Chapter 87: Joint Mission

“Voice fusion is one approach; it can serve as a temporary solution for now.”

Chen Luo pondered methods suitable for himself. Within his mind, he had over thirty ways to utilize ‘experience,’ but these experiences were from deceased brains, creating a sense of detachment when using them. Normally, this might not pose issues, but during encounters with skilled opponents, such a slight disadvantage could be fatal.

Moreover, Chen Luo’s study of Soul Projection techniques wasn’t solely for combat; it also aimed to prepare him for future Foundation Establishment. Therefore, achieving perfect mastery was essential.

“Wu Dao Peak’s techniques are too narrow-focused. Try infiltrating other main peaks to learn diverse practices and broaden your perspective. Cultivation should never limit one’s horizons.”

This advice came from the mummified brain, and Chen Luo found it quite reasonable.

After considering several unsatisfactory plans, he decided to set the matter aside temporarily.

Wu Dao Peak’s techniques primarily focused on mental states.

In the cultivation world, cultivators could generally be categorized into three types: the first being ‘body cultivators’.

The Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s Divine Fire Peak, specializing in equipment forging, primarily focused on body cultivation. The techniques at Divine Fire Peak were centered around physical prowess, with cultivators continuously enhancing their bodies through spiritual energy during the forging process. These practitioners possessed exceptional defense, being tough and resilient; even when facing off against beasts, they often held a significant advantage.

The second type was ‘sword cultivators’.

Sword cultivators were relatively rare among cultivators due to high entry barriers. Firstly, stringent innate requirements were needed, and secondly, their cultivation method was extremely demanding. Most of these cultivators had high offense but low defense, with their entire cultivation base concentrated on a single sword.

Their philosophy revolved around breaking myriad spells with one strike.

If unable to break through, they risked becoming easy prey!

The third type, exemplified by Wu Dao Peak, were comprehensive ‘arcane cultivators’.

Arcane cultivators formed the most complex and diverse group within the cultivation realm. They did not excel significantly in any specific area, lacking both clear advantages and pronounced weaknesses. Versatility was their strength, adapting effortlessly to various situations. Consequently, this category also encompassed the broadest range of abilities, from the most extraordinary to the quite ordinary.

Top-tier arcane cultivators could overpower both body and sword cultivators, achieving invincibility at their rank. Conversely, low-level arcane cultivators were only fit to serve as mere assistants to the others.

Having learned his first official divine ability, Chen Luo now counted himself among the entry-level arcane cultivators.

His next step was to find opportunities to visit other main peaks, broaden his horizons, and discover a suitable ‘Pulling Soul’ technique for himself.

Additionally, there was the issue of resource acquisition.

Over the past two months, the profits from Dust Removal Talismans had steadily decreased. The market for such low-tier spiritual talismans was limited; remaining customers either lacked motivation to clean, like Senior Brother Shoumiao, or already possessed the Dust Removal Technique themselves. These individuals would not purchase the talismans.

Huang Ying had warned him multiple times recently, suggesting he try creating new types of talismans. Otherwise, the profits would continue to decline next month.

“Let’s tackle these two issues step by step. First, learn more about drawing talismans to address the resource problem, ensuring steady growth of my cultivation base. Then, look for opportunities to undertake tasks on other main peaks.”

Gathering his thoughts, Chen Luo rose and headed towards the library.

There were no specific methods for infusing spiritual energy, but with numerous templates available, a bit of inquiry should suffice to learn the process.

This time, he planned to draw a relatively useful type of talisman: Search Talisman!

A Search Talisman is also an auxiliary spiritual talisman, with complexity lower than offensive talismans and requiring less spiritual energy—well within his capabilities. It is one of the most suitable talismans for earning income.

All disciples from Wu Dao Peak who ventured off-mountain for missions would stock these talismans for unforeseen needs.

“You’re looking for a template of the Search Talisman?” The green-clad disciple peeked out from inside the library, examining Chen Luo attentively.

