Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The 26th on the Sha Ranking

[Basic Saber Skill Perfection (708/2000)]

[Golden Bell Body Refining Technique Perfection (166/2000)]

[Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique, Great Success (145/1000)]

[Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber, Great Success (265/1000)]

Inside the Military Preparation Camp, Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, immersed in his cultivation. His heart was as calm as still water. With the Golden Jade Ointment and Primordial Marrow Pills to aid his cultivation, it was only a matter of time before he reached the peak of the Marrow Transformation Realm.

Suddenly, Chen Sheng was startled. He felt a new change in the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil. With a thought, he delved deep into his consciousness and saw the four ancient characters for "Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil" light up simultaneously.

Then, lines of hastily scrawled text rapidly appeared.

[My name is Chen Sheng. By the time you read this, it is too late for my regrets. After wiping out the Gao Family, my attention shifted to the Huang Family and Lin Shou. As for the last remnant of the Gao Family, Gao Yuanfeng, although I still had people hunting him, my focus had already moved on. I thought he couldn’t stir up any significant trouble.

However, I never expected that this oversight would lead me into a massive crisis. It turned out the Gao Family had been retaining a Demon Monk Tributor. His dharma name was Shanxin, and his cultivation had reached the Innate Realm. Though he had old injuries that hadn’t healed, he was still not someone I could contend with. Lured by Gao Yuanfeng’s promises, he decided to eliminate me.

On the night of the first day of the eleventh month, in the seventh year of Mingjing, this person brazenly stormed the Military Preparation Camp to assassinate me. Although I was protected by the Blood Evil Demon Talisman, I ultimately failed to kill him, unable to fight someone a realm above my own. In the end, I managed to severely injure him with the Blood Evil Demon Talisman, but I died at his hands... In my final moments, I was filled with regret. If only I had known about this sooner, perhaps the outcome would have been different...]

Immediately after, the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil continued to update.

[Shanxin came from the Golden Spring Temple in Ning’an Prefecture. He committed a great crime and was being hunted by his own temple. He fled to Changshan County in a panic to recuperate from his injuries, which is how he fell in with the Gao Family. If I had known this beforehand, I would only have needed to spread the word, and that alone would have been enough to intimidate him into fleeing Changshan County, easily resolving this crisis.

However, fortune is born from calamity. What no one knew was that the reason Shanxin committed his great crime was because he had... unexpectedly discovered a strand of Profound Yin Blood Fiend in Ning’an Prefecture. In order to cultivate the Nine Nether Yin Fiend, ranked twenty-sixth on the Earth Fiend list, he brazenly stole a high-grade Red Lotus Evil Qi from the Golden Spring Temple. He planned to condense the two similar sources of Evil Qi into one. Furthermore, he also possesses the advanced Cultivation Technique for the Golden Bell Body Refining Technique, the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique... If I could obtain both of these, it would be a heaven-sent opportunity...]

Reading the contents displayed on the Celestial Book, Chen Sheng’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

When he had wiped out the entire Gao Family and obtained the Secret Treasure, the Golden Jade Ointment, Chen Sheng had been suspicious. He couldn’t understand how the Gao Family had managed to acquire a Spiritual Object like the Golden Jade Ointment.

After all, such an item was hard to find even in the Prefecture City. How could a mere powerhouse in a county like the Gao Family possibly obtain such a Body Refining Treasure?

If the Gao Family truly had such capabilities, they would have long since dominated Changshan County, or even expanded their influence to the Prefecture City.

Only now did he finally understand. So, the Gao Family had an Innate Powerhouse from the Golden Spring Temple hiding behind them!

If he wasn’t mistaken, the Golden Jade Ointment must have come from this person.

And after the Gao Family’s destruction, Gao Yuanfeng, knowing he was no match for him, had hired an Innate Expert to deal with him. ’He really is... leaving no stone unturned.’

Chen Sheng had personally witnessed just how terrifying an Innate Realm powerhouse could be.

Although his cultivation was now successful and he had entered the Marrow Transformation Realm, fighting someone a realm above was basically impossible. Only because he possessed the Blood Evil Demon Talisman did he have any chance of resisting.

In fact, based on the hints from the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil, the path before Chen Sheng was simple.

