Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 676: Ghost Vine, Old Tree, and the Dark Crow, Along with a Third Person - Novel Cool

Chapter 676: Ghost Vine, Old Tree, and the Dark Crow, Along with a Third Person

Chapter 676: Ghost Vine, Old Tree, and the Dark Crow, Along with a Third Person

Wow!

Wow!

The hoarse and mournful caw of the crow echoed from time to time in the ancient and mysterious forest.

That was the call of the Dark Crow.

The so-called Dark Crow is a very special demonic spirit.

Its body is composed of two souls, one from the Ghost Vine and the other from the Dark Crow beast.

The Ghost Vine is formed by absorbing a large amount of death energy, and wherever a Ghost Vine is born, there will be a Dark Crow accompanying it.

The two are like parasites, yet they seem to have a symbiotic relationship.

When the Ghost Vine is not satisfied with its current situation, it will transfer its soul to the Dark Crow, leaving its original location and traveling to other places.

This is the true Dark Crow.

Such an existence is extremely dangerous for cultivators, as they can easily fall into the Dark Crow's innate illusion, the "Twilight Curtain."

According to legends, within the Twilight Curtain, those affected will repeatedly witness the setting sun without perceiving the passage of time.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, a cultivator's body will be silently strangled by the Ghost Vine.

In such a perilous situation, Luo Chen would never dare to venture in alone.

Unless he enters the Wood Heaven Origin directly through the Chenyuan Sea cyclone!

But for now, it's fine.

Having Tai Sui, one of the former Three Giants of the Hundred Crow Ghost Forest, as their guide, those dangers are nothing to them.

Luo Chen follows behind Tai Sui, continuously advancing in the forest.

His gaze occasionally falls on the thriving ancient trees, and he can't help but feel a sense of wonder.

He discovers that the trees growing in this forest are all rare and precious spirit trees, rarely seen in the outside world.

Even the third-tier spirit tree, Xuyang Wood, which he cultivated in front of the Tianlan Peak cave, would only be considered mediocre here.

Other rare spirit trees like the Flashing Thunder Wood, Hell Illusion Tree, Frost Blossom Wood, and more, including some unique ancient trees that Luo Chen can't even name, all stand tall in this forest.

It's worth noting that these rare spirit trees have different growth environments, and some even have conflicting requirements. Yet, they can coexist harmoniously in the same forest, and there's not even a trace of the most basic 'territorial consciousness' among the spirit trees.

Such a bizarre situation couldn't help but astonish Luo Chen!

Suddenly, Luo Chen's body halted, and his gaze fell on an unremarkable large tree.

Its entire body was pitch-black, resembling an ancient pine, with drooping branches like those of a willow tree.

Luo Chen hesitated and said, "Soul-Nurturing..."

"Soul-Nurturing Tree!"

At the same time, Han Zhan's excited voice echoed in his ear.

Luo Chen nodded slightly, and indeed, the tree before him was the legendary Soul-Nurturing Tree.

Even with an ugly scar on its trunk, it didn't affect its aura in the slightest. Moreover, Luo Chen could vaguely see through the scar and estimate the tree's age to be around three thousand years or more.

If he were to take the tree's core, the obtained Soul-Nurturing Wood would be of exceptional quality.

At the very least, it wouldn't be inferior to the piece Han Zhan used...

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen suddenly looked down, gazing at the three-inch wooden token between his chest.

The size of the scar on the tree seemed to be around three inches as well...

To confirm, Luo Chen looked up again, but what he saw was a dim yellow scene, with the setting sun slowly descending within the curtain.

In just an instant, Luo Chen's face changed.

"Illusion - Twilight Curtain!"

"How is this possible!"

Ever since entering the Hundred Crow Ghost Forest, to prevent falling into the Dark Crow's illusion, he had been vigilant of soul attacks.

Even without the protection of the Rotten Chess Black Chess, the techniques he had learned since childhood, such as the 'Bright God Demon-Slaying Technique,' and the 'Dust Essence Technique' he later created, all had this function.

Moreover, with Han Zhan's possession, he was always on the lookout for potential soul attacks.

How could he have silently fallen into the illusion without noticing?

