Immortality by Merit and Sin Coins

’I really have that bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills to thank.’

Lin Shu closed his eyes and exhaled a clear breath.

All Upper Three Grades Internal Methods offer a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. The only differences lie in the efficiency of converting Immortal Spiritual Qi and the quality of the resulting Dao Foundation.

But in any case, he had finally stepped into the Late-stage of Qi Cultivation.

’Now that I have the power to protect myself, I can finally start thinking about escaping Black Water City.’

"It’s your turn."

Lin Shu slowly opened his eyes as a dense mass of jet-black copper coins began to emerge around him.

He pulled open his damp lapels and looked at the small wolf. Its breathing was steady.

Compared to its initial weakness, the wolf shadow was now as sturdy as a young calf, and it was clearly on the verge of waking up.

’With over four hundred and eighty Sin Coins, I wonder what level I can raise White Bone Burial Soul to?’

He didn’t dare to hope for a technique on par with the Foundation Establishment Stage.

After all, even for the barriers between the three stages of the Qi Cultivation Realm, each breakthrough increased the cost of Sin Coins by nearly tenfold.

Going from Seventh Grade to Sixth-Grade was the first hurdle, requiring only about ten coins, and advancing from Sixth-Grade to Fifth Grade wouldn’t be much more expensive.

But when it came to the next barrier, from Fourth Grade to Third Grade, the required number suddenly soared to a hundred coins.

If it was like this just within the Qi Cultivation Realm, the bottleneck between Great Realms would be even more daunting.

’But I should still be able to reach First Grade, right?’

’If all goes well, I might even have two or three hundred left over.’

A hint of anticipation crossed his face. Then, the jet-black copper coins swiftly sank into his chest.

The Lone Wolf Howling at the Moon Painting slowly unfurled in Lin Shu’s mind.

Just as he was immersing himself in it, a deafening roar suddenly echoed in his ears, like the heartbeat of some giant creature.

DONG! DONG! DONG!

The beats were as loud as thunder, yet perfectly rhythmic.

Lin Shu’s expression changed slightly as he looked at the prompt that suddenly popped up.

[Having consumed over four hundred more Sin Coins, the Evil Immortal takes its initial form.]

[Half-Life Immortal Descendant. Filthy Moon Wolf Lord: Infancy]

[Divine Technique Comprehended]

[Half-Life Immortal: Soul-Splitting Thousand Threads Guide]

In the gaping, ghastly wound on Lin Shu’s chest, the small wolf’s body convulsed violently.

Its originally snow-white fur had already turned grayish-black after consuming so many Sin Coins.

Now, the color deepened further into a shimmering, spectral black, threaded with wisps of dark red.

It opened its eyes, revealing scarlet pupils as translucent as glazed glass.

But the residual emotions in those eyes were gradually erased by the influx of Sin Coins.

’It’s awake?’

Lin Shu’s pupils contracted. He subconsciously activated his Inner Technique, attempting to suppress the agitation in his heart with the cry of the Cyan Sparrow.

But the moment he formed the hand seal, the young wolf’s phantom suddenly shattered, turning into wisps of Black Mist that re-formed into a blurry shadow behind him.

Like a raging, dancing mass of translucent black flame, it quickly enveloped Lin Shu’s body.

In an instant, two scarlet lights ignited within the black flame—its eyes!

Lin Shu sensed an extremely terrifying Cultivation empowering his body.

At the same time, information about this change flooded into his mind.

’The Immortal Descendant has taken form... Just its Magical Power in this infant stage is comparable to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!’

’I can borrow this Cultivation?’

Lin Shu felt the Magical Power suddenly surging through his body, and he was momentarily stunned.

This power was so unfamiliar, yet it felt as natural to control as his own limbs.

In this state, he and the infant Filthy Moon Wolf Lord seemed to have merged into one, completely inseparable.

’No, this isn’t borrowing. It’s control.’

Lin Shu’s fingertips trembled slightly as he suddenly recalled the change in the little wolf’s eyes earlier.

They had been filled with resentment and unwillingness, but soon became indifferent, leaving only the purest ferocity.

It was as if its act of seizing the nest had been discovered, and before it could even erupt in fury, its consciousness was brutally erased by those jet-black coins.

It had been molded into a brand new, puppet-like creation.

’Such domineering Sin Coins!’

...

Such a huge surprise came crashing down on him that even Lin Shu was stunned for a moment.

He had previously been most worried about two things.

First, that the little wolf would run away after waking up, and second, that the person who had placed it in his body would suddenly appear to take it back.

Now, not only was the first problem solved, but he had also gained Magical Power comparable to the Foundation Establishment Stage for free!

’Phew, but it seems this power can’t be used carelessly.’

Lin Shu felt a ferocious aura gradually taking over his mind and, with a wave of his sleeve, dispelled the raging black flame phantom that enveloped him.

The scarlet orbs of light suspended within it suddenly went out.

The translucent black flame re-formed into the shape of the young wolf, which closed its eyes to rest, looking slightly exhausted.

All in all, it had taken six or seven hundred Sin Coins just to awaken it.

The Filthy Moon Wolf Lord’s Cultivation came entirely from these jet-black coins.

