Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 475 - 470 True Dragon Skeleton, One Man’s Unique Law?_1
"We cannot obtain the True Dragon Skeleton without dealing with the True Dragon Evil," said one of the cultivators.
In the Flood Dragon Secret Realm, a shattered, gigantic skeleton lay in the distance.
This skeleton, ancient beyond reckoning, was mostly damaged, yet it still emitted an aura daunting even to Nascent Soul period cultivators.
A True Dragon Skeleton!
Legend told of a True Dragon, a being on par with Immortals!
Countless years had passed since the True Dragon’s demise, but its bones still held immensely powerful forces.
It was unimaginable that such a treasure would reside within the Flood Dragon Secret Realm; acquiring it would be the greatest gain of this journey.
Even the long-damaged True Dragon Skeleton was a treasure trove beyond imagination.
A decaying ship still has its nails; though most of the True Dragon Skeleton was of no use, it could still serve as the primary material for crafting Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasures.
With the Scattered Spare Parts, creating several Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures would pose no problem, each one of exceptionally high quality.
The four Nascent Soul period cultivators and thirteen Void Refining Stage cultivators of the Lingbao Sect found themselves at their wits’ end. This was all due to the black shadow circling persistently above the True Dragon Skeleton, unwilling to leave.
This Evil Qi was a Corpse Sha formed after the True Dragon’s death, known as True Dragon Evil—extraordinary in its nature.
The Lingbao Sect cultivators were excited to find it initially, even harboring thoughts of taming it.
But even the combined strength of the four Nascent Soul period cultivators and thirteen Void Refining Stage cultivators was no match for the True Dragon Evil Qi.
Perhaps Grand Ancestor Tai Yuan and the Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasure could resolve this.
Unfortunately, no one but Grand Ancestor Tai Yuan could employ the Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasure.
If both were to leave the Sect, enemies might seize the opportunity, potentially bringing disaster upon the Sect.
Their only options were to find a way to drive away the True Dragon Evil or defeat it to seize the True Dragon Skeleton.
To not take such supreme materials would be unworthy of them as Lingbao Sect cultivators.
Unlike the Seven Fiends Temple, the Lingbao Sect had few methods to contend with Evil Qi.
After many fruitless attempts, they finally found an effective solution: Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid.
Under normal circumstances, this substance would dispel the Corpse Sha Qi of a dead Flood Dragon; it was the first time they were using it to dissolve a True Dragon’s Evil Qi.
The substance indeed worked, albeit modestly.
To eradicate the True Dragon Evil Qi, the Lingbao Sect would need to use it in an unprecedented quantity.
If quality was inadequate, quantity had to compensate. Thus, the Lingbao Sect made great efforts to collect the Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid.
The four Nascent Soul period cultivators and thirteen Void Refining Stage cultivators did not leave the realm—not only to keep the secret and prevent leaks.
Another reason was to reinforce the barriers of the Flood Dragon Secret Realm, preventing other cultivators from discovering and entering it.
The Lingbao Sect was not the only one aware of the Flood Dragon Secret Realm, and who knew what troubles might be attracted. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Until they had the True Dragon Skeleton in hand, they dared not relax for a moment.
If word of the True Dragon Skeleton leaked, there was no telling which Sect would wage war over the resources of this Secret Realm.
"The newly delivered Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid has increased significantly in quantity from before."
A Qi-surnamed Void Refining Stage cultivator, responsible for coordinating with the Lingbao Sect and transporting resources, brought out more than thirty bottles of Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid and handed them to Ancestor Ji Kong.
The True Dragon Evil was no fool; it possessed its own intelligence.
It had witnessed the restraining effect of the Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid and normally dodged any conventional application of the liquid.
Ancestor Ji Kong was the sole exception. His Ji Kong Palm was divine, allowing him to remotely apply the Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid without waste.
Ancestor Ji Kong took out a bottle of the liquid and dispatched it with a palm strike through the air.
The Jade Vase materialized in front of the True Dragon Evil Qi. The black True Dragon formed by the Evil Qi was drenched in the liquid before it could react.
The Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid, specifically designed for Dragon Evil Qi, dissolved large swathes of the black Evil Qi.
This also instilled a deep-seated hatred for Ancestor Ji Kong in the True Dragon Evil. It had attempted to break free and pursue him, but as a result, it almost allowed the True Dragon Skeleton to be stolen.
From then on, the True Dragon Evil grew wary, resolved not to leave the True Dragon Skeleton’s side.
"The supply of Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid has increased, and the quality is excellent!"
Ancestor Ji Kong, sensing the enhanced effect of the liquid compared to previous attempts, couldn’t hide his approval.
An increased and improved supply of the liquid meant the time to resolve the True Dragon Evil was drawing nearer.
This was welcome news.
"Jikong, you’ve taken on a commendable disciple."
"The highest quality Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid was crafted by your disciple," the Qi-surnamed Ancestor transporting the materials complimented generously.
My disciple?
The faces of several of his disciples flashed through Ancestor Ji Kong’s mind, none matching the description.
His tendency when accepting disciples leaned towards ’martial maniacs,’ mostly cultivators eager for a fight.
The only peculiar one was the youngest. But wasn’t he a Spirit-level Refiner?
"Jia Ren?"
Aside from Jia Ren, Ancestor Ji Kong could think of no one else.
Seeing the smiling eyes of the other Elders, Ancestor Ji Kong knew his guess was correct.
"That undisciplined scoundrel! When we return, I must deal with him properly!"
Talented in Alchemy? He created Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid, a feat even a Spirit Class Alchemy Master would find challenging?
From one perspective, it was positive news. But thinking of Jia Ren’s talents in Artifact Refining and Divine Skills, the smile faded from his face.
Jia Ren should have been focusing all his energy on improving his Artifact Refining and Divine Skills, yet he spent it on Alchemy; this was tantamount to a waste of his talents. Most practitioners excel in the Great Dao, at most skilled in one aspect of Cultivation. Diverting attention and effort to extraneous pursuits hinders Cultivation, preventing focus on one true path. The result is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
As a Sect renowned for Refining Treasures, the Lingbao Sect always regarded Artifact Refining as the Great Dao, considering arts like Alchemy secondary.
Given Jia Ren’s exceptional aptitude, it naturally irked Ancestor Ji Kong that he was spending time on Alchemy.
"Ahem, Jikong, let’s discuss this after the current matter is settled."
With an ample supply of Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid, the efficiency of eradicating the True Dragon Evil Qi had skyrocketed. They didn’t want to decrease efficiency at this crucial time.
Everything for the greater good. When I return, I *will* deal with you properly! Ancestor Ji Kong mused.
「...」
"ACHOO!"
Jia Ren, while refining Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid, couldn’t help but sneeze.
Who could be bearing a grudge against me? Plotting against me? There’s always some scoundrel out to get the emperor! From now on... I’ll never leave the Lingbao Sect! As long as I don’t leave the sect, trouble won’t come looking for me...
Jia Ren put this matter out of his mind and focused on refining Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid. With his Alchemy skills, the quality of the liquid kept improving.
He divided it into four portions, each surpassing the quality of ordinary Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid.
The materials Jia Ren took were limited. If someone paid close attention, they would certainly notice his astonishing efficiency in refining Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid.
After hesitating for a moment, he only demonstrated a slightly higher-than-normal speed and quality of refinement.
This was to prevent a situation where, one day, if the Sect’s task to produce Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid was canceled, he would be left holding all the inventory.
After accumulating a batch of stock, Jia Ren stopped refining Dragon Evil-Suppressing Liquid. He focused mainly on studying the Spiritual Treasures needed for the fifth level of the Treasure Light Body Refining Technique.
Choosing the next Treasured Light was not an easy task. There were several new types, all capable of amplifying the intensity of all Treasured Lights.
By enhancing the strength of Treasured Lights, the power of the Dusk Treasured Light could be further increased.