Amidst his shock, Luo Chen also felt something amiss.

"If I truly fell into an illusion, how could my consciousness be so clear?"

"It couldn't be that I'm just thinking I'm clear-headed, right?"

Han Zhan's voice broke Luo Chen's doubts.

"This illusion is powerful, definitely not something a second or third-tier Dark Crow could cast."

"Did the senior also fall into the illusion?"

"Hmm."

"Could it be a fourth-tier Dark Crow casting the illusion?"

"No, it's a fourth-tier demon spirit's illusion. If I had fallen for it, I might have been affected, but I would never be pulled in without any resistance and find myself in the same illusion as you, able to converse freely."

With these words, Luo Chen's breathing instantly became heavy.

A fifth-tier Dark Crow?

Han Zhan's voice came again, carrying a hint of relief.

"Don't panic, this illusion doesn't seem to have any malicious intent. It's just trying to block us, and since it's not malicious, I didn't sense it."

"No malicious intent?"

Luo Chen was stunned.

He looked at the illusion again; the setting sun was descending, but not at the speed described in the legends of the Twilight Curtain, where the sun endlessly falls.

In other words, the caster of this illusion hadn't fully activated it.

They merely used this illusion briefly to trap them.

What was their purpose?

Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed as he remembered Tai Sui's previous words.

He was once one of the Three Giants of the Hundred Crow Ghost Forest, guarding the Wood Heaven Origin, and seemed to have a connection with the other two. Returning to his old haunt, could they be reminiscing about the past? Although he was thinking this way, Luo Chen's mood couldn't be described as pleasant.

"I've had enough of these illusions, enchanting sounds, bewitching voices..."

Han Zhan smiled slightly, "You're quite skilled at using the Mirror Flower Water Moon Technique to counter enemies."

"Luo Chen's expression turned stiff, and he shook his head.

'This is not a case of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. If I were to fall for it, it would be a matter of life and death.'

As he spoke, a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes as he asked Han Zhan.

'Aside from soul defense artifacts and using powerful divine soul cultivation to resist illusion attacks, are there other methods to defend against these bizarre and strange attacks?'

Han Zhan replied, 'If the divine soul cultivation is insufficient, one will naturally be suppressed and unable to defend against it.'

Is that so?

Luo Chen felt a sense of disappointment.

He had thought that Han Zhan, who was proficient in the Way of Divine Soul Cultivation, not only excelled in attacking others' souls but also in defending against soul attacks. Yet, it seemed he had no countermeasure.

At the moment of Luo Chen's disappointment, Han Zhan suddenly spoke.

'Although it can't be defended against, I have at least three methods to forcibly break free from an illusion after being affected.'

Three!

Luo Chen's eyes lit up.

He licked his dry lips and said, 'Please, Senior, teach me!'

Han Zhan chuckled, 'Why would I teach you for free?'

Luo Chen was taken aback.

You're bringing it up, doesn't that mean you're willing to teach me? Luo Chen quickly realized.

Although he and Han Zhan had a good relationship, whenever it came to exchanging cultivation techniques and secret arts, there had never been a free lesson.

Basically, it was always a matter of quid pro quo!

For example, the Black Emperor Ointment formula was exchanged for Han Zhan's 'rent' of the Primordial Cauldron and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

Similarly, the Yuan Dan Technique and the complete Embryo Formation Pill formula were traded for Luo Chen's purchase of the Soul Nourishing Wood.

Especially in the latter case, Luo Chen boldly asked for a significant favor, taking a great advantage.

It could be said that the reason Luo Chen could now roam freely at the Core Formation stage, instantly killing peers, was largely due to the immense power provided by the second Yuan Dan Technique.

In this world, there are no free lunches.

After understanding this, Luo Chen calmly asked, 'Senior, is there something you desire?'

'You're very smart, figuring it out so quickly,' Han Zhan said with a smile.

Luo Chen asked, 'What is it?'

Han Zhan countered, 'Do you remember why I agreed to accompany you into this Demon Annihilation Land?'

Why did Han Zhan want to enter the Demon Annihilation Land? Luo Chen had asked this question before.

And the answer, the other had already given.

'To borrow your body for rebirth?' Luo Chen drew in a cold breath.