If he were to fully draw upon its Cultivation until it was depleted, replenishing it would probably cost no less than that amount.

Perhaps even more.

After all, that Cyan Feather had also consumed nearly four hundred Good Coins, yet it hadn’t even formed an Immortal Body.

The Evil Immortal was able to grow so quickly, perhaps in part because it was already fully formed to begin with.

’It’s a bit pricey.’

Lin Shu was in a great mood, but he couldn’t help but sigh at the cost, true to his frugal nature.

Mid-stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators were worth nearly a hundred Sin Coins each, but even if seven or eight of them joined forces, how could they compare to a single strike from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?

Never mind a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; he himself had just slaughtered four Fierce Wolves.

’In other words, being expensive isn’t really its drawback.’

Lin Shu suppressed his excitement and began to study the Divine Technique mentioned in the earlier prompt.

Soul-Splitting Thousand Threads Guide?

With a thought, the corresponding information flowed into his mind.

[Split the soul into myriad threads, control Magical Artifacts, seize the bodies of others.]

The description was so concise it made him frown.

’Taken literally, "split the soul into myriad threads" is probably figurative. Does it just mean I can control a few more Magical Artifacts than a typical cultivator?’

’But I don’t have any Magical Artifacts.’

As for "seize the bodies of others," Lin Shu couldn’t help but look down at his chest.

’I think I know what happened to me.’

So that White Wolf was actually a Soul-Splitting from some Immortal Descendant!

’I just don’t know what an Immortal Descendant who has mastered Divine Techniques would want with a mortal body. And will they find out that this Soul-Splitting Consciousness has been obliterated?’

At this thought, the corner of Lin Shu’s eye twitched slightly.

Even the weakest infant Immortal Descendant could possess a Foundation Establishment Cultivation. If it were an adult, wouldn’t that involve an even higher Realm?

"Forget it."

He shook his head, dispelling his worries.

’I can’t even get out of Black Water City right now. What’s the point of worrying about all that?’

Besides, what they left behind was a Silver-eyed White Wolf. What did that have to do with the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord he’d practically raised himself?

Just then, the Lone Wolf Howling at the Moon Scroll, which had been shattered earlier, interrupted Lin Shu’s thoughts.

A new piece of information suddenly appeared in his mind, snapping him out of his reverie.

[Qi Cultivation First Grade. White Bone Burial Soul: Perfection]

Four hundred and eighty-eight Sin Coins had not only awakened the White Wolf, but had also pushed this Immortal Technique to the peak of the Qi Cultivation Realm!

...

Time passed slowly.

Daylight broke.

Even though a group of people had covered the flatbed carts with burlap, the thick, pungent stench of blood still drew a crowd of onlookers.

East City was where the Government Office was located. It was rare to smell anything like this in such a place.

Those who could live here were almost all families of Officials or the city’s wealthy gentry.

They covered their noses, staring at the group of "mud-legs" from the South Suburbs, then turned their gazes to the dark-skinned young man at the very front.

They had heard that Xiaochang had just been promoted to Chief Constable. What kind of trouble had he gotten into now?

"Go, inform Madam Chang," one of the gentry said, giving a pointed look to a servant beside him.

...

Chang Yi ignored the surrounding stares and instructed everyone to quickly push the carts into the County Yamen, where he had them line up in an open space.

Only then did he let out a slight sigh of relief.

"Don’t go back to the South Suburbs for now. I’ll find a place for you to stay behind the Government Office. You can all stay there for the time being. I’ll take care of food and other necessities."

"Thank you, Lord Official!" dozens of commoners replied excitedly.

For them, even if the food and drink were poor, the reassuring atmosphere of East City alone was enough to make them feel intoxicated.

"It’s nothing."

Chang Yi nodded politely and touched the money pouch at his waist.

’With my salary, as long as I’m a little frugal, I should have enough to cover all their food and lodging.’

"Try not to wander around outside. If you need anything, just have one person come find me."

’Aside from the threat of the Black Water Gang, these people have all seen Brother Lin’s face. I can’t let them get captured and tortured before this is all over.’

As for the people who had been imprisoned back at Ancient Pine Ridge, they didn’t know what had happened outside.

Chang Yi had simply offered them some reassurance and told them to go hide in the South Suburbs.

After all, a group of several hundred people was too large a target. If he rashly brought them to East City, he wouldn’t be able to protect them all by himself.

On the contrary, with the Cunning Fox Hall destroyed, it was like the Black Water Gang’s eyes had been gouged out.

Their small number of Cultivators wouldn’t have the spare time to run over to the chaotic South Suburbs and hunt these people down.

"Phew!"

Having arranged everything, Chang Yi finally relaxed.

He wiped his grimy forehead, turned with a smile, and then his entire body trembled twice.

...

Gu Nanzhi stared blankly at the young man before her, her peripheral vision sweeping over the carts that filled the courtyard.

Watching the blood that was still dripping from them, she quietly clenched her fists.

Behind the County Captain.

A plainly and neatly dressed woman was squeezing the Buddha Beads in her hand so hard her knuckles turned white, almost snapping the string.

She stared daggers at Chang Yi, her eyes practically shooting fire.