This crisis could even be resolved with ease.

He only needed to leak the news that Shanxin was in Changshan County to immediately scare him away, instantly resolving the crisis. After all, he was well aware of the Golden Spring Temple’s reputation.

As a top power in Ning’an Prefecture, its foundation was so strong that the Gao Family couldn’t even compare. The temple had no shortage of Innate Experts, and as a traitor who had betrayed his temple, Shanxin himself was living in constant fear.

Once he learned the news was out, he wouldn’t dare to show himself to target Chen Sheng again, no matter how great the benefits Gao Yuanfeng offered.

But fortune is born from calamity.

The opportunity hinted at by the Celestial Book was incredibly tempting.

After all, it was a rare occasion for "Seeking Fortune *and* Avoiding Evil" to be fully lit up. This meant that while the crisis was great, the opportunity was even greater.

As for this Profound Yin Blood Fiend, Red Lotus Evil Qi, and Nine Nether Yin Fiend the book mentioned, Chen Sheng didn’t know much, but one detail caught his attention.

Ranked twenty-sixth on the Earth Fiend list.

Chen Sheng had previously asked Wu Kuang about the cultivation path within the Innate Realm. One had to obtain Innate Spiritual Qi, forge a Spirit Seed, and draw Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi into the body to be called an Innate Powerhouse. This was the early Innate stage, the Chaoyuan Realm.

After the Chaoyuan Realm came the Condensing Evil Realm.

The process required Introducing Evil Qi into the Body, followed by Gathering Qi and Condensing Evil, and finally Condensing Evil and Refining Gang.

The higher the quality of the Evil Qi, the higher the quality of one’s Innate True Qi, which in turn would build a solid foundation for future cultivation. Moreover, it would greatly increase one’s strength, making it of utmost importance.

But ordinary Innate Realm cultivators could rarely find Evil Qi of a high enough quality, which would then limit their own cultivation progress.

’And since Evil Qi is graded by quality, any type that makes it onto the so-called Earth Fiend list must be a top-tier Evil Qi. If I could obtain it... my future path would be much smoother.’

Besides that, this Shanxin also had the advanced Cultivation Technique for the Golden Bell Body Refining Technique: the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique.

At his current rate of cultivation, he would soon hit a wall. To obtain an Innate Level Cultivation Technique, he basically had only two paths. The first was to obtain one from the Government Office. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The second was to renounce his official position, re-enter the Jianghu, and obtain one from a Cultivation Sect or a Noble Family.

As for a third path, it was practically impossible. While cultivation techniques below the Innate Realm were relatively widespread, those for the Innate Realm and above were almost always the core secrets of their respective sects and clans, never to be leaked easily.

Moreover, when he cultivated the Golden Bell Body Refining Technique, he felt it was a perfect fit for him. He would only switch to another technique if he absolutely couldn’t obtain the advanced version.

But now, the advanced Cultivation Technique was right in front of him.

’Should I take the gamble?’

Chen Sheng was hesitant. He had always been a cautious person, unwilling to take risks unless he was ninety percent certain of success. ’This time, if I set an ambush in advance... what would my chances be?’

Chen Sheng tried to shift his mindset, wanting to see if this would cause any change in the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil. However, perhaps because he hadn’t truly made up his mind, the Celestial Book remained unchanged.

Thinking this, Chen Sheng pondered for a moment before heading toward the county government office.

He planned to ask Wu Kuang if he knew anything about the Earth Fiend list.

.....

"The Earth Fiend list?"

Inside the county government office, Wu Kuang frowned at Chen Sheng upon hearing his question.

"You’re being a bit too ambitious."

"This subordinate only happened to hear Li Huai Sheng mention it. I was thinking about my future cultivation, and since Your Lordship is so knowledgeable, I came to ask for your guidance," Chen Sheng explained with a smile.

"You, there’s no need for such talk in front of me. But since you’ve asked, I suppose I can tell you a bit more." Wu Kuang pretended to be displeased on the surface, but he was actually quite pleased with Chen Sheng’s flattery.

"This so-called Earth Fiend list was established by the court and is recognized by all Martial Artists. The list catalogs a total of seventy-two types of precious Evil Qi, each one being exceptionally rare.

