Chapter 127: Immortal Cultivation Secret Art (II)

The Xing Family group passed through the narrow entrance and entered Lion Valley. After several months of development, the Nine Nether Sect had turned the valley into a well-structured base.

"First elder, do you think the Nine Nether Sect will agree to our request?" asked the fifth elder as they entered the valley.

The three elders were the first elder, the second elder, and the fifth elder of the Xing Family.

"They will. Our request is insignificant to them," replied the first elder calmly.

Upon entering, attendants from the sect came to receive them. The elders did not need to handle the cargo transfer themselves; specialized personnel were responsible for it.

"Honored guests, the priest requests your presence," said a black-and-crimson-robed man as he approached the three elders.

"Very well," replied the first elder softly.

The trio followed behind the robed man, heading toward the temple. As they passed through the plaza, many people were kneeling in worship before a statue of a Demon God. The fifth and second elders couldn’t resist glancing at the statue, and their minds trembled violently.

The statue seemed to come alive, swelling rapidly in their vision until it became a colossal phantom Demon God tens of thousands of meters tall. The phantom released a dreadful aura of suppression that made both elders tremble uncontrollably.

Whoo...

Their blood qi circulated rapidly as they snapped out of the illusion, gasping heavily for breath.

The statue seemed even more mysterious than before!

The fifth and second elders were inwardly shocked.

They had been here once before, and at that time, the Demon God statue had not appeared nearly so strange. Sensing their unease, the first elder turned back to glance at the two elders. Seeing that they were unharmed, he then shifted his gaze toward the statue by the plaza. He gave the statue only a brief look. His eyes flickered for a moment before returning to calm, seemingly unaffected by the Demon God’s presence.

"The first elder’s will is truly formidable, huh...? To think he could resist the influence of the Demon God statue," said the black-and-crimson-robed man with a smile.

"It’s merely a statue. Mysterious as it may be, it isn’t enough to sway me," replied the first elder flatly. His tone was calm, but his eyes carried unmistakable arrogance.

"

Heh.

In half a year, if you can still say that after standing before the statue, I’ll concede," the robed man sneered.

The first elder did not argue further, but his wariness grew. Every corner of the Nine Nether Sect reeked of eerie mystery, and even their statues radiated supernatural power. If not for the unbelievably tempting offer the sect had made, they would never have chosen to deal with such people. It was far too dangerous; one wrong step, and the Xing Family could be dragged into disaster.

They entered the shrine, where the main hall radiated a solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere. At the center stood the effigy of the Nine Nether Demon God, flanked on both sides by eighteen statues of lesser demon gods. These subordinate demon gods were said to be the great generals under the Nine Nether Demon God.

Having learned from their earlier mistake, the fifth and second elders dared not look directly at the statue again, keeping their gazes lowered in cautious reverence. The first elder, however, glanced at the statue. His eyes narrowed slightly before he composed himself once more.

Yet the rise and fall of his chest betrayed the turmoil within. Seeing this, the black-and-crimson-robed man let out a quiet, mocking chuckle. How could mere mortals dare gaze upon the great Demon God? He led them through a doorway on the right side of the hall, down a corridor, and into a side chamber.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"My lord, the three elders of the Xing Family have arrived," said the robed man respectfully to the priest seated before them.

"

Mm

. You may leave," said the priest lightly.

"Yes, my lord."

The robed man withdrew, leaving only the priest and the three Xing Family elders in the chamber.

"About our previous proposal, have you reached a decision?" asked the priest in a calm tone.

"We’d like to alter the terms. In exchange, we request a Longevity Pill, ten Blood Pills, and thirty Essence and Qi Pills. As for joining the Nine Nether Sect and serving as one of its protectors, we currently have no such intention. We wish to exchange the opportunity for the Demon God’s blessing for an immortal cultivation secret art instead," said the first elder calmly, though a trace of eagerness gleamed in his eyes.

The immortal cultivation secret art was the true reason behind their dealings with the Nine Nether Sect. Ancient texts handed down by the Xing Family’s ancestors claimed that such arts could elevate mortals beyond the mundane path. It would allow them to cultivate the Dao, achieve transcendence, and attain immortality everlasting!

Unfortunately, all immortal cultivation secret arts had been completely banned by the Great Wei authorities and publicly denounced as forbidden techniques. The Xing Family had spent centuries searching for such arts in secret, yet to no avail, until the rise of the Nine Nether Sect finally offered them a glimmer of hope.

The priest looked at the first elder and said in an even tone, "Are you certain you wish to give up the chance for the Demon God’s blessing? Even for someone like me, such an opportunity is exceedingly rare. Immortal cultivation secret arts are not as wondrous as you imagine. The dangers within them can only be understood through firsthand experience; they are far less valuable than the Demon God’s blessing."

"I am certain. We want the immortal cultivation secret art," said the first elder firmly.

"Very well."

Seeing how resolute he was, the priest offered no further persuasion. He drew from his robes a specially made piece of parchment. The back was covered in intricate, arcane patterns, while the front was filled with written text.

"Drip your blood upon it and sign your name, then our pact will be complete," the priest instructed.

Whoosh.

The first elder took a deep breath, restraining the excitement surging in his chest. He then picked up the parchment that was made from the hide of some unknown beast. It was soft and supple to the touch, and smoother than silk.

After carefully reading through the text and confirming that it matched their agreed terms, the first elder drew a dagger and slit his finger. He gently squeezed out a drop of blood and let it fall onto the parchment. The parchment absorbed the blood instantly, and the patterns on its back flared briefly with a crimson glow before fading away.

The first elder then took a brush and signed his name. The instant he finished writing, his mind wavered, and an inexplicable force surged into his consciousness before vanishing without a trace. The second and fifth elders exchanged a glance and stepped forward, repeating the same act of blood and signature. As soon as they signed, they too felt that strange energy pour into their minds, then fade away.

"This is a Demon God Pact. Once it is established, it cannot be broken. Any who defy it shall face divine punishment from the Demon God himself," said the priest as he calmly folded the parchment and put it away.

At his words, the three elders felt a faint chill in their hearts. They had indeed sensed a terrifying aura entering their minds moments ago, though it had disappeared as quickly as it came.

"The pact is complete. You can hand over the items now," said the first elder coolly.

"

Mm.

"

The priest nodded slightly, and he took out five bottles of pills and a small manual.

"This bottle holds the Longevity Pill. This one contains ten Blood Pills. The other three each contain ten Essence and Qi Pills. And this manual holds the immortal cultivation secret art. A word of advice, however: do not practice this art lightly, or the consequences will be beyond imagining," said the priest.