Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 452 - 447 A Prophecy Fulfilled, The Erhu at the Gravesite_1
Fei Zhong’s information network was quite effective, and he learned the ins and outs of the incident almost immediately. The Wu Family, belonging to Ancestor Ji Kong’s eighth disciple, had been annihilated by cultivators from the Dark Demon Sect, who had also attacked Lingbao Sect disciples Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao. Demon Cultivators from the Dark Demon Sect had previously attempted to assassinate Jia Ren and plotted against Ma Tianbao, the pride of the Lingbao Sect. After the Lingbao Sect vanquished the Dark Demon Sect, the remaining remnants, with their undying malice, still sought to make a comeback. Suddenly, a large number of bounties targeting the Dark Demon Sect were issued, with the firm intention of utterly eradicating them.
Fei Zhong was stunned. Cultivators from the Dark Demon Sect attacked Jia Ren? Were there other survivors from the Dark Demon Sect? As far as he knew, the Dark Demon Sect didn’t have many Void Refinement Cultivators, and they had all been caught by the Lingbao Sect. Only he, a Void Refinement Cultivator, remained in the Sect. The answer, then, was obvious. Had the Dark Demon Sect been framed? This infuriated Fei Zhong, yet he was helpless. He had no chance to defend himself; daring to appear before a Lingbao Sect cultivator would be like throwing himself into a net. This false accusation would most likely be pinned on him, this Void Refining Stage Cultivator.
"Jia Ren, I want you dead!!!"
New hatred piled onto old, intensifying Fei Zhong’s desire to kill Jia Ren. This situation had its pros and cons. At the very least, he now knew Jia Ren’s whereabouts and wouldn’t have to wait here idly any longer. The most dangerous place is the safest place. Since you dared to frame me, I’ll catch you completely off guard. Jia Ren would never expect a true Dark Demon Sect cultivator to dare to strike at a time like this.
Fei Zhong decisively left, rushing towards the Wu Family’s location.
「...」
With a Lianxu Stage Demon Cultivator in the Wu Family, Jia Ren and Zhuo Chengdao had no intention of staying any longer and hurriedly left. The remaining matters would be handled by the high-level cultivators of the Lingbao Sect. The two of them... would not risk their own lives.
"Junior Brother Jia, this time, besides completing the sect mission, I have some good news for you," Zhuo Chengdao said. "I accidentally discovered a treasure location, likely an Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion. By exchanging the Profound Treasures and All-Heaven Profound Treasures we find for Spiritual Treasures, and then using the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art to absorb them, we can increase our Cultivation Levels at the fastest possible speed. Without a fortunate encounter, how long would it take us to reach the Lianxu Stage?"
Zhuo Chengdao had a strong obsession with reaching the Lianxu Stage; only then would he be qualified to take revenge on his enemies. Facing his enemies at the Divinity Transformation Early Stage was almost akin to delivering himself to death. He would firmly grasp any chance to change his destiny.
"An Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion?" Jia Ren’s eyes flashed with surprise. With so many cultivators in the Mysterious Realm, if there truly was an Ancient Cave Dwelling, how could it have been preserved until now? He had heard of many Ancient Cave Dwellings in the Sealed Land, but in reality... those Dwellings were fake, and what awaited cultivators were only daggers in the back. It seemed that, at some point, Ancient Cave Dwellings had become a tool for Bizarre Cultivators to scam, deceive, and murder for profit.
"Elder Brother Zhuo, I remember you have a powerful enemy," Jia Ren said. "Where did you get the information about this Ancient Cave Dwelling? Can you guarantee its reliability? Could it possibly be a trap laid by your enemy? You’ve been safely growing stronger within the Lingbao Sect, so it should be your enemy who is in a hurry, not you."