But for Martial Masters without a strong background, or those who are Loose Cultivators, the many types of Evil Qi on this list are practically an impossible dream. For an ordinary person, obtaining even a common Evil Qi is already a stroke of incredible luck.

As for the precious Evil Qi on the list, to obtain one, you need either an astonishing background, peerless talent, or extremely good luck. The list is further divided into the thirty-six upper-grade Evil Qis and the thirty-six lower-grade Evil Qis. I don’t actually know the specific names of the Evil Qis; it was something Captain Nie mentioned offhand during a chat..."

"So you’re saying that unless one is exceptionally lucky, there’s generally no chance of obtaining a precious Evil Qi from the Earth Fiend list?"

Chen Sheng fell into thought upon hearing this.

"Of course..."

Wu Kuang shot Chen Sheng an exasperated look. "How could such a precious resource be obtainable by just anyone?"

Then, thinking he shouldn’t discourage Chen Sheng so much, Wu Kuang paused and added, "However, if you can demonstrate outstanding talent in the future, the court might bestow a precious Evil Qi upon you."

"What about Innate Spiritual Qi? Is it also divided into grades?"

Chen Sheng suddenly asked.

Wu Kuang first nodded, then shook his head.

"Innate Spiritual Qi does have differences, but there’s no specific grading system. Firstly, this is because Innate Spiritual Qi is born from heaven and earth and doesn’t have various cultivation enhancements. Secondly, after condensing an Innate Spirit Seed, you can refine Spiritual Objects to make up for any deficiencies. Therefore, when breaking through, there’s no need to excessively pursue higher-quality Spiritual Qi..."

"I see. This subordinate thanks Your Lordship for clearing up my confusion."

A look of realization dawned on Chen Sheng’s face.

Before, he knew the opportunity Shanxin held was likely precious, but he had no definite way to measure it. Now, he did.

According to Wu Kuang, without heaven-defying luck, he would have absolutely no chance of obtaining a top-tier Evil Qi from the Earth Fiend list. But then again, Shanxin was delivering himself right to his doorstep this time.

Wasn’t that a sign of his own astonishing luck?

At that moment, his resolve to ambush Shanxin hardened considerably.

’If I can get this top-tier Evil Qi, ranked twenty-sixth on the Earth Fiend list, it won’t just greatly increase my strength—it will make my future cultivation path even more solid.’

Besides, since it was being delivered to his doorstep, there was no reason not to take it.

However, the matter was difficult and couldn’t be accomplished easily.

After all, Shanxin wasn’t some Foundation Establishment Martial Master, but a genuine Innate Realm powerhouse. According to the Celestial Book, even though his opponent was injured and Chen Sheng possessed the Blood Evil Demon Talisman and a solid foundation, he was only capable of resisting him—he was by no means his opponent.

Before that, he had to plan things out first and also wait to see if there were any further changes in the Celestial Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil. Only then could he consider his actions sound. In addition, he still had to find a way to increase his strength.

And the fastest and simplest way to do that right now was... to take Madam Yang’s Yin Yuan Qi!

Originally, he had thought there was no rush. He could wait a while and take it to aid his breakthrough to the Innate Realm. But now, the opportunity Shanxin presented...

...was even more important than breaking through to the Innate Realm.

’Madam Yang... I can’t wait any longer.’

And he had to take her down as soon as possible, to avoid any complications from delays.

Wu Kuang knew that Chen Sheng, having reached the Marrow Transformation Realm, was now having ideas about his future cultivation. Still, he offered some earnest advice with a solemn expression:

"On the path of cultivation, impatience is the greatest taboo. For now, don’t think about matters of Evil Qi and Innate Spiritual Qi. Just focus on your cultivation. If you show astounding talent, the court won’t let it go to waste."

"Your Lordship’s teachings, this subordinate will surely take them to heart."

Chen Sheng, snapping back to reality, immediately replied with great solemnity.

Wu Kuang nodded slightly. He then began to share some of his knowledge and experiences regarding cultivation with Chen Sheng. Although his own cultivation realm wasn’t much higher than Chen Sheng’s, his decades of experience—especially the time spent by Nie Yuanliu’s side—had greatly broadened his horizons.

At the very least, it was more than enough to guide Chen Sheng.