Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 663 - 654: Complete Ghost Immortal Scripture

The negotiation was successful, Jiang Yuan took out bottles of Longevity Pills from his Storage Bag, totaling ninety pills adding up to nine hundred years of lifespan; He also took out eleven Nine Netherworld Peaches, adding up to one thousand one hundred years of lifespan.

Swallowing both, they collectively extended his lifespan by two thousand years with no side effects. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Fellow Daoist, please step into the inner chamber, I need to personally recite the Ghost Immortal Scripture." Qu Luming watched as Yuan Man, having consumed the pills and peaches, rid himself of his previously deathly aura, becoming vibrant and full of life, even his gaze brightened significantly. He then stood up and gestured for Jiang Yuan to follow.

Jiang Yuan led him to the inner chamber of the Floating Market; the two sat cross-legged facing each other, holding their breath and concentrating, eager to hear the content of a Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique!

"Beep～"

No matter what, he never expected that with Qu Luming's first utterance, a brief sound effect of silence ensued, and he couldn't hear a single word!

Aside from seeing the other's mouth opening and closing without sound, the previously incomplete progress bar of the Ghost Immortal Scripture started to slowly advance.

What on earth is happening?

Why is there a need for sound muting?!

It's impossible for a grand Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique to merely consist of unpublishable foul language, what could be so secretive that I'm barred from hearing it? Not even a single word, a fragment of a sentence. Is the fear that I might remember and bring it back to the real world for Ghost Cultivation?

Whether I can accurately recite it all is a question, and whether Spiritual Energy exists in the real world for cultivation is another question. Why such strict prevention that not even a word is allowed to reach me?

Throughout the entire teaching process, Qu Luming was diligent, and Jiang Yuan could only silently watch his mouth move without hearing anything, while Qu Luming's speech was quick, making it impossible for lip-reading to guess what was said. He could only silently criticize the system in his mind for being overly stingy.

There were "task-specific" items before, and now there's sound muting. I admit I'm a little miserly, always wanting to make the most out of everything, but the system didn't have to treat me like a thief, did it?

After about half an hour, Qu Luming sighed in relief and said, "The above is the complete content of the Ghost Immortal Scripture. Fellow Daoist, remember it well. I must stress, this is the only True Skill on the righteous path of the Netherworld, and secretly passing it on is already inappropriate, so I implore you to exercise utmost caution and not to teach it recklessly.

Moreover, if wishing to pass it to a friend, ensure it's taught in accordance with the friend's cultivation level.

You are a Human Race Cultivator, not a ghost, and your high, unpredictable realm enables you to withstand the impact of the entire Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique. If a lower realm Ghost Cultivator were to hear too much of the True Skill, they might not be able to bear it, so be sure to control the transmission's moderation, lest it endangers their life.

Finally, it's the old repeated saying, Heavenly Level Cultivation Techniques are the root of countless disasters, even a smidgen of news would cause havoc. Should you pass it to a friend, remind them to act discreetly, or else they might find themselves with nowhere to be buried!"

[Ghost Immortal Scripture's study is completed, Skill Level is 0, currently no conditions for use, please continue to explore.]

[Current exchange rate 1:100 points]

Hmm?

Jiang Yuan was bewildered as he stared at the skill that turned gray and unusable, only to see a prompt following shortly. Upon closer inspection of the inconspicuous small characters on the interface, the exchange rate had indeed changed from 1:40 to 1:100.

This means that starting now, each day that passes by will increase my health bar by a hundred points!

Becoming a large health tank is just around the corner!

However, it's peculiar to have Ghost Immortal Scripture increase the exchange rate. Isn't this supposed to be a reward for "upholding justice" in the real world by driving unscrupulous merchants out of business?

"Alright, I've noted it." Though puzzled, Jiang Yuan acknowledged that even though the skill was unusable, gaining daily health points was already quite beneficial. Hence, he nodded: "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your personal tutoring. Shall we move to the front hall for another cup of tea?"

Seizing the opportunity, Qu Luming unabashedly inquired, "Fellow Daoist, your Incense Stick making prowess is unparalleled; I wish to ask... do you produce Incense for Offering?"

He held scant hope, since even if the other could make offering incense, their immense strength would render any offerings unnecessary, after all.

But being a Ghost Cultivator, having adequate incense and offering support is akin to the icing on the cake!

If he could receive such superior incense offerings, perhaps he might avoid calamities destined for his true form. After all, the path of offerings is a deep mystery, even ordinary folks, when sincerely venerated, could become minor deities, let alone his dignified position as Fengdu City's Leopard Tail.

"Of course, I can." Jiang Yuan replied offhandedly without much thought, "I make Incense Sticks, Incense, Offering Incense, and Medicinal Incense when I have the time. There are two quite useful Demon Cultivators in my little courtyard; I usually offer them three sticks each morning and evening."

Feed them incense?!

Upon hearing these key words, Qu Luming's eyes widened immediately, almost blurting out that he wanted some too.

"Well... what are the special requirements to receive fellow Daoist's incense?" He thought that even if his cultivation might not be as high, he still held a key position in Fengdu, surely of some use?

[Detected that Ghost Cultivator Qu Luming has a desire to attach through reliance; further guiding for voluntary allegiance is possible]

Jiang Yuan: ???

Is it true? Just a few words and one wants recognition of allegiance; the allure of the incense is that powerful?

The system didn't label it, so how could he know that Qu Luming is now clutching at straws, terrified that the retribution on his original self would drag him to annihilation, treating a dead horse as if it were alive, not bothering with many restrictions.

How should he guide him?

"Requirements? Naturally, it's to be at my disposal." He took out a handful of incense from his storage bag that he had made a few days ago.

