Chapter 263 - 243: Unexpected Harvest
"Greetings, Senior Jin."
Everyone bowed to the person whose half body was submerged in the spring water.
The person was dressed in a black robe and looked utterly inhuman, reduced to mere skin and bones; the skin’s folds sagged like bark, presenting a somewhat horrifying sight.
His presence bore no trace of life’s breath, akin to a corpse.
Yet upon entering this place, everyone could feel the vast and pure Primordial Qi filling the air, uncertain if it was from the pool’s water or the powerful figure himself.
Chen Ming followed suit with the bow, feeling odd as he lowered his head. Logically, upon reaching First Grade, the body’s aging would slow, even nearing life’s end, it shouldn’t degrade to such an extent.
Consider the master and mistress of Star Moon Sect’s Nie Hongyi—they’ve been dead for years, yet their bodies remain uncorrupted.
Upon reaching the Divine Treasure Realm, with the Divine Treasure opened, the body should be even more robust.
It seems he’s used some kind of life-extending secret technique, enduring a heavy price for survival, resulting in this condition.
"No wonder everyone yearns for immortality."
Chen Ming thought with some sympathy for this powerful figure.
He hasn’t died yet, yet the major forces in Jiangzhou are already sharpening their knives, ready to feast upon the Golden Jade Hall.
Thus, having a successor is crucial, at least when facing death, things can be more dignified—not this current state where even posthumous arrangements have already been made.
The strange figure in the pool didn’t open his mouth but emitted an ancient voice, "Nine people, and two Second Grades among them—excellent!"
His voice wasn’t as frail now and his half-closed eyes turned more gleaming, seemingly satisfied.
"Senior Jin."
It was Tian Qidong who took the lead and spoke, "May we ask how you plan to select a successor? We seek your guidance."
Old Jin replied, "If you wish to receive my legacy, it depends on whether your physique aligns with my cultivation technique. There is an introductory cultivation technique carved on the western wall—you ought to comprehend it. Six hours later, whoever understands the deepest will receive my inheritance."
The crowd turned their heads and indeed saw text and patterns carved into the stone wall ten zhang away.
Two silhouettes soared simultaneously, landing before the stone wall, securing the best spots.
Others were unwilling to lag and promptly exhibited their body techniques to reach the stone wall—some stood closer, others farther, maintaining a certain distance as they delved into the wall’s cultivation technique.
Chen Ming did not contest with them, staying the farthest away; with his sight, even from a dozen meters away, he could see it clearly.
"Six hours, unsure how much can be comprehended."
Originally, upon hearing it was to comprehend a technique, he was joyful, thinking who could rival him in this? But once Old Jin mentioned only six hours, worry crept in.
His comprehension wasn’t high, and it was uncertain if he’d grasp enough of the technique in this time.
Only by mastering it would this technique appear on his panel.
Chen Ming focused his attention, and after a few lines, a strong sense of familiarity surged within him.
"This technique—"
He suppressed his excitement and continued to read, then a wave arose in his heart.
"Profound Earth True Skill!"
It was unmistakable; the technique recorded here was indeed the Earth Element Chapter from the "Five Elements True Skill."
Such as stumbled upon without searching—effortlessly attained!
Chen Ming’s joy reached its peak inside.
Originally, he planned to travel Jiangzhou after reaching First Grade to complete the "Five Elements True Skill." Unexpectedly, he found the Earth Element Chapter here.
Regrettably, only one layer’s content was present—the fourth layer’s True Qi condensation formula.
"But why have us comprehend the fourth layer? Not the preceding three layers?"
Chen Ming felt puzzled.
No matter the cultivation technique, it must proceed step-by-step; Refinement Chapters may appear simple for Second and Third Grades, but they’re foundational.
Without the first three layers’ refining techniques, starting from the fourth layer could lead to problems—
Wait!
Old Jin’s disciples faced issues while practicing.
Could it be he lacked the initial three layers’ content, thus needed specific physiques to achieve mastery of "Profound Earth True Skill"?
The more Chen Ming thought, the more plausible it seemed.
So that’s why!
This "Old Jin" was indeed brilliant, mastering "Profound Earth True Skill" to the Divine Treasure Realm despite missing the initial layers—truly remarkable.
Could it be the legendary innate Black Tortoise physique?
Random thoughts raced in Chen Ming’s mind as he suddenly turned to see Yu Haitang on his left, finally understanding her pursuit of this legacy.
It seemed she was well aware that "Old Jin" cultivated "Profound Earth True Skill," plotting this moment well in advance.
Earth nourishes wood—the best approach to complete "Five Elements True Skill" is starting from "Profound Earth True Skill."
"What a pity—"
Chen Ming gazed at the text on the stone wall, showing a hint of bitter smile.
Missing the initial three layers’ content, it’s likely impossible for him to merge this technique into "Five Elements True Skill," nor compete with those present.