The previously considered Space-Forbidden Treasure Light was discarded due to the emergence of the Earth Element Gravity Divine Power.
The Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror?
Jia Ren, searching the records within the Refining Palace, discovered the name of a brand-new Spiritual Treasure, one that had never existed before.
Unlike the shared methods of refining common Spiritual Treasures, the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror had only a name and a rough description of its effects, with no detailed refining method provided.
??? What’s going on? Why isn’t there a refining method?
However, inspired by the descriptions of the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror’s effects, Jia Ren had a completely new idea.
Absorptive Spirit Radiance! The effect of the Soul-Extinction Radiance is to push out Spiritual Energy and form an Extinguishing Spirit Zone, artificially creating a Dusk area. But in this state, nature’s Spiritual Energy is merely pushed out and still exists in the world. Once the Dusk Treasured Light disappears, the Extinguishing Spirit Zone will gradually recover over time. The state, after all, isn’t perfect. The emergence of the Absorptive Spirit Radiance seems to make up for this shortcoming. Instead of the Soul-Extinction Radiance pushing Spiritual Energy out, it would be... absorbed within. If the Dusk Treasured Light could absorb the nature’s Spiritual Energy enveloping an area and channel it into the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl, wouldn’t that solve the problem of scarce Spiritual Energy? This would save the expense of purchasing high-tier Spirit Veins. Furthermore, once this technique is fully deployed and all nature’s Spiritual Energy is absorbed into the Mountain and Sea Pearl, the Dusk Treasured Light will no longer form a temporary Extinguishing Spirit Zone, but rather a true and permanent Extinguishing Spirit Zone. When Heaven and Earth reach their Dusk, one man alone will command the Dao.
Given this, the reference value of the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror far exceeded previous considerations, making it the leading choice.
How can I obtain the refining method for the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror?
Jia Ren left the Hall of Artifice to inquire with Wang Jian.
Wang Jian, understanding Jia Ren’s intention, explained with a smile, "This is about Artifact Refiners at the exchange meeting swapping refining methods for Spiritual Treasures."
"If a method has vanished, it means that particular Treasure Refining Method has been taken by someone else."
While the Hall of Artifice shares the methods for refining certain Spiritual Treasures, it does not mean that all methods will be shared. Methods for refining unique Spiritual Treasures, created by individuals, are not shared publicly.
Spirit-level Refiners have often spent hundreds or thousands of years in this pursuit, mastering several unique techniques and methods for refining Spiritual Treasures.
For instance, Ancestor Ji Kong’s Ji Kong Palm and Spirit Devouring Treasure Art are his personal techniques, taught only to disciples.
If you have a unique craft, becoming a custom Artifact Refiner is not difficult.
The refining method for the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror has already been taken by someone else? At least two individuals within the Hall of Artifice know how to refine the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror.
"Wang Jian, could you please facilitate contact? I would like to acquire the refining method for the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror."
Seeing the look in Wang Jian’s eyes, Jia Ren hurriedly said, "Once I obtain the refining method for the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror, I will immediately refine the Heavenly Fire God Cover, guaranteed to be of a quality that will satisfy you."
Wang Jian nodded and smiled. "Leave it to me. However, I can only act as a go-between. Whether they are willing to trade is beyond my control."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Jia Ren saw Wang Jian off and returned to the Refining Palace, casually accepting the task of refining the Heavenly Fire God Cover.
Wang Jian had helped him multiple times, and it was only right to reciprocate by first crafting a Heavenly Fire God Cover for him.
Later, he was to refine the Royal Void Robe and Divine Defense Bell. These supreme-grade Defensive Lingbao should also satisfy him.
The materials for the Heavenly Fire God Cover arrived, but before Jia Ren could begin working on them, he received a message from Wang Jian.
"The refining method for the Soul Capturing Treasure Mirror is available for exchange. However, what Spiritual Treasure refining method can you offer in return?"
"If what you provide doesn’t satisfy Elder Zhou, then the deal is off."
