Chapter 96: Spirit Incense Summons the God

More than ten zhang away, amidst the mountain forest.

Ma Jinshun's expression was gloomy, and he let out a slight sigh of relief.

In this situation, only a fool would rush up to fight two people; he had no certainty of victory against either the one surnamed Chen or the one surnamed Lin, let alone being cornered in these mountains by both—if he walked even a step too slowly, tomorrow might well be his death anniversary.

Yet his heart was twitching and bleeding.

Those four Copper Corpses he had painstakingly refined were his greatest reliance; once he refined them to a higher level in the future, they would be enough for him to run rampant in one region, but today's situation left him no choice but to let them go, and he didn't know if he would have the chance to retrieve them later.

"Once I reach the village's territory, I'll be safe; and they still claim it's not for the Medicine Field, bah!"

"Damn it, if the Ancestor could shake off the restrictions of the Zhenjin Cauldron, how could I let these two juniors act so arrogantly? My Copper Corpses..."

Just as Ma Jinshun was thinking this, some whispering suddenly seemed to ring out in the surrounding mountain forest; he hurriedly guarded himself carefully, yet discovered no human figures.

Just as he let out a sigh of relief, from behind a tree ahead, a human face less than a palm wide poked out—a round face with small eyes and a large mouth, even painted with some rouge—looking at him timidly.

What kind of ghost thing is this?

Ma Jinshun was startled, but just as he focused his attention forward, a whistling sound came from above his head, as if something had been catapulted over; he subconsciously used the copper rod in his hand to parry, and with a 'bang', a mass of green, oily stuff splashed down over his head and face.

"Poison Fire?"

Ma Jinshun shouted loudly, channeling his True Qi to strike at the Poison Fire; this green, oily thing must not be touched.

But to his surprise, this Poison Fire was not extinguished by his True Qi; instead, it stuck to the True Qi and burned toward him. Ma Jinshun was alarmed, and a sharp burst of True Qi erupted, slashing this mass of Poison Fire to the ground.

In the distance, Chen Ci, who was pursuing, was quite speechless; so much for the claim that True Qi is hard to extinguish—this Yin Fire didn't seem as formidable as he had imagined.

But then, thinking that this Bone Yin Fire Method was only at the introductory level and the age of the bones used was low, he felt relieved.

Still need to practice.

Hindered by this Yin Fire, Ma Jinshun's movements slowed by two beats. Seeing that little paper figure still watching the show ahead, anger rose from his heart, and he smashed a rod at it, but other than smashing the little paper figure to pieces, he gained nothing; instead, several white bottle-like objects were flicked from the forest to block him, and he only dared to dodge, not touch them.

"Yin Soul? Damn it!"

Ma Jinshun felt deep hatred in his heart. As the saying goes, corpses and souls are inseparable. If he were practicing the Ma Family Ancestor's Corpse Refining Method, he would have some means to deal with Yin Souls, but although that nameless Dao Tome was profound, this True Qi was not as effective against semi-ethereal things like Yin Souls.

Charge through?

Ma Jinshun had not yet made up his mind, but in that moment of delay, Chen Ci and Lin Banshan had already caught up.

"Five Yin Black Evil!"

Chen Ci pointed a finger, and three strands of Five Yin Black Evil, mixed with that strand of Five Yin Gold Evil, killed toward Ma Jinshun's back. Although his own five ghosts were not much use, when combined with some mechanisms and artifacts, they were not entirely useless.

Lin Banshan also took out an artifact that looked like a fire-starter, blew on it heavily, and a stream of high-temperature fire smoke, like a black snake, also coiled toward Ma Jinshun.

This method of the Wenxiang Sect seemed somewhat similar to the He Mountain Sect, both requiring the assistance of some artifacts.

However, the He Mountain Sect refined Dharma Artifacts, while the Wenxiang Sect used various sandalwood and pills; it was hard to say which was superior, but the Wenxiang Sect's spellcasting was certainly quite expensive.