The other eight were genuine talents, achieving Third Grade before thirty—peerless aptitude and comprehension. He, resorting to accumulated points, how could he rival such discernment?
"Is this trip in vain?"
Chen Ming reached for the Turtle Shell he’d always held dear, feeling rather reluctant.
Upon touching the Turtle Shell, a sudden unease struck him—an ominous forewarning.
His pupils contracted slightly.
Was the Turtle Shell warning me?
Is there immense danger lurking here?
Where does the danger come from?
He tightly gripped the turtle shell in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the eight people ahead one by one.
The turtle shell showed no reaction.
Not them?
Then who could it be—
Chen Ming’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly thinking of the "Old Jin" soaking in the pool, his scalp tingling.
Bad, this is a trap!
This old man lured them here not to find a successor, but with another conspiracy!
...
"Then why hasn’t he made a move?"
Chen Ming had been through many trials, knowing that the more critical the moment, the calmer one must be.
He started analyzing carefully.
With the old ghost’s Divine Treasure Realm cultivation, killing these Third Grade and Second Grade practitioners would be a breeze.
Since he hasn’t immediately taken action, there’s only one reason: his current state is too weak, lacking full confidence to deal with these juniors.
So, what is he waiting for?
Chen Ming’s thoughts became active.
The turtle shell had once helped him break the deadlock in Xiazhou City, he trusted it wouldn’t lead him to a dead end. So, there will be danger, but not a desperate situation.
Where does the danger come from?
Where is the turning point?
Chen Ming suddenly thought, if he were Old Jin, extremely weakened, what’s the simplest way to deal with a group of not-weak juniors?
"Poison!"
He instantly thought of the answer, straightforward and brutal.
Thinking about this, he immediately held his breath, sealed his pores, and even condensed a layer of Gang Yuan membrane on his skin surface to isolate the air.
Meanwhile, his divine sense slightly sensed, discovering two others also holding their breath.
One is Yu Haitang.
The other is the arrogant-looking man with the surname Yan.
It’s not surprising Yu Haitang is this cautious. But that guy with the surname Yan, has he guessed something too?
Suddenly, Yu Haitang turned her face and looked over at him, her expression a mix of a smile yet not.
She must have noticed Chen Ming’s little actions.
Soon, she turned back to continue studying the contents on the stone wall.
As for the others, all were immersed in the cultivation technique, unaware of the unusualness between the two.
...
Unknowingly, several hours passed.
Chen Ming also studied the cultivation technique, but with part of his focus watching the situation of the other eight, especially the six without any precaution.
After so long, there was no abnormality.
"Could it be that I’m overthinking?"
Chen Ming wondered in his heart but still didn’t relax his vigilance.
Finally, the old voice sounded again, "Alright, time is up, come over here."
Everyone stood up, once again approaching the poolside.
Chen Ming was still at the back, this time he didn’t consider any danger, not even bringing the "Breaking Army Sword", just carrying a regular fine steel sword, which was a bit of a mistake.
At this moment, "Old Jin" spoke again, "Sit down by the poolside, let the old man sense how much you’ve comprehended."
Tian Qidong asked, "May I ask the elder, what is the name of this cultivation technique?"
"Old Jin" said, "This is a nameless Divine Skill, not entirely acquired by the old man. You should have already noticed. Therefore, it is necessary to see if your constitution is compatible. Only the most compatible person can fully master this cultivation technique."
Tian Qidong continued to ask, "Then how do you decide who is more compatible?"
"Very simple, within this cave, the air is filled with pure primordial qi, sit down and use the technique you’ve just learned to breathe, whoever absorbs more primordial qi is naturally more compatible with this cultivation technique. Anyone else has questions?"
"I see, the junior has no questions."
"Very well, let’s begin."
Thus, everyone sat cross-legged by the pool, starting to channel their techniques, competing to absorb the extremely pure primordial qi in the air.
How much one can absorb depends on their own skills.
Chen Ming certainly wasn’t going to stand out, similarly sitting cross-legged there, pretending to breathe. It was just an act, while he vigilantly watched the surroundings, ready for any imminent danger.
In this way, about half an hour passed.
Suddenly, the old voice sounded again, "Young lady, why aren’t you absorbing this primordial qi?"
This voice shook one’s mind.
Chen Ming’s heart tensed, knowing it was questioning himself, he could only stiffen his head and say, "Elder, don’t blame me, the junior’s comprehension is mediocre, within this short time, I haven’t grasped the essence of the technique on the stone wall."
"Is that so?"
The old voice questioned again, "What about you, the young lady in yellow clothes?"
Yu Haitang opened her eyes, with a hint of mockery in her gaze, "Those are the mana dispersed after a Divine Treasure Realm expert dies, containing their life’s essence, I dare not absorb it into my body."
This statement shocked everyone.