daoist Lin, have a legendary Dharma Artifact for protection, the few of us Qi-refining cultivators could never surround and kill a Dao Foundation expert. We are still mortal bodies, while a Dao Foundation is a divine person."

The old Daoist surnamed Guo pursed his lips and shook his head: "Although this old Daoist is about to die, I still have a few good years left to live, and I do not wish to perish here."

The difference between a Qi-refining cultivator and a Dao Foundation cultivator lies in True Qi and Dharma Power, and how one weaves True Qi into Dharma Power.

If one opens one hundred and eight apertures to attain a Lower Grade Dao Foundation, the Dharma Power cultivated in one aperture is equivalent to the True Qi of one hundred and eight apertures; if one opens three hundred and sixty apertures to attain an Upper Grade Dao Foundation, the Dharma Power cultivated in one aperture is equivalent to the True Qi of three hundred and sixty apertures. Whether in quantity or quality, they are worlds apart.

And a Dao Foundation cultivator will have at least one Protective Dharma Artifact refined to a perfected Prohibition. A great family clan like the Copper Tuo Yao Clan will generally also bestow additional Protective Dharma Artifacts, not to mention the warriors and followers they bring, or the Apprentices under their tutelage.

Cultivation is inferior to others.

Dharma Artifacts are inferior to others.

Even the number of people is likely less than others. If Lin Qinhu did not look relatively clear-headed, they would have suspected he was just giving up and coming here to throw his life away.

"So, if even you do not believe we can surround and kill that one surnamed Yao, why would others associate it with us?"

Lin Qinhu's expression did not change, and he said coldly: "Besides, is attaining an Upper Grade Dao Foundation very difficult? I am not a Dao Foundation cultivator today, but who dares to say I will not be one tomorrow?"

(End of chapter)