"Hmph!"

Seeing that he could no longer avoid it, Ma Jinshun slapped the small yellow leather gourds at his waist. One of them spewed out a mass of dense golden-white mist, colliding with the two people's spells. A sound like metal grinding against metal rang out, and within a few breaths, the spells on both sides receded.

However, the three of them were now in a standoff, and none of their expressions looked very good.

Chen Ci's Five Yin Black Evil and Five Yin Gold Evil were both damaged; if he wanted to restore them to their original state, it would take at least half a month of hard work to nourish them.

Lin Banshan's fire-starter-like artifact burned out, and that stream of fire smoke dissipated.

Ma Jinshun's mass of dense golden-white mist also dissipated by more than half, clearly a significant loss. Chen Ci realized upon contact that it was extremely pure Five Metal Essence Qi, which was of great use for both refining artifacts and assisting cultivation; using it for a duel was truly not worth it.

A waste of heaven's gifts.

This fellow had added another reason for his own demise.

"What on earth are you two chasing me for? Is a Spirit Spring Medicine Field in Qingquan Village worth such a big fight?"

Ma Jinshun's face was as gloomy as water, and he scolded: "In a battle, I have already won; you surnamed Lin, what exactly do you mean!"

Lin Banshan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "Ma Daoyou, this matter has nothing to do with Qingquan Village, it is just..."

"Hmm?"

His own 'Red Center' was jumping around nearby. Chen Ci's eyes flickered, and the Spirit Iron Short Sword in his sleeve struck out. With two sounds of metal being slashed and iron broken, two pale, nearly translucent exotic centipedes were slashed to pieces on the ground, and a fishy, sweet smell wafted from the body fluids at the broken ends.

It was a poisonous insect Ma Jinshun had secretly released while the two sides were fighting. If it weren't for the fact that the five ghosts and Yin souls were particularly sensitive to living things, Chen Ci would not have discovered these two little things that were almost crawling to his feet.

"Damn it, damn it!"

This time, Ma Jinshun was truly pained. He didn't know how much effort he had wasted to cultivate these two Exotic Poison Centipedes; losing them all at once was extremely heartbreaking.

Although there are duels between cultivators, they are generally unwilling to fight with real fire; without sufficient profit, this kind of duel risks one's life and property—losing means death, and winning means bankruptcy; that is the logic.

"Evil fruits must be eradicated completely."

Lin Banshan took out his own small round cauldron Dharma Artifact and said in a deep voice: "I trouble Daoist Chen to suppress the formation for me again. Although this Ma Daoyou's True Qi is sharp, it is not enduring. As long as he does not escape my Ruyi Water Cloud Smoke, there will be a result within half an hour."

Ma Jinshun's expression changed drastically. If it were a head-on fight, he might still have a two-tenths chance of winning, but with this kind of trapping method, he had no way to use his strength, and once his True Qi was exhausted, there would be no way to survive.

"Die!"

Ma Jinshun held his eight-sided copper rod and wanted to repeat his old trick, trying to escape from one side, but was forced to a stop by Chen Ci holding his sword. This eight-sided copper rod looked imposing, but it was not made of Spirit Iron; perhaps it only had some Spirit Material minerals mixed in, and could not be considered a precious material.

But then again, this eight-sided copper rod looked like it weighed over a hundred catties; if it were forged entirely from Spirit Iron, that would truly be courting death.

As the white smoke from the cauldron gradually drifted out, shrouding the surroundings, Ma Jinshun roared repeatedly, wanting to rush past Chen Ci, but seemed to be entangled by something in the mist, unable to escape.

A mountain breeze blew by, and this hilltop in late autumn seemed to have developed a thick fog, with roars coming from within from time to time, like a ghost domain.

Chen Ci suppressed the formation outside the smoke, thinking silently about how to break the formation, his brows slightly furrowed.

But the five little ones watching the show on the side seemed to be watching with great interest. Chen Ci's heart stirred, and he took them back, hiding them in his bosom; this kind of maze formation didn't seem as hard to break as he had thought.