Jia Ren voiced his speculations. While Zhuo Chengdao’s enemy might possess the power of the Lianxu Stage, they could hardly break into the Lingbao Sect to kill a True Disciple, especially with Ancestor Ji Kong, who was at the Lianxu Stage, backing Zhuo Chengdao. Backed by the super-sect, the Lingbao Sect, and possessing excellent talent with a promising future, as long as he didn’t fall prematurely, his future achievements were immeasurable; becoming a Void Refining Stage Cultivator was just a matter of time. Logically, the one most eager to eliminate him and nip the threat in the bud should be Zhuo Chengdao’s enemy.
This left Zhuo Chengdao stunned. He had only ever focused on rapidly advancing his own cultivation to defeat his enemy, never daring to relax for a moment. To advance his cultivation as quickly as possible, he had risked his life on several occasions, narrowly escaping death.
"You only have the right to seek revenge if you are alive," Jia Ren continued. "If you die, all grudges will vanish like smoke. Elder Brother Zhuo, why not try a different approach? Outlive your enemy. Before he dies of old age, you can go to his grave and dance... or play the erhu. Without the protection of a Lianxu Stage expert, and with you, a formidable rival, watching him intently, he would definitely die with regrets."
Jia Ren gently persuaded, painting an appealing picture.
Zhuo Chengdao stood frozen, taking a long time to process it. This was indeed a path he had never considered. Was this feasible? Of course, it was not only feasible but also perfectly safe and sound. This was a prudent solution Junior Brother Jia had come up with.
"The information and maps for the Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion you possess shouldn’t go to waste; there are ways to make the most of them," Jia Ren elaborated. "One option is to sell them at a high price. Even if you only get one Spiritual Treasure or some Spiritual Materials, it’s not a loss. If you sell to a fellow disciple, explain the potential issues beforehand to avoid trouble later. If you suspect the Cave Dwelling is related to your enemy, you can ask your master to help. Use your master’s strength to eliminate the foe... As a cultivator, you need to be flexible. Why insist on taking revenge personally? If you have enough wealth, offer a Spiritual Treasure as a bounty, and someone will gladly do the job."
As long as you open your mind, solutions always outnumber difficulties, Jia Ren thought. The idea that ’I must personally kill the enemies who annihilated my clan’ is too foolish. Whatever method is used, as long as it kills the enemy, that’s the best method. Surviving is the true path. Living in constant anxiety for revenge only torments oneself. Change the approach, and it will be the enemy who has to hide everywhere, tormented day and night.
Zhuo Chengdao was utterly bewildered. Jia Ren’s words had opened a new world to him. He wasn’t foolish; he was just trapped in the mindset that he had to personally kill the true culprit. The vengeance for his clan’s extermination, of course, had to be carried out by his own hands; it couldn’t be entrusted to others.
However, everyone’s thoughts are ultimately different. Thoughts determine fate.
"For the blood feud of my clan’s extermination, I must act personally to appease the wronged souls of the Zhuo Family and comfort their spirits in heaven," Zhuo Chengdao stated firmly. "I appreciate Junior Brother Jia’s kind intentions."
Regarding his family’s enemies, his method of revenge would not change. Killing his enemy was his deepest aspiration, unswayed by anyone.
Jia Ren looked puzzled, not understanding why Zhuo Chengdao was so obstinate. "If you hire someone, they don’t necessarily have to kill your enemy. They could capture him alive and cripple his cultivation. Then, it wouldn’t be too late for you to deal with him personally. This way, you reduce the risk and still get to slay your enemy with your own hands. For cultivators, connections are also a part of one’s strength."
Zhuo Chengdao was genuinely tempted; he constantly thought about eliminating his foe. In the past, being only in the Divinity Transformation Early Stage, he was too far removed from his enemy’s strength, with no idea when he might achieve revenge. Now, hope was within reach. With one thought, the world expands. If I could resolve this animosity ahead of time, without this burden on my heart, I could also avoid interference from my Heart Demon and focus more on cultivation.
"Indeed, asking Master to join us is a good solution," he admitted. Ancestor Ji Kong has always been protective of his disciples. He’s not an outsider and would definitely not mind lending a hand. If the opponent could be captured alive, leaving him for me to deliver the finishing blow would also count as revenge.
