Chapter 122

One day passed.

Wei Zifeng arrived at the Hundred Treasures Shop in high spirits, saw Yan Buji at the counter, and walked over with a beaming face:

"Good brother!"

"Huh? Boss, what's this?"

"Haha, Liu Yun truly possesses the Heaven‑Swallowing, Earth‑Devouring Immortal Aptitude; he has now joined my Huo Xiong Sect and become the Sect Master's true disciple!" Wei Zifeng laughed.

Yan Buji took a deep breath and chuckled: "This is also Liu Yun's fortune."

"It's not right to say that; without you, who would have encountered such Immortal Aptitude here? So you are the greatest contributor for this matter—I'll give you the Black Snake Fodder, and on top of that, three thousand Spiritual Stones as a gift!"

As he spoke, Wei Zifeng waved his hand grandly and produced a small pouch.

Yan Buji froze for a moment; he knew this was a dedicated Spiritual Stone pouch for holding Spiritual Stones, differing from a Storage Accumulation Device in that the pouch can only hold Spiritual Stones but can hold a great many at once.

Yan Buji nodded; he needed Spiritual Stones, and Wei Zifeng was willing to pay such a price to win people over—why not?

"Thank you, boss!" Yan Buji said, his face full of emotion.

"Well, don't be discouraged; cultivation ultimately depends on one's foundation. Even I envy Liu Yun, such a soaring cultivator—we may never see him again, and I wonder if, when we hear his name later, he'll already be a Nascent Soul cultivator!" Wei Zifeng sighed with feeling.

Yan Buji asked curiously: "Is Immortal Aptitude really that powerful?"

"Powerful? It's hard to describe. The Ten Great Immortal Aptitudes are not only off‑the‑charts in talent; after reaching a high realm, they also gain an innate divine ability! You know divine abilities are accessible only to cultivators above Nascent Soul, yet those with Immortal Aptitude can awaken them automatically upon entering Nascent Soul—how formidable is that?"

"Divine ability?!"

Yan Buji also knew the term; techniques are the usual means cultivators employ, whether against foes or otherwise.

And divine abilities surpass mere techniques!

It is said that divine abilities can burn the heavens and boil the seas, split mountains and rend the earth as easily as anything—truly an awe‑inspiring power.

"By the way, boss, I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you—do you have time?"

"Hmm? Go ahead."

Yan Buji voiced his thoughts on expanding and strengthening the market; Wei Zifeng looked astonished:

"You say this method would indeed greatly aid the market's development, but what would our Huo Xiong Sect cultivators gain? Spiritual Stones?"

The implication: the Huo Xiong Sect lacks no Spiritual Stones.

Yan Buji gave a wry smile: "The Huo Xiong Sect is big and powerful, so it naturally looks down on this modest income, but I'm thinking that if a Huo Xiong Sect Elder were willing to open this channel, we merchants could help him earn some Spiritual Stones—who would complain about having too many Spiritual Stones?"

Wei Zifeng froze a moment, then nodded: "Indeed."

Although he lacks no Spiritual Stones, it is also because he leans on his connection to the Sect Master and the strong backing of the Hou family.

Many fellow disciples in the sect lack such background, yet opening this channel truly requires the Elders' approval—and it cannot be done secretly.

"This matter… I'll go back and tell the Sect Master."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"By the way, I see you seem to be practicing an esoteric art—where did you get it?"

Yan Buji froze, then answered truthfully: "It was from a cultivator named Feng Feiyang I met on Second Street not long ago; he sold it to me, saying it could cultivate a mortal body, so I…"

"Oh dear, you've been scammed!!"

"Ah!!!" Yan Buji's pupils contracted as he drew a deep breath.

Wei Zifeng stared at him strangely: "You don't realize that even if you master an esoteric art, the aptitude it yields is false and cannot compare to innate talent? Even if you could cultivate a mortal-body aptitude, it would only slightly speed up your cultivation. Moreover, the abilities that come with a mortal-body aptitude are basically impossible to possess."

Yan Buji's mouth twitched; having seen many storms, Wei Zifeng's words ended up giving him a lesson.

Never trust others lightly!

Yan Buji's complexion darkened as he gritted his teeth: "I've already practiced it; I can't quit halfway. Even if it's only a slight boost, it's better than where I am now."

"Forget it; as long as you've thought it through yourself."

"Then these esoteric arts are utterly useless, aren't they?"

"Not necessarily; esoteric arts depend on compatibility with the cultivator. For instance, some cultivators suit a particular esoteric art, and once mastered it can indeed unleash combat power beyond their own level. But some esoteric arts, even if obtained, may not be cultivable at all—forcing practice would only damage the foundation."

Yan Buji's eyes shifted.

"In that case, the Bright King Art seems somewhat suitable for me, right?"

The compatibility feels decent, perhaps also because I once underwent marrow‑cleansing and hair‑cutting.

Wei Zifeng gazed at the silent Yan Buji, thinking he might know he'd been cheated and was in a bad mood, and smiled: "Alright, cultivation is like this—being carelessly deceived happens often; next time you won't fall for it."

"Mm, what the boss said is true; I've been taught."

Indeed, wanting to improve one's aptitude cannot be achieved by a single esoteric art; it's a pity that earlier Yan Buji had fantasized about cultivating the Immortal Jade Bone and then practicing Lightning Flash….

However, having already absorbed the medicinal liquid once, Yan Buji truly unwilling to not master the Bright King Art.

Conveniently, with three thousand Spiritual Stones, he took some out and Yan Buji began gathering Spiritual Materials everywhere.

As for the main ingredient, Fire‑Refining Grass, Yan Buji made another trip to the Da Shan Market, but unfortunately could not buy second‑tier Fire‑Refining Grass.

However, Yan Buji worried that one dose wouldn't be enough, so he bought two stalks of Fire‑Refining Grass and prepared two bottles of medicinal liquid.

After returning to the Huo Xiong Sect Market, he then began to continue the Bright King Art's medicinal liquid.

With the first experience, Yan Buji easily completed the removal of turbid qi from the second bottle of medicinal liquid.

But even so, it was still not enough.

Fortunately, Yan Buji had prepared an extra bottle; after adjusting his condition, he used the medicinal liquid again.

When the second bottle of medicinal liquid was exhausted, Yan Buji finally felt a clear, pure qi arise within him, as if he were in the most tranquil and pristine state, making his whole body feel relaxed and his mind at ease.

This clear pure qi flashed and vanished, but whenever such a sensation appears, it indeed indicates that the standard for cultivating the Bright King Art has been reached!

At the same time, Yan Buji opened the Ancient Bright King Sutra and began to chant:

"The true words of the mantra, the sorrow‑saving gateway. Entwining the earth's profound mystery. Ceasing the waves' sea of suffering. The twenty‑eight divisions of divine beings. Together vowing to guard this sutra. Rakshasa swallowing poison…."

It seems that after Yan Buji's visit to the Netherworld, he also gained his own understanding of these Buddhist scriptures; the Ancient Bright King Sutra appears related to the ancient deities, and combined with the continual circulation of the Bright King Art, his body gradually underwent changes!

As Yan Buji chanted the Buddhist verses faster and faster, accompanied by the Bright King Art, an apparition gradually manifested within his body!

In an instant!

Yan Buji's skin shimmered with crystalline white light, like a pure white full moon; and if one could observe his bones, they already bore a faint jade‑green hue!