Talisman masters capable of drawing spiritual talismans always attract attention wherever they go. Chen Luo recognized this individual as the peculiar disciple who had brusquely tossed him, Huang Ying, and their group aside during their initial entry assessment.

There was something unusual about this person; likely, he had significant connections or background.

“Ten spirit stones, no discount,” the green-clothed disciple said leisurely. With a wave of his hand, a book flew into his grasp—it contained the templates for the Search Talisman.

“That expensive?” Chen Luo frowned.

He had underestimated the value of the Four Arts of Immortality. Even just a single template, without any infusion techniques, cost more than other basic little spells.

“If you’re willing to sell your knowledge of the infusion secret technique to me, I can cover this cost with my spirit stones and additionally give you another one hundred fifty,” the green-clothed disciple proposed, looking at Chen Luo.

As Huang Ying had mentioned, the value of infusion secret techniques far exceeded expectations. Techniques like the one Chen Luo possessed, unrestricted by the sect and freely teachable, were even more valuable outside. In the regions spanning the three countries, such secrets would be prized items auctioned off, coveted for establishing small cultivator clans.

“Not interested.”

Chen Luo turned and walked away.

He was no longer a novice just entering the sect, needing to defer to his fellow disciples’ opinions. Even if this individual had some influence, Chen Luo remained undaunted.

Upon arriving at the Merit Bestowal Grounds, Chen Luo immediately heard a commotion.

“The guardian disciple of Xi Xia Market Town was killed?!”

“The sect has issued a joint mission involving Tian Jian Peak, Gu Wang Peak, Divine Fire Peak, and our Wu Dao Peak will all dispatch disciples for it.”

“Have these rogue cultivators gone mad?! They dare raid even our Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s market!”

As Chen Luo approached, he overheard several individuals discussing the situation, including Fu An, Huang Ying’s sidekick.

Their expressions were filled with fervor, as if they couldn’t wait to descend the mountain and confront those reckless rogue cultivators in a life-or-death battle! This attitude was typical among sect cultivators. Even if they held lowly positions within their sect, once outside, they still considered themselves elite disciples from prestigious factions.

This mindset stemmed from the broader environment of the cultivation world.

The upper-tier resources were monopolized by established immortal sects, leaving rogue cultivators like stray dogs, willing to attempt any technique and risking their lives for even minor gains. While their realms may seem high, in reality, these achievements often came at the cost of potential and longevity, often without realizing they had chosen misguided paths.

Some rogue cultivators reached Late Stage Qi Refinement without ever learning true divine abilities, relying solely on basic spells to maintain appearances.

“An opportunity to earn a sect’s divine ability reward—does this mean we can choose one from other main peaks?” Someone noticed the joint mission’s incentive, clearly intrigued.

“Although the rewards are enticing, the risks remain too high. With all four peaks uniting and Divine Fire Peak specifically requesting Late Stage Qi Refinement disciples to lead, it’s clear that this mission is more dangerous than any previous ones.” Amidst the crowd, some calm-minded disciples voiced their concerns.

Upon hearing these words, many others also became composed.

Fu An felt similarly. Being only at the third layer of Qi Refinement, not even reaching the middle stage, such missions requiring descent from the mountain were unlikely to involve him.

Standing quietly on the side, Chen Luo listened attentively to their discussions and quickly grasped the general situation.

Three days ago, Xiaxia Market, under the jurisdiction of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect, was raided. The disciple guarding the area went missing, rumored to have been captured by rogue cultivators for corpse refinement—a direct affront to the Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s authority.

The entire sect was outraged; while the actions of its higher echelons remained unknown, the sect issued this joint mission to its disciples.

The objective: to exterminate the remaining rogue cultivators responsible.

In the cultivation world, preaching morality and righteousness was futile. These rogue cultivators respected only power. Only bloodshed would make them remember and adhere to the rules of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect.