Chapter 160: Ten Draws

The next day, Chu Liang received a message from the Heaven-Reaching Peak.

The general content was that Jiang Yuebai, a disciple of the Azure Falling Peak, had achieved the Heavenly Qi-Circulation Phenomenon at the fourth realm of cultivation. Today at noon, she would hold a lecture for the disciples of Mount Shu. Those who were interested could attend.

"

Wow!

" Chu Liang exclaimed.

This was indeed a rather rare occurrence.

It wasn't uncommon for an outstanding disciple to share their experiences with fellow disciples. However, organizing a lecture on behalf of the Boundless Palace would be considered rather grand.

In the past, it would typically be one of the four Guardian Elders or a Peak Master organizing a lecture after gaining some enlightenment during a closed-door cultivation session.

After all, for a cultivator's words to have weight, they had to have a high level of cultivation.

Having a fourth-realm disciple give a lecture was likely a first for the Mount Shu Sect. Rather than seeing it as Jiang Yuebai sharing her experiences with the other disciples, Chu Liang felt it was more like paving the way for her to secure a higher position in the sect.

While it was indeed very impressive that she'd attained the Heavenly Qi-Circulation Phenomenon, she had the constitution of a Transcendent Spirit. Consequently, she couldn't possibly share any experiences on ways to reincarnate[1].

Chu Liang reasonably speculated that Jiang Yuebai had gained popularity from the bottom up. This lecture could help establish her reputation from the top down, naturally positioning her as a leading figure among contemporary disciples.

If she were to become the head disciple in the future, she would be the unquestionable face of Mount Shu. Even if she didn't achieve that position, she would still have a strong influence.

When one leaf fell, the whole world would know it was autumn.

Chu Liang continued to elaborate on his thoughts and concluded that the reason for their actions must be related to the return of the demon god.

In times of peace, the higher-ups at the Mount Shu Sect wouldn't have needed to elevate a disciple like this. Now, they were doing it because the younger generation of the Mount Shu Sect urgently needed a leader.

With dark clouds pressing upon the city, a war was bound to start sooner or later. It would last for an indeterminate period and potentially claim the lives of countless people. The Mount Shu Sect needed to become a cohesive unit, with the older generations and the younger generations united as one.

The higher-ups of the Mount Shu Sect would probably allocate a significant amount of resources to the core disciples, unlike before when the allocation of resources was more casual.

Chu Liang sighed. He was already seeing signs of the impending catastrophe that the mortal realm would face.

However, very few people would make such associations. Everyone in the Mount Shu Sect, from the leaders to the ordinary members, was in a happy mood because of this event. As for Fairy Jiang's abilities, no one questioned them.

After all, as long as Fairy Jiang took the stage, everyone would love whatever she talked about, even if it was the postpartum care of spirit beasts.

...

It was still early. Chu Liang decided to stop by the Hall of Weapons.

Last night, in the middle of the night, Wen Yulong suddenly sent a paper crane message to Chu Liang, informing him that everything was ready, and the Evil Ksitigarbha statue could now be opened.

The noise outside the window woke Chu Liang up. When he noticed the message, he couldn't help but shake his head, puzzled about why people working in technology, research, and development never seemed to take breaks.

When Chu Liang woke up in the morning, he rushed to see Wen Yulong.

He saw Wen Yulong sitting there, looking lively and alert, showing no signs of fatigue.

Chu Liang couldn't help but admire him a bit.

"

Hehe

, Senior Brother Chu, you finally made it. I couldn't wait any longer," Wen Yulong said, showing great anticipation for what might be inside the Evil Ksitigarbha statue.

The owner of this statue was the Guider of the Dark King Sect and a cultivator at the sixth realm. There had to be a small treasure trove inside the statue!

"Alright. Let's start," Chu Liang said with a smile.

Wen Yulong placed the Evil Ksitigarbha statue on the table and took out a black bead that was the size of his fist.

"I studied it and realized that the Evil Ksitigarbha statue doesn't have any specific seals. It can only be opened using the foundational qi of yin nature, something that only members of the Dark King Sect cultivate. So, I acquired a Yin Spirit Bead. It's a bead that can change any infused qi into yin attribute and then transmit it," he explained the principle to Chu Liang.

"Junior Brother Wen, you are smart as always," Chu Liang immediately praised.

Everything was ready.

Wen Yulong placed the Yin Spirit Bead on the Evil Ksitigarbha statue and infused his foundational qi into the bead. As the eyes of the Evil Ksitigarbha statue flashed, a large amount of yin energy and resentment aura was released.

The room instantly turned ice-cold.

Without Wen Yulong saying anything, Chu Liang sensed that the storage space of the Evil Ksitigarbha statue had opened.

"Let's see what treasures we have inside..." Wen Yulong took the initiative to pick out the items inside.

