https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-896-The-Hidden-Hand-Behind-the-Scenes-Valley-of-Immortals/13080691/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-898-The-Opening-of-the-Pill-Sage-Hall-Five-Sects-Enter-Together/13111260/
Chapter 897: Fifth-Rank Divine Gu, Scarlet Eyes and Golden Pupils
Chapter 897: Fifth-Rank Divine Gu, Scarlet Eyes and Golden Pupils
Is solving the Demon Heart Parasite simple?
If it were that easy, Luo Chen wouldn't have struggled with it for decades.
It was only after deeply studying this parasite that Luo Chen understood why the Southern Border had once so strictly suppressed its circulation.
Once a cultivator becomes deeply bound to it, it's like a bone-eating worm, difficult to remove.
Even Tian Shan Zhen Ren, who hailed from the Southern Border, didn't dare to claim it was simple. How could this Valley Immortal speak so arrogantly?
Under Luo Chen's doubting gaze, Feng Jiang slightly lifted his eyelids.
"Your previous line of thought was wrong."
"You only thought of eliminating the parasite, but never considered turning it to your advantage."
Upon hearing this, Luo Chen's expression changed dramatically.
In a daze, he felt like a thin layer of paper was being slowly pierced.
But what lay behind that layer of paper remained unclear to him.
He spoke with a hoarse voice, "Indeed, I previously felt that this parasite was harmful, so I only thought of removing it. I never considered the aspect you mentioned."
Feng Jiang spoke gravely, "Blessings depend on misfortunes, and misfortunes depend on blessings. The reason the Demon Heart Parasite once swept through the Southern Border must be because of its exceptional qualities. If handled well, it might just be a stroke of fortune for you."
"How should I do it, fellow cultivator?" Luo Chen sincerely asked.
"Ordinary people might not be able to use that method, but your situation is special. It's not a case of a later implantation but a congenital companion—a Demon Heart Parasite. Perhaps, you can truly achieve something." Feng Jiang glanced at the young man sleeping soundly in Luo Chen's arms and said, "It's just a matter of dividing and transforming it for your own use!"
Luo Chen's expression brightened, and he vaguely saw the scenery beyond the thin layer of paper.
...
In a cold and quiet side hall on Yingxian Peak, hidden among lush green pines.
Outside the hall, a young man sat cross-legged under a large pine tree, rhythmically inhaling and exhaling.
Inside the hall, a young man watched this scene through the window, his expression conflicted.
After a while, Luo Chen withdrew his gaze and refocused his attention on the thin piece of paper in front of him.
On it was the specific method Feng Jiang had taught him to solve the Demon Heart Parasite problem.
Demon Heart Parasite, a parasite that once swept through the Southern Border.
Rumor has it that by planting it, nurturing it to a sufficient degree, and then killing the infected person, the inflictor can instantly gain half of the victim's cultivation achievements.
Especially when breaking through to a new realm, where an explosive power is required.
This convenience is truly the epitome of the demonic path!
Hence, it was named the "Demon Heart."
After it was revealed that a Demon Heart Parasite Emperor existed and that all fourth-rank and below parasites were its nourishment, its popularity somewhat subsided.
But there were still those who dared to take the risk.
The main reason was that the Demon Heart Parasite not only had the ability to plunder others' cultivation but could also accelerate the cultivator's progress.
As long as one controlled the degree of its influence, they could remove it at any time!
However, this degree was difficult for ordinary people to grasp.
After all, those who couldn't resist the temptation of this cultivation convenience would naturally be unable to resist the allure of power when faced with it day and night.
They would only sink deeper, never to recover, becoming fodder for the Parasite Emperor to use at will.
Luo Lingxi was different!
His bond with the Demon Heart Parasite was too deep, beyond that of ordinary people.
As a result, although he couldn't completely remove it, from another perspective, he himself could be considered a "low-level Parasite Emperor."
Although he was still under the control of the only Demon Heart Parasite Emperor in the world, Luo Lingxi also had the ability to plunder the Demon Heart Parasites of others.
If!
If Luo Lingxi could elevate the Demon Heart Parasite that accompanied him to the fourth rank, he might be able to take that step of "overcoming the superior with the inferior," as Tian Shan Zhen Ren mentioned.