Han Zhan's smile vanished, his tone turning slightly stern.

'Just remember that. My decrepit body willingly ventured into this perilous ancient cultivation ruins, not specifically to protect you, but because this place is filled with opportunities, attracting numerous Nascent Soul experts.'

'There will surely be a great battle!'

'I want you to lend me a helping hand at the critical moment, to help me seize the body of a human Nascent Soul True Man, allowing me to possess it!'

Luo Chen's tone turned hesitant, 'Senior Han Zhan, are you joking with me?'

'What do you think?' Han Zhan countered.

Luo Chen fell silent.

This time, it was Han Zhan's turn to gently coax him.

'You've already prepared to battle Nascent Soul experts, haven't you? All your cultivation has been aimed at Nascent Soul realm, and now that the moment has come, are you afraid?'

'In other words, even if I don't teach you these methods, shouldn't you feel grateful and repay me in some way?'

'Think about our journey, from Cangwu Mountain to Xuan Yan Island, from Feiling City to the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly, and now in this Demon Annihilation Land, how many times have I helped you?'

'Yes, some help was a fair exchange, but for the cultivation guidance, the creation of techniques, the pointers on Embryo Formation, and even recently helping me repel a Demon Emperor, have I ever asked for repayment?'

'Luo Chen, I trust your character!'

'Even if I don't bring this up today, at the critical moment, you would still choose to help me. But I'd rather make things clear now, so that we can cooperate sincerely later, preventing you from being unprepared and blaming me afterward.'

To feel indebted and repay?

No!

A gentleman can be taken advantage of, but only to a certain extent!

Luo Chen had his principles and wouldn't be a gentleman when it involved risking his life.

Han Zhan's silent efforts over the years had been for this moment.

'Ah...'

A soft sigh echoed through the ancient forest.

'I'll teach you a technique that suits you best for dispelling illusions, it's called... Open the Bamboo Technique. You've cultivated the Yuan Dan Technique and the Locking Pearl Screen from the Luoyun Sect's three arts and two techniques. Cultivating this technique will be like water flowing into a channel, so listen carefully...'

His words flowed like a gentle stream beside Luo Chen's ear.

Luo Chen's expression changed like the shifting clouds.

But in the end, he didn't interrupt Han Zhan's teaching and quietly listened to the so-called Open Bamboo Technique.

...

Wow...

A hoarse crow's cry echoed through the ancient forest.

Sinister black vines slowly wrapped around a fat man.

'You're back.'

'Yes, I'm back.'

'Since you've escaped, you shouldn't have returned.'

'Does escaping with a lingering regret count as escaping? My main body is trapped in that Demon Abyss, never to see the light of day again!'

'Then don't blame anyone. The True Lord had said that we shouldn't covet the place of inheritance, it's your greed.'

'My greed? Does that mean I should just guard this Hundred Crows Ghost Forest and be content with being honest and obedient?'

(End of Chapter)"I don't know. I only know that back then, it was the True Monarch who opened our spiritual wisdom, and since then, we've never been in a daze again."

"Old Ghost, the True Monarch has fallen!"

"No, I don't believe it. The True Monarch's abilities are unparalleled in history! The Great Year couldn't suppress him, and the Qixia couldn't kill him. He just took the wrong path and is starting anew with the help of others."

"Hmm? Old Ghost, it seems you know more than you're letting on?"

In the tranquil and serene forest.

The Great Year's expression changed, and after a while, he firmly said, "I don't know if the True Monarch can return to the mortal world. But I've had enough of this Demon Annihilation Land. Last time, you obtained the Soul Nourishing Wood Plate, helping me escape my predicament. This time, I don't ask for your help either; I just hope you won't stop me!"

"Have you found a way for your true body to escape in the outside world?"

Old Ghost's voice carried a hint of excitement.

The Great Year confidently said, "I have a 30% chance!"

"Only 30%?" Old Ghost asked disappointedly.

"30% is already a lot." The Great Year shook his head, his eyes filled with anticipation. "The True Monarch never put us in his eyes. That so-called countermeasure was merely a casual small-scale arrangement. As long as I'm willing to pay the price, and with the assistance of the corresponding formation, I can escape the Demon Abyss. At that time, I'll have the opportunity to enter the Inheritance Land and use its external teleportation formation to go to the outside world."