Now, with the mill in the small courtyard upgraded to Level Six, capable of grinding more types of medicinal powders, the incense made has become increasingly exquisite and complex. Each stick crafted yields much more experience than before, with the incense making skill already elevated to Level Ten, providing further bonuses to the exquisite incense.

Indeed, as Qu Luming looked at the incense exuding a faint golden glow and rich scent, he couldn't bear to look away, his face filled with greed, and his fair, delicate face revealing a ghastly ghostly transformation.

"Gulp!" He swallowed, feeling as if his soul had been snatched, his throat dry and voice hoarse as he said, "Daoist You, good man, please don't tempt me! Such incense is truly rare, I beg you, have mercy, let me have a taste!"

In Fengdu, Deputy Commander Leopard Tail usually has proper incense offerings to obtain.

However, in comparison, Daoist You's incense is akin to an immortal grade, which might not be enjoyed by many ghostly commanders in Fengdu City. Thinking about how two demon cultivators could enjoy it at will, Qu Luming's eyes were red with envy.

Jiang Yuan wasn't stingy either, making a gesture of invitation.

Qu Luming kept his eyes glued to the incense the whole way, fearing the precious item would be put away.

"I don't have a magical incense burner here, Daoist You, please make do." He casually picked a delicate bowl-shaped ornament from the antique shelf, reminiscing about when Xiao Bai was first coaxed back to the courtyard, using a bowl with some sand as an incense burner, and only after a long while did it get replaced with a magic incense burner.

Now giving Qu Luming a bowl as well, but this one was more exquisite, and the sand had been replaced with golden sand.

Under the greedy, impatient gaze of the other, Jiang Yuan leisurely retrieved one stick of incense from the bunch and stored the rest, lighting it with an ice flame with a flick.

Holding the incense in his left hand, he swept his right hand upward, extinguishing the pale blue flame, replaced by a delicate blue smoke spiraling upwards, spreading an alluringly fresh fragrance.

"Hiss ha..." Qu Luming leaned in to take a deep breath, the blue smoke going straight into his body through his nasal cavity, feeling as if his divine aperture opened instantly, shivering from comfort.

Carefully savoring the mystical scent of incense, he inhaled deeply again, feeling incredibly refreshed!

Holding onto the bowl with one stick of incense, Qu Luming's ghostly transformation was fully revealed, menacing fangs and blue face, yet at this moment, hugging the incense and huffing like a cat addicted to catnip, without a trace of threat, drooling slightly from the corner of his mouth, eyes half-open and unfocused, his over two-meter-tall figure nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Daoist You indeed is an incense making expert, and a humble one at that. For ghost cultivators, such top-notch items are utterly irresistible; after consuming this stick, he'd be willing to become a servant if you asked."

Yuan Man, having caught a whiff of the faint scent, also coveted the power contained within, but being a Great Demon in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, he restrained himself from revealing his form like Qu Luming.

Jiang Yuan chuckled and took out another stick from his storage bag, "It's a pleasure to meet today; may I offer City Lord Yuan a stick of incense?"

Clicking his tongue, Daoist You is quite deferential!

Unexpectedly gaining more than anticipated, Yuan Man gladly accepted.

After savoring two sticks, one demon and one ghost held their bowls reminiscing for a while, Qu Luming rubbed his face to return his fair appearance, tidied his clothes, and seriously asked, "Sir, you said earlier, so long as we could be of use to you, we could receive the incense, is that true?"

"Indeed it is, but to recognize me as master, you cannot serve two masters, and you must be upright in character."

"This... as a doppelgänger, serving two masters was out of necessity." Qu Luming hesitated, feeling toothache, "If I can sever ties with my original self, could I follow you, sir? By the way, I am Deputy Commander Leopard Tail under the Ghostly Commander in Fengdu City, assisting in managing the souls of beasts. Ordinarily, I'm required to serve in the Netherworld, but I'm at your service anytime if called upon!"

Without a further request for allegiance, Jiang Yuan also felt the courtyard already had quite a few members, now including Granny Huang in a puppet wooden doll's body. Whether or not to accept Qu Luming was indifferent to him, so long as a good cooperative relationship could be maintained at present.

He nodded in agreement, indicating that the sky was not too early, needing to quickly fulfill the transaction and proceed to the next step.

"Ahem! What I'm going to talk about next is how to use the life origin, it might be a bit verbose, so I'd ask you both to be patient and listen. Mainly because I'm worried that if I don't clarify the cause and effect, some important details may be omitted." Qu Luming unconsciously lowered his voice, setting up a barrier to avoid leaking secrets.

"Back then, I was a demon cultivator doppelgänger condensed by Du Li, painstakingly cultivated to the Demon Pill Realm, handling various matters within the Demon Realm Alliance. During the time of Jade Dew Mountain's wildfire, I don't know if you both have heard of it, it was a massive disaster, claiming thousands of lives, with only perhaps two or three out of ten thousand able to escape.

Because that wildfire was enhanced by demon flames, ordinary means of defense were useless, nor could the fire be easily extinguished. The Demon Realm Alliance was at an impasse, dispatching a team of death warriors to resist the fire in person. Being a doppelgänger of Vice Alliance Hierarch Du Li, being of little value, of course, I was among those death warriors.

At that time, I really had the mindset of facing death while resisting the wildfire; but the heavens were merciful, as the demon flames ceased spreading and were gradually extinguished under the bodies of the death warriors, and I luckily survived.

To say survived is merely to indicate I was severely burned, barely clinging to life, not quite yet perished.

Du Li saw my loyalty was commendable and my role in extinguishing the fire contributory, perhaps also having some trial in mind, ultimately he made a decision—to grant me a portion of the life origin, allowing me to successfully transform into a ghost through the agony of dying."