Even if he couldn't reach that level, as long as he stayed away from the Parasite Emperor, he wouldn't be plundered of his cultivation.
"Dividing and transforming it for your own use... it's indeed simple, but also excessively sinister and overbearing."
On the paper was a method for mass-producing low-rank Demon Heart Parasites.
By following this method, using the innate parasite to create low-rank Demon Heart Parasites and then dispersing them into other people's bodies, one could complete the step of "dividing and transforming."
During this process, the innate parasite wouldn't be weakened, so it wouldn't provoke resistance from the Demon Heart Parasite.
Instead, as the dispersed low-rank parasites grew, as long as they were retrieved later, the innate parasite would also grow.
The host could then use this opportunity to cultivate rapidly, enhancing their weak cultivation and even extending their lifespan.
As for whether to later retrieve the parasites and harvest the nourishment, that would be the step after "transforming it for your own use."
"In theory, it's feasible."
"In my opinion, the specific method has no flaws."
"But do you really want to do this?"
Luo Chen hesitated for a moment.
The dispersed Demon Heart Parasites would inevitably seek hosts.
Even if Luo Lingxi was unaware, he would still be engaging in demonic practices.
Luo Chen himself had once been known as the "Azure Sun Demon Lord," but his conduct had been moderate, and he hadn't completely fallen into the demonic path.
If Luo Lingxi did this, he would be half-stepping into the demonic path from the start.
And most practitioners of the demonic path didn't fare well in the end.
In the world, which father would be willing to do this?
"Let's wait and see, he's still young."
With a light sigh, Luo Chen solemnly put away the note.
...
"Luo Chen, you're finally willing to go out. I thought you weren't interested in the Pill Sage inheritance at all, and were even considering sending me a copy of the related scriptures."
Ye Lintian spoke with a mix of complaint and joy.
Luo Chen helplessly said, "Who wouldn't want the Pill Sage inheritance? But there's a little one by my side who needs care, isn't there?"
Ye Lintian laughed, "No need to worry. Ye Ruoli is one of the few meticulous ones among my Ye family's younger generation. With her help, you need not worry."
Luo Chen nodded, not objecting to his words.
He had just examined Ye Ruoli, and she was indeed a kind and gentle person. Leaving Lingxi in her care for a short time wouldn't cause any major issues.
But thinking about the future, Luo Chen couldn't help but ask a few more questions.
"Gu Xian Fengjiang, what kind of person is he?"
Ye Lintian hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "He acts without regard for consequences, a person who walks the line between good and evil."
Luo Chen furrowed his brows, subconsciously feeling that this description didn't match the quick-witted and helpful Fengjiang.
But recalling the solution Fengjiang had offered, he had to admit that Ye Lintian's summary was very accurate.
Using low-level cultivators as nourishment and using the Demon Heart Parasite were not methods that a Nascent Soul Master could casually mention to a peer they had just met.
"We cultivators seek spiritual lands that are pure and untainted, free from impurities. Why, then, did Fellow Daoist Fengjiang choose the Sealing Immortal Valley as his place of cultivation?"
Luo Chen asked again, adding a sentence.
"Moreover, his spiritual power is always surging, as if it's about to burst out of control. Could it be that he doesn't aspire to achieve the Divine Transformation Realm in the future?"
Facing these two questions, Ye Lintian revealed a bitter smile.
He sighed, "I'm afraid that Fellow Daoist Fengjiang will never be able to achieve the Divine Transformation Realm in this lifetime."
"Oh? How so?" Luo Chen was genuinely curious.
Based on his observations, Fengjiang's spiritual power was extremely powerful, even surpassing that of Luo Chen and the Ling Tian City Lord at this moment.
Fengjiang's cultivation base was definitely above the seventh layer of the Nascent Soul stage, around the ninth layer.
Just one step away from the Divine Transformation Realm.
Could it be an age restriction? But since Ye Lintian called him a junior brother, his age couldn't be that much older.
Ye Lintian fell into hesitation.
Seeing this, Luo Chen suppressed his curiosity.
"If it's inconvenient to speak of, then don't. Elder Ye, please don't force yourself."
"Sigh..."
Ye Lintian let out a long sigh, "Anyway, Luo Chen, you're practically one of us from the Mirgyan Abyss now. It won't hurt to tell you."