"Hit!"

Suddenly, a deep shout rang out from the smoke. After only a moment, Lin Banshan dragged Ma Jinshun out, his own face so pale it didn't look human.

Ma Jinshun himself showed no obvious injuries, but his eyes were tightly closed, his face filled with terror, and filthy blood was seeping from his seven orifices.

"If he had brought those four Copper Corpses and formed a formation to respond, I wouldn't have been able to take him down."

Lin Banshan coughed twice before saying to Chen Ci: "Fortunately, I did not fail the mission."

This fellow surnamed Ma was still alive; he had actually been captured alive.

The strange arts and heterodox techniques of this world are bizarre and countless; even Chen Ci cannot fully fathom this method Lin Banshan uses to overcome enemies, and the Wenxiang Sect is merely an unremarkable, mid-tier sect among the heterodox paths.

The profound mysteries of this world are difficult to describe in the slightest.

However, the path to Longevity might just begin from today.

"Brother Lin, do you have any means to search souls and refine spirits?"

Chen Ci rubbed his fingers lightly and asked in a deep voice.

Even if captured alive, how to extract information is a difficult problem; in cultivation methods, a single mistake in a key point could destroy decades of hard work, and Chen Ci fears he would not dare to practice simple torture methods even if he did manage to ask something out.

"None. The mysteries of the soul are such that even the great experts of the Spirit Sect would not dare to say they fully understand them; how could small cultivators like us possess such great arts?"

Lin Banshan glanced at Ma Jinshun on the ground and said, "However, my sect has a Spirit Incense Method that can subdue a cultivator's consciousness, making them answer whatever is asked, though the success rate is not very high. Regardless of success or failure, this person will be completely ruined. Brother Chen, do you want to try?"

Chen Ci pondered for a moment and asked, "What is the success rate?"

"Barely one in ten."

Lin Banshan smiled bitterly: "If we cannot obtain what we want from this man surnamed Ma, we will have to go to Ma Family Village to investigate. Although the Ma Family Ancestor cannot leave Copper Stone Mountain, if we both go to Ma Family Village together, perhaps we could trade a couple of moves with him."

Two moves?

Nonsense!

Chen Ci chuckled; he practiced techniques before learning to read—has his twenty-some years of Three Yin True Qi been practiced in vain?

A mere old immortal with Hundred Apertures cultivation—he alone could at least withstand three moves.

Just three moves, no more than that.

However, the problem now is to seek another way.

It is better to try the Spirit Incense from the Wenxiang Sect.

Would other methods be any better?

Not necessarily.

The longer this drags on, the more troublesome it becomes; even if the two of them might have a falling out later, it is impossible to let others get involved.

"Brother Lin, cast the spell."

Chen Ci quickly made up his mind: "The Dao of fortune is mysterious and profound; since the two of us ran into this person, we must have two parts of fortune on us. There is no point in dragging this out."

Even if it failed, he still had a backup plan and a half, so he was not that panicked.

"Good!"

Lin Banshan did not expect Chen Ci to be so resolute, and he took a deep breath: "Since Brother Chen has said so, I will try my best. I only hope that regardless of success or failure, neither of us will break our friendship."

It is easy to share adversity, but difficult to share prosperity.

This principle holds true, whether for immortals or mortals.

"To obtain it is my luck; to lose it is my fate. Why blame others?"

Chen Ci waved his hand.

But if it fails, Brother Lin, the interest on the pills you fronted will have to be repaid at nine-out-thirteen-in.

Lin Banshan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, arranged Ma Jinshun into the Five Qi Towards Origin posture, then molded earth into a platform, placed his own round cauldron Dharma Artifact upon it, and after regulating his breath for a moment and tidying his clothes, he took out three very ordinary small incense sticks from his bosom, carefully inserted them into the cauldron, and began to cast the spell and chant.

Those three small incense sticks ignited without fire, and the smoke condensed without dispersing; after drifting up three feet, it suddenly vanished, as if it had merged into the void.

"Brother Chen, this is a secret technique of my sect. Although it has no effect if seen by others... do you need to step aside?"

Lin Banshan formed a Dharma seal with his hands, suddenly remembered something, and asked.

No, this situation, why does it feel a bit familiar?

Hmm.

Chen Ci's expression was a bit strange; it hasn't even succeeded yet, isn't it a bit too early to burn the bridge after crossing it?

And this is not some heaven-sent treasure, just a technique and an opportunity; there shouldn't be much difference between one person or two, right?

Chen Ci quietly sensed the changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth around him, and after feeling there was no problem, he exhaled and said with a dry laugh, "No need. If you feel it has no effect, I would like to broaden my horizons."

Seeing that Lin Banshan did not object, Chen Ci moved two steps closer without changing his expression, standing not far behind him, carefully observing his surroundings.

At this distance and position, it would only take one breath to pierce the person through, and then hack them into seven or eight pieces; it would be quite satisfying.

Lin Banshan did not say much more; he glanced at Chen Ci and continued to cast the spell. As the chanting continued, Chen Ci inexplicably felt a very strange sensation around him.

It was not a change in True Qi or spiritual energy, and Lin Banshan had no abnormalities, but it just felt quite strange.

Hmm?

Chen Ci subconsciously focused his mind, narrowed his eyes, sharpened his hearing, and gripped his hand on the Spirit Iron Short Sword, carefully watching the changes in the round cauldron Dharma Artifact.

Suddenly, the smoke drifting from the three small incense sticks changed direction, surged toward Ma Jinshun, and entered directly through his mouth and nose; the man surnamed Ma's originally slightly terrified face gradually calmed down, as if he had become a different person.

It is unknown how much time passed, but Chen Ci inexplicably smelled a very peculiar fragrance. Ma Jinshun had opened his eyes at some point and was looking at Chen Ci and Lin Banshan with slight curiosity.

Chen Ci gave a sudden jolt and woke up from his trance; the Spirit Iron Short Sword in his sleeve was already about to be unsheathed, but when he focused his eyes, Ma Jinshun had never opened his eyes at all, and was still slightly bowing his head without the slightest movement.

Instead, the three small incense sticks on the round cauldron were about to burn out, and beads of sweat were seeping from the forehead of Lin Banshan, who was still casting the spell and chanting.

Chen Ci carefully checked himself and confirmed there was nothing unusual, then exhaled. How come this incense method of the Wenxiang Sect feels so superstitious and not quite proper?

"Brother Chen, it's done!"

Lin Banshan's body suddenly tilted, panting, but the expression on his face was very joyful: "This Spirit Incense Descending God Method is the first time I have successfully cast it. It seems that just as you said, the two of us indeed have two parts of fortune on us!"

"Done?"

Chen Ci asked subconsciously: "What's next?"

"There is nothing next."

Lin Banshan smiled: "This man surnamed Ma's intelligence has been subdued. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he will answer whatever is asked and will absolutely not hide anything. Time is tight, so I will start asking him about the origin of his True Qi, his Qi-refining methods, and his great opportunities. Brother Chen, you listen on the side as well, so I don't miss anything in the questioning."

Chen Ci smiled; he had overthought it. To be fair, this man surnamed Lin is quite decent in his conduct.

"Very well, Brother Lin, ask away."

As Chen Ci spoke, he paced a few steps to the side. Although the spell had been successfully cast, he still felt something was wrong—it was like slacking off while studying, and when you look toward the window, good heavens, you are looking out the window, and the headmaster is looking at you.

But I didn't find any problems, did I?

Chen Ci tapped his finger lightly, suppressing the unease in his heart. In the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, Lin Banshan had already inquired about the matter of Superior Grade True Qi clearly and thoroughly; nothing was left out, and even all matters concerning Ma Family Village and the Ma Family Ancestor had been asked about.