As he spoke, a longing expression appeared on his face.

"Old Ghost, the world where the True Monarch's palace is located is extremely prosperous. Even if it's not the birth of the world, it's still rich in spiritual energy and extremely suitable for our cultivation."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'll tell you this much. There are still a few Ancient Beasts alive in the outside world."

"Ancient Beasts!"

A shocked voice came from the black vine.

Even the black vine tightened slightly.

The Great Year frowned, "You're hurting me."

"Sorry."

Old Ghost's excitement didn't subside. After some thought, he slowly said, "Make a copy of that method... no, two copies for me."

"Two copies?" The Great Year was puzzled. "Are you giving one to the Crow Ancestor?"

"He and I were once one. There's no need to ask for more."

The Great Year suddenly understood. So, the other copy was meant for the Wood Man King.

He didn't hesitate, after all, they were once companions.

After making two copies of the escape method, the black vine on the Great Year's body instantly retracted.

Before leaving, Old Ghost asked a question.

"Are those three your helpers?"

"Yes, I need experts in formations to assist with this method. I can't control Nascent Soul True Men who are too strong, Golden Core cultivators are just right."

The Great Year stretched and casually said as he walked.

But as he spoke, his face suddenly changed.

Three people?

Apart from Mo Yun and Qing Yang, who is the third person?

Just then, another crow's caw sounded, and Luo Chen and the Lord of Mo Yun Cave emerged from the Illusion of the Yellow Dusk.

The two looked at each other, their expressions different.

At that moment, the Great Year's voice faintly echoed.

"The ancient trees here are spiritual, and you must not disturb them. Otherwise, at best, you'll fall into the Illusion of the Black Vine Crows, and at worst, you'll attract an attack from the Wood Man army."

The Lord of Mo Yun Cave gave an embarrassed smile and put away the small shovel in his hand.

In front of him was a four-tiered Diamond Wood, towering and majestic! Luo Chen's gaze also shifted from the three-thousand-year-old Soul Nourishing Tree.

But he clearly sensed that the Great Year was staring intently at him.

Luo Chen frowned, "Great Year, didn't you say you'd guide us and ensure our safety?"

The Great Year smiled.

"It's just a little unexpected, but from now on, there's definitely no danger."

As he spoke, he pointed to the plateau ahead.

"The Wood Heaven Plain is abundant with spiritual herbs. There are seven or eight types of resources to assist you in Nascent Soul formation, and even suitable Body Tempering demonic herbs. Do you want to go and take a look?"

According to the original plan, they were supposed to pass through the Hundred Crows Ghost Forest, then boldly cross the Wood Heaven Plain, and finally, cross the Canglan.

By doing so, they would thoroughly traverse the Five Elements World and enter the third day of the Demon Annihilation Land, also known as the Inheritance Land, Bright Heaven.

But now.

Both the Lord of Mo Yun Cave and Luo Chen had the intention to move.

The Great Year chuckled, waved his wide sleeves, and walked ahead.

"Follow me!"

The two behind him exchanged a glance and hurriedly followed.

After they left.

Countless black vines rustled and retracted into the depths of the earth. A sleek, glossy black crow with shining eyes landed on an old tree that was half withered and half lush.

As it landed, an ancient face appeared on the tree's trunk.

"Why have you come?"

A hoarse voice came from the large mouth on the face.

The black crow cawed and rasped, "Three hundred years of spiritual energy absorption has passed, the palace gates are wide open, and the Great Year has returned."

"Hmm? He barely escaped, how could he bear to come back?"

The Wood Man King's thinking was a bit slow. With a slight sense, he discovered the Great Year and his two companions still wandering in his realm.

The black crow cawed again, but this time, a deep voice sounded from within it.

According to the Great Year's address, he was Old Ghost.

Old Ghost said, "He has returned, but this time, he intends to leave with his true body."

"This..."

"Wish him success."

Two voices simultaneously echoed from within the crow, and then the black crow flapped its wings and flew into the sky, circling above the Hundred Crows Ghost Forest.

(End)

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