Exploring Immortality Cultivation-Chapter 1062 - 145: Cooperation

Xu Xueqing didn't look pleased about Wang Qi's request.

Naturally, Xu Xueqing could understand Wang Qi's explanation. When it comes to "popular science," Wang Qi's level is considered top-notch.

However, understanding does not mean acceptance.

Indeed, Wang Qi's approach was akin to using a "non-toxic dagger" to simulate an "assassination." But, "non-toxic" doesn't mean those stabbed by the "dagger" would feel comfortable.

In fact, even being stabbed by a "non-toxic dagger" carries certain risks. Especially after learning about the terrifying thing known as the "Divine Plague Curse Technique."

However, Wang Qi could be considered honest. The Divine Plague Curse Technique is an Immortal Alliance secret, which Xu Xueqing could never have known before he revealed it himself. He could have easily deceived Xu Xueqing into trying it voluntarily.

Just for that reason, Xu Xueqing hasn't fallen out with Wang Qi.

With a grim face, she pressed, "Didn't you use the Divine Plague Curse Technique to make me have illusions before? Why not continue using it?"

"That's fundamentally different, disrupting perception and all that," Wang Qi shook his head. "Because my ultimate goal is to eliminate the Holy Emperor Venerable, I don't intend to use instant-kill Divine Plague Curse Techniques on others but aim to use the Divine Plague Curse Technique to make the opponent become my power."

The Divine Plague Curse Technique is divided into many kinds.

The simplest kind is essentially "directly destroying others' minds."

This type of Divine Plague Curse Technique only needs a self-replicating instruction set to complete. It will continuously replicate, constantly occupying the Taker's "cognitive resources," mana, soul, and even the brain. This way, the opponent's "self-awareness" will be submerged, completely unable to operate.

This process is irreversible.

When personality and self-awareness are destroyed, even if the physical body is alive, it's just a walking corpse.

The Divine Plague Curse Technique used by Feng Luoyi during his plot against the Master of the Hongyuan Sect in the Divine Capital, and Wang Qi's attack on Mei Gemu, belonged to this category.

Feng Luoyi was most wary of this level. This type of Divine Plague Curse Technique, when no restrictions are set, could even destroy civilizations.

And an unrestricted Divine Plague Curse Technique is simpler than a restricted one.

A more complex type is "disrupting consciousness," "monitoring actions," "thought-stealing."

This requires a mature mechanism to finely operate on the opponent's will.

Wang Qi also used this method on Mei Gemu, but the true lethality was from the first kind.

The most complex third type of Divine Plague Curse Technique is "acquiring control of the opponent's mana."

This type of Divine Plague Curse Technique was only considered after Wang Qi realized the dataized cultivation method and took shape over the past half year on Spirit Phoenix Island.

"Systems" and the like belong to "this type" of Divine Plague Curse Technique.

Broadly speaking, he has already strayed from the realm of Divine Plague Curse Techniques, resembling more of a Virtual Form Technique.

Ironically, the destructive power of these three types of Divine Plague Curse Techniques diminishes sequentially.

The original simplest Divine Plague Curse Technique has powerful lethality against immortals. The second type can also be used against immortals, but its lethality is no longer apparent. It can distort hearts, but the effect isn't obvious. Some cultivators who have completed "Unity of My Method" or "Divine Separation Sense Transformation" can even resist it spontaneously. Wang Qi doesn't dare use the third type against high-order cultivators.

Destruction is always simpler than construction. Destruction is turning order into chaos, while construction is the opposite, arranging chaotic elements into a certain order.

But this time-space always seems to move towards "chaos." "Construction" is akin to resisting the erosion of time.

After hearing Wang Qi's account, Xu Xueqing had a gleam of curiosity in her eyes, "You actually research this... a law gate whose power weakens as it progresses?"

"It's a simple principle, a technology that, in its original form, can only harm people, but once matured, it has many uses," Wang Qi's tone conveyed a sense of pride.

No matter the world, technology development follows such a trajectory. On Earth, atomic energy initially served as a tool for killing, but once it transitioned to civilian use, it held the power to usher in the next era. It's the same in this world. Initially, people understood the fire attribute spells, and then they explored the fire element cultivation techniques based on those spells. The destructive power of cultivation techniques initially lags behind pure spells, but cultivation techniques provide a path towards greater strength.

Divine Plague Curse Technique and Virtual Form Cultivation Method are the same.

Wang Qi's initial motivation for developing this set of technology was "everyone has immortal cultivation." Killing the enemy was merely incidental.

Wang Qi spread his hands: "That's about all I have to say. For you, this kind of 'probing' attack is completely harmless. I can even adjust the type of Divine Plague Curse Technique to instead promote your cultivation. If you don't trust me, having me swear a Heart Demon Oath is fine."

A Heart Demon Oath is not something to be taken lightly. It's a suggestion to oneself, akin to forcefully creating a flaw in one's mental state.

Xu Xueqing pondered silently. After a moment, she said: "If I accept your proposal, how is it different from cultivating that Virtual Primordial Spirit technique of yours?"

