Chapter 286: Defection

A Nascent Soul Stage brain!

And not just any Nascent Soul Stage brain, but one that had failed to achieve Divine Transformation!

In his cultivation chamber, Chen Luo sensed the newly acquired brain, clearly discerning its difference from the Core Formation Stage brain he’d previously obtained.

This time, he had to act decisively! For Chen Luo, who cultivated the Heart Demon Manual, this head was an essential component of his cultivation technique. If he failed to seize it now, the brain would slip through his grasp, ultimately ending up as a Pill ingredient in Patriarch Gu He’s concoctions.

The Demonic Heart Ancestor had been slain by the Seven Patriarchs of Jade Purity two thousand years ago. His main body was sealed beneath Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, while fragments of his remains scattered across the land. The Demonic Heart Ancestor in the demonic cultivation realm was a Yin Soul that had materialized from one such fragment. The skull in the Pill Furnace had sensed Chen Luo’s Heart Demon Qi because of this very connection.

Chen Luo’s Master, Void Sage, was a disciple of one such fragment’s Yin Soul. This wasn’t limited to the demonic cultivation realm’s Demonic Heart Ancestor. Within Guoshan County of the Seven Kingdoms region, another fragment of the Demonic Heart Ancestor’s remains had been sealed in an ancient ruin. Later, a group of rogue cultivators unearthed it. Under the influence of the Demonic Heart’s Yin Soul, these tomb-raiding marauders learned the “Six Desires Heavenly Demon Art” and proceeded to corrupt the entire Guoshan County.

The Void Sage’s adaptation of the “Six Desires Heavenly Demon Art” was, in a sense, moving in the right direction. However, this art wasn’t truly the “brain’s” original conception, resulting in significant deviations from its original form and diminished effectiveness. In Guoshan County, Chen Luo discovered that the Medicine Garden’s depths concealed a sealed site containing fragmented corpses. The curses afflicting the Old Mummy Ghost and Wang Tianji’s group all originated from these remnants.

When a whale falls, all life flourishes.

The Demonic Heart Ancestor’s demise had profound consequences. Fragmented corpses scattered across the land, giving rise to countless troublesome Yin Souls.

“Of the several methods for accelerating Golden Core formation I observed in the Cultivation Chamber, I should attempt cultivation now.”

Several Nascent Soul cultivation techniques surfaced in Chen Luo’s mind.

Unlike the Mummified Brain, Chen Luo’s current cultivation realm could fully withstand the Nascent Soul Stage brain. Activating it proved remarkably simple; after a brief attempt, the brain began offering cultivation plans from the Nascent Soul’s perspective, complete with precise methods.

“Pure Yang and Feng Shui?”

These two cultivation techniques were Nascent Soul Realm methods he’d discovered in Patriarch Guhe of the Great Void’s Cultivation Chamber. Each technique imposed strict restrictions based on Spirit Root attributes. Chen Luo had also noticed another issue:

All existing cultivation techniques in the Cultivation World carried elemental and physical constitution limitations. Immortal Cultivators lacking sufficient Spirit Root or proper constitution found it nearly impossible to achieve success. The primary reason lay in lifespan constraints. As cultivation progressed, the breadth of knowledge required expanded exponentially. Even the simplest Transformation Technique involved intricate manipulations of essence, qi, and spirit, along with deep understanding of the target’s nature. Without proper comprehension, forced transformations would inevitably result in unnatural, artificial outcomes.

During his journey to the Rakshasa Dojo with Lady Bai Gu, Chen Luo had encountered Old Demon Fang - a Foundation Establishment cultivator specializing in Transformation Techniques. The Nascent Soul had since been stored in his collection, though its utility had diminished over time.

