Chapter 90: A Fine Head

This White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer is truly extraordinary; not to mention the Dharma Artifact itself, even the two accompanying spells, if taken out separately, could occupy a place within the He Mountain Sect. Yet, it is unknown where that Hutou Daoren obtained them.

Obtained from killing an enemy?

Or perhaps there is another lineage?

Chen Ci kept the name of Baigu Daoren Xu Jia in his heart and stopped thinking about it. However, although he had obtained the refining method for this Heart-Lock Hammer, his own cultivation of it was not going very smoothly.

First, Chen Ci did not know how to start with the Dharma Artifact embryo, so he could only learn the spell first and refine the artifact later.

But regarding the Five Ghosts Soul-Confusing Method, Chen Ci had studied it for several days and still had not gained entry.

It was not that this method was too difficult, but rather that the five ghosts he raised—whether they had been washed of their baleful energy and resentment a bit too much, or for some other reason—were quite different from those wandering ghosts and fierce spirits. Although they were peaceful and obedient, and could be used like an extension of his own limbs, they lacked any ferocity.

Never mind the demonic sound; even getting them to act fierce was somewhat difficult.

They were ruined; these five little ones were definitely ruined.

Five Ghosts Transportation Method: Entry/41/100

Chen Ci glanced at his own panel, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and put down the Five Ghosts Soul-Confusing Method in his hand, deciding to postpone the practice.

This was the difficulty of having no teacher to provide guidance.

To be honest, although ordinary Dao Tomes would detail some common problems and bottlenecks, the predicaments everyone encountered were never as standard as those described in the tomes; one would always get stuck in some strange places.

Chen Ci was also unsure if it was because his five ghosts lacked ferocity or if the Five Ghosts Transportation Method was not yet refined enough. If only there were a famous teacher to offer a word of advice.

"I'll practice the Five Ghosts Transportation Method to a higher level first. If it really requires raising a few more fierce ghosts, then this method would be somewhat of a waste."

Chen Ci frowned slightly. Keeping ghosts in captivity was not a simple job, especially fierce ghosts. The daily expenses were not a small amount, and one had to set up Dharma altars and refine ghost jars; it was very troublesome.

Since the Five Ghosts Soul-Confusing Method could not be practiced, he could only go and practice the Bone Yin Fire Method first. This method was not difficult; it only required enough corpses and bones.

It was called Yin Fire, but in reality, it was poisonous fire. The longer the corpses and bones were buried in the ground, the more foul energy and corpse energy they had, and the stronger the toxicity would be.

As it happened, there was a perfect place within Changping County to practice this method.

Kusong Guailing, a desolate mountain and wild land with graves to the north, yet it had earned the nickname of Baihua Lin.

Changping County, Yizhuang.

"Temple Master Chen, what brings you to see this cripple today? I failed to welcome you from afar."

Que Daoren came out from the Yizhuang. Seeing Chen Ci, he cupped his hands in a salute, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

In the past, this master of Sanyin Temple never came to such a filthy place. Even if there was something to be done, he would send an Apprentice. Why did he come in person today? Could it be that there was some troublesome matter?

Chen Ci smiled slightly: "I came today because I wanted to ask Ma Daoyou for some aged corpses and bones. I wonder if it is convenient?"

Some aged corpses and bones?

Que Daoren pondered for a moment; in reality, he was slightly displeased.

Cultivation could not just rely on those great orthodox sects and market Treasure Pills. The cultivation world naturally had a "bottom-tier market." Not to mention corpses, flesh, and bones, even the foul waste of grains accumulated over years was, in the eyes of some miscellaneous rogue cultivators, useful material for refining Dharma Artifacts.

This man surnamed Chen had monopolized the death-row prisoners in the county, which had already cut off one of his cultivation resources. Now, he had come to ask for aged corpses and bones; it was truly going too far.

If this were two years ago, he would have definitely refused directly.

So what if he was an Outer Sect Disciple of the He Mountain Sect? Soon after Sanyin Temple was first established, he had seen that this man surnamed Chen was not an old hand in the world. Although Que Daoren's cultivation was lower, the methods he practiced were very fierce when it came to fighting, so he did not fear Chen Ci's status much. Sometimes, when selling Corpse, he would even quote a high price.

But it wouldn't work now. In just a year or two, this man surnamed Chen's True Qi cultivation had reached a level he couldn't estimate, and coupled with his subtly changing demeanor, he inexplicably gave him a feeling of being someone not to be trifled with.