By now, she's figured it out. According to Wang Qi's description, the Divine Plague Curse Technique and the Virtual Form Cultivation Method are essentially two different manifestations of the same law gate.

"The differences are significant." Wang Qi appeared earnest: "The Virtual Primordial Spirit would become part of your cultivation, whereas the Divine Plague Curse Technique would not. As long as the means chosen are appropriate, the Divine Plague Curse Technique won't leave any damage."

Generally, the Divine Plague Curse Technique can at most be considered to 'add a status,' whereas the Virtual Form Cultivation Method involves changes to one's mind and self.

Xu Xueqing's heart was indeed somewhat moved.

Wang Qi's personality was somewhat elusive to her. Yet, judging by his current demeanor, while this young cultivator's tactics towards enemies were boundless, he was relatively forthright towards allies, not concealing any crucial details. Thus, his claim of 'harmfulness' might very well be true.

However, having someone else direct a Divine Plague Curse... that was quite a test of one's psyche.

Though a woman, Xu Xueqing was decisive. Hundreds of years ago, upon realizing she couldn't safely transition to being a Modern Cultivator, she proactively proposed going undercover at Spirit Phoenix Island. At that time, she felt merely staying on the Shenzhou Continent might not hold prospects, but being undercover at Spirit Phoenix Island held a different significance for the Immortal Alliance; it could yield many benefits in the future.

Therefore, after several minutes, she made her decision: "Alright, I can agree. If our cooperation goes well, I might even cultivate the technique you created – however, I have one condition."

Wang Qi's face lit up with joy: "Oh, what is it?"

"Show me your trump card." Xu Xueqing said: "Let me see what you confidently claim can defeat the Holy Emperor Venerable."

Wang Qi's eyes showed a bit of difficulty. After a few minutes, he said: "The Heart Demon Mysterious Net is hard to 'see' using conventional means. Among the methods I can think of, either displaying it to you would attract the Holy Emperor Venerable, or I wouldn't be able to show you its power... I need to prepare a bit."

Those who only know how to play online wouldn't naturally understand the significance of the network to human civilization. Wang Qi displaying an "interface" would still be incomprehensible to the ignorant.

Xu Xueqing nodded: "Very well. Once you demonstrate the power of your Divine Plague Curse Technique, Virtual Form Cultivation Method, and Heart Demon Mysterious Net, I will naturally cooperate with you."

Then, Xu Xueqing deliberately raised her voice and said: "You're quite talented in pharmacology for a junior. Go tell the steward to work as an attendant student here with me. In time, I might even teach you the cultivation techniques of Xinglin Building's lineage."

Her voice wasn't loud, yet it traveled far. Soon, many in the Heavenly Book Tower knew about Elder Xu from the Body Integration Realm taking in an attendant student.

For cultivators at the Divine Separation Stage and Body Integration Realm, this news held little value and was quickly forgotten. However, Nascent Soul Stage cultivators started pondering whether they should bring some congratulatory gifts to celebrate Elder Xu's sect having a newcomer – from Elder Xu's tone, she seemed quite optimistic about this unknown low-level disciple?

While discussions were abuzz in the Heavenly Book Tower, Xu Xueqing was already explaining some taboos of Xinglin Building to Wang Qi.

"Daoist Fellow Wang, who has been lurking in the Heavenly Book Tower, is probably familiar with its rules." Xu Xueqing said: "Xinglin Building is both a library tower and a medical facility, so its rules differ. The first two floors are places for others to seek treatment, also the dwelling for low-level disciples; you may find a place to rest. You may tread on the third to the seventh floors. However, without my command, absolutely do not set foot above the seventh floor. If you need to find me, use 'your method'."

"Also, absolutely do not enter the row of rooms on the west side of the first floor."

Being a curious person, Wang Qi asked: "What's inside there?"

"People whose deviation and serious ailments are irrecoverable." Xu Xueqing said calmly: "They've lost even their true essence, and their sects sent them here – both to legitimately give me some 'consultation fees' and to do 'favors'."

Wang Qi couldn't see what kind of favor this could possibly be. Just then, Zhen Chan scoffed inwardly: "Evil Cultivation Methods of Xianhong Changchun Dao... this girl appears like a white lotus flower, but her core is darker than dark."

Wang Qi asked, surprised: "Evil cultivation... methods?"

"Idiot, this isn't something you should be asking directly!" Zhen Chan shouted.

Wang Qi immediately understood.

The quickest and simplest cultivation method, where Xianhong Changchun Dao cultivators appear to heal others for the sake of refining their own mana, is what?

Injure, heal, injure, heal...

However, Xianhong Changchun Dao cultivators aren't adept at combat, typically unable to achieve this. Thus, the sinister cultivating method of this medical lineage is leading others into deviation, continuously harming themselves, and then healing repeatedly.

Xu Xueqing, unaware of Zhen Chan's existence, assumed Wang Qi was questioning her and said: "You know too. I'm not fond of this cultivation method, but it's hard to refuse those sending them here with 'kind intentions.' Moreover, this island is not short of utterly wicked individuals; if they cross me and I use them for cultivating, no one can criticize – though I seldom use such a lethal method."