"Thank you for the reminder, Junior Brother Jia. I know what to do now," Zhuo Chengdao said. "Master will soon come to the Wu Family because of the destruction of my Ninth Senior Brother’s family. It’s better to wait until the Wu Family matter is settled before dealing with this. Master instructed us to stay hidden and not give any opportunity to the remnants of the Dark Demon Sect."
The two did not go to the Wu Family. Instead, they found a place to hide, avoiding revealing their whereabouts and preventing trouble from the Dark Demon Sect from finding them. In the following days, their lives became peaceful as they quietly awaited the arrival of Ancestor Ji Kong and the cultivators from the Lingbao Sect.
Jia Ren wasn’t worried that the scene he had fabricated would be exposed. Once the Lingbao Sect discovers the Wu Family’s connection to Bizarre Demons, they will, for the sake of the Sect’s reputation, try to calm matters down. With Ancestor Ji Kong personally present, even if there are minor flaws, Master can cover for them.
Over the next few days, Zhuo Chengdao busied himself with something unknown, choosing to enter seclusion for several days. Jia Ren, meanwhile, searched the nearby area for rare treasures and Exotic Beasts. I not only have the Ancestral Fish Sage Pill but also the Ancestor Beast Holy Pill and the Ancestor Insect Holy Pill. My goal for atavism isn’t limited to Spirit Fish. For cultivation, I have the Demon-Sealing Spirit Tower, where the progress is much faster than cultivating on my own. Using Divine Skills creates too much of a disturbance and easily attracts attention. Besides, there’s no need to rush cultivating Divine Skills in just these few days. Since it’s a rare trip out, I should naturally look around for valuables and purchase suitable ones. The Treasure-seeking Mouse in the Mountain and Sea Pearl has been antsy, itching for a chance to demonstrate its skills. It hasn’t left the Mountain and Sea Pearl since the Giant Forest Secret Realm and, without new treasures to find, it’s about to go stir-crazy.
Regrettably, most areas in the Mysterious Realm had been scoured by cultivators countless times. After wasting half a day, he had found nothing.
With an expression of helplessness, Jia Ren arrived at the Blue Cloud Market, a hundred miles away. Passing a nearby teahouse, he heard the conversation inside and strode in.
"There are dozens of Flood Dragons causing trouble in the Yunlan River! I really want to capture one as a spirit pet."
"Every part of a Flood Dragon is a treasure—its dragon soul, Dragon Scales, dragon blood, dragon claws, and Flood Dragon pill. Each fetches a price far exceeding that of ordinary Magical Beasts."
"Don’t even think about it. Each Flood Dragon is at least fourth-rank. It’s a pity we lack the strength."
Flood Dragons? Jia Ren mused. If I undergo atavism with my Flood Dragon bloodline, could I transform one into a True Dragon? True Dragons are legendary, powerful Divine Beasts possessing incredible Divine Skills.
Until now, Jia Ren had only encountered a Flood Dragon once—the guardian of the World-Devouring Sentinel Gate, which possessed Divinity Transformation Stage strength. That was not a target he could subdue; at the time, he was solely focused on escaping the Sealed Land and wouldn’t have dared to provoke it. Other than that, he had never encountered another Flood Dragon in the Sealed Land. Now that he had a chance to learn about other Flood Dragons, his interest was immediately piqued.
Jia Ren leaned forward with a smile. "My name is Zhen Yi. Greetings, fellow Daoists."
He had already altered his appearance before going out and suppressed his cultivation to the Nascent Soul Stage. A cultivator of this level was considered a senior practitioner, whom few would dare to provoke, allowing him to avoid most trouble.
The cultivators discussing the matter were four Golden Core Stage Cultivators. Seeing a Nascent Soul Cultivator initiate conversation, they were somewhat awestruck.
"Greetings, Senior," they said, rising respectfully.
Jia Ren didn’t stand on ceremony and got straight to the point. "Are the Flood Dragons you were discussing real?"
"With the number of Magical Beasts dwindling, don’t you find it strange that dozens of Flood Dragons have suddenly appeared?"