His eyes were sparkling. He was clearly enjoying the thrill of opening a blind box.

Cling-clang!

The first thing he took out was a token, which Chu Liang was not unfamiliar with as Chu Liang said, "This is a Soul Subjugator Token."

It was a Soul Subjugator Token at the level of a Guider. Unfortunately, this Soul Subjugator Token has become useless as the Southern-Route Guider's soul has dissipated.

"It's useless?" Wen Yulong sighed.

Clearly, the first item was not a lucky draw.

"Let me try," Chu Liang couldn't resist the urge as he reached out to grab one.

"Do it." Wen Yulong immediately withdrew his divine sense.

Chu Liang scanned with his divine sense and picked a random item. It was a sachet. Upon opening it, he found three palm-sized dark green leaves inside. The sensation of the leaves felt extremely cold and eerie.

After a moment of pondering, Wen Yulong recognized the item. "Is this the... Mi Luo Green Leaf?" The name sounded familiar to Chu Liang. He knew that this was a holder for ghosts.

"This should be what the Guider uses to manipulate souls. Unfortunately, the moment he died, all the ghosts he controlled dissipated," Wen Yulong said.

There was a fundamental difference between nurturing a ghost and controlling a ghost.

For example, Fei Qi would be asked to help when something happened, which meant that both parties had equal status. This would be considered the nurturing of ghosts. As for those who control and manipulate ghosts, they would be refining the ghosts into their slaves and exerting control over them. If the master died, all the ghosts controlled by that master would dissipate as well.

Chu Liang then realized why there was this strong aura of resentment and yin energy the moment they opened the Evil Ksitigarbha statue. They were the remnants of the ghosts before they had dissipated.

"Then it's useless too," said Chu Liang.

"But the Mi Luo Green Leaf is a valuable item," Wen Yulong consoled.

Then, Wen Yulong stretched his hand and took out another item from the Evil Ksitigarbha statue. It was a round pot. Upon opening the pot, they found five small beads inside.

When Chu Liang saw this, his eyes lit up as he explained, "These are Shadowburst Thunder Bombs."

These were good items. Just using three of such beads had created an explosion big enough to kill a heavily injured lizard at the fifth realm of cultivation.

"Indeed," Wen Yulong said with a nod as he examined the items. "These are Shadowburst Thunder Bombs that the members of the Dark King Sect made. They are very powerful."

When it was Chu Liang's turn, he took out another item from the statue.

It was a pure black longsword, enveloped in thick blood and resentment. Just by holding it for a moment, Chu Liang felt a sharp pain in his brain. With a slight tremor, the sword fell to the ground.

Even upon drawing this sword, the Crimson Executioner within the White Pagoda reacted, indicating the profound level of resentment and the copious amount of blood infused within the sword!

"Oh my! That is a Netherworld Spirit Sword!" Wen Yulong exclaimed.

He didn't pick it up directly with his hands. Instead, he took out a piece of yellow cloth and covered the sword.

"This is a unique enchanted tool of the Dark King Sect, specifically designed to harvest the souls of the living to enhance the cultivation of the sword owner. The more people the sword owner kills, the more powerful this sword becomes," Wen Yulong explained, "Considering how powerful this sword is, it's hard to fathom how many tormented souls are within!"

Chu Liang nodded. This must be another form of the Netherworld Codex, another type of enchanted tool of great evil.

"These diabolical cultivators of the Dark King Sect really deserve to die."

Wen Yulong carefully wrapped the Netherworld Spirit Sword and placed it to the side. Then, he reached into the statue again and drew another item.

In his hand was a piece of rose-red silk adorned with several red silk cords and embroidered with a delicately crafted black lotus flower.

"This is?" Chu Liang asked in surprise.

Wen Yulong also looked puzzled. "I think it's a dudou[2]?"

I truly had no idea that's a dudou...

Chu Liang was speechless.

He was puzzled as to why such an item would be in the storage space of the Southern-Route Guider.

The Southern-Route Guider was a grown man.

But even if he had an interest in someone, it seemed a bit perverted to be collecting such items.

"The material is high-quality silk, and it seems to have no spiritual energy... The embroidery work is exceptionally delicate, showcasing stitches in the style of Jiangnan. However, it is a bit dirty, suggesting that it hasn't been washed since its last use..." Wen Yulong remarked.

He observed it carefully, analyzing and doubting himself at the same time. It seemed that, like Chu Liang, he didn't understand why a notorious devil like the Southern-Route Guider would value such an item.

Wen Yulong added, "I'm still not sure; let me take another look..."

1. If you are confused, it means she can't teach people how to reincarnate into a body of a Transcendent Spirit. ☜

2. Previously belly-band. Decided to keep to dudou as it is more accurately translated. This is an undergarment used by Chinese women. ☜