Such a disciple of a great sect, not going to fight for Spirit Material or precious medicines, why did he always make things difficult for poor wretches like them?

"Temple Master Chen, if you don't need much, I, this cripple, can just give you some corpses and bones. But if the quantity is large, that would be a bit troublesome. After all, I, this cripple, am guarding this Yizhuang, and the daily expenses are quite high..."

Que Daoren carefully organized his words, then suddenly saw Chen Ci curiously looking up and down at his face and neck. He felt a faint chill in his heart and subconsciously asked: "Temple Master Chen, is there something improper about my appearance?"

As he spoke, he even reached out and scratched his neck twice, but found nothing wrong.

"Nothing, just thinking that this... cough, this head of yours, Ma Daoyou, looks quite good."

Chen Ci suppressed the inexplicable thought in his heart and said with a faint smile: "Daoyou, no need to stammer; just say what you have to say."

If this cripple dared to open his mouth like a lion.

He, Master Chen, would dare to send him on his way to a new life.

???

What, this cripple looks quite good?

The Cripple Old Daoist was also stunned. He had lived for decades and this was truly the first time he had heard such words. He had gained some insight today.

Looking at Chen Ci's handsome appearance, the Cripple Old Daoist strongly suspected that this fellow was mocking him; truly detestable.

"One tael of silver for one jin of corpses and bones, I guarantee the quality will satisfy you, Temple Master Chen. How about it?"

The Cripple Old Daoist was still thinking about whether he should make a small profit from Sanyin Temple as before, but when the words reached his lips, as if by some divine intervention, he ended up quoting a price far lower than his psychological expectation, just to make friends with this man surnamed Chen.

Deep in Baihua Lin, there was corpse poison and corpse energy; he had to dig them up himself, which carried some risks.

"However, I cannot leave the Yizhuang, so you will need to send a servant to take the things back, Temple Master Chen."

"Agreed. But they must be aged corpses and bones, human or beast are both fine. Ma Daoyou, don't just use some withered bones to fool me."

Chen Ci couldn't help but stare at the Cripple Old Daoist for a few more moments, making the latter's expression stiffen, then suddenly asked curiously: "Ma Daoyou, are you from Ma Family Village?"

The Cripple Old Daoist did not expect Chen Ci to ask this suddenly. He paused for a moment, but did not hide it, saying generously: "Yes, but I caused trouble back then and escaped, so I have nothing to do with Ma Family Village anymore."

"Oh, so that Ma Family Ancestor has really been alive for nearly two hundred years?"

Chen Ci became interested and pressed for more.

The Cripple Old Daoist did not want to talk, but for some reason, this man surnamed Chen gave him a feeling of inexplicable dread. After thinking for a moment, he decided to tell the truth: "It is hard to know the exact age, but according to the records in the village, it should be around two hundred years."

Chen Ci didn't even need to keep asking. The Cripple Old Daoist had probably been asked this many times before, so he simply continued: "The Ancestor does have a Life Extension Method, but the aftereffects are quite severe. I never saw anyone in the village go to ask for it, and no one else in the village knows anything about it, so Temple Master Chen need not ask me anymore."

Heh, he even learned to preempt the question. It seems it really is a good head.

What a pity.

Chen Ci sighed inexplicably, not knowing if he was regretting his White Bone Heart-Lock 'Sword' or the Ma Family Ancestor's Life Extension Method. He waved his hand and said: "I will send someone to pick up the corpses and bones tomorrow; you must have them ready, Daoyou."

After saying this, Chen Ci left the Baihua Lin Yizhuang and returned to his Sanyin Temple.

Chen Ci still remembered that this fellow had planned to report him to his superiors. If it weren't for the fact that the Changping County Yizhuang had indeed collected many nameless corpses in recent years, which counted as a good deed, and that the White Bone Heart-Lock Hammer required five Six Yang Skulls—taking just one was useless—Chen Ci would have definitely given this fellow a taste of a Side Door Cultivator's shock.

"I really am a kind person."

Chen Ci sighed a couple of times: "However, if that Ma Family Ancestor has truly lived for two hundred years, even if he only has Hundred Apertures cultivation, he is likely a top-tier expert in this world. He must have a few Dharma Artifacts refined to the peak level, and even if they are low-grade Dharma Artifacts with restrictions, they are likely very formidable. I wonder if that fellow Lin Banshan can truly defeat the Ma Family Village."

This Bone Yin Fire Method must be practiced faster, otherwise, if I go to provide backup for others, I really won't have enough confidence.

(End of this chapter)