The good news was that Ma Family Village did indeed possess a Dao Tome capable of cultivating Superior Grade True Qi, but even Ma Jinshun and the Ma Family Ancestor did not know the background of this Dao Tome; it was something the Ma Family Ancestor had obtained by chance in a Sword Tomb while traveling the world back in the day.

The people in Ma Family Village did not even know that the True Qi cultivated from this could reach the Superior Grade; they only felt that the quality of the True Qi cultivated from this Dao Tome was quite good, much stronger than the True Qi of the various miscellaneous rogue cultivators in the mountains.

The bad news was that this Dao Tome was only half a volume, and it was very incomplete.

Calling it half a volume was already being generous; in the view of Chen Ci and Lin Banshan, it wasn't even a third of a volume, and it couldn't even reach the Hundred Apertures in terms of True Qi cultivation, currently estimated to be only between sixty and eighty apertures.

"Brother Lin, do you think the full volume might be in the hands of that Ma Family Ancestor?"

Chen Ci frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice.

"Probably not."

Lin Banshan also sighed. Although there were gains from this trip, they were not many: "This man surnamed Ma said that the Ma Family Ancestor didn't even cultivate this method; he only comprehended a longevity technique from this Dao Tome. Their Ma Family doesn't even know the roots of this Dao Tome, otherwise, they would never dare to leak even half a bit of the secret of the True Qi to the outside, and they even made a big fuss about using the techniques above to study Corpse Refining; it is truly ridiculous."

The two looked at each other and remained silent.

"This man surnamed Ma is already ruined, his soul and spirit are both lost, and nothing more can be asked of him."

Lin Banshan rubbed his face: "Brother Chen, wait for me a moment. I will first record what we have just obtained into a booklet to avoid any omissions, and then I will deal with this person."

Chen Ci nodded and didn't say anything more.

The path of the Dao is difficult indeed.

With a soft sigh, Chen Ci subconsciously walked away two steps and tapped open his own Gold Finger panel. He scanned it twice; although the future was promising, the speed was truly slow.

The next moment, Chen Ci's body stiffened, his pupils contracted violently, and a chill seeped from his tailbone straight to his crown.

Did he run into a ghost?!!!

On his own Gold Finger panel, a new piece of information had inexplicably appeared:

Worship Rakshasa Method: Not yet entered/1/10 (Worship this method, enter my gate)

When did this happen?

Just now?

Did he also fall for the trick of a big shot from the Spirit Sect?!

Countless thoughts surged in Chen Ci's heart, and his body was actually trembling slightly, unable to control himself.

"Brother Chen, Brother Chen?"

Suddenly, someone patted Chen Ci lightly. In a flash of lightning, Chen Ci jumped three zhang away, leaving only Lin Banshan looking at him with a strange expression: "Brother Chen, what is wrong with you?"

"No, no, nothing, I just spaced out for a moment."

Chen Ci stood there dazed and dizzy for a while before he suddenly came back to his senses. Suppressing the panic in his heart, he thought: No, I cannot stay here; I must leave quickly.

"Brother Chen, this is your share."

Taking the small booklet handed over by Lin Banshan, Chen Ci stared at him for a few moments. Was this man surnamed Lin doing it on purpose or by accident?

Or was it intentionally accidental?

However, recalling the whole process just now, Chen Ci finally sighed; he was afraid that this person didn't even know what had happened just now.

After putting the booklet away, Chen Ci was silent for a moment before sighing: "Brother Lin, it's a good thing it was me, otherwise... sigh."

With his hands behind his back, Chen Ci was full of worry, not knowing what kind of influence this would have on him.

Worship Rakshasa Method?

Named after Rakshasa, it doesn't look like anything...

It's not like some insidious person; we cultivators should be open and honest, respecting our original hearts. This naming after Rakshasa is truly marvelous!

Chen Ci quietly glanced at his Gold Finger panel; since it hasn't been entered, there shouldn't be any problem, right?

(End of chapter)