It was indeed "practically," not "already."
This was because Luo Chen hadn't yet taken over the Pill Sage Hall, let alone been recorded in the sect's records, changed his sect, and become a true disciple of the Mirgyan Abyss.
But Ye Lintian had great confidence in Luo Chen, even more so than Chu Yu and Chen Mozhi.
After all, the impact of his words from back then, "Refining a hundred pills, with no room for error," was still fresh in everyone's memory.
He spoke softly, "Whether it's the inability to break through to the Divine Transformation Realm or the reason for choosing the Sealing Immortal Valley as his cultivation site, it's actually the same problem. And the source of this problem dates back to when Fellow Daoist Fengjiang went to the Southern Region..."
Gu Xian Fengjiang was among the most talented cultivators of Ye Lintian's generation, even surpassing Lei Daozi Zhang Che, Ye Lintian, and others.
Perhaps only the Pill Sage, who had blazed a new path in the Pill Dao, could compare.
Long ago, he had already condensed his Nascent Soul, showing signs of surpassing Ye Lintian.
Even powerful cultivators like Chongxuan and Hanyang were overshadowed by Fengjiang during the same period.
At that time, Fengjiang felt that within the Mirgyan Abyss, there were no peers worth challenging. The Ling Tian City Lord, relying on his age advantage, had a slight edge over him, and it wasn't something that could be caught up to in a short time. So, Fengjiang decided to travel and broaden his horizons.
The first stop on his journey was the nearby Southern Region.
He had originally planned to travel lightly and then head to the Central Region, known for its abundance of experts, and the Northern Region, which produced countless powerful cultivators. But unexpectedly, he ended up staying in the Southern Region.
He had entered the Gate of Life and Death!
That Southern Region, which caused people's faces to change in the other four regions, was the sacred land of the Divine Transformation Realm!
Once you enter the Gate of Life and Death, your life and death are no longer in your control.
Later, although he managed to escape and made great progress in his cultivation, achieving the late Nascent Soul stage, many things were no longer within his control.
"Fellow Daoist Fengjiang once said that the Gate of Life and Death was in utter chaos."
"Numerous powerful Gu Emperors had either disappeared or gone into hiding, or fled to distant places. Those who remained were all exceptionally powerful, constantly fighting with each other to enter the true Gate of Life and Death and seek the opportunity to achieve the Divine Transformation Realm."
"Fellow Daoist Fengjiang was among them and took the lead, obtaining a fifth-rank Gu Insect that could be called a divine seed."
"Later, while being chased by someone, he fled back to the Mirgyan Abyss."
"But during that pursuit, he was forced to prematurely unseal the fifth-rank Gu Insect, and now he's suffering from its backlash."
"The Sealing Immortal Valley wasn't originally like that. It was the closest spiritual land to a fifth-rank spirit vein within our Mirgyan Abyss, not far from the pure and untainted description you mentioned."
The reason why Senior Brother spent hundreds of years suppressing the Immortal Gu in the Earth Veins, causing the collapse of the Earth Veins and the constant occurrence of natural disasters and calamities."
"It's precisely because of the need to continuously suppress the Immortal Gu that he couldn't break through to the Divine Transformation Realm. It's even possible that once he achieves the Divine Transformation Realm, he will attract even greater calamities due to that Immortal Gu."
As Luo Chen listened to this past event, his eyes couldn't help but shine with amazement.
This wasn't the first time he had heard about the internal chaos in the Southern Region.
He had heard about it from Tian Shan Zhen Ren some time ago.
Even Tian Shan Zhen Ren, the last leader of the Tian Shan Sect, left his hometown and joined the Heavenly Origin Dao Zong for this very reason.
The mysterious Southern Region was indeed in great turmoil.
But for it to be chaotic enough for Feng Qiang to infiltrate, that was a bit frightening.
Which Holy Land's Divine Transformation Master could force Feng Qiang, a genius disciple from another Holy Land, to prematurely unseal the Immortal Gu?
Regarding this, Ye Lintian wasn't entirely sure, only briefly mentioning a few names.
Jian Gu Huang, Gui Pan Guan, Bu Daoren...