At the time, the opponent’s Transformation Technique had caused him considerable trouble. Unfortunately, the ‘Transformation Technique’ practiced by the opponent failed to meet the standards of the Mummified Brain. While he couldn’t understand it then, now, looking down from the Nascent Soul realm, everything became clear. Old Demon Fang’s Transformation Technique had taken a wrong path from the beginning. He excessively pursued ‘shape transformation’ while failing to comprehend both qi and spirit. Such a Transformation Art might have some effect at the Foundation Establishment stage, but once reaching the Core Formation stage, when observed through Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, it became riddled with flaws.

“Full-attribute mastery is impossible for ordinary Immortal Cultivators. The saying ‘human strength is finite while the Dao is infinite’ encapsulates this truth.”

Chen Luo rose and walked to the side. This Cultivation Chamber belonged to Patriarch Gu He’s second training space, with numerous medicinal pill ingredients nearby.

“Yet I possess boundless aptitude. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to utilize it?”

He took down a gourd containing pills and poured out a dozen or so.

The dark red Guiyuan Pills shimmered with spiritual light in his palm, their medicinal aroma filling the air and invigorating his spirit.

High-grade pill quality with flowing internal patterns - clearly crafted by my elder brother.

True Person Gu Yue’s mummified brain materialized before him.

Chen Luo settled into a cross-legged position, grabbed a fistful of pills, and swallowed them. The Demonic Heart Art began circulating within his body once more, further purifying his spiritual energy. The glow of the Core Formation Seed grew increasingly radiant.

For the following days, Chen Luo remained in his Cultivation Chamber, focused on cultivation.

Amassed resources poured into his efforts. The golden hue on his Pseudo Core expanded steadily, now covering nearly half its surface. At this rate, attempting Tribulation Transcendence now would grant him a fifty-fifty chance of forming a Golden Core! Yet even this success rate seemed insufficiently secure to Chen Luo.

A fifty-fifty chance meant a fifty-fifty risk of failure.

Such perilous odds differed little from gambling with one’s life. With the Grand Void Ancestor’s support, there was no need for haste.

Thus, he continued accumulating cultivation. Beyond occasional pill shortages requiring resource replenishment, his only departures involved guiding Mu Xiaoyu’s practice. He avoided all Qiong Hua Sect affairs. Over time, Grand Void Peak’s elders grew accustomed to this True Inheritance’s reticence, ceasing their invitations to gatherings. Even Senior Sister Junyao stopped visiting him regularly.

“Senior Brother, City Lord Yan from Medicine King City has arrived. He’s waiting for you at the mountain’s base.”

The serene cultivation that had sustained Chen Luo for over half a year was suddenly interrupted by a voice from outside.

“Medicine King City?”

Chen Luo recalled his initial transaction with City Lord Yan when he first ascended the mountain. The City Lord had helped him recover many of True Person Gu Yue’s ‘memories’ and provided him with foundational resources, social connections, and initial cultivation materials.

The City Lord of Medicine King City remained unaware of Chen Luo’s true background. As long as Chen Luo didn’t reveal it, the City Lord couldn’t discern his secrets.

“Where is he?”

Chen Luo emerged from the Cultivation Chamber as sunlight slanted through the doorway.

The sudden brightness momentarily disoriented him. For over half a year, his days had been devoted to cultivation and pill refinement, never worrying about cultivation resources or spiritual energy consumption. With the Grand Void Ancestor’s backing, resources flowed endlessly to him.

This perfect cultivation experience was unprecedented since his entry into the Dao.

“He’s at the Front Mountain.”

The Inner Sect disciple who had come to report immediately lowered his head. This was his first time meeting the legendary True Inheritance of Grand Void Peak. Though Chen Luo hadn’t ventured out much in the past half-year, tales of his exploits had long spread throughout Grand Void Peak and even the entire Qiong Hua Sect.

Upon joining the sect, he had blown up the Grand Void Ancestor’s cultivation chamber, destroying a century’s worth of refined pills. Not only did he escape punishment, but he was granted access to the Ancestor’s second cultivation chamber. There he enjoyed the benefits of a fourth-tier spirit vein’s node, with endless resources and an unending supply of pills.

These rumors made Qiong Hua Sect disciples’ eyes brim with envy, each wishing to take Chen Luo’s place.

Countless disciples had secretly cursed Chen Luo as ‘lucky bastard’.

Gong Xiang was among them.

He came to see what this ‘lucky dog’ looked like, hoping to curry favor and become his lackey. If possible, he might even swindle some spirit stones from him.

All these thoughts vanished the moment he laid eyes on Chen Luo.

The aura of a Great Cultivator of the Perfected Realm crushed all rumors. Gong Xiang, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator in his early stages, had become an Inner Sect disciple of Qiong Hua Sect. Naturally, he wasn’t some blind fool. With a single glance, he sensed the immense power emanating from Chen Luo. This aura, nearing Core Formation, was unmistakable.

He’s about to reach Core Formation, and it’s no ordinary Crimson Pill!

The thought flashed through Gong Xiang’s mind. As a Qiong Hua Sect disciple, he understood perfectly well the gap between Blood Pills and Golden Cores. In that moment, he found the sect’s rumors particularly laughable.

“Many thanks, Junior Brother.”

Chen Luo smiled in gratitude. He took a step forward, and his Flying Sword shot out from his sleeve, transforming into a streak of light that carried him soaring toward the Front Mountain.

In no time at all, Chen Luo arrived at the Front Mountain.

The restriction against flying applied only to ordinary disciples. True Inheritance Disciples and Elders retained the right to travel by sword.

“Brother Chen.”

As soon as he entered, City Lord Yan, who had been seated inside, rose to greet him with a warm smile. He showed not a shred of the airs typically associated with Core Formation True Persons. In truth, ordinary Core Formation cultivators had little to brag about when faced with the colossal might of Qiong Hua Sect.

Yan Qiuming had also heard about the Qiong Hua Sect’s proposal to annihilate the Medicine King City. When he learned that the Grand Void Ancestor had rejected it, he couldn’t help but feel immense relief. After dealing with the traitors in the city, he immediately took seventy percent of Medicine King City’s income and brought it to the Qiong Hua Sect.

After navigating through several layers of connections, he finally reached Grand Void Peak not long ago and delivered the message to Chen Luo.

Today was different from before. Chen Luo had become a True Inheritance disciple of the Qiong Hua Sect, now backed by the Grand Void Ancestor. With this relationship in place, Chen Luo’s future Core Formation was guaranteed, and the path ahead would be clearly paved for him by the Ancestor.

“City Lord Yan.”

A faint smile appeared on Chen Luo’s face. Meeting an old acquaintance was always cause for joy, and he had already guessed the City Lord of Medicine King City’s purpose for coming. Having become a True Inheritance disciple of the Qiong Hua Sect and the nephew of the Grand Void Ancestor, their cooperation naturally needed to be strengthened. Moreover, he had previously saved Medicine King City’s life.

“I’ve come primarily to ask Medicine King City to pledge allegiance to the Qiong Hua Sect. The resources I promised you before are now due for payment.”

The City Lord of Medicine King City wasted no time on pleasantries. He was a straightforward man who expressed his position in a few words.

After that, he took out seventy percent of Medicine King City’s recent earnings and handed them over to Chen Luo.

“I came here in haste, and there are still some matters in the city that need handling, so I won’t be staying long.” Seeing that Chen Luo had accepted the gift without refusing, the City Lord of Medicine King City finally let out a sigh of relief.

His goal had been achieved.

As resources in the Southern Heaven Domain grew increasingly scarce, it would become harder and harder for neutral powers like them to survive. Before being harvested by the Four Great Top-Tier Sects, the best choice was to align with one side. Though this way of life wouldn’t be as carefree as before, it was safer - ultimately, it was a path to survival.

“I’ll see you off, City Lord.”

Chen Luo stood up, his smile growing even warmer. He had previously wondered if the City Lord of Medicine King City might try to use his status as leverage, but now it seemed the man was just as clever as he’d expected.