"According to my master, among those who chased and killed Senior Brother, the weakest were at the mid-Nascent Soul Stage. As for the three I just mentioned, they are renowned Nascent Soul Stage Great Cultivators. For Senior Brother to have survived, it was truly an astonishing feat."
Among these names, Luo Chen was only vaguely familiar with Bu Daoren.
It seemed that Tian Shan Zhen Ren had mentioned him once during their conversation.
As for the others, Luo Chen had no knowledge of them.
But he was quite curious.
"It must have been that fifth-rank Immortal Gu, which was unsealed during that successful escape, that played a significant role!"
Luo Chen spoke, as he couldn't imagine how powerful Feng Qiang must be to have escaped from the siege of so many Great Cultivators, even those at the mid-Nascent Soul Stage.
Even he himself wouldn't dare to claim such an achievement.
"We've arrived!"
Ye Lintian pointed, and a palace hidden among the white clouds came into Luo Chen's view.
It was the Pill Sage Hall!
Luo Chen glanced at him, and Ye Lintian's face remained calm.
"Sorry, I can talk about other matters, but the Immortal Gu that Senior Brother obtained is a bit special, so I can't disclose it."
"No problem, you've already cleared up a lot of my doubts." Luo Chen cupped his hands and proceeded up the mountain alone.
...
If the Umbral Abyss and the Immortal Sealing Valley were considered forbidden areas of the Mirgyan Abyss, then the Pill Sage Hall could also be considered a forbidden area of the Mirgyan Abyss over the past few hundred years.
After entering the mountain, there were no signs of living creatures, and the place was as desolate as a dead land.
However, the surrounding spiritual energy was so dense that cultivators felt as if they were bathed in spring rain, incomparable to the desolation of a dead land.
Especially when approaching the Pill Sage Hall, Luo Chen felt a certain aura that made him feel unusually close.
It was like the faint fragrance of a woman, or perhaps the smoke from a kitchen stove, but upon careful observation, Luo Chen keenly realized that it was an incredibly dense pill aura!
"Pill Sage Chu Yan, just how many miraculous pills and medicines did you refine in this Pill Sage Hall?"
Luo Chen was secretly astonished.
With such a terrifying accumulation of pill aura, it was likely that any cultivator who refined pills here afterward would greatly increase their success rate.
Indeed, it was once the Pill Sage's cultivation ground!
Luo Chen took a deep breath and was about to step into the Pill Sage Hall to prepare for the Pill Sage Hall trial in advance.
But just as he was about to enter, his heart stirred.
He pinched his spiritual sense, and his eyes instantly shone with golden brilliance.
Not only that, but his source power carefully flowed into his eyes.
Threads of red silk extended from the whites of his eyes, eventually connecting to the golden iris.
In an instant, his eyes turned blood red, with golden irises outside.
This was Luo Chen simultaneously using his spiritual power and source power to activate his spirit eyes, instantly transforming them into crimson golden irises!
He had done this once before during the Ascension Ceremony on Tian Di Peak.
However, at that time, Luo Chen's spiritual power was not as strong as it is now, and his eyes had not yet been enhanced by the Jade Emperor Golden Iris Liquid.
As a result, this was the first time the crimson golden irises had appeared.
Under these eyes that seemed to see through everything, Luo Chen looked at the Pill Sage Hall and finally discovered the source of the unusual sensation.
"It's spiritual energy!"
The entire Pill Sage Hall was shrouded in clouds.
And within those clouds, strands of spiritual energy were rippling.
Although it was scarce and thin, it was far less dense than when the Pill Sage ascended, but it was indeed present.
It was unclear whether this was left behind by the Pill Sage or attracted by a powerful cultivator from the Mirgyan Abyss.
But this alone made Luo Chen's heart tremble.
"There might be something valuable in the Pill Sage's legacy!"
At this moment, Luo Chen, who had previously obtained the Heavenly Demon Lord's pill cultivation legacy and had little regard for the Pill Sage's legacy, discarded his previous indifference and developed a strong determination to obtain it.
Spiritual energy was exclusive to Transcendent Masters and those who had ascended. Even a small amount was considered a precious treasure for ordinary cultivators.
A Pill Sage Hall protected by spiritual energy couldn't possibly be an ordinary legacy!
(End of Chapter)
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